Board Seeks Remedy For Too Few Cooks In The Kitchen—

Plans Emerge For Town Hall Enhancements

By Kendra Bobowick

Board of Managers member dealt swiftly with Edmond Town Hall’s $7,800 heating bill and refocused on future planning Tuesday. Amid the demand of improvement projects, exorbitant heating costs, and the constant juggling of small repairs, members nonetheless placed a priority on the town hall’s changing role in years to come, then took action.

“We need a mission statement of where we want to go — a five-year plan,” said Chairman Jay Gill. “We have to decide what this building means to the town.”

Member Sandra Motyka said, “We should have a study committee and look at the long-range plans for the building.” She suggested, “The board needs to build a base in the community.”

Prepared to follow her own advice, Ms Motyka insisted, “We have to have a strategy about how to do this. I would be happy to get an informal study group together.”

Mr Gill’s thoughts were in line with Ms Motyka’s. He expanded on the idea of committees, and wanted to reach into the public. He said, “In order to move forward we need a subcommittee.” He next stressed that this group might organize communication and press releases. A maintenance committee also might “act as a buffer” between Building Superintendent Clark Kathan and the board, again enhancing lines of communication. Members made their own plans with certainty, despite several unknowns.

At a critical turning point, the Edmond Town Hall is on the brink of a future strewn with question marks. Town offices now settled in the building are facing a move related to a nearby redevelopment project at Fairfield Hills, which includes a new town hall.

Last month the Fairfield Hills Authority moved farther away from hypotheticals and instructed architects to research and price one of the several town hall options. The Edmond Town Hall may no longer be home to some or any of the municipal offices now in residence.

As a new town hall is in the making, board members assess historic Edmond Town Hall and prepare for coming years.

Seeing the need for an overall structure analysis, Ms Motyka said, “We need to know the weaknesses, opportunities, threats. This will give you a strategy,” she said. Mentioning working committee sessions, she said, “It might be time to schedule something like that.”

Offering her support, board member Jane Sharpe saw the importance of “discussions of where we are and where we’re going.”

She further defined the board’s challenges saying, “We need four groups basically — maintenance, building, communications, human resources.”

Mr Gill also agrees that a closer relationship with the public will be healthy for Edmond Town Hall as its community role shifts. Mr Gill mentioned starting a Friends of Edmond Town Hall, similar to the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library.

Ms Sharpe said, “This is a great opportunity, we have a growing and changing board.”

Of most significance is new board member Jim Juliano, a longtime resident with a career background in mechanical trades, he said.

Following through with discussions of subcommittees and future planning, board members made an on-the-spot decision to hold an impromptu meeting Saturday at My Place Restaurant. Also weighing in on the reasons for Saturday’s meeting is an upcoming Chamber of Commerce morning coffee and information session scheduled from 8 to 9 am on February 28 at the Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room. Seeing this as an opportunity to present their interests and history to the chamber, Ms Sharpe suggested a prior meeting to discuss “what we will say,” during the chamber’s coffee hour.

 

Where Are The Cooks In The Kitchen?

Stewing in Mr Gill’s mind is the desire to see the Edmond Town Hall’s kitchen facility once again filled with the smells of roasting meat, simmering vegetables, and clattering with the sound of utensils falling into the sink. Unfortunately, cupboards are bare except for neatly stacked rows of place settings, saucers, and teacups. Mr Gill and Mr Kathan especially, want to see this large, industrial kitchen restored, and filled with caterers preparing for the roughly 100 guests that the adjoining Alexandria Room can seat.

Mr Gill hopes the community will hint at a direction for kitchen renovations.

“I want to know what caterers want, that’s who will be using this kitchen most,” he said.

He wants to “get the project underway” and raise money for it, he said.

Estimates top $300,000. Desired improvements include a self-cleaning hood, range, three-bay pot sink, steam tables, sinks, reach-in freezer, commercial dishwashers, and coffee station, for beginners. The desired overhaul would include new cabinets and appliances, upgrades to meet code, and ventilation.

As Newtown budget issues become clearer, the Board of Managers will have a better idea of just how much money they will need to raise through their own efforts.