Goodrich- Voters may get the final say in what happens to the library building, plagued by expensive maintenance issues.
During a special meeting May 4, village and Atlas Township officials discussed the problems with the century-old Lyceum building, which houses the Goodrich Library, 10237 Hegel Road.
Village Council President Ed York stressed that the council is not looking at getting rid of the library, which is supplied with books, computers, materials and librarians through the Genesee District Library and a county-wide millage. The village is responsible solely for the building itself, which in the last year has suffered roof and water damage, as well as a failed furnace.
‘What we need to do is look at how to provide a facility to keep the library functioning in the area,? said York. ‘Other municipalities have a millage, or a special assessment. We could put it before the voters? is it important enough to pay a small fee? It could be about $9 per taxpayer to fund the library… Let the voters choose.?
York said the village has borne the brunt of the financial burden for maintenance of the 1,800 square foot building, picking up 75 percent of the costs, while Atlas Township pays 25 percent. Meanwhile, 75 percent of library users are Atlas Township residents and 25 percent are village residents.
‘It’s a service for the whole community and therefore, it should be something the whole community takes financial responsibility for and not just a small group of people,? York said.
A millage is something only the township can put on the ballot. A special assessment may be more equitable, with residents paying the same regardless of home value, but residents wouldn’t be able to vote on this.
Atlas Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones agreed that the library is important, but said she is not in favor of a millage or special assessment.
‘The general consensus is that we will all have to work together to keep the library going in our community,? she said. ‘I hate to burden anyone with costs, but if that is the only way the library can survive, it gives people the ability to vote on the issue.?
Kautman-Jones and township boardmembers have requested more information from the village regarding library operating costs from the past five years. Currently, the village is getting bids regarding replacement of six windows which were not encased properly and have subsequently caused an unknown amount of water damage. It is estimated the repairs could cost up to $20,000.
A second meeting date between village and township officials has not been set.