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Monday, November 18, 2013
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. EST by President Schottenfeld
Trustees present:
Janet Hiser, Olivia Karis-Nix, Don McKnight, Stacey Rattner, Faith Schottenfeld, Doreen
Truesdell
Absent:
Marge Kehrer
Adoption of Agenda
Trustee Karis-Nix proposed to adopt the agenda. President Schottenfeld seconds.
Approved 6-0.
Public Comment
Schodack Central School District Superintendent Bob Horan and Board of Education
Board Member Paul Puccio shared that they would like to conduct a feasibility study
with the Castleton Public Library that would look into collaborating resources at the
middle school to allow both libraries to possibly operate as one library together. There
is grant money available that could give up to $600,000 to repurpose the Middle School.
The grant applications will probably be due in early summer. A portion of the funding
could go back to the Castleton Public Library. All questions should be addressed to Mr.
Horan and Mr. Puccio. They will email the feasibility study outline to us. Currently, they
are just looking for a financial commitment from the library to conduct the study. To see
another school district that has collaborated similarly check out the Red Jacket School
District as a model.
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. EST by President Schottenfeld
Trustees present:
Janet Hiser, Olivia Karis-Nix, Don McKnight, Stacey Rattner, Faith Schottenfeld, Doreen
Truesdell
Absent:
Marge Kehrer
Adoption of Agenda
Trustee Karis-Nix proposed to adopt the agenda. President Schottenfeld seconds.
Approved 6-0.
Public Comment
Schodack Central School District Superintendent Bob Horan and Board of Education
Board Member Paul Puccio shared that they would like to conduct a feasibility study
with the Castleton Public Library that would look into collaborating resources at the
middle school to allow both libraries to possibly operate as one library together. There
is grant money available that could give up to $600,000 to repurpose the Middle School.
The grant applications will probably be due in early summer. A portion of the funding
could go back to the Castleton Public Library. All questions should be addressed to Mr.
Horan and Mr. Puccio. They will email the feasibility study outline to us. Currently, they
are just looking for a financial commitment from the library to conduct the study. To see
another school district that has collaborated similarly check out the Red Jacket School
District as a model.
President’s Report
President Schottenfeld reached out to Mayor Keegan asking him for help in recruiting
more Board members.
Friends Report
Barb Kelp reported.
★Barnes and Noble event is this Saturday. Kathy Marchione and Steve McLaughlin will
be reading. The event will be from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
★The Friends will not be meeting in December.
Committee Reports
Administrative Committee-The Committee has nothing to report. President Schottenfeld
reported that the outcome of our last meeting to appropriate $500 from our checking
account to the Director is not legal according to UHLS. The only two options allowed for
pay increases are COLA increase or a merit increase. President Schottenfeld motioned
to rescind this bonus payment. Treasurer Hiser seconds. Approved 5-1.
Finance Committee/Treasurer’s Report--Treasurer Hiser reviewed the treasurer’s report.
The balance sheets are attached. On October 22, Director Peker and Treasurer Hiser
met with UHLS and they found a number of areas that need some improvements. 1.
Financial policies and procedures. 2. We need stricter controls with our payroll
agreements with the Village. 3. They are suggesting that the Board approve the
monthly expenses. 4. Do an annual budget reconciliation. 5. Look at the possibility by
having the Director do recurring monthly payments. 6. Recommend that we train the
senior clerk on the role of the finances.
Director Peker shared the proposed budget. The budget assumes a 6.3% increase
from Schodack. She wanted to highlight that we are open 46 hours a week and visits
continue to increase year after year. Treasurer Hiser makes the motion to adopt the
budget. Trustee Truesdell seconds 6-0.
Operations/Capital Projects--Trustee Karis-Nix had nothing to report for the month.
Director Peker shared that there was an building inspection last week. We are waiting
for the report.
Old Business
Strategic Planning--The survey is out in the community. Director Peker shared that the
feedback has been very positive so far.
Village Financial Partnership--Treasurer Hiser said that UHLS has strongly
recommended that we, not the Village, continue to complete our own AUD. Village
Trustee Jennifer Pratico said that Pam Smith is available to help out where we need her.
