MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 13, 2013
I. Attendance
Mrs. Crown called the roll.
Present
Mrs. Lois Ruckert, Vice President
Mrs. Tonia Crown, Secretary
Ms. Barbara Kay, Treasurer
Ms. Marlena Lange
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Richard C. Bell
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director
Absent
Mrs. Rosa Boyd, President (excused)
Visitors
Mayor Joseph DeStefano, City of Middletown
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. Lois Ruckert, Vice President, opened the meeting at 7:00pm and led the pledge to the
flag.
B. Minutes
Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the minutes of the January 9, 2013 re-organizational
meeting. Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 11)
Ms. Lange moved for adoption of the minutes of the January 9, 2013 meeting. Mr.
Berkowitz seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 12)
C. Visitor Comments
Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano updated the Board on the Heritage Trail. Mayor
DeStefano showed plans of the proposed trail and how it would affect the library.
Discussion followed.
D. Correspondence
A copy of all correspondence sent to each Board member is attached to the official
minutes.
The Board received a letter of complaint from Shirley R. and discussed it, but due to the
fact that it did not have a full name and address, the Board couldn't follow through on it.
If that person wishes to come back and give us a name and address, we would be glad to
follow through on it.
Discussion was held on the letter from RCLS in response to this Board's letter dated
October 15, 2012.
E. President's Report
No report.
F. Director's Report
(A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official minutes.)
Mr. Pfisterer reported receiving a preliminary circulation report. Circulation was down
last year by approximately 3%. The sharpest declines were March and June.
Mr. Pfisterer reported that Lobby Day is March 5, 2013.
Discussion was held on tax certiorari notice received in January from the Town of Wallkill
for the year 2012.
G. Treasurer's Report
Mr. Pfisterer reported on the preliminary final reports.
H. Library Staff Reports
No report.
I. Committee Reports
Finance Committee:
BUDGET TRANSFER #4 (12/31/2012)
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the
following budget transfers:
To: L7410.8158.12.0000.6 Librarians P/T $29,225.00
From: L7410.8157.12.0000.6 Librarians F/T $29,225.00
To: L7410.8168.12.0000.6 Security P/T $12,380.00
To: L7410.8164.12.0000.6 Cleaners P/T $ 1,335.00
To: L7410.8163.12.0000.6 Cleaners F/T $ 1,655.00
To: L7410.8161.12.0000.6 Clerical F/T $ 245.00
From: L7410.8167.12.0000.6 Clerical P/T $15,615.00
To Cover Shortages
Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 13)
Mrs. Crown moved that the regular monthly disbursements for December 2012 in the
amount of $73,999.69 having been audited by Carl Berkowitz and found to be correct, be
approved. Ms. Kay seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 14)
BUDGET AMENDMENT #6 (12/31/2012)
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library amend the
2013 budget to be increased as follows:
ADD
Revenue L2705 Gifts & Donations $1,964.95
FOMTH 2012 purchases
ADD
Appropriations:
L7410.8521.12.3810.5 Books (adult) $ 290.47
L7410.8522.12.3905.5 Foreign Film $ 799.48
L7410.8425.12.0000.0 Programs $ 875.00
Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Ruckert - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 15)
Finance Committee:
BUDGET TRANSFER #1
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the
following budget transfers:
To: L7410.8421.12.0000.0 Refund Prior Year Tax $29,350.00
FROM: L7410.8422.12.0000.00 Judgement & Claims $22,000.00
FROM: L7410.8450.12.0000.0 Building Utilities $ 7,350.00
To cover shortage of unexpected Tax Certiorari notice received
In January from Town of Wallkill
Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Ruckert - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 16)
BUDGET AMENDMENT #2
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library amend the
2013 budget to be increased as follows:
ADD
Revenue L2705 Gifts & Donations $5.00
D Valmar
ADD
Appropriations:
L7410.8521.12.3810.5 Books (adult) $ 5.00
Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Ruckert - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 17)
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the regular monthly disbursements for January 2013 in the
amount of $356,254.66 having been audited by Richard Bell and found to be correct, be
approved. Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 18)
Building & Grounds: Ms. Lange reported on Building & Grounds.
Mr. Pfisterer recommended that the Board of Trustees accept the Simplex Grinnell
proposal to install smoke detectors in and around the library's elevator. Mr. Pfisterer
was told that this will bring the Library in compliance with City of Middletown fire
safety regulations. The cost of the project exceeds the Director's discretionary approval
so this will require a vote of the Board of trustees.
Ms. Kay moved to accept the Simplex Grinnell proposal to install smoke detectors in and
around the library's elevator. Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 19)
Maples Farm Contracting has done a good job salting, plowing and sanding our front
parking lot as needed and Mr. Pfisterer recommends that we continue using this service for
the duration of this snow season.
Mr. Pfisterer had contacted Partners in Recognition regarding the proposed Volunteer
Plaque. They will need a list of names in order to produce a proof for review.
J. Old Business
The Board received all the evaluations for the Director. Once they compile them, they will
meet with the Director.
Mr. Berkowitz moved to go into executive session at 8:44pm for the purpose of discussion
of the Director's salary. Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 20)
The Board returned from executive session at 8:51pm.
The Board thanked Mr. Pfisterer for his patience with the evaluation process. They will
meet with him and give him a written report.
The Board approved the salary for Matthew Pfisterer to be set at the same percentage as
the librarians received for 2013.
K. New Business
Mrs. Ruckert asked what security procedures do we have? Discussion followed. Mr.
Pfisterer said we could put together an evacuation procedure.
L. Adjournment
Ms. Lange moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55pm. Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Ruckert, Berkowitz, Crown, Kay, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (2/13/13 - 21)
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
(02/13/13 - 11) Approval of 1/9/13 re-organizational minutes
(02/13/13 - 12) Approval of 1/9/13 minutes
(02/13/13 - 13) Approved BUDGET TRANSFER #4 (12/31/12)
(02/13/13 - 14) Approved monthly disbursement for December 2012
(02/13/13 - 15) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #6 (12/31/12)
(02/13/13 - 16) Approved BUDGET TRANSFER #1
(02/13/13 - 17) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT #2
(02/13/13 - 18) Approved monthly disbursement for January 2013
(02/13/13 - 19) Approved Simplex Grinnell proposal
(02/13/13 - 20) Executive session
(02/13/13 - 21) Adjournment