Present: Robert Cartolano (President), Library Director Tracy Wright, Rosetta McArdle, James Martin, Leslye Davidson and Astra Tudisco.
The meeting was held in the glass conference room. The meeting was called to order at 6:42 p.m. A quorum was present. The February 15, 2023 minutes were presented, reviewed and accepted. President Cartolano moved to approve the minutes. Leslye Davidson seconded the motion.
General discussion about Legislative Advocacy Day for 2023.
President Cartolano was on zoom meetings with Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblyman Steve Otis and Assemblyman Tom Albinati. The legislator’s have proposed increasing the library system operating budget from 99.6 million to 147 million. The construction budget is proposed at 69.4 million from 34 million last year. We will need to see the final approved budget.
Change the date of the next Board meeting from April 26 to April 24, 2023. There was a kickoff meeting for the water remediation project. The timeline for the project is April 2023 to September 2023. The contractor will try to finish the project by the end of August. There will be exit signs and a ramp installed on the patio. The ramp will be the second exit through the children’s room. The ramp and lighting are expected to be installed the first week of April. Demolition for the remediation project is expected to start in the middle of April to May. During the major demolition, the library may open at noon 2 to 3 days a week for the safety of the community and the staff. The demolition will be for approximately two to three weeks. We will have the Town send out a “Swift Notice” to the community about the construction and change of hours.
Director Wright discussed amending the library hours and including evening hours two days a week. The Board requested Director Wright provide a proposed schedule of hours. The library is to close at 1PM on Good Friday. Discussion whether to close on Mother’s Day.
Librarian Elizabeth Nguyen specializes in tech services and her service is in high demand. She has provided several group classes to members of the community. Director Wright discussed that during Covid, the library suspended fines. She suggested that we continue not charging fines. The majority of similar Westchester libraries have discontinued fines. There was a discussion about the subject.
President Cartolano moved to permanently discontinue fines. Board Member McArdle seconded the motion. All members approved.
The Window Contractor is scheduled to return and do punchlist work. The front door is being delivered to EPL. It will be stored on-site until the remediation work is completed and it can be installed.
The bid package for the elevator remediation is being finalized.
Director Wright and President Cartolano attended the financial advisor’s meeting with the Friends of the EPL. There will be quarterly meetings with the financial advisor.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Astra Tudisco