Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Trustees 
Highland Public Library
Thursday, March 23, 2017
30 Church Street
Highland, NY  12528

Attending: Joanne Loewenthal, President; Darlene Plavchak, Vice President for Internal Matters; Nancy Hammond, Vice President for External Matters; Frances Brooks, Recording Secretary; Melissa Burdash, Corresponding Secretary & Fundraising Chair; Mark McPeck, Technology; Julie Dempsey, Library Director

Absent: Eric Norberg
 
The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. 

The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance

Nancy moved to accept the minutes of the February 23, 2017 Board Meeting.  Missy seconded.  All were in favor.
Nancy moved to accept the minutes of the March 2, 2017 Special Meeting; Darlene seconded.  All were in favor.

Financial Report:
We did not receive the Financial Report from our accountant.  Julie will look into that.

The following resolution was tabled:  Be it resolved to accept the financial report for February, 2017 as received from Rose Turmo Woodworth, CPA.
Nancy moved as follows:  Be it resolved to approve the warrants attached for operating expenses for the month of March, 2017.  Missy Seconded.  All were in favor.

Director’s Report:
Julie indicated that she needs to hire a part time clerk for 10-12 hours per week.  She called the County to get a list of potential hires within the Highland and New Paltz area.  They all declined.

Nancy moved to hire Dhruv Odedra as a part time page for 10-12 hours per week at a rate of $10.00 per hour.  Fran seconded.  All were in favor.

The vote for the Budget for next year is on April 26, 2017.  The whole board needs to approve the Tax Cap Override Resolution. Nancy moved to approve the resolution, (which is attached to these minutes), Mark seconded.  A roll call was taken
Mark		yes
Joanne		yes
Nancy		yes
Darlene 	yes
Missy		yes
Fran		yes 
Eric was absent.

The 2017-2018 budget calls for a 7% increase but tax increase is within our tax cap 1.86% This is due to the fact this year’s anticipated debt service payment is less than last year’s.

Nancy moved to accept the budget, Fran seconded.  All were in favor.

Missy made a motion to appoint workers Angela Grieco and Heidi Souleotis to count the votes for the budget and trustee votes at a rate of $12.00 per hour. Darlene seconded.  All were in favor.

The Carson Block Tech Program has been temporarily tabled.  The program involves them working with us to develop a plan for hiring the hearing impaired.

Construction update:
There were two Change Orders:
Profex for $9,500 for rock removal and Aris to damp proof the perimeter walls at a cost of less than $1,800. Nancy so moved and Missy seconded.  All were in favor.

The Construction Committee met on March 9, 2017 and approved spending $9,500 for rock removal.  We might end up with two rock removals.

Construction reports still show substantial completion by September, 2017.  The Board will tour the site during the week of April 17, 2017.

Personnel Committee:
Julie’s evaluation needs to be completed.  Each Board Member will be asked to do the evaluation which in turn will be given to Joanne. The evaluations should be completed in April/May.  In June Joanne will compile them.

Fundraising:
LulaRoe fundraising event went well.  There is no new fundraising at this time.  The bricks are selling well.


Nancy moved to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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