There were few questions from members of the Noyac Civic Council Tuesday night about the proposed renovation at the John Jermain Memorial Library. A notable exception was Jim Posner, a resident of Noyac and former member of the committee designed to plan an expansion of the library, who is at odds with the most recent proposal for the library.

As presented by library director Cathy Creedon at Tuesday night’s meeting of the NCC, the current proposal is to expand off the back of the historic building with a more modern design of steel and glass. The three-story addition would add about 7,000 square feet to the building, doubling its size.

Among the features in the new library would be an elevator — which the library does not have at present — a community room with a separate entrance so it can be used after hours, an expanded children’s section plus more room for the regular collection, a plaza for outdoor programs, a climate-controlled space for archives and a business center which will offer such things as computer and copier services for the public.

The library also hired a traffic planner, who has made a proposal for one of the stickier problems: finding parking. As planned, six parking spots, including handicapped, would be dedicated on the north side of Jefferson Street, in front of the library’s handicap entrance. The planner also proposes striping parking on the streets immediately surrounding the library.

Parking was one of the key issues for promoting a second library building to be constructed adjacent to Mashashimuet Park; a proposal Posner championed two years ago. That plan has been scrapped.

“In 1923 they noted the inadequacies of parking at this library, and thought they may have to put up parking limit signs,” Posner told the membership. “It’s the same streets, with the same amount of parking. It doesn’t do anything for Noyac.”

He noted the last bond the library tried to pass, for $8.5 million, failed two-to-one.

“And now they’re asking for $10 million,” he said.

He also criticized the appearance of a steel and glass addition “wrapped around” the historic building, calling it “ungainly,” and criticized the efforts of the current library administration to significantly raise money for the project.

“This committee has done practically nothing,” charged Posner, adding that “it is largely dominated by downtown interests.”

“Sixty-one percent of the people who voted in the last general election were from outside the village,” claimed Posner. “The (library) board doesn’t reflect anyone from beyond downtown.”

Creedon challenged Posner, saying, she too, was from beyond the village limits, as were four members of the board.

She also said the renovation has a lot to offer Noyac residents, not the least of which would be a leak-proof and well-heated building.

The library has also actively been seeking outside funding for the renovation, with potential donors for the archive space and children’s room already lined up. Beyond the $10 million bond, Creedon said she has promised the board she would raise another $2 million from private sources.

As for parking, she said the designers have already created several new spaces, and early presentations to village boards have been well received.

“Parking is not just a library issue,” she said, “but it’s a concern for the whole community.” She said there was no architectural design for the addition, and couldn’t be until the referendum had passed.

Civic council treasurer Nick Metz asked what would happen with the property the library bought adjacent to the park.

“We could sell it for affordable housing, or may hold on to it for the period of construction as a temporary facility,” said Creedon, “or use it later on for some library purpose.”

“What happens if the referendum doesn’t pass,” asked Metz.

“I’d go home and have a stiff cup of coffee and make plans for what to do next,” said Creedon.

Popularity: 5% [?]

On Tuesday, June 2, The North Haven Village Board of Trustees presented a draft for a local law pertaining to boat storage. Once the summer season ends, residents often abandon their kayaks, sailboats, hobie-cats, canoes and dinghies at the end of Sunset Beach Road.
The draft law stipulates that the village will grant boat permits for the storage of boats on village beaches. Once a permit is granted, the boat owner will be given a registration sticker to be placed on the boat. The boat must be removed from beaches by October 31. Boats left on the beach after this date will be considered abandoned and the village will have the right to sell these boats or destroy them.
The village will hold a public hearing on the law on Tuesday, July 7, at 5 p.m.
In addition to legislation on abandoned boats, John Jermain Memorial Library Director Cathy Creedon visited the board to present plans for the library’s expansion, which will be up for a referendum vote on June 29.
Trustee James Morrissey, a self-proclaimed regular patron of the library, asked why the library couldn’t build on the Union Street side of the property to add additional space. Creedeon responded by saying the small stretch of greenery by Union Street is the best position for the library’s cesspool.
Morrissey went on to raise concerns about a lack of parking, especially when the library hosts group meetings and special events. Creedon said a parking analysis revealed there are almost 65 spaces within a block and a half radius of the building. She added that patrons are often more concerned with safely crossing the street — as the library lies at a busy intersection — than finding parking.
Trustee Jeff Sander asked if the library was exploring other sources of funding in addition to taxpayer money. Creedon said she was actively pursuing private donations and grant money.
“A lot of people are waiting until after the referendum [to commit funding],” Creedon said of private donors.
The board appeared receptive to the building plans and referendum.

