Southington's Library, Museum Face Steep Cuts. What's Next?

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Months after opening a brand new, state-of-the-art library, the Southington Public Library is concerned about where it stands relative to the proposed town budget.

Thursday, the library posted an urgent request for folks to attend Monday's budget public hearing hosted by the Southington Town Council.

It will take place Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in the public assembly room of the John Weichsel Municipal Center, which is at 200/196 N. Main St., Southington.

"The board of finance proposed town budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 contains significant cuts to staff at the Southington Public Library and The Barnes Museum," wrote the library Thursday.

Among the cuts listed by the library are:

• 10 percent reduction in staff at the Southington Public Library

• 33 percent reduction in staff at the Barnes Museum

According to the library, the cuts will result in reduced staff and reduced access to the library; fewer programs; reduced public service desk coverage; and fewer open hours at the Barnes Museum.

According to the town's budget proposal, the Southington Public Library is facing a funding cut of more than 10 percent, while the Barnes Museum will see a cut of more than 32 percent funding.

The library operates the museum, which serves as both an art and history museum in town.

Southington's budget is not decided at the a town meeting or in the voting booth.

Rather, Southington's spending and taxes are decided by the Southington Town Council, which votes on a budget in May, and the Southington Board of Finance, which sets a tax rate afterward.

Even with these cuts, Southington taxpayers are still looking at tax increases of more than 1 mill for motor vehicles and 1.74 mills for real estate/personal property.

Library officials are urging the public to attend the hearing and/or submit written testimony to towncouncilmembers@southington.org.

For the legal call of Monday's Southington Town Council budget hearing, click on this link.

For the complete Southington budget plan for 2025-26, including tax impact information, click on this link.

From April 22: 'Give Southington Your Opinion On New Budget, Tax Hikes'