Tell the selectboard, no cuts to the library budget
Dear Morristown Residents,
On Wednesday, December 4th, the Town Manager presented his suggested budget to the Morristown Selectboard. The proposed budget includes an $80,000 cut to the library, which represents a 28% reduction. We had requested to be level funded- a zero percent increase from last year.
This is a significant blow to the community in the midst of challenging times. The Library is a safe space for so many; we offer classes for adults, meeting spaces for groups, tech help for all ages, children’s programs, and so much more. When we reopened after Covid, our staff met regularly to discuss how to build a vibrant, vital space that would make everyone feel welcome. In 2022 we saw on average 2,000 people a month walk through our doors, in 2023 it rose to 4,000, in 2024 we saw on average over 5,000. The Library is a vital, vibrant space and yet, here we are. Again.
Additionally, Mr. Raymond’s proposed budget eliminates the Morristown Recreation summer camp program for children. This, coupled with the loss of the community center (just announced this week) and the potential cuts to the library, is deeply concerning. While the most vulnerable in our community will be most impacted by the loss of these community supports, these losses will be felt by all.
It’s time for us to decide what kind of community we want to be. If there must be cuts to the budget, then the cuts should be equitably applied to all town departments and not shouldered by the library.
Please write to Mr Raymond and the Selectboard. Let them know that you will not support a budget that doesn’t fully fund the library.
Respectfully,
Kendra Aber-Ferri
Library Director
Selectboard Members:
Don McDowell - [email protected]
Christopher Palermo - [email protected]
Laura Streets - [email protected]
Richard Craig - [email protected]
George Cormier [email protected]
On Wednesday, December 4th, the Town Manager presented his suggested budget to the Morristown Selectboard. The proposed budget includes an $80,000 cut to the library, which represents a 28% reduction. We had requested to be level funded- a zero percent increase from last year.
This is a significant blow to the community in the midst of challenging times. The Library is a safe space for so many; we offer classes for adults, meeting spaces for groups, tech help for all ages, children’s programs, and so much more. When we reopened after Covid, our staff met regularly to discuss how to build a vibrant, vital space that would make everyone feel welcome. In 2022 we saw on average 2,000 people a month walk through our doors, in 2023 it rose to 4,000, in 2024 we saw on average over 5,000. The Library is a vital, vibrant space and yet, here we are. Again.
Additionally, Mr. Raymond’s proposed budget eliminates the Morristown Recreation summer camp program for children. This, coupled with the loss of the community center (just announced this week) and the potential cuts to the library, is deeply concerning. While the most vulnerable in our community will be most impacted by the loss of these community supports, these losses will be felt by all.
It’s time for us to decide what kind of community we want to be. If there must be cuts to the budget, then the cuts should be equitably applied to all town departments and not shouldered by the library.
Please write to Mr Raymond and the Selectboard. Let them know that you will not support a budget that doesn’t fully fund the library.
Respectfully,
Kendra Aber-Ferri
Library Director
Selectboard Members:
Don McDowell - [email protected]
Christopher Palermo - [email protected]
Laura Streets - [email protected]
Richard Craig - [email protected]
George Cormier [email protected]