06/11/2026
Hoping all of our Fryeburg Friends will participate in the Town of Fryeburg’s Town Meeting TONIGHT!
Although the 154th Annual Report is brimming with interesting and valuable information, we suggest you focus on the Town Warrant, page #161 to be prepared for tonight.
Try not to fixate on why articles # 33 through # 51 do not indicate voting by Select Board or Budget Committee.
Please spend some time reading Article 8.
Michiye Harper, a member of the Select Board posted on Facebook on May 29 a detailed concern about the budget, with an analysis of that Article as well as Articles 3., and 9. Well worth searching and reading. If you have access to it, there was an article on June 4th by Dawn DeBusk of the Bridgeton News which elaborated on an interview she did with Fryeburg’s Town Manager, Katie Haley. During that interview, Katie enumerated all the details pertaining to Articles 3.,8.,and 9. Specifically, she clarified that the Fryeburg Public Library, its Director Maryann Eastman, two aides Jennifer Layne-Eastman, and Donna Merritt-Jackson had provided her with ample viable evidence for the need-based 3.6% increase.
What’s important is this, as a friend of the Friends of the Fryeburg Public Library, Inc. YOU recognize the importance of our town’s library.
Below is what I had submitted to both the Bridgton News and Conway Daily Sun on Monday 6/1.
Fryeburgians, come to Town Meeting, TONIGHT (at FA’s Performing Arts Center 6:00 pm) regardless. If you are so motivated your support regarding the Library’s budget would be great!
June 1, 2026
I'm grateful to the Bridgton News to share concerns re. Fryeburg's budget to be voted on @ Town Meeting on 6/11/26 as it pertains to our Library. A Selectboard member, who also serves on the Budget Committee, is "working overtime" to disparage the need for a $5,352.00/3.66% increase to the budget for the library. The Fryeburg Public Library, as was pointed out at Town Meeting 10+ years ago, and repeatedly since, is not just a place to borrow books from. It is a welcoming community hub of activity, collaborative efforts, and learning which is within walking distance for many. Books can be returned when the building is closed & books can be accessed without coming in (ie. Books on Call), but Story Hour for our youngest, learning to crochet or numerous additional skills from another community member, getting help with Taxes from AARP reps, receiving essential advice from a Veteran's Administrator, and using the computer or copy machine need people to make it happen. The library has multiple meeting rooms for community groups to gather in and we do! The staff help us clean up even when the program goes a tad overtime.
Sadly, with the prospect of hours being cut one of our wonderful Library Aids, a multigenerational community member, has found a more secure position.
Our director and one Aid can not serve adequately, they were already too busy, hence the detailed evidence-based budget request ... it's time for some in the town to finally come in to immerse themselves in the "warmth" of the FPL. Their budget ignores all the evidence, shared monthly, that more funding is needed to continue to offer what many appreciate and utilize, not less. PLEASE reach out to the Town Manager, or the Friends of the FPL for more facts at [email protected]
Nora Schwarz
