As a resident and taxpayer in Hallowell, I’m in favor of increasing our support of Hubbard Library. Hubbard’s board of trustees has made it abundantly clear that additional financial support is vital for the library’s survival.

The Hubbard has been in existence since 1880 and is an institution that serves all, from toddlers to seniors and everyone in between. A community is incomplete without an adequately supported library. Hubbard deserves our help through an increased city appropriation to keep it’s red door open for all. Any city worth its name provides a public library as a standard city appropriated and supported service. Hallowell should negotiate with Hubbard’s Board the absorption of the library as a permanent city service.

Hubbard is an ongoing institution providing present benefits to the town’s people, not a city expenditure in hope of future benefit. It’s benefits are happening now. The City Council in the last two years has committed millions of dollars in tax rebates and expenditures to a private developer (Stevens Commons) in hopes of future increases in city real estate tax income. A reasonable analysis of those rebates to Stevens Commons shows that a tax advantage is at least 20 years away.

In contrast, Hubbard Library is here and benefiting us today. And should be supported by us today.

 

Patricia Connors

Hallowell