MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE OLD BRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
JANUARY 12, 2005
Present:
Steven Goldman, President
Mary Chamberlain, Vice-president
Joseph Nuzzo, Secretary
Kathryn Arabia, Trustee
Tara Flynn-Rozanski, Trustee
James Phillips, Mayor
Dr. Patricia Johnson, Superintendent of School’s Alternate
Linda Seiler, Trustee
Guests: Dr. Joan M. George
The President called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and announced the meeting had been advertised and would be conducted in accordance with the Sunshine Law. The Secretary called the roll.
Mr. Goldman welcomed new Board member Tara Flynn-Rozanski. The Board members introduced themselves to Ms. Flynn-Rozanski.
Mr. Goldman asked for the consent of the Board to purchase a certificate of appreciation and a gift for Mary Gannon. This will be presented to her at a future Board meeting, to thank her for years of service on the Library Board.
Mr. Goldman thanked Mayor Phillips for his new appointees to the Library Board.
Ms. Flynn-Rozanski told the members of the Board about her background and interests.
Mr. Goldman stated that before reorganization, he would like to thank all members of the Board (including Margery Cyr and Maria Nowak), for making his job as President for the last few years easy. Both Mrs. Cyr and Mrs. Nowak are assets to the community and the Library. Anytime there has been a problem, they have been able to deal with it efficiently and he thanked them both.
Mr. Goldman feels it is a healthy thing that nobody stays in any one office too long. One of his promises when he took the office of President, was that he would support others also having this opportunity.
Reorganization
President Goldman turned the meeting over to Dr. Patricia Johnson to conduct the election of officers for the year 2005.
Nominations for the Office of President
Dr. Johnson asked for nominations for the office of President.
Steven Goldman nominated Joseph Nuzzo for President, seconded by Mary Chamberlain.
Linda Seiler nominated herself for President, seconded by Tara Flynn-Rozanski.
Mr. Nuzzo and Ms. Seiler both made statements about why they were seeking the office and what qualifications they had that made each of them a good candidate.
The following roll call was taken for the nomination of Joe Nuzzo for President:
Vote:
Yes: Mary Chamberlain, Mayor Phillips, Kathryn Arabia, Joseph Nuzzo, Tara Flynn-Rozanski, Steven Goldman, Dr. Patricia Johnson;
No: Linda Seiler
The following roll call was taken for the nomination of Linda Seiler for President:
Vote:
Yes: Linda Seiler;
No: Mary Chamberlain, Mayor Phillips, Kathryn Arabia, Joseph Nuzzo, Tara Flynn-Rozanski, Dr. Patricia Johnson, Steven Goldman
Joseph Nuzzo was elected President for the year 2005.
Nominations for the Office of Vice President
Steven Goldman nominated Mary Chamberlain for Vice President, seconded by Kathryn Arabia.
Linda Seiler nominated herself for Vice President; there was no second.
The following roll call was taken for the nomination of Mary Chamberlain for Vice President:
Vote:
Yes: Steven Goldman, Joseph Nuzzo, Kathryn Arabia, Mayor Phillips, Tara Flynn-Rozanski,
Dr. Patricia Johnson.
No: Linda Seiler
The following roll call was taken for the nomination of Linda Seiler for Vice President:
Vote:
Yes: Linda Seiler
No:
Steven Goldman, Joseph Nuzzo, Kathryn Arabia, Mayor Phillips, Tara Flynn-Rozanski, Dr. Patricia Johnson.
Mary Chamberlain was elected Vice President for the year 2005.
Nominations for Office of Treasurer
Joseph Nuzzo nominated Steven Goldman for Treasurer, seconded by Kathryn Arabia. There were no other nominations.
Vote: All in favor
Steven Goldman was elected Treasurer for the year 2005.
Nominations for Office of Secretary
Linda Seiler nominated Kathryn Arabia for Secretary, seconded by Mary Chamberlain. There were no other nominations. Ms. Arabia made a brief statement.
Vote: All in favor
Kathryn Arabia was elected Secretary for the year 2005.
Dr. Johnson turned the meeting back over to the newly elected President, Joseph Nuzzo.
Committee Appointments
Mr. Nuzzo requested that committee appointments be tabled until the February Board meeting.
Board Members Roster
Mrs. Cyr asked the Board members to review their information on the roster and to make any necessary changes. She also asked them to include their e-mail addresses.
Minutes
Mrs. Chamberlain stated that she had suggested the January Board meeting be held at the Laurence Harbor Branch and had not seen this in the minutes. She amended this suggestion and requested that this be postponed until the March meeting when the weather would be better.
Motion: made by Steven Goldman, seconded by Dr. Patricia Johnson, to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2004 Board meeting. Vote: Yes: Steven Goldman, Joseph Nuzzo, Linda Seiler, Dr. Patricia Johnson, Mary Chamberlain, and Kathryn Arabia. Tara Flynn-Rozanski and Mayor Phillips abstained.
