Hewlett-Woodmere Library Board Passes Budget

A divided Board of Trustees passed a budget at its meeting earlier this month that raises taxes by 2.99 percent.

Board Vice President Shari Braverman and Treasurer Frank Zaret opposed the vote, saying that sewage usage fees, which the county had to pass onto non-profit groups late last year, should be included in the budget.

Board President Ben Eilbott, David Adler and Donald Davidson voted in favor of the vote.

"Because we have not yet received written documentation, we feel the [sewage] fee should not be included," Eilbott said.

The written documentation that the board is still waiting on is a letter from the county regarding the sewage usage tax. There is still no information on the bill and a timetable for payment, the trustees said.

But, as library Director Susan de Sciora pointed out, "It is something we need to vote on tonight because we have the the public vote coming up on April 5."

The 2.99 percent is the amount raised by taxes and is one of only several factors that goes into the overall budget.

The amount an individual pays is based upon the assessed value of the person's property. The tax rate is determined by the assessed valuation of the district and amount requested in taxes.

"Two point ninety nine is pretty consistent with where we have been the past six years in the library budget," said de Sciora."Last year we were at 2.97 and the year before 2.93."

Budget Finance Numbers:

Revenue Budget Status: $463,196.05

Revenue Budget Status Through 2/28/11: $3,729,667.78

Appropriation Status, Current Year: $452,473.24

Appropriation Status Through 2/28/11: $3,747,424.68

Gross Payroll: $230,760.78

Cash Balance: $451,529.31

Other issues discussed at the meeting:

• The board is waiting for the second estimate to come in for repairs to Gold Hall. The first estimate numbers came in with a low-end figure of $4,595 and a high-end figure of $5,195.
  Repairs will include remedial work to the recital hall's high-definition sound system and the film projectors. The projectors are 15-years-old and are need of updates, according to board members.

• Two small signs will be added near the library's entrance indicating parking restrictions. The signs will help patrons distinguish between the library's parking lot and the school next door.

• The trees in front of the Library are scheduled to be pruned in the early spring.
  "It is something that needs to be done because the branches haven't been trimmed in the past few years," said de Sciora.
  The Board will look to receive cost estimates on the project later this month.

The next board meeting will be held on April 11 at 7:45 p.m.