Library Board of Trustees

Minutes of the Regular Meeting Bloomingdale Free Public Library Regular Meeting of Board of Trustees February 9, 2026 Oaths of Office: The meeting was called to order by Liz Ford at 7:00pm. She announced that the meeting was in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. In attendance were Trustees: Deanne Martini, Mary Ellen Garrity, Sara Garden, Andrea Albrecht, Kelly Graziano, Laurie Martinka, Mary Westcott and Elizabeth Ford Also in attendance were Council Liaison Jenniffer Hagin and Library Director Alexandra DeCesare Roll Call of Members: 7:01pm Minutes of Prior Regular Meeting – A motion was made to approve the January 2026 minutes with discussed revisions by Kelly Graziano seconded by Mary Ellen Garrity. All trustees were in favor. Public Comment – A motion to open & with no one present to close Public Comment was made by Deanne Martini, seconded by Sara Garden . All trustees were in favor. Treasurer’s Report / State Aid Report No report because we did not receive our bank statements due to transition of signatories. Will be remedied before the March meeting. Purchase Order / Budget: The Purchase Order and Budget reports for December were presented by Allie DeCesare. Motion to approve was made by Kelly Graziano, seconded by Andrea Albrecht. In a Roll Call Vote all trustees were in favor. Collection Statistics / Library Directors Report: The reports for December were presented by Allie DeCesare. A motion to approve was made by Mary Westcott, seconded by Sara Garden. All Trustees were in favor. Committee Reports: Budget Committee – No report Policies and Procedures Committee – No report Public Relations Committee – No report Grants and Funding Committee – No report Board of Education Committee – No report Literacy Foundation – No report. Unfinished Business: 1. Museum Passes ​ -Reviewed the policy for the passes and how they will work. ​ -Discussed to start with - The Intrepid, Museum of Natural History and Newark Museum -Aim for a Spring launch and a suggestion was made to start with a “Night at the Museum” night to coincide with the launch. New Business: 1. PALSPlus Voting Representative ​ A motion to approve Allie DeCesare as Voting Representative was made by Kelly Graziano, seconded by Laurie Martinka. All trustees were in favor. 2. Committee Appointments / Roles ​ -reviewed roles & responsibilities for officers and liaison. ​ -Create a digital repository (google doc/google classroom) for all of the documents so there is continuity and ability to review ​ -Committees - reconfigure and engage more participation from the board. Suggested committees and proposed leads: -Budget (Mary) -Policies & Procedures (Mary Ellen) -Marketing/Promotional (Sara & Deanne) -100th Anniversary -Building/Facility -We will all review the list and come back to the April meeting with feedback and thoughts. 3. Salaries ​ -Review & discuss positions and salaries for annual increase as they compare to the NJLA recommendations A motion to approve a $2 across the board increase for each part time employee was made by Laurie Martinka, seconded by Sara Garden. In a roll call vote all trustees were in favor. A resolution to approve a 5% increase for the 2026 year for the Library Director position was presented by Deanne Martini , seconded by Laurie Martinka. In a roll call vote all trustees were in favor. 4. Budget ​ -will be finalized at April meeting 5. Financial Disclosures -form we need to complete for all members of the board -Discussed Library Directors self review and gave input and feedback. 6. Resolution 2026-2 to give permission to Elizabeth Ford on bank account. Motion by Sara Garden, Seconded by Mary Ellen Garrity. Roll Call vote - Motion Carried. Resolution 2026-2 to give permission to Kelly Graziano on bank account. Motion by Laurie Martinka, Seconded by Andrea Albrecht. Roll Call vote - Motion Carried. Executive Session - not needed, so none held Public Comment – A motion to open Public Comment at 9:51pm was made by Mary Ellen Garrity seconded by Kelly Graziano. Motion to close public comment at 9:53pm by Laurie Martinka , seconded by Andrea Albrecht. All approved. Adjournment - A motion to adjourn was made at 9:53 pm by Sara Garden, seconded by Laurie Martinka. In a voice vote all trustees were in favor. Submitted by Sara Garden