NEWFANE — The Newfane Public Library will hold an election May 28 to fill nearly all seats on its board of trustees following the resignations of multiple board members. Six town residents will compete for the five vacated seats.
The most recent trustee to resign was Kim Chenez, who said she tendered her resignation in late April.
When contacted by the Union-Sun & Journal about her resignation late Monday, Chenez only told this reporter, “It was not a good fit for me.”
Previously, former board members Kelly Artieri, Mickie Kramp, and Carolyn Larkin resigned from their posts Feb. 15, a little over a week after the mass resignation of the entire library staff.
The top two vote-getters will receive three-year terms of office, while the remaining three will receive one-year terms of office, according to board secretary and interim president Christina Wright.
The candidates running to fill the vacated board seats are:
• Janelle Dengate, a special education teacher for Orleans-Niagara BOCES and was one of two candidates previously appointed to the board in February.
• Jennifer Gregson, an elementary school library employee in the Starpoint Central School District.
• James P. Langton, a father of five and graduate of St. Bonaventure University.
• Janet Morrow, a retired library media specialist who most recently worked in the Barker Central School District.
• Christine Nilson, the payroll and benefits clerk for the Town of Newfane and was also appointed to the board in February.
The library has been closed for renovations and asbestos removal since the end of February and is slated to reopen next week, the same day as the May 28 election.
The library board of trustees also recently appointed Gretchen Schweigert as library director. Prior to her appointment, Schweigert served as the director of the Royalton-Hartland Community Library.
The trustee election will be held at the library, 2761 Maple Ave., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 28. Early voting is underway and will be held through Friday at Newfane Town Hall, 2737 Main St., during regular business hours.
Voters must be eligible residents of Newfane Central School District to participate in the election.