CRANBURY: Library gives money to township

By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
   CRANBURY — The Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees passed a resolution Feb. 13 that will allow a transfer of $18,000 of the library’s dedicated funding to the municipality.
   Earlier in the month, in an effort to ease the tax burden on residents, Mayor Pari Stave asked the board to look into such an action, allowed under recently passed state legislation.
   ”In the end, we are a municipal public library and want to do everything possible to work with the town,” said Kirstie Venanzi, board president, in a press release. “Overall, Cranbury Public Library is fiscally conservative; we spend funds prudently, reserve funds for emergencies and future projects and strive to use the 1 percent we receive of tax dollars in the best manner possible.”
   According to a press release from the library, board members decided on the amount they would give back by looking at a worksheet issued by the state. Board members came to the $18,000 figure by assessing their total funds available, minus their restricted funds like library grants, donations and future capital expenses. The process also requires that the library set aside 25 percent of those funds for emergencies.
   ”Using that worksheet, this is the maximum amount that we can give,” said Library Director Marilynn Mullen.
   Aside from allocating funds to the municipality, Mayor Stave also requested that the library look into helping some local organizations with their operating costs.
   Ms. Mullen said the library already does offer certain aid to municipal organizations, such as inviting the Recreation Department’s participants to some of its summer programs or by hosting movie nights for the senior center.
   But the library may be looking to play a larger part in these organizations, she said.
   ”We might help host movies in the park or hire speakers for the senior center,” Ms. Mullen said. “We have enough in our budget to partner with the town on other programs. We don’t want to take over these programs. We want to work with them.”
   Township Administrator Christine Smeltzer said any help the library can give to the municipality is extremely appreciated during this tight budget season.
   ”I think the (Township) Committee is happy to get any money they are willing to give,” she said.