HomeMy Public PortalAboutJune 4, 2018 minutes with linksWatertown Free Public Library
Meeting of the Trustees
Monday, June 4, 2018
Local History Room, WFPL
Present: Trustees Sheppard Ferguson, Michael Hanlon, Penny Peoples, Daniel Evans Pritchard,
Timothy Tracy; WFPL Director Leone Cole and Assistant Director Caitlin Browne.
Enclosures: June 4 Meeting Agenda; May 2 WFPL Meeting Minutes; WFPL Financial Report; Griffin
Fund Report; Burke Fund Report; HATCH Financial Report; Memo and FY18 Staff Evaluation Progress
Report; WFPL Responsive Feedback Guide; Memo from HATCH's Liz Helfer.
Ca11 to order: Mr. Tracy called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Watertown Cable Access Television
was on hand to record the meeting.
Secretary's Report: Minutes of the May 2 WFPL meeting were approved as amended.
Public Forum: No members of the public in attendance.
Red Leaf Cafe: No update.
Financial Report: Ms. Peoples asked about the large balance of the McCall Gift Fund. Ms. Cole advised
that this was a relatively large gift and has been spent down judiciously on larger projects by the
Children's department.
Mr. Hanlon asked about electricity and gas balances left at the end of the year. Ms. Cole answered that
the remaining balance on those items will fund ESCo projects to implement energy efficiency
improvements and upgrades.
Mr. Tracy moved to accept the financial report. The board voted unanimously to approve.
At the suggestion of the Chair, the Board voted to allow the Treasurer, Leanne Hammonds, the
authority to make reasonable transfers between financial accounts wherever necessary through the end
of FY18. Mr. Pritchard moved to accept. Board voted unanimously to approve.
At the request of the Director, the Board voted to transfer remaining funds $4269.78 to the building
maintenance line of the budget from the following financial lines:
- $686.92 from Equipment Maintenance
- $140 from Postage
- $3000 from Building Maintenance Supplies
- $218.86 from In -State Travel
- $224 from Dues and Subscriptions
Mr. Hanlon raise the motion to make the transfer. Board voted unanimously to approve.
Chair's Report: Mr. Tracy noted for the benefit of the Trustees to follow open meeting laws closely,
even over email communication. He also noted that members of the board should take care when
identifying themselves as they put forth personal statements on matters of public interest so as not to
appear to speak on behalf of the board.
Director's Report:
Capital projects
Ms. Cole updated the board on a number of capital projects. Outdoor trim painting of original building
is complete. The replacement of the local history doors is nearly complete. Masonry repair is slated to
begin soon. The new lighting fixtures in public areas are scheduled to be replaced at no cost, due to a
vendor's error.
IT Services
Budget amendment is under review by the Town Council to transfer sufficient funds to bring on the
vendor, Apogee, and to hire a part-time help desk employee to transition to the new vendor.
Interlibrary Sorting Fee
Ms. Cole met with Rep. Hecht, who has made a request to meet in person with someone from the
MBLC to inquire about the new fee, since the presorting of interlibrary loan items had previously been
free to the libraries that opted in.
Watertown Community Foundation
New WCF Director Jan Singer met with Ms. Cole for an introductory meeting.
Farmer's Market
WFPL will have a monthly booth at the Watertown Farmer's Market where they sell used books and
share information about the library's offerings.
Old Business: Mr. Pritchard raised a suggestion made previously by Mr. Ferguson that Trustees
should have a small display of personal book and media picks in the circulation area. Board members
who are interested in participating should send Ms. Browne their suggestions by September 1 for a fall
book selection.
New Business: Mr. Ferguson asked whether the Library should have a banner or other identifying
material in parades and similar town events. Mr. Ferguson will look into the matter.
Requests for Information: Ms. Peoples asked for clarification on the reporting of staff travel in the
development report. She asked whether staff are offered the opportunity to attend professional
development courses and trainings. Ms. Cole noted that department heads do make regular
suggestions for such professional development opportunities.
Next meeting: Special meeting tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 13 at 4:00 pm.
Mr. Tracy brought a motion to adjourn the meeting.
The board voted unanimously to accept.
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