UPDATE: November 22, 2013: Please see all the local news coverage, links, and a Commissioner meeting video at this Storify page: http://sfy.co/sJU6
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Here’s an email that’s going around H-town about the Board of Commissioners proposal concerning the location of the Haverford Township Free Library. The question is to fix up the current building or build a new one over by the Veterans Police Field, along with other new buildings for the Police and Township offices.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Proposed New Municipal/Library Building!
Dear Neighbor:
We wanted to inform you that a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, November 25th at 7:30 pm to discuss a NEW proposed municipal/library building. {Arrive early to ensure you have a seat} Some of our colleagues want to secure a bond for approximately $13 to $18 million dollars. The new building would consist of the police department, municipal employees, and most concerning, the library would move from its current location.
The new building will be located by Veterans/police field. We feel that moving the library from its current location is a real concern.Many residents have reached out to us expressing their opinion that the library should not be moved from its current location. Parents have stated that the library is in an ideal location as it is in close proximity to the middle school and high school. Additionally, parents have stated to some of us that they do not like the proposed new library being in the same building as the police department. Obviously, they are concerned about their children’s safety.
A real concern is what will become of the building once the library is sold???
How will this impact the surrounding neighborhood??
Finally, this bond will affect our taxes, as any funds borrowed must be paid back. Administration has informed us that for every $10 million borrowed; the result would be a 3.5 to 4% additional increase in your taxes.
This does not include your School District and County Tax.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROJECT, THE POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF THE LIBRARY, AND A TAX INCREASE, COME TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 25, 2013 AND VOICE YOUR CONCERNS!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SPEAK OUT REGARDING THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE! THANK YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE MEETING ON THE 25TH!
Many of you may know that I am currently serving as Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Haverford Township Free Library (HTFL). HTFL’s location is a constant concern for the Board. As a Board member, I defer to what the people in Haverford Township want for the Library, and in turn to wise counsel of the Board of Commissioners. My job isn’t to influence public opinion but to steward the funds for HTFL and guide HTFL into its next five years and beyond. I will follow and support the wants of the people of Haverford Township.
You have a serious chance to influence this issue. Please take some time to go to this meeting. We really do need to hear from the people in the Township. You can also comment on Havertownies Facebook page. I will be taking any comments I get to the meeting.
UPDATE: 20 November 2013
Here’s a note constructed by Library staff and some of the Building Committee: (as you can see, it takes a different tone than the one above. The link to the PDF goes to the township website. That plan does not include the design done by local architects for a renovation for the current library space. There is a plan in place for a substantial redesign for the current building.
At any rate, please read the following note carefully. And remember to come on Monday at 7:30pm):
Special Meeting of the Township Board of Commissioners
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
Monday, November 25 — 7:30 pm
Quatrani Building (located behind the Township’s Administration Building on Darby Road)
In early 2013 the Building Committee of the Library contracted for a Space Utilization Study, along with an assessment of the current electrical, plumbing and heating systems. A Library Consultant was hired in order to address the spatial needs of the building.
At the May Commissioners meeting the Library presented the results of the study including assessment findings and associated costs to renovate the current Library property. At that meeting some of the Commissioners had major concerns about renovating a property that only had 17 parking spaces.
A Master Plan to address the aging Township Building and Police Station was adopted by the Property Committee of the Board of Commissioners. After the Library’s presentation, the majority of the Committee put together an idea for the potential inclusion of the Library into the Master Plan calling it the Municipal Services Building located near the Skatium on Darby Road. Click here for the presentation of the Plan, available on the Township’s website.
You are invited to a special meeting of the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners on Monday, November 25 at 7:30 pm for a public discussion about the alternatives presented for the Library.Your opinion counts!
Please consider attending this meeting and letting the Commissioners know what you think about this issue. There will be opportunities for members of the public to speak at the meeting.
Thank You for your Support!
PHOTO CREDITS: christine cavalier (yes, me)