Gloucester Lyceum Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 13, 2026, 5:00- 6:30 pm
Conference Room Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Ave, Gloucester, MA
As the recent amendments to the open meeting law allows, this committee will continue to hold meetings remotely. Adequate alternative access to the meeting is provided through the zoom link below.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86207455773
Dial in at 646-931 3860 US
Attendance: in person: Julia Brotherton (Chair), Meredith Fine, Stephen Foley, Stan Franzeen, Martha Kurz, Steven Lewis, Douglas Richardson, William Waller, Ann Ziergiebel, and guest Geoff Bradford
Not Present: Rebecca Aliberte, Leora Ulrich
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Call to order and attendance
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Approval of Minutes for June 4, 2026: It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the minutes as presented. And July 9, 2026: Meredith moved to approve the minutes as presented. Bill seconded and the minutes were approved.
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Minutes going forward: Zoom recording/Tracy Bowen
a. Steven moved to have Tracy Bowen prepare the first draft of the minutes from the recording. Steven will edit for presentation to the Committee for approval. The motion passed.
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*Response to William Falcetano's request (Meredith)
a. Meredith prepared a draft response for the Committee for review.
b. Julia brought the draft to the Corporate Communications Committee's August meeting; she shared their suggestions.
c. Geoff shared that the Library will draft a response for the paper challenging some of Mr. Falcetano's statements and encouraging people to watch the recording of the event.
d. Meredith moved to accept the letter pending changes proposed in discussion. Stan seconded. Discussion ensued.
i. Ann moved to accept the amendments as stated. Steven seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
ii. Meredith moved to accept the letter as amended and authorize Julia to mail it to Mr. Falcetano at his PO box. Doug seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
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Bylaws amendment proposal (Julia, Meredith)
a. Meredith made changes to the bylaws as suggested by members of the Committee and by the Trustees. The Committee reviewed the changes.
b. Legacy Committee: Meredith suggested it was worth including language explaining what this means. Members will email their thoughts to Meredith.
c. Purpose: Library Director Jenny Benedict suggested some language.
d. Leadership Team/Committee/Membership:
i. There was discussion about Leadership Team versus Committee.
ii. Members? There are other people interested in being involved but not serving on the Committee; discussion ensued on how to refer to those individuals.
iii. Meredith suggested removing references to Leadership Team. The group reviewed the text and suggested wording to make that change.
e. Next steps:
i. Have a special meeting to review the updated draft.
ii. The Library Board will review the draft at their August meeting.
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Corporate Communications Committee report (Julia)
a. At the most recent meeting of the CCC Julia shared an update on Mr. Falcetano and fall program ideas.
b. Fundraising: Bill prepared a draft for a grant application to the Institution for Savings. Jenny Benedict will help with details about Library services and demographics. Jenny will submit the application.
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Fall 2026 Program Update (Doug, Stan, Julia, Ann)
a. The working group has met several times to discuss details on an event about AI. There was discussion about various topics to include in the discussion, e.g., ethics, warfare, etc.
b. They have secured author Roopika Risam to moderate. The group brainstormed potential panelists. Meredith suggested reaching out the EDIC; Ann will talk to Tom Balf who chairs that committee. Julia asked that suggestions for panelists be sent to her.
c. Potential title for the event: Promise and Peril.
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"Celebration" program working group update (Steve, Martha, Annie, Stephen, Stan)
a. The working group is composed of: Steven, Meredith, Ann, Stephen, Martha.
b. The celebration is on hold for now until after the fall event.
c. They would like to involve Lyceum youth leaders in collaboration with the high school history department. Ann will reach out to Shaun Goulart at the high school.
d. Following next week's special meeting members of the working group will stay on and pencil in a schedule.
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2027 Program: time frame? Form working groups: World Health and Meaning of Democracy (Julia)
a. Spring: Celebration
b. Meaning of Democracy
c. World Health
d. The suggestion was made to resume meeting twice a month.
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Next Meeting: Special meeting: Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 9:00 am. Regular meeting: Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 5 pm
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6:20 Adjourn. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Tracy Bowen
Motions Summary
Steven moved to have Tracy Bowen prepare the first draft of the minutes from the recording. The motion passed.
Meredith moved to accept the letter pending changes proposed in discussion. Stan seconded. Discussion ensued.
- Ann moved to accept the amendments as stated. Steven seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
- Meredith moved to accept the letter as amended and authorize Julia to mail it to Mr. Falcetano at his PO box. Doug seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.
Actions Summary
Members will email their thoughts to Meredith on what it means to be a Legacy Committe.
Ann will talk to Tom Balf, Chair of the EDIC about panelists for the AI program.
Ann will reach out to Shaun Goulart at the high school about the upcoming Celebration.
Following next week's special meeting members of the working group will stay on and pencil in a schedule.