Popularity: 5% [?]

It’s been five years since the John Jermain Memorial Library’s referendum for an $8 million building plan was voted down — by a resounding majority — and it seems that after a serious period of regrouping, the library is finally close to zeroing in on at least one plan for its future. Ultimatley, it will be the public that decides that future.

Five years ago, the library’s proposal included both a new building on the property by Mashashimuet Park and a renovation of the old structure. We recall that there were several reasons why the proposal went down in defeat. Some people weren’t convinced of the need for two libraries, others feared the hefty price tag or felt that the library hadn’t reached out to the community in order to reach consensus. Then there were those who simply believed the library board lacked a clear vision of how the beloved old building would be used.

The irony, of course, is the drastic way in which the economy has changed in the intervening years. We feel that this new reality has taught everyone to re-evaluate priorities, and now, with the 20-20 vision of hindsight and a prudent hand on the tiller, the library can finally find a happy medium.

In June, a new referendum will be on the ballot. What type of referendum it will be, the library has yet to decide, but if it’s a conditional referendum, residents will be asked to vote on one of three options —moving forward with repairs and a good size expansion to the current structure, building a second building at the park and expanding and making repairs to the old structure, or doing nothing at all. Should the board opt to put forth a phased referendum, residents would vote only on whether repair work should be done at the library along with a modest expansion.

Regardless of the referendum put forth and the final outcome of a public vote, we like the library’s approach this time around, and are happy to see that a great deal of thought and effort has gone into thinking through the process of how the current building can not only be repaired and upgraded, but even expanded. Yes, a lot has changed in five years — including attitudes. While we often got the sense back then that there could never be enough space found at the current location to satisfy the facility’s burgeoning needs, the library’s new director, Cathy Creedon, has given her assurances that an expansion on site would give her enough room to run a fantastic library. Design is something we’ll comment on later.

Regardless of whether a new building at the park is something that might become a reality in the coming months or years, we like the fact that the expansion and repair of the existing space appears to be the primary priority and feel it is one that is appropriate for the economic climate. Not only does it address the library’s immediate demands for comfort and safety, but also demonstrates to the community that the library board is truly concerned about protecting the historic structure.

For us, doing nothing at all is not an option and there is no question that the 201 Main Street location is in dire need of repair. As builder Victor Conseco demonstrated with his carbon dioxide meter, if nothing is done the building would not only be cramped, but more importantly, unsafe.

The library board has learned a lot while on this five year journey and has approached this process in a measured and thoughtful way – clueing in and including the public at every step. After years of dreaming big, many of us realize that focusing on the task at hand is a better way to proceed. Hunkering down to protect what we have instead of whining about what we do not have is a wise course of action in troubled times and one that served both pioneers and puritans well. In this case anyway, we can learn a lot from our forbearers. 

And when it comes to libraries, one that’s “fantastic” is certainly good enough for us.

 

 

Popularity: 6% [?]

It has been nearly three months since the John Jermain Memorial Library (JJML) hosted a community workshop to generate ideas on a future renovation and/or relocation of the library. At the previous meeting, held in early December, workshop participants laid out three different options for the future of the library: renovating and expanding the existing space, renovating the existing building and constructing a new building on a parcel of land — owned by the library — near Mashashimuet Park, or moving all of the library services to a building on the plot near the park.
In December, architect Michael Scott, of Newman Architects, said the library would be ready with plans by March, but now JJML director Cathy Creedon says preliminary plans will be presented to the public on April 20. The plans will include several different architectural options. In light of the economic crisis, the library needed an extra few weeks to “really make sure we were pursuing the best plans for the community,” said Creedon.
On April 20, Creedon said the library will have rough budgetary figures for each design option. By the second meeting, scheduled for May 6, Creedon expects the board to winnow down the plan options, decide upon materials and furnishings and present specific cost estimates. Creedon added the final option will be up for a referendum by late June or early July.
Although the economics of the project is a chief concern for the board, JJML board vice-president Christiane Neuville said the referendum couldn’t be postponed because of the state of the existing building. A number of consultants, including a mechanical and plumbing engineer and an historic building preservationist, were hired by Newman Architects to visit the building and compile a laundry list of necessary repairs.
The consultants found the building’s wiring is non-conforming, the boiler system is functioning at a compromised level and the emergency systems lack proper lighting, fire pulls and sprinklers. In addition, the roof hasn’t been replaced since the 1950s. The cast-iron drain pipes from the roof to the ground are consistently blocked, forcing the water to go through the library’s walls. Creedon said there are often leaks throughout the building, including a leak over the computer area in the basement.
“The consultants’ recommendation was that this building is in need of immediate attention,” said Creedon. The compromised condition of the building is further exacerbated by an increased demand for library services. According to Creedon, over the past year library usage has increased by 23 percent.
The next public meeting on the library’s options will be held on Monday, April 20 at the John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main Street, at 5:15 p.m.

