All right. Call this order and statement of compliance with the open public meetings act and JSA 10.48-8 as desired. This meeting has been advertised in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and is publicly accessible in accordance with
the law. >> Shar. >> Yes. >> Roco. Tom >> here. >> Sarah. Maria. Teresa. >> Here. Rosemary, Dr. Sasso, Gina
>> here, >> Mayor Walker, and Frank Weber. >> Here to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with justice for
all. Okay. Um, I make a motion to go into executive session because we have to place. So, can I get a motion to go into >> second? >> I will pause the recording.
>> All session. >> Yeah. What time you start? Very fun. >> All righty. So, we going to um take a vote
on the three items that we discussed. >> Let's do the math. >> Oh, okay. All right. So, let's go for the minutes from uh last meeting. >> I just had a um clarification and it Linda, it's probably not your fault. We were all confused and yelling about what
committees we wanted to be on. >> So, I see you have me on personnel, but I was also asked policy. If you don't need me on personnel, that's fine, but I >> definitely want to do policy. It's up to you.
Do you want just you just Yeah, I thought you just said you wanted actually I said I wanted you to hear. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. So that that's fine. I think we have do we have three people on personel? >> We will still have three on personnel.
>> We have three on personnel. That's fine. and Roseberry and I were um and where were we? No, what was I >> saying? something I know is related. That's not >> Yeah. And and that's um that's going to
be a concern as well because our process with the treasurer is going to be have to change with the new finance person. the minutes. Thank you. There any other changes to the military made?
So, if I get a motion to accept the minutes move second, >> yes, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Gina, yes. >> Frank,
>> yes. Thank you. All right. So, we'll start with the personnel. >> Okay. You can do AB to the other agenda. >> Okay. All right. So, uh personnel ratification of February 17th, the emergency motion appointing Vincent Duro, facilities management, effective
February 23rd at the annual salary of 76,54158. I need a motion for that one. And I also need a motion for the ratification of the termination of employee 1505 effective February 17th.
I get a motion for those two A and B. >> So moved. >> Okay. Um Tom, >> yes. >> Uh Teresa, >> yes. >> Yes. Uh Gina, yes. Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn,
>> yes. And thank you. Okay. And then C is accepting the resignation of Irene Mad, executive assistant for finance, effective April 2nd. Motion for that, please. I make the motion second. >> Second
roll, please. >> Um, Teresa, >> yes. >> Yes. Gina, yes. Craig, >> yes. >> Lynn, >> yes. Tom. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, now we have the three add-ons based upon discussions
of executive session. First is approval of Felicia Fleming for a 10% out of title stipen on pium basis for March 18th up to and including the 25th >> 26th >> 26th. Need a motion.
>> Okay. Can I get a motion? >> Okay. Teresa >> second >> second please for uh I am a yes Gina >> yes Frank >> yes >> Lynn
>> yes uh Tom >> yes >> and Teresa >> yes >> thank you >> next letter E will be a motion to appoint Melissa Harris as executive assistant for finance effective April
3rd 2026 six. Is that a correct effective thing? >> She's going to have to start training before then. Um, >> and we want her to have as much time with um Irene as she can get. Um, I think that's what I'm hearing, right?
Um, I I would actually put it in for the 16. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Because that gives that gives you just about two and a half weeks. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So, appointment of appointment of Melissa Harris executive system for finance effective March 16,
2026 at a salary of $71,000 prated for 2026. >> I'm sorry. It's uh 70 71,720. Okay. So, can I get a motion? Second. Okay. And a second, please.
Second. >> Okay. Roll, please. Tina, >> yes. Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn, yes. Uh, Tom, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> yes. And I am yes. Thank you.
>> And lastly, a motion to consolidate executive assistant for personnel, Linda Reynolds, stipened into base salary for a revised 2026 total of $71,720 and to revise the contract accordingly.
>> Okay. Can I get a motion? I'll make the motion. >> I'll second. Okay. Roll call, please. Uh Frank, >> yes. >> Lynn, yes. Uh Tom, >> yes. >> Teresa, >> yes. >> I am. Yes. Gina, yes. Thank you.
Second, correct? >> Yes. >> Now we'll move on to finance and would anybody have any discussion on finance? >> I got a couple on page two. Um and power trust. Nothing. It's subset
P504. What is that? >> I'm I'm sorry. I need to find >> Which which one is it? You said page. >> Yeah, it's on page two. >> Bachelor Empire LC.
>> Yes. >> H2. Say that again, Frank. What was it? >> Empower. >> I'm sorry. I'm not even looking at the right thing, Frank. It's um DCP. >> Yeah, >> it's one of the retirement >> um
>> employers contribution to the parts um the free% >> just >> if we just tag some of these items like that where you don't have to go fishing for them to know what they are. >> I don't need the person's name
certainly, but just >> Well, it's it's it's where it's what they put the pension into. No, I understand. >> How do you want us to take it then? I'm sorry. >> What I'm saying but retired retired person's donation, whatever. Not donation. >> Oh, you mean in the memo?
>> Yeah. Okay. >> Oh, I guess we do the accounts. We can put something. Well, >> the memo. >> So, the accounts has a >> that's just going to be a general ledger
account. All that comes up for me is this. >> But then so the for society I was like it's on page two. >> I know. All right. And you said you had
another question back. >> Uh, no, I don't think so. So, these when when they have expenses related to programs you offer, if there are fees charged for those programs that these will appear in the vouchers where the
revenue is. >> Yes. Okay. Any other questions? Sorry. Any other questions? >> Yeah. No, I had it all. >> Oh, okay. >> I read I just didn't print.
