Glen Ridge library board adopts 2024 budget, honors retiring president Harpster and VP Rush
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The board formally adopted the 2024 budget as presented, with total planned spending of $881,358, built around a 3% staff salary increase and a 7.5% jump in medical benefit costs; the Treasurer noted the November bills list included a $138,728 second construction payment to GJG Construction, and that the Town Council had approved both the library's shared services agreement and Film Fund monies including $3,000 for the Selected Shorts event. Acceptance of the November Treasurer's Report itself was deferred after a QuickBooks glitch left the report incomplete.
In an emotional session, the board formally recognized two retiring trustees with adopted resolutions: Vice President Harry Rush, stepping down after 10 years of service, and President Carol Harpster, retiring after 20 years, 17 of them as board president. In executive session the board also approved a token of appreciation for Library Director Tina Marie Doody for her leadership during what Harpster's resolution called "a tumultuous year." Separately, the board discussed whether Glen Ridge should adopt a "book sanctuary" ordinance, as Chicago, Hoboken, Montclair and Millburn have done, and concluded it would be redundant given the library's existing collection-management practices.
On buildings and grounds, construction remained on pace for end-of-year completion, with bathroom fixtures and a water fountain installing December 15 and the new chiller going in December 27 (requiring a crane); some shelving and furniture may slip into the first quarter of 2024. The trustee search committee reported 11 candidates under consideration from 18 applications, with a goal of finalizing recommendations before the December 27 Town Council meeting — prompting plans for a special board meeting later in December.
Trustee Damein Phoenix arrived partway through the meeting, after the votes on the minutes, the November bills list, and the 2024 budget; those items passed without his vote (not counted as a dissent or abstention), and every vote that evening was otherwise unanimous.
What to watch
- Special board meeting planned in December to finalize trustee search recommendations ahead of the December 27 Town Council meeting
- Chiller installation December 27, requiring a crane
- Some furniture/shelving installation may be delayed into Q1 2024
- Friends of the Library annual appeal continuing toward its $15,000 goal ($7,900 raised as of this meeting)