Library board has been working to resolve tax issue

To the editor: There has been discussion about a double tax issue in New York State and specifically the impact to some residents of the Town of Chester who are members of the Warwick Valley School District. They are by definition, a part of the service areas of the Albert Wisner Public Library and the Town of Chester Library. In the fall of 2005, the Albert Wisner Public Library Board Executive Committee met with members of the N.Y. Assembly and consequently the Albert Wisner Board supported legislation introduced by Chester’s Assemblywomen Nancy Calhoun and state Sen. William Larkin to resolve the problem with taxation jurisdiction at the legislature level. Our board has been the leader in spearheading this legislation in the state. We will continue to partner with Assemblywoman Calhoun and Senator Larkin and the Town of Chester and honor our commitment to resolve this issue. Recently, a Chester resident has advocated non-support of the pending referendum for a modern library for Albert Wisner. It is the writer’s belief that this will send a message to Albany to resolve the problem. This action will only deprive the residents of the Albert Wisner Public Library service area with a modern library facility that is sorely needed for all 22,000 people who are served. It will not help Chester in resolving the tax issue. The new library will provide for larger fiction and non-fiction collections, improved technology, improved space, enhanced programming, handicapped access, local history collection, increased parking and community meeting space. Hundreds of Chester residents use our library today and more will use a new, modern library. The decision to vote for a modern library should not be focused on sending a message to elected state representatives, but based on the value of modern services the new library will bring to the all students, parents, seniors, children, teens, and all residents of the library’s service area. Anthony Lampazzi, Vice President Board of Trustees Albert Wisner Public Library