Voters in Sag Harbor, North Haven, and Noyac turned out last Thursday to approve, by a wide margin, the John Jermain Memorial Library's 2025 budget as well as tax-levy propositions for the Eastville Community Historical Society and the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum.
The final tally for the library $3.36 million budget plan was 246 "yes" votes to 45 "no" votes.
Proposition 3, allocating taxpayer money to Eastville for the first time, passed 224 to 65, and Proposition 4, supporting the whaling museum, passed 237 to 55.
Three candidates running unopposed for three library board seats were elected. They are Diane Deger and Dan Glass, both incumbents, and Anna Francesca Schiavoni, a 2019 graduate of Pierson High School who was a first-time candidate. Each will serve a three-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.
In a release on Thursday night, Kelly A. Harris, executive director of the library, thanked residents. "We truly appreciate having the opportunity to serve our Sag Harbor community. We look forward to expanding our collections and program offerings in 2025."
By funding these local institutions, voters guaranteed continued public access to the various resources offered by all three. Library services include research assistance, computers, scanners, and printers, and all sorts of educational programs.
According to the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum website, the newly approved increase in funding — from $50,000 up to $125,000 — helps provide free admission to local residents, expands programming having to do with history and maritime culture, and expands collaborations with local schools.
Eastville said on its website that the new tax levy, for $75,000, will support its free school programs on-site and in classrooms, provide free access to research materials, and help maintain the building and gardens both at its property and related historical sites in Sag Harbor.