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

January 9, 2013



I. Attendance
Mrs. Crown called the roll.

Present
Mrs. Rosa Boyd, President
Mrs. Lois Ruckert, Vice President
Mrs. Tonia Crown, Secretary
Ms. Marlena Lange
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Richard C. Bell
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director

Absent
Ms. Barbara Kay, Treasurer (excused)

Visitors
None

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. Mrs. Rosa Boyd, President, opened the meeting at 7:05pm.


B. Minutes
Mr. Bell moved for adoption of the minutes of the December 12, 2012 meeting. Ms. Lange
seconded.
Ayes: Boyd, Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (1/09/13 - 7)


C. Visitor Comments
None


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

A letter was sent to a patron to acknowledge receipt of their comments regarding a DVD
and where it should be placed. Mr. Pfisterer discussed our policy for challenged materials.
(Letter attached to official minutes)

A patron contacted the Director's office to make a complaint about seating in the Reading
Room. The patron has been frustrated because he has been unable to use a particular seat
in the reading room that he prefers. His suggestions to the Board are 1) he feels that it
might be a good idea to put a sign over the chairs with some kind of time limit for how
long you are allowed to sit in the chairs. 2)he thought we could provide a lounge area for
patrons who are not actively engaged in using library materials. (His contention was that
this individual was not reading. They do read.)


E. President's Report
Mrs. Boyd reported that she will not be at the February meeting.


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

Discussion was held on snow removal.

Mr. Pfisterer reported that he attended the RCLS Director's Association meeting on
January 9th. At that meeting Robert Hubsher mentioned that he spoke to the four Town
Boards, in all four towns, acting on the letter he received from the Thrall Board asking that
RCLS investigate the possibility of expanding the library district into the four towns. He's
waiting to hear back from them if they have any interest. He did say that one town Board
told him that they'll consider it but, if they were to join a library district it would be Port
Jervis and not Middletown. Mr. Hubsher said that even if one of the four towns shows
interest the he would pursue it on their behalf. Discussion followed.


G. Treasurer's Report
No report.


H. Library Staff Reports
No report.


I. Committee Reports
Finance Committee:
BUDGET AMENDMENT #1
Mr. Bell moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library amend the 2012
budget to be increased as follows:
ADD
Revenue L2705 Gifts & Donations $1,100
S. Pfeffer & C. Berkowitz
ADD
Appropriations:
L7410.8521.12.3810.5 Books (adult) $ 100.00
L7410.8521.12.3814.5 YA Books $ 500.00
L7410.8522.12.3903.5 YA Media $ 500.00

Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Boyd, Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Ruckert - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (1/09/13 - 8)

Building & Grounds: Ms. Lange reported on Building & Grounds.
The front parking lot of the library was not plowed following the snowfall of Saturday,
December 29, 2012. This led to subsequent icing conditions following a number of days
of thawing and refreezing. The library has received a number of complaints regarding
conditions in the parking lot and steps have been taken to speed the removal of ice in the
lot. Mr. Pfisterer met with City DPW officials regarding this incident and he is soliciting
bids from independent contractors to service that lot in the future.

On Thursday, January 4, 2013 small chunks of ice melted and fell off the overhang in the
vicinity of the front entrance. We sectioned off the area with construction horses and
caution tape to protect the public. This situation was brought about by a pattern of
thawing and refreezing of existing snow on the roof. The situation was exacerbated by
damaged and defective downspouts.

Installation of the new surveillance equipment is complete.


J. Old Business
Ms. Lange moved to go into executive session at 7:55pm for the purpose of discussion of
the Director's evaluation. Mr. Berkowitz seconded.
Ayes: Boyd, Bell, Berkowitz, Ruckert, Crown, Ruckert - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (1/09/13 - 9)

The Board returned from executive session at 8:20pm.


K. New Business
Following adjournment a demonstration will be held in the Director's office of the new
surveillance equipment.


L. Adjournment
Mr. Bell moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:21pm. Ms. Lange seconded.
Ayes: Bell, Boyd, Ruckert, Berkowitz, Crown, Lange - 6
Noes: None
Motion declared approved. (1/09/13 - 10)

Respectfully submitted,


Tonia Crown, Secretary




TABLE OF MOTIONS

(01/09/13 - 1) Accepted slate of officers
(01/09/13 - 2) Designated Middletown Times Herald Record as official newspaper
(01/09/13 - 3) Designated the Orange County Trust Company as official bank
(01/09/13 - 4) Designated Stifel-Nicholas as Investment Firm
(01/09/13 - 5) Appointed Robert Isseks as Library District's Attorney
(01/09/13 - 6) Adjournment
(01/09/13 - 7) Approval of 12/12/12 minutes
(01/09/13 - 8) Approved BUDGET AMENDMENT 1
(01/09/13 - 9) Executive session
(01/09/13 - 10) Adjournment