Councilor John A. Lysak said a lawyer for the state Department of Revenue told him that the move amounted to a legal sidestepping of Proposition 2½.
Three closed branches of the Springfield City Library, clockwise from top – Liberty Street, Pine Point and East Forest Park – will reopen in September after the City Council passed a $15 per year increase in the municipal trash fee.SPRINGFIELD — In a decision cheered by library supporters, the City Council approved a $15 trash fee increase Monday, part of which will be used to reopen three library branches in the fall.
The council voted 7-4 to boost the trash fee from $75 to $90, and then approved using $200,000 of the new revenue to reopen the Liberty Street, Pine Point and East Forest Park branches as early as Sept. 24.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno initially proposed a $10 trash fee increase as part of a budget that forced the closing of the thee branch libraries on July 2. But the mayor later agreed to a plan floated by City Councilor Timothy C. Allen to boost the fee by $5, and earmark the extra money to reopen the libraries. A $25 senior citizens discount will remain in effect.
“It’s wonderful,” said Molly E. Fogarty, the city’s library director, after the councilors approved the $200,000 transfer.
The three branches could open as early as Sept. 24, according to Fogarty, who said they will be open part-time, the same schedule as the city’s six other branches.
Timothy AllenWhile praising Allen intentions and expressing support for city libraries, several councilors voiced reservations about the library rescue plan.
Councilor John A. Lysak said a lawyer for the state Department of Revenue told him that the move amounted to a legal sidestepping of Proposition 2½.
City Councilor Timothy J. Rooke also pointed out that the $200,000 could be used to restore public safety cuts. “If I have a fire at my home, I don’t want people throwing books at it,” he said.
Allen acknowledged that $200,000 transfer was a stopgap measure, and would only spare the three branches for one more year. He said the council needs to launch a broader review of how the library and other city services will be funded, and the role the council will play the city’s finances.
“I don’t like the ($200,000 transfer) situation either; it’s the only way ... to keep them open,” he added.