Library seeks $124,995 budget increase

MONROE-The Monroe Free Library is seeking a $124,995 increase in its operating budget through a referendum on Nov. 8. According to information provided by the library, the cost of the increase would be 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Another 7 cents per $1,000 would be added when the Village of Kiryas Joel withdraws from the library’s service area in January, for an overall increase of 34 cents per $1,000. This figure could drop based on payments by Kiryas Joel made over the next three years to ease the burden on the taxpayer caused by their withdrawal from library services, according to library director Marilyn McIntosh. The Nov. 8 referendum is solely for the library budget. A referendum for building a new library facility will take place on a future date when a building site has been located. Meanwhile, the Friends of the Monroe Free Library are seeking volunteers to phone registered voters to remind them of the referendumfrom Friday, Nov. 4, to Monday, Nov. 7. Interested volunteers can choose their own hours and call from home using a short script. For information, call 783-4411.