Ossining school board advances library’s $30 million bond vote after technical briefing

The Ossining Board of Education voted July 9 to place a $30 million bond proposal from the Ossining Public Library on a special district ballot, advancing the library’s plan to repair a failing retaining wall, update heating and cooling systems, make accessibility improvements and undertake interior renovations. The board moved resolution 6.1 to call a special district meeting and authorize the levy of taxes to support the spending; the vote on the resolution was approved by the board during the meeting.

The action followed a presentation by Karen LaRocca Fells, director of the Ossining Public Library, who described key elements of the project and the proposed schedule. “The key pieces of our proposal include repairs to our retaining wall and drainage…accessibility improvements in the parking lot…a new heating and cooling system…roof repairs…and service‑related upgrades,” LaRocca Fells said. She said the bond would be for 15 years and the library estimates an average taxpayer increase of $184 per year, using district full market values to calculate an average impact. The library is targeting a public vote on September 16, 2025.

LaRocca Fells described a phased approach: exterior work, including the retaining wall, stormwater drainage and parking reconfiguration, would start in spring 2026; interior…