West Branch Library May Close!

[masswich.livejournal.com]

I have received an email from Ward 6 Alderman (Alderwoman? Not sure which she prefers) Rebekah Gewirtz regarding the impact on the City's budget of the firefighter arbitration ruling. Note that I have no opinion one way or the other as to whether the arbitration was correctly decided, but right now it appears to be having a significant budget impact. One of the possible casualties may be the West Branch Library in Davis.

Once libraries close, they almost never reopen. The building already needs work and if left empty will likely get worse. At some point the City would probably just sell it off.

If you are concerned, look up your local officials on the City web site and let them know. I personally think its a shame and that other options exist for dealing with this situation. Excerpts from the letter are below.

...Last month, the city and the firefighters union entered into arbitration at the Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC) since they couldn't agree on a contract for the past five years. The JLMC ruled in favor of a compromise salary increase for the firefighters. The mayor presented a plan, as he is required to do by the JLMC, to fund the award at the Board of Aldermen (BOA) meeting on 1/12. ... The mayor's plan calls for large scale layoffs and the closing of the West Branch Public Library. Closing the library is not an option, and I am fighting to prevent this. ... I sponsored a resolution asking the mayor to come back to the BOA with a plan to fund the award over two years instead of one. The resolution passed unanimously on a roll call vote. ... There will be a series of meetings to discuss the contract award and its funding starting this coming Wednesday night, 1/18 at city hall at 6pm and a PUBLIC HEARING on January 30th at City Hall at 6pm. All are welcome to attend all meetings.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I told Rebekah Gewirtz that the Board of Aldermen should repeatedly reject the arbitration until all Green Line stations in Somerville have opened. At that point, there should be enough development to fund the arbitration award.

[bostonartist.livejournal.com]

Its time to get real about the Green Line Extention. The MBTA is 5+ billion in debt. They do not have the $ to maintain the system they already have, let alone build, run and maintain the GLE. Its a perpetual Somerville dream...

[progressnerd.livejournal.com]

It's time for the state to get real about properly funding the MBTA.