ETH Board Of Managers

Sees 2007 As A Year Of Possibility

By Kendra Bobowick

The Mary Hawley Room of the Edmond Town Hall echoed with the Board of Managers’ last meeting of the year on December 18, ending the past 12 months with a series of possibilities leading into 2007.

Looking through the doorway opening on the New Year, Chairman Jay Gill clearly described his vision for town hall.

“It’s a historical building in a historic town on a prominent main street,” he explained. Coming years will bring changes as plans for a new town hall building progress at the Fairfield Hills campus and the employees in municipal suites leave the Edmond Town Hall behind.

“We want to maintain [town hall’s] integrity and beauty,” Mr Gill said. The building draws people to its stage on the main floor, the gymnasium downstairs, and to the Alexandria Room upstairs, which has a smaller stage and banquet seating. Adding to the building’s allure is the movie theater, which shows films for just $2.

Counting on improvements and renovations to other aspects of town hall, including the kitchen adjoining the Alexandria Room, the board hopes to renew the public’s interest in what the building has to offer.

Board member Sandra Motyka recently spoke with Suzette LeBlanc, the food service director with the Newtown Health District, saying, “It would be smart of us to keep her appraised…” The board is currently assessing kitchen renovations with the intent of restoring the facility for use by caterers, for example.

“The equipment was state-of-the-art in the 50s and things have long outlived their usefulness,” Board Chairman Gill said. Ideas for kitchen improvements are just in a concept stage, he stressed, as members seek professional advice about how to reequip the room.

“We’re trying to get the best ideas for what we need for equipment,” Mr Gill said. He also explained that they want to have a precise plan to present to the Newtown Health District.

“I want to have a workable plan in order with all the latest safety equipment,” he said. Picturing the renovations, Mr Gill said, “Basically, we’re not going to do it different, just modernize it.”

Working closely with the health district is also a priority.

“Nothing will be done without the proper okays; we’ll cooperate one thousand percent with what they want us to do,” Mr Gill said. “From day one if we have a problem we could work together to fix it,” he said. “If we show them a plan they don’t like, we’ll rip it up and throw it away.”

Pricing and selecting new equipment to replace the old oven, for example, and determining a redesign scheme are among next year’s goals.

Other projects including completing the parking lot repaving are among the managers’ goals for 2007. Also in the planning stages is the Tercentennial Committee’s upcoming project to place a tercentennial memorial on the front lawn. A large paving stone with the tercentennial logo will be nestled into the sidewalk, and granite benches will replace the current, rundown wooden seating. The small lawn to the right will also contain a walkway and leave space for artwork, according to preliminary plans. Additional enhancements may come from one Eagle Scout who plans to restore the signboard outside the town hall, which is another historic piece to the property.

Items also topping the year’s list of ongoing repairs and renovations that will spill into next year are the replacement theater seats and floor for the movie theater. The Lions Club had raised funds to contribute to purchasing new seating. Managers have selected seats and a floor plan, and anticipate the new seating installment will begin in the spring.

Generating revenue, especially when the town hall’s identity as a municipal focal point fades when a new town hall is completed, is an ongoing concern.

As she has mentioned at past meetings Ms Motyka said, “We should be putting together lists of assets and liabilities.” She also has been organizing a Friends of The Edmond Town Hall group that would help support the building. She has heard from several people who have a desire to contribute their time.