Monroe Voters reject library spending increase

MONROE - Voters nixed the Monroe Free Library’s proposal to increase its spending by $124,995 for a 2006 budget of $1,047,545. The vote was 1,443 to 1,078. The town collects the money for the library but has no control over its spending. And earlier this year, library officials and the Village of Kiryas Joel came to a mutual agreement that ended the village’s financial responsibility for a portion of the library’s budget. The village will pay a percentage over the next two years to offset the hardship of the library losing a portion of its tax base. Tuesday’s budget defeat is the second time this year that voters have turned aside a funding request for the library. In June, a majority of voters defeated a $12.9 million proposal to build a joint library and town hall facility off Route 208. Although no new plans have been announced, it’s generally accepted - even by town officials who opposed the June referendum as too costly - that the Monroe Free Library needs a new building to accommodate the increasing service demands. In a letter in today’s Photo News, Library Board President Denise Harris said the library may have to consider a reduction in hours and programs, charging for some services that are now free and increasing fines as ways to offset higher energy costs and other budget obligations.