Text

Description automatically generated 

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


Date: Thursday, February 23rd, 2023


Attending: Frances Brooks; President;  Elaine Rivera, 1st Vice President; Melissa Burdash, 2nd Vice President; Laura Finch, Secretary; Patrick Mason, Trustee; Jacqueline Burke; Trustee and Julie Dempsey, Library Director


Absent: Eric Norberg; Finance Officer;


The meeting was called to order at  5:30 p.m.


The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.


Patrick moved to accept the minutes of the January 26, 2023 meeting.   Melissa seconded.  All were in favor.




Financial Report:
Elaine moved as follows: Be it resolved to approve the warrants attached for operating expenses for the month of February, 2023. Jacquie seconded. All were in favor.
Patrick moved as follows:  Be it resolved to accept the January 2023 financial report as prepared by Rose Woodworth, Accountant.  Jacquie seconded. All were in favor


Agenda Items:


Director’s Report:


Accountant Update: Rose had employment changes, and will soon be back on track with Shannon (auditor).


Drop-In Crafts programs: Available in program room.  Barriers are in place to restrict patrons to available resources.


Free children’s book giveaway: Clintondale’s non-sold books have been available in the foyer for free.


Free Tree Program: Caitlyn has brought program to library.  Availability of trees (50/100?) will be publicized on social media.  The program will happen in the month of April.  Patrons will sign-up to take a tree.  Program has been no-cost to the library. Neighborhoodforest.org is the organization running the program.


Monthly gaming for adults/seniors:  Donated games will be set up in community room for drop-in board games (scrabble, cards, etc.) . Tea and coffee (and maybe cookies) will be made available.  It will be available during the daytime to encourage seniors and adults to participate.  As the days lengthen, there is the possibility to have later hours.


Annual report: Circulation went up 19%.  Visits went up 45% and website visits went up significantly. Attendance has gone up nearly 100%, as last year was effected by COVID.  


Friends Update:  Current president will be stepping down when their year ends in August.  Current secretary is willing to take over. Current treasurer is also stepping down, and other candidates are lined up.  2 Raffles for Fundraisers: May through July:  Spa Night or Night at Movies.


Old Business:
Budget: Confirm date of vote April 26th. Annual meeting April 25th


New Business:


Acceptance of Annual Report:  Jacquie moved to accept the annual report as presented.  Patrick seconded.  All were in favor.


Tax Cap Override:  
Whereas, the adoption of this 2023-24 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 2023-24 by at least the sixty percent of the board of trustees as required by state law on February 23, 2023, Board of Trustees meeting date.
Motion to approve the tax cap override by Melissa.  Seconded by Elaine.  
Roll Call
Frances Brooks: Yes
Elaine Rivera: Yes
Melissa Burdash: Yes
Patrick Mason: Yes
Jacqueline Burke: Yes
Laura Finch : Yes
Eric Norberg: absent
Unanimously approved.




2023-2024 Budget/Draft:  Motion to approve the 2023-2024 budget as presented at this meeting by Elaine.  Seconded by Patrick.  
Roll Call
Frances Brooks: Yes
Elaine Rivera: Yes
Melissa Burdash: Yes
Patrick Mason: Yes
Jacqueline Burke: Yes
Laura Finch : Yes
Eric Norberg: absent
Unanimously approved.




2023-2034 Staff Salaries:
-Julie used COLA (8.7%) as a marker for computing salary increases.
- Elaine moved to accept the staff salaries as presented.  Patrick seconded.  All were in favor.
Roll Call
Frances Brooks: Yes
Elaine Rivera: Yes
Melissa Burdash: Yes
Patrick Mason: Yes
Jacqueline Burke: Yes
Laura Finch : Yes
Eric Norberg: absent
Unanimously approved.


Trustee Seat:  Petitions due by March 27th.  Eric is finishing his second term.  Fran opened up a discussion about changing the term limits. Discussion ensued regarding potential changes to the bylaws that would permit extensions.


Committees:


Facilities: n/a


Friends Liaison: n/a
 
Trustee Training: n/a


Personnel: n/a


Other:


Public Comment:


Fran moved to adjourn. Patrick seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.


Next meeting: March 23, 2023
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Finch, Secretary