Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING November 8, 2021 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library held a teleconference Board meeting on November 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Signed-In: President Kathleen Cook, Vice President Soon Juhng, Secretary/Treasurer Martin Gilbert, Teresa Austin, David DiGregorio, Shama Haider and Elizabeth Warms. Absent: Meena Dogan and Patrick Rouse. Staff Signed-In: Library Director Julie Marallo, Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly and Library Assistant Michela Keenan. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. Julie Marallo reported that notices of the meeting had been posted and sent to the media. Minutes Board members approved the Minutes of the regular Board meeting of October 18, 2021. Moved by: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Teresa Austin. Unanimously approved. Treasurer’s Report Martin Gilbert reviewed with the Board the library’s financial statements of October 2021. He noted that he 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: Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Correspondence None Director’s Report Building issues remain with continuous plumbing backups, heating problems, water leaking from the roof and squirrels entering the walls of the library and chewing through the ceiling tiles to drop down into the building. At the October 19 Borough Council meeting, the one bid of $755,000 for the roof project was not accepted and the project was put on hold. Without the roof repair, the leaks will continue and the squirrel problem will not abate. In December of 2020, the Borough purchased four boilers to improve heating throughout the facility. Three have cracked and the fourth one is going to be utilized to heat the complex. The Borough will be taking legal action against the manufacturer and the company that installed the boilers and is also looking into renting portable heating units for the winter. On Friday, November 12 at 10:00 a.m. Teresa Austin, Martin Gilbert, Elizabeth Warms and Julie Marallo will have a virtual meeting with Borough Engineer Andy Hipolit and Borough Administrator Jimmy Homsi to discuss the library roof. On October 20, the Friends sponsored the virtual Metamorphic Winds Saxophone Quartet jazz concert which was enjoyed by many. The Friends outside Fall Membership Get-Together was a great success with many people enjoying the refreshments and meeting in person after such a long time. Also well received was the Friends sponsored author talk with Eleanor Kohn. Susan Golden will host an interactive environmental workshop on Wednesday evening November 10. Part of the program will include a climate change simulator to demonstrate how individual actions can influence time change. On December 9, Dr. Norris will host a “Party Hearty in the Middle Ages” lecture. President’s Report None Old Business Julie Marallo spoke with the library attorney Eric Steinberg about a small heavily restricted account and the UPMIFA law which would allow you to change restrictions on an endowment if certain conditions are met. New Business The Board discussed the 2022 Board Meeting Schedule. After discussion the Board approved the schedule as presented by Library Director Julie Marallo. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Elizabeth Warms. Unanimously accepted. Report from the Mayor’s Alternate Shama Haider shared her recommendations with the Board and will inform the Mayor of the Library Board’s concerns. Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate David DiGregorio reported that the High School Library is busy and the students have been fantastic. He showed the Board the beautiful Lamb Studio stained glass panels that have been refurbished by the family’s second generation at the Lamb studio in Midland Park. David also mentioned that Tenafly’s Library should have a top class facility to house a top class collection. Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business None Adjournment to Closed Session The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. to go into closed session. Moved by: Martin Gilbert. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Unanimously accepted. Open Session The Board returned to open session at 8:15 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Moved by Elizabeth Warms. Seconded by Martin Gilbert. Unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted, Martin Gilbert Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: December 13, 2021