In Pine Plains, Proposal Number Three will, if approved, change the way the Pine Plains Free Library’s budget is determined. Currently the library budget is controlled by the town board which can make it subject to competition from other town needs. The proposal before the voters would put the voters in charge of approving the library budget. This is a common method used throughout upstate New York.
If approved, the library’s annual budget would be set at $166,900 and could not be increased unless it was brought to the voters again in a general election. The town has given the library $99,500 in 2022 and 2023, with no increase proposed for 2024. According to Library Director Alexis Tackett, who also volunteers for the Herald, in the current year the town funding will be about $30,000 less than the library will actually spend. Tackett said in March that without a larger budget the library will be forced to reduce staff and may also need to drop weekly operations to 28 hours from the current 32.
During the pandemic, library usage increased and costs increased. The annual deficit has eaten away at the library’s reserve fund. The budget voters are being asked to approve would restore the reserve fund and maintain library programs. The Pine Plains Free Library is the oldest public library in Dutchess County, founded 225 years ago.
The proposition on the ballot reads: “Shall the annual contribution of the Town of Pine Plains for the operating budget of the Pine Plains Free Library be increased to the sum of One Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($166,900) annually?”
Two Other Ballot Propositions
All towns in New York will have Proposals Numbers One and Two on their ballots this year. Both proposals are constitutional amendments requiring voter approval. Proposal One would remove a debt limit for small city school districts making them eligible to have the same debt limit as all other school districts. Proposal Number Two extends for 10 years the authority of counties, cities, towns, and villages to remove from their constitutional debt limits debt for the construction of sewage facilities.
Reminder: Proposals appear on the reverse side of the ballot.
Where and When to Vote
Early voting begins on October 28. County Boards of Elections arrange the early voting process. You can find early voting places and times for Dutchess County and Columbia County by visiting their Board of Election websites.
Election Day is November 7. Polls are open that day from 6:00 am until 9:00 pm.
Voting location for Election Day and sample ballots:
Ancram – Vote at Ancram Town Hall, 1416 County Rte 7 – Ancram Sample Ballot
Gallatin – Vote at Gallatin Town Hall, 667 County Rte. 7 – Gallatin Sample Ballot
Milan – Vote at Town Hall, Wilcox Dr. off Rte. 199 – Milan Sample Ballot
Pine Plains – Vote at Stissing Mountain High School, 2829 Church St. – Pine Plains Sample Ballot
Stanford – Vote at Town Hall, 26 Town Hall Rd. – Stanford Sample Ballot