$12.9 million library/town hall bid defeated

MONROE-If you talk to people in Monroe, few would argue there's a need for a new library and town hall. Where you found the beef this week was in how much that should cost. Voters defeated a $12.9 million bond issue that would have financed and furnished a proposed Town Hall/Library building on town property along Route 208. A total of 2,941 people voted, including 948 residents of Kiryas Joel. Townwide, 605 residents voted for the proposal; 2,336 against it. Kiryas Joel residents voted 29 for, 919 against the proposal. Only 18 percent of all registered voters came to the polls. "I believe that if there had been greater voter turnout, the proportions would have remained about the same" said Town Supervisor Sandy Leonard, who forcefully opposed the proposal as too expensive. The proposal's defeat marked the second time within a month that taxpayers in the area said "no" to public spending. Last month, residents in the Monroe-Woodbury School District rejected a $119.9 million budget for the 2005-06 school year by more than 500 voters. The district will operate under an austerity budget for the second time in three years. The latent following that vote could be heard in conversations about the library/town hall referendum: Things, such as taxes, are getting increasingly expensive. Library Director Marilyn McIntosh said she remains optimistic. "I think that this was not a statement against the library," she said Wednesday afternoon. "The Library Planning Committee will be meeting next week to strategize. We're going to concentrate on getting a piece of property. We're talking with the town about possibilities, whether or not we can use that property, in whole or in part. "I think a lot of people want it (the Library) to stay in the village but it's difficult because property is pretty much dried up in the village and parking is a part of the problem." Denise Harris, president of the library's Board of Trustees, said the board remained committed to a new library. But in a letter appearing in today's Photo News, she noted: "The voters of Monroe have spoken loud and clear. You want the library as a solo project and in the village." She also asked for the community's input and ideas. Leonard said that the town will work with the library on an outcome that is best for all concerned. She said the town also would seek out grants to alleviate some of the costs. "Whatever decision is made," she said, "the town board will move in a direction that makes sense for the town."