Butterfield Library

With the intention of clarifying any misunderstandings or questions surrounding the Butterfield Library Referendum of November 2006, the following information has been posted our website.

We hope that the facts below will provide the reader with the information that they are seeking. However, if you would like additional information, please contact the director at butterfd@bestweb.net.

Annual Reports: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
(2006 is linked on the side bar on the left)
Timeline of Referendum Events & Literature: click here
Statistics show that on average, total votes cast on propositions are lower than total voter turnout. There are 9,422 residents in Philipstown. Of those residents, 6,097 were registered to vote in November 2006. The voting pattern in November 2006 was consistent with prior years:

The approved Library increase of $151,000 is a 1.9% increase of the Town’s $7,871,289 budget. The Library increase costs only 17 more cents/$1,000 assessed value of your home. For example, if your house is assessed at $170,000, you will pay only $28.90 more per year due to the increase. This is about equal to the cost of a hardcover book.

At the September 7, 2006 meeting of the Town Board, the Town considered the “Submission of Petitions from the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library to Cause a proposition to be voted on in the next general election with regard to their 2007 operating budget.” (from 9/7/06 Town Board Meeting Minutes, p.9, item 17)

Council-members Betty Budney, David Brower, and Al Hosmer all signed the Library’s petition to place the proposition on the election ballot.
On May 31, 2006 the Library Board of Trustees attended a meeting of the Town Board to advise the Town Board of the Library’s intention to purpose a voter referendum to permanently increase the annual appropriation to the Library. The Town Board did not raise any objection. either at the May 31st meeting or anytime prior to Election Day 2006, to the Library Board’s Plan to pursue the voter referendum.
Under Education Law 259(1)(b)(1), any library, including an Association Library, can ask the taxpayers at what level their library should be funded by the local municipality. Governor Pataki made this point clear when he signed the bill into law: “I believe that citizens should have a direct voice in their government. Direct participation by citizens in the governmental decision-making process results in policy decisions that are more reflective of the values and concerns of the citizenry… This bill is good for many New Yorkers because it gives them a direct voice in an important governmental decision... The bill is approved.” (From the Bill jacket of Chapter 414)