Chilmark selectmen will consider a recommendation to increase fees for the use of the Chilmark Community Center. If adopted, the fees could mean significant increases for some community organizations and groups that stage events in the wooden building just off South Road by Beetlebung Corner. While many agree that a fee increase is warranted, smaller organizations fear the the proposed increases will preclude them from using the building.
Selectmen appointed a study committee to look at the use of the Chilmark School and the community center (CCC) after determining that fees were not covering necessary repairs and maintenance. Planning is currently underway to repair the buckling floor of the community center, as well as repair deteriorating exterior doors.
Jim Malkin, chairman of the town’s personnel committee and former chairman of the finance committee, chaired the use of town owned facilities committee that included Andrew Goldman and Jane Slater. After five open meetings over a three-month period, the committee presented its report to selectmen on July 15.
Currently, fees for use of the CCC include $200 for rehearsal dinners and adult parties, $400 for weddings, and $50 for children’s parties. There is also a $200 refundable security and cleaning deposit for most events. Selectmen review applications, and have the option of waiving or reducing fees.
The most significant change recommended by the committee involved events that charge admission, such as the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society.
The committee recommended a fee structure of $50 and a $50 cleaning deposit for children’s parties; $200 for rehearsal dinners and adult parties with a $200 cleaning deposit; and a $400 fee and $200 cleaning deposit for weddings. Deposits are refundable in whole or in part depending on the condition of the building.
Sponsors of events with admission fees would pay a minimum fee of $500, plus 20 percent of admission fees.
An applicant for use of the center must be a town resident, or an event must be sponsored by a town resident who would be required to be present at the event and provide the damage deposit.
In its two-page report, the committee said that it had considered a variety of issues. These included: How to harmonize and coordinate use so that the limited resources in the town center are not overtaxed by simultaneous events; how to assure that the use of the town resources benefits town residents and taxpayers; how to assure that fees for usage are sufficient to assure adequate compensation for proper maintenance and wear and tear; how to set fees that reflect the commercial or non-commercial utilization of the space; and how to assure that practices of space users are consistent with Chilmark values.
“We contacted all groups who had used the facilities over the past two years, examined all agreements and statements,” Mr. Malkin said in an email to The Times. “We looked into the issues of maintenance, wear and tear, liability, scheduling, as well as water and septic. We looked at the existent fee structure and history. We spent much time discussing the character and needs of the various user groups, some individuals, some small not for profits, some larger groups, all of them important members of the community.”
Event organizers react
Thomas Bena of Chilmark, founder and executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, stages well-attended events at the CCC. He said his organization has pitched in to improve the community center by buying a new screen, seats, and a ventilation system.
“We’re not against paying a flat rate,” Mr. Bena said. “We just believe paying a percentage of ticket sales and donations is onerous and not appropriate. We’re not looking for a free ride, but we are excited to keep using that venue at an affordable rate. I’m hopeful the selectmen are going to do something that takes into account all the nonprofits that do great things do in the community center.”
Cathy Walthers of West Tisbury helps organize events for Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard, a local chapter of the national organization that advocates for local foods and farmers. The group has hosted events at the community center often, usually at a rate of $50.
“It’s a venue we really like and enjoy,” Ms. Walthers said. “Most of our events are free or very low cost. We try to make them community events, and we want as many people to come as possible.”
Ms. Walthers said that a $500 fee would not be affordable for the small nonprofit organization. “We definitely would not be able to [afford that],” she said. “I can understand that they might want to go up, if they need additional fees. I thought a more modest increase would be more appropriate.”
In a letter to Chilmark selectmen, she suggested that an increase in the range of $75 to $125 would be appropriate for nonprofit organizations like Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard.
The committee also suggested ending the practice of some organizations which charge extra for preferred seating or parking. “The town of Chilmark believes its facilities would be available to all citizens and attendees on an equal basis,” the committee wrote in its report. “There are to be no differential charging practices for use of town sites, including parking facilities, with the exception of admission discounts for memberships.”
Selectmen took no action on the committee’s recommendations at their July 15 meeting, nor did they address the proposal at their August 5 meeting, according to meeting minutes.