MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 4, 2020
I. Attendance
Ms. Martini called the roll.
Present
Mr. Carl Berkowitz, President
Mrs. Tonia Crown, Financial Officer
Mrs. Marianne Sciucco, Vice President
Ms. Linda Martini, Secretary
Mr. Richard C. Bell
Ms. Marlena Lange
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director
Absent
Visitors
Tracy Barretta, Principal Account Clerk
Bishop Robert Smith
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. Mr. Berkowitz, President, opened the meeting at 5:00pm.
B. Minutes
Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the minutes of the October 7, 2020 meeting. Ms. Martini
seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 60)
C. Visitor Comments/Staff Report
Bishop Robert Smith introduced himself to the Board. Bishop Smith was elected to the
Board of Trustees at the 2020 election. His term will begin January 1, 2021.
Tracy Barretta summarized the audited financial statement.
Ms. Lange moved to approve the 2019 audit. Mrs. Crown seconded,
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 61)
D. Correspondence
A copy of any correspondence is sent to each Board member and is attached to the official
minutes.
Mr. Berkowitz read a letter from Mary Susan Climes announcing that she will be retiring
December 30, 2020.
E. President's Report
Mr. Berkowitz discussed the Pandemic Plan Legislation.
F. Director's Report
(A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official
minutes.)
G. Financial Officer's Report
Mrs. Sciucco moved that the regular monthly disbursements for August, 2020 in the
amount of $61,950.94 having been audited by Marlena Lange and found to be correct, be
approved. Mr. Bell seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 62)
Mrs. Crown moved that the regular monthly disbursements for September, 2020 in the
amount of $154,555.43 having been audited by Linda Martini and found to be correct, be
approved. Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 63)
BUDGET TRANSFER #2
Ms. Lange moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accepts the
following budget transfer, to cover necessary building repairs:
TO: L7410.8540.12.0000.5 Repairs & Maintenance $41,000.00
L7410.8462.12.0000.0 Service Contracts 6,500.00
FROM: L7410.8521.12.3810.5 Adult Books $18,000.00
L7410.8521.12.3813.5 Children's Books $15,000.00
L7410.8521.12.3814.5 YA Books $ 5,500.00
L7410.8522.12.3901.5 Adult Media $ 5,000.00
L7410.8522.12.3902.5 CR Media $ 2,500.00
L7410.8522.12.3903.5 YA Media $ 1,500.00
Mr. Bell seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 64)
BUDGET TRANSFER #3
Ms. Lange moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accepts the
following budget transfer, to cover COVID 19 related PPE and Signage expenses:
TO: L7410.8503.12.0000.5 PPE/Signage: COVID $25,000.00
FROM: L7410.8200.12.0000.7 Furniture & Equipment $25,000.00
Mrs Sciucco seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 65)
BUDGET TRANSFER #4
Mr. Bell moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accepts the
following budget transfer, to cover NY State Unemployment Insurance:
TO: L7410.8420.12.0000.0 Insurance $25,000.00
FROM: L7410.8158.12.0000.6 Librarians, Part Time $18,000.00
L7410.8167.12.0000.6 Clerical, Part Time $ 7,000.00
Mrs Sciucco seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 66)
BUDGET AMENDMENT #1
Mrs. Crown moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Public Library amend
the 2020 budget to be increased as follows:
ADD
Revenue L1081 $290.05 Pilot (Senior Horizons)
L2085 $425.00 Exam Proctoring
L2690 $800.00 Other Compensation for Loss
L2705 $640.00 Gifts and Donations
L2401 $1200.00 Interest and Earnings
ADD
Appropriations: L7410.8503.12.0000.5 COVID related PPE/Signage $3,355.05
Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 67)
H. Committee Reports
Building & Grounds: The Library's dry sprinkler system failed inspection and I am in
receipt of a proposal from Johnson controls to complete the necessary repairs. This is a
labor intensive project. I have priced out labor costs from two local companies both of
which and found the Johnson Controls proposal to be the lowest. Mr. Pfisterer
recommends that we accept the Johnson Controls offer and complete the necessary
repairs.
To date, Mr. Pfisterer has not received any competing bids for our necessary roof repairs.
Mr. Pfisterer will continue to solicit more bids and hope to have them available for
discussions at our December 9, 2020 meeting.
Our HVAC contractor is reviewing our Engineers recommendation for repairs. They will
be getting back to Mr. Pfisterer in advance of our December 9, 2020 meeting to offer
their opinion on the project.
We detected some insect activity in the vicinity of our public book drop area. We called
our exterminating contractor who spot treated the area and notified us that the insect was
likely brought in from materials placed in the book drop. The building is not currently
experiencing any infestation issues.
We have reports of animal activity in the ceiling in the vicinity of the Director's Office
and the Reference area. Mr. Pfisterer had a call into an animal control specialist to
assess how they are getting into the building and how we can prevent them from doing
so in the future.
