News

Pennell has another interested party
Fiddlehead may be looking to move
By Elizabeth Prata

New Gloucester--Fiddlehead Center for the Arts (FCA) began four years ago as an Arts school aimed at offering an eclectic array of after school arts and cultural programs and classes for children. Founded by two local women, Mary Jo Marquis and Jacinda Cotton-Castro, the Center grew over time from its start-up location in One Gray Center to a spacious and newly renovated suite at New Gloucester's Pineland campus.

Along the way, they were awarded two healthy 21st Century grants, both of which allowed them to partner with SAD #15 (Gray and New Gloucester), Pineland Farms, and the Gray Rec. Department, as well as grants from the Davis Foundation, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the Libra Foundation, Margaret Chase Smith Library, among other grants. They concluded the Second Annual Arts Festival in May, and then as summer approached, the FCA Directors began to discuss the future growth and direction of the Center.

"Our Board met and we will create an Advisory Committee to look into options that will support our growth," said Business Director Ms. Cotton-Castro. "We pay $51,000 per year in rent at Pineland, and although the facility is beautiful, the rent is a little much for our non-profit Arts Center," she said.

The Advisory Committee will be looking at all options, one of which is to stay right where they are. But other attractive options include moving to a facility in their target market that comes with land…a place like Pennell.
Pennell Institute has been managed by the SAD under a trust that governs the building's use as an educational facility.

Empty for several years, the SAD has been discussing ways to dispose of the building that would uphold both Maine Law, the Trust, and the intent of the donor, Henry Pennell. Mr. Pennell donated the land, materials and construction costs for the Inhabitants of the Town of Gray for education in the late 1800s. When the SAD was formed the building and associated trusts went to the SAD from the Town.

The Town of Gray talked with the SAD for several years about a co-habitation situation with a complicated lease structure that would get around the educational use limitation. That fell through and then talks began with the Town of Gray again when the Library looked to expand.

The Library had planned an expansion for several years and when Pennell became available the Library Trustees thought that the fit would be perfect. The historic building also houses the Gray Historical Society and the Library's mission is education, as is the Society's.

Since the Library Trustees are a town department, and the Attorney General, who governs Maine trusts, already has said that the Town is not an educational institution, the Trustees will form the tax-exempt Gray Public Library Association (GPLA) that would technically manage the trust, if the AG deems it acceptable to be transferred to them. The GPLA would lease the facility back to the Town for an as yet undetermined rental rate, and an arrangement would be made to determine who pays for what in terms of tax dollars. The GPLA will begin a Capital Campaign to renovate the building, which an engineering report has established would take a million and a half to two million dollars to refurbish.

Ms. Cotton-Castro said that they have no wish to insert themselves into the GPLA-Town-SAD process. "We would like to think that we are second in line. The building's size, location, and adjacent fields are perfect for our classes and Arts Festival. We are a tax-exempt educational organization willing to explore the possibility of re-locating to Pennell. We are open to other options, too, renovating an old farmhouse, receiving donated land and building new. The right fit will eventually be found."

Library Trustee Ray Clark said that, "The GPLA will continue in its efforts to acquire Pennell for use as the Town's Public Library and, we hope, a home for the Gray Historical Society. If for some reason that doesn't work out, we hope that this building, which means so much to so many, can be saved in a form that will perpetuate its meaning. Fiddlehead would be an excellent occupant."

Mr. Clark continued, "The GPLA is not a fully confirmed 501(c)(3) organization as yet. The application is on its way, and my understanding is that approval, which may take a few months, is retroactive to the date of application." After further reflection, Mr. Clark said, "Seems odd that this should come up just before the election. Probably just a coincidence."

Gray Library Director Priscilla Payne said, "No one knows how all this will pan out but hopefully there will be a happy ending for the Pennell building, Gray Public Library, The Town of Gray, the MSAD #15 and all other interested parties."