Tomkins Cove

Tomkins Cove is a hamlet in the Town of Stony Point, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Stony Point; east of Harriman State Park; south of Doodletown and west of the Hudson River. It is located north-northwest of New York City. The population is approximately 1,739 and the ZIP Code is 10986.

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Rose Memorial Libary Board responds to Stony Point Supervisor’s statements

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Rose Memorial Library takes its role as a steward of the Town of Stony Point’s trust and financial investment very seriously. Some stories are going around about the potential cost of buying, renovating, and operating the former Stony Point school house at 117 W Main Street as the new library and center for gathering, learning and creating for town residents. The Library Board is interested in focusing on the facts:

● Rose Memorial Library has entered into a contingency contract to purchase 117 W Main St. on June 4, 2022 at a price of $1.425 million, contingent upon funding approval by the voters of Stony Point on the November ballot.

● That $1.425 million purchase price is the only concrete figure that is currently decided. All other figures and the annual budget will be determined, broken down for transparency, and shared widely, by the beginning of July. That amount will be legally locked-in as soon as the petition for signatures to get the referendum on the ballot is released.

● The actual cost to renovate the building is currently being determined by a professional estimator. However, two separate architecture/engineering teams with hundreds of library projects under their belts gave rough estimates of $8 million dollars, for everything from construction to parking lot to landscaping to furniture, after touring the building and property.

● Rose Memorial Library will not move forward on a construction project that was going to cost more than $8 million. It is neither a reasonable nor responsible ask of Stony Pointers and we know that.

● The amount requested for the project on the November ballot will include operating costs of the building. The operational costs are not yet determined.

● Rose Memorial Library is looking into NY State Library Construction grants, SAM facilities grants, sustainable energy grants, historic preservation grants, and private donations to offset as much of the cost as possible.

● This proposal is going directly through the Town of Stony Point. School taxes will not be impacted by this project whatsoever.

● Rose Memorial Library is not only the smallest library in Rockland County, but has the lowest funding, per capita, in the county. This town is being underserved by our current building and operations.

The Board of the Rose Memorial Library is concerned by recent statements by Supervisor Jim Monaghan that the project will cost $15 million. None of the figures Supervisor Monaghan cited in his recent post on social media are accurate or verified. We are troubled by any insinuation that the library project would somehow negatively impact schools or public safety. Libraries are an asset to a community, not a liability. Expanded library services and programming, updated public gathering spaces, and the restoration of a prominent historic building in the center of town will have a positive impact on our community. Rose Memorial Library is currently at capacity for many of our programs and are actively turning people away because we do not have the space to serve more residents of Stony Point. The demand is there, and we are trying to meet it.

ROSE MEMORIAL LIBRARY TAKES STEPS TO MODERNIZE, EXPAND

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STONY POINT, NY – June 12, 2022 – After years of careful planning and deliberation, Rose Memorial Library Association is officially under contract on a building that will allow the library to broaden and modernize its offerings. The historic former schoolhouse at 117 W Main St has been unoccupied for nearly two decades, but will hopefully soon be the new home of the library.

Rose Memorial Library has long been interested in the former schoolhouse. The library’s cramped and outdated current building, which hasn’t been expanded since the 1960’s, has severely limited the Library’s ability to meet the needs of the growing and changing community. The former schoolhouse is uniquely suited for a new library due to its size, central location, inherent beauty, expansive fenced-in outdoor space, and significance to the community over the past 125 years.

“We are thrilled to have the chance to restore an irreplaceable piece of Stony Point’s history for the enjoyment of the entire community for generations to come,” said James Brooks, President of the Rose Memorial Library Board. “We cannot wait for it to become the center of learning, culture, and connection this town needs and deserves.”

The schoolhouse will be able to accommodate up-to-date technology, extensive hands-on programming for all ages, a meeting room for free community group use, a more expansive in-house collection, a teen room, a local history archive, an outdoor classroom, and separate spaces for quiet work, group study and comfortable reading. “This is an amazing opportunity to provide a unique, engaging space for Stony Point residents across all age groups and interests,” says Alice Meacham, Director of Rose Memorial Library, “It will truly be the beating heart at the center of Stony Point.”

Final purchase and renovation of the building is contingent upon funding approved through a public vote. The first step is collecting enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The petition for signatures will be circulated in Stony Point by town residents in late June through mid-July. After qualifying, a funding referendum will be placed before the Stony Point voters on November 8, 2022. The Rose Memorial Library Association team’s financial and architectural advisors are finalizing the exact funding request, which will be available and shared by the end of June.

For more information and to keep up with all the details on this project, please visit https://www.rosememoriallibrary.org/petition/.

About the Rose Memorial Library Association

Rose Memorial Library Association is a values-driven association library in the historic town of Stony Point, New York. Founded in 1950, it now serves a population of 14,800. 

Rose Memorial’s Mission: 

We preserve the past, enrich the present, and enhance the future for all Stony Point residents. 

Rose Memorial’s Vision: 

Stony Point’s space for connection, creativity, and engagement. 

 Rose Memorial Library is committed to: 

  • Bridging Stony Point’s past, present and future. We recognize the immense history of Stony Point, while also embracing innovation and thoughtfully adapting the library to fit the community as it grows and changes. 
  • Building and maintaining connections with community members, as well as local institutions, organizations, and small businesses. 
  • Showing a consistently strong return on the investment Stony Point makes in Rose Memorial Library. 
  • Providing a welcoming space for gathering, engaging in culture and entertainment, exploring curiosity, and pursuing lifelong learning. 
  • Serving all members of the community with compassion, equity, kindness, and care. 
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