By Dan Hust
MONTICELLO — An unusually large number of Ethelbert Crawford Public Library district residents turned out for Thursday’s vote to relocate the library.
And despite the accompanying tax hike, an overwhelming majority – 504-155 – agreed to undertake a $5.3 million plan that will literally transform the library.
Board President Robert Norris was asked if the numbers caught him by surprise.
“Quite candidly, yes,” he acknowledged on Friday. “We have never had such a large turnout.”
Typically, he added, library budget votes garner around 100 voters.
But five times that many gave their assent to officials to begin researching bonding opportunities to cover the costs of moving the library down Broadway into the former Cohen’s Bakery building.
Located in the heart of downtown Monticello near the corner of Prince St., the two-story building offers three times the space of the cramped current quarters and can be made handicapped-accessible.
“I’m very grateful the community supported us,” said Norris. “I look forward to starting work on the new building.”
“We’re very happy,” agreed Library Director Alan Barrish. “It will change the face of Monticello.”
This will, however, be the largest project he’s overseen in his decades-long tenure with Crawford.
Once financing is secured, the five parcels comprising the Cohen’s Bakery property will be acquired for $600,000 from Kerendian and Sons, Inc., the current owner. The moving process should begin next year, with an opening date in 2014 (after which the existing library and acreage will be sold).
“Our work’s just starting now,” affirmed Barrish.