Williston voters reject library expansion proposal
YEAH GUYS… IT’S BEEN A BUSY DAY HERE WITH A STEADY STREAM OF RESIDENTS HEADING INSIDE TO VOTE… AND TOWN OFFICIALS TELL US MORE THAN 12-HUNDRED EARLY BALLOTS WERE ALSO MAILED INTO THE CLERK’S OFFICE AND EARLIER THIS MORNING… WE EVEN SAW STUDENTS WHO AREN’T OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE THEMSELVES BUT STILL MADE 07;07;12;16 – 07;07;15;25 I’m here to support the library, Let’s go library! 07;07;00;26 – 07;07;03;16 <“I’m here because I want the library to expand.”> BUTTED 07;10;55;04 – 07;10;56;11 David Martel, Williston Resident, Voted Yes <“It’s all about affordability.”> Another day at the polls to decide the future of Lauren Miles, Williston Resident, Voted No <“This vote has brought a lot of people together.”> AND THAT COMMUNITY CONVERSATION CONTINUED … AS WILLISTON RESIDENTS weighed in on A 13-POINT-9 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION … ONE THAT SUPPORTERS SAY WOULD CREATE MORE ROOM FOR BOOKS… COMMUNITY PROGRAMS…AND PUBLIC 07;37;45;02 Lauren Miles, Williston Resident, Voted No <“I just wanna see the project come to fruition so my kids can take advantage of it while they’re still at school here and the community as well.”> THE ORIGINAL BOND PASSED BACK ON TOWN MEETING DAY BY A SLIM MARGIN… BUT WEEKS LATER… MORE THAN 600 PEOPLE SIGNED A PETITION FORCING A RE-VOTE… WITH MANY RESIDENTS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT TAXES AND SPENDING 07;11;42;16 David Martel, Williston Resident, Voted Yes <“It’s a two-part thing for me, one is obviously I’m trying to control spending and control taxes. Second I just trying to influence people to get them out to vote.”> TOWN MANAGER ERIK WELLS SAYS THOSE CONCERNS ARE EXACTLY WHY THEY’VE SPENT WEEKS ANSWERING 11;13;42;07 Erik Wells é Williston Town Manager <“Certainly that is a very valid concern for anyone having and it’s been we’ve been able to have multiple conversations with the community members in this lead up process.”> WHILE THE LIBRARY SAYS NO MATTER HOW THE VOTE TURNS OUT… THEY HOPE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO SEE THE SPACE AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE Kevin Unrath é Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Director <“So if we hand up having the same size library that we’ve always had, come in and use the library, if we end up having this expansion go through or a different sized library, you know, we want people to come and AGAIN POLLS WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 7 PM WITH RESULTS EXPECTED LATER TONIGH
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Williston voters overturned approval of the town’s proposed $13.1 million library renovation bond on Tuesday evening.The measure failed by just 60 votes, with 1,597 residents voting in favor of overturning the project and 1,537 voting to let it proceed.The bond was originally approved on Town Meeting Day, but opponents later gathered more than 600 petition signatures to force a revote, citing concerns about the project’s financial impact on taxpayers.Williston Town Manager Erik Wells said the estimated tax increase for the median homeowner would have been about $10 per month.Town officials and library leaders argued the expansion was needed to address space limitations at the library, including room for books and community programs.
Williston voters overturned approval of the town’s proposed $13.1 million library renovation bond on Tuesday evening.
The measure failed by just 60 votes, with 1,597 residents voting in favor of overturning the project and 1,537 voting to let it proceed.
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The bond was originally approved on Town Meeting Day, but opponents later gathered more than 600 petition signatures to force a revote, citing concerns about the project’s financial impact on taxpayers.
Williston Town Manager Erik Wells said the estimated tax increase for the median homeowner would have been about $10 per month.
Town officials and library leaders argued the expansion was needed to address space limitations at the library, including room for books and community programs.