Above: The iron piping is exposed in the basement floor of the library, and is a constant source of leaks.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Bridgehampton
Citarella to Open

The former location of the IGA in Bridgehampton will be opening under the name Citarella come April 2009. Citarella considers itself the “ultimate gourmet market.”
Clare Vail, a Southampton Town Planner said that applicant and property owner, Joe Gurrera, submitted an application of expedited review, “a speedy request,” on February 5, 2009.
The planning department held a favorable view and asked the applicant to submit the application on expedited review because there were only going to be minor changes to the building. The application was approved on February 12.
“The applicant wants to spruce up the building, and move the entrance way,” Vail said.
The entrance to the building will be moved to the north east side, from its original location on the west side facing the parking lot, according to the application.
Vail said the applicant wanted to add outdoor seating and improve the parking area – but that would need to undergo a full site plan review at a later date.

Sag Harbor
Library Moves on Building Plans

The John Jermain Memorial Library Board of Trustees continue to work with Newman Architects to develop a library plan that will, in the words of the architects, “serve the Sag Harbor community’s library needs.” During the past weeks a number of firms working in conjunction with Newman have visited both John Jermain and the library’s property at 425 Main Street near Mashashimuet Park.
Philip Steiner, principal from Altieri Sebor and Weber structural engineers, spent January 27 at the library reviewing the mechanical systems, the exterior of the building, and the roof. On February 5, two preservationists, John Glavin and Michele Boyd, from Building Conservation Associates spent 10 hours with the director of the library, Catherine Creedon, touring the building and reviewing the history of John Jermain including photographs, newspapers clippings, blueprints and board reports. It was the third site visit from this firm, headed by Ray Pepi.
On February 13, Deborah McGuinness and Ed Meade, structural engineers for Robert Silman Associates spent the day in Sag Harbor, evaluating both sites with an emphasis on examining the roof, the exterior envelope, the brick wall, existing blueprints, and documentary evidence related to repairs, additions and renovations.
New York State has also proposed an 18% cut in funding to libraries for 2009.

Southampton Town
Interviews for Board Candidates

Southampton Town board members have decided to open an interview process for vacant and holdover positions.
The appointees who serve on the three boards have salaried positions over a specific term of office consistent with state law. Their decision-making powers are exercised by a majority vote of the membership to approve certain types of land use applications.
The Planning Board processes applications for subdivisions, site plans, special exception use permits, lot line modifications, and also renders advisory reports to the Town Board on amendments to the zoning code or requests for changes to the zoning map. The Zoning Board deliberates on requests for variances from zoning strictures on dimensional requirements, changes of use, abandonment proceedings, and appeals of denials or approvals rendered by the Town’s Building Inspector. The Conservation Board processes applications for construction near regulated wetlands areas and prepares advisory reports to the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
Candidates seeking to be considered should send a letter of interest to Supervisor Linda Kabot and members of the Town Board at Southampton Town Hall, 116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY 11968 prior to February 27.

