The library has been hampered by a number of financial woes, including the need to replace both bridges that provide access to the building, as well as financing insufficient to meet its needs.
A recent petitioning drive to put the budget in the hands of the voters was suspended after the board lost confidence in the formula it had been given in order to determine the taxpayers’ portion of the budget.
The drive to create a “414” library – that is, one whose budget is controlled by all the voters, instead of a handful of Putnam Valley Town Board members, is still the library’s goal, according to a press release.
“The board was pleased to find that all the residents we approached during the petitioning process offered their unconditional support for not only our practice but also our goals,” said library board President Priscilla Keresey.
She noted that more than 500 signatures had been gathered before the effort was suspended.
“We will continue our effort to enable the Library to have sustainable funding and make it an institution worthy of our patrons and of libraries in the 21st Century," she said.
The board will continue to work with the Mid-Hudson Library System, its tax advisers and auditors before renewing its plans to get on the ballot again, likely during the 2016 election cycle.
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