Select Board approves Friends of the Millis Library clothing-donation shed for two-year trial

The Select Board voted unanimously March 31 to allow the Friends of the Millis Public Library to place a two-year trial clothing-donation shed in the library parking lot.

What was approved: The Friends will place an 8-by-16-foot prefabricated wood-frame shed adjacent to handicap parking in the library lot. The organization provided the board with a vendor proposal from St. Pauli Textile Incorporated. Under the arrangement the vendor will collect donations on a regular schedule and the Friends will be responsible for day-to-day monitoring and moving donations away from the chute to avoid off-site overflow.

Why the Friends want it: Megan Gavigan, treasurer of the Friends of the Millis Public Library, told the board the group expects the program to generate between $50 and $200 per month; proceeds would be used to fund library adult and youth programming.

Conditions and logistics - The Friends will maintain the shed and contact the vendor for off-cycle pickups if donations accumulate quickly. The vendor is responsible for removing the contents and the vendor will remove the shed if the agreement ends. - The board required a two-year term with consideration for renewal; the Friends will return for renewal after the trial. The select board clarified the town will not sign the vendor contract; the Friends will manage that relationship and the townis only authorizing placement on town property.

Vote and next steps: Motion to approve placement for two years passed by unanimous voice vote. The Friends will coordinate site preparation and debris removal for installation.

Speakers: Megan Gavigan presented the request for the Friends of the Millis Public Library.