New York State Assembly
No to Cap

Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr., the ranking republican on the Assembly Education Committee, blasted Governor Paterson’s proposal to cap state property tax payments to areas to school districts for state owned lands pursuant to existing state law. Under the Governor’s plan, payments to such areas would be permanently frozen.
The State of New York currently makes property tax payments to certain school districts for state lands. In Riverhead, including Southampton and Brookhaven, the payments are related to the Central Pine Barrens Preserve. Riverhead receives payments for all state alnds within the school district within the Town of Riverhead.
In 2007, Suffolk school district received around $20 million in such payments. A freeze in 2009 will cost these schools nearly $1 million. The freeze would be permanent and apply to all future years.
“There is no doubt that the costs diverted from communities hit by this tax freeze will be borne by local property taxpayers,” Thiele said. “This proposal assumes that school districts will decrease their spending. But the reality is that many districts are struggling in this tough economy.”
“It is the height of fiscal irresponsibility for state government to try and balance its budget on the backs of property owners. If the Governor truly wants to do the right thing for New Yorkers, he would support the swift passge of our ‘New York State Property Act.’ which would put the brakes on ever increasing property taxes and allow families and local eployers to stay in their communities,” Thiele continued.
Thiele said the legislation would prevent school district property tax levies from increasing by more than four percent each year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. It would also provide voters with the ability to override this limitation by a two-thirds majority vote. The initiative also provides significant unfunded mandate relief for school districts.
In other news, Thiele also introduced a comprehensive “home rule” plan to address the issue of school consolidation in the State of New York.
Thiele stated, “Exisitng state law inhibits the consideration of school consolidations. Many times school consolidation is derailed by special interests without even allowing the voters to be heard on the issue. In contrast, the Suozzi Commission has proposed a school consolidation procedure which would be imposed by the state with no local referendum. To be successful, we must first have an objective investigation of each potential consolidation in the state. Second, we must permit local voters the opportunity to evaluate these objectiv investigations and make the decision by referendum.”
Thieles bill includes several provisions. It would require the State Education Department (SED) to identify school districts that might benefit from consolidation. The study would include districts with 1,000 or fewer students and school districts that either share a common boundary with such a district, or school districts that have an existing contract with such a district to educate its students.

Suffolk County
Veterans

Last week, the Suffolk County United Veterans Project and other local veterans organizations held a press conference to highlight the impact of Governor Paterson’s proposed budget cuts on homeless veterans in Suffolk County.
County Legislator Kate Browning joined the veterans organizations and spoke out against deep cuts to many of New York’s homelessness prevention and assistance programs. She endorsed the Fair Share Tax Reform as an alternative budget solution that can ensure vulnerable veterans continue to get the care they need.
The press conference was part of an ongoing compaign by the Long Island Fair Share Tax Reform Coalition to advocate for a fair budget solution.

Popularity: 14% [?]

It was a familiar sight at the John Jermain Memorial Library on Saturday morning in the children’s section. Two moms and their daughters sat in a circle discussing a book with Susann Farrell, the children and young adult librarian, and Cathy Creedon, director of the library.

The refreshments — an array of muffins, donuts, hot cocoa and coffee — and the topic of conversation, however, were out of the ordinary. Mother, Lisa DiRussa, and her daughter Isabella, age 9, debated the motivation of certain characters from the chapter book “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau. Lisa felt the character Doon Harrow should have told his father before embarking on a perilous mission away. Isabella, Lisa’s daughter, said Doon was simply trying to protect his father.

It is rare to find a parent and child intelligently hashing out the nuances of a book, but this was one reason Farrell and Creedon created the Saturday morning program “Bookclub and Breakfast for Parent and Child.”

After the club’s initial meeting ended, Creedon said “Both Susann and I love to read. We always talk about books together and it was nice to give parents a chance to do that with their children.”

DiRussa reads teen books as a way to “gain insight as to what is coming next” when her daughter becomes a teenager in a few years. When she and Isabella were reading “The City of Ember” simultaneously, she said it was nice to be able to discuss the book with her daughter, which is unusual since they rarely read the same books. During the meeting, Isabella was able to keep pace with her mother when talking about the plot points and themes of the book.

Farrell chose “Ember” because it explores universal themes found in children’s literature, like the child being the hero of the story and the children being able to see the world more clearly than the adults around them.

The Parent Child book club was started as an extension of the library’s four adult book clubs. In recent years, Farrell has increased the number of children’s programs to attract younger patrons to the library. In 2005, she debuted a summer book club for young adults, and 100 children participated in the first year. The book club boasted 300 members in 2008. Under Farrell’s guidance, the library created a teen reading room. Farrell runs a teen poetry and college writing program out of the space. In addition, she established a teen programming advisory committee, comprised of teen patrons who help her create programs and choose books for the library to purchase. One of Farrell’s more novel programs is T-Pac. For the program, children read manuscripts for a literary agency based in New York City.

“Susann is great with pulling kids in here and making them feel welcome. It’s because of that that they are likely to come back. They feel like this is their library,” said Creedon. “The original charter for the library calls for community [and children's] programs. There is 100 years of tradition for these types of programs here.”

