'Unanswered Questions' Remain on Library Expansion Project

A building permit for the Wyckoff Public Library expansion project will not be granted until the governing body is more comfortable with the library Board of Trustees' budget, relocation decision, staffing plan and other concerns.

The Township Committee has turned an increasingly watchful eye toward the trustees' $4 million-plus project of late, leading to a joint session of both governmental entities Monday night. While members on both sides declared progress had been made on many of the pertinent issues, the library board's attorney expressed frustration with the township's decision against granting a building permit to proceed with construction on the approximately 6,000-square-foot project.

"The only thing holding the project up is the Township Committee," said library board attorney Phil Boggia, after nearly three hours of discussion. "When are they going to get a permit?"

Township Committee members rejected the notion that they are obstructing the project, saying they have the responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

"We have the right and duty to ask questions," said Committeeman Brian Scanlan, the governing body's liaison to the library board. 

Boggia told the committee he doesn't believe "it's within your purview to vote no" if the members aren't comfortable with staffing and relocation plans, saying those issues are internal library operational concerns.

"I don't think you have veto power," the attorney said. Robert Landel, the township's attorney, said the governing body was acting within its rights according to case law in delaying a permit.

Committeeman Chris DePhillips said the governing body has a "fiduciary responsibility to the community" to ensure funds are spent responsibly.

"It's the community's money," DePhillips said. "The building permit decision is as important to me as anything."

Mayor Rudy Boonstra, who has a seat on the library board, said that while it's "incumbent on us to give you an answer" on the building permit, he doesn't think the governing body is yet comfortable with the library board's progress on crucial issues.

"We need to make sure prudent decisions are made," Landel said.

However, a library board meeting scheduled for next Wednesday could help lead to some resolution. Members expect to finalize relocation plans and come to decisions on several budgetary questions and staffing plans.

Although "we've made some progress," Boonstra said near the conclusion of the meeting, "there are considerable unanswered questions here."

Staffing, relocation

Those questions include: What will the library do with staff once it relocates?

Presently, the board of trustees has a letter of intent signed on a rental space behind the Ivy Shop and Dunkin Donuts on Franklin Avenue that would cost them $2,250 a month for 1,056 square feet of space, according to board member and real estate broker Tony Donato. However, the small size of the space would be just enough to offer "express" library services, with a reduced collection and services, while not leaving room for office space for staff.

Donato indicated Monday that he also is pursuing office space for rent and believes the entire relocation matter "will be wrapped up this week."

However, the rental of such space could potentially pose problems with the library, should it run afoul of state regulations on hours of operation, services to the community and collection size, acting library Director Marilyn Force said. Additionally, the state librarian would need to bless the Wyckoff library's relocation plan before the facility could be moved.

A difference of opinion remains on whether the library would actually be in jeopardy with the state should it follow through with the Franklin location, and Force was asked to consult with the appropriate officials to gain a definitive answer by next week on whether the library can pursue the space.

Assuming the library is moved temporarily to Franklin Avenue, the trustees may have to make a decision on whether or how to keep staff while the expansion is constructed.

Committee members prodded the library trustees to resolve the issue in short order, expressing doubt that the entire staff could be retained.

"I think there's a general sense... that the library has to look at staffing levels," Boonstra said.

Library board member Grace White said "in a small space, we're going to need less people," while member Lori Peters said the board was open to staff reductions, if necessary.

However, library board Treasurer Alma Mader said she didn't "know why we're considering the staffing of the library and other matters that are internal library matters."

Board Chairman Henry Shotmeyer said the trustees "can't be cavalier about just letting people go.

"These are peoples' jobs," Shotmeyer said.

Boonstra said the township has been pressing the staffing issue for months, with no resolution.

"Critical thought has to go into whatever plan goes forward," the mayor said. "I, for one, have to question the wisdom" of trying to retain the entire staff, Boonstra said.

The Franklin space has been pursued after the library board backed away from a proposal to share library space at Eisenhower Middle School. For more, check back with Patch shortly.

Budget, fundraising

Township Committee members initially got more fully involved in the project out of concern for the expansion budget, currently standing at $4,062,900. 

"I always thought of this as a $3.8 million project," Scanlan said. The price tag has fluctuated at various points over the past few months, although Gene Gleason of WG Project Management, the expansion's construction managers, said that was because "people like us weren't involved." 

Mader said, "The $3.8 million was the architect's estimate at that time," which was established before the project was bidded. The expansion will be paid for out of library surplus funds.

The revised budget is "of concern to everyone," Boonstra said. An advisory committee of township officials—engineer Mark DiGennaro, DPW manager Scott Fisher, zoning officer Fred Depken and construction code official Thomas Gensheimer—currently exists to keep watch on the progress of the project and will attend future construction meetings.

Library board trustees explained that initial plans to install a computerized HVAC control system as well as solar panels were discarded as the expansion's price tag increased. Some governing body members were surprised that potential money-saving options weren't explored in more detail.

Trustee Vince Antonacci said analyses weren't completed to assess future energy savings if the board expended money to install either an HVAC control system or solar panels, although both still could be accomplished.

"Without an analysis of the payback, it's difficult to make a decision," Scanlan said.

"If there are things that could save us money down the line, then we should be looking at them," he said.

The trustees will save money on furnishing the facility, compliments of the Friends of the Library, who will donate $150,000 toward outfitting the building. Township Committee members would like to see more fundraising efforts, with some suggesting that donations could even allow the trustees to put the HVAC system and/or solar panels back in the plan.

"There are endless organization in town that may be interested in working with you," DePhillips said, although it's "getting a little late in the game."

Board of Trustees secretary Lauren DeKorte said the trustees were a "little bit reluctant to ask for fundraising... all along we said we have the money to do this addition." Antonacci also expressed concern that if "fundraising falls short.. we have to pay the bill."

Trustees ultimately agreed to further discuss the prospect of fundraising at next week's meeting.