Mamaroneck Library Vote Passes: 214 to 110

by Judy Silberstein

(December 9, 2003) The Mamaroneck Public Library held an election on Tuesday, December 9 and 324 voters showed up to cast their ballot on the budget for 2004-2005 and to elect four Library Trustees. The voters approved the $1,367,030 budget with 214 voting “yes” and 110 voting “no.”

Voters also elected Henry Paracchini, Marcy Block Glattstein and Judith Dupre’ to terms ending May 31, 2007. Jefferson D. Meighan who had been appointed to fill a position left vacant when Jean Marie Brescia became Town Justice, was approved to continue serving as Trustee until May 31, 2006. All trustee candidates were running unopposed.

Election Inspector Gerhard Spies and Library Director Joan Grott await the voters.

Though Larchmonters patronize the Mamaroneck Library, only Village of Mamaroneck residents are eligible to vote in the library elections that have become an annual ritual since 1991 when the decision was made to create a special library district separate from the municipal budget. Since, then, the budget has passed each year. Larchmont’s Public Library is funded through the Village of Larchmont’s budget, which is not subject to public vote.

The 2004-2005 budget called for an increase of 11.7% over last year. As with municipal budgets throughout New York, a major factor in the increase was pension costs, which rose from $5,319 to $64,000. According to the Library’s information sheet, the average household would be paying an extra $28.48 for the library tax in the coming year.

“I am delighted,” said Library Director Joan Grott as she announced the outcome of the vote. “It’s been very hard for us with this year’s retirement costs and next year’s are even higher. This will allow us to maintain the services that we provide. We’re very pleased that the budget passed.”

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