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


March 11, 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 (arrived at 5:05pm)
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director

Absent
None

Visitors
None


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 5:00pm.

Moment of silence for Mr. Randy Enos former RCLS Consultant and former President of
The Friends of Middletown Thrall Library.


B. Minutes

Mrs. Wyman moved for the adoption of the February, 2026 regular minutes.
Mr. Ruyack seconded.

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-15)


C. Visitor Comments/Staff Report
Mr. Pfisterer handed out the Overview Worksheet with all of the Departmental Statistics
for the month of February 2026.


D. Correspondence

1. Mr. Pfisterer received a letter from staff sharing concerns regarding building
temperatures, humidity, snow removal and parking access in the vicinity of the Library
building.

2. A letter received from anonymous Part-Time staff addressed to Mr. Pfisterer and the
Board of Trustees requesting to be paid for scheduled shifts when the Library is closed
due to inclement weather.


E. President's Report
Ms. Lange made a motion to create a Personnel Committee in which Ms. Ortega and
Ms. Russell would be a part of.
Mr. Berkowitz moved and Mr. Ruyack seconded.

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-16)


F. Director's Report

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


G. Financial Officer's Report:
2026 Budget Transfer #1
Ms. Russell moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the
following budget transfer, to cover shortages in budget lines. Mr. Berkowitz seconded.

To: L7410.8421.12.0000.0 Refund; Prior Years Tax $26,000.00
L7410.8506.12.0000.5 Circulation Control $5,000.00

From: L7410.8462.12.0000.0 Service Contracts $15,000.00
L7410.8440.12.0000.0 Professional Services $10,000.00
L7410.8420.12.0000.0 Insurance $6,000.00

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-17)

2026 Budget Transfer #2

Ms. Russell moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accept the
following budget transfer, to cover shortages. Mr. Berkowitz seconded.

To: L7410.8521.12.3817.5 Spanish Books $1,000.00
From: L7410.8521.12.3810.5 Adult Books $1,000.00

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-18)


G. Financial Officer's Report Cont'd:
Mr. Ruyack moved that the regular monthly disbursements for February, 2026 in the
amount of $124,564.73 having been audited by Evelyn Ortega and found to be correct,
be approved. Mrs. Wyman seconded.

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-19)

H. Committee Report
Building & Grounds:
The committee met with Marco Menendez from LAN Associates on February 19, 2026, to
discuss ways in which we can improve the temperature control in the building, particularly
on the library's second floor. He advised that it is possible to replace the VAV boxes and
repair the air handlers that service the library's second floor. Following the repairs, the
entire system should be rebalanced. It is possible to repair the VAV boxes and rebalance
the system while using our existing computerized BMS (Building Management System).

We could upgrade our BMS as well, but this would increase the cost of the project. He does
not believe that the addition of thermostat controls on our boilers would improve the current
situation. Marco is talking to his team at LAN to get us more information and pricing
estimates for each phase of the repair so we can decide how to proceed.

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


I. Old Business
2026 Library Trustee Training


J. New Business
Library Experience Committee
125th Library Coalition Celebration
Randy Enos

Mrs. Wyman moved to go into Executive Session at 5:21 to discuss employment history of
particular individual and contracts. Mr. Ruyack seconded.

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-20)

Mrs. Wyman moved to place Mr. Brad McGovern on paid administrative leave.
Mr. Monchery seconded.

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-21)


Mrs. Wyman moved to authorize LAN Associates to solicit BIDS on a direct replacement
of the Library's defective VAV Boxes and associated work. Mr. Berkowitz seconded.

Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-22)


K. Adjournment

Mr. Ruyack moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:52pm. Mrs. Wyman seconded.
Ayes: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Russell, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 7
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (03/11/26-23)



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 meeting
(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
(02/11/26-10) Approval of adoption of the reorganizational minutes for the January, 2026 meeting
(02/11/26-11) Approval of adoption of the regular minutes for the January, 2026 meeting
(02/11/26-12) Approved monthly disbursement for January, 2026
(02/11/26-13) Executive Session
(02/11/26-14) Adjournment
(03/11/26-15) Approval of adoption of the minutes for the February, 2026 meeting
(03/11/26-16) Approved creation by Board of Personnel Committee
(03/11/26-17) Approved 2026 Budget Transfer #1
(03/11/26-18) Approved 2026 Budget Transfer #2
(03/11/26-19) Approved monthly disbursement for February, 2026
(03/11/26-20) Executive Session
(03/11/26-21) Approval of Employee Paid Administrative Leave
(03/11/26-22) Approval to move forward with authorization of LAN Associates to solicit BIDS
for the Library's Defective VAV Boxes and associated work
(03/11/26-23) Adjournment