Voters Approve $2.3 Million John Jermain Budget

The John Jermain Memorial Library budget for 2014 passed on Tuesday. 

Catherine Creedon, the library director, reported the approximately $2.3 million budget was approved 165-to-28. The budget reflects a 2.8 percent increase and it will pierce the state-mandated 2 percent tax levy cap.

Linley Whelan, who is serving her first term, was re-elected to the board with 188 votes. Alison Bond was elected with 175 votes, and Nick Gazzolo was elected with 173 votes. Bond and Gazzolo will fill the seats of Carl Peterson and Carol Williams, both of whom are finishing their second three-year term at the end of December, have reached their term limits. 

"The staff, the board, and I are very grateful for the public's continued support," Creedon said. "It seems fitting that this year's vote was held during Banned Book Week, the annual celebration of libraries unwavering commitment to protecting intellectual freedom for the communities we serve."

About $1.3 million of the total budget is for the general use and maintenance of the library for the upcoming year, while the other $905,000 is for debt service approved by public vote in June 2009 for the restoration and expansion of the library, a project that is currently underway.