 |
| File Photo |
Choosing to appoint a trustee directly, the Board will avoid the costs associated with a special election, estimated at $5,000, and the new trustee will serve until the April 2024 election. While economically motivated, this strategy has prompted community concerns over the forthcoming electoral dynamics, with the appointee potentially benefiting from the visibility and influence associated with incumbency.
Eligible candidates are called to submit their applications by November 28, 2023. The library stipulates that applicants must be U.S. citizens, over 18, reside within the William Floyd School District, and not be current library employees. The Board's decision to accept applications is part of a broader initiative to ensure the library maintains an entire governance board, mainly when financial decisions are under the microscope.
The library's finances have been a growing concern among the community. A grant writer was recently hired for $5,000 without a formal bid process, raising questions about the transparency of the library's financial practices. Moreover, the library's renovation budget has soared to $33.5 million, a significant leap from the original estimate of $16,351,658 and well above the $22.7 million bond passed by voters in 2019.
The library has received grants, including a $200,000 state consolidation grant and a $380,250 construction grant; it has authorized hefty renovation work contracts. This juxtaposition of obtaining funds and approving large expenditures has led to mixed reactions from the community, with some questioning whether the Board is acting in the best fiscal interests of the library and its patrons.
Despite the financial turbulence, the library has achieved milestones with the openings of the Moriches Satellite Branch and the Mastic Beach Satellite Branch. These developments, however, are overshadowed by the cost overruns of the main library's renovation and the perception of financial mismanagement.
Library director Kerri Rosalia has portrayed the renovation as a critical investment in the community's future, emphasizing the importance of modernizing the library's facilities. However, with the project's cost overruns, the Board's ability to manage the library's budget without imposing additional tax burdens is increasingly under scrutiny.
The community remains watchful of the potential electoral implications of the trustee appointment. The next trustee will step into a role that demands a firm grasp of fiscal responsibility and an understanding of the political nuances of their appointment. As the library strives to balance progress with prudence, the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library's story continues to unfold, marked by financial challenges and the promise of growth.