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anon-9o03
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PostPosted: Thu, Jul 27 2017, 10:24 am EDT    Post subject: Library Reply with quote

I heard today that the library does not have enough money to cover the cost of the building and will be coming to the TC to discuss. I do not know what the library will ask for or want to discuss.

The library will be going to the August 14th TC meeting at 7pm and is asking supporters to attend. If you want to voice your view pro or con then this is the meeting to attend.

A lot of seemingly opposed posters are here so this is your notice. Show up now or remain silent.

A lot of seemingly pro library people are here so this is your notice.

If antilibrary people do not show up then you can't complain here later that things are being discussed without your knowledge.
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anon-s6p5
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PostPosted: Thu, Jul 27 2017, 6:46 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

Here is the link from the library for anyone interested.

http://www.libraryaware.com/1081/NewsletterIssues/ViewIssue/a7d3e8b7-c66c-41f2-985e-7dbfaba613d9?postId=0f8737e0-6484-4814-a44a-d9df6325173e
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Math Check-4056
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PostPosted: Thu, Jul 27 2017, 9:38 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

Not sure this is 100% accurate but is probably hand-grenade close based on published info...

The library foundation estimated construction costs at $2.6 million and move in costs at $400k. Preliminary Construction costs came in about $400k higher than they expected.

The library raised $2 million in donations (plus $600k from the library budget) and still needs $400k to reach the preliminary construction budget and another estimated $400k to move in. This does not include the likely cost overruns or the likely event that the move-in costs are also under-estimated.

This is not to put a damper on the enthusiasm, just an attempt to get at the real gap between where we are and where we need to be to have the money to complete the project. If we are really $1 million+ away after 10 years of planning and 5 or 6 years of hard core fund raising, the library foundation is probably going to need those state matching funds to get this done in the near future.
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anon-s6p5
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PostPosted: Thu, Jul 27 2017, 10:02 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

Math Check-4056 wrote:
Not sure this is 100% accurate but is probably hand-grenade close based on published info...

The library foundation estimated construction costs at $2.6 million and move in costs at $400k. Preliminary Construction costs came in about $400k higher than they expected.

The library raised $2 million in donations (plus $600k from the library budget) and still needs $400k to reach the preliminary construction budget and another estimated $400k to move in. This does not include the likely cost overruns or the likely event that the move-in costs are also under-estimated.

This is not to put a damper on the enthusiasm, just an attempt to get at the real gap between where we are and where we need to be to have the money to complete the project. If we are really $1 million+ away after 10 years of planning and 5 or 6 years of hard core fund raising, the library foundation is probably going to need those state matching funds to get this done in the near future.


Or the library will go before the TC with their supporters and try to ask the TC for the additional money. Thus, it is important if people are not in favor of the library to attend.
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anon-0493
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PostPosted: Thu, Jul 27 2017, 10:23 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

anon-9o03 wrote:
I heard today that the library does not have enough money to cover the cost of the building and will be coming to the TC to discuss. I do not know what the library will ask for or want to discuss.

The library will be going to the August 14th TC meeting at 7pm and is asking supporters to attend. If you want to voice your view pro or con then this is the meeting to attend.

A lot of seemingly opposed posters are here so this is your notice. Show up now or remain silent.

A lot of seemingly pro library people are here so this is your notice.

If antilibrary people do not show up then you can't complain here later that things are being discussed without your knowledge.


What are you saying? Do you really think there is still time to protest the new library? Don't wag your finger at us. It's too far along in the process, and it's pretty futile to complain about it now. The library will wait until they raise the extra $400,000 and then all the contributors will get their names published for posterity, and all those who didn't contribute probably won't be allowed in! Maybe TC will just feel compelled to make us all pay for it anyway. My opinion is still that there is no real need for a 3+ million dollar library in this small town, just like we don't need the new strip mall either, but hey we're going to get it whether we want it or not.
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anon-s6p5
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 6:36 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

anon-0493 wrote:
anon-9o03 wrote:
I heard today that the library does not have enough money to cover the cost of the building and will be coming to the TC to discuss. I do not know what the library will ask for or want to discuss.

The library will be going to the August 14th TC meeting at 7pm and is asking supporters to attend. If you want to voice your view pro or con then this is the meeting to attend.

A lot of seemingly opposed posters are here so this is your notice. Show up now or remain silent.

A lot of seemingly pro library people are here so this is your notice.

If antilibrary people do not show up then you can't complain here later that things are being discussed without your knowledge.


