METUCHEN, NJ — The Metuchen Borough Council adopted a bond ordinance authorizing $1,541,000 in bonds to fund the expansion and renovation of the Metuchen Public Library, following a public hearing on the measure.
The ordinance appropriates $1,622,990 for the project, which includes an $81,990 down payment already available through prior capital budget provisions. The total estimated cost of the project is $3,525,980, funded through the borough's appropriation, contributions from the Metuchen Public Library, and a $1,622,990 grant from the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act.
Mayor Jonathan M. Busch said the borough had initially missed out on the state library grant funding but secured it after continued advocacy at the state level. "The tough part of this is you got to commit a bond on your own, but you're getting the same amount from the state, which would go somewhere else," Busch said, adding that any local tax dollars committed to the project would otherwise "end up in another town."
Busch described the library as "a really extraordinary place" that offers services beyond lending books, including hotspot rentals, show tickets and streaming access. "It is a public space, and it's intended for everyone's use and a benefit for people who need to gather and understand and learn and do whatever they have to do with their daily lives," Busch said.
Following the public hearing, the council closed discussion on the ordinance and voted to adopt it on second reading.
Under the ordinance, the bonds carry an average period of usefulness of 20 years, and the borough has pledged its full faith and credit toward repayment. The measure takes effect 20 days after its first publication, which will be satisfied by posting on the borough's website.
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