Walpole may seek tax hike for library
Walpole residents are likely to get a second chance this spring to replace their century-old public library.
The proposal, which would boost property taxes for 20 years, was rejected at the general election last month. In these tough economic times, any tax increase is expected to meet some resistance, but Walpole's library trustees are arguing that the deal is too good to pass up.
In order to build the $12 million library at the corner of School and Stone streets, the town would borrow $7 million to augment a $4 million state grant and $1 million in private donations.
"Our thinking is we have to try this again; how can we turn away $5 million in free money," said Paul Cesary, chairman of the library board of trustees.
The trustees have asked the Board of Selectmen to put a tax-override question on the warrant for the spring Town Meeting on May 4, where representatives would decide whether to present the question to voters at the townwide local election on June 6. The board is expected to vote on the request this month, said chairwoman Catherine Winston, who said she will vote in favor.
A simple majority is needed at the polls to approve overrides of Proposition 2 1/2, a state law that limits an increase in a community's annual property tax revenue to 2.5 percent, plus revenue from new construction. The library question would be a so-called debt exclusion, which would increase taxes for a specified period to repay borrowing.
If the measure is approved, the borrowing would cost the owner of an average single-family home, assessed at $442,000, about $79 the first year, and a few dollars less in each of the subsequent 19 years.
The grant that makes the library deal so sweet would come from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and expires on Dec. 31, 2009. It requires that the town secure the balance of funds before a contract can be signed.
Unlike state-funded school building projects, the grant doesn't come as a reimbursement: If voters approve the override, Walpole will almost immediately receive 30 percent of the $4 million. Subsequent funds will arrive as the project builds out.
Read more of this Globe South article here.
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how about just build a $4 million library on grant money only
the town can increase taxes as much as they want,walpole voted against question # 1.f.y.i. walpole did vote yes on question # 2,which explains why they voted no on question # 1.
"Free Money" It's taxpayer money you morons.
Is no free money... is my money from property taxes!!! I'm already paying a lot of money on everything, and at this difficult times is hard to pay even more on taxes... Please stop it.. we already voted in December... we don;t want the new library right now if it cost more money on prpperty taxes... find private funding..
This is nothing but another attempt by politicians to do an end-around on the voting public. The voters said NO!
The town voted it down once already, why keep trying when the state of our economy is a mess. Also, it did not help the cause when people found out what the 12 million was going to buy.
I was for the library originally but when I heard that that it included a 150 seat auditorium, that did them in... What does a library need with a 150 seat auditorium. I rather see the money go to the schools... have you seen the crappy conditions of their auditoriums,gymnasiums, and classroom furniture...there are extremely outdated and sad looking.... 12 million in school renovations and furniture would go a long way...
As far as the increase in taxes go, $79 sounds like a small amount, but that's assuming people have the average price.... The article failed to mention that Walpole just completed a reassessment for which a majority of tax bills this year increased while the property values decreased... Taxes just go up and up, after 20 years, the town will find another use for the money once it is paid off....
On a closing note, aside from the auditorium on the library, the question on the ballot did not say how much they wanted for an override....just said to appropriate the money necessary...... Didn't Norwood's Police and Fire Building run millions over budget.... Also, is the money by the state grant already committed or is our Governor going to send it to the same place as the towns financial aid....
The town and library trustee's should open there eyes and ears to what the
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