New Hartford residents voting for or against the proposal to re-charter library
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: August 23, 2012
Residents in New Hartford are hitting the polls to vote yes or no to re-charter the library. And residents are not staying quiet about this particular vote.
Residents are saying this has been the most active voting they've seen in a while. The New Hartford Public Library Board of Trustees is proposing to transfer the library funding from a town library to a school district library.
Currently, residents pay 12 cents per day and re-chartering will increase it to 23 cents a day.
The proposal will affect residents, businesses and taxpayers. Officials say if the re-charter does not happen, the library will be forced to open less frequently and order fewer books.
"The library is a very important function but people's lives and the economy is an important function. That is why I think this vote is extremely important and voters ought to get out and voice their opinion," says Joseph Yagey.
If the re-charter does go through officials say the library will be funded by the nearly $900,000 paid by district residents versus $450,000 paid by residents in town taxes.
Polls close at 8 tonight.
