By Karen E. Viereck
Editor/Publisher
MICKLETON – A question on the Nov. 5 East Greenwich General Election ballot will ask voters to determine if the township will remain a member of the county library system, or leave the county system and establish their own municipal library.
The public question that will appear on the ballot will ask: Shall the Township of East Greenwich withdraw from the county library system and establish a free public library?
A “No” vote on the ballot will mean that the township does NOT want to leave the Gloucester County Library System. A “Yes” vote will mean that the township WILL leave the system.
The issue arose when the county decided not to renew the lease of the Mickleton library property because of needed repairs and upgrades. This would mean that residents would have to travel to nearby Mullica Hill to use library facilities.
Some residents have argued that instead of closing the library, East Greenwich Township should open their own library. This would be run and funded by the municipality through their own library tax. A possible location for the library has not been decided.
If the “yes” vote win, East Greenwich residents will stop paying the county library tax as of January 1, 2016. On that date, East Greenwich residents will no longer be members of GCLS, and their GCLS cards will no longer be valid.
If township residents vote “no” on the ballot, East Greenwich will remain a member of county system and residents will continue to have full access to all library services.
