Some residents and a business owner suggested such a big-ticket item may not be wise in the current economic climate, and Council President Leonard Gilbert noted the township may be acting too late to get state funding that helped nearby municipalities build libraries.

Amid the questions on the proposed library for Hillside, the first of three components in a planned redevelopment of the municipal complex, Mayor Karen McCoy Oliver called for a voter referendum.

"There will be some bonding," the mayor noted of building a library. "You say $3 million today, but it may be $3.5 million down the road. Bonding is a credit card. This is a credit card solution, and ultimately someone is going to be responsible for paying for it.

"I support a new library," she added. "I know the council has said it is receptive to open government, and letting people speak their mind. What's most appropriate is to do a referendum. Let the people decide. We are in tight financial times, so bring it to the people."

Michael Mistretta of Harbor Consultants called the project a work in progress, and township council members noted there is still $2.6 million available in a capital improvement fund to support the library project.

Officials said a prelude to the project was the demolition last winter of the War Memorial Building adjacent to town hall. The new library would be constructed on that site, with Memorial Drive -- a block-long street separating the vacant parcel from the municipal building -- eliminated and the space converted into a parking area.

Also under the proposal, the municipal building would be renovated to make more efficient use of the 58-year-old structure.

Most of the space accommodating the existing public library would go to the police department, which for several years has been forced to use trailers to store evidence because of cramped quarters. "We have basically run out of space," Police Chief Robert Quinlan said. "I hope whatever differences we have can be put aside, and that we all can work for the betterment of Hillside. A new library would be a great thing for the community, and would help us at the same time by giving us space we desperately need."

A major infrastructure component of the project would be the construction of an underground storm water management system to prevent flooding. Floods have caused extensive damage to the library three times since 2000.

Mistretta termed the improvement to a culvert on Hillside Avenue, near Liberty Avenue, an expensive task. Township officials stressed it would be financed by funds from the Urban Enterprise Zone Program, in which revenues from a reduced 3 percent state sales tax are returned to the township.

The final component, and the one with the longest odds on being completed, is an expansion of the William H. Buie Community Center across Hillside Avenue from town hall.

The plan calls for an existing undersized basketball court to be rebuilt to regulation standards, and the addition of an indoor soccer area.

"We couldn't do everything at once, or the cost and expense will be beyond (means)," Council Vice President John Kulish said. "This is to be done over years. We do have funds available to start the project.

"Hopefully the library board and librarian will seek grants," Kulish said. "We have the get-go, but we need input to determine what the community is really looking for. This complex will be a showcase."

Kulish stressed the use of bonds is common for major projects in any municipality.

"It's normal for a town to bond," he said, noting the process had been used for roadwork now under way in the township. "Over a long term, of 20 to 25 years, it allows us to spread out costs. To say we'll never bond, then the town will be stagnated. No one has the kind of money to pay off projects (without bonding)."

Jason Jett may be reached at jjett@starledger.com or (908) 302-1509.

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