Walpole approves property tax increase for library

I say let's go for 2 out of 3. The first time it was defeated, second time it passed. We are all square - we need one more round to really decide what the town wants. Just like any sport we need to make it fair. Let's play one more time.

Come on folks - really a library? We already have one - paint it, take down some shelves, buy some new furniture. We don't need to spend money on building a new library - let's get real.

What a stupid waste of tax dollars, especially in the middle of a recession. Libraries are obsolete; I cannot believe my mortgage will be going up to finance a building that promises to be devoid of human life throughout its existence.

This is a joke. The increase was voted down seven months ago. Leaders then put it on the ballot again in a low turn-out election. This should be against the law.
My property taxes increased 4 percent this year (the town can decide who has to pay more than 2 1/2 %) and now they'll go up again because of a library. In these tough economic times where there's talk of laying off teachers, police, and firefighters, why are we building a new library for 11.2 million dollars? Can't we just renovate the existing one? With the internet and technology , libraries aren't as necessary as in times past.

when something is turned down on a ballot...there should be a 8 year stay before going back on the ballot again..

Libraries are obsolete? this is true, the foot traffic alone into libraries has dropped
68% in the last ten years. I would look to fire the ones involved in pushing this though.
What we should have done was propose a 16% pay cut for firemen and police?

This should be done on the state level and also include state police?

"With the internet and technology , libraries aren't as necessary as in times past. "

The purpose of the public library is to make such technology available to EVERYONE, not simply those who are fortunate enough to have the means to have that technology at home.
When you speak of "these tough economic times", you have to realize that leaving a large part of the population totally without the means to participate in the electronic democracy and world is small-minded and short-sighted.
The library is not just books anymore, or did you not realize that because you yourself have not visited it since... foreve??

What becomes of the old library building? Do we have money in the budjet to properly staff the new Library? Or are we going to build something we can't afford to operate based on funding cuts?

I live in Walpole and dont see the need for a new library. If someone needs research or books let them go to High School up the street. 3 firefighters were laid off so Walpole can get a new library?

It's known as Progress.

I have loved libraries since I was a kid and still do. In most suburban towns , however, people do not walk to the library; they drive or get a ride. I can't see why two or three towns can't share the same library. As attendance at these libraries has been on the decline for years, it makes sense to me. Additionally, the one library would have more resources to make book purchases, etc. I've noticed in the last few years that most of the books I ask for in the library have to be ordered from another town as our library does not have a copy. I waited two months for one book and by that time I'd actually forgotten why I wanted to read it in the first place.

What happens if (or should I say WHEN) the state tells us they don't have the four million, like for the prison?