Paddock Lake questions Salem library amendment

It’s not in line with statute, village says

By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent

The Paddock Lake Village Board once again discussed the issue of an intergovernmental agreement for participation in a Community Library at its July 12 committee of the whole agenda.

Village President Terry Burns said he kept it on the agenda, “in case discussion ensues” regarding this issue.

Burns said that all the communities except Salem had signed the amended agreement that Paddock Lake developed.

During the June 13 Salem Town Board meeting, Administrator Pat Casey advised the board against approving it.

He said that while Paddock Lake claimed the library agreement presented by Salem ran contrary to state statutes, the one that Paddock Lake presented was also not in line with state statutes.

The agreement proposed by Paddock Lake and approved by Twin Lakes, Silver Lake and Randall, formed a 10-member library board and included a representative from a high school district.

Casey said that state statues do not require the school districts have a representative and keeping that position created an even, rather than odd number of board members.

Salem Town Chairwoman Diann Tesar said the reason that Paddock Lake has not heard from the town is that, “We are waiting for the village to sign the agreement.”

“We have had no word from DPI that our amendment is not in line with state statutes. Our attorney did say that the school representative is not statutory requirement.”

During the July 12 Paddock Lake Committee of the Whole meeting, Burns claimed that the new agreement presented by Salem didn’t follow state statutes.

“Does Paddock Lake have to be the only adult in the room again?” he asked.

So far, the Town of Randall has signed the recent amended agreement proposed by Salem.

Library Board membership questioned
Paddock Lake has had two municipal board members as the Paddock Lake representatives on the Library Board. Gloria Walter’s term is up and she wondered why she was still receiving agendas and meeting notices.

The Library Board, when it became apparent that the agreement was still in flux, passed a motion to maintain the membership and officers as they are currently until the new agreement is passed and the new board installed.

When that is settled, the Library Board will then vote for new officers.

At one point, Burns mused that since the majority of municipalities had approved the Paddock Lake version of the agreement, it should be in force.

That idea was quashed by his board and the wisdom of accepting the Library Board’s decision to maintain things as they are until an agreement is signed by all municipalities was recognized.

Burns also wondered if Salem was attempting to stall until the possible merger with Silver Lake was complete, since the agreement would need to be opened up again for adjustments.

Burns did say he would reach out to Tesar to discuss the matter.


Posted

in

,

by

Tags: