To the editor: If we are to seriously discuss a new library at a new location in West Milford, then we have to understand two very important points. First, Aspashwa is not an Indian reservation, Newfoundland is not a territory of Canada and Oak Ridge is not a wood mill; they are part of West Milford. Second, our tax situation is grave because although taxes are already high caused by spending, our ability to pay is already declining. If we consider the latter we are in no position to add one penny to our tax responsibilities and there we will have to make due with the library we have. Further discussion would only be divisive, adding to the vexation that already permeates West Milford. However, consider this: Let’s build a library without taxpayers’ money. What’s the big deal? We certainly have a very skilled labor force and although many in and out of business are financially pressed, some of us have prospered greatly and can afford the cost of materials. Not only will we build a library that we need, but building it without tax payer’s money will greatly boost morale sorely needed, even more than the library. Is it possible? I believe so. Here in West Milford is a certain hopelessness and frustration about our problems primarily taxes. Given an opportunity to do something about it many would jump at the chance. It would be a bolt of lightning that reads “Yes we have problems, but we also have the ability to fix them.” I have already spoken to a handful of men from the building trade who have all responded favorably to donating their skills, some were also willing to give money. I have not pressed further because I have no authority. I do not speak for the library board. The library board though, has taken an important step in the right direction. The board voted to ask the school district to use their students to come up with a design for a 12,000 square foot library. This will give us a basis to weigh the costs of construction (building materials) without spending taxpayers’ money. (The Ringwood Library which is on the ground floor is about 12,000 square feet.) A second step the library has taken is to seek land for a new building by public announcement. We spoke of mentioning the virtues and tax benefits of a donation. Although the report recommended a site near the present library, the board has left the door wide open as to location. Yours truly would like to close that door with a suggested site. Before I go any further let me state I have no personal interest in the site, nor do I know the owner. I’m still open to suggestions, but as a model, this site is a good basis for discussion. Next to the high school is a 90-acre tract and across the street next to the middle school is a 30-acre tract. Either tract would be suitable for the following reasons. The location is just south of the geographical center of town. It is a reasonable distance from those considered foreign territories of Aspashwa, Newfoundland and Oak Ridge who now, for the most par,t do not use the present library because of the distance. The site is between two main through fares making it easily accessible. Traffic in West Milford usually flows southward from the northern most populated sections of town often passing this site still making it accessible to those northern parts of town. It is very near to four schools making it more accessible to student. It is also convenient for parents picking up or dropping off their children for various reasons at one of the schools. It requires less parking because it has the benefit of large parking areas at the high school, middle school and administration building. The site can still pass the harsh restrictions of the Highlands Act. Also I believe the environmentalists in town and nearby Ringwood would support the site. With their support and connections in Trenton, I’m confident it would be approved rather easily. In short, the site is plausible, practical and would be used more than our present library. Our library director disagrees. She believes a location next to a school would make the library a hang out for children. Think about that. The cause and effect of a building, a new library without taxpayer money goes beyond the ribbon cutting. It boosts morale and citizens engaging each other in a common cause. It can be a model for hope and a beginning to addressing problems with reason. There’s more consider this. What to do about the old library? General thinking is to use it as an extension of the municipal building which is running out of space. Wrong, sell the old library building and build a new municipal annex. The old library is in a choice location and would bring a tidy sum also making it a desperately needed ratable. Having the funds coupled with the spirit of building a new library (without additional taxpayers’ money), we can build a state of art annex. Perhaps we could build it again near the high school for many of the same reasons for building a library at that sight. Once completed, the municipality could consolidate its offices which are spread out in other buildings. Sell whichever buildings you can and put them back on the tax roles. Whichever buildings can not be sold, fix up and utilize the spaces occupied at Hillcrest by different organizations in part like the Wallish property with financial participation by the organizations utilizing them. Hillcrest School could be then emptied. Good. Lease it out. The Board of Education has already had a serious inquiry to rent or purchase the entire premises for a private Christian elementary school through the eighth grade. This would cause a decrease in public school enrollment. Indeed, once established, families would purchase homes in West Milford to send their children to a private school. These homes probably would otherwise go to families that would send their children to public schools. That added demand for housing could boost property values. Once we embark on a course of self help and begin to start feeling good about our future again, folks will want to stay, pushing up property values and decreasing public school enrollment. Truly, at this moment we are in a sinking ship, but truly “we have not begun to fight.” John Aiello West Milford