The Middletown Library Board loses another trustee

by guest blogger Linda Baum

Marjorie Cavalier, one of the two remaining trustees from last year’s Library Board, recently tendered her resignation. At the August 6th Township Committee meeting, a resolution was adopted appointing Mr. Steve Monaghan for the remainder of her term, which expires at the end of 2013. Mr. Monaghan also currently serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Ms. Cavalier’s July 19th resignation letter referenced a recent change to the Library’s bylaws that states board members must “attend all board meetings in full, except as prevented by a valid reason.” The meetings start at 7 p.m. and usually run two or three hours, though on occasion four or more. The last five meetings, however, concluded by 10 p.m.

Typically Ms. Cavalier, a teacher, would depart at 10 p.m. during the school year in order to be at her best for her students. She left it to the Township to decide if her 10 p.m. departure was for a “valid reason”. If not, then the letter served as notice of her resignation.

At the August 15th Library Board meeting, trustee Vivian Breen commented that perhaps the broader issue is meeting length, and suggested that the Board should be working to keep meetings within reasonable time frames.

Regarding the bylaws change, it does not differentiate between late arrival and early departure, so would seem to apply to both. While votes may occasionally need to be moved up in the agenda for someone who leaves early, votes may also need to be delayed for someone who arrives late, and whether or not a quorum exists to hold the meeting would be an issue in both cases. There have been quite a few late arrivals at recent board meetings, not to mention absences, and I have to wonder if adequate records are being kept to “validate” the reasons in those instances. President Larry Nelsen confirmed at the Board’s August 15th meeting that the bylaws change was specifically inserted to address Ms. Cavalier’s established departure time. Now that it’s there, I wonder who else will be subject to it.

Personally, I feel Ms. Cavalier’s departure was premature, but I certainly understand her decision to address this matter now rather than later. I thank her for her dedicated service and wish her well.