North Merrick rejects library bond

The North Merrick Library’s proposed $6.5 million renovation plan was defeated on Monday, with the public voting 445 to 358 to reject a bond proposal to finance the project.

The plan to renovate the 55-year-old facility would have raised property taxes by about $11 per month for a home assessed at $450,000, according to library officials.

“I don’t think it has anything do with the perception of the library; I think it has more to do with the economy right now,” said Library Director Tom Witt. “I think there’s still a good feeling in general about the library in the community.”

The Library Board recently approved the library’s $2.4 million 2011-12 budget, which will keep spending –– and property taxes –– level during the next fiscal year. Since there was no budget or tax increase, the budget did not need to be voted on by the public.

Library officials said they hope to repair the roof and boiler, as well as install an energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system. Witt said they would discuss future renovation plans at the next board meeting.

“I understand people’s concern, but I do consider the result unfortunate,” said Bill Pezzulo, the Library Board president. “In order to continue, the library will now have to do one renovation to the building each year and continuously raise taxes to pay for it. This will cost all of us more money than if the referendum had passed.”

According to Witt, the 803 votes cast was a substantial increase over recent years. In 2010, 216 votes were cast in a trustee election, and in 2009, 171 votes were cast.

“Of course it would be nice to have had it passed,” said Witt, “but at the same time, the most important thing was that the people were aware, there were no surprises, and they got to voice what they want.”

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