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Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Highland Public Library
14 Elting Place; Highland, NY  12528


Date: Thursday, February 24, 2022


Attending: Nancy Hammond; President;  Darlene Plavchak, 1st Vice President; Frances Brooks, 2nd Vice President; Laura Finch, Secretary; Melissa Burdash, Trustee; and Julie Dempsey, Library Director; Eric Norberg; Finance Officer; Jacqueline Burke; Trustee


Additional Present: Lisa Gill, Victoria Herow


The meeting was called to order at  5:34 p.m.


Fran moved to accept the minutes of the January 27, 2022 meeting.   Darlene seconded.  All were in favor.




Financial Report:
Fran moved as follows: Be it resolved to approve the warrants attached for operating expenses for the month of February 2022. Eric seconded. All were in favor.
Fran moved as follows:  Be it resolved to accept the January 2022 financial report as prepared by Rose Woodworth, Accountant.  Eric seconded. All were in favor


Agenda Items:


Director’s Report:
        Programs:  Programs will resume in March.  Masks will be required.  This policy has been well received by the public.
        Artist Meet & Greet:  Saturday 26th 12-2pm; Poor weather date: Wednesday 4-6pm.          
Covid/Mask Update: (see above as it pertains to programs)
        Beyond the Library Wifi Access Project: Grant-funded money will be used to extend the router range ~300 ft beyond building.
        Soundproofing Update: Library is waiting on 3 quotes.  Rich will reach out to contractors to get quotes in.  Submissions of names are welcome.
        Annual Report: Circulation of physical items decreased approx. 10%, but website visits increased (15%) and e-material circulation increased (20%). Fran moved to accept the annual report.  Melissa seconded.  All were in favor.
        Display Space in Community Room:  Display space is nearly booked through the year:USS Slater Exhibit, student work, Leslie Bender, Alex Sampson, etc.


Old Business:
        Display/Exhibit Policy Update: Donation line was added (10% request).
Fran moved to accept the Display and Exhibits Policy as amended.  Eric seconded.  All were in favor. No discussion.
        Auditor RFP Review: Date was added to have proposals in before the end of May. Motion made by Fran to accept the RFP for Professional Auditing Services.  Eric seconded.  All were in favor.  
        Solar Panel Follow-Up: Eric will follow-up with contact.  He is working on coordinating a site-review of the roof.  Eric will coordinate with Julie.




New Business:
        Library of Things Waiver:  Discussion on whether to change the wording on replacement fee for all things (electronic and other) to be the replacement value of that thing.  Wording was changed within the waiver.
        Fishing Rod Loaner Program:  Fishing rods will fall under the LoT waiver and insurance policies.
        Vote Date: Vote will be set for April 27th.  Petitions for Board will have to be in by March 28th.
        Tax Cap Override: Tax Cap Override Resolution


Whereas, the adoption of this 2022-23 budget for the Highland Public Library requires a tax levy increase that exceeds the tax cap imposed by state law as outlined in General Municipal Law Section 3-c adopted in 2011; and 
Whereas, General Municipal Law Section 3-c expressly permits the library board to override the tax levy limit by a resolution approved by a vote of sixty percent of qualified board members; now therefore be it 
Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Highland Public Library voted and approved to exceed the tax levy limit for 2022-23 by at least the sixty percent of the board of trustees as required by state law on February 24, 2022_, Board of Trustees meeting date. 
Motion to accept the Tax Cap Override was made by Fran.  Seconded by Eric.  All were in favor. No discussion.
        2022-2023 Proposed Budget First Reading: Priority was made to stay within the tax cap.  $922,260 is our levy limit.  Motion was made by Fran to accept the budget as prepared for this meeting.  
Roll Call:
Melissa: Yes
Nancy: Yes
Fran: Yes
Eric: Yes
Jacquie: Yes
Darlene: Yes
Laura: Yes
Budget Acceptance Passed




Committees:


Facilities:  Facilities committee will meet to discuss the roof.


Friends Liaison: Membership drive is ongoing.  Book sale will be June 4th.  Donation date is TBD.
 
Trustee Training: Jacquie attended training this month.


Personnel: no update


Other: none


Public Comment:


Victoria gave her thanks to the board for allowing her to join in the meeting.


Fran moved to adjourn. Eric seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.


Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Finch, Secretary