By: Megan DeMarco
JAMESBURG The Borough Council has taken the first step toward ending its support of the public library.
The council voted Wednesday to introduce an ordinance that, if adopted Aug. 8, would put a referendum on the November ballot to discontinue maintenance of the library.
If the referendum passes Nov. 6, the library no longer would be considered a municipal library and the council would no longer be required to provide a minimum amount of funding. The decision to make the library an association or privately run library would fall to the library board of trustees. The council would then have the opportunity to provide some funding, but there would be no required minimum.
Council President John Longo Jr. said introducing the ordinance is a way to apply pressure on the state to change the state cap levy law and exempt the Jamesburg library.
The cap, which was enacted earlier this year and would go into effect with the 2008 budget, limits annual growth in local tax levies to 4 percent. Borough officials say it conflicts with state rules requiring that municipal libraries receive funding equal to one-third of a milmill (or one-third of one-tenth of a percent of total equalized assessed valuation). The borough is planning to provide $170,472 to the library, up 17 percent from the $145,650 provided in 2006.
"The (laws) are going to collide at some point," Councilman Otto Kostbar said.
Mr. Longo said the vote to introduce the ordinance places the task not just with the council but with the community to pressure the state.
"Our backs are against the wall. ., we’reWe’re really serious about what we’re doing right now," Mr. Longo said. "If we do get a statement that says they’re going to help us out then we’ll pull it.
"A vote here of yes tonight does not necessarily mean a vote yes in August."
Only Councilwoman Barbara Carpenter voted against introducing the ordinance.
"We should wait," she said. "This issue in a way was good because it brought a lot of information to people they didn’t know before."
Mayor Anthony LaMantia asked that the ordinance be tabled, but advised the council to continue pressuring the state.
"I feel something’s going to be done in Trenton," he said. "I don’t think we should proceed any further than we are right now."
Other members of the council disagreed.
"I for one am not optimistic we will get the waiver in the end," Mr. Kostbar said. "We do have to be ready for the worst case scenario in this where we don’t get the waiver and have to deal with the cap."
Mayor LaMantia said that, if Jamesburg does not receive the exemption, the whole budget will be cut.
"Nothing in the budget is going to be exempt from possible cuts," he said.
Councilman Tom Bodall originally favored tabling the ordinance but voted to introduce with the provision that it could be pulled in August.
"We have to be out there. We have to be proactive. We have to push the state," he said.
Mr. Longo agreed.
"We’ve heard very, very clearly from a lot of people that you don’t mind us raising your taxes to keep the library," he said. "Keep applying the pressure."
Mr. Longo said the cap does not have the same effect on larger communities like South Brunswick, Monroe and East Brunswick.
"It affects those types of communities that are limited in their resources and still provide services," he said.
Councilman Joseph Jennings pointed out that the cap is part of a statewide push to deal with property taxes, and that the conflicting laws will affect other municipalities.
"That will snowball across the state," Mr. Jennings said. "We have to continue to push and push hard."
Elliott Stroul, president of the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition, brought up the possibility of forming a coalition with other municipalities in the state that might be experiencing similar problems.
"If we can be of any help to each other in putting pressure on Trenton, a united front is better, Mr. Stroul said.
Carole Hetzell, president of the Friends of the Library, said she has talked at length with legislators and they are aware of the state mandate.
"Once you close the library, it’s done, it’s over," she said. "I don’t think we can support an association library."
Mr. Kostbar said he understood.
"We don’t like being in this position," he said. "We don’t like having to make these decisions."