What are you saying? Do you really think there is still time to protest the new library? Don't wag your finger at us. It's too far along in the process, and it's pretty futile to complain about it now. The library will wait until they raise the extra $400,000 and then all the contributors will get their names published for posterity, and all those who didn't contribute probably won't be allowed in! Maybe TC will just feel compelled to make us all pay for it anyway. My opinion is still that there is no real need for a 3+ million dollar library in this small town, just like we don't need the new strip mall either, but hey we're going to get it whether we want it or not.


My point is if you want to be heard go. People complain decisions are made without the opportunity to speak. Go to the meeting now. It is a few weeks away so plenty of time to schedule.

If you don't go and the library presses the TC to fund then you are there to oppose it.

If people complain and then never go to a TC meeting and voice an opinion they lose all credibility.
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anon-05s9
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 6:50 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

anon-s6p5 wrote:
Math Check-4056 wrote:
Not sure this is 100% accurate but is probably hand-grenade close based on published info...

The library foundation estimated construction costs at $2.6 million and move in costs at $400k. Preliminary Construction costs came in about $400k higher than they expected.

The library raised $2 million in donations (plus $600k from the library budget) and still needs $400k to reach the preliminary construction budget and another estimated $400k to move in. This does not include the likely cost overruns or the likely event that the move-in costs are also under-estimated.

This is not to put a damper on the enthusiasm, just an attempt to get at the real gap between where we are and where we need to be to have the money to complete the project. If we are really $1 million+ away after 10 years of planning and 5 or 6 years of hard core fund raising, the library foundation is probably going to need those state matching funds to get this done in the near future.


Or the library will go before the TC with their supporters and try to ask the TC for the additional money. Thus, it is important if people are not in favor of the library to attend.


One point of concern is the size of the gap. The TC already lifted the burden of about $600k in site prep costs, which should have been in the library's original cost estimate. That would mean the original estimate of $3.2 million is already off by $1 million, and the project hasn't yet started. You don't have to look farther than the baseball field next to the library site to see how far construction costs can rise.
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anon-5qqq
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 6:53 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

Didn't every member of the TC commit, when running for office, that they did not believe in public funding of the library, only funding by donations. That should include all initial funding and cost overruns. Why do residents, who voted them into office, need to keep going to meetings to remind them to do what they already promised to do on our behalf?
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anon-s6p5
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 7:09 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

anon-5qqq wrote:
Didn't every member of the TC commit, when running for office, that they did not believe in public funding of the library, only funding by donations. That should include all initial funding and cost overruns. Why do residents, who voted them into office, need to keep going to meetings to remind them to do what they already promised to do on our behalf?


So don't go and let the pro library crowd go. But then you can't complain here that the TC didn't give you a chance to speak. The big complaint is nothing being advertised and decisions being made not on an agenda. Well, that is not the case here. Government is about representation. If you can't bother to go to one TC meeting and the library can get their supporters out then you can't say you did not have an opportunity to be heard.

I don't believe Mr. Johnson or Goetz did run on donations only. I know Mr. mulligan and Taylor campaigned on library using only their funding and donations, but they will were also clear on the need to bring parking to down town to help businesses. I am not sure about Mr. Cook's position.

I doubt Mr. Mulligan and Taylor would vote to cover the additional cost, but it could be 3-2 vote if no one opposed shows up.
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anon;oqs7-np85
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 1:05 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

There should never ever be a vote at the meeting to spend our tax dollars to fund this fiasco----If the Committee takes a vote on this supplement to the "Library for a Few" without even having this on the agenda then they all need to get voted out of office ---pronto------!!! The folks who object to this have already been chastised enough in public so don't expect them to turn out as they have been punished enough by the Library Power Brokers already----
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anon-4648
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 2:08 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

This will be an agenda item. The library newsletter is stating they are giving an update. Now I doubt highly the TC would vote that night to spend money. But the library may ask and the Tc may consider it another time if no one shows up against. No opposition has ever gone to a TC meeting and no one will ever use this board to make a decision nor should they.
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anon-85ro
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 9:12 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

IMHO...this is a real hornets' nest.

The process has gone pretty far along now and has momentum to complete the project, putting at least a little pressure on the TC to somehow try and cover the shortfall.

The second alternative is to flat out reject the bids...all of them...as long as the financial parameters were set out in the solicitation notices...but this means re-doing everything and going out to bid again, but in any case, not a good harbinger of things to come.

The second alternative or even possibly killing the project would likely enrage many in the community and it's not like this issue hasn't already caused something of a divide among residents.

Are there more yet undiscovered potential donors that could cover this? Maybe.

Is this shortfall and potential cost over runs and the $400K "move in" funding making some donors second guess their decisions? Possibly.

