By Matthew Hersh

A requested 3 percent, or $149,000 increase, in municipal budget contributions to the Princeton Public Library has exposed a broader tension in how Princeton and local governments fund public services while managing limited revenue streams.

The library’s request is relatively modest in isolation, given rising operating costs. But when folded into an $84.8 million municipal budget, even small increases can trigger scrutiny — particularly if Council members are already worried about structural deficits or taxpayer burden.

According to Mayor Mark Freda, who is a member of the library board of trustees, concerns over the library’s proposed budget have been hashed out for several months, but neither the town nor the library have come to a resolution on how to make up for the gap in budget proposals.

While the dedicated library tax levy is set at $3.82 million, 8.86 percent of the total municipal tax levy, the town’s total proposed library funding for 2026 is $4.98 million, which includes an additional $1.15 million from the municipal operating budget.

Earlier this year, the library reduced operating hours and modified its on-demand streaming services, a result of a significant, 36.5 percent increase in state-mandated insurance premiums. Other cost considerations for the library’s operating budget account for maintenance, utilities, and other usage fees as visitor traffic continues to rise.

While the library has been encouraged to explore other revenue sources, the mayor and Council issued a statement that illustrates the complex budget issue (see letter on page 16).

“As part of an overall effort to contain costs throughout the Municipality, in the fall the mayor, who represents the Municipality on the library board, conveyed that it was unlikely there would be an increase in their operating budget in 2026, and they should prepare for that,” the letter reads.

“Municipal officials sought to work collaboratively with the library’s leadership team to identify ways to close this gap through a combination of fundraising, strategic use of endowment funds, perational efficiencies, and potential revenue enhancements. The library had already reduced hours, a measure which the town did not suggest or encourage,” the letter continues.

Municipal officials have been raising red flags over upcoming budgets with increased health insurance premiums, expenditures involving Westminster Choir College, transitioning to an all-paid, professional fire department, and other capital needs, all placing upward pressure on the municipal budget.

Increased expenses have been the topic of budget cycles for several years, Freda said, and recounted his 2025 discussions with the Library board ahead of last year’s budget cycle. More than a year ago, at the Council’s April 14, 2025 meeting, Freda said: “I told the director and the chair of the board that we — the town — cannot continue to shoulder that kind of burden year after year, and that next year would be a very different story.”

The library Board of Trustees issued a statement this week, indicating it would work toward maintaining library access while addressing budget constraints.

“Our top priority is to ensure that everyone in our growing and dynamic community can easily access Princeton Public library’s resources,” the statement read. “The Board supports solutions that balance broader municipal priorities with the community’s need for convenient library access. We’re continuing to work constructively with the Town Council on this issue to support that goal so we can safely staff and maintain the library building to continue to serve thousands of people each day.”

Municipal officials indicated that the library received options for raising new revenue without a negative taxpayer impact as they and library leadership continue to work toward a resolution.

“The Municipality fully recognizes and values the library’s vital role in the community and takes pride in its contributions. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure fiscal fairness for taxpayers and to ask the difficult but necessary questions that come with that responsibility,” the letter concludes.

Princeton Council is expected to vote on the budget at its April 27 meeting.