Clinton Boards Hear Call for Full-Time HR Post and $13.5 Million Library Borrowing

CLINTON — April 7, 2026 — Clinton boards review $13.5 million library borrowing and HR staffing gap at joint session. The Select Board and Finance Committee met jointly April 7 to work through departmental budget requests, with Library Director Marie Lithhart presenting the terms of an $11,316,000 state construction grant that requires a town commitment by June 30, 2026. The full project estimate for a new library on Chestnut Street is $24,854,000, leaving a proposed debt exclusion of $13,537,771; Lithhart said the estimated tax impact is approximately $154 per year per household based on current assessments and a 25-year loan. A member identified as Phil clarified that the Finance Committee's endorsement or disapproval determines whether the required two-thirds Town Meeting vote proceeds by show of hands or secret ballot, with the question then going to the annual election either way. Separately, HR Director Rick told the boards the department is "behind" on compliance and ethics training, and requested both a full-time coordinator position — currently filled part-time at roughly $35,000 per year — and a nine-to-12-month salary classification study by the Collins Center for Public Management estimated to cost more than the $10,000 paid for a 2022 market survey, with a target of implementing a new compensation structure by fiscal year 2028. No formal votes were taken.