Although the genre of children’s literature has a lengthy history, writing aimed at teenagers is a relatively new form of literature. Creedon credits “The Catcher in Rye” by J.D. Salinger with paving the way for teen literature. The book’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, was an adolescent, thus the work couldn’t be defined as a strictly adult novel. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Judy Blume reigned over the genre with her slice-of-life depictions of teenagers. The Harry Potter series debuted at the end of the 1990’s and sparked the current movement of teenage fantasy literature. Creedon and Farrell said that Harry Potter ushered in a whole new generation of readers.

Farrell’s programming efforts tap into a recent national movement to promote literacy. According to a study conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), reading among 18 to 24-year-olds declined by nearly 20 percent in 2002. In order to combat this downward trend, teachers and librarians have made a concerted effort to create various national and local reading programs for teens in the last six years. A 2008 NEA study proved their strategies worked. The study showed a 21 percent increase in reading for the same age group.

In spite of these results, Farrell said, “I think it is harder to entice kids to read books unless they have been fed them when they were young, and shown how you can get so much more from a book than from a video.”

For DiRussa, literacy education begins in the home.

“At night, I always read to my kids. It’s the way we end our day,” said DiRussa. “It was never hard to interest Isabella in reading because she loves to read.”

The “Bookclub and Breakfast for Parent and Child” will meet again on February 21 at 9:30 a.m. 

 

Popularity: 8% [?]

It was a familiar sight at the John Jermain Memorial Library on Saturday morning in the children’s section. Two moms and their daughters sat in a circle discussing a book with Susann Farrell, the children and young adult librarian, and Cathy Creedon, director of the library.

The refreshments — an array of muffins, donuts, hot cocoa and coffee — and the topic of conversation, however, were out of the ordinary. Mother, Lisa DiRussa, and her daughter Isabella, age 9, debated the motivation of certain characters from the chapter book “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau. Lisa felt the character Doon Harrow should have told his father before embarking on a perilous mission away. Isabella, Lisa’s daughter, said Doon was simply trying to protect his father.

It is rare to find a parent and child intelligently hashing out the nuances of a book, but this was one reason Farrell and Creedon created the Saturday morning program “Bookclub and Breakfast for Parent and Child.”

After the club’s initial meeting ended, Creedon said “Both Susann and I love to read. We always talk about books together and it was nice to give parents a chance to do that with their children.”

DiRussa reads teen books as a way to “gain insight as to what is coming next” when her daughter becomes a teenager in a few years. When she and Isabella were reading “The City of Ember” simultaneously, she said it was nice to be able to discuss the book with her daughter, which is unusual since they rarely read the same books. During the meeting, Isabella was able to keep pace with her mother when talking about the plot points and themes of the book.

Farrell chose “Ember” because it explores universal themes found in children’s literature, like the child being the hero of the story and the children being able to see the world more clearly than the adults around them.

The Parent Child book club was started as an extension of the library’s four adult book clubs. In recent years, Farrell has increased the number of children’s programs to attract younger patrons to the library. In 2005, she debuted a summer book club for young adults, and 100 children participated in the first year. The book club boasted 300 members in 2008. Under Farrell’s guidance, the library created a teen reading room. Farrell runs a teen poetry and college writing program out of the space. In addition, she established a teen programming advisory committee, comprised of teen patrons who help her create programs and choose books for the library to purchase. One of Farrell’s more novel programs is T-Pac. For the program, children read manuscripts for a literary agency based in New York City.

“Susann is great with pulling kids in here and making them feel welcome. It’s because of that that they are likely to come back. They feel like this is their library,” said Creedon. “The original charter for the library calls for community [and children's] programs. There is 100 years of tradition for these types of programs here.”

Although the genre of children’s literature has a lengthy history, writing aimed at teenagers is a relatively new form of literature. Creedon credits “The Catcher in Rye” by J.D. Salinger with paving the way for teen literature. The book’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, was an adolescent, thus the work couldn’t be defined as a strictly adult novel. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Judy Blume reigned over the genre with her slice-of-life depictions of teenagers. The Harry Potter series debuted at the end of the 1990’s and sparked the current movement of teenage fantasy literature. Creedon and Farrell said that Harry Potter ushered in a whole new generation of readers.

