The Board of Trustees of the Public Library is a six member Board. Members are elected to overlapping terms of three years, with two members elected in each year. The Trustees responsibility is the care and management of the public library and any public library branches. The Trustees appoint the Town Librarian and other library employees. They are also responsible for managing the Library’s budget and all appropriations made by the Town for the purposes of operating the library.
Three year position (vote for two)
Just two candidates’ names will appear on this year’s ballot.
Kathleen Keohane (Candidate for re-election) ✓ | Gail S. Mann (Candidate for re-election) ✓
Kathy Keohane | 19 Rutledge Rd. | Candidate for re-election
| Name | Kathleen Keohane |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Trustees of the Public Library |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Town Meeting Member precinct 2 Member of the Library Building Committee Member of the Fire Chief Selection Committee ( completed) |
| Candidate’s Statement | The next few years will be among the most exciting and challenging for the Belmont Public Library as we navigate through a temporary service model and complete the design and construction of the new building. I have demonstrated my commitment to serving the community ensuring that we are delivering programs and services that meet the needs of our community. I am running for reelection to continue to serve the community, and help bring the project to fruition for residents today and generations to come. |
| Accomplishments | Our community voted in November of 2022 to build a new library! As a member of the Library Board, I have been an outspoken advocate for the need for a new facility that is safe and meets the ever-growing and ever changing needs of our community. Over my past term, I served as the Trustee liaison to the Library Foundation and together we raised over $5million dollars for the project. So excited to be a part of this project and to bring the best library services and programs to our town! |
Gail S. Mann | 196 Payson Rd. | Candidate for re-election
| Name | Gail Mann |
|---|---|
| Email (will be kept private) | gailsmann@aol.com |
| I’m a candidate for: | Trustees of the Public Library |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Library Trustee since 2014, Secretary from 2015-2020 Town Meeting member since 2018 Curriculum Committee, Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Finance Committee, Mystic Chorale Formerly on the Board of the Belmont Foundation for Education and Treasurer of the Chenery and Belmont High School PTOs |
| Candidate’s Statement | I have been a Trustee of the Library since 2014. Our library is an important community resource servicing patrons of all ages and income levels. My fellow Trustees and I are committed to completing the design and construction of a new library that will offer excellent programs and services that adapt to the community’s changing needs and priorities in a safe, welcoming, accessible, energy efficient building. Through the generosity of hundreds of Belmontians, corporate donors and the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation, more than $5 million has been raised to date to defray the cost of the project to our taxpayers. I am committed to sound financial management of the library project and its continuing operations. I ask for your vote on April 4. |
| Accomplishments | I have been working collaboratively with my fellow Trustsees, the Library Director and staff, Town government, the Belmont Library Foundation, and multiple stakeholders over the past several years to make our dream of a new 21st century library a reality. The debt exclusion was successful in November, and I continue to provide support to the fundraising effort. |