VOTE Fails - No Library Funding

The July 29 override vote failed on all 8 ballot questions.

For the library, this means no operating budget and no stabilization funds. The Library will continue its summer hours (Wednesdays 9-4 and Thursdays 1-7) through August and remains a certified library until further notice. Funds for staffing are being taken from a small reserve funds account and donations. All donations welcome at this time.

For residents using other libraries, there is currently no reason you should be restricted or turned away from other libraries (unless you have fines) Please let the Library know your borrowing privileges are being restricted.

So, What Are You Reading?

Have a favorite beach read (Comet Pond IS a beach)? Picking up a book instead of the remote (all re-runes anyway)? Tell us what you're reading this summer and we'll share your favorite reads here. Here are a few to get you started:

The Nanny Diaries: A Novel by Emma Mclaughlin & Nicola Kraus
Enchanted, Inc by Shanna Swendson (this is the first in a series)
Weekend In Paris by Robin Sisman

Some Wild Reads for Kids

The Hubbardston Public Library is participating in the state-wide Summer Reading program. This year's theme is Wild Reads at Your Library.

Children are encouraged to participate by coming into the Library to sign up. They will receive rewards based on their choice of books or pages read or time spent reading. Happy reading!

The Library is Number 6

Several inquiries have come into the Library regarding the July 29 ballot wording. (See below for additional Special Election information.)

The Library is part of Culture and Recreation, article number 6 on the ballot. Article 6 includes the Library's day-to-day operating budget - staff, books and materials, regular maintenance, etc. Article 6 also includes the Park Commission, Historical Commission and the Memorial Day events.

The Library is also mentioned in article number 7. This item is asking if voters wish to set aside funds for future capital expenditures - repairs, major upkeep, items beyond the regular operating budget. The Library's portion is $5,000 and will be set aside and added to future funds until it is needed.

So, What is a Library Worth?

Check out this worksheet to find out how much a library can save you!

(This link takes you to the Beaman Memorial Library in West Boylston who, in turn, borrowed the worksheet from the Bancroft Library in Hopedale. Libraries are all about sharing!)

Services Given a Second Chance

Information as it appears on the Town web site:
(items in parenthesis do not appear on the ballot nor on the Town website. They have been added by this site to help make the information clearer.)

SPECIAL ELECTION TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008

1. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $ 24,764 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the General Government operating budget of the Town for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

(Accountant, Administrator, Assessor, Clerks, Conservation, Counsel, Custodian, Elections, Moderator, Personnel Board, Phones & Copiers, Planning, Secretary, Select Board, Slade Building, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Treasurer)

2. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $ 142,059 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the Public Safety budget for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

(Dispatch, Fire, Police)

3. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $105,347 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the Education budget of the Town for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

(Monty Tech, Quabbin, Transportation)

4. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $51,057 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the Public Works budget of the Town for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

(Cemeteries, Equipment, Fuel, Highway, Lights, Plowing)

5. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $12,099 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the Human Services budget of the Town for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

(Board of Health, Council on Aging, Elderly Van, Recycling, Veterans’ Services)

6. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $60,868 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the Culture and Recreation budget of the Town for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

(Historical Commission, Library, Memorial Day, Parks, Recreation )

7. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $43,500 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the targeted stabilization accounts for police, fire, highway, library and facilities for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________No ________

8. Shall the Town of Hubbardston be allowed to assess an additional $150,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding road maintenance and repair and/or as matching grant funds for said purpose, for the fiscal year beginning July first, two thousand and eight?
Yes ________ No ________

Notice of New Hours

Please note that the Library will be adjusting it's hours for July and August. Beginning July 2, the Library will only be open on Wednesdays, 9 am to 4 pm and Thursdays from 1 pm until 7 pm. The Library is fully operational during those hours, including Inter Library Loan. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our patrons.

This effort to keep the Library staffed and open in order to maintain certification will be funded using our very small savings as there are no municipal funds available after June 30. The July 29 vote will determine future hours and funding.

Thank you for your continued support and be sure to keep checking this site for updates.