>> I printed everything else. >> When I open this, all that comes out is this. I don't get anything else. >> Oh, you talk to that. individually if you would like, but if you if anybody here wants me to mail
them a packet by regular mail as well, I do that for Frank and Maria. If you would like a a package by email, >> I can do that. The zip won't open up on your iPhone. >> Okay, it won't do. >> So, if I try my iPad, it will do it on
your iPad. It'll it'll open up a It'll open up a file and then you have to click on that and then it opens up another file with everything listed underneath it. >> Okay. You sent them those 11 check 11 letter 11 by 17 pages. >> Wow. >> How good are you?
>> I print them on my own little like. >> All righty. So, are there any other questions? Uh >> Frank, any other question? So, can I get a motion to sec? I'll make a motion. >> I'll second roll, please.
>> Lynn, >> yes. >> Tom, >> yes. Uh, Teresa, >> yes. >> I am. Yes. Gina, yes. Frank, >> yes. >> Thank you. Okay. Old business
have old. How is your new manager working? >> He's doing well. I heard good things contracted. Let you know. Yeah, he um he's already um so our cleaning contract
will be expiring in June or July. So, he has um you know, one of the things that I've really been trying to find time for is working with uh the owner of that um cleaning company to go through our building. You know, we we have some
issues to address. Number one, our cleaning only happens during hours that the library is open, and that's not typically how we get things cleaned. Um, and then the number of hours are they sufficient and not everything that's in
the contract being done, nor is there actually time to get everything done that's in the contract. Um but Vincent went through and he found that we were missing um two and a half hours of cleaning time every week from what we
were supposed to have. So he met with that person this morning and they're going through it. Um >> there are two big projects that we'll talk about that um the the lighting and the garden and we'll talk about that. Um but once those are done, he's already
started getting um estimates from companies for high dusting, for vent cleaning, for power washing, all the things that will, you know, be in his area. Um and of course still reported to the board in the same way, but I won't have to do the leg work on them. So he's
he's doing quite well. >> Yeah. very >> these things that he's uh getting you know talking to people about does that have anything to do with the um the cleaning service that you want to get >> Yes we we are looking at so since the
contract is going to be up in June or July um we're getting estimates from other companies so that we can take a look at um what we would do right now we've gone along um as part of the the town's contract and I'm not sure you
know we'll see how we want to do that moving forward. But I wanted to give this vendor the benefit of the doubt to go through um everything that's being done or not being done so that we can have uh a good conversation and give
them the opportunity to fulfill um what they've already agreed to. Yeah, I think the from what I've seen um what they have to do here is different than what they do in the rest of the complex.
>> Yeah. And and it's it's not getting done. >> I mean, if if you needed another name, I could probably you >> send it along to us. So, just so you know, I've been working on this as I
could the whole time. I've got some estimates and the more estimates we have the better and and what I'm asking these people to do when they come in is they're asking me how many hours and this and that and I'm telling them you tell me, >> right? >> You know what I mean? I I don't know. Um
but we have we need the building to have a thorough cleaning every day. That should be happening in our off hours, but during the day we also have cleaning. You know, like I said, we're regularly getting to 800 people a day coming in here. That can't be a once a
day mopping of the bathroom. So, um, you know, it's it's a lot. >> There's a problem fabulous. >> Yeah. And product depends on the products that they fabulous. All it does is mask the I
don't even >> Yeah. I mean, we order those supplies right now as part of it. the the whole contract. We just need to take a a holistic approach to the the cleaning and the day-to-day running of the building. And that's where our facility
manager is out there. He can, you know, they went through today and took pictures of everything in the building and the conditions and the vendor wasn't happy with what he saw. So, he was speaking to his people and all of that. But in the past, the manager of that
company has come to the library to meet with me maybe once or twice in three years. I've never seen that person come to do quality control to talk to their employees. None of that. But now that there's someone to guide them into our
expectations, um that's already happening. >> Can I just clarify something that I think you said? Um, you're looking for a uh a cleaning contract where they come in off hours, but they're also here intermittently during ours.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Because we have, you know, when we we've got small kids running around, >> if somebody gets sick, who's cleaning that up? >> Because I'm going to let you know. I'm going to let you know. I'm not >> Whoever was late for the day. >> Yeah. Right. All right.
>> But not only that now, so in the off hours, how does that work? Is is this cleaning company here on New York now? >> So, we have to decide this cleaning company is not, >> right? >> And this is where we can't hold them responsible for that, >> right? >> You know what I mean? We we haven't given them the opportunity to do that. I
don't even know if they do that. >> I don't think they do either. I think they come in when we're open. >> I believe they have other contracts that they do on buildings in the evenings and I think those are already set. He only has his set through that he distributes through different buildings. Well,
clean's here, but they clean. >> I mean, at least three times a week, overnight cleaning. Especially in the winter, nobody's tracking everything in. >> No doubt. And that's where, like I said, I want us to be able to have a good
report from the facility manager who has time to go through, talk to all of those contractors, get my input, come to me, and give me a proposal that I can then bring to you and we can all discuss it. >> Yeah. We have to make sure that they copy cleaning the cleaning company I
have, they do it all. And so if when the office is closed at 5:00, I stay and I let the guy in and I wait for him to get done cleaning and then I, you know, because it's a different person until I'm not giving keys. >> All right. And then what would you do for that? Who would be here? >> Nobody.
