LIVERMORE FALLS — The Trust Committee that oversees a trust fund for the Treat Memorial Library approved up to $22,000 for completing repairs and maintenance at the public library.

Town Manager Kristal Flagg told selectmen the news Monday night.

She updated them about a meeting she, Cindy Rehagen Langeswisch, president of the Livermore Falls Library Association, Selectman Jim Collins and retired banker Gary Knight  had with Rod Cote, vice president and trust officer at the Androscoggin Trust & Investment Services to discuss the trust.

They also talked about needed repairs at the library built in 1954.

Elsie Reynolds Treat had the library built in memory of her husband, George Winfield Treat, and gave it to the town in 1954.

Treat also left a trust fund to cover maintenance of the library, including heat and electricity. The trust fund has $431,000, Flagg said.

The town is in charge of the maintenance at the library, including the janitor, Flagg said.  

A part-time custodian will be hired to take the place of the town’s custodian who splits his time with 18 hours a week at the town and about seven at the library. The custodian will continue to work  for the town.

“We need to pay the new janitor no more than $84 per week, Flagg said.   That is what is budgeted from the allotment the trust sends the town to maintain the library, she said. 

The Livermore Falls Library Association oversees the operation of the library. The  taxpayers also contribute money for library expenses such as staff.

No money requests have been made from the trust fund since 1998, Flagg said.

Cote told the group that the repairs presented were not going to be above and beyond what is needed, she said.

Items on the list include repair of the top five to six layers of chimney brick and do related treatment, retrofitting existing lights through Efficiency Maine Program and labor to install a heat pump and air conditioning unit.

The association received a grant for a new heating system, Flagg said.

A lot of the repairs are upgrades and will save money and energy, Rehagen Langeswisch said. Some costs will also be offset by rebates.

Cote sent an email to Flagg on Friday telling her the Trust Committee approved of using the funds for repairs.

“The Committee feels these repairs are well within the scope of the trust, as established by Mrs. Treat, and are probably overdue in some instances,” Cote wrote.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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