Voters approve $971,300 library budget 373 to 159

Warwick — Voters in the Warwick Valley School District gave a resounding yes to the library budget Tuesday, with 71 percent of the people who vote supporting the initiative. “With respect for the decision of all voters, it is always gratifying to have our levy pass,” said library Director Rosemary Cooper. “My thoughts are that the wide margin of support we received at the polls is a reflection of the real value that can be found at the library, even more so in these uncertain economic times.” The tally was 373 yes votes to 159 no votes. This budget is up about 6.4 percent from last year’s. Taxpayers in the Town of Warwick who living within the Warwick Valley School District will pay $2.23 per $1,000 of assessed value, up 15 cents from the current budget. Chester residents in the school district, which encompasses mostly Sugar Loaf, will see their tax rate increase to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, up four cents over the current budget. A Warwick homeowner whose home is assessed at $50,000 will pay $111.50 per year for the library services. A homeowner whose home is assessed at $75,000 would pay $174.25 for the 2008-09 tax year. A Chester homeowner with an assessment of $200,000 would pay $100 per year for the library. A homeowner with an assessment of $300,000 would pay $150. Regina Wittosch and Jeffrey Lever ran unopposed for the library board. “Our use is at record highs, with last month’s total circulation topping 17,000 for the first time in our history,” Cooper said. “I am hopeful also that the support is a measure of excitement for our new library project, which we plan to put out to bid in the next few weeks, and to begin construction on before summer.” Last year, voters approved a referendum to build a new 20,000-square-foot library for a cost of up to $8.5 million.