Saying that the Medford Township Council has repeatedly and stubbornly refused to find common ground with the county on a plan to renovate and upgrade the Pinelands Library Branch in Medford, Freeholder Leah Arter said she will begrudgingly pursue discussions with other communities interested in hosting the Pinelands Branch Library.
“Councilman Randy Pace and some of his council colleagues on the Medford Council have made it clear that they would rather fight with the county than work with us in regard to preserving the Pinelands Branch Library in Medford,” said Arter. “To cut to the quick, we’re done talking with Medford.
“I am disappointed for all the people of Medford who value having a library in their hometown, but the current township council’s refusal to work with us leaves me no choice but to open the door to other Pinelands’ area communities who would be willing to enter into a shared services agreement with the county and host a Pinelands branch.
“Unfortunately, it seems as if the Medford Council is the only local governing body in the county that doesn’t see the cultural and fiscal value of being a part of what has been a longstanding, taxpayer friendly shared service agreement between our municipalities.”
Arter’s position was fully detailed in a letter to Medford Council, in which she indicated she would stand by an earlier promise to have the County provide up to $30,000 in reimbursements for maintenance, utilities and insurance, all items typically provided by host municipalities, for one year.
She had also indicated previously that the county would work with Medford to upgrade and modernize its existing 6,000 square foot facility, to meet the growing interest in children’s programs and electronic media.
This was embodied in a new proposed agreement with the township.
“However,” said Arter, “Medford cleverly attempted to amend the agreement to ensure the township would never have to put up a dime for the building it owns — not for maintenance, not for capital improvements. And I can’t in good conscience expect all the library taxpayers of Burlington County to foot the costs for one town’s building.”
In response to Medford’s assertion it is not getting a fair return on its tax dollars for library services, Arter pointed out that 20 Burlington County towns pay the same tax, but have no branch or member library, but are willing participants in a shared services library system that enables them to use all libraries, regardless of the town in which they are located.
“Councilman Pace would rather mislead the public about the county’s finances, and I would caution him about further allegations implying a misallocation of library funds,” Arter said. “The very dollar amounts he criticizes were developed by a financial consultant and validated by auditors. Case closed.”
The Sun is closely following the developing story, stay with The Sun for updates.
