MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN
AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
                        				
January 9, 2013


   
  I.  Attendance
      Mrs. Crown called the roll.

      Present
      Mrs. Rosa Boyd, President 
      Mrs. Lois Ruckert, Vice President  
      Mrs. Tonia Crown, Secretary 
      Ms. Marlena Lange
      Mr. Carl Berkowitz 
      Mr. Richard C. Bell
      Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director

      Absent
      Ms. Barbara Kay, Treasurer (excused)
     
      Visitors
      None

II.   Agenda
       A.  Roll Call              G.  Treasurer's Report
       B.  Minutes                H.  Library Staff Reports
       C.  Visitor Comments       I.   Committee Report
       D.  Correspondence         J.   Old Business
       E.  President's Report     K.   New Business	
       F.  Director's Report      L.  Adjournment


III.  Discussion and Recommendation	
A.	 Mrs. Rosa Boyd, President, opened the meeting at 7:05pm. 
     

B.  Minutes
 Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the minutes of the December 12, 2012 meeting.  Ms. Lange
 seconded.  
		Ayes:  Boyd, Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Lange - 6
		Noes:  None
		Motion declared approved.  (1/09/13 - 7)


C.   Visitor Comments
		  None


D.   Correspondence 
	  A copy of all correspondence sent to each Board member is attached to the official 
              minutes.

	  A letter was sent to a patron to acknowledge receipt of their comments regarding a DVD 
              and where it should be placed.  Mr. Pfisterer discussed our policy for challenged materials.
	  (Letter attached to official minutes)

	  A patron contacted the Director's office to make a complaint about seating in the Reading 
	  Room.  The patron has been frustrated because he has been unable to use a particular seat 
	  in the reading room that he prefers.  His suggestions to the Board are 1) he feels that it 
	  might be a good idea to put a sign over the chairs with some kind of time limit for how 
	  long you are allowed to sit in the chairs.   2)he thought we could provide a lounge area for 
	  patrons who are not actively engaged in using library materials.  (His contention was that 
	  this individual was not reading.  They do read.)    
	  

E.   President's Report  
	  Mrs. Boyd reported that she will not be at the February meeting. 
	  

F.   Director's Report
	  (A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official 	 	  minutes.)	  

	  Discussion was held on snow removal.

	  Mr. Pfisterer reported that he attended the RCLS Director's Association meeting on 
	  January 9th.  At that meeting Robert Hubsher mentioned that he spoke to the four Town 
	  Boards, in all four towns, acting on the letter he received from the Thrall Board asking that 
	  RCLS investigate the possibility of expanding the library district into the four towns.  He's 
	  waiting to hear back from them if they have any interest.  He did say that one town Board
	  told him that they'll consider it but, if they were to join a library district it would be Port 
	  Jervis and not Middletown.  Mr. Hubsher said that even if one of the four towns shows 
	  interest the he would pursue it on their behalf.  Discussion followed.
    

G.   Treasurer's Report
               No report.


H.   Library Staff Reports
	   No report.


I.  Committee Reports
   Finance Committee: 
   BUDGET AMENDMENT #1
   Mr. Bell moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library amend the 2012 
   budget to be increased as follows:
	ADD
	   Revenue	L2705 Gifts & Donations			$1,100
			S. Pfeffer & C. Berkowitz
	ADD
	   Appropriations:
		             L7410.8521.12.3810.5   Books (adult)		$  100.00
			 L7410.8521.12.3814.5   YA Books			$  500.00
			 L7410.8522.12.3903.5 YA Media			$  500.00

   Ms. Lange seconded.	
	Ayes: Boyd, Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Ruckert - 6
	Noes: None
	Motion declared approved.  (1/09/13 - 8)

	  Building & Grounds: Ms. Lange reported on Building & Grounds.
	  The front parking lot of the library was not plowed following the snowfall of Saturday, 
	  December 29, 2012.  This led to subsequent icing conditions following a number of days 
	  of thawing and refreezing.  The library has received a number of complaints regarding 
     conditions in the parking lot and steps have been taken to speed the removal of ice in the 
	  lot.  Mr. Pfisterer met with City DPW officials regarding this incident and he is soliciting
  bids from independent contractors to service that lot in the future.  

  On Thursday, January 4, 2013 small chunks of ice melted and fell off the overhang in the 
  vicinity of the front entrance.  We sectioned off the area with construction horses and 
  caution tape to protect the public.  This situation was brought about by a pattern of 
  thawing and refreezing of existing snow on the roof.  The situation was exacerbated by
  damaged and defective downspouts.

  Installation of the new surveillance equipment is complete.


J.  Old Business
 	  Ms. Lange moved to go into executive session at 7:55pm for the purpose of discussion of 
            the Director's evaluation.  Mr. Berkowitz seconded.
	Ayes: Boyd, Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Ruckert - 6
	Noes: None
	Motion declared approved.  (1/09/13 - 9)

The Board returned from executive session at 8:20pm.


K.  New Business
   Following adjournment a demonstration will be held in the Director's office of the new 
   surveillance equipment.
 

L.   Adjournment
              Mr. Bell moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:21pm.  Ms. Lange seconded.
		Ayes:  Bell, Boyd, Ruckert, Berkowitz, Crown, Lange - 6
		Noes:  None
		Motion declared approved.  (1/09/13 - 10)

	  							Respectfully submitted,


         								Tonia Crown, Secretary




TABLE OF MOTIONS

(01/09/13 - 1)		Accepted slate of officers 
(01/09/13 - 2)		Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper  
(01/09/13 - 3)		Designated the Orange County Trust Company as official bank
(01/09/13 - 4)		Designated Stifel-Nicholas as Investment Firm
(01/09/13 - 5)		Appointed Robert Isseks as Library District's Attorney
(01/09/13 - 6)		Adjournment
(01/09/13 - 7)		Approval of 12/12/12 minutes
(01/09/13 - 8)		Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT 1
(01/09/13 - 9)		Executive session
(01/09/13 - 10)	Adjournment