New Business
None
Public Comment
None
Executive Session
President Schottenfeld made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss
personnel matters. Trustee Truesdell seconded. Approve 6-0. Faith motioned to
conclude executive session. Trustee Truesdell seconded. Approve 6-0.
Personnel
President Schottenfeld makes a motion to issue a retroactive COLA of 1.2% to the
director with the assumption that it is legally and fiscally viable in lieu of the bonus
payment. Treasurer Hiser seconded. 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 16 at 7:00
p.m. EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Rattner
Secretary
President Schottenfeld reached out to Mayor Keegan asking him for help in recruiting
more Board members.
Secretary’s Report
Vice President McKnight moved to accept the October 2013 minutes Trustee Truesdell
seconded. Approved 6-0.
Vice President McKnight moved to accept the October 2013 minutes Trustee Truesdell
seconded. Approved 6-0.
Director’s Report
See attached. Additional highlights include:
★The use of the Museum passes purchased from the Friends has increased quite a bit
over the past year.
★Hoping to have an update from Civil Service by November 21.
★Reached out to East Greenbush and Nassau library to discuss marketing the libraries
to preschools in the community.
★Director Peker is on the Central Library Advisory Committee meeting which meets
annually. They come up with 2014 UHLS Central Library Development Aid Budget. The
budget was approved by Albany Public Library and is expected to be approved by
UHLS.
See attached. Additional highlights include:
★The use of the Museum passes purchased from the Friends has increased quite a bit
over the past year.
★Hoping to have an update from Civil Service by November 21.
★Reached out to East Greenbush and Nassau library to discuss marketing the libraries
to preschools in the community.
★Director Peker is on the Central Library Advisory Committee meeting which meets
annually. They come up with 2014 UHLS Central Library Development Aid Budget. The
budget was approved by Albany Public Library and is expected to be approved by
UHLS.
Friends Report
Barb Kelp reported.
★Barnes and Noble event is this Saturday. Kathy Marchione and Steve McLaughlin will
be reading. The event will be from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
★The Friends will not be meeting in December.
Committee Reports
Administrative Committee-The Committee has nothing to report. President Schottenfeld
reported that the outcome of our last meeting to appropriate $500 from our checking
account to the Director is not legal according to UHLS. The only two options allowed for
pay increases are COLA increase or a merit increase. President Schottenfeld motioned
to rescind this bonus payment. Treasurer Hiser seconds. Approved 5-1.
Finance Committee/Treasurer’s Report--Treasurer Hiser reviewed the treasurer’s report.
The balance sheets are attached. On October 22, Director Peker and Treasurer Hiser
met with UHLS and they found a number of areas that need some improvements. 1.
Financial policies and procedures. 2. We need stricter controls with our payroll
agreements with the Village. 3. They are suggesting that the Board approve the
monthly expenses. 4. Do an annual budget reconciliation. 5. Look at the possibility by
having the Director do recurring monthly payments. 6. Recommend that we train the
senior clerk on the role of the finances.
Director Peker shared the proposed budget. The budget assumes a 6.3% increase
from Schodack. She wanted to highlight that we are open 46 hours a week and visits
continue to increase year after year. Treasurer Hiser makes the motion to adopt the
budget. Trustee Truesdell seconds 6-0.
Operations/Capital Projects--Trustee Karis-Nix had nothing to report for the month.
Director Peker shared that there was an building inspection last week. We are waiting
for the report.
Old Business
Strategic Planning--The survey is out in the community. Director Peker shared that the
feedback has been very positive so far.
Village Financial Partnership--Treasurer Hiser said that UHLS has strongly
recommended that we, not the Village, continue to complete our own AUD. Village
Trustee Jennifer Pratico said that Pam Smith is available to help out where we need her.
New Business
None
Public Comment
None
Executive Session
President Schottenfeld made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss
personnel matters. Trustee Truesdell seconded. Approve 6-0. Faith motioned to
conclude executive session. Trustee Truesdell seconded. Approve 6-0.
Personnel
President Schottenfeld makes a motion to issue a retroactive COLA of 1.2% to the
director with the assumption that it is legally and fiscally viable in lieu of the bonus
payment. Treasurer Hiser seconded. 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 16 at 7:00
p.m. EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Rattner
Secretary
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