Riverhead Free Library Budget Vote, Trustee Election Set for April 14

Barbara Ripel of Calverton is seeking a second term on the Riverhead Free Library board of trustees, and on April 14 she will share the ballot with two newcomers as district voters also decide a proposed $5,752,619 operating budget that would carry a 5.2% increase in the tax levy.

The spending plan for 2026-2027 represents a 3.88% increase over the current year's $5,537,500 budget. The proposed tax levy of $5,470,619 would rise from the current year's roughly $5.2 million, though library budget documents show the figure sits $2,049 below the district's statutory tax levy limit of $5,472,668. Library leaders say the plan is designed to maintain service levels while managing tax-levy implications for local homeowners. The budget covers staffing, collections, programs, facilities maintenance and digital services.

Ripel, a retired Suffolk County Community College professor, previously served as a trustee of the Cutchogue Free Library and remains active on the Greater Calverton Civic Association and Riverhead Town's America 250 committee.

Theresa Cioffi, who moved to Riverhead four years ago, recently retired after a career spanning 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.

Anne Walsh-Feeks, a Baiting Hollow resident, works for Stony Brook Medicine overseeing and supporting 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.

Whoever wins seats April 14 will take on responsibility for capital planning, partnerships with schools and regional cultural institutions, and long-term decisions about library hours and outreach. Community stakeholders have been discussing how each candidate would approach programming priorities and capital maintenance needs.

Voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 14 at Riverhead Free Library. Voters 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 before casting a ballot. For registration details, contact the district clerk at 631-369-4724.