Stephentown library looking into accuracy of budget vote

STEPHENTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A public library in Rensselaer County is working to determine whether the results of its recent budget vote were accurate. Those who voted “yes” to the budget are being asked to sign an affirmation.

The budget proposal, which was on the back of voters’ Election Day ballots on November 4, involved increasing the library’s public funding from $95,000 to $110,000. It would reportedly mark the first increase to the library’s public funding since 2018, and translate to a less than $10 change to property taxes for homes assessed under $200,000.

The budget proposal failed to pass on Election Day. However, the reported tallies — 524 “No” votes and 57 “Yes” votes — have raised concerns that the vote count was inaccurate.

“While we were prepared for the possibility that the proposition would not pass, the reported margin of defeat seemed surprising, both in comparison to other local library funding propositions and the election totals in general,” the library said in an online update.

Now, the library is collecting signed vote affirmations in an effort to request a recount from the Board of Elections. Those who voted “yes” in-person to the library funding proposal are asked to come to the library during open hours to sign a vote affirmation form.

Those who can’t make it to the library during open hours but would still like to sign can also either email trustees@stephentownlibrary.org or print an affirmation form on the website to be delivered or picked up.

All signed affirmations should be submitted, delivered or picked up by the library by Thursday, November 13. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Board of Trustees President Jennifer Peabody at (781) 775-9140.