Increase Proposed for New Rochelle Public Library Budget

The proposed 2015-16 New Rochelle Public Library budget calls for an increase of $211,908, or 4.35%, according to officials. The current year expenditure is about $4.8 million.

The proposal translates to “an increase of $13.91 per household for the ’average’ taxpayer, constituting one penny of every property tax dollar paid by New Rochelle property taxpayers.

A public hearing on the proposed budget - and proposed bond referendum - will take place on Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater. The hearing will be just before the May meeting of the library’s Board of Trustees, which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The annual vote to adopt the 2015–16 New Rochelle Public Library budget and bond referendum is scheduled for May 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the city’s school district polling places. Additionally, voters will elect three New Rochelle Public Library trustees. Copies of the proposed budget and bond referendum are available to the community at the Administrative Office of the New Rochelle Public Library.

According to library officials:

The proposed bond authorizes the New Rochelle Public Library to replace the library’s cooling system at a cost not to exceed $500,000. An essential component of the air cooling system for the 1978 building, has reached its life expectancy. An analysis provided by Wank Adams Slavin Associates LLP (WASA) reported that the Hermetic Screw Liquid Chiller requires extensive repairs or replacement. The firm’s report recommends replacement as the more cost-effective and energy-saving approach. Exercising prudence, the library board of trustees is requesting the bond referendum to replace the chiller unit before the air conditioning system fails completely, thus avoiding costly emergency repairs and ensuring the health and well-being of patrons and staff during the hot summer months. The bond request is for the maximum amount that the replacement may cost, although the library will also pursue all possible grants to help reduce the ultimate bond amount. The board recognizes that this project may raise questions, in light of the recent talks by the RDRX development group concerning the possible purchase of the library building. Although the Board has agreed to consider all options for the future of downtown New Rochelle, there is no firm prospect or timetable for the relocation of the library. It is paramount for the library to continue serving the public without closures due to lack of air conditioning. The chilling unit and other infrastructure components may be utilized at another location.

The May 19 vote will also elect three seats on the Library Board of Trustees. One seat on the Library Board of Trustees will fill a five-year term that is expiring. The other two are to fulfill seats that were vacated before terms expired and have since been held by individuals appointed by the Board. One seat will complete the remaining two-years of the five-year term and the other will complete the remaining three years of the five year term. These will be determined by number of votes, with the five-year term awarded to the candidate with the most votes.

The League of Women Voters will hold their annual forum for school and library boards on Monday, May 11 in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater. At 5:30 p.m. the forum for the two seats on the Board of Education will take place, followed by the forum for the three seats on the Library Board of Trustees at 6:45 p.m.

Registered voters who need to find out the polling location for their district, or need an absentee ballot, may call the School District Clerk’s office at 576-4219. Applications for absentee ballots are also available on the school district’s website (www.nred.org) and in the library’s community bulletin board area.

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