MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OLD BRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 14, 2004
Present:
Steven Goldman, President
Mary Chamberlain, Vice President
Joseph Nuzzo, Secretary
Kathryn Arabia, Trustee
Barbara Cannon, Mayor’s Alternate
Michael Santa Maria, Superintendent of School’s Alternate
Margery Cyr, Director
Maria Nowak, Executive Assistant
Absent:
Mary Gannon, Treasurer
Scott Glaser, Trustee
Rita Peterson, Trustee
Library Staff:
Arlene Robinson, Mary Garcia, June McNamara
Public:
Mark Inselberg
The President called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and announced that the meeting had been advertised and would be conducted in accordance with the Sunshine Law. The Secretary called the roll.
Mrs. Cyr introduced June McNamara and gave a brief overview of June’s history with the Library: she has been with the library for fifteen years and has been invaluable member of the library staff. Mrs. McNamara has worked in different positions in the library, most recently serving as the manager of the Laurence Harbor Branch. She has been well loved by the Laurence Harbor community and the library staff; she will be greatly missed.
Ms. Cyr presented retiree June McNamara with a gift on behalf of the Library Board and Mr. Goldman presented her with a certificate of appreciation for her fifteen years of service.
REORGANIZATION
President Goldman turned the meeting over to Barbara Cannon to conduct the election of officers for the year 2004.
Nominations for the Office of President
Mary Chamberlain nominated Steven Goldman for President, seconded by Kathryn Arabia. There were no other nominations.
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Kathryn Arabia, to accept the nomination of Steven Goldman for President for the year 2004. Unanimously approved.
Nominations for the Office of Vice President
Joseph Nuzzo nominated Mary Chamberlain for Vice-president, seconded by Steven Goldman. There were no other nominations.
Motion: made by Joseph Nuzzo, seconded by Steven Goldman, to accept the nomination of Mary Chamberlain for Vice-president for the year 2004. Unanimously approved.
Nominations for the Office of Treasurer
Kathryn Arabia nominated Mary Gannon for Treasurer, seconded by Mary Chamberlain. There were no other nominations.
Motion: made by Kathryn Arabia, seconded by Mary Chamberlain, to accept the nominations of Mary Gannon for Treasurer for the year 2004. Unanimously approved.
Nominations for the Office of Secretary
Mary Chamberlain nominated Joseph Nuzzo for Secretary, seconded by Michael Santa Maria. There were no other nominations.
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Michael Santa Maria, to accept the nominations of Joseph Nuzzo for Secretary for the year 2004. Unanimously approved.
2004 Board Committee Appointments
Finance: Mary Gannon, Chair
Personnel: Mary Chamberlain, Chair
Scott Glaser Barbara Cannon
Kathryn Arabia Mary Gannon
Kathryn Arabia
Rita Peterson
Building: Joseph Nuzzo, Chair
Policy: Barbara Cannon, Chair
Maintenance: Mary Chamberlain Mary Gannon
Michael Santa Maria Mary Chamberlain
Technology: Scott Glaser
Chair Schools: Michael Santa Maria, Co-chair
Mary Gannon Kathryn Arabia, Co-chair
Joseph Nuzzo Steven Goldman
Rita Peterson
Minutes
Motion: made by Michael Santa Maria, seconded by Mary Chamberlain, to approve the December 10, 2003 Board minutes as presented. Unanimously approved.
Finance
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Joseph Nuzzo, to approve the bill listing in the amount of $96,660.18 as presented. Unanimously approved.
Budget FY 2003/2004
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Steven Goldman, to approve the Library’s Operating Budget in the amount of $1,774,435.04 for the fiscal year 2003/2004. Unanimously approved.
Statistics were placed on file.
PERSONNEL
Appointment
Motion: made by Joseph Nuzzo, seconded by Kathryn Arabia, to approve the hiring of temporary substitute intern Liz Farry, effective December 15, 2003. Unanimously approved.
Resignation
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Michael Santa Maria, to accept the resignation of Library Intern, Rose Schulman, effective January 16, 2004. Unanimously approved.
Vacant Department Head Position
Motion: made by Kathryn Arabia, seconded by Michael Santa Maria, to approve the hiring of a department head at an annual salary of $46,114.48. Unanimously approved.
Mrs. Cyr said this is important position for the library and may take several months to fill.
Library Building
Roof Project
Mrs. Cyr reported she still has not received word on the status of the Library’s grant application; but she has spoken with Sue at Assemblyman Thompson’s office. Sue will have Assemblyman Thompson call the State for a status update.
Lighting Project
Mr. Barone’s amendment to his contract for the Lighting Project was approved at the January 12, 2004 Council meeting. Mrs. Cyr reported she spoke with Mario Barone and he is awaiting information from John Vincenti needed for the bid packet. Mr. Nuzzo requested the Library receive a copy of the bid.
Library Services
Volunteer Reception
Maria Nowak reported that her team met on January 12 and the Second Annual Volunteer Reception will be held on Friday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. All members of the team are now working on obtaining prices for food, music, decorations, etc. The Grand Marquis has made donations of tablecloths. The next meeting will be held on Friday January 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Library Policies
Mrs. Cyr reported the Policy Committee needs to meet, as there are several policies, which need to be discussed before consideration by the Board. Mr. Goldman asked Mrs. Cyr to make arrangements for a meeting with Policy Committee Chair Barbara Cannon as soon as possible.
Passport Service
Mr. Goldman reported to the Board that Mayor Phillips would like to turn the entire Passport Service over to the Library. He and Mrs. Cyr believe this can greatly benefit the Library’s finances. Mrs. Chamberlain said this is no guarantee.
Automation System
Mrs. Cyr reports that SIRSI is the vendor that most closely matches the needs of the consortium. The Board asked to be kept up to date with the status of the new automation system.
People Counter
Mrs. Cyr reported the library is looking at several different types of people counters and will purchase one for the central branch and the other for the Laurence Harbor branch within the next week.
Department Reports
The Board reviewed and accepted all department reports.
There were no comments from the public.
Meeting with Mayor James Phillips
Mr. Goldman reported that he, Mrs. Cyr and Mrs. Chamberlain met with Mayor James Phillips on Monday January 12.
Mr. Goldman said they shared with Mayor Phillips the good and bad news with the goings on with the Library. They explained the funding problems the library has been having especially this year. There was discussion about possible consequences to public service should an increase in funding not be forthcoming this next fiscal year. Mayor Phillips understands and hopes it will not come to that.
The Mayor was given a report on the Library’s lighting problems and Mrs. Cyr informed him the cost of replacing the library roof.
Mr. Goldman informed the Board that Mayor Phillips believes the next year will not be any better but he is hopeful things will get better in the following year.
Mr. Goldman said Mayor Phillips asked he be given the final number on union negotiations before any agreement is made. This was the only request the Mayor made.
Teen Career Day
Mrs. Cyr reported the Teen Career Day went extremely well. A teacher who visited the Career Day expressed interest in a joint venture with the Salk Middle School to bring a Career Day to the School.
Personnel Committee Report
Mrs. Chamberlain reported the Director’s annual evaluation has been completed. The evaluation form has been signed by Mrs. Cyr and Mrs. Chamberlain.
Mr. Goldman said in the coming year Mrs. Cyr will work an occasional weekend and night.
The Board thanked Louisa Colon for coming back and finishing up the Director’s evaluation.
Adjournment
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded Joseph Nuzzo, to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Unanimously approved.
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