Farrell’s programming efforts tap into a recent national movement to promote literacy. According to a study conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), reading among 18 to 24-year-olds declined by nearly 20 percent in 2002. In order to combat this downward trend, teachers and librarians have made a concerted effort to create various national and local reading programs for teens in the last six years. A 2008 NEA study proved their strategies worked. The study showed a 21 percent increase in reading for the same age group.

In spite of these results, Farrell said, “I think it is harder to entice kids to read books unless they have been fed them when they were young, and shown how you can get so much more from a book than from a video.”

For DiRussa, literacy education begins in the home.

“At night, I always read to my kids. It’s the way we end our day,” said DiRussa. “It was never hard to interest Isabella in reading because she loves to read.”

The “Bookclub and Breakfast for Parent and Child” will meet again on February 21 at 9:30 a.m.

Above: JJ Library Director Cathy Creedon explores the themes in “City of Ember” with participants of the “Bookclub and Breakfast for Parent and Child.”

Popularity: 8% [?]

Endorsing candidates for the John Jermain Memorial Library Board of Trustees has never been so difficult, as we find ourselves impressed with each of the four contenders, believing truly they intend to serve the community rather than their own interests.

In personal interviews all four spoke eloquently, and had a desire to do what is best for the whole community – not just one faction. While divergent in their views for how the library board’s biggest task – the expansion of the library – should be accomplished, all showed, ultimately, consensus is what is needed. Consensus, we have found, is what has gotten this board back on the right track over the course of the last year and should not be abandoned as long as the board finds itself moving in a forward direction, rather than peddling backwards.

What makes this year’s endorsement all the more difficult is that one of the candidates – Susan Merrell – has decided to end her tenure on the board at the beginning of the new year and is asking any support for her be thrown towards the others. Frankly, the caliber of board member Merrell over the last three years makes it quite difficult for us to agree to not give her our endorsement, but as we have the utmost respect for her, we will acquiesce.

That being said, we hope Merrell’s desire that the board continue on with a membership that is open minded, flexible and willing to compromise – despite its divergent opinions – is viewed as critical by all on the board. Also, we hope they take on another philosophy of Merrell’s, if they haven’t already, that certainly rings true with us at The Sag Harbor Express. That is that this library we speak of – a library often tied to its hallowed, historic façade – is far more than just a building.  It is our community library.

And so we endorse incumbents Theresa Ameres, Christiane Neuville and newcomer Craig Rhodes for trustee positions on the library board, and hope Neuville retains her seat as president once elected as she has shown decisive, but measured leadership during a very difficult year and a half. We truly believe all three are capable of aiding this board as it steers into what will undoubtedly be a very challenging year.

And as for Merrell, we wish her only the best, hoping this is not the last time we see her name on a ballot.

 

Popularity: 4% [?]

Sag Harbor has been a bustle with news and controversy over the course of the last two years, and one of the reason’s we love the residents of our little village is they are never shy about expressing their opinions when it comes to issues they feel strongly about.

This is why we hope a variety of opinions and views are present at next week’s John Jermain Memorial Library trustee debate and budget forum. We strongly encourage the community to turn out for this event because even though the library and its board may occasionally take a backseat to issues like CVS potentially darkening our business district or the appointment of our new superintendent or one of many condo projects proposed in the village, this is still our community library we are talking about.

The John Jermain Memorial Library, and what we believe is a necessary expansion, will need a successful referendum for it to enter the 21^st Century and have the necessary space for our community. The board has spent the last two years in a state of evolution – a progression, we believe, towards a more open board willing to listen to the community at large and its hopes for a new space, as well as its historic counterpart.

But in order for this to mean anything, the board does need to know the whole community’s thoughts on the expansion, on the board’s direction and leadership, on what it sees as essential for a library in 2008. The board needs to hear from people on all sides of the issue – those who agree with their positions and those who do not – in order to have a comprehensive understanding of what the community needs, instead a comprehensive understanding of what the needs of a vocal few are.

Libraries across the county are becoming community centers, and as our economy weakens will become even more vital to our everyday lives. But even in a robust economy, libraries have been and are where residents and school children alike descend to educate themselves and become more aware.

Should we not at least educate our library’s leaders on what is important to us?

 

Popularity: 5% [?]

At this month’s meeting of the John Jermain Memorial Library board of trustees, library director Catherine Creedon announced the resignation of trustee Kate Evarts. Evarts, an architect whose work has kept her in Seattle, wrote to Creedon by email on August 20 to say that her project would keep her on the west coast for the foreseeable future. With great regret, admitting she would no longer be able to sufficiently perform her duties as trustee, she resigned her seat.

