Phoenicia Library decision is delayed by Shandaken Planning Board

Daily Freeman – 3.14.13 – by Jay Braman Jr. – The Shandaken Planning Board delayed their decision to approve the Phoenicia Library’s site plan. “Eric Hofmeister, the son of an adjacent landowner, warned at the hearing that the proposed wider building would put neighbors at a higher fire risk and cause worse flooding on Main Street in the hamlet of Phoenicia…Project supporter and Phoenicia resident Mark Lerner defended the library’s plan, saying the expansion of the building is necessary for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. He also said the plan complies with flood regulations because it calls for special flaps to be built in the structure’s basement to allow water to pass underneath during floods.”

Phoenicia Library plan subject of Wednesday hearing at Shandaken Town Hall

Daily Freeman – 3.12.13 - by Jay Braman Jr. – The Shandaken Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the site plan for the Phoenicia Library reconstruction. The public hearing will allow town residents to voice their opinions. The owners of the properties next to the library have filed a lawsuit against the town of Shandaken over the planning board’s approval of the variance requested by the library. If the planning board votes to approve the site plan, the next step will be for the library to apply for a building permit.

Phoenicia Library neighbors sue over town of Shandaken’s decision to allow larger building

Daily Freeman – 2.26.13 - by Jay Braman Jr. – “The Main Street property owners on either side of the burned-out Phoenicia Library have filed a lawsuit against the town of Shandaken over the recent Zoning Board of Appeals decision to grant the library variances to put a larger building on the site.” The lawsuit states that the setbacks do not have a “good and legally justifiable cause.” The neighbors would have no problem with the library rebuilding at the size it was before the March 2011 fire.

Hurley Public Library budget is approved by wide margin

Daily Freeman – 10.25.12 – by William J. Kemble – “The Hurley Public Library’s proposed $107,460 budget for 2013 was approved by a vote of 51-3 on Thursday, according to library board Vice President Kelli Cooper. In the election for two four-year seats on the library board, incumbent Susanna Elting and newcomer Eric Fiore were unopposed. Each received 48 votes, and there was one write-in vote, Cooper said.”

Hurley Public Library Vote Scheduled

“Hurley library budget exceeds tax levy cap, needs 60% support from voters to take effect” – Daily Freeman – 10.17-12 – by William J. Kemble -

“Residents of the Hurley Library District will vote on Oct. 25 on a proposed $107,460 library budget for 2013. Voting will be from 4 to 7 p.m. in the library, 44 Main St. Eligible voters are those live in Hurley Districts 2, 4 and 6. The proposed budget is 2.08 percent larger than the 2012 spending plan and would raised the library’s property tax levy by 3.94 percent.”

Ulster Libraries Clarification: In the recent article in the Daily Freeman about the Hurley Library’s upcoming budget vote, a  trustee is quoted as saying they are overriding the cap and need to have 60% of voters pass their budget. This is not true. The 60% figure comes into play when the BOARD is deciding to override the cap. At a board meeting, prior to the adoption of the budget, a vote of the trustees to pass an override resolution must pass by at least 60%.

Machine malfunction compromised library vote

Saugerties Times – 10.1.12 – by Sharyn Flanagan – After a trained technician examined the machine used in the September vote determined that the machine failed to properly count votes for the candidate, Jennifer Kavanagh. The machine worked properly counting budget votes and votes for other candidate.  Ms. Kavanagh has decided not to contest the vote but to graciously volunteer her time with the library friends group.

Foundation awards $10,000 for Phoenicia Library renovations

Poughkeepsie Journal – 9.19.12

“The Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation recently announced a $10,000 grant to the Phoenicia Library in support of efforts to rebuild after a devastating fire in March 2011…

The foundation grant will go toward the library’s objectives of renovation, upgrades to meet ADA accessibility standards and the installation of energy efficiency measures in the building.”