Sure, the town needs a policy on who can and should use the Town Hall
and, sure, the town needs guidelines that differentiate between for
profit and not-for-profit uses of the building.
But it should not take re-inventing the wheel to decide whether the
Town Hall can be used for yoga and/or a playgroup. The Warren Town Hall
is routinely used for a variety of purposes from private classes to
public hearings to dance classes to lectures, etc.
Prior to its $70,000 renovation, the Moretown Town Hall was used by
many groups and individuals throughout The Valley for fundraisers,
artisans' sales, birthday parties, wedding receptions and many other
gatherings.
Formerly it was used by fee simple; perhaps a sliding scale could be
developed for its use now. The town can ask for damage deposits as
needed, when needed, and already has a committee in place to deal with
Town Hall use.
Think how many towns would love to have such a building at the disposal
of the community and think how many towns would love to have
individuals and groups clamoring to use the space?
Because, in the end, isn't this exactly why the Town Hall was
renovated? So that it could become, once again, a hub of the community
where people gather, where events take place, the place people think of
getting together to talk about everything from zoning to yoga?
A well-used Town Hall in a well-integrated village is an ideal thing.
It represents a cohesive community committed to its village and the
historic buildings therein. It will keep the village vibrant; it will
keep people thinking that there is more to their town than their tax
bill. Imagine a Town Hall where things are going on daily and several
evenings a week as well as weekends. That property will become a center
of the community.
Moretown is to be commended for restoring the historic Town Hall and making it so attractive. Now let's see it put to use.
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