Minutes of the Meeting
Fitzwilliam Town Library Board of Trustees
7 November, 2022
Present: Trustees Robin Marra, Beth Lorenz, Richard Marshall, Carole Beckwith, Pam Troccia and Kate Thomas, Library Director; Alternate Trustees Nancy Fey-Yensan and Brian Doerpholz.
Robin Marra called the meeting to order at 5:45 in the Quick Meeting Room of the Library.
The minutes of the October 3, 2022 meeting were reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Beth Lorenz, seconded by Carole Beckwith and adopted unanimously.
The manifest was reviewed and approved by all Trustees physically present.
There was no report from the Chair.
Under the Director’s report, Kate detailed an increase circulation for October by 3% as compared to last year and that total patron’s attendance for October was 1,056. She also noted that the Friends’ annual appeal was underway and that the annual meeting of the Friends’ will be held on Sunday, December 4th at 3:30 p.m. The annual review process for Library employees is underway. Carole Beckwith and Nancy Fey-Yensan volunteered to assist the Chair with the revision of the document currently being used for the review of the Executive Director.
Under Old Business, Kate provided a preliminary draft of the Locke Collection booklet. She will continue to fine tune the document and have a more complete draft available for review at the December meeting of the Trustees. A review of the Volunteer policy was conducted by the Trustees. Pam Troccia moved to approve the policy without revision. Beth Lorenz seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.
Still Under Old Business, Richard Marshall discussed the progress of contacting and interviewing qualified companies to handle the investment portfolio of the Library. Richard made a motion to accept the proposal of NBT Wealth Management to provide investment services to the Library. The motion was seconded by Carole Beckwith and unanimously adopted.
Under New Business, the Board reviewed and discussed the 2023 Library budget request. After review of personnel needs in the future, Richard Marshall moved to approve the proposed 2023 budget request, as amended, to include a new position of Assistant Director. The motion was seconded by Pam Troccia and unanimously adopted. The Library currently has two expendable Trusts: one for the display of the Locke Collection and one for maintenance of the building. The Trustees will continue to work on receiving an architectural assessment for work needed to be completed on the second floor before submitting the 2023 CIP request.
Under Ongoing Business, Brian Doerpholz provided an update on the Library fence project. The painting has been completed, Wade has completed the last post and the area around and under the fence will be reseeded in the Spring.
As there were no other announcements or new business, the next Trustee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 5th, 2022 at 5:45, with Zoom access available.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. was made by Richard Marshall, seconded by Carole Beckwith and unanimously adopted.
Respectfully submitted.
Pam Troccia
Secretary