NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Public Library Board of Trustees unanimously approved changes to its endowment spending policy Sept. 16 and voted to close the library on Dec. 26, while also receiving updates on a laptop loan program and efforts to address persistent humidity problems inside the library.
The board also approved its 2027 meeting schedule after changing its April meeting date to avoid Passover and met in executive session for a personnel discussion. No votes or motions were taken during the closed session.
Trustees reviewed proposed changes to the library's endowment spending policy and agreed to change the phrase "an investment fund" to "each investment fund" to account for endowment funds with designated uses.
Vice President Katy Francis moved to accept the spending policy as amended, and Walter Bayer seconded. The motion passed unanimously, according to the minutes.
Trustees also unanimously approved closing the library Saturday, Dec. 26.
Library Director Kathy Reilly requested the closure because the library has historically experienced very low patronage that day, according to the minutes. Bayer moved to approve the 2026 holiday hours and Dec. 26 closure, with Francis seconding.
The board separately approved its 2027 meeting schedule. Trustees noted that the March meeting falls on St. Patrick's Day and that the originally proposed April meeting falls during Passover. They agreed to move the April meeting to April 14.
Jeni Cramer moved to approve the schedule and Sandy Ivler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
In her director's report, Reilly told trustees that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had offered a program providing 19 laptops for loans to eligible participants. According to the minutes, participants would have an opportunity to own the computers at the conclusion of the five-year loan program.
Reilly also reported that a new fuel tank had been installed in the library basement and an HVAC compressor part had been replaced. The library is expected to receive a new printer after its current lease expires and will work with Base Inc., according to the minutes.
The town's facilities department has also been working with the library to address an ongoing humidity problem.
Bayer moved to approve the director's report, Francis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board's personnel and policy committee reported that it met Aug. 26 to review the library's social media policy.
Board President Paul Partelow presented the treasurer's report in Treasurer Sharon Chamberlin's absence. He reported that the library's accounts were down 1.45 percent, which the minutes attributed to the economy, but said the accounts appeared to be in good shape.
Bayer moved to approve check payments, Francis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board also unanimously approved its Aug. 19 meeting minutes after correcting an agenda item that had incorrectly listed the Sept. 16 trustees meeting as Sept. 9.
Friends of the Library representative Lin Fitch reported that the Friends planned a book sale Nov. 20-21 and had been receiving and sorting donated books.
Trustees entered executive session at 6:16 p.m. for a personnel update after a motion by Bayer, seconded by Darryl Kurland.
They returned to the regular meeting at 6:29 p.m. The minutes explicitly state that no votes or motions were taken during the executive session. The meeting adjourned unanimously at 6:30 p.m.
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