Feb 21, 2017 3 min read

Citizens Library Board of Directors welcomed two new representatives Tuesday.

The new members are Joyce Ellis, who was appointed by East Washington Borough, and Joanne Standish, who represents Amwell Township.

East Washington ensured it would keep a seat on the library’s board by donating $3,000 to the library.

“Everything worked out perfectly. I’m elated,” said East Washington Mayor Michael Gomber. “We originally couldn’t help the library, so we took it upon ourselves to talk to members of the community to donate money.”

Council voted Feb. 6 not to make a contribution to the library in 2017, a decision that angered many residents. Several council members said during the meeting that the borough couldn’t afford the donation because it faces expensive infrastructure projects.

Following the decision, however, the borough collected $3,000 in contributions from local residents to donate to the library.

On Feb. 13, the borough wrote a letter to Citizens Library indicating the borough had “reconsidered its position in making a contribution to the Citizens Library for the year 2017. After careful consideration and with the charitable desires and donations from various borough individuals, the borough will be making a $3,000 donation to Citizens Library.”

The letter indicated council planned to select a new representative to the board and would let the library know when it chose someone.

On Feb. 15, the borough informed Citizens Library director Diane Ambrose by letter that council had selected Ellis, director of the LeMoyne Center, to represent East Washington on the library board.

Ellis replaces Susan Martinelli, who had served as East Washington’s library representative and was a past president of the board.

Standish, a businesswoman who owns a personal care home, replaces library board member Dennis McWreath.

Two additional representatives, Bruce McDowell, who represents the Orphans’ Court, and Mike Jones, who represents Washington, joined the board in January.

Ambrose said she was grateful to East Washington residents for the borough’s monetary contribution.

“East Washington didn’t have funding this year, but they were able to find it and we have a new board member, so that’s great,” said Ambrose. “Certainly it’s preferable for us to have a donation built into a municipality’s budget, as opposed to having to wonder at the end of the year if they will have to solicit donations from their community.”

In another matter, the board approved forming a committee to review and revise bylaws.

The three-member committee aims to include two at-large community members on the panel.