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Library's fate rests with town residents
Jamesburg facility's future in referendum
Friday, October 31, 2008
BY CHRISTOPHER DELA CRUZ
Star-Ledger Staff
The public library in Jamesburg, like many small towns, has been a community gathering place for 78 years. But during Tuesday's election, residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether to close the library, with a shared service agreement with Monroe's library in its place.

Some see Jamesburg's library dilemma as an example of the tough choices municipalities, especially small towns, will have to face in the coming months in the wake of state budget cutbacks and a looming national economic melt down.

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"There are tough choices that are going to be made by mayors and government bodies," said William Dressel, director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. "Every service and program is being looked at critically. This is a turbulent time that we're in."

The town council agreed to place the library's future up for a referendum vote this year because of dwindling state aid to small towns. Town officials expect no state aid in next year's state budget.

A number of residents are dismayed by the idea of getting rid of their library and the library is wag ing a campaign to stay alive by put ting up lawn signs and going door- to-door. For them, a small library in walking distance for children and adults alike is non-negotiable in keeping the small-town feel of Jamesburg.

"There's got to be a way to cut something else besides something important like libraries," said Rorie Holman, a resident who plans to vote against the referendum. "I'm disgusted by it."

But other residents said the economic circumstances are be yond the control of local officials.

"There is a sense that the town needs to make some sacrifices," said Amy Pratico, a member of the Jamesburg Revitalization Commit tee who is undecided on the vote. "I guess you have to bite the bullet sometimes and make hard choices."

Grimes said that if the library is kept open, the town would probably be forced to make deep cuts in next year's budget that include funding decreases for recreation and opting for private garbage pick up.

Mayor Anthony LaMantia said while the decision was tough, residents are getting access to a bigger, better library in Monroe while keeping the town fiscally responsible.

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Albano & Milam Video Op-Ed on Enhancing Penalties for Illegal Beach Dumping (A-3270 & A-3271)
In this video op-ed, Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam (both D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May) discuss their legislation to enhance the penalties associated with illegally dumping medical waste in New Jersey. The two-bill package was crafted after several South Jersey beaches were forced to close before Labor Day weekend following the discovery of illegally dumped medical waste that had washed ashore. As many as 225 syringes and other medical waste were found in Avalon - leading borough officials to close beaches four times. Syringes also washed ashore in Berkeley, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Brigantine and Upper Township.
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Library's fate rests with town residents
Jamesburg facility's future in referendum
Page 2 of 2
"We're trying to give our residents the best possible service they can have for the least amount of money," LaMantia said. "We just can't afford it as a small town."

But Cindy Yasher, library direc tor, said the small library is irreplaceable.

"You'll just lose that small town feel," said Yasher. "We have a very friendly atmosphere. We know all of our patrons on a first name basis."

The library cost about 3 percent of the town's $5.4 million budget in 2008. Because of a mandated state regulation that links funding for municipal libraries to property values in the town, funding has increased over the last several years without any local control. This past year saw an 8 percent increase, and 2007 saw a 17 percent increase.

Borough officials said cutting the library would save about $30,000 to $70,000 in this year's budget.

But sharing a library with the larger neighboring town may sig nify the town's identity eroding with the increase in shared services, said Holman.

"Jamesburg is this town that people look down upon," said Hol man. "Monroe has taken so much of Jamesburg that we have the right to have our own library."

But Grimes said he fears pressure for small towns to consolidate would intensify in the current economic climate, and municipalities have to make smart decisions to survive.

"Unless we can find ways to share services in every aspect of our budget with our surrounding communities, what is going to happen is exactly what (Gov. Jon) Cor zine wants," said Grimes. "Towns are going to go bankrupt and be forced to merge with certain communities."

Christopher Dela Cruz may be reached at cdelacruz@starled ger.com or (732) 293-4931.