Watchung Council OKs Final Referendum Wording

Days ahead of the deadline to file the required documents to add it to the November ballot, the Watchung Borough Council signed off on wording for the non-binding referendum regarding the at Thursday's meeting.

The council unanimously approved the resolution to place the referendum and its accompanying interpretive statement on the ballot after Borough Councilman, and Library Study Committee member, Steven Pote read both.

The referendum vote will be non-binding, and is intended to gauge the public's support for the expansion plan. On ballots, voters will find the question: "Should the Mayor and Borough Council of Watchung appropriate up to $4.2 million dollars (sic) for the expansion and rennovation of the Borough Library, inclusive of a Community Center, as recommended by the Library Study Committee, to add 9,000 square feet to the existing Library with associated parking and other site improvements all compliant with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act?"

The interpretive statement will be: "A yes vote on this non-binding referendum by a majority of voters provides the Mayor and Council with an indication the public favors this appropriation. Based upon a favorable vote, the Mayor and Borough Council may appropriate up to $4.2 million dollars for the expansion and rennovation of the Borough Library, inclusive of a Community Center. Additionally, the Library Study Committee would develop a plan to seek other sources of financing these improvements. It is the intension of the Borough to seek contributions from other sources, including but not limited to private donations and other government grants to minimize the amount finally borrowed." 

The council had hammered