NORFOLK - The Norfolk Town Council has agreed to partially fund the repair the Hepburn Library roof.

Library Director Vicky L. Brothers wrote to Supervisor Charles A. Pernice on July 31 about the roof which “is and has been leaking.

She said the estimate for repairs was $7,800. Ms. Brothers hoped the town council would consider funding the repairs, which she said began about a year ago.

The council voted 4-0, with Donald Purvis absent, to approve up to $6,000 toward the repairs at Monday’s town board meeting.

Mr. Pernice said the library must obtain three quotes for the project, and the town’s contribution could be less if it receives a lower estimate.

The library will fund the remainder of the repairs with grant money left over from a different project, Mr. Pernice said. Time was running out to get the project done in 2012.

“They want to get it done before the weather changes,” Mr. Pernice said.

The funding approved this week will come out of the town’s capital fund. It is in addition to the approximately $106,000 the town annually funds the library. The $106,000 is just enough to pay for the library’s operating costs, materials and five employees, Ms. Brothers previously said.

Councilman Kevin M. Enslow voted in favor of the additional funding with hesitation.

“So they want us to give them $6,000 on top of the budget we’re giving them?” he asked. “I do not agree with the way we do that budget.”

But Councilwoman Jean Gang said funding such a repair was necessary.

“We need to take care of the town’s infrastructure,” Ms. Gang said. “The town owns the library.”

The board will revisit its library funding at upcoming budget workshops this fall.

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