Date: Fri 04-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Edmond-Town-Hall-managers

Full Text:

Town Hall Renovation Proposals Come As A Pleasant Surprise To The Board Of

Managers

BY STEVE BIGHAM

For years, the Board of Town Hall Managers has voiced concern over its need to

renovate Edmond Town Hall and its inability to do so.

The board, funded by Mary Hawley's trust and theater ticket sales, simply has

not had the money to make it all possible. It had hoped the town would

contribute some money, but didn't expect a huge response. The board of

managers actually owns the building.

However, without prompting, the town appears to have stepped forward to pay

for all the improvements to the Main Street landmark.

"We are thrilled," said member Marie Sturdevant. "It was welcome news that the

town was taking on the responsibility. We were all happy to hear that. The

cost was the reason we were unable to put in a new elevator."

According to Mrs Sturdevant, the board of managers only got wind of the town's

sudden outpouring of support during a recent meeting with a architect Rusty

Malik, a representative from Kaestle Boos Associates.

"The architect told us that the town would be taking care of it," she said,

The board of managers never made a formal request and the town never made a

0formal offer to fund the projects. It seemed to have just happened. Somewhere

along the line, town officials say, someone decided the town would cover the

cost.

Former first selectman Bob Cascella said the town never actually made a

decision to take on the responsibility, "it happened by default."

Fed up with the deplorable condition of the town's municipal buildings, Mr

Cascella initiated the municipal space needs study two years ago. The former

first selectman remembers seeing water cascade down the Town Hall South walls.

"The town hall board of managers are money losers," he said. "I believed this

then and I believe it now, the town has an obligation to its citizens and the

memory of the building to take care of it."

The former first selectman suggested, however, that if the town steps in to

underwrite the renovations, the board of managers will have to surrender some

of its autonomy in administering the building.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said the town has to do its part to keep the

building in working order, even if the managers cannot.

"That was a gift to the Town of Newtown. I think we have a responsibility to

maintain it," he said.

The town has still not officially offered to do the work. It simply included

Edmond Town Hall in its municipal space needs study. Each of Kaestle Boos' 13

scenarios for addressing the town's municipal space needs, however, contains

some sort of face lift to Edmond Town Hall. The scenarios include adding on to

the building, renovating the interior, and updating the mechanical systems and

those items not in code compliance.

Board of Managers chair Edgar Beers said he first "got an inkling" that the

town had something in the works more than a year ago. Back then, former

selectmen Jim Mooney headed the town's first municipal space needs committee.

Edmond Town Hall renovations were widely discussed at that time.

"Any help we can get is appreciated. We spent all our money on the roof," Mr

Beers said. "It's a huge weight off our shoulders. Of course, the town has not

made that decision yet. It's still just a proposal."

The board of managers meets next Tuesday.