Woodstock Library asks town to place $300,000 bond on October ballot to finish renovation

Barry Miller, president of the Woodstock Library Board, told the Town Board the library seeks a $300,000 public improvement bond on the library's October 9 ballot to finish renovations at 10 Dixon Avenue.

"We are seeking just another $300,000 to complete the building," Miller said, describing the project as largely funded but still facing remaining work such as a vestibule, new main staircase and an installed circulation desk. Ivy Gothther, the library director, said the project has repurposed many items from the previous building but incurred roughly $260,000 in change orders discovered during demolition.

Gothther outlined that the project team has raised about $1.7 million in addition to prior bond funding and grants. She said a $300,000 public improvement bond with a 15-year repayment plan would produce an average annual tax increase of $741 for a homeowner with a $425,000 assessed home; she presented that figure as an average illustration of homeowner impact.

Board members asked what the town can do now; Gothther said the library's lawyer is coordinating with town counsel on drafting bond-resolution language and that the library board expects to approve the bond resolution at its next meeting. Trustees said they would prepare the appropriate town-board resolution and anticipated a unanimous vote to send the bond to the ballot.

What's next: Library and town counsel will finalize resolution language and the town board will consider a bonding resolution in advance of the Oct. 9 vote.