Charging current library Rent to help the school and students?

[Historicallyfiscal]

So the results from today's PNC purchase for a new library went like this:

Mr Stout and Stannard voted YES today

both Mr Wittman and Panconi voted NO

and Ms. Stave didn't vote today but I assume she would have voted YES since she's the committeewoman liaison to the library board of trustees (correct me if I'm wrong Pari).

It was defeated because there wasn't a 4 out of 5 vote in favor to move forward. But a majority of the TC was in favor of building a new library and charging the library rent in the new building, why are we not doing this today??

I understand that the current library has over $90K surplus/year and none of that benefits our current building or school or students. Since the TC was so willing to consider building new and charging them rent, why are they not willing to start now and help the school with its costs now?

I know the children and school could use the Rent to offset costs and make further improvement. Is the TC willing to bring this to a vote at the next meeting? I'd like my tax dollars to be helping the current library and not accruing in some bank.

Does anyone know how much surplus the Cranbury library currently has? This should be public right?

[Susan LeDonne]

I just posted a message to Marilyn at the library to find out where I can get a copy of the financial statements for the library.

I found it interesting that, unlike this blog where replies are posted immediately, replies to the library blog must be "moderated" before posting.

[FriendofCurrentLibrary]

Susan I saw your request for info posted on the Cranbury Library blog yesterday but it was delete today for some reason. The library is taxpayer funded so this info should be public and easily available. In the past, they were very responsive to post personal opinions to help support the PNC purchase but when you asked about its budget- no response. Anyone going to the library tomorrow?

Maybe its very crowded as was posted on the blog last week that could be causing the delays in info. Or maybe they aren't reading their own blog or deleted your request by mistake? Can someone ask the library director Marilynn Mullen for this info tomorrow and post it, thanks.

[Guest]

Supporting library and knowing how my tax dollars are used are two separate issues. I would like to know how the library spends my tax money.

[Guest]

anyone have good contacts at the Cranbury library? Its been over a week since Susan asked the director for the Cranbury Library Budget. I also want to know how much surplus the library currently has, since it makes sense to use that surplus and relieve some of the burden the school currently has financially with the library. Our school has no surplus last time I looked at its published budget.

[Susan LeDonne]

[Guest]

I am confused about this part:

[??]

It seems she did not answer whether the library has surplus or not.

Wow! The school has 8 millions in debt??

[???]

she mentioned she didn't have a chance to look at the reports from the library

[Guest]

The library surplus, if any, should be used to pay the rent and help reduce the 8 million debt. I did not know our school has so much debt. Hmm...

[grapevine]

I want to know the actual surplus of the Cranbury Library and also what library expenses/budge for the school portion is and what part our public library is responsible for. I read in the Cranbury Press that the 2008 budget for the Cranbury Library is over $600K this year, that's double from last year. What's going on with our finances in Cranbury? Can someone get a straight answer from the current Director about here P/L and 2007/8 Budget from her?

Thank god we didnt build a new one at the PNC.

[Cranbury Conservative]

You are correct the library budget is up to over $600,000 and was previously about $300,000.

That is due to the state law that requires local taxpayers to fund libraries at $33 for every $100,000 of taxable property.

In April of this year the state legislature and Governor Corzine passed A1265 [1R] MORIARTY, RUSSO which allows library trustees to return excess funds raised from property taxes. Since some libraries receive funds in excess of what is needed for operations and have a surplus.

My concern is the Library will now spend up to their new found income level and not stay at or near the previous operating budget which they had to use.

As I have said here previously on this board and on my blog, the Cranbury Library should return its surplus to the taxpayers of Cranbury!

As important as the Library issue is we really need to be focused on COAH and A-500 at this time.

My blog…

http://cranburyconservative.blogspot.com/2008/05/cranbury-librarys-budget-surplus-should.html

[Jeff M.]

Here is my view.

1) Coah and A500 are the main issues right now that are key.

2) The trustess, unless I am mistaken, are town residents. I don't mind keeping a small surplus in the event there is an unbudget occurance. I think that is prudent, say $50,000-$100,000. However, the remaining money should be returned each year. The trustees as residents should want to return the money as they are reducing their own property tax spending. I don't understand why this is an issue or problem of difficulty.

[Cranbury Conservative]

I am with you Jeff I ended my post above you with the same.

Here is my blog entry on A-500...

http://cranburyconservative.blogspot.com/2008/06/500-passes-assembly-appropriations.html