Date: Fri 17-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Booth-library-referendum

Full Text:

with cut: Library Addition Approved; Lawsuits Continue

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Even the library trustees and friends were holding their breath Wednesday

night as the count on each machine was announced for the referendum vote on

the $4.1 million renovation and 22,000 sq ft expansion of the Cyrenius Booth

Library.

The project passed by a substantial 16 percent margin. The final tally: 1,872

to 1,351.

"We did it!" said Library Director Janet Woycik between tears. "This means

we'll have a library appropriate for a town this size [and for the growth

estimated within the next 20 to 25 years.] It will have plenty of parking, a

wonderful reference room for students and business people, a children's room

where we can accommodate everyone who signs up for a program, [and more.]"

"Wow! I'm so ecstatic," said Kathy Geckle, chairman of the library board Long

Range Planning Committee. "It's been three years of hard work."

She noted that many older residents had come out to vote, and that many

community groups had called to express support prior to the vote. The PTA

presidents gave their full support, which demonstrates that the library and

schools are working together and have not been separated by special interests

and limited resources, said Ms Geckle. "Obviously we have the support of all

ages. It was not very good weather today, so this made us feel really good to

see such a big turnout. Now we can get back to picking out paint colors!" she

said.

But not everyone was pleased with the results of the vote. Ed Baumer, who

lives next door to the library and has vehemently opposed the addition, hoped

the referendum would be a wake up call for residents of the community. He

initiated the petitions for the referendum and spent days standing in front of

local businesses to rally support.

"I felt like David, and pictured the Library Board of Directors and supporters

as Goliath - I was outnumbered," said Mr Baumer, who views the referendum vote

as only the fourth round in a boxing match. "It ain't over till it's over."

The first "rounds" also included approval of the project by the selectmen who

added the caveat "Let the voters decide," 9-to-2 approval by the Legislative

Council, and 222-to-38 town meeting vote favoring the addition.

The rest of the Mr Baumer's "fight" focuses on legal considerations and the

questionable precedent that he said Borough Planning and Zoning has set by

"changing regulations to fit in an already designed building," and by

"accepting additional information from the library despite [having already]

adjourned the meeting..." He said this is the basis of the two legal cases he

has pending in superior court, which the Borough attorney is moving to dismiss

"based on an obscure technicality."

"There's the serious question of issuing a building permit with [my] two cases

currently in Danbury Superior Court," added Mr Baumer. And "a petition

circulator has questions regarding [the Friends of Library's] violation of

forming a political committee for a referendum."

In spite of Mr Baumer's continued dissent, the library director said the next

phase is building. "[Thursday] we are talking to the architect and

contractor," said Mrs Woycik. "If they think it's possible [to excavate],

we'll start right away."

The addition will be in back of the current building, where the parking lot is

now located. A new, 80-space lot is planned to be created in what is currently

the open space behind the building. Study rooms, more space for new books and

materials, a larger program room for children, research space for business

people, expanded computer technology, and a larger meeting room are included

in the new plans. The cost of renovation and expansion, over 20 years, will be

approximately $46 per year for each household in Newtown.

Built in 1932 by Mary Hawley, the library has since had only three renovations

- three restrooms and an elevator for the handicapped, all done in 1980. By

adding to the existing facility at the Main Street site, the $1 million Hawley

Trust will not have to be forfeited.

Three years ago the Friends of the Library, the organization that raises funds

to help support the library, encouraged the board to use its contributions for

a big project. "So we thought, `What do we need? We need a bigger library,'"

said Gordon Williams, library board president. So the Friends contributed the

money for the library brochure, weekly newspaper advertisements, and other

items which promoted expansion.

"I'm really excited," said Mr Williams after the votes were announced. "It's a

dream [come true]."