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| One small step for the Library, one giant leap for the Taxpayers? |
The Emptyprize is reporting that the Library "is just a few steps away from realizing a long-held dream of building a library branch in ... South Sandwich."
Ok. But those are pretty big steps that still have to be taken!
(WARNING! PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER CAREFULLY!! I am a fan of the Library. I think the Library staff does a great job and they do an amazing job of managing the large number of programs and services they offer. I think we should name a building after Stu Parsons -- preferably one that doesn't leak! I would love to see a Library on my side of Town with parking. I just have no idea how we would pay for it.)
While the possibility of receiving $7.6 million from the state is lovely, the idea of wrestling the other $7.6 million from the taxpayers of Sandwich is daunting at best. (Maybe "ludicrous" is a better word?).
The Library Trustees will be requesting that the Selectmen put an article on the warrant giving voters the opportunity to show public support and accept the State grant money -- but without obligating the Town to provide funding.
Yet.
For the sake of efficiency, let's just skip over that "showing support" step. Accepting State money is a fine idea. Accepting State money with the expectation that taxpayers will contribute an equal amount just ain't gonna fly.
Let's just put this dog down and move on to facing real problems. Why not move directly to proposing an article requesting public support for a $7.6 million debt exclusion to build a new library and be done with it?
Then, the Trustees could find a nice shelf in the old library to put the plans on until the economy starts to change. Once houses begin to sell, once foreclosures begin to stop, and once we are sure that Police and Fire Headquarters aren't going to fall into the marsh -- we can dust the plans off (probably increase the cost) and THEN ask the voters to dig deeper.
One of the features of the proposed library would be more public meeting rooms. I would propose that the existing school buildings probably have space that is already heated, lit and maintained that could be used for that purpose. I would also point out that the Schools all have existing libraries. Could the School libraries be incorporated into the Town library system? (Back in the Dark Ages, my elementary school library was part of the Town Library system and was open at times when the school was not.)
Again, I'm not against the library.
I'm just looking at a rapidly growing municipal shopping list and I can not imagine how we can put a new library anywhere near the top of the list -- particularly since we have been unable to maintain the buildings we already have.
6 comments:
I too am a huge fan of the library - with two young children, we are there all the time. However this does NOT mean that our town needs another library right now. For the love of Pete, our school leaks water in a solid stream through light fixtures when it rains! Our fire and police officers have to move their beds when it rains so they do not get wet! This is where any money that is requested from the citizens of this town needs to go. And PLEASE do not tell me that we need more public meeting rooms. Isn't that what we built when we put so much money into the new town hall and no one is using?!?
As the owner of this blog has stated, this is not about the people or employees of the library. Much like the employees of Sandwich Hollows.....fantastic!
HOWEVER
This is analogous to building a second high school, a second town hall, a second police station, a second human services building or a second dump. The library has PROVEN it can't support the hours it is open by shortening them. My words, not libray...."We have to scale back our operating hours because we don't have the money to continue.....so much so that we almost had to lay off aa archives employee. I have an idea.....let us build a second library!!"
Did ever occur to the selecman from the beginning to say no?
Expect to see Ms Logan at the Selectmans Meeting saying EXACTLY this point.
Why dont the Selectmen ever say No?
Why doesnt the Town Manager ever say No?
Want a libray ($8 million)? Swell idea - lets put it to a vote.
Want a bridge through a swamp (ok - marsh for $7 million)? Another swell idea, lets put it to a vote.
Want $25 million for miscelaneous repairs? Swell, lets vote.
Somebody, sometime, somwhere in government should assume the role of adult and just say No.
Is anyone ever actually going to prioritize anything?
So many of our town properties must be sold! One town library would be sufficient. Adding on to Oakcrest, and moving all town employees there, except DPW, Police and Fire,then selling off town owned properties. That's right including the new town hall! The former doll museum was bought quickly,as a private residence, so would the renovated town hall. Wouldn't the sale of these properties add to the tax collections?
One in a row.......
The Truth Maker would ask why are we now finding out that the present library needs $450,000 to replace the heating system and that request will also be on the next town meeting.
It is noted that the present library has been quated at spending $800 a week for heating the present building, because of an old plant.
What ever happened to making plans, by the trustees to circumvent such costs? What happened to due dilligance in regards to when a critical part of your responsiabilty is to plan ahead and prevent such disasters from occurring in the first place?
We have a library that cannot employ the present staff, but have no regard to where they will fund, double that satff with a new library.
Money must grow on trees here in our town, It would be benificial to the rest of us to know where they are growing, so we all can get part of this free cash.
I am sure those whom are unemployed, or in need of medicine would like to be informed about this bountiful source of free cash.
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