Minutes of Meeting

Kent Memorial Library Commission

January 10, 2012

First National Bank Conference Room

Lynne Cigal called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.

I Roll Call

Present: Mike Alexopoulos, Mel Chafetz, Lynne Cigal, Sam Coatti, Joe Grimard, Claire Kawalec, Bruce Rietberg, Bob White, and Joyce Wilson.

Absent: David Battle, Jason Lobo, and Chris Rago.

Also Present: Library Director Jim McShane

II Public Participation None

Bob White made the motion, seconded by Joe Grimard, to move the election of officers to the beginning of the meeting. The motion passed. Mel Chafetz then presented the slate of officers: President, Lynne Cigal; Vice-President, Bob White; Treasurer, Mike Alexopoulos; Secretaty, Joyce Wilson. Sam Coatti made the motion, seconded by Bob White, to approve the slate of officers. The motion passed unanimously.

III Minutes

Sam Coatti made the motion, seconded by Claire Kawalec, to accept the November 8, 2011 minutes. The motion passed unanimously.

IV Communication Received None

V Report of the Director

· The roof of the Kent Memorial Library is now watertight. Workers will return in the spring to put a membrane on. The metal roofing structure is complete. The small clerestory windows will be installed in 2 to 3 days. The interior painting is almost complete; the interior bays of skylights and the interior concrete light monitors still need to be completed. The site work and landscaping work has not been done. Hopefully, all the interior work will be completed by the end of next week.

· Shelving has been ordered.

· The Director gave Ed McAnaney and Joanne Sullivan a tour of the library. The first selectman mentioned the need for replacing the HVAC and heating systems.

· The Permanent Building Committee is recommending the town focus on the outside of the library, specifically replacing windows and repointing granite.

· Eagle Flooring will soon submit estimates for refurbishing sections of the hardwood flooring, carpeting, and tile.

· The Taylor Bryan Company continues to provide interior design advice.

· This is an anniversary year for the Kent Memorial Library.

· The Friends of the Kent Memorial Library are trying to raise money for a reference desk in the children’s area.

Following a discussion during which the Director outlined the furniture needs of the Library, Mel Chafetz made the motion, seconded by Joe Grimard, that the Library Commission authorize spending up to $57,000 to purchase furniture for the library. All voted in favor of the motion with the exception of Bob White who abstained.

VI Standing Committees

Building and Grounds

Bob White, Mike Alexopoulos and Mel Chafetz will schedule a time to meet.

Finance

After Mike Alexopoulos reported that the Library Commission’s financial advisor from Merrill Lynch recommended reallocating some investments, Mel Chafetz made the recommendation, seconded by Claire Kawalec, that capital funds be moved into an investment pattern similar to that of the endowment funds. The motion passed unanimously.

VII Unfinished Business

The full staff is prepared to return to work once the Library reopens.

VIII New Business

Mel reported that the Foundation plans to conduct a fundraiser this spring for the purpose of replacing the exterior doors of the Library.

The focus in the coming year will be on the renovation and reopening of the Library. Sam Coatti is working with the Director to plan two events to celebrate the Library’s reopening. They will coordinate the dates with town officials.

Bruce Rietberg made the motion, seconded by Claire Kawalec, to go into executive session at 8:55 P.M. The motion passed. The session concluded at 9:05 P.M.

The next meeting of the Library Commission will be February 14, 2012 at 7 P.M.

IX Adjournment

Mel Chafetz made the motion, seconded by Bruce Rietberg, to adjourn at 9:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce M. Wilson

January 19, 2012