Library trustees proposed an increase to their budget during a meeting with the Select Board Monday.
The biggest expense in the budget is for a carpeting project, a trustee told the board.
Trustees estimate the project will cost about $9,000, which would be divvied into three equal parts through donations, a warrant from the town, and an investment fund.
But select board members asked library trustees to look into taking more money out of its investment fund to relieve the burden on taxpayers.
“The town’s contribution to the library is doing this,” Thomas Shevenell said motioning his hand in an upward trend.
He said taking a larger chunk out of investment could help flatten that out.
Trustees said they will continue to retool the budget.
Select board members discussed the possibility of expanding the town’s online cemetery records.
Town Administrator Diane Kendall said when people walk into the town hall asking where someone is buried, she passes them along to the director of public works.
“That, to me, doesn’t feel like good customer service,” Kendall told board members.
Board member Erik Spitzbarth said the town is operating off 1970s technology and said a map with cemetery data input could be an asset for the town.
Some members noted the tedious process would take time and money, although Kendall said there may be grant opportunities for such projects.
“Hancock’s historical assets are very, very important to this town and the cemetery is a very important piece of that,” Kendall said. “We’re a historic community.”
The board will meet again on Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.