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October 26, 2008
Library question at issue on Haddonfield ballot
By LAVINIA DeCASTRO • Courier-Post Staff • October 26, 2008
HADDONFIELD — For Haddonfield voters, the big question this election is the question itself.
The November ballot includes a referendum question asking voters if they support an ordinance prohibiting the borough from building a new library unless the expenditure is approved by voters via a referendum question.
"Because it's a large expenditure, it should be put to the voters first," Stephen Griffey said.
Griffey was one of five residents who collected 729 signatures on a petition to place the question on the ballot.
Under New Jersey law, only 443 signatures were needed -- the equivalent to 10 percent of the number of voters who cast a ballot during the last election.
"We wanted to set up something so that you have to go to the voters to get approval for a new library," Griffey said.
For years, the borough has considered whether to replace or repair the Haddon Avenue library.
"The library is not properly handicap accessible," Borough Manager Sharon McCullough said. "In order for us to make our current building handicap accessible, we would lose a tremendous amount of space."
A borough-hired consultant, Library Solutions, concluded in a study released last year that a new library was needed, McCullough said.
The study details how much space is needed and what services should be provided to serve the community, McCullough said.
Commissioners are now weighing their options and looking for funding, McCullough said.
"It is very, very early in the stages right now," McCullough said.
No decision will be reached without extensive public input, she added.
Griffey said the ordinance would give voters more control over what is built.
"Potentially, this new library could be the borough's biggest expense," Griffey said. "Right now, the power to spend the money rests solely with the commissioners. We're not against the library. We just want to know how much it's going to cost and what the impact is going to be before we decide."
Reach Lavinia DeCastro at (856) 486-2652 or ldecastro@courierpostonline.com
Posted by tumulty at October 26, 2008 10:28 AM
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