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| Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors Actions |
SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Mohan Tracy, President; Mary Mann; Stan Siegel, Secretary; Charles McMullen; Lori Torrano (7:10 p.m.); Grace Vetter; Jannie Williams (7:55 p.m.)
STAFF: Les Kozerowitz; Dave Hepworth; Frank Ferro
OTHER: Carolyn Marr, Telesco Secretarial Services
CALL TO ORDER
President Tracy called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
MINUTES OF AUGUST 10, 2006
The corrections to the minutes are as follows:
Mr. Siegel submitted an e-mail that outlined some corrections Ms. Williams wished to make to the June 8, 2006 minutes. It was agreed that as the minutes had already been approved, the corrections would be noted for the record as an observation of a board member. They are:
Change “Ms. Vetter suggested a book cover for the children attending the event.” to “Ms. Williams suggested a book cover for the children attending the event.” (As Ms. Williams recalls, she made the suggestion, not Ms. Vetter.)
Change “Ms. Williams reported that the Committee has met with Joseph Mastrianno from A.G. Edwards and discussed moving some of the funds from their current plan to Edwards. The money would be placed in a merit fund. The majority of the funds would stay with the present investor in short term CDs.” to “Ms. Williams reported that the Committee has met with Joseph Mastrianno from A.G. Edwards and discussed move all of the funds from their current plan to A.G. Edwards. The money would be placed in a merit fund. The majority of the funds would be placed in short term CDs with A.G. Edwards.” (As the Finance discussed moving all of the funds but placing the majority in short term CDs.)
On page 2, under Old Business, Building & Land Use Committee, 1st paragraph, 1st sentence, change “Mail” to “Main”.
On page 2, under Old Business, Building & Land Use Committee, 3rd paragraph, last sentence, change “serve and a non-Board member” to “serve as a non-Board member”.
On page 3, 5th paragraph, change “Stewey” to “Stewie”.
On page 3, 6th paragraph, 2nd sentence, change “Governor.Rell” to “Governor Rell”.
On page 4, 3rd paragraph, change both mentions of the word “few” to “flew”.
Ms. Torrano arrived at 7:10 p.m.
** Mr. McMullen MOVED to APPROVE the Minutes of August 10, 2006 as amended.
** Ms. Mann SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED with one (1) abstention (Vetter).
ANNOUNCEMENTS (MOHAN TRACY)
President Tracy said that Ms. Williams will be arriving later in the meeting, and she will give her report then. She said that on August 30, they named the Children’s Department at the South Norwalk Library as the “Stew Leonard’s III Children’s Library”. Senator Robert Duff, Mr. Siegel, Mr. McMullen, Mr. Kozerowitz, and Ms. Pugh were in attendance. The murals in the Children’s Room were painted by an artist from Stew Leonard’s.
PRESIDENT’S REMARKS (MOHAN TRACY)
President Tracy said she that she didn’t have any remarks.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT (LES KOZEROWITZ)
Mr. Kozerowitz said they have spent much of the last month interviewing for the three vacant positions. He said they hope to have it finished by the end of next week. He said it’s been difficult to operate with the three vacancies and having to send staff back to the South Norwalk branch. He said that Mr. Levey sent his regrets that he was unable to attend this evening. Mr. Kozerowitz provided the drawings for the entryway project. He said they are moving along with the project, and the bid specifications from the architect have been received. It should be advertised within the next week or two.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that Mr. Mike Hanafee, a loyal library user, is an employee of L&L Evergreen who got them to donate the plants and trees. A crew spent an entire day planting the shrubs and trees. He said it was a magnificent gesture on L&L’s part. L&L would be willing to donate bulbs if volunteers would plant them.
Mr. Kozerowitz said that Mayor Moccia did appoint, and the Common Council,
did approve a replacement to the Board for the vacancy left by Mr. Levey’s resignation.
Ms. Regina Krummel is the new member of the Library Board.
Ms. Torrano asked if it would be appropriate to publicly thank L&L Evergreen
for their generous donation of shrubs and trees, and planting services. Mr.
Siegel said they would mention it in a press release, as well as write a letter
to the Editor.
President Tracy said that the Garden Club would be willing to plant the bulbs that will be donated by L&L Evergreen. She said the Garden Club will maintain it for the summer.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Friends Board Meeting (Frank Ferro/Stan Siegel)
Mr. Siegel said both he and Mr. Ferro attended the meeting on Monday night, and he said the Friends of the Norwalk Public Library Treasury is doing very well. They are planning a book sale for the end of October, which will also include a special Children’s Book Sale on Thursday before the start of the regular Book Sale. He said that Mr. Jeff Conrad is the new President of the Friends.
