Pearl River Public Library Vote Set for Tuesday

Residents of the Pearl River Public Library district will be able to cast their vote on the 2011-12 budget and in the election of a board trustee from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the library.

The budget includes a 2.9 percent tax increase, which comes to approximately $7 annually per homeowners. The proposed budget is for $2,184,198, up from the $2,110,376 budget for 2010-11.

"(The budget) will allow the Library to continue to provide all of the library services the community has come to value, and in my opinion, they greatly appreciate," said library director Kathy Rose during a budget hearing May 31. "It may sound cliché, but there is something for everybody at your public library. We provide materials, programs and services from toddler age through adult through our seniors."

One reason for the increase is a $2,575 fee to the Ramapo-Catskill Library System (RCLS), something the library did not have to pay in past years. The projected fee to cover some of the expense of the inter-library loan system is due to cuts in state aid to public libraries.

Anther source of increase is personnel, a $20,475 jump form $1,170,000 to $1,190,475. The CSEA contract for the library’s full-time employees is up in June and negotiations are ongoing, so some room must be left in the budget.

Despite rising costs, the library is avoiding any major cuts in materials or services in the current budget proposal.

Board of Trustees Seat

Debra Garcia-McDermott is the only candidate for the open trustee spot. She would be taking the place of Henry Borawski, who chose not to seek re-election.

Garcia-McDermott moved to Pearl River from Michigan a year and a half ago with her husband Chris and their three children Erin (13), Ethan (11) and Kiera (6).

She formerly worked as a financial accountant and is currently a stay-at-home mother. Prior to moving, she was a member of the Hunters Creek Subdivision Board for six years and treasurer of the Rochester Hills, MI Moms Club for two and a half years.

Garcia-McDermott wrote of her reasons for seeking the position,“My family and I love using the library, and I would like to see the library continue to offer services and resources that everyone can use.”