The Pine Point, East Forest Park and Liberty Street branch libraries were closed July 2, due to budget cuts.
Three closed branches of the Springfield City Library, clockwise from top – Liberty Street, Pine Point and East Forest Park – could reopen in September if the City Council passes a $15 per year increase in the municipal trash fee.SPRINGFIELD — The City Council has a special meeting Monday to consider final passage of a trash fee increase, and a related transfer of $200,000 to reopen three branch libraries.
The meeting is at 5 p.m., at City Hall.
As proposed, the trash fee will increase from the current rate of $75 per year to $90 for homeowners. A $25 senior citizen discount will remain in effect.
Of the $15 increase in the trash rate, if approved, $5 will be earmarked to reopen the branch libraries, councilors said. The branches were closed on July 2, due to budget cuts, shutting the Liberty Street library in Liberty Heights, the Boston Road library in Pine Point, and the Island Pond Road library in East Forest Park.
Council President James J. Ferrera III said Friday it is a difficult decision to raise the trash fee. However, residents want city services, and there was a great outcry from neighborhood residents regarding the closed libraries, he said.
“It’s a tough situation with the state of not only the local economy but the national economy and urban cities like Springfield trying to balance city budgets with declining revenues,” Ferrera said. “Springfield has services that the residents enjoy, one of them being the libraries. We heard overwhelming support for these particular branches to remain open.”
Library Director Molly Fogarty has stated that it will take a few weeks before the branches can reopen, as additional personnel need to be interviewed and hired. Materials were not moved from the closed branches after the closing July 2, because of the chance for restoration of funding.
Opponents of the trash fee increase have said it poses a hardship on many homeowners. Some have opposed the trash fee over the years, saying it represents double taxation, and accusing local officials of not doing enough to cut city expenses.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno had asked for a $10 increase in the trash fee this fiscal year. Ward 7 Councilor Timothy J. Allen, who represents East Forest Park, sponsored the higher increase, $15, with the agreement the added funds would help free up city budget funds for the libraries.
It costs the city about $10 million annually to collect and dispose of the trash, officials said. The trash fee raises about $4 million, with the balance covered by the city budget.
The trash fee increase has already won support from the majority of city councilors in first-step and second-step votes.