Seeking ‘Friends’ To See Edmond Town Hall Into The Future

By Kendra Bobowick

Friends of Edmond Town Hall may become a reality as residents have recently expressed interest in joining.

Board of Managers Chairman Jay Gill was pleased at the “couple of responses” his office received since his open invitation several weeks earlier.

Mr Gill’s appeal to the public to form a Friends of Edmond Town Hall or similar supporting organization has already seen at least one serious response and another expression of interest, he said.

“It’s about one and one,” Mr Gill said.  “There is some interest here and we’ll try to cultivate it,” he said.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal thinks this is an idea that can work. Noting that the town hall is on the National Register of Historic Places he said, “It has been a wonderful gift to the town over the years.”

He continued, “It would be great to have a group of people to help support this building, especially as the town moves out.”

Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers member Sandra Motyka has heard positive response from a small number of residents.

During Tuesday night’s meeting discussions about generating a general support for the town hall, she said, “I got a call from a couple with an interest to help us.”

On a more guarded note Ms Motyka said she wants  “to make sure they have a good project” and then talk further. She spoke at length Tuesday about ways to essentially market the town hall as changes take place and municipal offices move out.

The more than 75-year-old building standing prominently beyond the flag pole marking the center of Newtown faces an uncertain future as plans for town progress change its role in the community.

Coming years’ plans see some or all of Newtown’s municipal offices migrating to a new building at the Fairfield Hills campus, which is now being renovated and improved for public and private use. Bridgeport Hall is the likely location for a new town hall, and will definitely house some municipal offices. The Fairfield Hills Authority is now assessing renovation plans and costs while deciding which departments will be relocated.

Edmond Town Hall, noted for its movie theater, murals splashed from floor to ceiling in the stairwells, and historic origins, will rely on its available rental space, popcorn and ticket sales to remain in business. The Board of Managers has discussed the building’s future in past meetings, pondering how to support operations, especially in light of fuel oil bills, which hit more than $7,000 in this year’s winter months.

Already a success is the civic support from the Lions Club of Newtown, which drove the interest in “buying” new seats for the theater inside the town hall, Mr Rosenthal said.

Similarly, the PTA, although not necessarily a friends group, is a volunteer effort to support education activities, he said. “They fund projects and are deeply involved [with the schools],” Mr Rosenthal said.

One high profile group is the Friends of the CH Booth Library, which is invaluable in library Director Janet Woycik’s eyes.

“We don’t know what we would do without them,” she said.

Mr Rosenthal explains that, “Friends groups are able to do things that the government often can’t do.”

Ms Woycik observed, “Without them, we wouldn’t be buying books.” The library friends help raise money and interest in the library. Yearly fundraisers contribute to the library efforts, and a Book Nook, which is on the second floor, “brings a lot of people in,” to the library to buy the friends’ books for sale, said Ms Woycik. She approaches the friends’ board with a list of things the various departments need, which the friends take into consideration.

Friends President Mary Maki knows the value of a well-organized group of supporters.

For those considering joining or forming a group for Edmond Town Hall she said, “You have to think about what you want to accomplish.” Embark on a mission and “have things well thought out, have goals and have the public believe in what you do.”

Find the niche, she said. “Whether it’s historical or whatever, once you find the idea, you will find the people who will be attracted to [the idea],” she said.

To explain, she used her own group as an example. “We have a dedicated group of volunteers and we get other people involved,” said Ms Maki.

Combining a clear goal and interest of those volunteering or contributing creates a strong base, she explained.

Again using the Friends of The CH Booth Library as a model Ms Maki said, “Someone who gives to us knows it goes to the library, and they use the library, so if someone contributes to something it’s good to see where it goes.”

Likeminded observations come from Mr Rosenthal.

“People are supportive and it’s sometimes easier to get support around an activity like a book sale at the library,” he said.

Addressing the town hall’s “niche” as Ms Maki noted, Mr Rosenthal said, “The Edmond Town Hall has a draw. It has been the center of government and the center of this community for years — a fixture on Main Street for over 75 [years].”

The rooms also embraced community celebrations, and still serve as home to dance instruction, meeting space, open gym time, and more. Banquets were stylish events held in the Alexandria Room, along with weddings and rehearsal dinners, said Mr Rosenthal.

“There should be lots of things to rally around, just like the Lions raising money for theater seats; I encourage a group of people to get that started.”

Generating interest is not necessarily easy. “The public has to believe that what they are doing or supporting is important,” Ms Maki said. She instantly named several aspects of Edmond Town Hall, “Even just the murals and the theater, and the Alexandria Room — they’re so important, there is so much there.”

Offering a last piece of encouragement, she said, “If they make their goals clear, the rest should fall into place.”