MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

October 3, 2007


I. Attendance
Mrs. Hutchinson called the roll:

Present
Mr. Richard C. Bell, President
Ms. Marlena Lange, Vice President
Mrs. Joan Hutchinson, Secretary
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Ms. Barbara Kay
Mr. Kevin J. Gallagher, Director

Absent
Ms. Eileen Connolly
Mrs. Rosa Boyd, Treasurer (excused)

Visitors
Guy Van Rossum, Wawayanda Representative
Mark Specthrie, Wawayanda Representative
Carole Sutton

II. Agenda
A. Roll Call G. Treasurer's Report
B. Minutes H. Library Staff Reports
C. Visitor Comments I. Committee Report
D. Correspondence J. Old Business
E. President's Report K. New Business
F. Director's Report L. Adjournment

III. Discussion and Recommendation
A. Mr. Richard Bell, President, opened the meeting at 7:00pm and led the pledge to
the flag.

B. Minutes
Ms. Kay moved for adoption of the minutes of the September 5, 2007 meeting. Mr.
Berkowitz seconded.

Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 63)



C. Visitor Comments
Mr. Van Rossum reported on library service for the Town of Wawayanda. They would like to join the Library District and treat it as a contract. Discussion followed.

Mr. Berkowitz moved to go into executive session at 7:23pm to discuss a contract with Wawayanda for library service. Mrs. Hutchinson seconded.

Ayes: Bell, Berkowitz, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 64)

The Board returned from executive session at 7:49pm.

The Board feels that they are not interested in the proposal that was presented by the committee from Wawayanda at this meeting. The Board is only interested in a fixed amount contract. However, the Board would be interested if the Town Board makes an effort to begin the process of bringing the whole township into the library district as a full paying member. Discussion followed.

D. Correspondence
A copy of all the correspondence sent to each Board member is attached to the official minutes.

E. President's Report
Mr. Bell reported that he and Kevin will be meeting on October 17th with the people that
run the Middletown School District channel about getting some of our information on
there.

F. Director's Report
(A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official minutes.)

Mr. Gallagher reported that the latest “best estimate” report for the Empire Plan is 8.5% increase for 2008.

G. Treasurer's Report
Mr. Gallagher reported on the accounts and balances. Discussion followed. (Report attached to official minutes.)


H. Library Staff Reports
No report.

I. Committee Reports
Building & Grounds Committee: Ms. Lange reported that the custodial staff has been working recommendations received in a recent building fire inspection by the Middletown
Fire Department. Included is the replacement of missing ceiling tiles; removal of cardboard from some storage areas; replacement of some exit signs (due to non-working bulbs). Additionally, we will have to file for an annual operating permit (at a cost of $150.00) due to a new NYS Fire Code requirement.

The draft engineering report has been received from Genesys Engineering. This report has
to be reviewed by the NYS Energy Department prior to formal issuance as part of the grant funding received earlier this year towards the cost of Genesys' work.

Per an earlier recommendation from Tri-County Plumbing, an anti-freeze was added to the building's heating system to help prevent pipe freezes in the case of a system malfunction.

We are also awaiting an opinion from the Middletown Fire Department about whether the third level actually can be used for additional material storage. While there is a sprinkler system on that level, it's unclear if we will be able to utilize it as an area for as much storage as was hoped earlier in the year. As a result, I've held off on ordering or installing a power lift for easier and safer transport of materials to that level until we know if it can be utilized as planned.

Finance Committee: (This report was given under Treasurer's Report)
BUDGET TRANSFER #2
Ms. Lange moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the
following budget transfers:

TO: L7410.8420.12.0000.0 Insurance $8103.00
FROM: L7410.8900.12.0000.0 Contingency $5000.00
L9760.8600.12.7410.0 Debt Service $3103.00
(This transfer is due to the unexpected rise in cost of Worker's Compensation
Insurance)

Ayes: Bell, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay, Berkowitz – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 65)


I. Committee Reports Con't.
BUDGET AMENDMENT #7
Ms. Lange moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library amend the
2007 budget to be increased as follows:

FROM:
REVENUES: L2765 Bonacic/Gunther/Rabbitt Grant $500.00

TO:
APPROPRIATIONS: L7410.8521.12.3813.5 Children's Books $500.00
This amount represents 2007 Summer Reading Program Aid from Assemblywoman Annie
Rabbitt.

Mr. Berkowitz seconded.

Ayes: Bell, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay, Berkowitz – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 66)
(This amount represents the Special Reading Grant from A. Gunther)

Ms. Lange moved that an additional monthly disbursement for August, 2007 in the amount of $478.40 having been audited by Barbara Kay and found to be correct, be approved. (This was Paychex fee for July, posted in August)

Mr. Lange moved that the regular monthly disbursements for September, 2007 in the amount of $77,948.42 having been audited by Barbara Kay and found to be correct, be approved.

Mrs. Hutchinson seconded.

Ayes: Bell, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay, Berkowitz – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 67)

J. Old Business
Mr. Berkowitz moved that we pay the RCLS service fee. Mrs. Hutchinson seconded.
Discussion followed.

Ayes: Berkowitz - 1
Noes: Bell, Lange, Hutchinson, Kay - 4
Motion failed. (10/03/07 – 68)

Mr. Berkowitz reported that he withdrew his name from the RCLS Board nominations
because there is a qualified candidate from Walden.
PAGE 5

K. New Business
Ms. Kay moved that the Thrall Public Library District of Middletown & Wallkill Board of
Trustees accept the following results from the October 2, 2007 Library Trustee & Budget Election.

