Library Board Accepts Matched $247K State Bond Funding for Building Upgrades
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Trustees voted 8-0, with Matthew Murphy abstaining, to approve the February 8, 2023 meeting minutes. The board's main business centered on the borough matching a $247,000 Library Bond Act grant from the state, earmarked for accessibility and space upgrades: a second accessible restroom and water-bottle filling station on the first floor, relocating the tech center to a more visible spot, and creating a small third-floor conference room plus two study rooms. The board unanimously adopted Resolution 2023-09 accepting the Bond Act funding and voted unanimously to amend architect Dan Kopec's contract by up to $7,000 from Trustee Operating: Building funds to continue plan development.
The finance committee's recommendations were approved unanimously across the board: the February 2023 bills list, the February Treasurer's Report, and an amendment to the January 2023 bills list to add a previously omitted $115 New Jersey State League of Municipalities invoice. Trustees also unanimously adopted a combined full-time/part-time Personnel Manual effective March 2023, following review by trustee and attorney Tina Payne.
The library reported it is migrating its email service from Jersey Connect to BCCLS, with staff and trustees to receive new addresses under the BCCLS domain (with redirects for patron convenience). The board discussed the March 25th launch of the library's new locker pavilion — addressing a top patron request for off-hours access — with bookmarks and locker keychains planned for the celebration. On correspondence, the board noted a packet of letters from Montclair Co-op School students and said "potentially concerning" newsletter material from a New York man would be shared with the Glen Ridge Chief of Police.
What to watch
- Continued work with architect Dan Kopec on library building plans funded by the matched state Bond Act grant
- March 25th grand opening of the library's new locker pavilion
- Newsletter correspondence from a New York individual referred to the Glen Ridge Chief of Police