Gray
Fire-Rescue asks for $10,000 Planning a Fall festival
By Elizabeth Prata
Gray--To celebrate 125 years of "protecting the
safety of Gray citizens, Gray Fire-Rescue has asked
the Town of Gray to chip in $10,000 toward their Celebration
Day, expected to cost $50,000.
The Fire-Rescue President, Dean Hadlock, and Secretary
Nathan Tuskroff, sent a letter to Manager Mitchell
A. Berkowitz, and also Council Chair Pam Wilkinson
and fellow Councilors explaining that on September
17 they "will culminate our anniversary celebration
with a special day of excitement with a parade, festivities
on the grounds of the High School, and fireworks."
The fireworks will cost $15,000 to $20,000. The group
predicts that about 3,000 people will attend.
In the works are a parade, firefighter's muster, a
kids' muster, Gray fire memorabilia, games, booths
from civic groups, and raffles. The food costs are
estimated at more than $3,000 and promotional freebies
to cost $2,000. "Other costs bring the total
expenses substantially higher," the letter stated.
The donation requested from the Town was for $10,000.
Councilors at the Monday workshop were less than enthused
at the amount of the request. Vice-Chair Lynn Olson
asked Mr. Berkowitz if the Town donated money to other
festivities or only donated in-kind personnel, and
when the answer was "in-kind personnel,"
Ms. Olson said that the Council should maintain the
same standard and refrain from making a monetary donation.
Other Councilors said that a strong letter of support
was called for, and that asking for such a large amount
in tight fiscal times was "not going to happen,"
as Ms. Wilkinson said.
Councilor Matt Sturgis said that they could let the
Chief find $1,000 from his own budget, "Since
he never spends it all." Councilor Gary Foster
said that there was no question that the group is
important to the town and they deserve a celebration
but the magnitude of the festivities and expected
costs were above what they could reasonably expected
to donate.
Councilors Richard Hall and Ms. Wilkinson were of
the same resolve.
Mr. Berkowitz said that a nominal donation would go
a long way to allowing the group think they were "appreciated
and connected to the town." Although he went
to bat for the group, the consensus was to decline
donating any money and to send a letter of support
instead.
With 3,000 predicted to attend, and since the group
is a separate entity from the Town, this festivity
might be the first under which a Mass Gathering Permit
is required to be taken out, igniting a multitude
of other permitting regulations and Town oversight
of the event, to ensure safety for all.
