Tuesday, October 6, 2026
9:30am-7:30pm
Grinnell Library First Floor
2027 Budget
After much consideration, the Grinnell Public Library District Board of Trustees is asking for a 2% increase in the 2027 budget. This increase will help offset rising utility and health insurance costs while allowing the Library to continue providing essential services to the community.
Where Your Tax Dollars Go:
Library Services & Materials
The cost of digital resources continues to increase, as does the popularity of these formats. Funding is needed to maintain access to eBooks, digital audiobooks, and other electronic resources while continuing to provide a strong print collection.
Staff
Dedicated staff are essential to the Library and to providing quality services to the community. Funding supports a living wage that helps the Library attract and retain qualified employees.
Building
Funding is needed to preserve the historic 1887 Grinnell Library building, which is an anchor in the Village. As demand for library services increases, Grinnell will be undertaking necessary electrical and plumbing upgrades to keep the building safe, functional, and operating smoothly.
Proposition
Qualified voters will be asked to vote YES or NO on the proposition that $1,417,900 be raised by annual levy of a tax for the purpose of funding the operating budget of the library, and to elect three (3) trustees to the Board.
This vote is open to voters qualified to vote in a general election and residents within the Village of Wappingers Falls and Town of Wappinger (except the portion of the Town located within the Beacon City School District), County of Dutchess, State of New York. Voters who will be absent on the day of the vote can apply for an absentee ballot – a PDF version of the application is available through this link.
Such application must be received at least seven (7) days prior to the vote (Tuesday, September 29, 2026 by 5pm) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote (Monday, October 5, 2026, by 5pm) if the ballot is to be personally picked up by the voter at the Library. The Board of Trustees shall make a list of all persons to whom absentee voter ballots have been issued and have it available at the Library during regular office hours until the day of the vote. The completed ballot must be returned to the library no later than 5:00pm on the day of the vote (Tuesday, October 6, 2026).
2027 Proposed Library Budget
| Income | |
|---|---|
| District Public Funds | $1,417,900 |
| Library Charges | $25,000 |
| Interest Income | $11,000 |
| State Aid | $7,000 |
| Donations | $4,000 |
| Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Building Maintenance | $225,000 |
| Library Collection | $103,970 |
| Library Operations | $249,170 |
| Personnel | $813,760 |
| Utilities & Insurance | $73,000 |
| Total | $1,464,900 |
|---|
Trustee Candidates:
Two (2) candidates are running for three (3) seats on the Board of Trustees and will each serve three (3) years. The third seat is an open write-in seat.
Nicole D’Ambrosio has lived in Dutchess County for over 7 years, and found a permanent home in the Village of Wappingers last fall. She is a lifelong reader, lover of physical media, and library patron.
“I believe that the only data centers we should have in our communities are our libraries. As a member of the Board of Trustees for Grinnell Library, I will continue to promote and educate our community on all the library has to offer. I am committed to ensuring the library remains an accessible space for every member of the Wappingers community, considering our library patrons first in every decision and vote I will participate in.”
Megan Mulone
“Part of what drew me to make Wappingers Falls my home was Grinnell Public Library’s place at the heart of East Main Street and its role as such a vibrant, historic part of our community. Since becoming an interim Board member, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the important role the library plays in serving our residents and helping Wappingers continue to rise.
As a creative leader with more than a decade of experience building teams, managing complex projects, and bringing people and ideas together, I would bring a thoughtful, collaborative, and business-minded perspective to the Board. I am committed to ensuring that a love of reading, community, and public service remain at the forefront of our decisions, while being fiscally responsible and educated in our stewardship of taxpayer funds and grants. I would be honored to help build Grinnell’s future as a Board member.”