Hewlett-Woodmere library budget approved

Despite a nearly 3 percent increase in the tax rate residents of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library district voted overwhelmingly to pass the budget on Tuesday.

By a count of 243 to 94 the budget of $5,889,403 was approved by community members. It represents a 3.72 percent hike in spending. The current fiscal plan is $5,678,170. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

Trustee Frank Zaret ran unopposed and earned the second half of the 5-year term with 237 votes. He had replaced a board member that had moved.

To support the rising costs of paying for employee benefits, especially retirement payouts, the library increased taxes by 2.99 percent.

The amount needed to be raised from taxes increases by $211,233 from the current amount of $5678,170 to $588,403.

Employee benefits rose $179,612 to $2,795,814 in the new budget compared to $2,756,457 in the current plan.

However, Library Director Susan De Sciora said that in spite of a sluggish economy people understand the benefit of the library's services.

"Library use is up more and more as people value the library," she said noting her facility's development of a digital collection that facilitates cardholders use of electronic devices such as the SONY Reader and the Nook eReader. "That contributes to our success."

The new budget also includes money for technology upgrades.

Board President Ben Eilbott previously noted that the budget was adopted by a 3-2 vote as trustees demonstrated concern for the proposed Nassau County sewer tax.

If passed, that tax would charge one penny per gallon of water that enters the county’s sewage system and cost the library about $9,300 annually if it goes into effect, De Sciora said.

Zaret, a Woodmere resident, served as president of Friends of the Library before being appointed to the board.

There were two write-in votes, De Sciora said. One for a Phyllis Zelkowitz and another for Kay Merrit.