By LARRY MAIER
Voters OK library
$5.53M bond passes by
overwhelming margin
Those who stayed late at the Baldwin Public Library on Jan. 17 wore nervous smiles. After the voting machines closed at 10 p.m. and the vote totals were counted, the results both delighted and surprised the small gathering of Baldwinites who just couldn't wait until morning to learn the outcome of the library bond vote. The fact that the Baldwin community approved the $5.53 million-bond issue for the renovation and expansion of the public library was not shocking. However, the overwhelming vote count in favor of the bond and the huge voter turnout numbers were a very pleasant surprise to everyone involved with the project. The final count showed 1209 Baldwin residents in favor of the expansion and only 389 against.
I look at it as a mandate,said an elated library board president Kevin Kamen. To Kamen and his fellow library trustees, the victory by a ratio greater than 3 to 1 is proof that the Baldwin community is very much behind the expansion project.
It shows that people bought into the program and the philosophy of what we want to do with this facility,said Kamen. The community came together for a wonderful cause. It's a great bargain for Baldwin and they saw that.
The 20-year bond issue will mean a property tax increase of $38.19 per year for an average homeowner in the Baldwin school district with a house assessed at $6000, or 64 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The expansion will nearly double the size of the current library. There will be 50-percent more shelf space and seating, a new 180-seat community room, a new children's amphitheatre, new teen area, and many additional services. The library's exterior will also be refurbished and relandscaped.
Library board member Janice Dellaero said she was fairly confident that the vote would pass but remained nervous until it became official. The outcome is always in doubt until the votes are counted,said Dellaero, who added that she too was delighted with both the large margin of victory and the voter turnout.
I'm glad we had the numbers and that the margin was that great. It shows the community really supports what we wanted to do,said Dellaero.
In the months leading up to the bond vote, the library board of trustees had emphasized the importance of community involvement in every stage of the expansion project. This commitment to listening to the residents of Baldwin and responding to their suggestions, said board member Anthony Lalli, is ultimately what led to the success of the vote.
It was our openness with the public, our soliciting them for their help and ideas that got this vote passed,said Lalli. This is their project. The community knew that.
From the start that is what we wanted to do, follow the community's will,added Dellaero.
Listening to the voters
The Herald polled some Baldwin voters on the steps outside the library after they cast their votes.
I don't know a town that has a library that doesn't need to be expanded,said seven-year Baldwin resident Barbara Spadanuta. The library needs to keep current and serve the community. It's an important thing. The library is a vital force in community life.
I love the library, I spend hours here,said 39-year resident Joan Worth. The library should be bigger and improved with more serious services. What could be bad?