Finance
Motion: made by Steven Goldman, seconded by Mayor Phillips, to approve the bill listing in the amount of $109,645.49. Unanimously approved
Annual Audit
Mrs. Cyr reported the annual audit was received today with no recommendations. A letter was included from the auditor that complimented the Library on its financial management and the skills of Maria Nowak in maintaining the Library’s records in an excellent condition
Mrs. Cyr said the Board has the option of inviting the auditor to the next Board meeting; but in the last couple of years that has not been necessary, as there have been no recommendations.
Mayor Phillips stated he does not think you can get better than this audit, which had no recommendations.
Mr. Goldman said that with no recommendations, it has not been necessary to have the auditor come to a Board meeting. Mayor Phillips agreed.
Motion: made by Joseph Nuzzo, seconded by Mary Chamberlain, to accept the audit as presented to the Board. Vote: Yes: Kathryn Arabia, Mary Chamberlain, Tara Flynn-Rozanski, Steven Goldman, Mayor Phillips, Dr. Patricia Johnson, Joseph Nuzzo, Mary Chamberlain and Linda Seiler.
Grant
Mrs. Cyr reported the Library has received a $500.00 grant from the Middlesex County Cultural Heritage Commission. This grant is for a program the Library is presenting on February 19 called “Tiger Tales.” The Chinese Theater Works Company will present this program.The balance of the program cost will be paid by the Friends of the Library.
Library Funding
Mrs. Cyr reported there is an anticipated bill up for proposal that will eliminate the 1/3 of a mil requirement for funding public libraries. The State Library does not know if the bill will target a local level, a county level or if the bill will be statewide.
Mr. Goldman asked what the ramifications would be to the Library. Mrs. Cyr said it would be devastating; if the 1/3 of a mil is eliminated, there will be the potential for massive loss of funding for libraries. The 1/3 of a mil is what we are required to be funded at by law.
Mrs. Seiler said the background behind this is that some of the shore towns, with very high tax rates and lots of money, were complaining that too much money was going to the community libraries with seasonal population.
Mr. Goldman suggested we contact Assemblyman Thompson and ask him, on our behalf, to oppose the bill eliminating the 1/3 of a mil funding for libraries.
Mrs. Cyr said she thinks it is going to need everyone to participate in opposing this bill. Mr. Nuzzo asked Mrs. Cyr to draft a letter opposing the bill for all the Board members to sign. Mrs. Cyr said that as soon as there are details available on the bill, we can decide how to proceed. She hopes to have something by next month.
Personnel
Personal Leave of Absence
Motion: made by Steven Goldman, seconded by Joseph Nuzzo, to approve the request for three months’ Personal Leave of Absence for Patricia Byrnes, LAI, Circulation Department, beginning January 20, 2005 until April 20, 2005. Unanimously approved
Mr. Goldman asked about coverage of Patricia Byrnes’ hours. Mrs. Cyr said Mrs. Byrnes’ hours are being covered by the Library’s part-time staff.
New Appointment
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Steven Goldman, to approve the hiring of Library Page Nicholas Hess, effective January 11, 2005 at an hourly rate of $5.25. Unanimously approved.
Personnel Committee
Mrs. Cyr requested a meeting with the existing Personnel Committee as soon as possible, since there is a personnel issue that should not wait until the new committee appointments.
Mrs. Chamberlain stated she, Barbara Cannon and Mary Gannon are on the Committee; Linda Seiler volunteered to temporarily take Mary Gannon’s place, until the new committee is appointed by the President of the Board.
Mrs. Chamberlain requested Mrs. Cyr bring both the Head of Support Services and the Assistant Director’s job descriptions to the meeting. Mrs. Chamberlain suggested Mrs. Cyr call Barbara Cannon to see when she is available for a meeting.
Background Checks on New Hires
Mrs. Cyr reported that she and Maria Nowak met with Marsha Rosenbaum in Human Resources at Township. Mrs. Rosenbaum informed them the Township does only local background checks and she recommended that Mrs. Cyr speak with Police Chief Collow about the possibility of doing anything further. Most of our professional positions are filled by persons who do not live in the Township.
Mr. Goldman would like to see background checks on all new hires; he knows the Board of Education does complete background checks.
Mrs. Cyr stated she has spoken with Police Chief Collow about the possibility of doing wider background checks; he strongly advises the Library talk to the Township Attorney before we begin any further discussions. The Library has been in correspondence with the Township Attorney and is awaiting further information.
Dr. George said, as a point of information, the Board of Education has moved to a statewide system, rather than using local law enforcement (at a cost of about $80.00 per new employee). Dr. George recommended Mrs. Cyr call Dr. Bosco’s office at the Board of Education for more information about the School’s procedures.
