Riverhead library budget vote and trustee election set for April 14

Riverhead Free Library voters will decide a proposed $5.75 million operating budget for 2026-2027 and elect three members to the library’s board of trustees on Tuesday, April 14.

The proposed operating budget totals $5,752,619, up 3.88% from the current year’s $5,537,500 budget.

The proposed tax levy is $5,470,619, an increase of 5.2% over the current year’s $5.2 million levy. According to library budget documents, the proposed levy is $2,049 below the library’s 2026-2027 tax levy limit of $5,472,668. See budget document below.

In a message to the community, library Director Kerrie McMullen-Smith said the library is continuing work on its five-year improvement plan, including renovations to the Browsing Room with a new coffee bar, progress toward new ADA-compliant, gender-neutral public restrooms and completion of a new makerspace.

At the same time, McMullen-Smith said the library has decided to pause the next phase of its capital improvement program for the coming fiscal year and will not pierce the tax cap this year.

The proposed budget, she said, is focused on maintaining programs and services for all ages, supporting essential operating costs, protecting the library’s infrastructure and technology systems, and ensuring long-term financial stability.

Three candidates are on the ballot for library trustee: incumbent Barbara Ripel and newcomers Theresa Cioffi and Anne Walsh-Feeks.

Ripel, a Calverton resident seeking a second term, is a retired Suffolk County Community College professor and former trustee of the Cutchogue Free Library. She is also an active member of the Greater Calverton Civic Association and Riverhead Town’s America 250 committee.

Cioffi, who moved to Riverhead four years ago, recently retired after a career in software engineering, process management and customer service leadership. She said she hopes to bring experience in strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, contract negotiations and process improvement to the board.

Walsh-Feeks, a Baiting Hollow resident, works for Stony Brook Medicine, where she oversees and supports ambulatory practices. She said her background includes healthcare operations, personnel management, budgeting, finance, grant management and board service, along with volunteer work in the Riverhead community.

Voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 14 at Riverhead Free Library.

To be eligible to vote, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old and residents of the Riverhead Central School District for at least 30 days. Anyone who has not voted in a general, school or library election within the past four years must re-register. For registration details, voters may contact the district clerk at 631-369-4724.

More information is available on the library website.

The library will also hold a budget informational meeting and trustee meet-and-greet on Monday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m.