Peter Coyl

And some council members say they were caught off guard — sent a new version of the plan before they had a chance to weigh in.

He's leaving for a giant library system in a state capitol as a battle over budgets and oversight with the township administration continues.

But Peter Coyl says the negotiations or possible loss of autonomy weren't factors in his decision to move on.

$245,638.

A forensic audit of the Montclair Public Library’s budget found problems including more than half a million dollars in overstated expenses, and recommends several practices consultants say will smooth the budgeting process going forward.

The Montclair Public Library would see $100,000 more than slated in a municipal budget proposed a month ago, and taxpayers wouldn’t see as high of a municipal tax increase as expected under amendments made to the spending plan at a May 4 Township council meeting.

The township council is planning to continue the same funding levels it put in place in the pandemic. 21 staffers were let go last year.

Montclair Literary Festival offers free online panels and author talks on Sept. 11 and 12, and writing workshops during the week.

Montclair Public Library has closed its physical buildings, but its work goes on: online Storytimes, lectures, Open Book/Open Mind and more.

Montclair arts and cultural organizations react to Covid-19 with postponements, cancelations, and potential streaming solutions.