FARMINGTON – Health insurance for Farmington Public Library employees was discussed by selectmen on Tuesday.

The library requested a budget increase from the town this year. The appropriation will be used for payroll, payroll taxes and health insurance premiums at the library, Richard Morton, Farmington Public Library Association treasurer, told the board.

The library is seeking $117,989 for 2008, increased from the $99,652 approved by the town in 2007. The increase represents a 2.8 percent cost-of-living raise, and $12,550 for health insurance, he said.

Previously the library and town have benefited by having employees who were covered by a spouse’s insurance, he said. While foreseeing the need to offer insurance for the past few years, he told the board, the library realized the time had come when they sought to replace retiring librarian Jean Oplinger last summer. To obtain the quality director they wanted, insurance was needed for her and also for the other employees.

They started an insurance program for just the employee, who pays $75 a month toward the insurance. Morton inquired about the library becoming an affiliated group under the town allowing workers to be added to the town’s insurance since the town’s policy is better than what the library has, he said.

Selectman Jon Bubier told the board that he was not excited about taking on the extra expense, especially since the library took on the expense assuming that the town would pick it up.

“The library serves 2,000 people a month,” Librarian Melanie Coombs told selectmen. “It’s a cradle-to-grave service that is essential. It’s one of the few free services that people are receiving.”

The board only discussed the issue. No action was taken.

Board members have been hearing from residents that the present Mallett School site is favored, they said, in response to an update on the Mallett School renovation or relocation project given by Town Manager Richard Davis.

The architect is working on the costs of a third option that would tear down the Mallett School and build a new school at the location. Costs for both options – renovation of the present site or an addition built onto Cascade Brook School – were close and over $15 million, he said.

The size of the lot at Mallett School is no longer an issue, he said. The building committee will take a vote on Feb. 6 on the three sites.

The use of advertisements for soda versus water on banners to announce public events was also addressed by the board. Sandy Richard from the Healthy Community Coalition requested the board change the town’s banner policy to state that only banners advertising water be used.

The HCC addresses issues around the rising rates of overweight and obese children and adults with soda being the No. 1 source of added sugar in an American’s diet, she said. Banners advertising a soda logo promote a product that contributes to the weight issues dealt with by over 60 percent of adults.

“It’s not the town’s business to dictate what a business can put up for a sign,” said Selectmen Jon Bubier. Education starts at home, he added.

An audience member agreed saying that it was “another minute intrusion into our lives and more education was needed rather than legislating every little thing.”

Richard expressed her disappointment in the town’s leaders unwillingness to alter the policy.

“I’m not infringing on anyone’s rights. … I’m looking for support,” she said.

The board voted unanimously to not change the policy.