TRURO - Tatamagouche area ratepayers could be on the hook for close to $200,000 to help pay for a new public library.
Colchester County Council Committee on Thursday passed a motion committing ratepayers served by the Tatamagouche fire brigade to pick up the remaining portion of the library cost.
The total estimated cost stands at $832,000 when all figures are factored in.
"What is the appropriate level of support for the general rate for this facility?" Coun. Bill Masters asked during discussion.
The general municipal contribution has been set at $425,000.
Committed community fundraising revenue has been set at $110,000, of which $37,000 has been raised to date, Coun. Jimmy LeFresne said.
Another $60,000 is to come from the EcoNova fund while $40,000 is expected to come from the sale of the existing facility.
That leaves a balance of $197,000, under current estimates, to be picked up by area ratepayers.
Actual construction costs are set at $690,000 while $142,200 is taken up by the land purchase ($25,000) and expenses related to the survey, legal, design, heating and taxes.
Council heard from several presenters Thursday night who pushed to have the project proceed as soon as possible.
Tatamagouche elementary school teacher Heather Forbes said encouraging kids to read remains a struggle at the institution and a new library could help facilitate in that effort.
"And we have many children who don't hold a book until they walk through a school door," she said. "They have never been read to."
David Swan, whose company is contributing $10,000 towards the lighting aspects of the facility, also encouraged council to make a decision to get the facility constructed.
"We in Tatamagouche place a great deal of importance on knowledge," he said. "So let's get on with building our library."
Thursday night's decision must still be ratified at the next regular council meeting.
