To the Editor:

The proposed change to the school district funded Massena library from the current town funded library is not all that it appears to be. If you look a little closer to the details, there are items that have not been clearly stated and some that are shifting funding inequalities from one set of tax payers to another. Below are some of the those details which need to be considered if this really is the path forward:

• If this proposal passes, those in the town of Norfolk will now be paying for 2 libraries, Norfolk and Massena.

• The table provided by the Massena Public Library showing the tax levy is correct but doesn’t clearly depict the Norfolk situation. It is true that Norfolk tax payers do not provide any support to the Massena Library. There is a good reason for this; every year they pay for their town library.

• It has also been said that there are only 2 structures for libraries; municipal type and the school district type. This is not the case. There is the “Special District Library” which appears to be a better solution to make sure tax payers are being treated equitably. This special district library is currently being used for the Norwood library.

It is clear the library wants more funding and feels the current Municipal structure isn’t to their liking. Switching to the School District structure they feel will make is easier to get increased funding.

The school district library is not the best solution and is not equitable to all the tax payers. There are different and better solutions to make funding the Massena library fair for everyone.

Vote NO for the Massena school district library proposal.

Doug von Borstel
Town of Norfolk
Massena School District