"It's a big number and I wanted to put it on the table for discussion," First Selectman Rudy Marconi said last week.
He was talking about the roughly $130 thousand in building fees it would cost the library to build its new $20 million facility -- $5 million of which will come from town funds -- that the library wishes to have allieved because of its non-profit status.
"The town voted to give $5 million, and I don't think we should waive it," said Selectwoman Barbara Manners, echoing the sentiment of the board.
The building fees cover a cost to the town and also act as revenue.
Selectwoman Maureen Kozlark said the costs "should have been included in the budget."
Selectman Andrew Bodner suggested the fees not be waived but given at a discount: "I would suggest we don't waive the fees but offer a discount so we come away without cost, and the library still makes out well."
The Selectmen agreed with this for the most part.
"We gave them $5 million," said Ridgefield resident Dom D'Addario. "They should have calculated that, and we shouldn't give them another penny."
More research will be done to find out the legality and precedent of waiving fees for non-profits.
