Trustee Minutes – May 6, 2019

Minutes of the Meeting
Fitzwilliam Town Library Board of Trustees
6 May 2019

Present:  Susan Curtin (alternate), Dick Goettle, Beth Lorenz, Ann McEntee, Trish Toomey, Pam Troccia, and Library Director Kate Thomas

Beth Lorenz called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM in the Quick Meeting Room of the Library.

The Trustees reviewed and signed the Library Manifest and Spending-to-Date Expense Report.

The minutes of the April 1st meeting were reviewed, and corrections made; Trish Toomey put forth a motion, seconded by Beth, to approve them.  Minutes accepted as emended.

Kate Thomas presented the monthly Librarian’s Report: April’s circulation dropped 28% (compared to April 2018).  While checkouts of DVDs and books decline, those of audio- and picture books increase. Kate and Loree met with Coni Porter to begin discussions of branding; she has asked the trustees to suggest taglines that could be worked into the library’s forthcoming visual brand. The new copier has been installed, however, given the weak internet service, it had to be hardwired into the router. Planning for the Summer Reading program proceeds: a discussion of temporary sculptures advertising the program ensued. Kate has scheduled the program’s sign-up for June 13th through the 23rd.

Dick Goettle reported that Richard Mays will maintain a log of the hours that he works for the library. At the end of the calendar (and fiscal) year, he will submit that log to the township office and receive one payment for the hours logged.

Dick presented the first-quarter financial statement. After a brief discussion, the trustees signed it. He reiterated that the last of the Massin Certificates of Deposit held at Walpole Savings Bank matures this coming June, at which time he will deposit the return in the Fidelity Money Market account. Also, he will update the Trustee Investment Policy to reflect that change.

It was agreed that the Trustee Investment Policy will be reviewed during the August meeting.

Ann McEntee reported that she and Richard Mays will begin working on the building and grounds inventory after June 15th. In the interim, Richard will remove old, unneeded cans of paint from the basement.

Susan Curtin reviewed the sections of the township insurance policy that pertain to the Locke Collection with the Trustees. Ann presented the status of the Locke Subcommittee: (a) Susan has agreed to serve as a member in a limited capacity as a reviewer of insurance documents and concerns; (b) due to people’s conflicting schedules, the group has yet to meet; (c) Ann is in contact with Barbara Green regarding meeting with Scott Rodolitz to discuss disposition of the collection. A brief discussion about a limited display of Locke Collection items transpired.

Ann suggested that the Trustees change their meeting time to 5:45 PM to accommodate those members whose work schedules make a 5:30 arrival challenging. It was agreed that, henceforth, meetings will begin at 5:45 PM.

Ann put forth a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Beth; motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.

The next Trustee meeting is scheduled for June 3rd at 5:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann McEntee