Burlington Township sets strict deadlines for library clutter, warns of closure if not complied with

The Burlington Township Board voted Feb. 13 to require the Burlington Township Library to remove boxes and tables that staff said are blocking access to shelving and walkways, setting concrete deadlines or risking closure.

Supervisor Jeff Eyre will notify Library Board member Kara Bercaw that 75% of boxes and table obstructions must be removed by Feb. 27, 2025, and the remaining 25% must be cleared by March 15, 2025. The board’s motion, made by Robert Mack and seconded by Barton Boyer, carried during the regular meeting at Township Hall.

The directive followed a letter and a meeting with Kevin Decker of Decker Agency on Feb. 10. The board also approved a separate insurance action to increase library contents coverage by $10,000 to account for new shelving units, a motion made by Supervisor Eyre and seconded by R. Mack that the board carried.

Why it matters: The board framed the requirement as an accessibility and safety concern for patrons and a condition for continued operation of township library services. The removal deadlines impose clear timelines on the library board to address floor and aisle obstructions.

What happened at the meeting: The board recorded the accessibility item under New Business after its regular reports and appointed Eyre to communicate the directive to the library board. The minutes show the motion passed; the transcript does not record a public comment speaking in favor or opposition during the meeting.

Next steps: The minutes state the library will be closed until the conditions are met if the library board does not meet the deadlines. The meeting also scheduled a Budget Workshop for March 6, 2025, which could be an opportunity to address related funding or operational questions.