Libraries of Middlesex Children’s Services Division
Mrs. Cyr reported Shirley Zuk has been elected President of the Libraries of Middlesex Children’s Services Division for 2005. Mrs. Chamberlain suggested a letter of congratulations be placed in Shirley Zuk’s personnel file.
Director’s Report
The Board reviewed and accepted the Director’s Report.
Old Business
Lighting Project
Mrs. Cyr reported the lighting project is almost completely finished. The offices across the back of the building have not had switches installed. Mr. Barone is working with the electrical contractor to come up with a final estimate on how much it would cost to have the switches installed in all the back offices, plus additional lighting in the Technical Services Office, which is still not well lit.
Mr. Goldman said he and Mr. Nuzzo thought that switches in all the offices were included in the original proposal. Mr. Barone felt it would affect the cosmetics of the building. Mrs. Cyr said the front rooms all have switches and this does not seem to affect the cosmetics of the building.
Mrs. Cyr reported that the lighting project came under budget and there still is money in the bond that has not been spent. It is unclear whether the additional switching will require Township Council approval, even though the money is still available. Mrs. Cyr said the Library is waiting to hear from Joseph Criscuolo and Mario Barone with an answer.
Mayor Phillips said it would mean a change order to the contract and would have to go to the Township Council.
Dependable Electric will submit a proposal to the Library for the replacement of bulbs over the book stacks. This project is separate from the Lighting Project and will ensure that all the lights appear and heat at the same level.
Mr. Goldman said he was pleased with the electrical contractor. Mrs. Cyr stated they were very clean and neat, reliable and extremely easy to work with. Mr. Goldman said the building was only shut down for several hours during the entire project.
Roof Project
Mrs. Cyr said she has spoken with Township Business Administrator, Michael Jacobs, about the status of the roof project; the intention is the Library’s roof project will be included in the Township’s Capital Budget.
Mayor Phillips said there are a number of major items the Township Council will address; the Library’s roof will certainly be included as a capital item and the Township will move forward on this. How these projects will be presented to the Council for approval is still under discussion; the individual projects may not be isolated for their own bonds. The cost of replacing the Library’s roof has been estimated to be as high as $1,500,000.
Mayor Phillips reported Joseph Criscuolo will now work directly for Michael Jacobs, as project manager on all projects in the Township. Mr. Criscuolo will coordinate, making sure the Township has the money and the contractor.
Mayor Phillips said the Library may be called before the Township,to give input about why and what steps have been taken and who has looked at the roof. Mayor Phillips thinks the Library will get the support it needs for this project.
Policy for Charging Fees for Videos and DVD’s
Mrs. Cyr requested that the Board discuss eliminating the borrowing fees for videos and DVD’s. The Library income for videos and DVD’s in 2004 was $23,701.
The members of the Board discussed, at length, their philosophies about charging for basic library services; and the impact this loss of income would have to the Library’s budget during this year, when the budget is being supplemented with emergency funds to balance it. The members were polled on their thoughts. The consensus was that due to budgetary constraints, the elimination of the borrowing fee could not be considered at this time.
Board Meeting at Laurence Harbor Branch
The Board agreed to hold the April 13, 2005 Board meeting at the Laurence Harbor Branch.
Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting
Mrs. Cyr asked for a meeting with the Buildings and Grounds Committee to discuss a task list for the custodians. A meeting was set for Tuesday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Grant Application
Mrs. Cyr informed the Board that the Library is applying for a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant is for a traveling exhibit entitled “Alexander Hamilton: the Man Who Made Modern America.” Our Library is working jointly with the Matawan Public Library on this project. The grant is co-sponsored by the New York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the American Library Association.
Mrs. Cyr distributed a draft of a letter of support for the Board to review and asked for the Board President to sign the letter. Wendi Smolowitz is writing the grant.
The Board was in favor of the grant and Mr. Goldman signed the letter as past president.
Mr. Nuzzo informed the Board that he can put in the hours he spends with the Library to his company and the company will donate money to the Library; Mr. Nuzzo asked Mrs. Cyr how the Library is doing with donations.
Mrs. Cyr has an appointment with Township Business Administrator, Michael Jacobs, to let him know about the creation of the Library’s Foundation. The Library is in the process of creating a non-profit foundation; its purpose will be to raise money, other than the municipal allocation. Once the 501 (c) 3 status has been established, the Library will be eligible for more grants.
Mrs. Cyr said the Foundation will be looking for community members to serve on the Board. George Scharpf, from Amboy National Bank, and Edith Chevalier have agreed to participate. The Foundation Board will be separate from the Library Board.
Mayor Phillips stated that this is an excellent idea and supports the library entirely on this.
Mrs. Cyr informed the Board that Attorney Scott Smith has agreed to do all the legal paperwork, at no cost to the Library or its Foundation.
Adjournment
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Linda Seiler, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Unanimously approved
Respectfully submitted,
Kathryn Arabia, Secretary
Library Board of Trustees
Date Approved: February 9, 2005
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