July 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Franklin Lakes Library returns surplus funds to borough by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Library Board of Trustees has returned $296,561 in surplus funds to the borough at the direction of the New Jersey State Librarian. The amount returned to the borough includes the surplus to be returned for the 2010 and 2011, and was based on a strategic plan that was submitted to the state librarian in January outlining the future capital project needs of the library. The strategic plan was prepared in accordance with a new state law that requires public libraries to transfer any excess funds they retain to the towns in which they are located. Municipalities are mandated by state law to allocate a certain amount of funding each year for the support of their public libraries. The strategic plan was submitted after the library board engaged a consulting firm to help develop the plan in accordance with guidance from the state librarian. The amount of surplus to be returned to the borough had been a point of contention between the library board and Mayor Frank Bivona and the borough council since Bivona raised the issue at a public council meeting in July 2011. As mayor, Bivona is also a member of the library board. He still believes the amount of money the library board returned to the borough for taxpayer relief should have been higher. “I thought the amount could have been considerably higher,” Bivona said, “considering the fact that the library board still has a very large surplus and most of that surplus is now dedicated to capital projects. “I’m not saying the library is without any needs, but clearly I don’t think we need anywhere near that magnitude of the capital projects to improve the library, as beautiful a building as it is.” Bivona explained that he and the borough council decided not to challenge the library board’s plan for capital projects because they did not think a challenge would be successful. However, they hope the library will continue to focus on spending money in a prudent way and, if there are additional funds over time, that those funds will be given back to the taxpayers. “It’s not our money,” Bivona said. “It’s the taxpayers’ money and I feel strongly about that.” According to Bivona, the money returned by the library board was not anticipated in this year’s budget. As a result, it will be placed in a trust fund to be used for taxpayer relief next year. “If I could give taxpayers a check I would, but I’m told I can’t do that,” Bivona said. “But taxpayers will see a tax reduction next year to the tune of $296,561.” James Sheppard, president of the library board, emphasized that the state librarian approved the library’s strategic plan for capital projects and approved the return of $296,561 to the borough. “We did everything we were required to do under the law,” Sheppard said. He was referring to the law enacted by the New Jersey Legislature in December 2010, which requires municipal libraries to return excess library funds to their municipalities for taxpayer relief. In a letter to the editor of the Villadom TIMES, Sheppard thanked the residents who participated in focus groups and online surveys about the needs of the library. He pointed out that the funds that were returned to the borough were the direct result of 10 (continued on page 16) Businesses support corps The Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps recently received a generous donation from two local businesses: PTS Data Systems and Foremost Inspections. These businesses donated the monitor, software system, wiring, and installation for the new electronic scheduling system in the ambulance building. The system will allow all riding members to walk into the building on a call and at anytime and know what members are going on the call. The system will also allow the corps to post announcements and any hospital information needed. Pictured are Kevin Burnette of Foremost Inspections and Mike Petrino of PTS Data Systems.