Minutes
Board of Trustees
Middletown Thrall Library
The Minutes for 7 / 8 / 2026
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
THRALL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN AND WALLKILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 8, 2026
I. Attendance/Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Evelyn Ortega called the roll
Present
Ms. Marlena Lange, President
Ms. Evelyn Ortega, Vice President
Mr. Joseph Ruyack, Financial Officer
Mrs. Susan Wyman
Mr. Stevenson Monchery (arrived at 5:09pm)
Mr. Carl Berkowitz
Mr. Matthew Pfisterer, Director
Absent
Ms. Narene Russell, Secretary (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
Mrs. Wyman moved for the adoption of the June, 2026 regular minutes. Mr. Ruyack seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Wyman, Berkowitz - 5
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-39)
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C. Visitor Comments/Staff Report
Sally Sossler, Librarian I Trainee for Children/Youth Services, spoke about the Summer Programs
D. Correspondence
Mr. Pfisterer read a letter from Senator Skoufis advising that the Library was awarded money, which will be received in 2027, for Youth Programming.
And Assembly Member Paula Kay will be attending our August 29th 125th Anniversary Celebration and she will be bringing a proclamation.
E. President’s Report
Ms. Lange briefly mentioned that there needs to be a Special Meeting on July 29th at 4pm to talk and vote on the NYS Construction Grant.
Mr. Berkowitz moved, Mr. Ruyack seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-40)
Ms. Lange also suggested we change the time of the September 2026 meeting to 5pm.
Mrs. Wyman moved, Mr. Ruyack seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-41)
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 #4
Mr. Ruyack moved that the Board of Trustees of Middletown Thrall Library accepts the following budget transfer to cover shortages:
TO: L7410.8440.12.0000.0 Professional Services $20,000.00
FROM: L7410.8900.12.0000.0 Contingency/Capital Reserve $20,000.00
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-42)
Mr. Berkowitz moved that the regular monthly disbursements for June, 2026 in the amount of $149,868.10 having been audited by Susan Wyman and found to be correct, be approved. Mr. Ruyack seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-43)
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H. Committee Report
Building & Grounds: Two of the three air conditioning systems of the library are currently operating at 50% capacity. The building was able to remain open for its regularly scheduled hours during the week of June 28th through July 4th when temperature and humidity levels were excessive. I have received a proposal for repairs to bring both units up to 100% operating capacity from our HVAC service provider.
Following the heavy rain on Monday, July 6, 2026, a leak occurred in the ceiling of the Community Room. Our HVAC service provider confirmed that the HVAC system was not the cause of the leak. A roof repair technician will inspect and make necessary repairs on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Minor repairs were required to be done on the library’s front door and the door to the second-floor men’s restroom.
Our exterminating contractor has informed us that we are not currently experiencing any infestation issues.
I. Old Business
2026 Library Trustee Training Library 125th Anniversary Celebration
J. New Business
NYS Tax Cap Overide Motion will be discussed and voted on during the September 9th, 2026 meeting.
Mr. Berkowitz moved to accept the Library’s Preliminary Budget for 2027. Mr. Monchery seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Ruyack, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 6
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-44)
RCLS Direct Access Plan and RCLS Plan of Service (2027-2031) to be discussed and voted on during the July 29th, 2026 meeting.
Mrs. Wyman moved to have furniture purchases over the amount of $2,000.00 be approved by the Board. Ms. Ortega seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 5
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-45)
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K. Adjournment
Mr. Berkowitz moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:02pm. Mrs. Wyman seconded.
AYES: Lange, Ortega, Wyman, Monchery, Berkowitz - 5
Nays: None
Motion declared approved. (07/08/26-46)
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 re-organizational 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
(07/08/26-39) Approval of adoption of the minutes for the June, 2026 meeting
(07/08/26-40) Approval to do a Special Meeting on July 29th, 2026
TABLE OF MOTIONS
(07/08/26-41) Approval to change the time of the September, 2026 meeting to 4pm
(07/08/26-42) Approved 2026 Budget Transfer #4
(07/08/26-43) Approved monthly disbursement for June, 2026
(07/08/26-44) Approval of Library’s Preliminary Budget for 2027
(07/08/26-45) Adjournment