GUILFORD – Just what benefits the Penobscot Valley Council of Governments provides Guilford will be investigated before town officials endorse the annual dues to the organization.

Selectmen agreed at their meeting Tuesday to find out what the benefits are before they act on the annual dues of $1,300, according to Guilford Town Manager Tom Goulette. He said Wednesday the organization does provide towns with salt and sand bids, but those bids are no different in price from what the town can get. PVCOG also provides a one-time service to towns on their comprehensive plans, but Guilford used that service in 1984, he said.

In other business, Linda Packard, Guilford librarian, met with selectmen to discuss the possibility of the library becoming a department under the town, according to Goulette. He said there are two ways that could be done: One in which the town manager serves as the overseer or one where the board of trustees has some governing ability. If the town owned the library, it would rely on the trustees, but the town would have the ultimate say in its operation, he said. The town also would be responsible for the library payroll.

Packard and trustees are expected to meet with selectmen in February to further discuss the matter and to take possible action.

The town funded $51,900 of the library’s $58,600 budget in 2004, according to Goulette.

Selectmen re-elected last year’s Fire Department officers, naming Mike Nichols as chief, Chuck Martell and Allen Emerson as assistant chiefs, and Peter Martell, secretary-treasurer.

Selectmen also discussed raises for town employees at this week’s meeting but decided to delay action until next month. Goulette said he provided the board with the costs involved with 2, 3 and 4 percent cost-of-living increases.