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[quote="anon-0p78"]I attended the meeting and it was very clear to me that the only money being provided is up to 475k for the lot. The question was asked about building the lot first and the Mayor quite clearly stated no because the construction would destroy the lot. The TC also made it clear that the library would need to have cash in hand to cover all costs before breaking ground not pledges. If the library is looking for more money then it needs to be done privately.[/quote]
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anon-88r5
Posted: Mon, Dec 5 2016, 4:06 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Considering the TC has public comment at each meeting and the meetings are held twice a month I don't think it's too much for people to go to a meeting if they have a concern or to email the library and ask for the financials.
It doesn't have to be on the agenda for people to show up and say I oppose. Or it takes 5 minutes for someone to send an email to the TC saying they oppose.
There are a dozen ways to get the data or voice opposition. No one from the TC will take a no name comment here and use it to any means of validation.
Guest
Posted: Mon, Dec 5 2016, 3:53 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
anon-s6p5 wrote:
I attended last night and not a single person opposed showed up. I really hope this puts everything to rest. Yes there is opposition and likely strong private opposition, but no one opposed really cares enough to show up and complain.
I'm not sure people are going to plan their lives and run their business based on the best time to oppose spending millions on a stand alone library. I suppose most people make their TC representatives aware of their opposition and Look for them to follow through accordingly.
This is an issue that should be settled by referendum, not on this forum and not at one of many random TC meetings. If the library actually believes they have the support of the townspeople, they would not be afraid of referendum.
anon-p653
Posted: Fri, Dec 2 2016, 11:29 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
3Ts-0o99 wrote:
Heidi Bloom. Leeds. Monroe Twp Middle School
Media. Coordinator. Step 1 $31,894.
Oct 19, 2016
Just curious, What was the purpose of this post?
anon-q2q6
Posted: Thu, Dec 1 2016, 11:14 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
anon-ppq0 wrote:
Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, Thursday, December 8,
7:30 p.m. Gambino Room of the library.
Public meeting, all are welcome, this is board that decides the direction and management of the public library.
Waste of time. Go to a TC meeting if you want to be heard. The library board can't hear you with their heads in the sand.
3Ts-0o99
Posted: Thu, Dec 1 2016, 4:34 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Heidi Bloom. Leeds. Monroe Twp Middle School
Media. Coordinator. Step 1 $31,894.
Oct 19, 2016
anon-ppq0
Posted: Thu, Dec 1 2016, 2:50 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, Thursday, December 8,
7:30 p.m. Gambino Room of the library.
Public meeting, all are welcome, this is board that decides the direction and management of the public library.
anon-88r5
Posted: Wed, Nov 30 2016, 10:21 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Good questions, but if no one goes to a TC meeting when the library presents then the questions won't get answered. No one is going to answer here those questions.
Full Disclosure-pr2p
Posted: Wed, Nov 30 2016, 8:45 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
The exact spending for the library needs to be understood.
Some the taxpayer costs already agreed upon include:
$650,000 from the operating budget redirected to the library fund
$475,000 for parking lot and landscaping
That comes to $1.125 million in direct tax payer funding.
Other potential funding is:
When the library breaks ground is confusing. The library states they will break ground when they have reached the goal less $500,000 and 20% contingency ($640,000). Does that put the town on the hook for a potential difference of $1.14 Million. Or, does the library need to show funding on $3.84 Million ($3.2 Million plus 20%) before they break ground?
The school receives $50,000 annually in rent from the library which will no longer be paid to the school. While there may be some reduced costs if the library moves, it is likely the taxpayers will need to cover that expense in school budgets.
It makes sense that expenses will be greater to support a larger, free standing building than a shared space with the school. The library states the expenses are covered within its current operating budget. Does that mean other services need to be cut to support a new building or will the library come back later and ask for a budget increase?
There is a lot of time spent by expensive township professionals such as engineers and lawyers on this project. Is their time being reimbursed by the library foundation or is this another hidden taxpayer expense?
Whether you agree or disagree with the library, all the facts need to be disclosed and understood.
anon-s6p5
Posted: Wed, Nov 30 2016, 12:12 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Agree with the above poster.
