Theatre Groups Gets $

December 29th, 2006 · 23 Comments · Local, Main

Note: I have been unable to get my story on the theatre group up on the news section of our website and so (for the time being) am posting here.

FALLS VILLAGE â€” Many questions were raised about the deal, but voters gave overwhelming approval at a town meeting last night to a $25,000 donation from the town to a nonprofit children’s theatre group interested in finding a home.

By a margin of 72-8, taxpayers gave the go-ahead to the Board of Selectmen to make the donation to the Falls Village Children’s Theatre Company, which wants to buy the old Emerson building for use as a theatre and as a community center for town activities.

Still, skeptics asked pointed questions to First Selectman Pat Mechare about the town’s long-term commitment to the theatre group and what happens to the money if the deal to buy the 100-year-old building falls through or if additional funds cannot be raised for the needed renovations.

Town Will Not Own

The town will not have ownership of the building, but the selectmen have been told that the theatre group will approach the board for a yearly grant of several thousand dollars to help maintain the building, Mechare said. In response to another question about operational costs, she added that “at this point we have not been asked to pay the utilities.”

Leonard Deutsch, who owns property next to the Emerson building on Main Street across from Town Hall, wanted to know about the septic system and parking. Mechare replied that there is not enough room on the 1/8 acre Emerson lot to build a new system, but that the town owns land behind the building where a system could be installed. An easement has been granted and percolation tests have been performed by a licensed septic installer.

There is a also need for bathrooms that are handicapped-accessible, a new roof and a solution to a wet basement. In all, renovations and improvements could run in the neighborhood of $350,000, theatre company executive director Denise Cohn said in an interview earlier this month.

Could Cost More

But Route 126 resident George Anastasio, a former chair of the drama department at The Hotchkiss School, said conversion of the Emerson building (a former church and bookstore) to a theatre would likely cost much more. To support lighting instruments, considerable electrical work would have to be performed. Lighting stands, a lighting board, the instruments themselves and theatre draperies could push the actual cost in excess of a $1 million, he said.

“This is a big financial commitment,” Anastasio said. “I know how expensive it can be. We’re really opening the door to annual taxes going to this group, aren’t we?”

“I think that’s a fair assumption,” Mechare replied. She added that the D.M. Hunt Library received an annual grant that totaled $35,000 this year. The Falls Village Day Care Center has a similar arrangement, receiving $8,000 for fiscal year 2006-07.

But Vance Cannon, the theatre company’s vice president, replied, “We’re not talking lights and drapes for years, if ever.”

Music Mountain Road resident Sylvia Wismar spoke in favor of the project. She said it’s important for the community â€” and especially for children â€” to have a place to meet within walking distance of the Lee H. Kellogg School. “This could be a spot where they could develop themselves,” Wismar said to much applause.

Can Funds Be Recovered?

Cobble Road resident Bill Jenks wanted to know what would become of the $25,000 in taxpayer funds if the project fails. Mechare said a lien will be placed on the property to ensure return of the funds if the purchase does not go through. Jenks also cited numerous other expensive public works projects that need to be completed, but Roland Chinatti motioned successfully that the discussion be closed.

A motion to use paper ballots by Wayne Collier failed, at which point Anastasio walked out.

As for why the town meeting was not scheduled for after the holidays, Mechare said in an interview earlier this month that a major donor to the project insisted all funds for the purchase be raised by Dec. 31, so the deadline for the town’s commitment was also Dec. 31. The money will come from the town’s general fund, so taxes will not have to be raised to pay for the donation, she added.

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23 responses so far ↓

1 Fred Baumgarten // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:18 pm

Dear Terry,

This is an interesting, well written and researched story. I certainly wish the Cohns and Cannons, whom I know from our days with the FV crowd, well. FV is a neighborly kind of place where people really pull for each other.

Thanks also for posting a comment on my new blog. Your views are welcome anytime.

Cheers,

–Fred–
2 Paul Bartomioli // Dec 29, 2006 at 4:51 pm

So, the public trough in Falls Village gets a new member.

I was opposed to the $25k. Based on the information offered here, this should have been shot down.

Perhaps the “overwhelming” vote in favor actually represents a very cold and calculated political move:

Stack the meeting with your supporters and don’t allow people to vote their conscience.
3 Michael Flint // Dec 29, 2006 at 7:52 pm

I should first like to thank Terry for his reporting skills. It is refreshing to get factual reports without the reporters tilt.

It appears that Falls Village politicians never profited from lessons of the past. Once again we see a situation where the “stage is set, and the selected actors play their parts”, in essence, Falls Village politics as usual.

