2001-03-20
.~ .....
GERALD A. VERGILIS*
KENNETH M. STENGER
ALBERT P. ROBERTS
IRA A. PERGAMENT
ANTONIA T. LUCIA
JOAN F. GARRETT**
THOMAS R. DAVIS
MARIA 1. GRECO
VERGILIS, STENGER, ROBERTS & PERGAMENT
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
1136 ROUTE 9
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NEW YORK 12590
(845) 298-2000
FAX (845) 298-2842
e-mail: VSRP@BestWeb.Net
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LEGAL ASSISTANTS:
AMY E. WOODARD
KRISTEN S. GUTHRIE
POUGHKEEPSIE OFFICE
276 MAIN MALL
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601
(845) 452-1046
. ADMITfED TO PRACTICE
IN NY & FLA.
.. ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
IN NY & CONN,
ADDRESS REPLY TO: ( ) POUGHKEEPSIE
( ) WAPPINGERS
March 20, 2001
Town Board
Town of Wappinger
20 Middlebush Road
Wappingers Falls, New York 12601
Attention:
Hon. Constance O. Smith
Re: Grinnell Library
File No. 12951.0468
Dear Connie:
I have reviewed the letter of Keith Salisbury for the Grinnell Library dated March
9,2001 together with the materials the he has attached. Basically, Grinnell Library needs
to double its funding from $200,000 to $400,000. The existing funding for Grinnell
comes from the Town of Wappinger, Town of Poughkeepsie, Village ofWappingers
Falls, Dutches~ County and NYS Local Aid. The Town of Wappinger provides half of
the current funding. Pursuant to State Law adopted in 1995, local voters can petition the
Town to increase the funding for the Library for a specified amount. The petition must
be signed by a number of voters equal to 10% of the total number of voters who voted in
last gubernatorial election. Once the petition is received and verified, a separate
Proposition gets placed on the ballot at the November election.
If the Proposition fails at the election, then the only funding that the Library
would receive is the amount placed in the Town's regular budget for the ensuing fiscal
year. If the Proposition passes, then the funding to the Library Association would be
increased accordingly. It is my understanding that the Library would be willing to
undertake the circulation of the Petition. It would be a prerequisite that the Library Board
endorse the Proposition.
Other than determining how much to fund the Library and its regular budgetary
process, the Town Board has no control over the Petition process. Ifthe Petition is
circulated and signed by the requisite number of voters, the matter must be placed on the
ballot in November. If the Proposition passes in November, the Town Board must
provide the additional funding. I trust this explains the matter. If you wish to discuss this
with me further, please advise.
Very truly yours,
VEE>~TENGER.ROBERTS&PERGAMENT
AL~id P. ROBERTS
APR/bg V
Cc: Hon. Robert L. Valdati, Councilman (sent to home address)
Hon. Joseph Ruggiero, Councilman (sent to home'address)
Hon. Vincent Bettina, Councilman (sent to home address)
Hon. Joseph P. Paoloni, Councilman (sent to home address)
O:\ROBER TS\CORRESP\mar20b-bg.doc
Dictated but not proofread by Albert P. Roberts