Elaine Hammond disagreed with that. “I don’t see it as an insult to the task force and I’m on the task force,” Hammond said. “It’s one more piece of information. If (the DEC) really said no, that would make the deliberations entirely different.”
After the long, circular debate trustees opted to wait until the next meeting while Library Director Amy Raff researched the process.
Funds in jeopardy
Further complicating matters is news from Director Amy Raff that state library construction grant money may be lost if nothing is built on the annex site. The library was awarded about $21,780 for asbestos abatement and demolition of the former laundromat and relocating a utility pole. While demolition and abatement are definite, scrapping plans eliminates the need to move the pole and the library may be forced to return $10,000, Raff said.
Since grant money was contingent on completing the project, it puts future funds in jeopardy. “It’s sticky,” said Raff, who is in talks with state officials about a solution. “Can we justify that making a parking lot there provides the same benefit for the community? That’s what’s sticky.”
Task force seeks more public input
The Facilities Task Force announced it will hold an interactive public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 30 at Town Hall, 76 Tinker Street.
Meeting almost weekly since July, the task force has tackled a number of issues including environmental limitations, whether nor not the laundromat site is in the floodplain and how to handle the needs of the current library building.
During recent meetings, member Jerry Washington and co-chair Maria DeFranco have expressed concerns about the viability of the former laundromat site. While there’s some question whether the site is within the 100-year flood zone, some members question whether the likelihood of increased flood insurance premiums and other factors make the site prudent.
Members Joe Mangan and Sean Ritchey have explored the needs of the current building. Mangan, an architectural engineer, has estimated the library needs 6,000 additional square feet that could be accommodated by replacing the book barn with a larger structure.
These issues are up for discussion at the September 30 meeting.
The task force was formed as a response to growing public mistrust over the handing of a proposed $1.6-million annex across the street from the library on the site of the former Woodstock Laundromat. The panel is tasked with reviewing the 2007 feasibility study that pointed out the need for more space and to explore some alternatives to the annex proposed by the public. It will make a report to the library trustees.
The task force plans to present its recommendations to the library board by January.
No impeachment on the horizon
Now that the post-election dust has settled and the budget has passed, Hanowitz said he no longer has plans to pursue impeachment proceedings against trustee Jesse Jones and considers the matter dropped. Jones was duly re-elected and it’s time to move on with business, he said. “He’s just one vote,” said Hanowitz.
In August, Hanowitz called for Jones’ resignation and an investigation, saying Jones had violated the Collective Authority provision of the state Library Trustee Handbook by voting for the annex proposal but speaking against it outside of board meetings. The provision says trustees must publicly support a majority decision of the board.
While under the cloud of possible impeachment, Jones garnered the highest number of votes, 414, to win re-election to a five-year term.
It seems logical to inquire the DEC permit application.