Library Board of Trustees - Minutes - 01/13/2026

Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees  
 
13 January 2026 
 
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Trustees present: M. Furey-Wagner, L. Couture, N. Dragoli, B. Kyne, J. Lehet, 
J. Merrill, G. Ritter, A. Robarge, A. Rosenberg, A. Simpson  Also present, C. 
Johnson, Library Director, T. Fioravanti, RTM Education Committee Chair, and 
S. Driscoll, RTM Moderator. 
 
Not present: E. Boyce, C. Giordano. 
 
1.  A quorum was established and President M. Furey-Wagner called the 
meeting to order at 6 p.m. 
 
2.  There was no Public Comment. 
 
3.  Consent Agenda 
 
A.  Minutes for 18 November 2025 and 10 December 2025, no changes. 
 
B. & C.  Treasurer’s and Financial Report - G. Ritter 
• The Endowment account increased 13% this year, the third year in a row, 
to end at $470,000.   
• The increase in principal means an increase in the actual dollars.   
• For FY2027, 5% of a three-year average, resulted in a $182,000 budgeted 
contribution. 
 
A motion was made by A. Simpson, seconded by A. Rosenberg to accept the 
Consent Agenda as submitted.  A vote was taken.  All in favor, none against, 
no abstentions.  
 
4.  President’s Report - M. Furey-Wagner 
 
• The annual evaluation for the Director will be submitted, to HR, on 14 
January. 
• It is important for the Trustees to attend and support the Library budget at 
the upcoming Board of Selectmen (4 Feb 26) and Board of Finance (2 Mar 
26) Hearings. 
 
5.  Executive Session - omitted 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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6.  Committee Reports 
 
A. Finance - G. Ritter (See above) 
 
B. Development and Fundraising - M. Furey-Wagner 
• Year to date, the current Net Annual Fund donations are $26,076, a 2% 
increase over last year at this time. 
• Overall net fundraising is down as a result of fewer Bequests. 
• The Fundraising Budget for 2026 is $35,000.  At half way through the year, 
and post expenses to date, we are at 74.50% of the budgeted amount. 
• Last year $7,000 was raised from the Jewelry Sale.  This year the Jewelry 
Sale will be held 11 April.  Note: at its January 9 Committee meeting, the 
date has been changed to Saturday, May 2, still 11 am to 2 pm. 
 
C.  Building and Grounds - C. Johnson 
• The HVAC project is now complete.  
• The only outstanding item is staff training on controlling the system.   
• On 20 December, following heavy rains and wind, part of the ceiling in the 
Children’s Activity Room came down.  It was reported to DPW.  The repair 
was finally completed by Tremco this week. 
• The RTM approved $25,000 for design work for the replacement of the 
electrical service to the library.   
• The planned town-wide LED lighting upgrades have been cancelled, as it 
was determined there would be no cost savings to the Town. 
• A separate request has been made to DPW to replace lights removed in the 
staff workroom as part of the HVAC project as well as replacing “can” bulbs 
in the public areas.  These can only be done with a lift. 
 
D.  Policy and Personnel - A. Simpson 
• Inclusive language is required by State Statute. 
• Every principle public library in CT has this language making it consistent 
with the law. 
• This is to protect the institutions, librarians, and library boards.  
 
7.  Director’s Report - C. Johnson 
• Library staff and Trustees attended the RTM meeting on 1 December in 
support of DPW’s request for $25,000 for design money for the new 
electrical service project. 
• Two vendor sessions were attended on 19 November; unlocking the power 
of the iCloud Library and CLC’s Amazon. 
 

 
 
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• On 11 December there was a Zoom meeting with Jenna Bivona, Children’s 
Librarian, and Chris and Eileen Boyce to discuss the next steps for the 
Children’s Room refresh project funded by the Boyce family. 
• Linda Sullivan managed another successful holiday book sale, which began 
Thanksgiving week, and yielded $1,547 up from last year’s total of $1,437. 
• In November our partners at Traveling Toys advised that Sirena Medical 
Aesthetics wanted to hold a holiday “toy raiser”. Jenna provided a list and a 
total of $600 of toys was purchased on our behalf. These will be in our 
circulating collection as well as used for our Lap Sit storytime for babies. 
• WPL was awarded 12 puzzles by Ravensburger in support of a puzzle 
competition to be held this winter. 
• Submitted a grant to USAging for $35,000 to fund one year of weekly 
Memory Cafe Sessions.  Applicants will be notified in February. 
• On 31 December, submitted a grant to T-Mobile for $50,000.  This grant 
was specific to communities with less than 50,000 residents who are looking 
to improve public spaces.  If awarded it would support the upgrades to the 
library’s meeting room: A/V, carpeting and furniture upgrades.  Applicants 
will be advised in mid-late February. 
• On 12 December, M. Furey-Wagner dedicated the blue spruce tree in front 
of the library in memory of retired Assistant Director, Judy Liskov. 
• Effective, 6 January, the library will now offer a one-hour hold for museum 
passes and Red Hots.  This new service initiative will be promoted in 
February. 
• Long time library book vendor Baker and Taylor officially ceased operations 
in December.  The entire book vendor landscape continues to be in flux. 
• Saturday February 7th is the 15th Anniversary of “Take Your Child to the 
Library” which was initiated by Nadine Lipman, Waterford Children’s 
Librarian. This year Nadine will be joining us for a special celebration starting 
at 10 a.m.  Snow date of February 21st.     
 
8.  Old Business  
A. 
Board of Trustee Goals for 2025-2026 
 
1.  To support the ongoing work of the policy committee to review and  
 
     update Board of Trustee Policies.  Not completed. 
 
2. To support the Director in seeking increased staffing for the   
Children’s Services Department. Jenna is flat out. The director is 
requesting grant funding from the Community Foundation of Eastern 
CT to support additional part-time hours. In addition, a grant will be 
submitted to the Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce, to support a 
summer intern for library youth services. 
 
3.  To engage with the Town in the planned capital improvement  
 
     upgrades to the Library building including the electrical service and  
 
     roof replacement. 

 
 
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A motion was made by N. Dragoli, seconded by A. Simpson, to accept the 
Goals as submitted.  A vote was taken.  All in favor, none against, no 
abstentions.  
 
9.  New Business 
A.  Directors and Officers Insurance 
 
A motion was made by B. Kyne, seconded by A. Simpson to approve up to 
$4,000 for D&O Insurance from Acrisure. 
 
B.  A request from the First Selectman for the Library’s Endowment to partially 
fund the library’s $1M roof replacement in FY27.   
 
A motion was made by B. Kyne, seconded by L. Couture:  In accordance with 
The Board of Trustee By-Laws, the Endowment cannot be used to fund capital 
improvements to a facility owned by the Town of Waterford.  A vote was taken.  
All in favor, none against, no abstentions.  
 
C.  Take Your Child to the Library Day is Saturday February 7th.  Please join in 
for this celebration 
 
10.  Adjournment 
A motion was made by B. Kyne, seconded by J. Merrill, to adjourn.  A vote 
was taken.  All in favor, none against, no abstentions. The meeting adjourned 
at 7 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted 18 January 2026 
 
Joy S. Merrill, Co-Secretary