A Manhasset Public Library trustee was re-elected this month by a single vote.
Trustee Charles Jettmar was re-elected to a five-year term April 11 with 137 votes against challenger William Hannan’s 136 votes.
His term begins July 1.
During a candidates night in March hosted by the League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset, Jettmar said in his four years on the board, he has enjoyed serving because it’s a way to give back to an organization that has helped his family.
“My interest in the trustee position stems from my family’s and the Manhasset community’s use of the Manhasset Public Library,” Jettmar said. “Serving on the board has been a way to give back to an organization that gives so much to my family and the community. The Manhasset Public Library is at the heart of Manhasset’s cultural and educational life. The Board of Trustees has an important fiduciary role in assuring the tax revenues that support our library are well spent.”
Manhasset Public Library Director Maggie Gough said Jettmar’s experience as capital projects director for the United States Tennis Association has helped the library in the past, including improving the security camera system and working with the library’s History Center both as a trustee and a history lover.
“He’s a wonderful resource for the trustees and the community,” Gough said.
During the vote, residents also approved with 209 votes a $5,955,534 budget, with the bulk of the funds dedicated to salaries and benefits.
The 2018-19 budget represents a 1.25 percent increase in funds raised by taxes, expecting to raise $5,251,134 during the next year compared with the $5,186,492 raised this year.
Approximately $3.3 million of the budget is dedicated to employees, including $2,182,500 for salaries, $665,527 for health insurance, $237,955 for pension plans and $192,650 for payroll taxes and insurances.
Materials are projected to cost $290,000 during the next fiscal year, with $108,500 dedicated to books and $136,500 for electronic media and e-books.
The budget for periodicals and microfilm was reduced from $23,000 this year to $5,000 next year, one of the largest budget line changes.
Under buildings and maintenance, the History Center Project Fund will see a sharp decrease from $2,000 to $500, but the capital projects and repurposing fund, which was budgeted no monies last year, was bumped to $580,000 to help address patron concerns.
“We looked at the library, and it’s a beautiful library,” Gough said. “Our patrons are asking for more space. They’re asking for space for studying, space for meetings and programming space. They’re asking for places to play games, sit down and relax. A traditional library doesn’t have all that flexible space, so we’re trying to look at our current design and repurpose different spaces.”
The library’s total operating expenses for next year are expected to be $4,224,048, and the debt service is just under $1.1 million.
