Library Budget is Centerpiece Of Township, Borough Debate

Matthew Hersh

In a contentious five-hour debate, Princeton Township and Borough discussed the towns' budget for joint municipal services at Township Hall on Monday night.

The annual discussion, which included all members of Township Committee and Borough Council, determines monies that will be appropriated to various joint commissions. The discussion, however, was largely centered around the library budget. More specifically, parking costs and duration of free parking for library patrons.

The library, whose downtown opening has been pushed back to April 15, faces a $491,000 budget increase. Parking, which includes staff parking and validated patron parking, accounts for $100,000 of that amount.

As it currently stands, for the 85 spaces within 400 feet of the library entrance, the Township is accountable for about $71,000, while the Borough stands to pay $29,000. The numbers are based on an approximate two-thirds to one-third split between the two municipalities. While hard numbers were not supplied, parking budget estimates were initially based on the "fair share" notion that more Township residents would use the garage by virtue of living father away from downtown.

A point of major disagreement between the two governing bodies was the amount of time allowed for free parking for library card-holders. Some members of Borough Council suggested that free parking remain limited to one hour based on fears that people would abuse the parking system. Councilman David Goldfarb worried that patrons would get validated, and use the free parking to use other in-town amenitites.

However, Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand asked that the free parking validation be increased to two hours because the library will offer more services to its patrons, and will create a more comfortable environment, inclining patrons to spend more time there.

Library Assistant Director Eric Greenfeldt, who is retiring from his post shortly after the library opening, has said in the past that the new facility will feature a "Barnes & Noble" type of appeal that will encourage users to spend several hours reading or studying.

Library Board of Trustees President Harry Levine appeared to back the Township's position, saying many funds received through donations were based on the parking convenience issue. Specifically, the "common understanding" that the library would validate parking for up to two hours.

Mr. Levine said the parking agreement also "very clearly reiterated the common understanding" that parking would be up to two hours.

Mr. Levine cited statistics stating that 52 percent of patrons use the library for a half hour or less, 90 percent for an hour or less, and 95 percent for two hours or less.

"So what you're dealing with is the difference between 90 and 95 percent, [so] please don't eliminate that second hour," Mr. Levine said. "I feel very strongly that [the Borough and Township] live up to the commitment to the people that helped raise money for this library."

Township Committee member Bill Hearon lambasted both municipal governing bodies for not having come together sooner to discuss the parking issue, especially since both the library and garage are scheduled to open in two weeks. However, he spoke for the Committee saying that without documented parking statistics regarding how many Borough and Township residents use the garage, he did not want to see the Township pick up the parking bill unnecessarily.

"[The Borough and Township] are joined by the hip by the library," he said. "We don't want to get caught up subsidizing the Borough and taking care of its financial house."

Mr. Hearon suggested the 71 percent to 29 percent parking expense split be temporarily adopted, but reevaluated by January 1, 2005 to acquire more accurate calculations.

Borough Councilman Roger Martindell agreed, saying the numbers, as they currently stand are unclear.

"We don't know what we're going to get ? it's a shot in the dark," he said.

Ultimately, the Borough agreed to use $14,000 of its portion of the library budget for staff parking in the nearby Merwick lot, but the one-hour patron validation remained in the agreement.

While Borough Council unanimously agreed to adopt the tentative library budget, members of Township Committee were significantly more reluctant.

Township Deputy Mayor Bill Enslin, who had earlier suggested that the two municipalities split the parking fees 50-50 until studies had been done, voted conditionally in favor of it.

"I'm not happy with [the budget] and I want a process spelled out," he said.

Committee member Bernie Miller was also circumspect in voting for the library budget saying that the Borough had essentially acted on its own in establishing library parking logistics.

"I'm very dissatisfied," he said. "The Borough has acted unilaterally without consulting the Township. It's just not good, and I vote for it very reluctantly."

Both governing bodies agreed to meet several times before January 1 to discuss library parking.