>> So this is the problem. Yeah. Is that I mean, unless we're going to have an overnight facility manager, nobody's going to be here for that. >> These these companies are bonded. >> Yes. >> And you know, I mean, I think it wouldn't be much of a problem. Um, and
of course, you know, if um a book was missing or something like that, I >> Yeah. And I mean, we do have cameras, >> you know, we we have cameras, and I've never worked in a library where we only had cleaning during the open hours. It you simply can't, you know, you can't
ask people to interrupt their Zoom call so that you can come in and vacuum the study room. >> Yeah. >> And, you know, we've also got people having snacks in here. And, you know, those are things that we need to decide as we move forward. um with what we're allowing and you know
right now we don't allow people reserving the rooms to bring in food because I don't have a cleaning crew on the weekend and nobody wants your leftover tray of ziti. Um the only thing that we can do is also be like a
national park and take it with take it in with you and take it out with you. And I do allow that. But people will raise an eyebrow when you tell them they have to take their own garbage with them. >> But we don't I mean I don't have garbage cans for people to cater their events
here. >> Well, can we put a like a lock box on the door so that they you know we can give the like someone a combination like a form of that's what we've done in the past. I mean my what I did now I can't do because of where the building is alarmed but it's a lock box in real
estate and the person gets the code and how about the swipes because the swipes keep track of who's coming in and out of building >> that can absolutely be done but they will need to turn the code on and off for the building >> right >> for the the burglar >> they're accessed by the employee
>> okay it's fine too >> that's a great way because you keep track now do you do you want to offer that opportunity for people to make rental room to have food because then on that matter then that would be like like I do now I after I have a in my community room when someone has a party
I do the same thing as other you know because we charge a small security deposit but if the company has to come in to clean because you spilled something on the ground they go to security deposit and and that's the thing you know it also impacts um
our you know insects vermin you know like all that kind of thing the longevity of the furniture, all of that kind of thing. Are we better off not having food? Yes. >> Yeah. I mean, if you're having a library sponsored event, it's one thing, right? Okay. But for somebody to come in here,
you know, because they're an Oldbridge resident, you know, and uh, you know, have lunch, I don't know. That doesn't sound like >> Yeah. Yeah. And and we, you know, it'll evolve and, you know, we'll see. Our spaces are going to get a little more regulated. um what was the computer room
in the back is now called the small meeting room because if we have a large meeting room we have a small meeting room and we you know I always tell staff we don't defend empty space so we want that well utilized by the community so people can sign up tonight we had all of
our rooms full with activities going on and you know we want the community coming here and meeting >> and people can rent the rec the recreation building >> they can come in there they can have >> and also silver linings Yeah, there's plenty of space on it like they have to
do this. >> Um I I think I don't know if you want to do old or new business. Um I wanted to bring up the atrium renovation and the use of the QPA. >> Okay. >> Um so I'm going to ask you to pass these
around and I'll show you. First I want to thank Harry Brennan. He did these drawings for us um a while ago. Um, and then I'm going to pass around in a different direction an overview.
And I apologize I have we have I'll we'll go in this direction with these. So there um when when Harry came in when we were trying to decide what to do with the atrium. The atrium has been
kind of a a bit of a problem for a long time because it was always u volunteers directing what was happening with the space. So at times we've had fountains, at times we've had trees, at times we had rainwater collection. It's been um
it's been a lot of different um directions with the garden. And what that has resulted in is in it being overgrown, unmanageable, not flat, lots of concerns about lots of
different things. And when the town came in to try and clean everything up prior to my arrival three years ago, um, somebody kicked up a rock with the weed whacker and it broke one of the windows and it turned into a a big kind of a
mess. So, we don't want those kinds of activities going on there. We also don't have wide doors going in. We have two exits to the parking lot, but none of the doors is wide enough to bring in heavy real real big equipment. So, what I had proposed, and I apologize if
anybody wants, I can go get these. I also did um we had one person envision what the garden could look like. But if you look at what I gave you, it's what um Harry came up with last year, which was um that's a partial map that he did.
He did the whole map. It printed out that way. Um but it's a map of the garden showing where things are and then a very simple um list of what's being done. um clear everything out, install pavers and and all of that kind of
thing, create the planters. And we had only one proposal. He sent this out to a lot of different landscapers and we only had one and that um I'll give this to you if you want to see this is one that we have. It is over
what is the libraryies um bid threshold. So that's why we went through getting use of the town's QPA with the agreement for shared services that was approved by the council. So now
moving forward up to $53,000 we can um get this done without having to go out to bid because this is as close as I came to developing bid specs for what we're doing. Now, the proposal that I've given you is not to be shared because
it's um unethical to give it to other contractors to use to to bid on. But I just wanted to give you an example. This company has um really shown us um a lot of care in what they came up
with in coming here and coming up with the design. It would be beautiful. It's pavers. It is picnic tables. It's uh five different planters. So that then I can say yes, Girl Scout troop number 2201, you can have that one. Yes, senior
center, you can do that one. So everyone can participate. We can grow herbs. We can do vegetables in one, whatever we want to do. But that space is going to become open to the public when we allow it, when the weather is good. People will be able to take a book and go out
there and read something. Um, and we'll have story times where the kids can be coralled in there. We've got, like I said, two emergency exits to the parking lot and there are five doors inside the library going to that garden space. So, what the process is next? We can't
simply award um the contractor even though we've searched high and low to get people. >> Let me just interrupt you, but how did we get this out? Because I mean I know I have several contractors that do this. I didn't know that it went out to anyone.