I am sure the First Selectperson there will be happy to hear that Falls Village is working hard to preserve its place as the number one favorite town on Straight Talk when it returns on January 7, 2007.

Here I come Pat!

Happy New Year!
4 Paul Bartomioli // Dec 30, 2006 at 4:51 am

Welcome back, Mike! I was wondering how long it would be before your returned to the airwaves.

Come, Watson! The game is afoot!
5 Amy // Dec 30, 2006 at 7:29 am

I’m supposing that this Theatre Group is a non-profit, and that’s why they went to the town to ask for money. If that’s the case, fine. This should be a one-time gift from the town to the group, and not a yearly allocation.

I find Pat Mechare’s comment, â€œat this point we have not been asked to pay the utilities.â€ (emphasis mine) quite telling. Does she see them coming to the town to help pay for the utilities in the future? I think the town needs more definite answers before committing any more money to what could only last a few years.
6 ZenMensch // Dec 30, 2006 at 8:40 am

Without the town’s support regarding the septic system, no one was going to ever buy Emerson’s and the building would just eventually crumble. I think the Children’s Theater is good for the town on every level, and I certainly feel that I pay too much in taxes already. But the theater seems the right bet.
I figure FV has about 450 housholds so the cost to each was about $55. The argument can be made that the Children’s Theater might help atract young families to the town, which everyone seems to agree is vital for the town’s health. I think most people believe, and Denise Cohn cited the town plan in her appeal for funds, that the town would benefit from having a lively Main Street. It’s depressing and demoralizing to see empty buildings and storefronts. The new Sweet William’s Bakery is hopefully the first domino in the Main Street revival. Now if someone could find a buyer for the Inn who could turn the restaurant into an honest to goodness pub where everyone in town would feel comfortable and welcome then…well, we’d have a place to go for a beer after seeing shows at FVCT.
7 Marshall Miles // Dec 30, 2006 at 9:01 am

No one is against the theatre, its a good idea, no, a great idea, and the building is probably a good location. BUT..we are talking about taxpayers dollars here. I think the town should list its priorities in order of importance if it has “extra” taxpayer money to spend.

It seems that there are a lot of if’s, maybe’s, and possibilities in the theatre proposal. Seems to be a lot of question marks. I think it would have been more appropiate for the town to make a no intrest $25,000 loan at this point, until more of the theatre plan comes together. Then, at that point, the town could always forgive the loan once the town sees a budget, and once a real purchase price is shown, and once the cost of renovations are known.

Marshall Miles
8 Terry // Dec 30, 2006 at 9:26 am

That’s one of the best exchanges I have seen on this blog in awhile.

Zen Mensch,

You should be doing community relations for the children’s theatre company. You have put forth the best argument I have heard for the town sponsoring this purchase.

My impression, too, is that it’s very unlikely a private buyer could be found b’c of the septic limitation and I don’t know what the law says about the town granting an easement to a private entity such as a small business.

It’s not a large sum of money in a multi-million-dollar budget. This could be a real positive for the town.

But Marshall is correct in noting that there are many unanswered questions that remain. And he has a good idea. Perhaps an interest-free loan to be forgiven if the project succeeds would have better protected taxpayer interests.

I expect to learn soon whether the closing has occurred. If so, I will post an update on this blog.
9 Paul Bartomioli // Dec 31, 2006 at 5:23 am

It is not the responsibility of the town to ensure that the Emerson property is sold. People do make mistakes; know anyone that bought a used car that was a money pit? Who’s responsible to correct the error?

Regarding the DC math used by ZenMensch, if you take the amount of money spent in Iraq, and divide it by the number of US households, it’s not all that expensive either.

Try my math: those that want to see a private business survive, put up the money. They write the checks or raise the funds.

Has any business in town been funded by town funds? Why not put all the town businesses into the budget as a line item?

There are two other theaters in the vicinity. One in Sharon, doing quite well from what I have seen and heard, and the theater in Norfolk, that is an empty building. Why did one succeed and the other fail?

BTW, will this property be on or off the tax rolls? Haven’t seen that question raised.
10 Terry // Dec 31, 2006 at 5:00 pm

Paul,

I don’t think anyone is suggesting that it’s “the responsibility of the town to ensure that the Emerson property is sold.”

The D.M. Hunt Library and the FV Day Care Center get annual grants from the town. I believe the volunteer fire dept does as well.

I know in Salisbury, the Scoville Library gets a whopper of a grant (in the $100k’s). Other organizations (Salisbury Family Services; SVNA; the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau) get smaller ones.

