Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING November 9, 2020 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library held a teleconference Board meeting on November 9, 2020 for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Signed-In: President Patrick Rouse, Vice President Kathleen Cook, Treasurer Soon Juhng, Teresa Austin, David DiGregorio, Martin Gilbert, Shama Haider and Elizabeth Warms. Staff Signed-In: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Julie Marallo reported that notices of the meeting had been posted and sent to the media. Minutes Board members approved the amended Minutes of the regular Board meeting of October 19, 2020. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Treasurer’s Report Martin Gilbert reviewed with the Board the Library’s financial statements of October, 2020. He noted that Soon Juhng had examined and approved the statements and reported that they were current and accurate. A motion was made to approve the financial reports. Moved by: Shama Haider. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. Correspondence None Director’s Report CFO Susan Corrado reported to Ms. Marallo that the library’s funds taken from the Helen Haber Bequest Fund at Northern Valley Bank would be replenished if the library provided the Borough with documentation that they were garnished by the Superior Court of New Jersey to satisfy a judgement against the Borough. Although the title of the account is Tenafly Public Library and the signatories on the account are the Library Director and Board members, John Spencer of NVE Bank explained to Ms. Marallo that the bank had no choice but to turn over the money because the tax ID number on the account is the same as that of the Borough. Non-owning signatories cannot get information from the bank. The question becomes “Can this happen to other accounts?” All assets we believe we possess have not been seized. During a conference call Ms. Marallo had with Susan Corrado and Lissette Aportela, it was reported that the Borough CFO and Borough Administrator had no correspondence from NVE Bank about the garnishment. At the request of Ms. Marallo, John Spencer will again send copies of the correspondence to Susan Corrado. Mrs. Haber’s daughter, Callie, left a message for Ms. Marallo on Friday, November 6th and asked for information on how we were managing her mother’s bequest fund. Ms. Marallo said she would return her call after the Board meeting. Ms. Marallo then called Susan Corrado and reaffirmed that it was imperative that the money be reimbursed immediately. The Helen Haber Fund was established in 1985 as a restricted bequest of $2,000 for books pertaining to women’s studies. The agreement stipulated that only the interest, which has been negligible since 2008, could be spent. The Board discussed the garnishment of the Helen Haber Bequest Fund. After discussion a resolution was passed to appropriate $2,106.40 of library funds from the Gifts and Bequests account to fulfill the requirements of the Helen Haber Bequest Fund. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Ms. Marallo will speak with our auditors requesting information about establishing a separate Tax ID number for the library. Ms. Cook inquired if there was any progress on having the building walls fixed to stop the squirrels from entering the building and living in the ceilings. Ms. Marallo spoke with the new Head of the DPW, Mike Cassidy, on October 23 and brought him up to date on the ongoing problem. Ms. Marallo reported that the Children’s Department participated fully in the Trunk or Treat program organized by the Recreation Department, and it was an enjoyable and huge success. The 1/3 mill appropriation for 2021 is down $27,000 from 2020. President’s Report None Old Business The Board discussed the renewal of the Endowment Fund at Valley National which matures on November 10, 2020. After discussion the Board decided to renew the account for 3 months at an interest rate of .245%. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously approved. New Business Standing Committees were reviewed and established as follows: Strategic Planning and Building Committees – Teresa Austin, David DiGregorio, Martin Gilbert and Elizabeth Warms. Policy Committee, Personnel Committee and Finance Committee – Kathleen Cook, Soon Juhng and Patrick Rouse. Report from the Mayor’s Alternate Shama Haider spoke with Mayor Zinna on October 30 concerning the status of repairing the library walls. He stated that the work should begin in the First Quarter of 2021. Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate David DiGregorio encouraged Board members to both attend and spread the word that there would be a Zoom meeting for The Tenafly High School Chamber Club Classical Musical recital on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This type of activity helps to encourage young people to engage in their community. He also noted that the students have been incredible – wearing masks and being quiet in the library. Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any other Business Teresa Austin, Kathleen Cook and Martin Gilbert attended an October 29th Zoom BCCLS Trustee Meeting. Of particular interest was a discussion on steps libraries should take to avoid returning any funds to municipalities. Martin Gilbert also noted that of the 76 libraries in the BCCLS Consortium, 50% are funded over the one-third mill appropriation. Kathleen Cook shared with the Board an outstanding Friends of the Livingston Library Zoom program “Mansions on the Palisades” presented by Eric Nelson of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and attended by 60 to 70 people. Kathy suggested that the library present similar programs that would be of interest to patrons. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Moved by: Patrick Rouse. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Soon Juhng Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: December 14, 2020