Being an estimated 25% underfunded (including the "move in,") without a shovel yet in the ground, makes one pause for a moment...that is for sure.

And really how reliable will the state be....even if a grant is preliminarily approved? It has gone back on such things when the money is really tight....and that looks like the norm for at least the next few years.

A possibility...and I mean just that...a possibility...keep the current funding where it is through donations and put a referendum on the November ballot to see if the community would approve bonding for $1 million. That should cover the short fall, move in costs, and have about $150K-$200K leftover for potential cost over runs.

The case could be made that by getting the $2.6 million in donations, the library supporters have definitely made their voices of support heard. The balance, when financed, would be negligible as far as the tax rate goes....and the TC would only have to basically come up with 5% now, or $50K to get it done.

Yes, the community is paying a portion, but only 25% as opposed to 100% and the supporters are paying the 75% lion share.

I'm not making a judgement one way or another, just mentioning some things to ponder.
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anon-0493
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 9:22 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

[quote="anon-s6p5"][quote="anon-0493"]
anon-9o03 wrote:


My point is if you want to be heard go. People complain decisions are made without the opportunity to speak. Go to the meeting now. It is a few weeks away so plenty of time to schedule.

If you don't go and the library presses the TC to fund then you are there to oppose it.

If people complain and then never go to a TC meeting and voice an opinion they lose all credibility.


Obviously most people in town don't want to go to these meetings and be known as complainers! We all have alot more pressing things to do in our lives. It would be nice if the township, library, other, etc. would offer us some kind of on-line preliminary poll of relevant issues? Do not say no one is reading this board! It is how we communicate now, it is the future.
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anon-88r5
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 9:42 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

[quote="anon-0493"][quote="anon-s6p5"]
anon-0493 wrote:
anon-9o03 wrote:


My point is if you want to be heard go. People complain decisions are made without the opportunity to speak. Go to the meeting now. It is a few weeks away so plenty of time to schedule.

If you don't go and the library presses the TC to fund then you are there to oppose it.

If people complain and then never go to a TC meeting and voice an opinion they lose all credibility.


Obviously most people in town don't want to go to these meetings and be known as complainers! We all have alot more pressing things to do in our lives. It would be nice if the township, library, other, etc. would offer us some kind of on-line preliminary poll of relevant issues? Do not say no one is reading this board! It is how we communicate now, it is the future.


No one knows who you are which is why no one cares about your opinion or anyone else's on this board. This board does not influence any views. No said no one is reading this board, just that no one is going to carry your torch because you post here without any name.

You can't expect the TC to listen to a ton of people who want a library, see no one opposed going to a meeting and then simply turn the supporters down because someone with no name posted on cranbury.info.

Funny how you complained of no notice before and now state you have more pressing needs than attending a meeting for 1 hour. Yet, I guarantee you will scream if you're view is not held.

You're saying you're time is more valuable than the TC members who do this twice a month plus all the added work. That your time is more valuable than the ones who support the library. I am glad our TC, BOE, Fire, EMS, Lions, and other volunteers don't look at their time as being more important than others.

Don't expect people to care about your position if you don't care enough to take an hour and go and stand up for your view.

You can complain all you want, but if you're given an opportunity to say your piece and don't then no one will care about your view.
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anon;oqs6-np85
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PostPosted: Fri, Jul 28 2017, 11:01 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

There is No agenda item as of today to discuss the Library Funding nor approval of additional funding by the Township Committee---If the Library Gangsters are going to be on the agenda it needs to be posted on the agenda. This is just another example of the underhanded backroom dealing on the Library for a Few. The Committee members who are behind the scenes pushing this project need to be voted out of office. This type of politics of non voter approved expenditures is just what is wrong with the politicians we have in office. Vote them out!
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anon-s6p5
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PostPosted: Sat, Jul 29 2017, 7:19 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Library Reply with quote

anon;oqs6-np85 wrote:
There is No agenda item as of today to discuss the Library Funding nor approval of additional funding by the Township Committee---If the Library Gangsters are going to be on the agenda it needs to be posted on the agenda. This is just another example of the underhanded backroom dealing on the Library for a Few. The Committee members who are behind the scenes pushing this project need to be voted out of office. This type of politics of non voter approved expenditures is just what is wrong with the politicians we have in office. Vote them out!


The agenda for the August 14th meeting does not get posted until the Thursday before. That is how all TC meetings work due to the legal nature of what may be discussed. The library newsletter in the link states it will be discussed.

The agenda I am sure when posted will show the library.

Nothing nefarious or back room.

There is only speculation that the library will ask for additional funding.
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