The Carle Place Library Funding District on Tuesday, Jan. 2 held their first public meeting. At this time, the board determined the length of the terms of office for the five trustees elected by the public last month. The board also appointed trustees to their respective positions.

The length of each trustee's term was determined by the number of votes garnered in last month's election, with the person with the most votes appointed to a five-year term and each term thereafter decreasing by one year. As a result, Margaret Wilde (414 votes) was appointed to a five-year term; Peter McDonnell (374 votes) will serve a four-year term; David Evans (351 votes) will serve a three-year term; Peter Prommersberger (315 votes) will serve a two-year term; and Thomas Sobczak (310 votes) will serve a one-year term.

Trustees' terms will be staggered over the next five years so that one trustee will be up for election each year. Therefore, Sobczak will be up for re-election this December, with Prommersberger in 2004, Evans in 2005, McDonnell in 2006 and Wilde in 2007. After five years, each trustee's position will be five years, with a different position seat up for re-election each year. Such methods are commonly used in determining positions and lengths of office in local school and garbage districts.

In addition, Prommersberger and Wilde were appointed president and vice president, respectively, with McDonnell as treasurer and David Evans as secretary. There were only four positions available.

On Dec. 10, residents approved the implementation of a library funding district - which will follow the boundaries of the Carle Place School District, the election of a five-member, volunteer board of trustees and an $845,000 budget to purchase library services from a neighboring library. It was determined that partnering with the Westbury Public Library would be in the best interest for all parties involved.

At this time, Frank Moroney, attorney for the Carle Place Library Funding District, and Laura Granelli, attorney for the Westbury Public Library, are currently working to iron out the details of the contract. A contract should be completed over the next few months, said Prommersberger. It is hoped that Carle Place residents will be able to access services at the Westbury Library as early as July 1.

With the Carle Place Library Funding District still in its preliminary planning stages with the Westbury Public Library, residents currently have two options to access library services. Residents using State Mandated Access Card, which can be obtained and used at either the East Meadow or Levittown libraries, can continue to do so. In addition, Carle Place residents who in the past purchased and have a valid Westbury Library card will still be allowed to use them. "Our board very quickly and graciously has extended free service to residents [of Carle Place]," said Cathleen Towey, director of the Westbury Public Library. Both cards will be accepted until the Carle Place Library Funding District's contract with Westbury goes into effect.

The Carle Place Library Funding District will hold its next public meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. in the Carle Place Middle School library.