So it didn't didn't get sent uh formally. Harry Brennan has a lot of contacts in that world. Okay. And he sent it out to >> six or seven different people and only one came back. And when I saw that it was over bid threshold, I said we have
to stop because we need to get if we can use the town's QPA then we can move ahead with this. So last week I sent to um the municipality the um drawing and the overview of what needs
to be done so that then we can do our first formal QPA collaboration and that's the material that they need and they post it then on the town's website and it doesn't have to go out for a formal bid but then we'll get any proposals that come in in addition to
what we that and then we've done our due diligence with trying to find someone to do the garden if that makes sense. >> What is QPA? >> Qualified purchasing agent and by using a qualified purchasing agent your bid.
So our our maximum is 17,500 in the state. Everybody else was increased for their bid threshold except for libraries. Don't know why. Um, if you use a qualified purchasing agent, there's a rigorous training that they go
through and that increases your um, bid threshold to $53,000. So, that means that um, the other project that I'm hoping that we can use the QPA for is lighting. You see that half of our lights are out. So, for a
lighting renovation um, you know, that's the the next one that we'll do. And these are projects that, like I said, don't have to go through the whole bid process, but they do need oversight. So, what I would like for the board to
approve is not this proposal. This is just an example to let you know what we're looking for. What I would ask for the board to do, and this isn't on the agenda, so I understand if we can't right now, but what I'd like to do is
approve the expenditure using the QPA to find a landscaper for this project up to $53,000. >> Honestly, I mean, just about any project you do here, you're going to have to use a QPA because 17 is a very small
>> and we did it when I first got here. the doors needed an emergency replacement in the front of the building, but this is absolutely um so what we did was we talked about it and um Chris was very helpful and the town's attorney was very
helpful in coming together and putting together an agreement for shared services so that we can use their QPA and we approved that and then they approved it in January and now we're ready for the projects to start. I' I've never heard of David's lawn in
landscape design. Doesn't mean I think he does more homes from what I I recognize name, but I don't see a lot of commercialing. I feel mostly commercial. Um, but I mean I I mean, not to say he's not, but I think
we should get at least another two bids at a minimum. >> So, this is why we would go through the QPA. So once we do that, it gets posted on the town's website so that everybody can see. This is what the library is looking for. Here's what we need to get done. Then our facility manager will
host everyone coming in with any questions that they have. Everyone will be able to come in and see the space and they will give us proposals um on a certain day. And then what I would do is ask the buildings and grounds committee
to review those to select the final one. And that's if because if we can approve up to 53,000 for a complete renovation of the garden, including those things, then we can finish that and get on a
calendar for a landscaper to have this done for the summer. if we do continue pushing things off, we're not going to get on anybody's calendar. And I sent to the buildings and grounds committee on
the 5th um these materials. And um you know, there are just certain things like it's going to be a lot less um work if somebody can come in and get started now as opposed to July when the grass is 5 foot tall. There's there's ticks,
there's there's all of those things. And you know, we will be paying special attention to um drainage and making sure that that's a part of it. And and that's why I liked the proposal that came in because they were very diligent about um
>> Yeah. He's not he's he's not taking any responsibility for the irrigation. Will we have do we have sprinkler systems? >> No. >> Oh, okay. >> No, we there's no sprinkler system. Our sprinkler systems are out in the grass outside of the building. >> Okay. >> Nothing in there. Okay.
>> And then now the drainage that would have to be you're saying there has to be some sort of drainage inside the >> There is a drain. If you look at this, there's a drain here. The storm drains in the middle. >> How good is that? >> We don't have any flooding. We don't have a problem.