BUDGET VOTE (with absentee ballots) 108 YES 31 NO

TRUSTEE TOTALS:
Boyd, Rose M. 117
Lange, Marlena F. 113
Berkowitz, Carl S. 95
Write-in: John J. Bonacic 1 (absentee)

Mrs. Hutchinson seconded.

Ayes: Bell, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay, Berkowitz – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 69)

Mr. Berkowitz moved to accept the following 2008 proposed tax rates for the City of Middletown and townships that are included in the Thrall Public Library District of
Middletown & Wallkill. Ms. Lange seconded.

MUNICIPALITY TAX LEVY APPROX. TAX RATE CHANGE

Middletown $918,862.56 $3.979376 +4.3%

Goshen $496.07 $.976055 +5.2%

Mount Hope $1582.70 $1.063428 +2.0%

Wallkill $1,392,301.90 $2.814011 -0.1%

Wawayanda $48,992.77 $.955229 +0.1%

TOTAL = $2,362,235.62

Ayes: Bell, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay, Berkowitz – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 70)




PAGE 6



L. Adjournment
Mr. Berkowitz moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm. Mrs. Hutchinson seconded.

Ayes: Bell, Hutchinson, Lange, Kay, Berkowitz – 5
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (10/03/07 – 71)

Respectfully submitted,



Joan Hutchinson, Secretary






























TABLE OF MOTIONS

(01/10/07 - 1) Accepted slate of officers
(01/10/07 - 2) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper
(01/10/07 - 3) Designated the Orange County Trust Company as official bank
(01/10/07 - 4) Reappointed Richard Guertin as Library District Attorney
(01/10/07 - 5) Adjournment
(01/10/07 - 6) Approval of 12/13/06 minutes
(01/10/07 - 7) Executive Session
(01/10/07 - 8) Approved part-time salaries for 2007
(01/10/07 - 9) Approved Director & Administrative Assistant salaries for 2007
(01/10/07 - 10) Approved the contract for librarians
(01/10/07 – 11) Approval of disbursements for December 2006
(01/10/07 – 12) Approved revised leave request for D. Libassi
(01/10/07 – 13) Adjournment
(02/07/07 – 14) Approval of 1/10/07 reorganizational minutes
(02/07/07 – 15) Approval of 1/10/07 minutes
(02/07/07 – 16) Approved disbursements for January 2007
(02/07/07 – 17) Approved the contract for clerical unit
(02/07/07 – 18) Adjournment
(03/14/07 – 19) Approval of 2/7/07 minutes
(03/14/07 – 20) Approval of disbursements for January & February 2007
(03/14/07 – 21) Approval of Budget Amendment #7 for 2006 budget
(03/14/07 – 22) Approval of Budget Amendment #1 for 2007 budget
(03/14/07 – 23) Approved NYS Statistical Report
(03/14/07 – 24) Approved policy to follow Fed Govt. System weekend holiday & Wednesday before Thanksgiving closing at 6:00pm
(03/14/07 – 25) Approved new retainer agreement with Richard Guertin
(03/14/07 – 26) Approved amendment to labor contracts to permit carrying over up to 10 days vacation for use in 2008
(03/14/07 – 27) Adjournment
(04/11/07 – 28) Approval of 3/14/07 minutes
(04/11/07 – 29) Approval of disbursements for January and March 2007
(04/11/07 – 30) Approval of Budget Amendment #2
(04/11/07 – 31) Adjournment
(05/09/07 – 32) Approval of 4/11/07 minutes
(05/09/07 – 33) Approval of disbursements for April 2007
(05/11/07 – 34) Approval of Budget Amendment #3
(05/11/07 – 35) Reject payment for RCLS fee
(05/11/07 – 36) Adjournment
(06/13/07 – 37) Approval of 5/9/07 minutes
(06/13/07 – 38) Approved Eagle Scout Project
(06/13/07 – 39) Approved 2007 budget/trustee election schedule
(06/13/07 – 40) Approved donation of 40 plastic chairs to Children's Museum
(06/13/07 – 41) Approval of Budget Amendment #4
(06/13/07 – 42) Approval of Budget Transfer #1

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(06/13/07 – 43) Approval of disbursements for May 2007
(06/13/07 – 44) Adjournment
(07/11/07 – 45) Approval of 6/13/07 minutes
(07/11/07 – 46) Approval of Budget Amendment #5
(07/11/07 – 47) Approval of disbursements for June 2007
(07/11/07 – 48) Approved proposed 2008 budget
(07/11/07 – 49) Approval of 2006 audit report
(07/11/07 – 50) Approved patron challenge of library material policy
(07/11/07 – 51) Executive session
(07/11/07 – 52) Approved action of council on personnel matter
(07/11/07 – 53) Adjournment
(09/05/07 – 54) Approval of 7/11/07 minutes
(09/05/07 – 55) Executive session
(09/05/07 – 56) Nominated Carl Berkowitz for RCLS Board
(09/05/07 – 57) Approval of additional monthly disbursement for June 2007
(09/05/07 – 58) Approval of disbursements for July 2007
(09/05/07 – 59) Approval for disbursements for August 2007
(09/05/07 – 60) Approval of Budget Amendment #6
(09/05/07 – 61) Adopted proposed 2008 Library District Budget
(09/05/07 – 62) Adjournment
(10/03/07 – 63) Approval of 9/5/07 minutes
(10/03/07 – 64) Executive session
(10/03/07 – 65) Approval of Budget Transfer #2
(10/03/07 – 66) Approval of Budget Amendment #7
(10/03/07 – 67) Approval of disbursements for August 2007 & September 2007
(10/03/07 – 68) Motion failed to pay RCLS service fee
(10/03/07 – 69) Accepted October 2, 2007 election results
(10/03/07 – 70) Approved proposed tax rates
(10/03/07 – 71) Adjournment