Jersey City council announces 3 library branches threatened with closure will now stay open until at least June 30 next year

Thursday, October 14, 2010
By BRETT WILSHE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Jersey City City Council announced last night that the West Bergen, Lafayette and Marion branches of the Jersey City Free Public Library will remain open until at least next June 30.

The three branches had been slated to close this year due to shortfalls in the library's budget. Ward B Councilman David Donnelly shared the good news last night in response to the comments of several library supporters at the council's meeting at City Hall.

"Everything is not finalized, but for now the libraries will remain open until June 30," Donnelly said.

Donnelly said the city came up with an additional $300,000 to keep the branches open.

But the branches will not be open every day, officials said.

Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson said the branch openings will be staggered to keep operating costs down.

"Keeping the Lafayette branch open is not an unreasonable thing to ask," Jersey City resident Lycel Villanueva told the council last night.

Donnelly acknowledged the future of these branches beyond June is uncertain.

"You have to fight for priorities in a budget every year," he said. "This is one of the right things to fight for."

In other business, the council tabled an ordinance proposed by Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop to limit the number of city employees who will enjoy lifetime healthcare benefits.

Currently, any employee with a total of 25 years in state or municipal government who works for the city is entitled to the perk. Fulop is proposing that the city only provide the benefit for municipal employees who work for the City of Jersey City for 25 years.

The ordinance was tabled in order to reword it to make it clear that current employees would not be affected by any changes.