Library Funding-q2q6
Posted: Tue, Nov 29 2016, 6:43 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Tax Payer-1s07 wrote:
Wow it appears they are much further off then has been indicated in any fundraising materials given the explanation above. Once again, I believe it is difficult to determine a position in support of, or opposition of the library when you don't have the details about the project . Most people in town believe the project is privately funded, which is not exactly the case. To date, most of what has been presented has been conceptual. I am sure many in town don't oppose the "concept" of a "privately" funded library. If tax payers are under the impression the library is privately funded, there would be no reason to attend a meeting in opposition (if you don't oppose a privately funded library). Keep in mind, when the fundraising efforts began many years ago, it was presented to the public as no tax payer dollars would be used, that has since changed and not been clearly communicated to the larger public. I think the library has a responsibility to include in their fundraising campaign materials, the dollars amounts being utilized from private funds, in addition to the dollar amounts of public funds utilized for this project to be completely transparent. Once that has been clearly publicized and communicated to the greater public (outside the foundation's own supporters) then I would agree folks need to attend meetings if they oppose.
The Library has not accurately represented it's financial position to the public for the entire fundraising period. The initial $650k (approximately), was redirected from the library's operating funds, not donated. This money has repeatedly been lumped in with private donations to give the appearance of greater financial support for a new library. In the years following the decision to redirect funds from the library's operating budget, despite assurances to the contrary, the library cried poor and cut the hours of operation that were most convenient to the public and least convenient to the librarians.
That said, if you want your voice to be heard, you need to attend a meeting and speak up, for what its worth.
anon-88r5
Posted: Tue, Nov 29 2016, 10:22 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
The TC will fund up to $475K for the parking lot and a rain garden retention area for the site instead of an underground basin.
The Municipal Library Tax on your tax bill will cover the operating expenses.
The library through private fund raising will cover all other expenses.
The library cannot break ground until all funds are in hand and the TC has validated there are sufficient funds to cover the build and any overage. The TC has stated that there will be no added funds.
This has all been stated numerous times and still no one aside from library supporters attends meetings.
Tax Payer-1s07
Posted: Tue, Nov 29 2016, 8:51 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
Wow it appears they are much further off then has been indicated in any fundraising materials given the explanation above. Once again, I believe it is difficult to determine a position in support of, or opposition of the library when you don't have the details about the project . Most people in town believe the project is privately funded, which is not exactly the case. To date, most of what has been presented has been conceptual. I am sure many in town don't oppose the "concept" of a "privately" funded library. If tax payers are under the impression the library is privately funded, there would be no reason to attend a meeting in opposition (if you don't oppose a privately funded library). Keep in mind, when the fundraising efforts began many years ago, it was presented to the public as no tax payer dollars would be used, that has since changed and not been clearly communicated to the larger public. I think the library has a responsibility to include in their fundraising campaign materials, the dollars amounts being utilized from private funds, in addition to the dollar amounts of public funds utilized for this project to be completely transparent. Once that has been clearly publicized and communicated to the greater public (outside the foundation's own supporters) then I would agree folks need to attend meetings if they oppose.
anon-s6p5
Posted: Thu, Nov 24 2016, 10:45 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
The TX has stated that the library has to come in and show they have funds cash in hand and can cover the cost of the full build including a 20% contingency. They will not be allowed to build prior.
So the library will have to come again before the TC and show everything.
The issue for anyone opposed or that wants data is to show up that night.
To be clear the library said they were going to break ground this year and it did not happen.
I imagine a few people have moved away, some lost jobs, divorced or died. So the question is how much of the pledge money is real money? There is no legal obligation to honor a pledge so if people can't pay the library will need to raise the difference. I would bet they are close to 700k short based on experience with church pledges.
agree-32n2
Posted: Thu, Nov 24 2016, 8:51 am EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
They are breaking ground at $2.75M. They need to raise $500,000 more before they can break ground.
The question is this: Is the difference between the $2.75 and $3.2 the township (ie taxpayer) obligation for the parking lot, etc to which the TC has committed OR does that difference represent the amount the library still has to raise once they have broken ground?
Would someone who knows please answer that question?
Tax Payer-1s07
Posted: Tue, Nov 22 2016, 6:45 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
So you are saying the TC informed the library they need all funds in hand to cover cost before they can break ground (which means $3.2M, is that correct)?? If that is the case, why do both letters that I received state they are at $2.25M today and need to "raise $500K to break ground"? Please clarify for me if they breaking ground at $2.75M or $3.2M?
anon-s6p5
Posted: Tue, Nov 22 2016, 4:32 pm EST
Post subject: Re: The November 14, 2016 Township Committee meeting agenda
The TC has stated they will not allow ground to be broken until the library can show funds in the bank and they can cover all the costs.
The letter stated they need to have the funds in hand before going to bid, so it seems the Library understands this concern.
I am not sure they need additional staff for a larger library. I'd argue that the current staff is appropriate for the usage regardless of physical size.