Evarts’s resignation will have no effect on the upcoming library trustee elections on September 16, in which there are three seats up for grabs. The three current board members, Theresa Ameres, Susan Merrell and board president Christiane Neuville will all be running, as will Sag Harbor resident Craig Rhodes. Rhodes is an architect who recently moved to Sag Harbor from Manhattan with his wife and daughter, but who grew up in the village.

With the now-vacant trustee spot, the board has three options. The announcement came too late for the vacancy to be factored into the election, despite the fact that four residents submitted petitions to run.

The board can choose to not act and instead wait until elections are held in September of next year. They can also hold a special election at a minimum 60 days after the scheduled election, or appoint a new trustee to fulfill the rest of Evarts’s term, which ends December 31, 2009. Evarts was in fact finishing the term of former trustee Deborah Wilson.

The board of trustees meeting continued with further discussions of the library’s renovation and expansion plans. These plans have dominated the board’s conversation since the submission of the Community Library Committee (CLC) Report in June of 2006.

Board member Susan Merrell reported that she was unable to find private donors willing to put money towards the exploration of an expansion into the Sag Harbor United Methodist Church building on Madison Street. At the previous meeting Merrell had pledged to put feelers out herself to find those who might help to underwrite an investigation of the church building. Her goal was to secure $15,000 to $17,000 up front.

“The opinions have turned,” said Merrell. “Those who were financially enthusiastic thought it over, and are no longer.”

Trustee Carol Williams added, “I don’t know how anyone could give $15,000 after such a negative appraisal.”

Williams referred to Creedon’s presentation at the last meeting, when she reported on a meeting held at the church between herself, Neuville, trustee Carl Peterson and Herbert Newman and Michael Scott of Newman Architects (formerly Herbert S. Newman & Partners.) Scott reportedly admitted that it would be “very difficult to convert the church.”

The dialogue with Newman Architects continued in an ad hoc meeting on August 6 with Scott and Richard Munday. Director Creedon and trustees Neuville, Peterson, Diane Gaites, Christopher Leonard and Nancy Hallock were in attendance.

According to Creedon, who read the notes from the meeting, the architects reminded the board members that the firm would create something beautiful in the church were the board to move in that direction.

They also reminded them, however, of the additional expenses to taxpayers that would be incurred, as well as the undesirable timber frame. This frame would be against code for a new library, and would require more sprinklers in case of fire. Libraries are typically built with as few sprinklers as possible, so not to ruin the books stored within.

The architects went on to discuss the procedures for beginning renovations on the original library building at 201 Main. The board and library director have stressed the necessity of immediate repairs to the envelope of the building, like fixing the exterior brickwork and a leaky roof.

The architects had apparently assured the trustees at the ad hoc meeting that if a two wave approach was needed, one for repairs and another for “sustainable additions,” it would come at no additional cost to the library. This left some at the board meeting scratching their heads.

“I just don’t see how that is possible,” said Williams. Architect Craig Rhodes, who is running for trustee, was present in the John Jermain upstairs rotunda. He spoke during the period for public input, asserting that it must be “more economical to do it all at once.”

In the meantime the architects have suggested that they could at the same time study the envelope of the building while engaging in the planning, designing and community based activities leading up to a vote for a library expansion. The “expansion” could refer to a second building, or even a 4,500 square foot extension to the original building (this would be 1,500 square feet each for three floors, but this figure is “not set in stone.”)

Newman Architects presented the library board with three “proposals for service,” which are essentially contractual agreements. The library as of now has not officially hired Newman Architects, and thus fees have still not been discussed. The board reviewed these contracts in executive session, then came back into public session to vote.

The first was a feasibility study for the Methodist Church building, a facility assessment and analysis of what would be needed to accommodate a library in the space. The board did not accept this particular proposal.

“It was a great deal of money that we didn’t want to spend recklessly,” said board president Neuville,

Also presented was the 201 Main Street conservation study, a package to assess the condition and subsequent restoration of the current library building. Lastly was a proposal for pre-referendum services for renovation and expansion, the scope of which is research and design services to support the work on the John Jermain Library within the community. The trustees exercised their right to not vote on these proposals yet, wishing to explore further whether there would be any duplication of services.

 

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