WEST MARLBOROUGH: Tax increases approved; West Marlborough will help fund new library

In 2020, West Marlborough Township taxpayers will see their property taxes increase from 1.7 mills to 2 mills and their earned income taxes increase from 0.5% to 0.75%. The money raised by the tax increases will go toward emergency services, construction of the proposed Kennett Library and creation of a $10,000 rainy-day fund. 

The supervisors unanimously approved the budget and the earned income tax increase at a standing-room-only meeting on Dec. 30. The board had approved the millage increase at a separate meeting earlier in December.

Residents packed the Dec. 30 meeting in the township garage -- after all the folding chairs were filled, some stood and others sat on the running board of the township truck. Everyone who spoke was in favor of funding emergency services, but the residents were split on whether township taxpayers should help pay for library construction. 

Supervisor Bill Wylie reminded residents that the vast majority of the tax money is going to fund emergency services: "EMS is why we're raising taxes," he said.

Dot Shaw said not many township residents use the library, and her husband Bill Shaw called the library's proposed building an unneeded "frill" and a "Taj Mahal." John Taylor urged the board to "keep our money in West Marlborough." Don Silknitter said funding the library "does not seem to be in the interest of the whole township." Christina Powell said she didn't agree with the way the library board expected the townships to pick up the tab. 

But Starr Bright called the library "an incredible resource" that "enhances the community." She visits frequently, not only to check out books and audiobooks but also to attend meetings. "If you don't use it, you don't know how much they offer," she said. Her husband Clayton Bright said supporting the library contributes to "an educated community."

Brett Dolente, another library user, said the library is "a public service we should all contribute to."

Tom Brosius said he found the library board's presentation to be moving and pointed out that the library provides "a lot of education," including citizenship classes and English tutoring. "It's a tiny amount of our money," he said.

Phoebe Fisher said that even people who don't use the library still benefit from having an educated community. 

Supervisor Jake Chalfin said he had originally been "on the fence" about funding the library "until they came and spoke. I was extremely impressed." He said the other municipalities in the library's service area all providing funds and "we'd look pretty silly if we didn't contribute." He said although a new library has been talked about on and off for decades, "I have a lot of confidence they're going to pull this off."

He said the modern, accessible library will have meeting rooms, classrooms, and programs for all segments of society and will actually be less expensive to operate. 

"An educated community," he said, "is a strong and prosperous community."

The budget calls for a $65,000 contribution to the emergency services that serve West Marlborough, or $79.85 per resident. The supervisors are proposing to contribute $15,000 a year for five years to fund the library construction, or $18.42 per year per resident. The township currently contributes $1,500 a year ($1.84 per resident) to fund library programs. The real estate tax will raise a total of $145,000 (a $25,000 increase) and the earned income tax will raise $195,000 total (a $65,000 increase).

Residents listen as former township supervisor Josh Taylor (back right, in knit cap) offers his opinion at the Dec. 30 West Marlborough Township meeting.