LML's Budget Passes, Two Trustees Elected

The Lindenhurst Memorial Library budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year was approved by voters on Tuesday.

"We here at LML are very happy that once again our friends and neighbors have shown their support for their public library," Director Peter Ward told Lindenhurst Patch on Wednesday.

They voted to pass (184 yes and 52 no*) the proposed $4.5 million budget featuring a 1.97 percent tax levy.

They also voted to reelect Diana Coyne, current library board president, to another five-year term.

Plus, they elected new board member Antoinette DeLuca, who'll serve the rest of Robert Becker's term (four years). Becker resigned earlier this year.

The Budget
The 1.97 percent tax levy - which will take effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013 - represents a slight increase over the previous tax levy for the 2012-13 fiscal year. Last year it was 1.26 percent.

"We stayed under the tax cap, but the tax levy does go up slightly," according to Ward, noting the change in the library taxes for the average homeowner for the year is $6 - or $9.59 per $100 assessed value from last year's $9.41 per assessed value.

(See the accompanying PDF file for a further budget breakdown.)

According to Ward, the priorities for the LML as it heads into the new fiscal year shortly include:

• Training and development of all employees to ensure all are up to date with new technologies in the library.
• An "intense" effort to reach out to students at the Lindenhurst Middle School to promote reading and all that the library has to offer.
• An emphasis on collection development to make sure the books, DVDS and other materials available to the public better reflect the cultural diversity of Lindenhurst and make them more accessible to all those living in the community.

Going Green
Also on the agenda is the Going Green at the LML effort, which is beginning this month with the HVAC and lighting improvements designed to improve the experience of residents and save on energy costs in the long run.

The LML's project involves replacing the two large, 40-year-old HVAC units with six smaller, more energy-efficent rooftop units.

It also involves replacing original ceilings and flourescent lighting with new, more energy-efficient LED lighting and a new, more sound-absorbing suspended ceiling using acoustical tiles.

The library will remain open during these upgrades, with the library closing affected sections starting with the mezzanine as the improvements progress. The whole capital improvement project is expected to be completed in August.

"We'll be keeping the library open, but the first priority is the public's safety," Ward said. "We ask for their patience during this. But these improvements will make the library more comfortable. The sound absorption will be better, and the temperature will be more evenly distributed, so it'll be more cost efficient and it'll lower operating costs."

The capital improvement is estimated to cost $1.1 million, and actually came in $300,000 under budget, said Ward.

It's part of a five-year plan and is paid for out of a separate fund specifically slated for such improvements.

As such, Ward noted the library hasn't needed to borrow money or get a bond to begin implementing the improvements, and therefore, it hasn't incurred any long-term debt.

*Article has been updated to include this information.

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