Positive Dartmouth Town Election Results for the Library

On April 1, 2008, a Dartmouth Town Election was held concerning Prop. 2 1/2 override questions, a debt exclusion question and seats in town government such as Select Board and School Committee. The election’s outcome carried much significance for the public library because the outcome of the election would ultimately determine the likelihood of the library retaining its certification. The library-specific override question in the menu approach to requests was successful.

Question 2: Passes

Shall the Town of Dartmouth be allowed to assess an additional $89,874 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the Public Library for library books, materials, and for operational costs for the Southworth Library, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008.

Yes: 4,681

No: 4,186

The other override question which involved the library was the general government question. If that question did not pass, three professional librarians and a custodian would have been laid off. This question also passed.

Question 5: Passes

Shall the Town of Dartmouth be allowed to assess an additional $1,511,405 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the Town for the following categories: Public Safety (which includes Animal Control, Building Department, Emergency Management Agency, Parking Control, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Street Lights and Traffic Lights), Department of Public Works, Veterans’ Services, Health and Sanitation, Council on Aging, General Government, Libraries, and Park & Recreation, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008.

Yes: 5,006

No: 3,839

The final election issue related to the library was the debt exclusion question. If that question passed, the library’s roof would have been repaired, a heating/ventilation system would have been replaced and the parking lot would have been resurfaced. This question did not pass.

Question 7: Fails

Shall the Town of Dartmouth be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called the amounts required to pay for the bond issued in order to fund the costs of (i) Department of Public Works Road Reconstruction and Garage Building Expansion, (ii) Southworth Library Roof Replacement, Heating Venting and Air Conditioning System replacement and Parking Lot resurfacing, (iii) Police Department Parking Lot resurfacing, (iv) Town Hall and Office Buildings Renovations including energy efficient mechanical system upgrades, (v) Public Schools Window Replacement and (vi) Elevator Installation at the Quinn Elementary School, including all costs incidental and related thereto?

Yes: 4,184

No: 4,603

Thank-you to all the voters who came out in support of the library. Our aim is to serve you and we are now much better equipped to continue striving to achieve excellence in meeting the community’s informational needs.

Dartmouth Cable Television Airs Dept. Head Interviews on Town Ballot Questions

Local Cable’s access channel in Dartmouth, DCTV Channel 18, has begun airing interviews of Dartmouth town officials outlining the Override Questions on the April 1st 2008 ballot and the expected impact of a yes or no vote. Departments featured include:

• Council on Aging
• Town Hall Departments
• Department of Public Works
• School Department
• Police Department
• Library
• Park & Recreation

View the Schedule for when these interviews air and learn more about the changes in town services that will result depending on the election.

Library Director Talks Budgets in YouTube Interview

Library Trustee Paul Pereira interviews Library Director Denise Medeiros on the subject of the April 1, 2008 Election in Dartmouth. Two ballot questions asking for an override of Prop. 2 1/2 pertain directly to the library as well as a debt exclusion question which would fund a new roof, paving the parking lot and a HVAC system for Southworth Library. Denise discusses what the consequences of a yes or no vote will mean, including possible loss of certification, resource-sharing with other libraries, staff layoffs, reduced hours and greatly reduced budget for book buying.

Watch the videos:

Denise Medeiros with Paul Pereira on Prop. 2 1/2, Part 1

Denise Medeiros with Paul Pereira on Prop. 2 1/2, Part 2