By Theresa Katalinas
tkatalinas@sjnewsco.com
GREENWICH TWP. -- Construction crews are putting the final touches on
a new branch of the Gloucester County Library System. Horace Spoto,
Greenwich Township administrator, said Tuesday that the $1.4 million
library on Swedesboro Road, designed by Garrison Architects, should
be open for business by mid-January.
"It's over halfway completed," Spoto said. "Other than
finishing site work ... it's complete."
Bob Weatherall, Gloucester County Library director, said a $317,000
state grant helped finance the project. In addition, he said the library
commission will pay the township $60,000 per year for 10 years.
Weatherall said the commission will operate and fund the branch.
During Monday night's township council meeting, council approved a resolution
to purchase furniture for the new branch, which is expected to cost
about $85,000.
Weatherall said the fee includes furniture such as tables and chairs,
stackable chairs, computer stations and couches. Mayor Greg Cipolla
said the library will cost taxpayers about $7 per year, which he said
won't pose much of a financial burden.
"It's going to make a terrific addition to the town," Cipolla
said of the approximate 10,000-square-foot facility.
Although costs for Greenwich residents will be limited, Paulsboro households
looking to borrow will have to foot an annual $60 non-resident fee.
Weatherall said the library commission services 14 of 24 county municipalities
who pay library taxes averaging around 4.5 cents per $100,000 of assessed
property value.
"The folks in Paulsboro can't borrow books and they're only a mile
away," Weatherall said. "New Jersey has the most unique library
laws and sometimes the most confusing."
Weatherall said municipalities can opt to implement the county library
tax in order to waive the annual non-resident fees. He said he made
this suggestion to Paulsboro Mayor John Burzichelli and is waiting for
a response.
Besides Paulsboro residents, individuals from West Deptford, Washington,
Deptford, Monroe and Franklin townships and Pitman, Westville, Wenonah
and Woodbury are required to pay non-resident fees at any of the four
county libraries in Glassboro, Mullica Hill, Logan and Greenwich townships.
|