By Jerry Burke
East Franklin Square (includes parts of Valley Stream and Malverne)
Host
Budget amount
Rate per $100 of assessed value
Waldinger Memorial Library
$168,970.00
3.84
Elmont Public Library
$190,135.72
4.32
Malverne Public Library
$250,726.00
5.699
North Valley Stream (includes parts of Elmont and Franklin Square)
Waldinger Memorial Library
$352,825.00
3.99
Elmont Public Library
$398,469.70
4.51
Malverne Public Library
$529,135.00
5.99
Library vote set for Sept. 9
North Valley Stream residents to choose again
A year after residents in the newly formed North Valley Stream and East Franklin Square library districts made their initial choices for library service, a new vote to contract with one of the local libraries has been set for Sept. 9.
Last year, both districts overwhelmingly approved their formations. In North Valley Stream, 391 voters gave approval for a new district, while 36 were opposed. The North Valley Stream District includes Elmont and Franklin Square residents, who had been without library service. In East Franklin Square, the vote was 190 in favor and 46 opposed. The East Franklin Square District includes residents of Malverne and Valley Stream, who had been without library service.
After years of living in what amounted to a library-free zone - residents could use the local libraries but could not check material out - state assemblymen Tom Alfano and Bob Barra and state Senator Dean Skelos pushed legislation through their respective houses to give residents in these areas control of where their library taxes would go.
In a separate vote, East Franklin Square voters chose the Elmont Public Library, with 122 votes, over Valley Stream's Waldinger Memorial Library (66), Malverne (64) and West Hempstead (22). North Valley Stream voters chose Waldinger (271) over Elmont (212) and West Hempstead (18). The contracts were limited to one year, said town Councilman James Darcy, in order to re-examine how the districts worked.
"We are committed to ensuring that residents continue to enjoy all of the educational, cultural and social benefits that go along with full library service," said Darcy, noting that the past year has seen a very positive response from those previously not served by a library.
The one-year contract expires on Dec. 31. Voters in both districts will now be asked to choose among the Waldinger, Elmont and Malverne public libraries for a two-year contract and to approve the associated budget.
"We're thrilled that the voters are going to be given the choice," said Alfano. "That's exactly what Senator Skelos, Assemblyman Barra and I wanted when we crafted this legislation." The bill allowed thousands of residents, including many in North Lynbrook and North Malverne, to pay into their host library and use it to the fullest extent.
The Town of Hempstead board passed the resolution calling for the Sept. 9 election earlier this month. "State law requires that a special election be called to approve a new contract with a host library and on the budget," said Murray.
Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Residents of the district will receive notification about the vote this week, and can vote at their usual polling places.
In North Valley Stream, voters will choose among Waldinger ($325,825), Elmont ($398,469) and Malverne ($529,135). In East Franklin Square, voters will choose among Waldinger's proposal of $168,970, Elmont's, of $190,135, and Malverne's, of $250,726. Each proposal includes the contract and the uniform election expenses.
Residents with questions about the vote or the proposals are asked to call the Town of Hempstead helpline at (516) 489-6000. Voters have also been invited by all participating libraries to visit them and assess what each can offer them.
