Library Board of Trustees - Minutes - 09/13/2022

Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees 
Minutes of Meeting of 13 September 2022 
 
1.  President Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.   
Trustees present:  E. Boyce, C. Giordano, J. Lehet, J. Merrill, B. Pisacich, M. Wagner, G. Ritter, A. 
Roberge.  Also present C. Johnson, Library Director.  Not present:  L. Couture, N. Dragoli, J. Mullen. 
 
2.  Introduction of Jenna Bivona, new head of Youth Services.  She shared some of the 
upcoming programing. 
 
3.  Swearing in of four renewing Trustees was scheduled but David Campo didn’t appear. 
 
4.  Consent Agenda  
A request was made, by B. Pisacich, to remove from the Finance section of the Minutes of 
7/12/22 the following sentence. “Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a strong equity position.”  
Motion to approve the consent agenda including amended Minutes 5/10/22, Treasurer’s report, 
and Financial report.   All in Favor. 
 
5.  President’s Report 
 
Libraries around the country are marketplaces of ideas.  Various libraries have expanded 
their offerings: Charleston, WV has a Cafe, lends tools, and a podcasting booth.  San Francisco 
has a Social Worker on site.  In the book Overdue by Amanda Oliver, libraries are a place of 
sanctuary and open to all.  An escape and a place to broaden horizons.  Per Jorge Luis Borges, “I 
have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” 
 
6.  Committee Reports 
• Finance: B. Pisacich 
 
The endowment has lost $600,000 since the high this year.  We should diversify.  Move 
out of short term bonds into Treasuries where we won’t lose even though there will be minimal 
gains.  Our long term strategy will be equities.  
 
With OneDigital, the WPL Endowment is only a small account.  How rapidly will they reply 
to changes requested? 
 
At the November Board meeting the entire Board will vote on the percent of allocation 
for next year’s budget. The Finance Committee will meet on 12 October at 4 p.m. with Kevin 
Grenham from OneDigital. 
 
• Development and Fundraising: M. Wagner 
 
The annual fundraising letter will be updated and mailed in early November. The Charter 
Oak Credit Union match began in August.  
 
The annual drive, as of 9/13/22, is $2,045 and last year we were at $1,683.  There is also 
a bequest for $250.  Net fundraising is up $423 over last year. 
 
• Property:  C. Johnson/J. Merrill 
 
The A/C broke again, this time affecting the Children’s Room.   
 
Awaiting State Municipal Bond Commission to add our project to the Agenda.  Possibly 
9/30/22. 

 
Waterford Public Library 
 
Board of Trustees 
 
DPW is preparing an analysis of the HVAC project and the next steps.  A meeting with the 
First Selectman, DPW, and BOT Building Committee will then be scheduled. 
 
• Nominating:  C. Giordano 
 
Thank you to Connie for organizing the Annual Trustees dinner. 
 
7.  Director’s Annual Report:  C. Johnson 
• First Selectman has indicated he will be seeking level funded budgets for “non-essential” 
departments. 
• Electrical work on the mezzanine has been completed.  Quotes were received for carpeting 
tiles.   
• A grant of $2,000 from Dominion Energy Foundation was awarded.  Planning to use for 
summer 2023. 
• Personnel updates include a new Head of Youth Services.  The PT Tech/Graphics position was 
posted and there are several promising candidates.  The PT Adult Services Reference Assistant 
resigned and the job posted. 
• Summer Reading program was successful with 43 adults, 9 teens, 181 elementary, and 60 early 
learners.  There were 4 outdoor movies, 6 outdoor concerts this summer. 
• WPL staff participated in Waterford Historical Society’s Art in Waterford.   
• Library will work with Rec and Parks on programs and the Library will participate in the Harvest 
Festival. 
• Talk of the Town programs will focus on ”hidden gems” of Waterford, including Camp 
Harkness, the O’Neill Theater, and Waterford Country School. 
• Senior Services will facilitate a new book group. 
 
8.  Old Business 
• Carpeting tile choices were reviewed at the meeting.  B. Pisacich requested the cost for a roll 
to compare with the price of tiles. 
• 100th Anniversary Committee headed by Jen Mullen will include E. Boyce, C. Giordano, J. 
Lehet, A. Rosenberg, A. Robarge, and M. Wagner.  A date needs to be established for this one 
day event in May.   
• Motion was made by J. Merrill to withdraw the Value Added on checkout receipts.  M. Wagner 
seconded.  All in favor. 
• Fines only for Red Hots, Museum Passes, and Hot Spots will be reviewed by the Director with 
the Finance Director to inform the Board of Finance since those monies are not applied to the 
Library budget.  
 
7.  New Business 
• Finance Committee meeting will be in person on 10/12/22 at 4 p.m. 
 
A motion was made at 7:20 to adjourn by M. Wagner and seconded by C. Giordano.  All in favor. 
 
Respectfully submitted 19 September 2022 
Joy S. Merrill, Secretary