Seaford prepares for library vote

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Seaford residents will cast their ballots in the library’s budget and trustee election on April 5.

Polls will be open at the library, at 2234 Jackson Ave., from 1 to 9 p.m. Residents will vote on the budget, which library leaders said would allow them to continue to be a key resource to the community.

The Seaford Public Library’s proposed budget includes an increase in the tax levy — or the total amount that the library needs to raise in property taxes to meet expenses — of 1.21 percent. In a letter to the community posted on the website, library officials implored residents to approve the $2.23 million spending plan so they would be able to fulfill their mission and “provide high-quality print and e-books, information resources, interesting and popular programs and workshops for groups of all ages”

Peter Ruffner, the president of the library board, said that the trustees are dedicated to the community. The professional staff is “what makes the library go,” he added, noting that the biggest challenges officials face while crafting the budget is compensating them and providing viable and necessary materials — all while keeping the taxpayers in mind.

“[We] are constantly looking for ways to expand our mission without increasing taxes,” he said. “The benevolent support of community organizations and businesses that sponsor some of our programs is vital.”

The 2017-18 spending plan would fund the renovation of the library’s bathrooms — which have not been upgraded since the 1960s — and the installation of improved fire and burglar alarm systems, Ruffner said. The budget also calls for a $3,500 increase in spending on books, magazines, DVDs CDs, audiobooks, eBooks and reference materials.

“Of the 54 libraries in Nassau County and the 117 throughout the Long Island region, I am confident that the Seaford community gets the biggest bang for its library buck,” Ruffner said. “We are always looking to improve to make Seaford a better community.”

Incumbent Trustee Pat Coughlin is also running unopposed for a five-year term. 

For more information about the election and to view the full 2017-18 spending plan, visit www.seafordlibrary.org.