New Montclair Budget Will Lessen The Blow On Library, Pre-K, And Montclair Arts Council; But Bellevue Library Branch Expected To Close

Although the Montclair Township Council is still weeks away from voting on its proposed $69.8 million budget, one that would spark a 6 percent property tax increase, it has agreed in principle on roughly 12 percent cuts to the Montclair Public Library, the Montclair Community Pre-K, and also the Montclair Arts Council. Councilors say that these cuts, while harsh, aren't as severe as those previously put forth. They say they have been able to lessen the blow by using money from the sale of a property sold on the corner of Label and Forest streets in May.

But it's definitely starting to look as though one casualty of the budget crisis will be the Bellevue branch library.

"If we can lease the Bellevue Avenue branch and generate some revenue, this certainly will be a very positive situation," said Councilor Renee Baskerville. "I understand the sentiment of some residents who have enjoyed the luxury of walking or peddling to the Bellevue Avenue branch. I was one of those individuals when my son was young.

"The reality is that with a township of 37,000 to 38,000 residents that is roughly nine miles long, we don't need two separate libraries," she said. "Whatever  services were attractive at the branch, I'd like to make sure that we provide those at the main library."

Councilor Nick Lewis, too, said that the Belleveue Avenue branch—currently only open on Mondays—would either have to close or limit its services.

He pointed out though that the general library fund had received no budget increases in at least a few years, which already had put real pressure on its ability to continue delivering services.

"The proposed $700,000 would have been crippling," he said. "A cut in funding in the $400,000 to $500,000 range is something that they can survive, although it will require them to reduce services at the Upper Montclair branch or possibly close it."

Meanwhile, Lewis said that the originally proposed cut of $20,000 for the Montclair Arts Council would have prevented it from making payroll for all or most of the last quarter of the year.

"A cut at that level would mean the end of that organization," he said. "I have been speaking with members of that Board and they now believe that they can survive with a cut in the $8,000 range, although that is likely to leave them with empty coffers at the end of the year unless they can find some other source of funding (like donations)."

Finally, Lewis said that the originally proposed cut of $90,000 to the Pre-K program would have come out of scholarships for needy children.

"By restoring around $50,000 in funding for the Pre-K, we will allow a number of additional students to be able to afford to attend," he said, adding that although he doesn't know the precise number, he assumes it will be between six and 15.

At the same time, Councilor Cary Africk said he is opposed to the budget as it now stands.

"I asked for an additional $300,000 to be cut, and I asked for the library to 'furlough' the Bellevue branch," he said. "Such a 'furlough,' i.e. closing, would offer us the opportunity to lease the building out, perhaps bringing in another $10,000 per month instead of costing us $300,000 plus per year. Neither is being considered at this point. The overall feeling, from the others, is that 'we've done all we can do'."

The councilors have been able to lessen a budget shortfall by using money from the sale of an 11,290-square-foot rectangular lot on the corner of Label and Forest streets, the former space occupied by a motor vehicle inspection station that closed in May 2008. Since then, the Township had used the building for municipal storage. The property sold in May to developer Steven Plofker for $750,000.

The councilors are expected to approve a final Township budget by the end of September.