PALMER — Palmer Public Library Board of Directors member David Nichols was named the new executor of the Thomas Budnick estate during the board’s Nov. 16 meeting.

Nichols was recommended for this position by Treasurer Sara Menard in order to continue the process started by former Town Manager and executor of the estate Ryan McNutt.

Following his death in May 2022, Ludlow resident Thomas Budnick bequeathed the entirety of his property to the Palmer Public Library. After McNutt resigned, however, the process of acquiring the funds bequeathed to the library was momentarily put on hold, Menard explained. By Nichols accepting this position, the process can again move forward.

The town first began the process of receiving these funds, which total over $3 million, in September, McNutt stated when the bequest was first announced at the Oct. 16 Town Council meeting. Now in November, the final total has still not been fully calculated or received, Menard stated. She explained that this was because Budnick owned multiple land properties that have not yet been acquired. Despite this, the library board of directors began to discuss ways to utilize the funds at the Nov. 16 meeting.

One way the board discussed was through a one-time amnesty of library bills for Palmer residents.

Library Director Stephanie Maher, who made the recommendation, stated that this would allow residents to start fresh in 2024 and encourage more residents to use the library’s resources.

While the Palmer Public Library does not charge late fees for materials, any material that is not returned more than three weeks after its renewal due date is labeled as lost and charged to the person’s account, Maher explained. Losing an item also prevents the resident from checking out more materials. However, once the material is returned, the bill is cleared.

“It’s a way to say, ‘Come back,’” Maher said, highlighting that many residents who have bills are “ashamed” to come to the library, even to use other resources that are available and unaffected by the bill.

Maher stated that most lost materials are from several years ago and that the system hurts residents more than it benefits the library. After discussion, the board approved the one-time amnesty.

Similarly, the board also agreed to use some of the funds to thank the staff for their dedication to the library, although a final decision on the method of the appreciation was not reached.

Moving forward, Nichols and Menard plan to work with Budnick’s next of kin and lawyers to finalize the acquirement of his property and begin to allow the library to utilize the funds, Menard said.