Library Board of Trustees - Minutes - 07/12/2022

Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees 
 
Minutes of Meeting of 12 July 2022 
 
1.  President Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.   
Trustees present:  E. Boyce, N. Dragoli, C. Giordano, J. Lehet, J. Merrill, B. Pisacich, M. Wagner, G. 
Ritter (virtual).  Also present C. Johnson, Library Director.  Not present:  L. Couture, J. Mullen, A. 
Roberge. 
 
2.  Consent Agenda  
Motion to approve the consent agenda including Minutes 5/10/22, Treasurer’s report, and 
Financial report.  All in Favor. 
 
3.  President’s Report 
Aaron Rosenberg spoke to the Board about the dying downtowns, malls, newspapers, houses of 
worship, lack of volunteers for boards and service organizations.  According to the opinion of 
Simon Jenkins, of The Guardian (Manchester, UK newspaper): Libraries are dying. 
 
However, Waterford Public Library is meeting the challenges of the 21st Century.  With our e-
newsletter as well as Library Notes in The Day, the information is disseminated about the myriad 
adult and children’s programs provided each and every month.  This year they included:  Great 
Decisions funded by grant monies, Virtual Author programs, movies, al fresco concerts, and much 
more. 
 
4.  Committee Reports 
• Development and Fund Raising:  M. Wagner 
Income for FY22 was derived from the Fund Drive, AmazonSmile, Charter Oak Match, and 
Bequests and memorial donations.  The FY22 Fund Drive totaled more and the Bequests less than 
the prior year.  Donors for FY22 numbered 277 individuals, 4 businesses, 7 meeting room users, 
for a total of 288.  
 
• Nominating:  C. Giordano 
 
The Officers are Aaron Rosenberg, President, Connie Giordano, Vice President, Bernie 
Pisacich, Treasurer, and Joy Merrill, Secretary. 
 
• Finance: B. Pisacich 
 
Moved out of Bond Funds last year.  The endowment is at $3M but was at a high of $3.6M.  
Noted that with a 20% market loss it takes 25% to recapture that loss, for 30% it takes 42%, and 
for 40% it would take 67%.  Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a strong equity position. 
 
During the past year, Future Benefits was sold to One Digital.  Our CPA has also sold to a 
local firm which will cause a moderate increase in the cost for our FY22 audit to be filed in 
November. 
 
 

 
Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees 
The Budget schedule for FY24 includes the following meetings to recommend the Endowment 
Allocation. 
Tues 
11 Oct     4 p.m. 
Finance Committee 
Tues 
1 Nov.      tbd  
Executive Committee  
Tues 
8 Nov.      6 p.m. 
Board of Trustees 
 
The Executive Committee is comprised of the President, Treasurer, and a Trustee at Large, 
currently Grant Ritter.  A discussion followed on the interpretation of the Bylaws on the Trustee 
at Large being one individual every time.  Jen Mullen will be asked to review. 
 
5.  Director’s Annual Report:  C. Johnson 
• Note, all Board of Trustee members are required to be sworn in by the Town Clerk.  Since it 
appears that none of us have done so, a request to do so at the September meeting will be 
made. 
• Outdoor Adirondack chairs, provided by funds of the Barcello family, have been installed and 
will receive plaques at a small ceremony.   They are already being used. 
• ARPA grant monies enabled the purchase of two solar charging benches using the free Wi-Fi 
at both front and back doors.   
• The CIPA compliance certification enabled us to purchase 6 Wi-Fi Hot Spots that can be 
borrowed for up to 2 weeks at a time by anyone with a library card. 
• Electrical work is completed on the Mezzanine and carpet quotes still being gathered and 
compared.   
• Our contact at Dominion Energy retired and our request for funds for Al Fresco concerts is 
mired down.  Should monies be received they will be applied to next year. 
• A Smith College (virtual) intern, paid by Smith College, has this summer provided much 
assistance in marketing including posters. 
• The library was awarded a number of programming grants this past year and Senator 
Blumenthal made a visit to the library in April to acknowledge this achievement. 
• Diane Beaulieu has filled in both the Children’s Department and with Graphics. 
• The personnel changes over the past year were a challenge but the quality of service remained 
the same.   
• The new Children’s Librarian, Jenna Bivona, will start on 15 August. 
 
 
6.  Old Business 
• Board Dinner is scheduled for 18 August at Tony D’s in New London.  People will gather at 5:30 
p.m. 
• Currently 105 of 169 libraries in Connecticut are Fine Free.  Discussion on whether to reinstate 
fines resulted in the following motion.  Motion made by M. Wagner, seconded by J. Merrill, 
WPL to remain Fine Free except for Red Hots, Museum Passports, and Hot Spots.  The motion 
passed with a vote of 1 abstention, 1 negative, and 7 in favor. 
 
 

 
Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees 
7.  New Business 
• Holiday Schedule will remain the same for FY23. 
• The Town is investigating additional security cameras on Town buildings.  Additional exterior 
cameras may be installed.  If cameras are added on the interior, guidelines on privacy would 
preclude any cameras except where monies are exchanged and one in the Children’s Room. 
• Waterford Public Library will celebrate its 100th anniversary in May 2023.  A Library Fair has 
been suggested as a celebration. 
• Discussion on the value of checkouts being added to the due date receipt resulted in it being 
tabled for further discussion at the next Board meeting in September. 
• The request to use WPL parking on 24 September for a Breast Cancer Walk resulted in referring 
the requestor to Waterford Historical Society and using Jordan Green. 
 
A motion was made at 7:30 to adjourn by M. Wagner and seconded by C. Giordano.  All in favor. 
 
Respectfully submitted 14 July 2022 
 
Joy S. Merrill, Secretary