News
Where
to hold Town Meeting?
By Elizabeth Prata
Gray-'Crystal ball needed.' That sentiment fit right
in with the Gray Council's deliberation Monday night
at a special council meeting as they considered where
to hold the Annual Town Meeting slated for Saturday,
June 5.
Over the last few years, the Meeting has not drawn
close to the 176 capacity of Stimson Hall, the Town's
"designated meeting place of the Town,"
as Councilor Richard Barter described the stately
meeting space. This year, though, with several hot
issues on the warrant and a 14% proposed municipal
budget increase, citizens have been calling the Manager
to advise him that there may be a few more attendees
this year.
Last year, the Council held the Annual Town Meeting
in Newbegin Gym. The acoustics were unsatisfactory
in the cavernous room, with many people intermittently
yelling out, "I can't hear!" As the meeting
dragged on, citizens became upset at the poor acoustics
in the hot and un-air conditioned atmosphere.
Councilors Monday night discussed needing a crystal
ball to predict the best scenario for both taking
care of business but minding the comfort levels of
participants.
Stimson was ultimately deemed the best space. "It
has better acoustics. It has better television [broadcast
capability]. It has the best traffic flow. It is the
accepted town center. It is the most pleasant space,
and these are the facts," said Barter.
Councilor Olson asked how many people Stimson could
hold and past participation counts. Manager Mitchell
A. Berkowitz responded that the capacity according
to Life Safety Codes is 176. In 2003 there were 130
at Town meeting, held in Newbegin Gym. In 2002, 115
came to Stimson Hall to conduct the Town's business.
In 2001, less than 100 attended. In 2000, there were
50, 1999, about 40, and the year before that the meeting
was described as "sparse."
Chair Pam Wilkinson said that the meeting has been
advertised to take place at Stimson Hall and that
to move it now would be confusing.
Councilor Matt Sturgis said that "If we get a
bumper crop of participants it would be a shame to
disenfranchise people from the one day they have an
opportunity to do the Town's business."
Councilor Jack Goosetrey said that "You're in
a situation where you're damned if you do and damned
if you don't. Let's stick with Stimson."
In the end, the Council decided 1-4 with Goosetrey,
Barter, Olson, Wilkinson opposed to having it in Newbegin.
Sturgis was for holding the meeting in Newbegin.
The Council will put outdoor speakers on Stimson porch
in case there is an overflow crowd.
