Minutes
Mary E. Seymour Memorial Free Library
December 12, 2024
The Mary E. Seymour Board of Trustees met at the Cassadaga Branch Library at 10 AM.
Attending were Stephanie Banaszak, Donald Banaszak, Kathleen George, Janet Ferry, Cheryl Beichner (via telephone conference call), Barbara Mallette, Steve Wickmark, Outgoing Library Director Brette Hindman (1st hour), and Senior Clerk Bobbie Caswell (2nd hour).
Absent was Lisa Monacelli.
Minutes from the November 12, 2024 minutes were not available. Cheryl Beichner will email them; the Board can edit as needed and/or accept as published.
Treasurer Report was presented by Kathleen George, Treasurer.
- To date, the library received the $62,000 check from Cassadaga Valley Central School District from property taxes
- The library received $8,000 from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) grant for matching funds for handicapped accessibility state grant proposal. If this grant is not funded, NCCF funds will be used for some accessibility modifications
- Checkbook balance as of 11/31/2024 is $82,000.
- The Board is still seeking someone to keep the library’s books as well as someone to complete tax forms.
- FYI in January 2025, Town of Stockton rent will increase 3%
Brief Library Director Report presented orally by Outgoing Director Brette Hindman
- About 60 people attended the Light Up Cassadaga on December 7th
- Internet connectivity was down on Monday and Wednesday for parts of the day, supposedly due to a Spectrum issue.
Current Business:
- Temporary Closure of the Seymour: Conversation with Jan Dekoff indicated that the Board could temporarily close the Seymour. Signs will be posted, Facebook page, and our website will include this temporary closure. Cassadaga will be open Monday through Friday 12-6 pm; Saturday 10 am 2 pm. Mail will be forwarded to Cassadaga; hold deliveries will be handled by the new Director.
- Two Board members’ terms need to be renewed: Kathy George and Lisa Monacelli. A motion to renew these terms was made by Steve Wickmark and seconded by Barbara Mallette. The two renewals were approved unanimously by the Board.
- With Brett Hindman’s resignation, the Board interviewed Bobbie Caswell, Senior Clerk, and offered her the Director’s position. She accepted the offer and will serve a probationary period for 6 months at $18/hour effectively immediately.
- Bobbie and Janet are interviewing two potential clerks this afternoon. If hired, they will start immediately at $16/hour so that scheduled staff time off is covered. Bobbie will oversee training of the new staff.
- Steve and Barbara agreed to be trained to check in/out books so that Library has backups in case of staff absence(s).
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 14th at Cassadaga at 10 am.
Meeting adjourned 11:49 am
Respectfully submitted
Barbara Mallette, Substitute for Cheryl Beichner Secretary