>> Three the three quotes that you got when we went over to 175. >> What's that? >> Did you get three quotes? Uh and twice for 175 first. >> For 175. Yeah. 75,000. >> No, I'm I'm I'm aware this project the
first the only um estimate that I got was over 50,000. And when I realized that that's the ballpark we were in, I needed to prioritize getting the shared services agreement with the QPA so that we can move forward. >> And you put this out, the QPA's can will
they compete against each other? Um the QPA will post it on the town's website and they will collect all of the proposals. >> It'll be a competitive conflict. >> Yeah. Okay. >> The only thing I'm going to tell you and I went on the town website the other day because I'm on the shade tree commission
and we're trying to find a landscaper to plant trees. You couldn't find it on the website. >> It was not on. >> And we're going to put it on there a year ago. >> We're going to put it on our social media. >> You know what I mean? the board's going to, you know, you all are going to be
notified that that's going on. And at minimum, we would hope that we would get at least two more proposals. And the sad part about that is, do you know how many people don't know that they have to go on a website for the bids? That's is it they just don't know. I'm like, yeah,
you don't just have to go on the website, too. They go, what? So then two people told me it wasn't there. I was on it yesterday and I could not find it. Yes, >> that's probably why we can't get a landscape or two trees in Oakidge. >> Cool. Amy, >> I don't know who did Middletown Public
Library, but about a year ago, they did the whole front of their building. And they have something very similar to what you're talking about with couple of benches, a beautiful garden, a quiet area for people to just sit if you want
outside. Um, it really is lovely. I don't know who did that project, but um it's it's similar to what you're looking for. >> Yeah. And that's what the space was intended for. I I understand that the intention was to have everyone come in
and volunteer and have get their hands dirty and be involved, but unless we're going to have a person dedicated to managing that space, um we you know, I I worked at the the Ford Foundation at the very beginning of
my career. I don't know if anybody's ever seen that building. It's by the UN in Manhattan, right? The entire first floor is trees and a creek, a river. It's it's a beautiful beautiful atrium. And you know, they have an entire staff
dedicated to keeping that running smoothly. I don't I don't think that anybody could justify the, you know, commitment of taxpayer dollars to having a gardener. Um but what we can do is
make the space um minimal um maintenance required >> and that's done by you know someone had said to me oh maybe we want to do some pavers and no >> we want pavers want pavers and then we will do you know you can do five
different plant spaces there um and and make it really nice let's let's see what people can come up with but I know that there are a lot of landscapers who are very busy I worked with other landscapers to try and get other proposals and they would keep talking to me and then I would get nothing. So I
don't I don't know why >> if you don't do this now you're not getting a good you're just not right. >> I I bid out in December >> for March and April. >> Yeah. >> And I picked them in January because you're just you're going to get what's left and it's not worth anything. So,
what what I was hoping for, like I said, is just for the board to approve renovation of the garden up to 53,000 with with the use of the QPA. >> So, that way we know that we have proper oversight and the buildings and grounds
committee, I will share everything with them um with uh the QPA. So we when we post it on the town site if the QPAs don't necessarily see it, do we have a list of the QPAs throughout the state that can handle those and send it to
them directly? >> A QPA is a qualified purchasing agent. >> I know, but I'm talking about some a group that's qualified to do this work. Do we have a handle on many how many there are that will give you the quote and be able to do the
project rather than hoping they look for us as opposed to we look for them. >> Right. But a QPA doesn't give you a quote. A QPA is our town employ the actual landscape. >> Yes. The actual landscape. >> No, they have to they have to that's what I'm trying to explain to you. A contractor it it could be you could put
it on Marquee if you want. But what you have to understand something has to go on the website to bid on this. That's where unfortunately that's where the ball drops. Most contractors don't know that they have to bid on it. I'm I go through it with the shade commission
every year. We c we had an excavating company bid on planting trees. He planted nothing and held us up for six months because that's how the contract was written. So unless we and like she said put it on social media it won't get
out there. So we as a board if you know a contractor say hey by the way go I'm going to do that. I'm going to mention to two or three of my contractors by all means please go on our website and bid on this and let them do that. That's that's what we're going to have to do
because it's not readily available. >> We we'll put a link on on our page as well. Um, but I and I will tell you that one of the things slowing people down with this project is the fact that the stumps have to be hand round.
>> At least that's what people have told me. >> Um, you know, when I first got here, there was a >> because the equipment fit in through the doors. >> That's something you might want to do with the uh with the township, too. Make sure that we have the walkth through mandatory because they're not going to
get what we're dealing with. It's a very unusual space because like the stone grinder is a perfect example. >> Yeah. >> You can't get it in there and then if you do, you're going to break windows so you can't do that anyway. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um so and and I as with any
of our projects, I make sure that um DPW is engaged and involved. Um, and and I just want to take a moment to thank them again because getting that office moved, getting this renovation project done, they did all of our demolition
and and they were quick and they were responsive and they they put in electrical for us. So, DPW is definitely um helping us out. >> Who once this project is put in place, who landscapes and take care of the property? DPW does
>> the outside of the building. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And and one of the things so um our facility manager has started so we had two proposals for the the lighting renovation. Um and we've got those will
all get sent through the QPA once we get once we get this project started. Then we can get that one going. And those are the only two I see right now that we're going to need the QPA for. Um but half of our lights are out and the garden is a disaster. So once those um are done,
the electricians are kind of people are coming by and they're saying your exit signs are bright enough. Your lights outside are all knocked over. >> Exit lights here. I cannot believe this passes our fire code. We have exit light here that'll glow in the dark.
>> I have the same fire marshals. >> So we got a bad Sunday. What? >> I have the same inspectors come to my buildings. That would never pass. I I'm blown away that that's how this is. I don't know if it was I guess it's grandfathered in. I don't know how. But for some reason, electrical, we've got a
lot of people ready to come in and very excited. Landscaping's been a harder job. But this is where, like I said, if we can approve just that we're going to do the project, have the expenditure, buildings and grounds committee involved
and the QPA using the the town's QPA and I believe um Gina and Rose, you have to they need your signatures on the shared services agreement. >> Um and those can go to the town and once that's done, we should be >> okay.