If no buyer was found for the Emerson building, it would likely sit there and become dilapidated — which would hardly be in the town’s best interest either.

But you’re right; there is a risk involved with this taxpayer money. There are good arguments on both sides.

You ask another good question, though. Will the property be taken off the tax rolls? My guess is yes, since 501(c)(3) nonprofits are typically exempt from property taxes. That question was never raised during the town meeting or at any other time that I am aware of. Thanks for asking it.

P.S. Mike, thanks for the kind words. I very much look forward to the return of Straight Talk. So, I would wager to say, does Pat.
11 Judy Jacobs // Dec 31, 2006 at 8:21 pm

The Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) & does NOT annually receive money from the Town of Canaan (Falls Village). Last year we received $500 that was in a line item marked something like Fairs and Festivals, but in the past have never received monies from the Town. We own two of the most historically significant buildings in Falls Village: the Falls Village Depot and the South Canaan Meeting House and struggle to fund the upkeep on them. When we purchased and restored the Depot, we used grant funding, donations and ended up taking out a mortgage. The Town provided some administative services for the grant but no money. Since we rent the upstairs of the Depot to pay for the mortgage, we pay taxes on half of the building. If the theater group charges for any services, etc., I think they should pay some taxes too.
I would think if the Town offered use of it’s property for a septic location to a prospective business, the Emerson building would sell much quicker and remain a full tax paying entity. Although I think the Theatre Group is a great idea, I think there are too many unanswered questions on the Emerson property purchase and feel we were forced to make a decision on it without all the facts.
12 Paul Bartomioli // Dec 31, 2006 at 9:35 pm

Terry, I know that there are groups in town that get line items from the town. AS I stated earlier, the Library and the Fire Company reach more of the community than the theater group does or ever will, at this point. I think the child care center grant may be part of the social services budget.

Based on what was presented before and after the town meeting, the information was presented to present the deal in the best light.

I am agains the $25k grant, and the fact that the theater will be a “line item” really annoys me, especially since I now know that the Historical Association is not a line item. Perhaps I should read the budget a bit more thoroughly.

The town, as a landowner, can do whatever it pleases with land it owns. Yes, there will probably need to be a town meeting, but the town (residents) can decide to quit claim or transfer or sell any parcel of land owned by the town. The septic “problem” can go away for a commercial buyer as easily as it can for a community group. State law prohibits an easement for septic systems. A septic system must be on land that is owned user of the system.

I would like to see a busines plan for this endeavor. Perhaps a visit to Town Hall on Tuesday would help.

The theater group charges fees for lessons and classes concerning the performances. There are expenses involved, royalties, paying for the instructors, etc. Would this be a similar situation to the Historical Society?
13 Karen // Jan 1, 2007 at 11:56 am

“Overwhelming approval by voters” - those who could make it, but likely not a group representative of how the majority of residents feel. Mike Flint was right on the money; “the stage was set…”
14 Geoff Brown // Jan 8, 2007 at 10:02 pm

To take a slightly different tack on this subject — which, I guess is appropriate since I don’t live in Falls Village — I spoke on Sunday morning with an absolutely delighted 9 y.o. girl who was having the opportunity to try out later that afternoon for the role of one of Cinderella’s stepsisters.

There is plenty in the world we can easily find fault with that does NOT light up a child’s eyes.

This does.
15 Jennifer // Jan 10, 2007 at 10:36 pm

I disagree with Mr. Bartomioli’s suggestion that the Theater Company does not reach, and never will, much of the community. There was certainly magic in the air last April with a packed house for the production of Oz. That show, and the upcoming production of Cinderella, both full scale musicals, were and are open to any child in Falls Village through 12th grade. The group does not discriminate. Anyone that wants to participate can, free of charge. The Wizard of Oz required thousands of hours of volunteer time and touched the lives of more people than we will ever know in ways that are still yet to be defined. It brought a sense of pride to Falls Village, something that this tiny little town has not seen for years. We have the Falls Village Children’s Theater group to thank for that, and with the acquisition of the Emerson building, there ia a possibility that life may be brought back to the town as well.
16 Karen // Jan 12, 2007 at 12:52 pm

It was open to anyone who was willing to allow their child’s life to be subjected to grueling rehearsals sessions and to make that the priority far above all else.
More than one child missed a day or more of school because they were exhausted from being kept out past their bedtime and they couldn’t get their homework done. Since there are tryouts for roles - it is likely the children whose attended the expensive workshops will get them.
The arrogance with which it is run, with no consideration for standing sports schedules, scouts, etc. makes it very exclusive.
17 Karen // Jan 12, 2007 at 4:43 pm

That lost “sense of pride” “Jennifer” mentions is a good point. What happened to the town’s pride? Could it have dissappeared through embarassment over poor leadership decisions made over the years?
18 Geoff Brown // Jan 12, 2007 at 8:50 pm

This is a note for “Karen” and her concern about kids excluded from the theatre due to scheduling constraints.

