Plattekill Public Library

10/02/2026

Popular and fun! Two spots are open for tomorrow's class!
Registration link: https://plattekill.libcal.com/event/17592563

10/01/2026

Clarification regarding Referendum from Plattekill Library Planning Committee Chair - Mark Cambalik
$11 million is not the project cost. The referendum authorizes a maximum project cost of $6.9 million. That amount was developed through a detailed professional cost estimate covering construction, site development, professional services, furnishings and equipment, contingencies, and other project costs. It is not simply a rough estimate.

Once the referendum is approved and competitive bids are received, the project must be managed within the $6.9 million maximum authorization. If final project costs come in below that amount, the Library would not need to borrow the full authorized amount. The Library will separately pursue grants and other funding opportunities for additional equipment and other needs outside of what is funded through the bond.

The additional amount being used to arrive at approximately $11 million represents estimated interest over 25 years, not additional construction cost. Interest is a normal cost of financing any long-term capital project, much like the interest paid when financing a home. The $6.9 million maximum project cost and the estimated financing cost over 25 years are both relevant information, but they represent two different things.

There has also been a comparison made to standard commercial construction costs of $250–$550 per square foot. That is not an apples-to-apples comparison. This is a municipal/public building project in New York, not standard private commercial construction. Public projects are subject to additional requirements, including prevailing-wage labor, and this project requires substantial site development and infrastructure. The $6.9 million also represents the entire project budget, so simply dividing it by the approximately 7,000-square-foot building does not represent the construction cost per square foot.

There have also been questions regarding who will administer and count the vote. The Library hires a Town of Plattekill Chairperson for the vote, along with two Board of Elections clerks to administer the voting process, and a Notary notarizes the vote results. Library Board members and Library employees do not count the votes. This separation is important and helps ensure that the referendum is administered independently of those advocating for or involved with the Library project.

We welcome questions about the project and the referendum. There is a lot of information involved, and residents should have accurate information and context when considering the proposal.

09/30/2026

October at the Plattekill Library is packed with Halloween fun!
Check out the online calendar to register!
Registration link: https://plattekill.libcal.com/

09/17/2026

09/16/2026

Thank you, Plattekill!
The library’s budget vote passed:77-42.
Trustee David Padilla, was reelected to a 4 year term.

09/15/2026

All good things must come to an end! Last Saturday was Southern Ulster Rotary’s last vegetable giveaway organized by Chairman Will Ferrell. We had 60 or more people come and benefit from fresh vegetables and fresh salmon!

We are extremely thankful for the wonderful community response to this program and also thankful to the volunteers who make it possible.

Special thanks to Gerry at Hepworth Farms and Ryan at Saunderkill Farms for helping us with the wonderful produce and Pastor Oscar for the fresh salmon donation.

Lastly a special thanks to the Plattekill Public Library for allowing us to use their community Room for this event.

09/13/2026

Dancing 💃 and donations!
Doing our part for the food fight! Join us for Sunday morning Zumba at the Plattekill Public Library 📚 with Danielle!