Library Minutes | November 15, 2022
4 Municipal Plaza • Monroe Township, NJ 08831 • (732) 521-5000 • www.monroetwplibrary.org
MINUTES OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
November 15, 2022
ATTENDING:
Members Staff
Benjamin Baum, President Anne Corey Leah Wagner
Prena Shah Dr. Marilyn Gonyo Karen Klapperstuck
Lisa Chen Kelly Roselle
Robert Isaacs Jackie D’Angelo Friends of the Library
Bernadette Yannacci Francine Kitts
The meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Benjamin Baum, President.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
It was noted that this meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
LIBRARY AUDIT REPORT
Ben Baum welcomed Gerard Stankiewicz, CPA of Samuel Klein and Company, to the meeting. Mr. Stankiewicz provided an overview of the audit process. Samuel Klein and Company is appointed by the Library Board annually. Due to delays related to COVID, he is finally catching up with the Library’s Audits. The task of the auditor is to determine the fairness of the records presented by Library management and Township administration. Mr. Stankiewicz reported that the records are clean and a proper representation, resulting in an Unmodified Opinion. He had no negative comments in the report. If there had been any negative comments, recommendations would also have been presented.
Mr. Stankiewicz fielded questions from Library Board members regarding liability insurance, accrual for compensated absences and best practices. He also indicated that if Board members had questions after the meeting to let Leah Wagner, Karen Klapperstuck or Jennifer Slavicek know and he would be happy to provide answers or clarification.
Ben Baum thanked Mr. Stankiewicz for his work on the Library audit and his time in attending the Board meeting to explain the report and answer questions.
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 2022 MEETING
The minutes from the October 18, 2022 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees were presented. In the section reporting Unfinished Business, Anne Corey asked that the word “boiler” be added to clarify the construction work.
Robert Isaacs moved that the minutes of the October 18, 2022 meeting be accepted with the above noted correction. Jackie D’Angelo seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Leah Wagner provided an update to the construction projects. She was informed that there is no automatic pressure release valve on the boiler; the pressure must be released manually. While the payment is on the bill list for this month, the check will be held until the matter is sufficiently resolved.
Leah informed the Board that Steve Hrubes is going to use old Library computers for young people to deconstruct and learn about how computers work. Other updates are in her written Director’s Report.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Karen Klapperstuck did not have an Assistant Director’s report this month.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Leah Wagner discussed the current financial reports.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget Committee - Leah Wagner and Karen Klapperstuck met with the Budget Committee. Karen Klapperstuck provided Board members with updated copies of the Fund Report, which included the increase in the Township Reimbursement figure, and Draft Budget, which included a correction to a typographical error in the budget line for Electronic Subscriptions. Leah indicated that the Board may not be able to vote on the budget at the December meeting as Union Contract negotiations are still on-going. The salary budget line is hard to determine until negotiations are complete.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Francine Kitts reported that the Friends hosted over 80 people at the Membership Tea. The event and the membership drive were a huge success. The Friends earned $2,595 in membership with approximately 295 members!
Francine informed the Board that the Friends will conduct drawings for Amazon gift cards at the Harvest Market. The Friends are also busy getting ready for the upcoming Book Sale on December 9 and 10.
MONROE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Dr. Kelly Roselle reported the results of the Board of Education election. Peter Tufano, Gail DiPane, and Carmen Alvarez are the successful candidates. The reorganizational meeting of the Board of Education will be held in January.
Dr. Roselle reminded the Board members that the school district is working towards a referendum for expanding the Monroe Township Middle School, Monroe Township High School and Applegarth Elementary School.
FOUNDATION
The Foundation hosted the Jewels of New Jersey Sale and Show on November 13. There were 21 vendors at the event.
The Foundation will meet next on January 12, 2023..
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORT
Dr. Marilyn Gonyo informed the Board that the Master Plan was unanimously approved. Mayor Dalina sent greetings from the NJ League of Municipalities and wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Leah Wagner provided an update on the Construction Bond Grant during the Director’s Report. She added that the work has started on the fire panel.
The 2021 Audit was discussed at length earlier in the meeting.
ACTION ON BILLS
Prena Shah moved the payment of the bills with checks #18210 - #18239, in the amount of $501,357.65. Bernadette Yannacci seconded. All were in favor. The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Harvest Market will take place on Tuesday, November 22 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers at the next Board meeting.
Winter Fest will take place on Saturday, December 10 - an event sponsored by The Friends of the Library, The Cultural Arts Commission and the Library with an Ice Sculptor. The Friends book sale and the NJLA Store will also be that weekend.
The next meeting of the Monroe Township Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m..
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, Prena Shah moved to adjourn the meeting. Bernadette Yannacci seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Klapperstuck