Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Great Barrington Select Board met on July 28, 2026, to address a formal complaint against the former chair of the Board of Library Trustees and to conduct a workshop on updating the town's strategic priorities. The complaint alleged open meeting law violations and improper conduct, while the workshop covered six focus areas including infrastructure, public safety, housing, and municipal services. The board heard from both parties and members of the public, made several priority adjustments, and voted to reaffirm board conduct expectations and pursue training.
Pursuant to MGL 7C 30A, such as one left. I've been notifying the chair of a public body. Any person may make a video or audio recording of an open session of a meeting of a public body or maybe the meeting for any meeting. Beginning the meeting, the chair shall inform other attendees of any such recording. This meeting is being recorded by CPSB, the town of Great Barrington. Yes. Um, and I'm sorry. Any member of the public wishing to speak at the meeting must receive the commission of the chair, the listing of agenda items for those reasonably anticipated by the chair, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed, maybe that we discussed and other items not listed, may be brought up for discussion with the extent permitted by law. Select board's announcements statements bill. Nothing. Okay, new business, a review of complaint against former Board of Library's chair. We are going to conduct this meeting as we've set the precedent form with the rules that were voted on by the select board. Um July 6th. And we will start, we will hear from each person as five minutes. There will be no rebuttal and no public comment. So we'll start with Ruby if you want to come up and speak. Yes, please. This originated from my resignation letter on May 18th, 2026, after serving as a member of the Board of Library Trustees for more than four years and the chair of the Ramsell Building Committee for the past one years. You have to form me before you have the letter. This decision is an incineration of multiple events this past year. The email imposed in your packet is the straw that goes the panel's back. These events include refusing to work with certain others who volunteer their time and efforts. Many time-sensitive documents were discussed ad nauseum at our meetings, but never put into fruition, such as the FAQ for the CPC committee, MOU to the Ramsell Building Committee, etc. The refusal to support community engagement events, but then take over the event without acknowledgement of the work that produced these events. She wrote to discourage a great bearing to the library fund member to run for the trustee's seat due to conflict of interest, which was refuted by the MDLC. The chair threatened resignation during the May trustees meeting, but there is discourse that she did not agree on, but then went on as if nothing happened. Review of certain timeline of the Board of Library Trustees meeting showed that there has been corruption of planning for secession of the chair leadership, which is against the town charter. In April, the chair recommended we move the vote to June meeting, even though the election was in May. We nominated members for the chair position on May 13th. It was only nomination. And the letter that enclosed in your packet to the three members of the board came the following day, on May 14th. One day after the board monthly meeting, the suggested changes of the vote was different from the meeting the day before. Removing my nomination and subsequently another member who had made clear during the previous meeting that she did not want the position. This clearly was influencing our vote in the upcoming June meeting. There are two issues in this picture. The first is disregard of decisions that are made by the board members. The second is the letter to the three members of the trustees with the origin coming from the fourth member constituting a quorum and violates open meeting law. It is a persuasion by the present chair with her power as the chair on other members. I did not want to be associated with an organization that moves its members by test pieces. I wish to make clear several points. The conduct of an elected member of our town committee has a responsibility to the people of the town and the library slash town as an institution. We recognize the work needed to bring the project to fruition. We're not here for power or bragging rights. As we moved in the capacity of a volunteer with a purpose to contribute our time and expertise, we also need to govern our behavior and respect inclusiveness and support to all, whether it is other town folks or committee members. Those who are in the position of leadership need to be humble and guarded in expression of how they feel about others who try to help. We need to be inclusive of the efforts of others, regardless of their background or ability. We need to reach out to support the efforts of others. The