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



January 14, 2026


I.  Attendance/Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Russell, called the roll 

Present
Ms. Marlena Lange, President
Ms. Evelyn Ortega, Vice President
Mr. Joseph Ruyack, Financial Officer
Ms. Narene Russell, Secretary
Mrs. Susan Wyman
Mr. Stevenson Monchery
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director 

Absent 
None

Visitors

Theresa Zacek, Head of Children's and Young Adult
Mr. Stephen Hoefer - RCLS - Chief Financial Officer 


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.	 Ms. Marlena Lange, called the meeting at 5:06pm. 


B. Minutes      
Mrs. Wyman moved for the adoption of the regular December, 2025 minutes. Mr. Ruyack seconded.   
Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Stevenson, Berkowitz-7
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (01/14/26-6) 


C.  Visitor Comments/Staff Report
Theresa Zacek, Head of Children's/Young Adults Departments, spoke about what has
been going on in both the Adult Reference and Children/Young Adult Departments. 


D. Correspondence 
None


E.  President's Report  
None


F. Director's Report 
(A copy of the Director's Report sent to each Board member is attached to the official
minutes.) Mr. Pfisterer touched upon the upcoming Advocacy Day in Albany on
February 3, 2026, the 2026 Trustee Training and the Legislative Initiative Funding Grant
received from Senator Skoufis.


G. Financial Officer's Report:
Mr. Ruyack moved that the regular monthly disbursements for December, 2025 in the 
amount of $135,060.83 having been audited by Susan Wyman and found to be correct, be
approved. Ms. Ortega seconded. 

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Stevenson, Berkowitz - 7
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (01/14/26-7) 


H. Committee Report
Building & Grounds: Our HVAC system service provider has performed seasonal 
preventative maintenance on our HVAC system. 

Our exterminating contractor has notified us that we are not experiencing any infestation 
issues at this time. 

Next Building & Grounds meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 28th and 4pm


I.   Old Business
None


J.  New Business   
Mr. Stephen Hoefer discussed the Level 2 E-Rate Initiative. 

Mr. Ruyack moved to accept the Internet Safety Policy. Ms. Ortega seconded.

Ayes: Ortega, Ruyack- 2
Noes: Lange, Russell, Wyman, Stevenson, Berkowitz -5
Motion declared unapproved. (01/14/26-8) 


K.  Adjournment
Mr. Berkowitz moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:55pm. Mr. Ruyack seconded.	 
Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Stevenson, Berkowitz - 7
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (01/14/26-9) 


Respectfully Submitted, 
Narene Russell, Secretary	 




TABLE OF MOTIONS

(01/14/26-1) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record Digital Edition official newspaper 
(01/14/26-2) Designated Orange Bank and Trust as official bank.   
(01/14/26-3) Appointment of JBG Law as the HR Personnel Library Attorney & Alex Smith as the Library's General Attorney. 
(01/14/26-4) Designation of Financial Audit Firm
(01/14/26-5) Adjournment
(01/14/26-6) Approval of adoption of the minutes for the December, 2025 minutes
(01/14/26-7) Approved monthly disbursement for December, 2025
(01/14/26-8) Unapproved motion to accept Internet Safety Policy
(01/14/26-9) Adjournment