Bellmores pass library budgets

Bellmore and North Bellmore residents recently passed their public libraries’ 2015-16 budgets, in addition to choosing library board trustees.

In Bellmore

Bellmore voters passed their library budget on April 14 by an overwhelming margin, with 102 “yes” and 17 “no” votes. They also re-elected Trustee Robert Botwin, who received 105 votes in an uncontested race.

The approved Bellmore Library budget builds in a tax-levy increase of 1.62 percent. The levy is the total amount that the library must raise in taxes to meet expenses. The $2.78 million spending plan includes increases for materials and capital expenses, among other budget items.

Botwin said he has felt a duty to serve the Bellmore Library for years. As a trustee, he has worked with three library directors — Oz Kaufeld, Steve Bregman and Maureen Garvey — and has seen the library evolve, especially in response to the digital revolution.

Botwin said he believes the library will continue to add new services and attract young patrons in 2015-16 and beyond. In addition to serving the Bellmore Memorial Library, he worked for the Grumman Corporation for 36 years, serving as director of technical operations, advanced development, energy systems and space nuclear propulsion.

In North Bellmore

North Bellmore voters approved their library budget with 153 “yes” and 40 “no” votes in the April 8 election. Meanwhile, Robert Gibilterra defeated Paul Konigstein in the trustee race, 114 to 83 votes.

The North Bellmore Public Library budget includes a tax-levy increase of 1.8 percent. With the $2.74 million spending plan approved, North Bellmore residents whose homes are assessed at $320,000 will pay $299.80 in library taxes in 2015-16.

The North Bellmore Library has some 15,000 registered resident borrowers. Gibilterra said he ran for the board because he wants to give back to those patrons and the community at large.

Gibilterra grew up in North Bellmore. After gradating from Mepham High School in 1980, he earned a Bachelor of Business degree from Adelphi University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Fordham University, and became a certified public accountant. He returned to the community in 1996 to raise his family. He is now executive vice president and chief financial officer of music and entertainment groups at Viacom Media Networks, which include MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Spike and TV Land.

Gibilterra said he believes his 30 years of finance and business experience will make him a valuable addition the board, especially because it’s proposing a large-scale renovation. He also noted that he ran in honor of his mother, North Bellmorite June Gibilterra, who worked at the library for 27 years until she retired in 2010.