Tercentennial Commission Sets A Budget Of $250,000

By Jan Howard

The Newtown Tercentennial Commission’s Steering Committee has submitted a proposed budget to Financial Director Ben Spragg to be considered for inclusion in the 2004–05 fiscal year budget.

John Trentacosta, treasurer of the committee, reported at Tuesday’s Steering Committee meeting that he has arrived at an estimated budget of $250,000 for the tercentennial, of which $125,000 in funding is being sought from the town for the celebratory year.

In addition to the town funding being sought, other estimated revenues include $75,000 from corporate and business community sponsorships, $25,000 from individual fundraising, and $25,000 from ticket sales and vendor revenues from tercentennial activities.

Potential expenses are included in the budget for activities, including fireworks, printing and publications (tercentennial historic publication, souvenir pamphlet, and events calendar), tercentennial ball, antique baseball game, townwide picnic, open-air theatrical production, publicity, and Labor Day parade.

Mr Trentacosta said some of the budget figures would change once committee chairmen meet with their committees regarding their individual activities.

He noted that attorney Anne Ragusa and Alan Clavette, a CPA, are in the process of obtaining nonprofit status and forming a 501(c)(3) corporation for the commission.

The Steering Committee also noted that adoption of the official tercentennial logo has been put off until the group’s next meeting on February 4 to allow for further modification of the design, which has been created by Curtis Packaging. As a result, the public unveiling of the logo, originally set for January 24, has also been pushed back to sometime in February.

There was significant discussion about the design for the logo, which remains secret pending a final design decision.

Resident Jane Hellman noted there are limitations for reproduction of a logo on small items, such as pins. She said a more simplified version might have to be used for some items.

State Rep Julia Wasserman, who intends to make a request to the state for a grant for the tercentennial event, explained to Mr Trentacosta that the budget request for the state would need to be more specific in regard to how much in-kind services would be contributed by those who would ordinarily be paid.

“It has to be a service that is donated,” Rep Wasserman said.

Among special events being discussed was a suggestion by Amber Edwards, a filmmaker and resident of Newtown, who suggested an “old-fashioned theatrical tradition” of people doing a series of tableaus that would represent Newtown history. The event would require an indoor setting because of the need for lighting, she noted. People who participated would be responsible for supplying their costumes.

She suggested that the scenes begin with modern era and go back in time to Newtown’s early history. “It would require community participation,” Ms Edwards said, with local musicians and others involved.

Author Justin Scott has volunteered editorial services to those who will be writing historical publications for the tercentennial, and Mike Fitzsimons will head up the Fireworks Committee.

Mr Fitzsimons suggested inviting governmental officials to attend tercentennial events. A beard-growing contest was also suggested by Gordon Williams, which it was noted could also serve as a fundraiser. In one variation, men could opt out of the contest by paying a fee.

Fundraising committee Chairman John Martocci reported that he would start seeking donations in June. “I don’t want to start too early. Timing is everything.” He said it may be necessary to raise more funds than have been budgeted.

August 6, 2005, has been tentatively set for a townwide picnic, antique ball game, and fireworks display at Fairfield Hills. Events Co-Chairman Janet Woycik said there are people interested in working on a tercentennial ball but as yet there is no chairman. Anyone interested should contact her at the C.H. Booth Library.

“We plan to have one event a month,” Ms Woycik said, some of which may consist of exhibits at the library or smaller events than that planned for August 6.

 Chairman Dan Cruson, Ms Woycik, and Barbara Kasbarian are to meet with First Selectman Herb Rosenthal regarding the tercentennial’s website.

Brigette Sorensen, chairman of the Education Committee, is working on projects with the schools, such as the creation of a field trip to make students aware of town landmarks. She noted the Reed School’s website is to be tailored to the tercentennial. She is also looking for high school students interested in undertaking a video project of verbal essays.

Publication of Mr Cruson’s articles for the historical society’s newsletter, the Rooster’s Crow, are another tercentennial project in the planning stages. The committee is also looking at publication of a calendar of events as a souvenir and a collection of essays. A chairman is needed to spearhead these projects.