After hearing from library trustees at a recent public hearing about the operating budget, Bow Budget Committee members decided to return $15,000 to the budget for the Baker Free Library.

By a 4-3 vote after the public hearing, Budget Committee members brought the recommended budget to the same number as the selectmen’s recommendation – about $8.3 million. If passed, the operating budget will have an estimated tax rate increase of 66 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation, or about $198 over last year for the owner of a home assessed at $300,000.

If all warrant articles pass, Budget Committee members estimate an additional increase of 17 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation. Both the budget and warrants would bring the total town portion of the tax rate to about 83 cents per $1,000 assessed property value over last year – a spike of $250 for the owner of a $300,000 home.

Originally, the Budget Committee wanted to remove $10,000 for the book collection and $5,000 for the salary of the new library director to replace Linda Kling, who retired in March.

During the public hearing, library trustees came to the defense of the library, and Budget Committee members reconsidered their recommendation and agreed with the sentiment.

“We were concerned that if we don’t continue to contribute to the book collection, there would be a negative impact,” said Budget Committee Chairman Dan De Vasto. “We want to make sure that we have enough to provide the level of service that the people in town have grown accustomed to.”

Last year, the operating budget was cut during Town Meeting, and many departments in town suffered. The library was one of them, as they elected not to use money for the book collection during the year.

“We made cuts to the books. You can do that for a year, but your collection will suffer and you’ll end up with big holes in the collection if you continually cut from your book funding,” said Library Trustee Susan Hatem. “There’s always a juggling process, and you just try to save money where ever you can, and at the same time meet the demands that the public has been asking for.”

July will mark the two-year anniversary of Baker Free Library extending its hours to six days per week and, Hatem said, having the $15,000 in the budget is crucial, especially during a difficult economic time.

“What we tried to get across, and the Budget Committee seemed to agree, is that the library is the jewel of the community,” said Hatem. “Everyone from young children to senior citizens can use it. In times when the economy is bad, the library becomes even more important. People use the library for job searching, and just to get out and clear their head and think.”

Residents will vote on the budget and warrant articles at Town Meeting, Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Bow High School auditorium.