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Fitchburg Could Get Library If Referendums Pass
Building Would Open In 2010
UPDATED: 9:41 pm CDT October 8,
2008
FITCHBURG, Wis. -- Fitchburg residents have never had a public library of their own but they could soon get their first library.
VIDEO: Watch The Report"I've never been in a community without a library," said Amy Beery.She said it’s more than space for books."Fitchburg doesn't have much of a community center so bringing the library here would kind of give us more of a community feel that Fitchburg is lacking," said Beery.Residents will have the choice to pass two referendums totally $10 million come Nov. 4. If passed, a 37,000-square-foot library will be built in the Fitchburg Research Park.Early designs estimate the project will cost $14 million with $4 million being raised by private donations."One thing people need to remember is that we currently pay close to $800,000 to Dane County taxes that leave our communities and that goes to support the surrounding libraries that our residents use. That money in great part will come back to Fitchburg and we'll be able to use that for our own operating expenses," said Fitchburg Library Board Vice President Marykay Zimbrick.While the support for the library is found in front of many homes in the form of signs, so to is the opposition."We do have a beautiful library down the road in Verona and the money has to come from somewhere to pay for it so in economic times like we have I think we need to really look at it and not just assume it's the best thing to do right now," said one resident.Proponents said the library could open in mid-2010, if residents give their approval."We're hoping that people look to the future and say now is the time to define our community as a place other than a place to sleep at night. A library can do that for us," said Zimbrick.The first question Fitchburg voters will see is to approve a referendum amount not to exceed $10 million for the building (about $75 annually on a $250,000 home).The second question is to approve a referendum to fund operations of the library at a net tax increase of $965,000 (about $96 annually on a $250,000 home).If approved, the net impact for operations on homeowners would be an estimated $96 annually for a $250,000 home, according to the city of Fitchburg's Web site.A public information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16. at the Fairways Community Room in Fitchburg.To view information on the library, click here: Fitchburg Library Information
VIDEO: Watch The Report"I've never been in a community without a library," said Amy Beery.She said it’s more than space for books."Fitchburg doesn't have much of a community center so bringing the library here would kind of give us more of a community feel that Fitchburg is lacking," said Beery.Residents will have the choice to pass two referendums totally $10 million come Nov. 4. If passed, a 37,000-square-foot library will be built in the Fitchburg Research Park.Early designs estimate the project will cost $14 million with $4 million being raised by private donations."One thing people need to remember is that we currently pay close to $800,000 to Dane County taxes that leave our communities and that goes to support the surrounding libraries that our residents use. That money in great part will come back to Fitchburg and we'll be able to use that for our own operating expenses," said Fitchburg Library Board Vice President Marykay Zimbrick.While the support for the library is found in front of many homes in the form of signs, so to is the opposition."We do have a beautiful library down the road in Verona and the money has to come from somewhere to pay for it so in economic times like we have I think we need to really look at it and not just assume it's the best thing to do right now," said one resident.Proponents said the library could open in mid-2010, if residents give their approval."We're hoping that people look to the future and say now is the time to define our community as a place other than a place to sleep at night. A library can do that for us," said Zimbrick.The first question Fitchburg voters will see is to approve a referendum amount not to exceed $10 million for the building (about $75 annually on a $250,000 home).The second question is to approve a referendum to fund operations of the library at a net tax increase of $965,000 (about $96 annually on a $250,000 home).If approved, the net impact for operations on homeowners would be an estimated $96 annually for a $250,000 home, according to the city of Fitchburg's Web site.A public information meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16. at the Fairways Community Room in Fitchburg.To view information on the library, click here: Fitchburg Library InformationCopyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
