After a detailed debate, the Hanover Select Board opted not to move forward with a proposal that would have increased the size of the Board of Library Trustees from three to six members. The discussion, which included testimony from current trustees and town officials, centered on whether an expansion was necessary to improve governance and community engagement.
The proposal was initially put forward by Select Board Chair Vanessa O’Connor, who argued that increasing the number of trustees would provide more perspectives and allow for a more efficient distribution of responsibilities.
“The reason that I did that was because I’m kind of using this as sort of a test case or an attempt to try and just as a broader approach to good governance to try and increase the number of individuals that we have on various boards in town where that’s within the Select Board authority to do so,” O’Connor explained.
O’Connor also emphasized that diversity—beyond just race—was an important factor in making decisions that represent the entire community.
“I feel like when I specifically say diversity, people think I’m just trying to push minorities on people or shove that in anyone’s face,” O’Connor said. “I do truly mean diversity of thought, diversity of experience, socioeconomic diversity, diversity in age, gender, all of it. I’m not trying to pigeonhole some race agenda on people. I truly do believe, and I think it’s proven in many, many, many companies out there that diversity in thought and diversity in experience creates better outcomes.”
However, the current library trustees opposed the expansion, citing that a three-member board has been sufficient to manage the library’s responsibilities. Trustee Tammy Tedeschi, who serves as the board’s chairperson, said the trustees have consistently met quorum and do not see a need for additional members.
“I feel that we, as three, have been working great,” Tedeschi said. “I’ve been on there for four years. We have always met quorum. Actually, all three of us have been at every meeting.”
Tedeschi also noted that the board has already made efforts to increase public input, including holding office hours to hear from residents.
“We are small enough that we have moved our meetings around—elder care, childcare, sickness, schoolings—to make sure everyone’s there so we can all talk, we can all get our ideas out,” Tedeschi added.
Some Select Board members questioned whether the lack of opposition in past trustee elections indicated general satisfaction with the board’s current structure. Rhonda Nyman pointed to election records showing that the library trustee races have seen little competition in recent years.
“It doesn’t look like the will of the people in Hanover are unhappy or think that they should expand the library trustees or they’d have more opponents running for those seats,” Nyman said.
Another concern raised was the timing of the discussion, as the town is currently facing financial challenges that could impact library funding. Tedeschi suggested that expanding the board at a time when the library’s future funding was uncertain sent mixed signals.
“I’ve heard from a number of residents asking why we want to increase the number of trustees when officials have been talking about possibly not being able to fully fund the library next year,” she said.
During the discussion, Select Board member Greg Satterwhite encouraged trustees to advocate for the library’s needs, regardless of the town’s financial situation.
“I kind of find it sad that you have to think about in terms of things you don't want to ask of the town based on the financial conditions of the town,” Satterwhite said. “I think it's important that boards and committees advocate for what they are overseeing, and I would want you to advocate for the things that are important to you and important to the people who are using the library because without that advocacy, we as decision makers and in the broader scope residents in town don’t know what all of the issues are if we don’t have people advocating for the things that are important to people.”
He urged the trustees to take an active role in shaping the future of the library, regardless of whether the board remained at three members or expanded.
“So whether it’s three people now or six in the future, I would just exhort you to be defenders of the library and advocate for the library and think from the perspective of doing what’s best for the library so people can make the decisions based on how important the library is to them and you funneling that energy to us,” Satterwhite said.
Ultimately, while the Select Board did not take a formal vote on the article, there was no clear support to move it forward. O’Connor acknowledged the feedback from both sides but indicated that broader governance discussions may continue in the future.
With the issue settled for now, the Board of Library Trustees will remain a three-member elected board responsible for policy oversight and collaboration with the library director.