Selectmen Quickly Move Arts Ordinance To Council

By John Voket

There were no celebratory songs or dances to mark the occasion, but selectmen Tuesday took the next important step in formally establishing a Newtown Cultural Arts Commission by moving a proposed ordinance to the Legislative Council by unanimous vote.

Following a cursory review and explanation of some of the reasons why such a formalized and municipally endorsed committee will be an important asset to the community, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and fellow selectmen Joseph Bojnowski and William Brimmer, Jr, put their stamps of approval on the measure.

During Wednesday’s Legislative Council meeting, Mr Rosenthal subsequently turned the ordinance over to the appropriate council subcommittee for review. Once the council’s ordinance committee completes its work, the next and final step before formal appointments are made will be for the full Legislative Council to approve the ordinance.

“Many towns of our wealth and size already have a Cultural Arts Commission,” Mr Rosenthal told council members. “Forming this committee is the only way to access many of the grants available from the state and federal government [to underwrite townwide cultural activities.]”

According to the ordinance draft, the purpose of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission will be to “stimulate, facilitate, coordinate and cooperate with existing organizations for the development of the arts.” The commission is intended to serve as an information center and focal point in the community for activities in the arts.

While members of an ad hoc Cultural Arts Committee, who worked for more than a year to research the potential formation of a commission, originally suggested the formal panel have 11 members, Mr Rosenthal felt a body of nine would be easier to administrate and more effective.

“The committee originally wanted 11 members, but it may be hard enough to keep nine active participants,” Mr Rosenthal told fellow selectmen while discussing the proposal.

The ordinance draft consequently stipulates that the first selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, will appoint nine members. Those individuals are expected to have a broad interest, understanding, and appreciation of cultural activities.

The terms of office shall be for three years. Initially three members will be appointed until January 7, 2007; three others will be appointed for two years and the remaining three for three years. All vacancies will be filled for the balance of their unexpired term by the first selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen.

Among the duties and responsibilities of the formal commission, once approved and appointed, will be to create an initial survey of the cultural and artistic resources of the Town of Newtown, including but not limited to, a survey of the arts by each subject deemed to be of significance by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission in carrying out its duties.

The commission will be expected to conduct any additional surveys of local private and public institutions engaged in artistic and cultural activities, as needed, and to produce and update an ongoing Cultural Arts Events Calendar executed by website.

Members of the Commission should stimulate and encourage both private and public study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest, support and participation, as well as encouraging and assisting freedom of artistic expression essential to the arts, the ordinance draft states.

The new commission should act to stimulate cooperative and coordinated effort among cultural organizations actively engaged in a single art form, as well as advising and making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on matters of cultural significance to the Town of Newtown on at least an annual basis.

Among the commission’s proposed financial powers and duties will be to submit a proposed budget to the Board of Selectmen. The panel will be empowered to enter into contracts based on the limit of funds available, with individuals, organizations, and institutions for services that will further the objectives of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

The commission will be permitted to enter into contracts within the limits of funds available with local, regional, state, or federal associations for cooperative endeavors provided all contracts and agreements have the prior approval of the Purchasing Authority or the Board of Selectmen.

Mr Rosenthal told the selectmen that the panel may supplement its budget by accepting gifts, contributions, and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations, companies, corporations, and other organizations for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, subject to a resolution entitled Cultural Arts Commission Gift Fund. That stipulation brought nods of approval from Mr Bojnowski and Mr Brimmer.

According to the draft ordinance, all monies received in that manner will be placed in a separate Gift Fund subject to an annual audit and may be expended subject to the majority approval of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, subject to a resolution entitled Cultural Arts Commission Gift Fund.

To further its mission, the commission also may employ consultants and others as needed, subject to personnel regulations and limits of the annual town budget appropriation for the commission.

The panel is encouraged to bring in widespread volunteer energy through a separate auxiliary, which will not necessarily be limited to Newtown residents. The auxiliary is intended to enlist members who are known for their competency, understanding, and devotion to the cultural pursuits, to the Newtown Cultural Arts Auxiliary.

The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission will define the function and duties of the Newtown Cultural Arts Auxiliary significant to the purpose of the commission, and its members will assist the commission members in the execution of their duties the ordinance draft states.

Pending the approval of the ordinance by the full council, the Cultural Arts Commission may be seated and functioning as early as mid-February.