BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES

Corrected and Approved Minutes

Date of Meeting:  Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Members Present: Nancy Glynn (Chair); Catherine Paden; Emily Cooper; Lauren Avery; Tracy Mingarelli; Betsy Anderson on Zoom (Alternate); Elizabeth Geraghty (Library Director)

Members Absent: Nancy Heckel (Alternate)

Note: This meeting was conducted on ZOOM for all present. The Board met in person at the Sutton Free Library for their Board of Trustees Meeting. The public, per the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-04, Section 8, Emergency Order #12 Section 3, had the option to Zoom in to this meeting.

Public Present: No members of the public were present 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

Roll Call, Introduction of Guests:

The Sutton Free Library Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 7:01pm by Board Chair Nancy Glynn, and roll taken. There were no members of the public present. Further, no members of any households of Trustees were present within listening of this meeting. 

Public Comments: none

Review of Minutes:

Minutes from the March meeting were reviewed with corrections made. Board Member Lauren Avery made a motion to approve, with revisions, the minutes to the March meeting, seconded by Board Member Catherine Paden. The motion was carried unanimously in the affirmative.

Correspondence: none

REPORTS:

Financial/Treasurer’s Report:

Board Member Paden noted the beginning balance on the Operating Account in March was $6,841.82, with an ending balance of $6,234.31. Interest earned on the Operating Account for the month of March was $2.57.  

The beginning balance of the Trustee Account at Sugar River Savings Bank in March was $5,844.55 with $1.89   interest earned and a debit of $0 for an ending balance of $6,708.84. There was one new fund to accept in the amount of $10.00 for a book replacement. These funds will go into the Trustee Account- restricted funds for books. There was a $352.40 refund from DEMCO for supplies and a $500 donation from a patron of the library. Board Member Emily Cooper made a motion to accept funds totaling $862.40. Board Member Avery seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously in the affirmative.

Board Member Paden noted that there has been additional fraudulent activity with the trustee account that has resulted in a delay with obtaining a debit card for the account. This has led to limited activity in the trustee account. Board Member Paden also noted that quarterly reports, as requested by the town, were submitted to the Selectboard.        

Director Elizabeth Geraghty reported receiving a letter and check from Susan Coulter in memory of Beth Cernek.

Board Member Paden made a motion to accept the $500 donation from Susan Colter in memory of Beth Cernak.  Board Member Avery seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously in the affirmative.

Director Geraghty reported that the library received reimbursement from the town hall from Capitol Alarm since the town also paid for the service they provided. This check will be deposited into the library operating account. 

Director Geraghty reported that there was a notice from TDS that the bill will increase by $2 a month.  This expense recently increased by about $30/month due to a promotion ending.  

Director Geraghty shared the actual and budgeted expenses and encumbrance report from the town, as well as the current SFL operating budget report from Director Geraghty as of April 20, 2023.

Buildings & Grounds:

The electrical work has been completed, including updating the panel and the ADA compliant light alarm in the bathroom. Board Member Avery gave an update about the library flower garden maintenance. Lori Avery will take down the shrub stands next week. Board Member Avery will check with Lori Avery about how often she plans to come to maintain the library gardens. Board Member Avery will follow up with the lawn maintenance company to confirm this year’s work. Board Member Avery will contact a hardware store for advice on painting the Storywalk posts and possible supply donations. 

There was a discussion regarding Chris Guerette’s quote for library repairs and ADA compliance upgrades. There is a capital reserve for interior modifications for ADA compliance. Board Member Paden will confirm with Budget Chair Bob DeFelice the amount in the capital reserve for interior modifications for ADA compliance. 

Director’s Report:

Director Geraghty reported that there are five new Reading Buddies and they have been very popular among storytime participants. Summer Reading Programming plans have been finalized and include a children’s musical performance by Mr. Aaron, a Junior Zookeeper event by Wildlife Encounters, a Montshire Museum of Science Investigating Fossils activity, a puppet show by Lindsay and her Puppet Pals and, magician BJ Hickman. Board Member Cooper will check with the Friends of the Library to see if they can provide $180 to cover the balance of the Summer Reading Programming. Director Geraghty contacted Sutton Central School Artist in Residence Mark Ragonese regarding a community art project mural for the library. Funding for this project was discussed. Director Geraghty gave an update on the StorywalkⓇ and it will soon feature prints of student art or a new storybook.   

Friends of Sutton Free Library Liaison/ NHLTA Liaison:

Board Member Cooper noted that the friends of the Library received a $500 grant from Walmart. Board Member Cooper will invite Friends of the Library to attend the summer reading programming events to promote membership in the Friends of the Library and for donations. 

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

There was a discussion about staff benefits, accrued sick time, and paid leave. During an upcoming staff leave of absence there will be a library substitute one day a week. Board Chair Glynn will contact Lorri Himes at the town hall and the NH Library Trustees Association regarding paid leave and benefits. A discussion followed about training the library substitute in the event of any future leaves of absence from staff. Director Geraghty requested that the SFL BOT update job descriptions this year. 

The next Sutton Free Library Board of Trustees Meeting is Thursday, May 11  at 7pm.

Board Member Paden made a motion to adjourn. Board Member Cooper seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously in the affirmative and the meeting was adjourned at  8:54pm.