To the Editor:

$166,857, or one hundred, sixty-six thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven dollars.

That’s how much more taxpayers will have to pay in just the first year if the Massena Public Library transitions from a town library to a school district library, according to numbers announced recently by Library Director Krista Briggs.

So, we’ll spend nearly $14,000 More Per Month for a library that I believe will not change, will not expand its services, or improve what it has to offer.

Why?

That is the question that neither Ms. Briggs nor the Library’s Board of Trustees has fully answered.

They have spent countless hours circulating petitions to bring about a referendum, but they have yet to offer any real, fact-based reason for the transition.

For years, the library has wanted more money from the Town. When I served as Town Supervisor, it was an annual discussion. I continuously asked how much is enough to fund a library in a small town that has been economically devastated by a variety of factors for the past 40 years.

Massena’s population, like the rest of New York State, continues to decline as families leave to escape the highest taxes in the country. 

Now, they want to add a new local tax for the library.

Look, the Massena Library Board of Trustees, who are appointed by the Town Board, are a dedicated, well-intentioned group of volunteers who protect the library tenaciously. But to be honest, they have little to no experience in budgeting, business, or government.

The last three library directors held great sway over the various boards of trustees, and apparently continue to do so.

Why aren’t the library trustees speaking publicly about this change? Ms. Briggs has plenty to say but she doesn’t represent the public and taxpayers. That obligation falls to the Board of Directors. We need to hear from them prior to the vote.

Will there be public meetings to inform the public and initiate discussion about the proposal?

There are many issues to discuss, but the primary question that needs to be addressed is who owns the Massena Public Library? Last I knew, most of the trustees operate under the illusion that the Town of Massena Does Not own the library.

So, who does own it and why have Town Taxpayers spent literally hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years on physical improvements and upkeep there? Will this money be repaid to the Town if the library becomes independent and autonomous, and literally answers to no governing authority?

Also, this proposal will add custodial/maintenance staff to the library. Currently, one Town custodian cleans and maintains the Town Hall, Town Museum, and the library. Every day. The Massena Public Library does not need its own custodian. That’s another argument I dealt with perennially when I was in office.

Lastly, a similar referendum was voted down in 2020. What circumstances have changed to make Library Trustees and staff think a second vote should be held? Maybe they just can’t accept “no” as an answer. 

Joseph D. Gray
Massena Town Supervisor 2010-2017