Library Budget Represents A 2 Percent Tax Increase
Written by Pat Grace: pgrace@antonnews.com Friday, 13 April 2012 00:00
Largest increase is legal fees for over 2-year contract negotiations with staff
Four hours had been set aside on April 4 for residents to register to vote on April 17 for library trustee and the library budget, but no one showed up. That same evening, in the community room of the library, the 2012-13 proposed budget was presented and following questions by residents, passed. The Trombettas did the heavy lifting and represented their Manhasset neighbors at the 7 p.m. meeting with well thought out questions and requests for clarification on several issues. Also present at the budget hearing was the wife of a trustee, the library program director and the Manhasset Press.
The total tax for last year 2011-12 was $4,659,705; for 2012-13 it is $4,752,786, representing an increase of $93,081 or a 2 percent tax increase, within the allowed 2 percent tax cap.
Total expenses for 2012-13 are shown here along with figures from 2011-12 in parenthesis for comparison. Total operating expenses $3,784,497 ($3,658,461); fewer anticipated receipts $83,680 ($109,050); total operating budget $3,700,817 ($3,549,411); debt service $1,051,969 ($1,110,294); total tax $4,752,786 ($4,659,705).
The debt service figure is less due to a reduction established when the bonds were refinanced and it was said the refinancing will save $900,000.
The budget summary was divided into four major categories: salaries and benefits $2,743,304 ($2,715,221); materials $258,250 ($225,300); operating expenses $341,800 ($305,640) and building and maintenance $441,143 ($412,3000).
Under salaries and benefits, the pension plan was approximately $21,000 less because, it was said, senior employees retired. Gough said, and later confirmed, there are 19 full-time employees and 30 part-time employees and that is, she said, within the civil service guidelines. Of the full-time employees, eight are librarians with four each in the children and adult sections, she said, and there are 3-4 part- time librarians. The rest of the staff is clerical or have specialized professional titles. Gough said it is a library trend, and a reality, to cross-train the staff enabling them to give preliminary assistance to a patron in situations where a librarian is not needed.
Under operating expenses, “professional fees and expenses” increased from $69,400 to $110,000, because, library director Maggie Gough said, of costs associated with the contract with the staff that has been in negotiations for two years. Also, Gough said, money was put aside as they are in the process of being sued by several people who have fallen on the premises.
Under building and maintenance, management continues to add to the building replacement fund, this year $22,000; last year, the first year of the line item, they allocated $20,000. The building is now 7 years old. It was said that in the 1990s the school district adopted a “pay as you go” approach to school building maintenance and in later years paid heavily for that decision. The library wants a fund to pay for necessary repairs. “The building,” they agreed, “is getting older.”
Another new line item, $50,000 for RFID, or radio frequency information device, was questioned. It is a tag embedded in library materials that can be scanned for information, for instance allowing the staff to scan a shelf for what is missing. It is expensive and will be phased in, they said.
Gough mentioned the Better World Book program. A receptacle will be placed outside the library for residents to place any books they no longer want nor feel the library can use. Gough said 10 libraries on Long Island are participating, the library receives a small percentage, around 3 percent; it is a green initiative, and the books are put to good use. “The staff,” she said, “is 100 percent behind us.”
Joanne Kesten was appointed to fill the trustee position vacated by Joseph T. Vogel, who tendered his resignation effective August 2011. Kesten will have completed Mr. Vogel’s term and is running unopposed for the five-year position.
The budget vote and trustee election will be held in the community room of the library on Tuesday, April 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
News
Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00
Arda Haratunian An Organizer
Manhasset resident Arda Nazerian Haratunian is lending her expertise and support to ERASE Racism, a civil rights non-profit that advocates for racial equity on Long Island. As a member of its planning committee for the third year in a row, she is helping to organize ERASE Racism’s Annual Benefit Celebration, which will take place on June 5 at the Garden City Hotel.
A strategic communications consultant, Arda has more than 25 years experience in both the private and public sectors. She most recently served as senior policy advisor and communications director to former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and previously worked for New York Governor Mario Cuomo. During the decade between her two careers in public service, Arda was on Wall Street, serving as managing director of global corporate communications for Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank and before that, head of media and public relations at the American Stock Exchange.
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
Manhasset Florist & Greenhouse
There is a floral treasure in Manhasset, something unique: it’s the greenhouse in front of Manhasset Florist on Orchard Street. “Having my own greenhouse ensures premium plant growth and creates optimum conditions. This allows me to offer the healthiest plants to my customers,” says owner Alexander Otis. Indeed, the plants look truly perfect and a delightful scent of blossoms fills the air of the greenhouse.
“My father bought the business and property 45 years ago. During those years, he opened a total of five flower shops in Nassau County,” said Alex. His father trained him and his sister Aretta in the flower business. “While still attending high school we both helped on Saturdays and during our vacations,” he explains. Alex graduated from the New York Institute of Technology as an architect and worked as an engineer for over six years before returning to his roots to help his father manage his five flower shops and to run one, Garden City Florist. “When my father retired in 1999, I took over Manhasset Florist & Greenhouse and Aretta took over Port Washington Florist.”
Sports
Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00
One of Manhasset’s 12U intramural baseball teams defeated Great Neck in the first game played at the renovated Valley Park field on Saturday April 27. Manhasset’s offense scored 10 runs, including a home run from Devin Callery, while pitchers Logan Hyde, Jeff Torborg, James Marchetti and Grant Petracca combined to limit Great Neck to one hit with 11 strikeouts in six innings. Edward Jarvis, Robert DeCastro, Massimo Abruzzo, Colby Schmidt, Gabriel Cohen, Spencer Kaye and Justin Louie each contributed quality defensive plays. Manhasset raised its record to 4-0 and stands in first place in the inter-town intramural league, which includes 8 teams from Merillon, Albertson-Herricks, Great Neck and Manhasset.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013 10:34
The Manhasset Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Team finished their season Wednesday night, April 17, beating Bellmore/Merrick 4-3 in the championship game at the Bethpage Community Park Ice Rink. Wednesday’s finale marked the end of an impressive campaign by the Indians which included a 19-1 regular season record and a trip to the New York State Championship in Ithaca.
Manhasset got off to a strong start scoring four times in the first period on goals by Michael Walsh, Michael Brzozowski, Mario De Bueriis, and Matthew Cecchini whose tally would prove to be the game winner. Nolan Behringer, Ryan Kiess, and goaltender Alex Feinstein led the defense in shutting down a powerful Bellmore/Merrick squad, securing Manhasset’s first ever Junior Varsity Championship.
Calendar
Film Screening With Director
Saturday, May 18
Got A Question About Brooklyn History?
Sunday, May 19
Don Scott Memorial 5K Run
Sunday, May 19
School Budget Vote And Trustee Election
Tuesday, May 21
Columns
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
