Library Board of Trustees - Minutes - 03/12/2024

Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees  
 
 
Minutes of Meeting of 12 March 2024 
 
1. President Aaron Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 
Trustees present: A. Rosenberg, N. Dragoli, J. Lehet, B. Kyne, A. Robarge, A. 
Simpson, C. Giordano, J. Merrill, M. Furey-Wagner (via Zoom), G. Ritter (via Zoom), 
and L. Couture (via Zoom).  Also present, C. Johnson, Library Director. 
Not present, E. Boyce. 
  
2. Public Comment - none 
 
3. Consent Agenda 
Motion made by A. Simpson and seconded by C. Giordano, to accept the Consent 
Agenda, the Treasurer’s Report, and the Financial Report.  All in favor. 
 
4.  President’s Report - A. Rosenberg 
• Board of Selectmen hearing on 1 February, flat budget of for FY25 presented and 
approved.  The motion to restore Sunday winter hours was not approved. 
• Board of Finance hearing on 28 February, flat budget for FY25 was presented and 
approved with a lengthy hearing. 
• Board of Finance final budget ratification will be 25 March. 
• Board of Selectmen Meetings on the final budget are scheduled for 13-16 May. 
 
5.  Executive Session – the Board entered executive session from 6:12 to 7:15 pm. 
 
6.  Committee Reports 
 
Fundraising - M. Furey-Wagner 
• Total fundraising income, year to date (8 March) is $22,188 with expenses of 
$1,746, for a net of $20,442.  This is $2,227 less than last year at this time. 
• The difference was $130 less in Amazon Smile and $500 not received from Charter 
Oak.  It is hoped the difference will be made up by fiscal year end. 
 
Finance - G. Ritter 
• The market is strong for now but don’t hold your breath. 
•  Market value, year to date is up $133,414.  
 
Building and Grounds - J. Merrill 
• Met on 21 February with the Director of Public Works and the project designer from 
RZ Associates, the vendor, to kick-off the HVAC project.   
• The specifications should be finalized by early May. 
• Project should begin late summer.   
• This means the AC will not be ready this summer.  A replacement system, better 
than that furnished last year, was requested. 
 
 

 
Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees  
 
7.  Director’s Report - C. Johnson 
• Board of Finance approved the FY25 flat budget request after a lengthy questioning 
over the newly revised mission statement and strategic plan.  The old plan was 
over 20 years old and no state library funds can be applied for without an updated 
mission statement and strategic plan.   
• The second Staff Development Training morning was held on 1 March.   
• The PT week-end custodian has resigned and the posting for a replacement has 
been made. 
• Three drop in tech sessions were offered by Adult Services during January. 
• Friday Matinee Films have returned with an average of 15-20 attendees each week. 
• The Children’s Librarian continues to attend the monthly Board of Education 
meetings as an official liaison. 
• Town Initiatives included Waterford Historical Society’s presentation on freed 
African American slaves buried in the Great Neck Cemetery with 100 attendees.  
And Hodges, the canine reading buddy, had his 4th Birthday with 200 people in 
attendance. 
• Total circulation for Adults, Children, and Teens was up 30% February 2024 over 
February 2023 with the library being open 3 more hours a week (Sundays) this 
year.   
• Door count is up 9% this year over last for the month of February. 
 
8.  Old Business 
 
9.  New Business  
• 
TOW budget deficit for FY2025 - A proposal was made by M. Fury-Wagner to 
support and make whole the current budget cuts pending the outcome of the final 
budget approval.  Seconded by A. Simpson.  All in favor to resolve following the 
second BOS meeting.  This vote may be conducted over Zoom. 
• 
Let us wait until the final resolution on the FY25 budget to decide on the amount 
of the endowment contribution for the coming year.  To that end, we will have the 
May BOT meeting on the 14th as scheduled.  The BOS will meet on the 15th and 
16th of May 
 
• A staff member asked if the Board of Trustees would consider a Waterford High 
School scholarship? 
• There was discussion about scholarships, amounts, and criteria for awarding 
ensued. 
• The decision was tabled since the process wouldn’t be enacted this Spring. 
 
10.  Adjournment 
• Motion was made by B. Kyne and seconded by A. Simpson to adjourn.  All in favor.  
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted 15 March 2024 
 
Joy S. Merrill, Co-Secretary