Larchmont Public Library
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Meeting
March 13, 2019
The Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees met on March 13, 2019, attended by Board Trustees Jennifer Conley (JC), Barbara Flickinger (BF), Barbara Liptack (BL), John McGarr (JM), Lauren Gottfried (LG) and Linnet Tse, Town of Mamaroneck Liaison Jeffery King (JK), Friends of the Library Liaison Sophia Bernstein (SB), Library Director Laura Eckley (LE), Library Head of Reference Liam Hegarty (LH) and Library Staff Assistant D.J. Brucciani (DB). Library Board Chair Pamela Dubitsky and Village of Larchmont Liaison Sarah Bauer were absent.
Board Trustee John McGarr (JM) called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m.
After discussion regarding issues with the timely arrival of Board packets in the regular mail, the Board unanimously approved the decision to provide packets by email to trustees and liaisons going forward and to have printed copies available at Board meetings.
Board Meeting Minutes
The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the Minutes of the Board Meeting of February 13, 2019.
Friends of the Larchmont Public Library Liaison Report
SB reported on the programs and events the Friends will be hosting throughout the spring of 2019. SB noted that the Annual Spelling Bee will be held on Sunday, April 7th at Larchmont Temple. SB announced the Friends Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14th in the Village Center and that several new members will be appointed to the Board at that time.
Committee Reports
Schedule of Bills and Performance Report: The Board reviewed and unanimously approved the Schedule of Bills dated 3/7/19 & 3/13/19. The Board reviewed and approved the Performance Report dated 3/7/19.
JM reported that the Town of Mamaroneck voted at the 2/20/19 public meeting to approve the Library’s FY19/20 Budget, and that the Village of Larchmont is expected to vote on the Library’s Budget at the 3/19/19 public meeting.
Building and Grounds
LE reported that she and Board Chair Dubitsky had met with Mechanical Engineer Jake Stone of Werner Tietjen to discuss options and timeline for the replacement of the BMS (building maintenance system) and fan coil units. LE further reported that the toilet in the staff bathroom had failed and should be replaced within the week.
LE reported on an ongoing issue with the building’s HVAC system, discussed at the January Library Board Meeting. In late February, a second condenser unit failed on the Daikin system at the rear of the building, leaving the lower level without heat. LE described efforts taken by staff to relocate meetings and programs, as well as keep the lower level from freezing. LE presented a proposal from Library HVAC service provider Atlantic Westchester to replace both failed condensing units, with a seven-year warranty, for a total of $26,300. Following discussion, LT made a motion, seconded by BF, to approve the following resolution, which the Board then passed unanimously:
Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Larchmont Public Library amends the resolution made at the February 2019 Board Meeting and hereby approves a proposal from Atlantic Westchester, Inc. for an expenditure of up to $26,300 from the Library’s Capital Fund for Building Maintenance for the purchase and installation of two new Daikin Condenser Units for heating and cooling of the lower level of the Library building.
Director’s Report
LE reported on the new ILS (Integrated Library System) provided by WLS, which runs the Library’s catalog and circulation systems, noting that staff has been trained and publicity has been ongoing regarding the upgrade. LE further reported that contract negotiations with CSEA are expected to begin later this month. LE reviewed a variety of collaborations with local organizations including the promotion of Westchester County Department of Public Health’s Survey and several upcoming table programs with Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation featuring the Beeline Bus System and MTA discounts for seniors.
Board Trustee John McGarr adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board will be held on April 10, 2019.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Eckley
Library Director