H. Committee Reports
Mrs. Sciucco moved to accept the estimate of $21,000 for repairs of the dry sprinkler
system. Ms. Martini seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 68)
Ms. Lange moved to accept the estimate of roof repairs as per Matthew Pfisterer. Mrs.
Crown seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz, Bell, Lange, Martini, Crown, Sciucco – (6)
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 69)
I. Old Business
No report.
J. New Business
Mrs Crown will ask the Board who is interested to be on the slate of officers for 2021.
K. Adjournment
Ms. Lange moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:57pm. Mr. Bell seconded.
Ayes: Berkowitz Martini, Lange, Bell, Crown, Sciucco – 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (11/4/20 – 70)
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Martini, Secretary
TABLE OF MOTIONS
(01/08/20-1) Accepted slate of officers
(01/08/20-2) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper
(01/08/20-3) Designated the Orange Bank and Trust as official bank
(01/08/20-4) Appointed Alex Smith as Library District's Attorney
(01/08/20-5) Adjournment
(01/08/20-6) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the December 11, 2019 meeting
(01/08/20-7) Approved to eliminate late fees for juvenile materials
(01/08/20-8) Extend Long Range Plan through 2020
(01/08/20-9) Adjournment
(02/12/20-10) Approval of adoption of the reorganizational minutes of the 1/8/20 mtg.
(02/12/20-11) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the 1/8/20 mtg.
(02/12/20-12) Amended Rules & Regulations from 8 to 10 yrs. of age
(02/12/20-13) Approval of Children's Room Policies
(02/12/20-14) Approved monthly disbursement for January
(02/12/20-15) Approved $3,544.36 purchase workstation for HVAC & Boilers
(02/12/20-16) Adjournment
(03/11/20-17) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the 2/12/20 meeting
(03/11/20-18) Approved for library close due to coronavirus if Mdtn. Schools close
(03/11/20-19) Approved monthly disbursements for February
(03/11/20-20) Accepted the ICE Policy & Procedure
(03/11/20-21) Adjournment
(04/15/20-22) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the 3/11/20 meeting
(04/15/20-23) Accepted Pandemic Policy
(04/15/20-24) Adopted Thrall Public Library Dist. Of Mdtn. & Wallkill Employees as
part of the Library's Pandemic Response Policy
(04/15/20-25) Adjournment
(05/13/20-26) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the 4/15/20 meeting
(05/13/20-27) Approved monthly disbursements for March
(05/13/20-28) Approved monthly disbursements for April
(05/13/20-29) Approved not more than $4000 to repair Dry System
(05/13/20-30) Approved 2020 Election Timetable
(05/13/20-31) Adjournment
(06/10/20-32) Executive session
(06/10/20-33) Approval of adoption of the minutes with corrections of the 5/13/20 mtg.
(06/10/20-34) Approved monthly disbursements for May
(06/10/20-35) Approved to rescind April motion of Part-Time
(06/10/20-36) Approved 2019 Annual Report to community
(06/10/20-37) Approved to re-open library
(06/10/20-38) Accepted Rules & Regulations for Patrons Conduct due to COVID19 Pandemic
(06/10/20-39) Authorized Matt to send letter to RCLS on behalf of Anita Baumann
(06/10/20-40) Adjournment
(07/08/20-41) Approval of adoption of the minutes of the June 10, 2020 meeting
(07/08/20-42) Accepted 2021 preliminary library district budget
(07/08/20-43) Adjournment
(09/02/20-44) Opened Public Hearing for 2021 Vote
(09/02/20-45) Approved of adoption of the minutes with corrections
(09/02/20-46) Approved monthly disbursement for June
(09/02/20-47) Approved monthly disbursements for July
(09/02/20-48) Approved Budget Transfer #1
(09/02/20-49 Closed Hearing
(09/02/20-50) Approved the 2021 Budget no tax levy increase
(09/02/20-51) Adjournment
(10/07/20-52) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 9/2/20
(10/07/20-53) Approved to extend Fine Free period through 6/30/21
(10/07/20-54) Approved vacant trustee position for 2021
(10/07/20-55) Approved certification of 2021 Trustee Election Results
(10/07/20-56) Accepted RCLS Budget 2021
(10/07/20-57) Executive Session
(10/07/20-58) Approved to rollover union contract from 1/1/21-12/31/21
(10/07/20-59) Adjournment
(11/04/20-60) Approved of adoption of the minutes of the 10/7/20
(11/04/20-61) Approved the 2019 audit
(11/04/20-62) Approved monthly disbursements for August
(11/04/20-63) Approved monthly disbursements for September
(11/04/20-64) Approved Transfer #2
(11/04/20-65) Approved Transfer #3
(11/04/20-66) Approved Transfer #4
(11/04/20-67) Approved Amendment #1
(11/04/20-68) Accepted the repairs of Dry Sprinkler System
(11/04/20-69) Accepted the roof repairs
(11/04/20-70) Adjournment