New Berlin Library Board Meeting Minutes
November 26, 2025
Present:
George Anderson, President
Darla Smith, Vice President
Abigail Magrath, Secretary
Donna Wells, Treasurer
Jill Robinson, Trustee
Also Present:
Michelle Priola, Director
George Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:58 pm.
George Anderson made a motion to close the NBT savings account. Darla Smith seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
Darla Smith made a motion to hire Paul Rowe as the new bookkeeper beginning on January 1, 2026. George Anderson seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
Jill Robinson made a motion to approve the minutes for September. George Anderson seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
Jill Anderson made a motion to discard an 8 year old laptop. Abigail Magrath seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
George Anderson made a motion to exceed the tax cap. Donna Wells seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
Special Q and A with Paul Rowe (new bookkeeper effective January 1, 2026):
Donna Wells will remain the treasurer. Paul Rowe will assume the bookkeeping duties. Going forward, Michelle will email all bills to Paul. He will utilize Quick Books. He will do payroll with Donna’s login information. New checks will need to be ordered. Two signers are required for each check. Michelle will mail the checks out. All information to the state will be handled by Michelle. The board will be responsible for banking and the CDs. Paul will be responsible for bills and checks.
Treasurer’s Report:
Donna Wells presented the treasurer’s report. No concerns or errors were found.
Director’s Report:
Michelle Priola presented the director’s report.
Three pieces of antique currency (1862, 1863, and 1917) were stolen. The incident was caught on camera and a police report was filed. An arrest was made. An appraisal for $750 was made by Buzz Hesse. The individual was arrested and a trial date was set for the beginning of December.
The Fall Chase art class was moved from October to November due to COVID.
The food drive received 226 items and no fines were forgiven. Two assumed lost books were returned.
Santa and pictures at Chase Nursing Home will take place on December 21.
The library is currently having a winter coloring contest for ages 12 and under.
Christmas children and family art class will be sponsored by the Art Forum on December 22 at 5:00 PM.
In January, there will be an art class at Chase, an adult art class at the library, and a children’s snowman art class at the library.
A $1,000 grant was awarded to the library to be used for the Summer Art Program. The Art Forum has also agreed to partially sponsor the program. Holiday Match Grant opens Thursday. Michelle will apply for this as well.
Chenango County Codes Enforcement visited the library. The egress light in the back stairwell is out. A new battery was purchased and the DPW installed.
The used book sale brought in $101.25.
Roof repairs have been completed. Solar panels reinstallation is complete and final payment has been sent. There is no update to exterior painting at this time.
George Anderson’s term expires on 12/31/25. Elections will be held the first two weeks of December and will be tallied at the organizational meeting (Tuesday 12/30/25 at 6:00PM).
Executive Session:
At 6:47 Donna Wells made a motion to go into executive session. Darla Smith seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
At 6:49 Jill Robinson made a motion to go out of executive session. Darla Smith seconded it. Motion passes 5-0.
The meeting concluded at 6:49 PM.