Woodstock Library Election for Two Trustees and the 2008 Budget
On September 6, 2007 Woodstock voters will elect two trustees to the Board of Trustees of the Woodstock Public Library District. They will also vote on the Library’s 2008 Budget, which includes money to begin the renovation that was approved last April after a year of planning and public meetings.
Board Candidates Bill Pfleging and Walter Bost
The two candidates, who are running unopposed for re-election to the two vacant seats, are Bill Pfleging and Walter Bost. Bill Pfleging is a computer consultant, co- author of The Geek Gap, and a technology writer whose informational articles appear in the local press.Walter Bost moved to Woodstock from New Orleans after his home there was devastated by hurricane Katrina. He has felt very welcomed here and is happy to be able to serve his new home on the Library Board.
2008 Budget Includes Major Increase for Renovation
The 2008 Budget, approved by the Board after three public meetings, includes a substantial increase over recent years to pay for the major renovation that was approved last April.“The renovation we approved will expand the Library into the area now occupied by the book sale barn, bringing the book sale inside, and it will add a second story over the back part of the building.” said Margo McLoone, chair of the Library Board of Trustees. “It will give us room to improve every service the Library offers now – children’s services, public meetings, local historical archives, everything.” she continued. The Board has asked the architect to consider the environmental impact of the building at every stage of construction and operation. The approved concept does that, with the possibility of achieving the LEED Gold standard for the project. (For more information on LEED, see below, final paragraph.) For 2008, the Library Budget includes $630,000 for capital improvements. It will pay for architectural design, moving and storing the collection, temporary quarters for the Library during construction and starting the construction itself.“We plan to pay for most of the construction with a bond issue, with payments starting in 2009.” said Trustee Stuart Auchincloss. “By putting this sum in our 2008 Budget we expect to save way over $100,000 in interest and costs over the life of the project.” he explained.
Other Increases Over 2007
The total budget for 2008 is $1,136,003, an increase of $670,716 over the 2007 Budget. In addition to paying for the renovation, other increases in the 2008 Budget over 2007 include cost of living increases in employee salaries and benefits and extra money for an in-depth audit to assure the Board that the accounting system will protect the public during the renovation.
Election Details
The election will take place in the Library from Noon until 10:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 6, 2007. All registered voters of the Town of Woodstock are eligible to vote. Copies of the proposed 2008 Budget are available at the Library. So is a copy of the architect’s feasibility study describing the concept plan of the renovation that the Board approved last April. Plans and a rendering of the proposed renovation concept are also on display in the reading room. Applications for absentee ballots are available in the Library.
Library Mission
The Mission of the Woodstock Library is to facilitate learning and self-education for the community and to encourage young children to develop an ongoing interest in reading and learning. In responding to community requests for service, it has outgrown its present home.
What is LEED?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
From U.S. Green Building Council web site: www.usgbc.org
Board Candidates Bill Pfleging and Walter Bost
The two candidates, who are running unopposed for re-election to the two vacant seats, are Bill Pfleging and Walter Bost. Bill Pfleging is a computer consultant, co- author of The Geek Gap, and a technology writer whose informational articles appear in the local press.Walter Bost moved to Woodstock from New Orleans after his home there was devastated by hurricane Katrina. He has felt very welcomed here and is happy to be able to serve his new home on the Library Board.
2008 Budget Includes Major Increase for Renovation
The 2008 Budget, approved by the Board after three public meetings, includes a substantial increase over recent years to pay for the major renovation that was approved last April.“The renovation we approved will expand the Library into the area now occupied by the book sale barn, bringing the book sale inside, and it will add a second story over the back part of the building.” said Margo McLoone, chair of the Library Board of Trustees. “It will give us room to improve every service the Library offers now – children’s services, public meetings, local historical archives, everything.” she continued. The Board has asked the architect to consider the environmental impact of the building at every stage of construction and operation. The approved concept does that, with the possibility of achieving the LEED Gold standard for the project. (For more information on LEED, see below, final paragraph.) For 2008, the Library Budget includes $630,000 for capital improvements. It will pay for architectural design, moving and storing the collection, temporary quarters for the Library during construction and starting the construction itself.“We plan to pay for most of the construction with a bond issue, with payments starting in 2009.” said Trustee Stuart Auchincloss. “By putting this sum in our 2008 Budget we expect to save way over $100,000 in interest and costs over the life of the project.” he explained.
Other Increases Over 2007
The total budget for 2008 is $1,136,003, an increase of $670,716 over the 2007 Budget. In addition to paying for the renovation, other increases in the 2008 Budget over 2007 include cost of living increases in employee salaries and benefits and extra money for an in-depth audit to assure the Board that the accounting system will protect the public during the renovation.
Election Details
The election will take place in the Library from Noon until 10:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 6, 2007. All registered voters of the Town of Woodstock are eligible to vote. Copies of the proposed 2008 Budget are available at the Library. So is a copy of the architect’s feasibility study describing the concept plan of the renovation that the Board approved last April. Plans and a rendering of the proposed renovation concept are also on display in the reading room. Applications for absentee ballots are available in the Library.
Library Mission
The Mission of the Woodstock Library is to facilitate learning and self-education for the community and to encourage young children to develop an ongoing interest in reading and learning. In responding to community requests for service, it has outgrown its present home.
What is LEED?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
From U.S. Green Building Council web site: www.usgbc.org
posted by Woodstock Library at
Friday, August 17, 2007
