Edmond Town Hall Revisited

To the Editor:

In May 1999, the Selectmen’s Space Needs Committee recommended an $11 million addition to Edmond Town Hall (ETH). “Although the space needs are based on a 20-year projection, it should be noted that [only] limited expansion…would be possible [in the future]. (Kaestle Boos Report p 10)

Almost simultaneously, the state expected to receive proposals from interested parties to buy and develop Fairfield Hill (FFH). Three developers presented their plans, but unknown to most citizens, all three required the state to pay for the abatement of hazardous materials and for necessary demolition. The state refused; thus, the door was opened for the town to purchase FFH. HMA Consultants included $6 million in the FFH bond issue to renovate the stately Shelton Hall, standing majestically in the entry plaza, for town offices. (Council minutes 5/23/2001)

ETH is the perfect building for the arts, music, dance, theater, fine arts, etc. How to share space with moviegoers is unresolved. An idea surfaced to use the Middle School for town offices, and its auditorium for movies once a much-needed, larger high school was constructed.

I strongly supported town purchase of FFH, but I never expected Mary Hawley’s gift to Newtown, beautiful ETH, would be converted into a commercial building.

Town officials have rejected Shelton Hall as a town hall, and the master plan (2003) recommended a new building be constructed. If the town had unlimited funds, a new town hall could be built at FFH to house all municipal offices and would be convenient for everyone, but money is tight, and Newtown has a long list of needs.

The current plan to convert Bridgeport Hall into a town hall by adding a two-story addition will be very expensive, and the recent budget referendum indicates that people are deeply concerned about rising taxes, and some are struggling to pay their property taxes.

Utilizing technology like video conferencing, wireless technology, camera cell phones, Internet communication, etc, the selectmen, the public, and all town employees can interact more easily now than in 1999. Thus, the questions: Must all town offices be in one building? Can we afford it?

Is it possible to preserve beautiful Edmond Town Hall for major town offices and part of the building for the arts? Either Newtown or the larger Woodbury Hall, two entry plaza buildings at FFH, would provide space for the remaining offices, but the selectmen and the FFH Authority are determined to pursue economic development rather than preserve FFH for town needs. It will take years to lure businesses to fill the 38-acre Technology Park on Commerce Road, the private commercial developments on Queen Street and South Main, the long vacant Eton Square, FFH and ETH.

Since the original Shelton House plan has been abandoned, I would like to have Edmond Town Hall stand proudly as our primary municipal building and close the door on commercial enterprises there. Mary Hawley would surely approve.

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                                May 3, 2006