Perhaps Pauline Haass is Spinning in her Grave

Pauline Haass Public Library

Quiet woman's will causes debate. (Sussex Sun, 2/26/2013)

How it all started out. In 1966, a year before her husband's death, Polly, as she was called by her friends, wrote out her will and bequeathed "the entire residue of my estate, real and personal, to the Town of Lisbon for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a free public library in the Town of Lisbon … "

In this corner, the Pauline Haass Public Library Board of Trustees.  Library officials argue that according to state law and the intermunicipal agreement they should have "control and custody" of the land. 

According to one Library Board attorney, state law is "clear and unambiguous" that library boards have "exclusive charge, control and custody" over lands bequeathed to them.

And in this corner, the Town of Lisbon officials.  Town Chairman Matt Gehrke said he is hopeful that a new intermunicipal agreement can be reached which might help resolve the land issues between the Town Board and library. But, Gehrke said the town is not turning the land over to the library.

Related articles: 
What a long strange trip it's been.  (2/13/2012)
Dueling news releases.  (10/7/2012)
Town of Lisbon wants deep discount in payment for library services.  (9/30/2012)
As the world of joint library agreements turns.  (8/22/2012)
The beat goes on.  (7/2/2012)
Joint library negotiations continue.  (5/13/2012)
Jane Stadler on Paying Taxes: "...it is something that you do because you're part of the community.  (11/26/2011)
Lisbon town chair not likely to get his way on Pauline Haass Library funding. (11/22/2011)
Lisbon Town chair advocates paying for library services on the cheap.  (11/22/2011)
The challenges of shared governance and funding.  (9/28/2011)
Consensus building for new joint library agreement.  (7/22/2011)
Sussex, Lisbon:  Local politics and library negotiations.  (5/28/2011)
Negotiation to continue after information-gathering process.  (10/8/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (10/4/2010)
Differences of opinion of library funding continue.  (9/18/2010)
Leaders of Village of Sussex, Town of Lisbon clash over funding for library. (8/26/2010)
Will annexation resolution interfere with negotiations over joint library agreement?  (8/4/2010)
Proposal to change library funding formula gets cool reception.  (6/7/2010)
Town of Lisbon Chairman proposes new funding formula for library.  (5/31/2010)