Public hearing for the 2026-2027 Watkins Glen Public Library budget.

WATKINS GLEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

LEGAL NOTICE



WATKINS GLEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY: The trustees of said library hereby give notice that a PUBLIC HEARING on the 2026-2027 proposed Watkins Glen Public Library budget will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 5:30PM at the Watkins Glen Central School District’s Board of Education Meeting at 303 12 th Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, located in the Board Meeting Room.




AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, that voting to elect trustees of the Watkins Glen Public Library and to adopt the 2026-2027 annual budget will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, between the hours of 10AM and 7PM at the Watkins Glen Public Library. Paper ballots will be used.


The following proposition will be offered to the electorate:




PROPOSITION: PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET 2026-2027

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Watkins Glen Central School District is authorized and directed to levy a tax of ($285,417) two-hundred eighty-five thousand, four-hundred seventeen dollars for the Watkins Glen Public Library, and to levy a tax of ($109,025) one-hundred nine thousand four-hundred ninety-seven dollars for the E.B. Pert Memorial Library (Hector Reading Center), and pay over such funds to the Trustees of both libraries. The Trustees of the Watkins Glen Public Library and E.B. Pert Memorial Library, respectively, are hereby authorized to expend the tax levy as set forth in the proposed budget for 2026-2027 to provide public library services.




NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for library purposes may be obtained during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the public hearing at the Watkins Glen Public Library, during regular library hours, Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM, Tuesday and Thursday 10AM-7PM and Saturday 10AM-2PM.




NOTICE IS GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the Watkins Glen Public Library Board of Trustees are available at the Watkins Glen Public Library during regular business hours. Petitions must be filed with the clerk no later than Tuesday, May 5, 2026, must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the district, giving their full residence. The name and residence of the candidate must be stated as well as the specific vacancy and the length of the term. The following vacancy is to be filled: one member of the Library Board of Trustees for a term of five (5) years; Judith Richards is the present incumbent.




All registered voters of the Watkins Glen Central School District are eligible to vote.




NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that the Trustees of the Watkins Glen Public Library have authorized the Library Director/designee to provide both early mail in ballots and absentee ballots to qualified District voters with respect to the referendum to be held at the election. A District voter must request in advance an application for an early mail in ballot or absentee ballot.




For absentee ballots, the voter must complete the application and state the reason they will not be able to appear in person on the day of the aforementioned election. Pursuant to the provisions of Education Law, a District voter is eligible to vote by absentee ballot only under the certain conditions, which are summarized as follows:

a.) absent from the county of his or her residence; or

b.) unable to appear at the polling place because of illness or physical disability, or duties related to the primary care of one or more individuals who are or will or be physically disabled or because he or she will be or is a patient in a hospital;

c.) inmate or patient of veteran’s administration hospital;

d.) business responsibilities or studies, which require travel outside of the county or area of residence on the day of the election;

e.) absent from his or her voting residence because he or she is detained in jail awaiting action by a grand jury or awaiting trial, or confined in jail or prison after a conviction for an offense other than a felony, provided that he or she is qualified to vote in the election district of his or her residence.




The Library Director/designee must receive the application for early mail in ballot or absentee ballot no earlier than thirteen (13) days before the election. If the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, such application must be received no later than seven (7) days before the election. If the applicant delivers the application in person, such application must be received by the Library Director/designee no later than the day before the election.




Early mail in ballots and absentee ballots must reach the office of the Library Director/designee not later than 5PM on the day of the aforementioned election in order for this vote to be counted. Ballots will be accepted if hand delivered or postmarked by a governmental postal service not later than the day of the election and received no later than seven (7) days after the election.




A list of all persons to whom early mail in ballots and absentee ballots have been issued shall be maintained by the Library Director/designee and made available for public inspection. Any qualified voter challenging the acceptance of an early mail ballot or absentee ballot must file a written statement with the Library Director/designee or inform the election inspectors on the day of the District election.




Application for both early mail in ballots and absentee ballots can be requested from Kelly Povero, Library Director, Watkins Glen Public Library, 610 S. Decatur St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 or picked up between 10AM and 5PM Monday through Friday. Phone number 607-535-2346.