Many residents rightly fear that the North Merrick community would be without a library if the current facility were to close. Some have said that North Merrick residents could simply use Merrick's new and expanded library. To some degree, yes. However, North Merrick residents would not be granted full privileges, barring them from many of the activities that make a library such a vital part of the community.
Some have said that North Merrick could simply contract for services from Merrick or another library. Maybe -- but that's a big maybe. The Merrick Library board would have to decide whether such an arrangement were in its community's best interest. Our guess (and this is only a guess): The library board would not agree to such a contract. Merrick spent more than a decade developing plans for the new library. Residents are paying additional taxes for the facility. North Merrick residents would not help assume that burden, as they live in a different school district. They would only pay for the services they received. Would that be fair to Merrick taxpayers?
Last year, North Merrick library officials proposed a $3 million fix-up of the aging facility. A small but active group of residents shot that proposal down in a vote. We suggest that the community revisit the proposal to ensure that the library remains for years to come.
As far as overcrowding in the North Merrick schools is concerned, we suggest that the community, rather than tear apart a well-loved institution, consider adding on. There is room at Fayette Elementary School to build on or up. That would relieve overcrowding, current or future. The Merrick district added on to Levy-Lakeside Elementary School a few years back.
Yes, an addition to Fayette would increase taxes, but so would a takeover of the North Merrick Library, which is configured as a library and not as a school. The facility would thus need considerable renovation work in order to make it viable as a school or district office. If it were to become a school, it would likely need a second-story addition.
We believe an addition to the Fayette School would, in the end, be a more cost-effective solution to reduce overcrowding. The Herald urges North Merrick residents to vote no on any takeover of their library.
