MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 14, 2021
I. Attendance
Ms. Lange called the roll.
Present
Mrs. Marianne Sciucco, Vice President
Mrs. Tonia Crown, Financial Officer (arrived 5:04pm)
Ms. Marlena Lange, Secretary
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Ms. Frances Amelio
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director
Absent
Mr. Richard C. Bell, President (excused)
Bishop Robert Smith (excused)
Visitors
II. Agenda
A. Roll Call G. Financial Officer's Report
B. Minutes H. Committee Report
C. Visitor Comments I. Old Business
D. Correspondence J. New Business
E. President's Report K. Adjournment
F. Director's Report
III. Discussion and Recommendation
A. Mrs. Sciucco, Vice President, opened the meeting at 5:02pm and led the pledge
Mr. Berkowitz moved to open the public hearing for the 2022 Library District Vote.
Ms. Lange seconded. Opened at 5:03pm
Ayes: Sciucco, Berkowitz, Lange, Amelio – (4)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 39)
B. Minutes
Ms. Lange moved for adoption of the minutes of the July 14, 2021 meeting. Ms.
Amelio seconded.
Ayes: Sciucco, Berkowitz, Lange, Amelio – (4)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 40)
C. Visitor Comments/Staff Report Con't.
None
D. Correspondence
A copy of any correspondence is sent to each Board member and is attached to the official
minutes.
E. President's Report
None
F. Director's Report
(A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official
minutes.)
Mr. Pfisterer wanted to thank Drew Berkowitz for the outstanding contribution of
implementing an instant messaging app for library staff to use. This project was
completed as part of his course work for a Master of Library Science Degree.
Mr. Pfisterer discussed re-vamping homework help at the library.
G. Financial Officer's Report
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the regular monthly disbursements for July, 2021 in the
amount of $113,580.40 having been audited by Richard Bell and found to be correct, be
approved.
Ayes: Sciucco, Berkowitz, Crown, Lange, Amelio – (5)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 41)
H. Committee Reports
Building & Grounds: All items in the Community Room during the pandemic have been
removed and the room is once again ready to resume programming beginning
September 1, 2021.
We have placed multiple service calls to our air conditioning service company to address
lack of cooling in the building. Most of these issues have been successfully corrected and
we did not have to interrupt service to the public.
I have consulted with three individual HVAC engineers to inquire as to what their costs
will be to conduct an inspection of our current situation and to make recommendations
for upgrades. I have received two of the proposals to date and I expect to receive the
third proposal in the next week or two. Once I have the third proposal I will set up a
meeting to review the proposals and report back to the Board.
Our exterminators have notified us that we are not currently experiencing any insect
infestation issues.
Mr. Berkowitz moved to not exceed $11,000 for Johnson Controls. Mr. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Lange, Crown, Sciucco, Amelio – (5)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 42)
The Board discussed Union Negotiation Committee.
I. Old Business
Ms. Lange moved that no one in attendance from the public, and we will close the public
hearing. Mr. Berkowitz seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Lange, Crown, Sciucco, Amelio – (5)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 43)
J. New Business
Mrs. Crown moved to approve the 2022 Library District budget. Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Lange, Crown, Sciucco, Amelio – (5)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 44)
K. Adjournment
Ms. Lange moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:39pm. Mrs. Crown seconded.
Ayes: Lange, Berkowitz, Crown, Sciucco, Amelio – (5)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (9/14/21 – 45)
Respectfully submitted,
Marlena Lange, Secretary
TABLE OF MOTIONS
(01/13/21-1) Accepted slate of officers
(01/13/21-2) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper
(01/13/21-3) Designated the Orange Bank and Trust as official bank
(01/13/21-4) Appointed Alex Smith & Elizabeth Hunter as Library District's Attorney
(01/13/21-5) Designated Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. Audit Firm
(01/13/21-6) Adjournment
(01/13/21-7) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the 12/9/20 meeting
(01/13/21-8) Adjournment
(02/10/21-9) Approval of adoption of the reorganizational minutes of the 1/13/21 mtg.
(02/10/21-10) Approval of adoption of the regular minutes of the 1/13/21 mtg.
(02/10/21-11) Approved monthly disbursement for October
(02/10/21-12) Approved monthly disbursement for December
(02/10/21-13) Adjournment
(03/10/21-14) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the 2/10/21 meeting
(03/10/21-15) Adopted Public Employer Health Emergency Plan
(03/10/21-16) Accepted the 2020 Annual Report
(03/10/21-17) Adjournment
(04/14/21-18) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 3/10/21 meeting
(04/14/21-19) Adopted the changes of By-Laws
(04/14/21-20) Approved Election Timetable for 10/5/21
(04/14/21-21) Adjournment
(05/12/21-22) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 4/14/21 meeting
(05/12/21-23) Approved monthly disbursement for February 2021
(05/12/21-24) Adjournment
(06/09/21-25) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 5/12/21 meeting
(06/09/21-26) Approved monthly disbursements for April 2021
(06/09/21-27) Approved monthly disbursements for May 2021
(06/09/21-28) Approved BUDGET TRANSFER #1
(06/09/21-29) Approval approximately $11,000 to complete necessary repairs for air handler
(06/09/21-30) Approved to extend Library Fines through 9/30/21
(06/09/21-31) Adjournment
(07/14/21-32) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 6/9/21 meeting
(07/14/21-33) Approved NYS override Amendment
(07/14/21-34) Approved Preliminary 2020 budget
(07/14/21-35) Approved monthly disbursement for June 2021
(07/14/21-36) Approved Budget Amendment #1
(07/14/21-37) Approved $6,025.00 for camera's
(07/14/21-38) Adjournment
(09/14/21-39) Opened public hearing for 2022 hearing
(09/14/21/40) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 7/14/21 meeting
(09/14/21/41) Approved monthly disbursement for July 2021
(09/14/21/42) Approved to no exceed $11,000 for Johnson Controls
(09/14/21/43) Closed Hearing
(9/14/21-44) Approved the 2022 budget