Mr. Ferro said that Mr. Ralph Bloom suggested that some artwork be placed
in the two front rooms, specifically one in the reading room over the fireplace.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Siegel said that the Library hosted a memorial service on Sunday for Ms. Silvia Singerman Siegel, a former Board Member of the Library and former Norwalk resident. Contributions in her name, in the form of donations to the Friends of the Norwalk Public Library, have already been received.
Mr. Siegel said that the 12-page insert for the Hour, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is now 16 pages and has been moved to Saturday. They will be handing out the inserts as souvenirs at the grand opening on Saturday. He distributed souvenir bookmarks and Library license plate frames to everyone.
a. Marketing/21st Century Fund (Stan Siegel)
b. SNBL Reopening Plans/progress
Mr. Siegel said that Congressman Christopher Shays will be at the opening, and he will give the Library a flag that flew over the Capitol Building. He will provide a certificate of proof to the Library. He mentioned that there will be an essay contest for children, named “Norwalk Public Library ‘Read’ Essay Contest”, which asks for testimony as to how the Norwalk Public Library touches lives. There will be three categories, Juvenile (12 and under), Young Adult (13-19 years old) and Adult (20 and older). The Juvenile category will be 150 words; the Young Adult category will be 250 words, and the Adult category is 750 words. The first prize is a $100 savings bond, second prize is a $50 savings bond, and one finalist in each category will get a $25 savings bond. Anyone can enter with the exception of the Norwalk Public Library staff and Board and their families. The essays will be evaluated by Norwalk Public Library librarians and selected by a panel of prominent area authors. Essays will be due by November 1, 2006.
Mr. Siegel reviewed the timeframe for the day’s events, which include the driveway being closed at 7:00 a.m. except for the food delivery from Stew Leonard’s. The food will be under two tents in the parking lot. The keyboardist, Chris Coogan, will perform in the parking lot. The ceremonies will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Mayor Moccia cutting the ribbon and making a speech. Other dignitaries may make speeches as well. Ms. Torrano said the Police Department will have an officer on duty from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. At 12:00 noon, two members of the Connecticut National Guard along with 4 members of the Norwalk High School Junior ROTC, will raise the flag. The library tours will be held from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. There won’t be book-borrowing services available on Saturday. He mentioned that First Lady Laura Bush wrote a nice note commending them for the event. He said her picture will be framed and put on the Wall of Fame. He reviewed the list of attendees, noting that it’s possible that all five of the former Mayors will be there. They have received a $10,000 contribution from Spinnaker Real Estate Partners. Mr. Siegel said that the Library offered to name an area within the Library commemorating the donation, but he said that Spinnaker didn’t feel it was necessary, and it wasn’t a condition of the donation.
Mr. Siegel invited the Board members to a flagpole ceremony at the Norwalk Public Library Community Room on October 10th, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in honor of the Knights of Columbus contribution.
Ms. Williams arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Mr. Siegel acknowledged the library staff members for their efforts in getting
the library to the point where it is today.
c. Finance Committee Report (Jannie Williams)
Ms. Williams discussed the fund move from Wachovia to A.G. Edwards. She said
they are a good, steady company with an excellent customer service department.
She explained that some of the funds would be put in to a cd, and some of the
funds would be put into a growth fund.
** Mr. Siegel MOVED to adopt the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
** Ms. Vetter SECONDED.
Ms. Torrano explained that A.G. Edwards has an overarching conservative philosophy.
She said that the person who would handle the account has been there over 20
years and is a former City employee who understands Norwalk and understands
that they would like to have the funds invested conservatively, such as cd’s,
short-term treasuries, and maybe a small portion for growth. It is now completely
invested and is primarily equity based. There was some discussion regarding
the decision to move the funds to A.G. Edwards, as well as investment decisions
overall. Ms. Vetter asked if the current company had been consulted about this,
and Ms. Williams replied that they had been consulted and didn’t come back with
any options. They have just one family of mutual funds sponsored by a bank.
Ms. Torrano said that A.G. Edwards doesn’t have any proprietary products to
sell, such as a bank would.
It was mentioned that they are not locked into anything. There would be no cost
increase in moving to A.G. Edwards.
** Motion PASSED unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
** Mr. Siegel MOVED to ADJOURN.
** Mr. McMullen SECONDED.
** Motion PASSED Unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, subject to Board approval:
Stanley M. Siegel, Secretary, Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors
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