Text Description automatically generated Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Trustees Highland Public Library 14 Elting Place; Highland, NY 12528 Date: April 23, 2024 Attending: Melissa Burdash,1st Vice President; Patrick Mason; Finance Officer; Laura Finch, Secretary; Milena Barrett, Trustee; Mark McPeck, Trustee; Julie Dempsey, Library Director Absent: Elaine Rivera, President; Jacqueline Burke, 2nd Vice President The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. Patrick moved to accept the minutes of the March 21, 2024 meeting. Mark seconded. All were in favor. Financial Report: Patrick moved as follows: Be it resolved to accept the February 2024 and March 2024 financial report as prepared by Rose Woodworth, Accountant. Mark seconded. All were in favor. Mark moved as follows: Be it resolved to approve the warrants attached for operating expenses for the month of March 31, 2024 and for April 15, 2024. Milena seconded. All were in favor. Agenda Items: Director’s Report: Community Fridge and Cupboard: Existing Community Fridges exist in New Paltz and Kingston. Julie is partnering with Ascencion Holy Trinity Church. They will also be donating their surplus donations (aside from the Food Bank items) so that patrons can have access to food outside of the hours of the weekend community pantries. Fridge is currently housed in the lobby of the building for energy efficiency. Sam has researched the process and will work with Julie to establish procedures for the service. NexTrex: Caitlin brought information on plastic bag recycling in exchange for a bench for the library. Hannaford handles the bailing and shipping of the recyclable bags. LRP Community Survey: Survey is linked online as well as available in paper form. Building Concerns Update to Facilities Committee Meeting: * IT room has significant crack. Assessment has been done and report is pending on whether or not it has fallen off the sill, or if it is settlement cracks. * Source could be settling, re-compression of fill, or water. Problems during construction appear unlikely but can not be ruled out until final inspection report. * Insurance should cover environmental issues. * Peak Engineering has done the assessment. * David sprayed termite nests within the mechanical room, and it was recommended that the perimeter is sprayed. * Facilities committee will meet at 11:00am on Monday, April 29th. Old Business: New Business: New Legal Representative Proposal: Bob Scofield has been the attorney since 2005, but response time has increased. He is currently on $2000 retainer. Proposed new legal representation is from J. Benjamin Gailey of JG Law Group, with billing will be $200/hr. Committees: Facilities: See note above. Finance: none Personnel: none Friends: Last official meeting was Saturday, April 13th. They will finish filing taxes (correctly). Julie is looking to re-establish it as a foundation with a specific goal. A foundation would be member-less, but with a board approved by the BOT. The Friends will be taking a break from being an active membership-based group. Leftover funds will be turned over to the library. Checking account and PO box will also be closed out. 501c3 status will be maintained. Other: Public Comment: Patrick moved to adjourn. Laura seconded. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. Next Meeting: May 23, 2024 Respectfully Submitted, Laura Finch, Secretary