>> Ready to ride. Um but if we can if we can do that vote then we can get this done and move on to um our other projects. >> Okay. So let's take a vote on providing this information to the QBA so we can move on the landscape project and the
electrical project. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Well, please. >> Sure. Uh Lynn, >> yes. >> Tom, >> yes. Uh, Teresa, >> yes. >> I'm Yes. Gina, yes. Frank, you
>> Thank you. Right. >> So, if anybody sees a nice commercial property that's just been recently done that has somebody who looks talented enough, >> look for, >> we reach out for them. >> If my antennas out
>> um Okay. Um, okay. New business. Do we have any new business? >> No business. >> Let's move on to direct, please. >> Okay. Um, I'm very excited for you all
to see this was in your packets. Um, 2025 year and review. So this is our infographic that we make for the the community with just some of our statistics and numbers for the year. And then this is sort of
the basis for our annual report. So because we were behind, we just got the 2024 annual report done. Now we're going to start getting to the 2025 annual report. So, um we can see the number of
books, the number of website views, um physical people coming in. Um and Pam's going to continue providing these numbers like uh 54,000 ebooks checked out, um 200,000 physical books checked
out. And I'm going to tell you, we are continuing to work on our statistics. um they're not reflecting, they're not making sense. So, as an example, our circulations, we know it's
busy in here and people are taking things out. So, we expect our numbers to be higher than what we're seeing. And then when we look at what we're lending to the um consortium and borrowing from the consortium, both of those numbers
have been a significant increase from the previous year. So, how could those be a significant increase, but our total circulations is not? So, we're looking into all of these things. And um Frank, I kept it in mind because I know that you're always concerned about what we're
lending as opposed to what we're borrowing. And we are only lending about 3,000 more books a year than we're borrowing. So last year was around >> um 19,000 that we lent out and 16,000
that we borrowed. So we're not that far off. >> Well, shouldn't we have um on certain books? For example, let's say we buy six copies of a book, um should there be a limit on if we have four or five of them
out only, we can only let one or two, we don't let them go into our quarter. >> We already have things done for for circulation. that's that's their business. That's what they do. So, we don't have new books, for instance. Don't go out to the other libraries right away, things like that. Um, so
yeah, I mean, we're we're being strategic with our book purchases. >> When somebody comes in for a printed book, do we when if they're looking online for it, do we also tell them if it's available as an ebook as part of that? >> Well, of course. Yeah.
>> Okay. I didn't know. >> Well, I'm just saying that's that's Library 101. So we're our our staff are well trained and they're they're on it. It's >> a lot of ebooks. >> It lists if it's a regular book, a large print book, ebook, you have your choice
of when I go on to reserve the book and listen >> working for classroom comics. >> Now that that's going to bring me to my next piece. Thank you. Um there is a an online comic books database and it is
called Comics Plus and we know that our um manga is very popular in addition to our classic comic books. It's about $3,000 a year and I'm going to add that with our online services. I won't be increasing our databases, but we're
going to do that because you can see here about a quarter of our circulations are ebooks according to this I think that number is actually I think it's closer to a third but again we're sorting through how the consortium is counting numbers and then how I know
that they should be counted. So um we're we're getting there with that. Um, one of the other databases, um, the high school just asked us, there's a database called JSTOR, very standard academic library database,
and JSTOR was very well regarded for they were the first one like you would go into like EPCO databases, if you're familiar with any of these, and they would give you like the last five years of content. JSTOR went in and did the full run back to the beginning of when
that journal was there. Well, when Morocco was out talking to um other people in similar positions to his around the state, they said that they use JSTOR. So, I contacted them and Jtore used to be incredibly expensive. This is going to be a lot of
peer-reviewed articles. So, this is going to be more heading towards AP, but also we want our um community to be looking at peer-reviewed articles if they want to. Let's give them access. So, I checked in with them and it was only $700 a year
>> for access to that. And I have to look into it. It also says that you have access to art store. Art store is about 88,000 fine art images in that database. So those are things that we're going to be adding to further collaborate with
the schools and engage the community with our online offerings. So comics are in and a hit. Okay. Um National Library Week is coming up the week of April 19th. We are planning for that. We have
activities going on um with regard to our renovation. The bathrooms are about midway through and the server closet. Server closet started today. Um, and it's impressive already. They already have the framing up for that that server
closet. Um, we have had there are a couple of little things that need to get done. There are two benches that were not um, sturdy that I sent back and the company is remanufacturing them. Um, you'll see
some tall book displays right right outside. You'll see them on your way out. Those were supposed to be slat wall to go out in our foyer so that I can take those big slat walls down because they're blocking our fan coil heating units. >> I don't know why anyone thought that
that was a good idea. Um, and this summer I am going to want to look at getting those those units replaced. Um, because I don't think they're efficient and they're they're weird. Anyway, um we're going to take a look at those things. With regard to our renovation, I
was really excited. Um I just took a picture of our new circulation desk and we put it on our social media and we have nearly 100 likes on Facebook and nearly 100 on Instagram and we haven't had a single complaint. >> Nice.
>> Um that everyone has said that they're extremely pleased with what we're doing. >> There we go. >> One complaint. Can you imagine that? >> Yeah. And and you know, a while ago, a patron had said to me, you know, we do pay a significant amount of taxes here. They deserve nice things in the library.
