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| Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors Actions |
SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 4, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Mohan Tracy, Chair; Stan Siegel; Charles McMullen; Mary Pugh; Mary
Mann; Lee Levey; Jannie Williams.
STAFF: Les Kozerowitz, Library Director; Dave Hepworth.
OTHERS: Mayor Alex Knopp.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by the Chair.
CHAIRPERSON’S REMARKS
The Chair thanked everyone for attending this Special Meeting, noting that Mrs. Vetter and Mrs. D’Amato were unable to attend due to previous engagements.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The Chair said that the Nominating Committee had put forth the following slate of officers:
President Mohan Tracy
Vice President Mary Pugh
Secretary Stan Siegel
Treasurer Jannie Williams
** MR. LEVEY MOVED TO ELECT THE RECOMMENDED SLATE OF OFFICERS.
** MS. MANN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Kozerowitz distributed copies of the updated Board member list; Mr. Siegel pointed out that this list in is contained in the new Board manual.
Mr. Kozerowitz passed out information, at Ms. Harris’s request, on the Back-to-School Kickoff Conference at NCC sponsored by the NAACP.
Mr. Kozerowitz asked everyone to consider the purchase of a fixture with a slat wall design with Lucite pockets (sized to hold various sized handouts) for the front lobby. He will request $2,100 at the September meeting to purchase this item.
OLD BUSINESS
21ST CENTURY FUND REPORT
Mr. Siegel reviewed the proposed press release regarding the election of officers.
At 7:10 p.m., Mayor Knopp arrived to participate in this item.
The bricks were next discussed. Mr. Siegel recommended $150 charging $150 per brick. The Fund has $40,000 in the bank with another $20,000-$30,000 expected shortly. Devine Bros. will donate 600 blank bricks, which will be used for the walkway and then replaced with printed bricks. They almost have a commitment from the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee to donate a flagpole, and they might decide to charge a premium for bricks at the flagpole circle. Otherwise, there will be a random placement of the bricks. Mr. Siegel said that other organizations have charged $25 to $500 250 per brick.
Mayor Knopp said this was a great idea and he would buy the first brick. He suggested the printing on the bricks be limited to a person’s name and that company or corporate bricks be sold at $500. Mr. Siegel said that was a good idea and would be taken under advisement.
** MR. SIEGEL MOVED TO SET THE PRICE OF THE BRICKS AT $150.
** MR. MCMULLEN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO VOTES IN OPPOSITION (MS. WILLIAMS, MS. TRACY).
Mr. Siegel said it will be known that any and all contributions will be recognized.
Mr. Siegel suggested there be a press conference held at 10 a.m. on the morning of the September Board meeting (Sept. 8th) with Mayor Knopp announcing the Buy-A-Brick Program and kicking off the drive by laying some already-sold bricksceremonial bricks. Ms. Pugh suggested that the names of those who have already bought bricks be read at this conference, but Mr. Siegel said there would not be enough time.
Mr. Siegel said that the Board should itself purchase four bricks to honor Mayor Knopp, the Second Taxing District, the State Librarian and Baywater Properties.
** MR. LEVEY MOVED TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 8TH AT 10 A.M.
** MR. MCMULLEN SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Siegel said that the architect is working on the specs for the base of the flagpole. The Veterans Memorial Committee wants a flag and a ceremony at which they would honor the 3 ROTC organizations at the high schools, the flag would come from one that flew over the White House and the two high school bands would participate in the ceremony. He said that there should be a separate press conference for the dedication of the flagpole, noting that the Veterans Memorial Committee will not vote on this plan until September 6th.
Ms. Mann said she liked the fact that the bands would be participating and that the ROTC would be honored.
Mr. Siegel said every year the library takes an ad in the Norwalk High School Marching Bears program. Mr. Kozerowitz has suggested using that full-page ad to salute the band and the high school, as well as to sell bricks. If they are asked by McMahon, they will also advertise in their program as well. There was Board consensus to use this space to advertise.
Discussion next centered on the circle area. One idea was to have a corporation make a contribution. There may also be a sculpture and/or a bench in this area.
Mr. Siegel that for $33, they can pay for a 12” X 18” magnetic sign for the door of the van that says “buy a brick”. Mr. Levey said that was too small; Mr. Siegel will look into the idea of a larger one.
Mr. Siegel said that the Library has joined the Sono Business Association, which he felt could be piggybacked into networking with Association members.
Mayor Knopp congratulated the Board members, said their plans were fabulous and left the meeting.
Mr. Siegel said a good method of publicity would be to write a Letter to the Editor.
Mr. Siegel next reviewed the Web Site, which he said is working very well. He noted that many prestigious libraries have separate Web sites for their boards of directors, which he thought was a very good idea. The cost would be approximately $20/month.
** MR. LEVEY MOVED THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALLOT +$20 A MONTH TO MAINTAIN
A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WEB SITE.
** MR. SIEGEL SECONDED.
Mr. Siegel reviewed the proposed Web site.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISTRIBUTION OF BOARD MANUAL/BYLAWS
The manual/bylaws document was distributed. The Chair asked Mr. Siegel to delegate jobs to Board members. Mr. Siegel said he would be happy to do so as necessary.
Discussion took place on the plans/logistics of the press conference in September, whether or not to have a booth at the Oyster Festival on September 8th, 9th and 10th. The issue is being able to man it. The Friends and Mr. McMullen have said they would help man the booth. Mr. Siegel will obtain information on the Community Booth, as opposed to a separate booth, which is also quite pricey. Another idea is to have information distributed at the Rotary booth when it is being staffed by Mr. Kozerowitz and Mr. Siegel.
Mr. Siegel said he would present a plan for October at the September meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. LEVEY MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. SIEGEL SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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