MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OLD BRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
November 12, 2003
Present:
Steven Goldman, President
Mary Chamberlain, Vice President
Mary Gannon, Treasurer
Louisa Colon, Mayor’s Alternate
Michael Santa Maria, Superintendent of School’s Alternate
Margery Cyr, Director
Maria Nowak, Executive Assistant
Absent:
Kathryn Arabia, Trustee
Scott Glaser, Trustee
Joseph Nuzzo, Secretary
Rita Peterson, Trustee
Guests:
Ruth Woods and Vivian Matragrano
The President called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and announced that the meeting had been advertised and would be conducted in accordance with the Sunshine Law. The Vice President called the roll in the absent of the Secretary.
Minutes
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Mary Gannon, to approve the October 8, 2003 Board Minutes as presented. Unanimously approved.
Finance
Motion: made by Mary Gannon, seconded by Mary Chamberlain, to approve the bill listing in the amount of $118,919.27 as presented. Unanimously approved.
Budget Meeting
Mrs. Cyr reported she and Board members Mary Chamberlain, Scott Glaser and Steve Goldman attended the Budget Meeting. They met with Councilman Redmond, Council President Butler, Councilwoman Panos, Mayor Cannon, Business Administrator Alayne Shepler and Finance Director Himanshu Shah.
Mrs. Cyr stated her impression from the meeting is there will be no more money for the Library’s current budget year. Mr. Goldman agreed.
Mr. Goldman said he informed the Committee he felt the library is being penalized for putting a little money in the bank for a rainy day. The Library has carefully done this so that it is not necessary to come to the Township for every little thing the Library building might need done.
Mrs. Cyr said the Committee informed them they understood the Library’s problem; but today is the rainy day. Mrs. Cyr said they pointed out to the Committee next year would be an even more difficult year and the Library would not have reserves available to cover the anticipated expenses.
Mrs. Chamberlain said the Committee was also informed the Library’s State Aid was cut do to the increase in the Township’s evaluation but no corresponding increase in the Library’s funding.
Mr. Shah stated that the Library’s budget presentation is the best of any department in the town. The Library comes with all necessary backups.
Mr. Goldman said the Town Council made it clear they do not feel the library should have a surplus. This is something Mr. Goldman said he never would agree with. It is essential that the Library have funding for the future.
Mrs. Cyr stated the library would have to ask for $175,000 or more for next year’s budget in order to preserve current services.
Mr. Goldman informed the Board he sent a letter to new Mayor-elect James Phillips asking for a meeting to let him know the status of the Library. Mr. Goldman stated that next year’s budget would not be any better. Without a large increase in funding, the Board will have to consider cutting services and hours.
Statistics
Mr. Goldman asked why the number for computer use in September 2002 was much lower to computer use in September 2003.
Mrs. Cyr stated that the state now requires a count of everyone who sits down to use a computer. The library’s count is still not accurate as we do not have any way of counting how many people are actually using our public access computers; however, the library is now using the time management software, SAM, which is on our Internet computers. Every time a patron logs onto a computer it is counted. This gives us a more accurate figure than the counts of previous years.
Statistics were placed on file.
PERSONNEL
New Appointments
Motion: made by Steven Goldman, seconded by Mary Gannon, to approve the hiring of Ji Hae Ju, Librarian II, Head of Electronic Resources at an annual salary of $46,114.48 effective October 20, 2003. Unanimously approved.
Resignation
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Louisa Colon, to accept the resignation of Head of Electronics Resources, Deborah Stoppello, effective October 31, 2003. Unanimously approved.
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Louisa Colon, to accept the resignation of Circulation Page, Alyson Orabona, effective October 13, 2003. Unanimously approved.
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Louisa Colon, to accept the resignation of Head of Electronic Resources, Ji Hae Ju, effective October 24, 2003. Unanimously approved.
Appointments
Motion: made by Mary Chamberlain, seconded by Louisa Colon, to approve hiring Deborah Stoppello, temporary substitute librarian at a rate of $21.47. Unanimously approved.
Personnel Committee
Mrs. Chamberlain distributed the Director’s evaluation form to Mary Gannon, Steven Goldman and Louisa Colon. Mr. Goldman asked Mrs. Chamberlain to call him to set up a meeting date for the Personnel Committee to discuss the Director’s evaluation.
Union Negotiations
Union Negotiations will start in March 2004.
LIBRARY BUILDING
Lighting Project
Mrs. Cyr reported she spoke with Mr. Barone today; he is waiting to receive a contract back from the Township. Mrs. Cyr said she called Alayne Shepler and asked why the contract had not been returned to Mr. Barone. Ms. Shepler said Mr. Barone requests an additional $1,500 for his fee. Neither she, Mr. Shah, Mr. Vincenti nor Mr. Goldman believe it should be paid. Ms. Shepler said a meeting would probably have to be set up with Mr. Barone. Mrs. Cyr said she informed Ms. Shepler that Mr. Goldman could attend the meeting.
Roof
Mrs. Cyr reported Mike’s Roofing has repaired the leaks. There are leaks at the base of the windows around certain parts of the building. Mrs. Nowak said Bob Kelly from the Road Department feels it is coming from the bottom seal of the windows; he has placed silicone along the seal to see if it will hold. If it does not, the Library will need to contract with a window company to repair the window seals. This will be a substantial cost for the Library.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Coffee Cart
Mrs. Cyr reported no bids were received today. Mrs. Chamberlain suggested the Library wait until after the first of the new year to reopen this discussion. The Board all agreed.
Volunteer Reception
Mrs. Cyr reported she would be working on this within the next couple of weeks.
Policy Committee Meeting
Mrs. Cyr stated a Policy Committee meeting is needed to go over several draft policies. Mary Gannon said she would call Mrs. Cyr to set up a meeting date.
Department Reports
The Board reviewed and accepted all department reports.
There were no comments from the public.
Adjournment
Motion: made by Mary Gannon, seconded by Michael Santa Maria, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Unanimously approved.
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