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


Date: 26 May 2022 via GoToMeeting (as per Governor Hocul’s extended Order)


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


Public Present:  Elaine Rivera, Board Member-elect


Absent: Melissa Burdash, Trustee, excused


The meeting was called to order at  5:33 p.m.


The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.


Nancy extended a welcome to new board members.


Fran moved to accept the minutes of the April 26, 2022 meeting.   Jacqui 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 May, 2022. Eric seconded. All were in favor.


Fran moved as follows:  Be it resolved to accept the April 2022 financial report as prepared by Rose Woodworth, Accountant.  Eric seconded. All were in favor.


Agenda Items:


Director’s Report:
Digital Sign/Funding:  We are getting $13k from our assemblyperson. An additional $7k is coming from the construction grant (DLD) to fund the sign.  The construction company will submit plans for an additional structure to support the additional weight of the new sign.  The new structure will sit adjacent/in front of existing sign and will be designed to ‘blend in’ with old sign.


Town Permits: Eric and Fran affirmed that a permit will likely be necessary.  Julie will inform the Town of the project and see if a permit is necessary.


HCSD Art Reception: There were 175 in attendance throughout the day.  Julie hopes to make this an annual event.


COVID Update:  Ulster County is still seeing a spike in cases.  Library signage remains in place regarding masking.


Vacation: Julie leaves the 29th of May and will return to work on the 13th of June.  


Ulster County rep to MHLS Board:  Representative is sought for this board.  Current rep (from Plattekill) has served her term.  Former board members are eligible (hint, hint).


ReOrg:  Current officers are willing to continue (Eric: Finance; Laura: Secretary).  New and existing members are welcome to join committees as well.


Old Business:
Soundproofing Update: Profex is ready to go, and is awaiting arrival of supplies.  Work will take about a day.


Roof leak: New “boots” were installed on pipes, and stripping has been added to gutters.  All has been taken care of.


Audit RFP: Accountants [4] that have a history of working with libraries have been approached.  Julie is hoping to have proposals in by June 15th to present at June 28th meeting.


June Meeting Date:  June 28th at 5:30pm
July Meeting Date: July 21st at 5:30pm




New Business:
OML Permitting video conferencing [info and provisions]: Discussion about policy:
* Request for remote participation can come in no later than 3 days before meeting.
* Public hearing must take place before policy is put in place (i.e. before the meeting upon it will be voted: June 28th; 5:15pm).
* Remote member can vote, but cannot be member of the quorum.
* Julie will pursue adding this resolution as written by Bob to our next meeting.


Resolution for above first reading: June 28th; 5:15pm


Special Executive Session Meeting:  June 2nd 5:00pm in meeting room


Committees:


Facilities: In regards to Solar Panels, a full work-up will be prepared (cost, vendors, prep work for grant writing).  Many options are available (type, weight, capacity, savings projections, etc.).  The package will include the possible avenues for the project.  Eric will stop in to pick up information regarding building elevation. Eric will escort solar energy rep to do building review.  Eric will coordinate a time to come when David is working (Tuesday/Thursday morning).


Friends Liaison: Book Sale and Touch-a-Truck on June 4th.  Friends are meeting on Saturday the 28th.  Eric and Fran will try to attend.
 
Trustee Training: No update.


Personnel: No update.


Other:


Nancy thanked the board for their hard work and ease of working together.


Public Comment: none


Fran moved to adjourn. Eric seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.


Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Finch, Secretary