Bethel Resident Questions Library, Government Salary Increases

Bethel Resident Questions Library, Government Salary Increases

Editor’s note: The following letter to the editor was sent in from Dr. John A. Opinski, Bethel, CT. The opinions expressed in the Letters to the Editor column are the viewpoint of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Bethel Buzz or its editor.

The April 24, 2012 News-Times Online Edition column entitled, “No money for libraries? That’s criminal!” and published in the Bethel local section seems to more appropriately fit the Opinion section. The author, Kendal Rautzhan, writes under the impression that funding for books could be endangered by budgetary concerns during tough economic times. It is unclear how the author gained this impression but it is encouraging that offering children’s books in the Bethel Public Library is mentioned.

What Kendal Rautzhan may be unaware of is public sentiment in Bethel concerning a March 29, 2012 closed door meeting by the Bethel Executive Committee of the Board of Directors which was announced just a little over 24 hours prior to the meeting. In the meeting, the Board voted as follows:

“…Ms. Kahn made a motion seconded by Ms. Bickford to recommend to the Library Board of Directors that full time staff receive 2 additional paid personal days for 2012-13FY. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Kahn made a motion seconded by Ms. Bickford to recommend to the Library Board of Directors that part-time staff receive a 15 increase in vacation time for 2012-13FY. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Kahn made a motion seconded by Ms. Bickford to recommend to the Library Board of Directors a change in Personnel Policy beginning 2013-14 FY to grant full-time staff two 2 Personal Days annually Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Kahn made a motion seconded by Ms. Bickford to recommend to the Library Board of Directors consideration of a salary increase for the Library Director for a total of $2,274.00 from line items to be determined by the Board and to authorize the Chair to discuss with the town Comptroller the effect if any the increase might have on benefits and payroll deductions Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Kahn made a motion seconded by Ms. Bickford to authorize the Chair to approach First Selectman Knickerbocker regarding the Library Director’s potential eligibility for the town’s post retirement Medical Insurance Benefit Optional Program Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Kahn made a motion seconded by Ms. Bickford to recommend to the Library Board of Directors that a one time two 2 week paid vacation be granted to Library Director Rosato after the completion of the Library Building Project Motion passed unanimously…”

(source:http://www.bethelct.org/documents/On-Line_Documents/public_library/2012-03-29m%20sp.pdf).

The problem residents have is both the closed-door forum of this meeting and the increase in salaries and benefits when money for books is assumed tough to come by and at a time when Bethel property taxes were just increased over 3% and an additional property tax of over 3% is sought by the Bethel Administration. This problem is compounded by the decreases in income and property values that Bethel residents have experienced over the course of the current economic recession.

The Bethel residents have forgone employment, salary increases and benefits in recent years in order to support a growing town government and library. Is the Bethel Executive Committee of the Board of Directors willing to forgo its recent motions in favor of books? This would seem to address Kendal Rautzhan’s problem quite well. The answer to that question does not lie in where money is appropriated from. It all comes from the people.

–Dr. John A. Opinski, Bethel, CT.