I’ve been involved in volunteering in activities for kids for more than 20 years now, starting with a long time in Pony Club here, regionally, and nationally. A problem has always been an unwillingness on the part of parents (and kids) to establish priorities and stick to them.

The fact is that you simply cannot be a good rider if you get on a horse once every couple of weeks. You cannot be a good musician or dancer if you don’t practice an hour or two a day, every day, and take class besides. You can’t be a credible actor/singer/dancer if you don’t live by a similar regimen.

There are many choices today for kids. To be credible at any of them, you need to make choices — and choices imply sacrifices. Yes, you actually may need to choose between being an Eagle Scout or getting a varsity letter — or excelling in school (or even getting to school the morning after a particularly grueling rehearsal, or after your pony colics, or after an away match that runs really late).

A supreme frustration as an adult working with kids today is dealing with the parents who will not force themselves to make the decisions that are needed — who basically want their kids to have it all and cannot understand why it doesn’t come together for the kid on all fronts, always, without putting in the blood, sweat and tears that it has always required to be successful at anything.

Parents who cannot prioritize and sacrifice — and demand the same of their kids — do neither themselves nor their kids any favors, I’m afraid.

Just my opinion….
19 Karen // Jan 13, 2007 at 8:53 am

Geoff, you have no clue about me or the theater group.
The fact that availability is a concern for me is because I DO NOT believe in pushing my kids to do everything. We teach them to make intelligent choices, try new things, work hard at what they love and strike a balance when they have to.
BTW - I have a child who is an honor student, athlete and well on his way to Eagle Scout.
I am also of the minority of parents who demand their kids give a 100 percent committment, not just when it is convenient or there is not something better going on elsewhere.
I have led youth activities, for more than 20 years, and understand exactly what you are saying. And things have only gotten worse.
But you totally missed the point in your rush to criticize and lecture.
The issues here go well beyond any one child not being able to participate, and are not why anyone is objecting to this poorly planned proposal. I only brought it up because others are pressing the point.
20 Geoff Brown // Jan 13, 2007 at 10:56 am

Karen –

Thanks for your comment. I had the sense right after I hit the “submit comment” button that I had gotten a little bit preachy.

And you are right as well that I do not know the details of the way the group operates and thus that I really can’t understand the FVCT from anything except an outsider’s point of view.

That said, I will stick with my earlier comment that I saw one absolutely delighted 9 y.o. last Sunday morning who was about to audition — although I have no idea how her audition went!
21 Paul Bartomioli // Jan 14, 2007 at 7:56 am

The problem is that the theater group is a fledgling BUSINESS, nonprofit or not. WHY is the town givng taxpayer funds to a START UP Business? What other businesses can apply for a town grant in thie manner?

The Board of Selectmen has hinted that the Theater Group will become a budgetary line item. Why can’t the Historic Falls Village Inn, Jacobs’ Garage, The Village Mart and Deli get a line item of support?

IF the town wants to give away money, what about the residents? $25k could help reduce some of the tax burden.
22 Geoff Brown // Jan 14, 2007 at 8:19 pm

I cannot say from personal knowledge if the Falls Village Children’s Theatre is 501(c)(3), some other tax exempt status, or a for-profit business. However, there is a long-standing practice in the United States of making grants of various kinds to profit-making entities when the elected officials making the grant perceive that it will benefit the locality or state (or nation) making the grant.

Typically this practice is used to lure businesses to localities where they might offer jobs to locals. For example, I recall when South Dakota made a huge grant to Citibank (now Citigroup) in return for Citibank moving the back office of their credit card business to Sioux Falls, SD.

I’m certainly not in a position to say why Falls Village might have wanted to offer a grant to the Falls Village Children’s Theatre, but one supposes that the Selectmen perceive that the value to Falls Village exceeds the amount of the grant.
23 Paul Bartomioli // Jan 16, 2007 at 4:32 am

I see. They did it, so this makes it right. Kelo v. New London, anyone? I don’t recall hearing of ANY jobs to be created.

Your first point is part of the problem. They may be referred to as non-profit, but no one knows if there is an application on file.

Is there a business plan for this business? They are discussing a minimum amount $250k. Where is the money coming from?

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