Though the library plans to raise private funds for the annex, a small but vocal opposition group has criticized the cost and what it sees as a lack of transparency.
Trustee Geoffrey Hanowitz said the board should just go about doing the business of running the library regardless of the current environment. “It’s a crapshoot,” Hanowitz said. “We’re damned if we do. We’re damned if we don’t. We should all just try to do the best we can.”
Raff suggested one strategy would be to explain to the public there’s nothing in the proposed budget that affects the annex project.
During the public commentary portion of the meeting, former Planning Board member and annex opponent John Ludwig urged trustees to use some of their unspent money left over from previous years, known as the fund balance, to eliminate the need for a tax increase.
“It doesn’t look good for the library to propose a tax increase while sitting on this surplus and public support for the library shouldn’t be equated with support for a tax increase,” Ludwig said.
But Parisi explained it is good governmental practice to keep a fund balance equal to about two to three months of operating expenses in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Parisi equated it to one’s own personal checking account, saying it would be irresponsible to have your account balance at zero. Parisi said the state Comptroller’s Office used to recommend minimum fund balances based on the size of the budget, but they no longer issue such advice.
“I have a business and two months (expenses) is pretty skimpy,” Hanowitz said. That prompted brief discussion on adopting a board policy setting a minimum fund balance. The board agreed to take up the matter in the future.
Task force rules
Ludwig also criticized the scope of the newly created facilities task force. The task force was created to revisit the 2007 feasibility study that stated the need for more meeting and technology space. This study was used as the basis for the proposed annex. Ludwig argued the scope of the new panel is set up in such a way that they’ll reach the same conclusion as the original annex task force. Ludwig also urged the library board’s executive committee, which is selecting the new task force’s members, to choose a chairman from within its ranks and not allow Auchincloss to chair it.
Auchincloss countered that no presumptions should be made about the decisions the task force will make.
“The task force is operating on the basis on the information that the library has about what facilities it needs. And that information comes from the 2007 feasibility study and the request for proposals that was sent to the architects to create the annex.”
Trustee Barry Samuels said Auchincloss’ role is more of a facilitator. “He’s going to make sure that it moves along, but not necessarily controlling people’s minds in any way,” Samuels said.
Ludwig also criticized a suggestion that members of the task force refrain from writing letters or engaging in interviews about the workings of the task force until it issues its final report. Calling it a gag order, Ludwig said it goes against the spirit of having an open process.
When pressed on the matter later, Auchincloss said the proposed restriction, part of 20 suggested interview questions, was just an idea and it is up to the members of the task force to implement it. It has not been part of the actual questions asked of task force candidates and will not be in the future, he said.
The idea behind restricting public discussion of the task force meetings, known as the Chatham House Rule, is to reduce people’s inhibitions in a meeting environment when discussing a controversial subject, he said.
Trustees will meet next at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at the library to tackle next year’s budget. The executive committee had planned to announce the makeup of the facilities task force by the July 17 meeting, but Auchincloss said candidates are still being interviewed.
Three on the ballot
When voters decide on the budget on September 4, they will also vote on three trustee positions. Jesse Jones is running for re-election. Dorothea Marcus and Caroline Ritchey are running for their first full terms as they were appointed to fill unexpired terms. No one has filed petitions to run against them.
Those interested in being a library trustee must be registered to vote in the town of Woodstock and must gather 25 signatures and file petitions to the library no later than 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 5. Petitions are available at the library or by going to the library website at woodstock.org and following the link at the top of the page.
isn’t there a large new space at our new firehouse that could meet the need for more space for lectures, meetings, etc? How often is that space used now?
Just a suggestion. The library has been a wonderful and inspiring place for me from age eight or so – and I hope to see this issue resolved in the best way for all.