FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — The township’s role in funding the library caused tension between some of the region’s elected officials Monday as they discussed the Centre Region’s plans for project spending in 2012 and for the next five years.
That issue and the details of a needed parks maintenance building were the focus of discussion on the two documents, as part of the Centre Region Council of Governments General Forum, the monthly meeting of officials from State College and College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton townships.
As COG Executive Director Jim Steff spoke of major concerns raised in the municipal comments on the COG program plan for 2012 and capital improvement plan for 2012 to 2016, Ferguson Township Supervisor George Pytel took up discussion of the library.
Steff raised the issue of whether to include Penn State student usage of Schlow Centre Region Library as part of its funding formula, but Pytel moved discussion to the way Ferguson’s financial contribution is represented.
In the 2012 program plan, Ferguson is listed with the other municipalities, next to the percentages and contribution amounts. For 2011, Ferguson paid about $319,000, or more than 28 percent.
However, Ferguson has not been a formal member of the library for about a decade, and makes the allocation voluntarily, as it must contribute only 15 percent by law.
Pytel pointed out that Halfmoon, not a member of the parks program, shows a zero contribution in the plan, and Harris, not a member of the fire program, shows the same, asking for the same consideration for Ferguson on the library budget.
“We’ve always supported the library,” he said. “I just would like to see our name scratched out of there.”
Ferguson has proposed a three-year contract to put in writing the township’s financial commitment to the library.
Other officials disagreed with Pytel’s argument and that plan.
“If you’re a member of the board and you have a seat at the table, why aren’t you a member in all respects?” asked College Township Councilman Dan Klees.
Ferguson Township Supervisor Steve Miller explained that, in his nearly eight years as a supervisor, a majority never has voted to rejoin the library, for various reasons.
Patton Township Supervisor Elliot Abrams suggested COG simply place an asterisk next to Ferguson’s name in the library budget, explaining the township’s contribution is not an obligation.
A new parks maintenance building, currently at the borough’s Osmond Street public works facility, was deemed necessary to meet park facility demands. Steff gave several options for a new building, including one at the new Whitehall Road Regional Park, one at Tudek Park or a new building in cooperation with the borough.
Steff said the Parks Capital Committee will consider a $3,000 allocation to evaluate the three sites, with the goal of building in 2013.
Jessica VanderKolk can be reached at 235-3910.