Absolutely. >> And that was that was really, you know, important to me. So, we're we're on our way. We're doing that. When I get back from my time away on the 26th, I'm going to be meeting with staff to go over the children's area and the reference uh the
reference and computing area so that we can get those proposals started now that we've been through this first cycle with creative library concepts. I think that we can all see how they work and the quality and how things are going so that we can move ahead with some of the other phases. And we stayed open the whole
time. >> Great. So, well done. Um ex that's exciting. Um I told some of our members we had somebody try to steal $15,000 from us. >> What? >> Um you can pass it around if you want to
look. >> Someone stole a check that was made out to one of our book distributors. They um whited out goodness >> the um typed name of the company >> and the sense
>> and and the amount of money they then hand wrote it in. And I want to shout out to um Amboy Bank. >> They caught it >> because they caught it and they sent us an email. >> That's a high amount. >> It's extremely impressive. So you'll see the accounts are crossed out on there. I
did that because I sent it out to other directors to warn them since this is, you know, we don't know. This could be an internal person at Ingram, the the book vendor. We don't know. >> So, um, and it's interesting because I believe Irene has said that they're m
they're not answering her, right? >> Yeah. >> She contacted them to find out what's going on and they haven't answered part, which is very interesting. >> A smart person in there. I thought they were really smart. So the the main book vendor for the entire country went out of business
>> and upset the entire apple cart of book vendors. So somebody could be seeing a whole lot of cash now flowing in and might have decided nobody's going to notice >> being noticed, right? >> I don't know. >> Wow. Um, I did order furniture for um
new furniture for um Irene's office, the finance office, because that furniture was very fitted to that room, and that room's being completely redesigned. Um, so that was about $6,000. The p price of office furniture
>> drives me a little crazy, but it is what it is, >> right? Um, I am in the middle of re-evaluating our copier contract. I don't know if anyone else has faced this particular torture. Um, but they are
kind of notorious for coming in. Our IT manager has met with one of them and I'm going through it and we'll go through it with Irene tomorrow. So, we might be making some >> Xerox. >> Xerox. And I you know what they're what
they're saying is that so we have two copers that we own that are past end of life and they don't really work and they're in the work room. They're not we have a copier and administration that we love because it works well. So I'm
loathed to mess with that. But um they're coming in and saying that uh what we're paying for overage now is higher and with the leases we'll be paying about a a less a little like $700 $800 a month less if we go
with their plan. I will be asking a lot of questions but I just want you to know that we're taking a look and I'll be involving Irene. So I'm I'm glad that and Xerox's service has not been the best. No. >> So, I will be um I will be pulling Irene
heavily into that uh convers. They're pretty good. We use Matyson to do our repairs. Um they're up in North Jersey. Um the only thing that I've noticed is that the copers are getting smaller and smaller and I'm fine with that except they do less and less.
>> Oh wow. >> Yeah. That just it just drives me crazy. >> Okay. So, it's >> and and that's, you know, like I said, the copier that we have, that big one, it works well >> and it doesn't typically need um service. So, I'm I'm loathed to let go
that. Do we need to replace the the printers and things in the other in the staff work area? >> Yes, we do. >> Those are old, right? >> They're ancient. They're ancient. >> Copy machines always troublesome district.
And then they expend we'll buy you out of your contract. You'll pay nothing and we'll come to the zero repair person because I always respect forever fixing >> because they're so they're sensitive to the size of paper that you put in there.
If you put too thick of a paper, it's not going to work. You put too thin of a paper it jumbles up with the rest of them. Always taking it apart. >> I say we go back to those machines. Boom. Oh, I love that smell.
>> Um, we're getting um just some new carts. Our carts are I think they're old. I think they're from the old building. So, um we're we're working on that. Um and um
>> I'm just looking at the the EMX auction for the election. Nothing on that yet. >> Nothing. No. EMX is the yeah the the rates for um energy and nothing's come in. Um did anybody have any questions from the director's report?
>> Okay. So if the worker Oh, and um Frank, this is your night tonight because your um vision has come true. Um the emergency messaging for the library is now set to go. So, you can sign up on the library's website um to get an an
SMS, a text to your phone if we ever have an emergency closing or a delayed opening from weather related emergencies, power outages, things like that. So, like the police station has, we now have that system in place and
about 50 people have signed up in the two days that it's been on there. So hopefully hopefully we get more and we you know the more important part is that we have a place to direct people. Um all right and um our Friday programming I'm very excited. I put in I wrote in
here for everyone we have a lot going on on Friday nights and that may sound strange but we just had 85 people >> in for weird future program. Our crafts on Friday nights are happening. If we're going to be open I want to be busy.
>> Yeah. Um and giving people a place to go, particularly in this economy, giving our people a ch, you know, alcohol consumption is on the decline. Not everybody wants to go and be out on Friday nights around that scene. So,
giving people a place to go, but karaoke, trivia, things where we're engaging people with learning and sharing and connecting um on the library's terms. And it's also going to be that we make the way that we make sure that we're serving our adults. Um,
and then the emergency switchound in the offices, we had so much going on and I knew I was going to have to move out of my office temporarily. So, I just thought why not do the work to get ready for the social worker now. So, that office is now set
up with phone data line. The cabling is done. Um, and I can show you that space. Right. >> Any other questions for me? >> No. >> All right.
