Library Board of Trustees

TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING January 8, 2024 The Board of Trustees of the Tenafly Public Library met on January 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Library for its regular Board meeting. Board Members Present: President Martin Gilbert, Vice President Kathleen Cook, Secretary/Treasurer Soon Juhng, Teresa Austin, David DiGregorio, Nicole Motz and Mayor Mark Zinna. Absent: Julie Lev, Elizabeth Warms Staff Present: Library Director Julie Marallo and Administrative Assistant Ann Marie Connolly The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Julie Marallo reported that notices of the meeting had been posted and sent to the media. 2024 Board Reorganization Oath of Office – David DiGregorio David DiGregorio took the Oath of Office as a reinstated member of the Library Board. Oath of Office – Nicole Motz Nicole Motz took the Oath of Office as a reinstated member of the Library Board. Oath of Office – Soon Juhng Soon Juhng took the Oath of Office as a reinstated member of the Library Board. 2024 Election of Board Officers. The following were nominated: President – Martin Gilbert (Moved by Teresa Austin. Seconded by Kathleen Cook). Elected unanimously. Vice President – Kathleen Cook (Moved by Teresa Austin, Seconded by Nicole Motz). Elected unanimously. Secretary/Treasurer – Soon Juhng (Moved by Teresa Austin. Seconded by Martin Gilbert). Elected unanimously. Minutes Board members approved the Minutes of the regular Board meeting of December 11, 2023. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Unanimously approved – David DiGregorio abstained. Board members approved the Minutes of the Executive Board meeting of December 11, 2023. Moved by Kathleen Cook. Seconded by Martin Gilbert. Unanimously approved –David DiGregorio abstained. Treasurer’s Report Martin Gilbert reviewed with the Board the Library’s Financial Statements of December 2023. 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: Teresa Austin. Seconded by: Kathleen Cook. Unanimously approved. Library Funds Budget - 2024 The Board discussed the 2024 Library Fund Budget presented by Library Director, Julie Marallo. After discussion the Board approved the budget as presented. Moved by: Nicole Motz. Seconded by: Soon Juhng. Unanimously approved. BCCLS 2024 Certification of Agreement The Board discussed and agreed that the Tenafly Public Library was in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Bergen County Cooperative System Certification of Agreement. Kathleen Cook moved to sign the Agreement and Soon Juhng seconded the motion. Unanimously approved. Board President Martin Gilbert and Library Director Julie Marallo will sign the BCCLS Certification of Agreement. Correspondence None Director’s Report Lydia Shin has joined the staff as a part-time Library Assistant. She will work days on Monday, Tuesday and every third Saturday and on Thursday nights. Ms. Marallo informed the Board of the several substantial leaks that have occurred since Grayson Roofing installed the new roof over the Library and the McCandless Room. Possible explanations are that the wrong adhesive was used on the asphalt shingles because they needed heat to adhere properly, there is an insulation problem, the shingles could not handle the wind-driven rain, and the shingles around some of the vents were not installed properly. President’s Report Martin Gilbert mentioned a New York Times article from Saturday, January 6, 2024 that Nicole Motz had previously shared. The Rockwell Falls Public Library (Lake Luzerne, NY) has closed because the entire staff and some Board members have resigned because of ideological differences. This led to violence at a recent Board meeting. Old Business None Report from the Mayor Mayor Zinna joined the meeting at 7:50 p.m. to address the problem of the new roof leaking. Grayson Roofing was paid due to a state law that states a business has to be paid promptly for work completed. The Mayor informed the Board that a Maintenance Insurance Bond was established as part of the Bid on the project. If the roof is not fixed properly, the Borough has the right to use the Bond money for repair work. He added that Grayson will return to find and repair problems. The Mayor insisted that everything possible is being done to have the roof fixed correctly. He left the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Report from the Mayor’s Alternate None Report from the Superintendent’s Alternate David DiGregorio informed the Board of the many innovative programs that are taking place at Tenafly High School. Citizen’s Portion of the Meeting None Any Other Business None Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Moved by: Kathleen Cook. Seconded by: Teresa Austin. Unanimously accepted. Respectfully submitted, Soon Juhng Secretary/Treasurer The next regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Approved: March 11, 2024