BY ANN GENADER
WEST MILFORD — The new $4.9 million West Milford Library and community center had a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, June 17.
The 17,000 square foot building at 1470 Union Valley Road is adjacent to the present municipal building. The majority of it is designated for library use with the remainder, about 25 percent used for the government.
Mayor Bettina Bieri, who also serves as a library board member, cut the ceremonial ribbon.
Library Board President Dr. Joan Oberer, representing the trustees, addressed the crowd gathered for the event outside the building entrance where a light rain was falling.
Years in the making of people coming together“The opening of the new West Milford Township Library and Community Center is a truly historic moment for our township. It has taken us several years, but together we brought this project from its planning stages to completion. It is a tremendous asset for our residents and was accomplished through a lot of hard work, dedication and cooperation," said Bieri. "This building represents what can be achieved if we put our differences aside, focus on our commonalities and work together for the betterment of West Milford.”
Oberer said Library Director Ricardo Pino was an amazing asset to the project by providing leadership, insight and framework to make it successful.
The environmental section of the library and a tree will be dedicated to Dr. Doris Aaronson, a generous donor to the library.
History of the project“In the early 1970s this township voted to have a municipal library meaning they wanted a very small portion of their taxes, only the amount established by a New Jersey state formula to support the library,” began Oberer. "Most recently the library board has been efficiently and effectively putting funds from donations and operations into the capital building fund that they created to save $3.5 million."
On behalf of the board, Oberer presented a proposal to the governing body that unanimously supported construction of the building and created a subcommittee of board of trustees and council representatives followed by legal memorandum of understanding.
“When I retired from the school system and became Library Board President, the board decided to take the new building project in a new direction,” continued Oberer. “After many discussions with all of the trustees, the architect, the director, accountants, lawyers, administrators and more, we shifted gears and decided on a two-story, 17,000 square foot building that we could share with the township because we only wanted to build what we felt was affordable.”
Debate, research and resolutionDuring construction they met and agreed, disagreed, debated, researched and resolved finally finding a way to move forward.
“Look at the results,” said Oberer. “This is what cooperation for the greater good accomplishes.”
She credited Bieri as a driving force in securing the Finn family property for expansion of the municipal complex.
Following the ceremony the Highlander Bagpipe Band, under direction of Joseph Smolinski Jr., led the crowd into the building to explore the new facilities.
Douglas Ott, chairperson of the new building committee and member of the West Milford Environmental Commission, obtained a grant to have some trees planted on the grounds.
In addition, Battinelli Landscaping Enterprises donated and designed landscaping on the site.
Former Councilman Andrew Gargano, chair of the library board finance committee, has been associated with plans for a new library since it was first proposed. Gargano is known for his efforts the PAL building and said he always believes in seeing a project to completion.
The other board members are Jim Rogers, Nancy Gridley, Gene Valenta, Gillian Hemstead and the school superintendent’s representative Dan Novak.
West Milford Township Library Hours
Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday – Noon to 4 p.m.