The library, under the leadership of Marita Clemens, reported progress toward meeting state certification requirements for the first time since 2009. The library has been focusing on budget allocations and extending open hours to fulfill these requirements. A notable change is the decision to keep the library open on Saturdays throughout the summer of 2026, which marks a departure from previous years. Clemens expressed gratitude to the city council for their support, which has been instrumental in these advancements.

The library is also pursuing funding opportunities to enhance its services. Recent grant applications include a bid for a connected and online grant through the Massachusetts broadband initiative, which, if successful, would provide 30 new computers aimed at boosting educational and workforce development access. Additionally, the library has sought $3,000 from the Beamman Foundation for children’s read-along audiobooks and a $12,000 request to Fidelity Bank Community Giving for new furniture in the children’s room. Recently, the library received $4,000 from the Nolton Foundation for large print and audio books and $500 from the Ryan Patrick Jones Heart of a Hero Foundation for children’s programming.

In terms of infrastructure, Clemens highlighted the library’s aging systems, despite the building being in good repair. An energy assessment was recently conducted, and the results are anticipated to guide potential upgrades like solar panels or heating pumps to enhance sustainability. Other initiatives at the library include upgrading the aging website, establishing a teen advisory board, and purchasing multilingual materials. Upcoming community events, such as “Peace Corps Through the Ages” on February 25 and the third annual summer reading kickoff block party on June 24, themed “plant a seed read,” were also announced.

The meeting also covered updates from the cable commission about ongoing projects, including live broadcasts of city council and school committee meetings. Equipment management and upgrades were a focal point, with the commission acquiring high-quality cameras for sports broadcasting after facing challenges in securing suitable replacements. They discussed the potential installation of a closed captioning system, considering options for both English and Spanish captions, though this posed limitations for live streaming city council meetings if installed at Gardner High School.

A issue raised was the streaming problems during city council meetings, with unexpected cuts in the stream. Extensive troubleshooting revealed a backup process consuming bandwidth during streaming times as a potential cause. Adjustments to the backup timing have been agreed upon to resolve this issue. The financial implications of improving streaming capabilities were addressed, with the cost of running fiber connections estimated at $50,000, deemed prohibitive.

Budgetary concerns were a part of the discussion, particularly regarding the custodian’s salary, which had already reached 62% of the annual budget halfway through the fiscal year. This raised the possibility of needing a transfer of appropriations or supplemental requests. The overtime budget had been exceeded due to expanded programming, and the director personally covering night and weekend events expressed the unsustainability of this approach, citing mental health impacts from the workload.

The revolving fund, initially set at $80,000, was projected to exceed its cap, with a request made to increase it due to current revenue and expense figures. Discussions also touched on the lifeline program. The management of these funds was further explored, with suggestions to communicate with the mayor about increasing the caps to align with actual program needs.

Challenges at the senior center were also discussed, including maintenance issues like a deteriorating boiler manifold affecting heating zones. Despite these challenges, the center remained operational during repairs, maintaining services without disruption. Ice dams and drainage issues posed potential risks to emergency exits, with efforts underway to manage these effectively. Changes in city parking ordinances could complicate snow removal at the senior center, stressing the importance of keeping parking areas safe and accessible for seniors.