Move to shut down library unfortunate, but necessary
It's a sad state of affairs when a town is so hamstrung by ridiculous state laws that it will consider doing away with a valuable program. That's the case in Jamesburg, where borough officials plan to hold a referendum asking voters' permission to shut down the public library in favor of using Monroe Township's facility.

ERIC SUCAR staff A Canada goose floats by on a hot summer day

There would be no good reason to shut down Jamesburg's library, except that the state has forced the town to increase spending for the operation year after year, not based on needs, but based on an ancient formula related to property values. Library spending was required to go from $170,000 to $185,000 this year, prompting officials to cut costs from other areas in order to bring the municipal budget within the state's 4 percent cap on spending increases.

It would be a shame to see the local library close its doors, as many residents use it and even walk to it on a daily basis. The Monroe library is a very short drive from Jamesburg, but it is unlikely that many people would be able to walk there.

Unfortunately, state regulations, which ironically are designed to protect libraries, have left the town with little choice. Unless borough officials and the library board can come to an agreement that has the library giving a significant amount of money back to the general budget, the referendum is the best course of action. Granted, there is no guarantee that residents will approve the library's closing, but it would be the right move at this point.

Keeping the library open would likely come at the cost of other municipal services, likely those that residents value more than the library. In the past two years, the town has reduced its trash pickup services, put off buying a new police car, delayed capital improvements and cut the purchase of public works equipment. And the need for cuts may only become greater in future years as library costs increase.

By switching to Monroe, at least residents would get to use a bigger, newer facility with more materials and programs, through an arrangement worked out between the two towns. Also, the township would bring a bookmobile into Jamesburg once a week.

The town, through no fault of its own, is in a no-win situation on the budget issue, but at some point it becomes appropriate to cut services that are desired, rather than those that are needed.