Flemington Free Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2024
The Flemington Free Public Library (FFPL) Board of Trustees Zoom meeting was called to order at 9:34 am by Board President Jane DeHaven. Also in attendance were Library Director Shawn Armington, Liz Fisher, Grace Fuoti, Steve Rogow, James Rossetti, Adrianne Fusaro, and Dr. Kari McGann joined later.
MEETING NOTICE STATEMENT
This meeting was called in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice was sent to the newspapers of record, The Courier News and The Hunterdon Democrat, and posted on the library’s website and bulletin board.
REVIEW OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed. There were several minor changes: “March 2024” was changed to “April 2024.” Under Financial disclosure statements, change name from “Jane” to “Shawn”. Jane moved to accept, and Steve seconded.
TREASURERS REPORT
The treasurer’s reports from May through August were reviewed by Liz. May highlights: Shawn noted that $326,585 was transferred from the Lambelet Savings account to the Flemington Borough account. June highlights: The library received a gift of $5,000 from the estate of Mary Kleiner, which Shawn deposited in the Anne Thomas Fund. Also, Shawn explained that the large security expenditure was because the payment for the security cameras came directly from the library checking account. August highlights: A miscellaneous income line was added due to the financial report. The library received an amount from a class action suit involving Harshbarger vs. Penn Mutual (Life Insurance). It isn’t clear though how the library was involved. Jim moved to accept, and Grace seconded.
CONTINUING BUSINESS
—Basement Remediation
Shawn reported that he met with Adam Finkle of SSP Architects and Charles Mann, the appointed contractor for the basement remediation on September 4th. The contracts were signed, and they are ready to begin, but there’s a delay because of the permits. Adrienne will follow up.
—Torchères: The torchères have been refurbished and installed.
—Maintenance: The exterior windows located on Main Street and Maple Avenue have been painted.
—Alarm call list: Shawn didn’t receive any information about the alarm call list issue from the last meeting. Adrianne will find out if the library staff can be cut out of the loop when the alarm sounds during the library’s off hours.
NEW BUSINESS
—Staffing
There will be a reception for Debbie Moore’s retirement recognition on September 24th, from 3-5pm.
Kathy Schuster will be leaving at the end of November, part-time employee Joanne Turtola resigned, and Andrea Coleman will be resigning at the end of October.
Shawn hired two new part-time employees, Lynn Sheard and Skye Rainey. Keri Rogerson will be moving to full-time status and taking on the responsibility for the Children’s Library programs.
—Job descriptions
Job descriptions for Library Assistant – Children’s Services and General Library Assistants were emailed prior to the meeting to give the board members time to look over the information.
Adrienne explained that the approval of job descriptions and the passing of hiring resolutions are designed to protect the library’s interests and document the library personnel’s responsibilities, duties and qualification expectations for hiring staff. Adrienne abstained from the vote. After reviewing the final drafts of the job descriptions and resolutions, everyone in attendance agreed to them. Jane moved to accept, and Steve seconded.
Resolutions:
Jane read the individual resolutions:
— FFPL 2024: 01: Keri Rogerson as Library Assistant-Children’s Services (Grace moved to accept, Liz seconded.)
— FFPL 2024: 02: Kristin “Skye” Rainey as Library Assistant (Jim moved to accept, Jane seconded.)
— FFPL 2024: 03: Lynn Sheard as Library Assistant (Steve moved to accept, Grace seconded.)
— FFPL 2024: 04: Molly Prower as Library Assistant (Jane moved to accept, Jim seconded.)
Jane will sign the resolutions and email them to Shawn.
Kari congratulated the library for finding applicants and hiring needed positions, especially in the education field.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:06am.
The next meeting will be on October 18th.
–Grace C. Fuoti