MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
June 10, 2026

I. Attendance/Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Marlena Lange 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. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director


Absent
Mr. Stevenson Monchery (Excused)


Visitors
None

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.





B. Minutes


Mr. Berkowitz moved for the adoption of the May, 2026 regular minutes. Mrs. Wyman
seconded.



AYES: Lange, Ortega, Russell, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None

Motion declared approved. (06/10/26-33)

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C. Visitor Comments/Staff Report


None



D. Correspondence


LAN HVAC Project to be discussed in Executive Session



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 briefly spoke about the following: adult and children’s summer reading program this year, the retirement party for Robert Tiess, Library Assistant of Adult Reference, Construction Grant, and Budget Committee Meeting, June 23.




G. Financial Officer’s Report:     


Ms. Russell moved that the regular monthly disbursements for May, 2026 in the amount of $92,616.63 having been audited by Carl Berkowitz and found to be correct be approved. Mrs. Wyman seconded.



AYES: Lange, Ortega, Russell, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None

Motion declared approved. (06/10/26-34)


2026 Budget Transfer #4 was tabled.




H. Committee Report


Building & Grounds: A bid opening was held at the library on May 14, 2026 for contractors interested in completing work on our HVAC project. Two bids were received and opened. Our HVAC engineers will review each bid and make a recommendation of a contractor at the meeting scheduled for 11am Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

The library’s cooling system failed on May 19, 2026 causing early closings on May 19th and 20th due to excessive temperatures in the building. Our HVAC maintenance company suspects a refrigerant leak in the system as the cause. A leak test, repair and recharge of the refrigerant is required to get the system up and running again. The repair is scheduled to take place in the near future.

New chairs have been purchased for the public computer workstations on the library’s first floor. The existing chairs are the least 16 years old and likely older.

Approval for the purchase of new chairs was tabled.

Our exterminating contractor has informed us that we are not currently experiencing any infestation issues.

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Mrs. Wyman moved to go into Executive Session at 5:27 to discuss the HVAC Project.

Ms. Russell seconded.



AYES: Lange, Ortega, Russell, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None

Motion declared approved. (06/10/26-35)


Out of Executive Session at 5:38
Mr. Berkowitz moved to accept LAN’s recommendation of S&O Construction Services for
the Library HVAC Project. Ms. Ortega seconded.



AYES: Lange, Ortega, Russell, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None

Motion declared approved. (06/10/26-36)




I. Old Business


2026 Library Trustee Training 125th Library Anniversary Celebration
Mr. Berkowitz discussed reviewing Library policies. Mrs. Wyman and Mr. Berkowitz volunteered to be on the Review Committee.




J. New Business


Mr. Ruyack moved to pay Part-Time Staff during Emergency Closings. Mrs. Wyman seconded.



AYES: Lange, Ortega, Russell, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None

Motion declared approved. (06/10/26-37)


2027 Library Budget Meeting Dates (June 23rd at 3PM and July 7th at 3PM (if needed)
RCLS 2027-2031 Plan of Services
RCLS 2027-2031 Direct Access Plan A brief conversation was had about the parking situation for Library Staff, as well as
a possible new time tracking system for the employees.




K. Adjournment


Mr. Ruyack moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:54pm. Mr. Berkowitz seconded.



AYES: Lange, Ortega, Russell, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None

Motion declared approved. (06/10/26-38)


Respectfully Submitted,
Narene Russell, Secretary

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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
(04/08/26-24) Approval of adoption of the minutes for the March, 2026 meeting
(04/08/26-25) Approved monthly disbursement for March, 2026
(04/08/26-26) Approval of LAN Associates HVAC proposal
(04/08/26-27) Adjournment
(05/13/26-28) Approval of adoption of the minutes for the April, 2026 meeting
(05/13/26-29) Approved monthly disbursement for April, 2026
(05/13/26-30) Approved 2026 Budget Transfer #3
(05/13/26-31) Approved NYS Annual Report for 2025
(05/13/26-32) Adjournment
(06/10/26-33) Approval of adoption of the minutes for the May, 2026 meeting
(06/10/26-34) Approved monthly disbursement for May, 2026
(06/10/26-35) Executive Session
(06/10/26-36) Approval of LAN’s recommendation of S&O Construction Services for HVAC Project
(06/10/26-37) Approval to pay PT staff shifts during Emergency Closings
(06/10/26-38) Adjournment