UPPER NAZARETH TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WLVT) - The Upper Nazareth Township board of supervisors voted 3-2 to approve a budget for the upcoming year that leaves out significant funding for Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity.
Last month, PBS39 reported on the possible budget cuts, as Upper Nazareth Township faced a $135,000 deficit.
The library requested $98,000 for the upcoming year, but the township budgeted for just $50,000, prompting residents and supporters of the library to publicly urge the board of supervisors to reconsider.
"As a board, what do you want your legacy to be?" asked resident Sean Carson during Wednesday's board of supervisors meeting. "This is an emergency. This is the education, the growth of our children, the continuing enjoyment of many, many residents and possibly the only access we have for many of our seniors on limited income to get some of these new books, which the library supplies, along with access to the computers."
Supervisor Donna Hirst noted the emergency funds the township has are to support first responders, in case they need the money.
"We're being as fair as we can possibly be with everyone by giving the library $50,000. I know that you have a formula, and I'm sorry," she said in a November meeting.
People hugged and consoled each other after Wednesday's vote, expressing frustration with the board's decision.
"I'm appalled. I can't begin to explain how disappointed I am for the residents of my municipality," said Terri Sayago, an Upper Nazareth resident who serves as the township representative on the library board.
"I'm afraid that they're going to cut back some of the activities because I know they have a lot of amazing activities like Touch-A-Truck, and I do a summer reading program that I do every year," said 9-year-old resident Emily Warfsman.
Some residents advocated for raising taxes to help fully fund the library. The board of supervisors did vote to raise property taxes by half a mill, but the township's deficit remains at $135,000.
"They could have brought this to a referendum in the last election," Sayago said. "They chose not to do that. There are other elections in the future, and that's another area of recourse that the residents of Upper Nazareth may have."
The library is figuring out what changes it will make and how that will impact its users, whether it’s just Upper Nazareth residents or everyone.
