It’s been more than 50 years since the village first took ownership from the township of the Lyceum building, home to the Goodrich Library.
Later this year that may change.
During a special public meeting at the Atlas Township Hall on Aug. 27, village councilmembers, along with township officials, Friends of the Goodrich Library, and area residents, gathered to discuss the future of the aging building. The meeting was prompted by an ongoing dispute over repairs and maintenance for the century-old, Lyceum Library, 10237 Hegel Road.
Village President Ed York said they will seek to transfer the title of the building to the township within the next month. The move is possible due to an agreement signed in 1959 when ownership of the building was obtained by the village from the township. On Sept. 14, the village council will discuss the transfer at their monthly meeting.
‘The village cannot afford the operation of the library,? said York.
‘It’s just not fair, we were going to end up losing the library to maintenance.?
Last month a new plan aimed to eliminate village funding of the building over the next three years and pass the costs on to the township was presented at the village council meeting. A funding schedule will begin this year at $6,000, decreasing to $4,000 in 2010; $2,000 in 2011; ending with no payments in 2012 and beyond.
‘The township has the authority to seek a special assessment from all the residents of the township or a millage. The village can’t do that, we are limited by the boundaries of the village limits. It’s not like the village is trying to get rid of the building. The township is going to have to take a look at the situation.?
‘If they can’t accept it, the building goes to the township anyway,? said York.
‘If we can’t afford it, the building would have to go to the court system and then lawyers will be making money. The money is better spent in upkeep of the library.?
Township Supervisor Shirley-Kautman Jones said the board of trustees will discuss the issue at the 7 p.m., Sept. 21 Atlas Township Board of Trustees meeting.
‘Right now we need to determine just what our options are,? said Jones.
‘Our goal is to keep this library open, one way or another.?