BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Board of education members signed off on a vote that may see the Massena Library transition from a town entity to a school district library, but one resident says the switch could have negative financial implications for veterans in the community.

Board members recently approved the measure, which will trigger a vote sometime this spring.

This will be the second attempt in four years to transition the library to a school district library. The previous vote in 2020 was defeated after voters in Norfolk and Brasher shot down the idea.

If the library moves to school district control, the library will be funded through an additional line item of school taxes, according to Town Supervisor Sue Bellor.

That would mean that Massena Central School District voters in Brasher, Louisville, Massena and Norfolk would be responsible for covering the cost of operating the library.

The budget for the library includes appropriations totaling $504,133 from the town of Massena and $9,000 from the town of Louisville for 2024. In a recent town board meeting it was revealed that library officials are seeking $679,990 in annual appropriations.

Mark Englert addressed the school board during a recent special board of education meeting, telling the board that the switch could cause veterans to lose a tax credit.

“Two major things that we fail to realize is on town taxes, of which the library receives their money every year, combat veterans and our disabled veterans receive a tax benefit, minimum of 25%,” he said.

Englert said that tax break would be lost if the transition goes through because the district does not offer a tax break for veterans or disabled veterans. Englert did note that first responders like firefighters and ambulance personnel do receive such tax breaks right now, a measure he supports.

"I support that, they leave their house at night," he said.

Superintendent Ron Burke said he would have a discussion with the district's attorney to see "how that tax implication works" regarding veterans.

Krista Briggs, Massena library director, said she would also have an attorney address the situation. Briggs said she also spoke with representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the situation, who suggested more individuals speak out about similar concerns as well.

Englert said the impact on a veteran's financial stability could be dire.

“If you live in a $150,000 house, it could be fairly substantial to a veteran who’s on a limited income. I think perhaps it’s time that we consider some sort of a discount for our veterans or combat veterans or disabled veterans. Perhaps it’s time to think of the veterans,” he said.

Board Member Joyce Giroux also touched on the topic, saying the community needs to be educated about the implications before it can go to a vote.

"This is a very good concern that Mr. Englert brings out," she said.

“I would put out the pros and the negatives and avoid all the questions. But in a short amount of time you’re going to have to get a lot of education there I think,” she continued.

Though Board Member Robert LeBlanc questioned why the library was unable to secure more funding from the town for operations, Board Member Patricia Murphy questioned where those funds would be spent if the transition became reality.

“As far as what happens to the money that the town has allotted for us, the town decides that. We don’t know what the town is going to do. That's the town’s decision,” Briggs said.

Briggs also spoke of the town's significant "financial difficulties, saying libraries are often the first to receive budget cuts.

“Massena has had notable financial difficulties, so we are not the only ones to get cut. But, we are one of the first to get cut each time and we’re just trying to stop it," she said.