So, building new grounds, we don't really have anything other than the projects that we loaded up. >> Yep. That was building the grounds was the atrium. Yeah. >> Yeah. um finance committee finance committee. >> Yeah, I mean um we're looking into the
chart of accounts and still working but uh don't really have anything to report there. >> Well, I know you had something on outreach. >> I do. I have some stuff. So, um a very special thank you to Dawn for hosting the mayor's health and wellness council
here on Monday. >> That's about to come. We had a beautiful turnout. I forgot >> you. I'm going to do everybody. I'm going to send I'm going to send out the little reminders and and I have to be honest. So, a lot of times I just do text messaging like the week before and remind everybody. And then this time I
was like, you know, I'm going to do emails now. I know I'm going to do the text message back to the text message because I get a a quicker response. People just see it on their phone quicker than seeing the email. But um it was really great and I I have to tell you so it's so great to have Dawn up
there with her excitement of all the programs. Like it was so sincere and she just went through each and every single one of the programs and everybody in the room is like oh wow because there's so much here with so much more than just the books and it was such a great
opportunity to share that. So the whole outreach and networking thing is very important to continue forward with that. um her staff is really amazing, too. So, I have to tell you, um that Lauren sent me right away. She's keeping me updated with everything that's going on. So,
this is in June. We do have time for this, but I will leave this here so you guys can take some copies. They're hosting Hackin Sack Meridian is bringing their um their van over to the um Lawrence Harbor location, so they're providing some really nice well-rounded
services for the community there as well. Um, and then Pam was able to share with me that she was actually invited to speak on a panel uh for I think I said the librarian. Um, hold on. I I don't
want to get this wrong because I like that they are recognizing her work. Um, it was the Oh, I'm sorry. Where is it? >> You mean the NJA conference? >> Yes. Thank you. The conferences. There
it is. So, they invited her to speak on the panel uh regarding the newsletter and I did bring in copies. I know Dawn had and I sold them from the other night, but here's some copies if you want to newsletters >> and those are available by email as well. >> But, you know, so they they were
recognizing the fact that the work she's been doing with this is exceptional in comparison to some of the other branches. So, they allow her the opportunity to speak on how she's doing it, exactly how she's running it, what what content goes in there. Um, and it's
up and running and it's, you know, it's wonderful. It's a wonderful addition. And like Don said, you can re, you can go online and get copies of it as well or the hard copies here. And just just to let everybody know, this really is I I love the collaboration on this because everyone contributes an article every
month. If you look on the back, you'll see my notes or things like that. And we have themes. There's something from you services every month. Um Pam picks a different theme every month and then she corrals everyone in to to getting this all put together and making sure that it
looks nice. What most libraries are doing now is they're just sending out an email with a list of all of their events and it's not a newsletter like this which is actually engaging people and you know there are different topics
discussed. there's it it's very very different what she's doing >> and it's excellent and it's great to see. So when I did the um the training that I did for the board of trustees that time I I noticed at that time they was speaking about all the different
branches and I never heard Oldbridge and it was so frustrating to me because I know we do a lot of really great stuff here but now I think that we have that forward steam that momentum going that Dawn and her staff are really excelling at so much and it's so nice to see that
and to hear that they were asked her to be on a panel because I think that's important because it's showing that we are leaders and doing things right. Um, so in terms of outreach, you know, I'll start working more and more with them. I'm also collaborating on bringing in savvy seniors is going to be a program.
I have professor Kier coming in. So I've been working at chain on that that's for our seniors. Um, and then we're also doing a parent cafe. So you know, we'll be advertising all that. So another great way for networking. So that's pretty much I just found out one of my
residences is is instructor. >> Oh wow. I had a whole wheel through a meeting. She goes miss. Love it. We just did our first branding. So when you look at our budget, one of the things, one of the lines that we're
going to be changing is it says literacy and we don't have a literacy program here anymore. What I did was transfer that money over to the English as a second language program and we're doing a little bit of branding for them. They
um are getting tote bags and it's old bridge ESL and really showing that and then you know eventually we'll want to take a look at citizenship classes because other libraries that have ESL have citizenship classes and things like
that. So, the ESL program is very well regarded and they started um conversation sessions as well. So, >> here I can give you the next flyer the next month, but I will send out a reminder. Frank, I'll send you one.
They're going to have a hard copy and I don't need one. >> She I just I'm her secretary 247. >> All right. Uh personnel negotiation. discuss that >> policy anything up for policy. >> No, we haven't started yet.
>> Okay. And technology was on the technology. >> Nothing more. >> Um and and I did um just to ask for the the finance committee if we're doing any review of the draft budget that I said.
>> No, I was going to um >> Okay. And and just one other thing with that is that the process has been previously that the executive assistant for finance would do a drop off of um checks and
things like that at the treasur's home and that is a liability. Um and I don't know that we can expect a new executive assistant for finance to do that. >> So we need to take a look at having the checks signed here in the library. And I
know that that's been extremely difficult for our treasurer to get to. So that's something that I hope that um the finance committee will be able to address. It's certainly not my place to do that, but I want to make you aware that um it's something that will be
coming up. Irene will be here for one more check signing and then when it comes to our checks for May, we'll need to have a solution. >> This is the treasurer of township. No, the library's treasurer.
>> Oh, okay. Yeah. So, we will um Yep. Just wanted to put that on everyone's radar. >> Do we have any public? I don't think so. We didn't. >> No, no, we have no public. >> Okay. >> Participants. No.
>> Is there participants? No. looking like. >> All right. >> The body of one. >> Can I get a motion to end the meeting? >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second. All in favor? >> All in favor?
Yes. >> All right.