PR Exec to N. Merrick Library Board: Slow Down on Bond Referendum Campaign

A public relations executive told the North Merrick Library's Board of Trustees Tuesday night that they may be moving too fast in pushing for a bond referendum to finance a library renovation.

"It's too early to put out a brochure," said Libby Post, of Albany-based Communication Services, of a brochure the library has been distributing that asks the community "to begin to consider passing a referendum."  

Post, who attended Tuesday's board meeting in an attempt to sell her firm's services, said that while the brochure lays out what the renovation would entail, it does not include any dollar figures as to how much any of it would cost. 

"It's all very nice, but it's a little early," Post said.  "I would not use it.  You are not ready to ask people to vote yes.  You leave yourself open to premature attacks."

The library renovation would include replacing the roof, windows, boiler, HVAC system and adding solar panels to the roof of the 53-year-old building.  An expanded children's area, a new young adult room, and the additions of a public meeting room, a large community program room and an outdoor sitting area are also part of the renovation plans. 

Board president William Pezzulo asked Post how she would respond to a North Merrick resident who said, "We have a brand new library rebuilt a half mile away, why do we need to rebuild and expand the smaller one?

Post said North Merrick voters had spoken in the past and they wanted their own library.

"Will you convince every single person? No," Post said of pushing the renovation plans.

Post suggested the board hold off on a bond referendum vote until early 2011 to give voters a break after the political circus in November.  Pezzulo said he was in no rush to ask North Merrick residents to finance the renovations.

"With the economy the way it is today a year after a crash, as long it takes will only be a plus on our side as things slowly begin to come around," he said. "That's my take on it."

In other library board news:

• Library Director Tom Witt informed the board that the library's coin-operated telephone had been taken down with a courtesy phone allowing brief local calls installed in its place. "This will result in major cost savings," Witt said.

• Pezzulo acknowledged the recent death of long-time library employee Dorothy McNamee.  "We are sorry for her loss," Pezzulo said.  "She loved working and never wanted to stop working. We thank you Dorothy and thank you for your years of service."

• The board scheduled a trustee/budget vote for April 19. Trustee George Brucia is up for re-election.  Voter registration is on April 12, with a budget hearing on the same night.  The board will not be required to hold a budget vote if its proposed budget for the next fiscal year contains no increases over the current $2 million budget. 

• The board will meet next Wednesday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. to continue budget discussions, which began earlier this month.