Letter in the Grafton News on Oct 22, 2008

Citizens of Grafton:

Soon you will be seeing a large sign erected along the Rt.140 side of the Grafton Town House at One Grafton Common. This sign will provide a visual representation of the work that has been going on “behind the scenes” in an effort to coordinate a renovation of the property and create within it a performance arts center for the benefit of the Town.

The kickoff of this effort began in the summer of 2007 when the Board of Selectmen (BOS) indicated they were considering options for the building, which was in need of ~$3 million dollars of renovation work. Apple Tree Arts, which had been exploring options of its own for securing a base of operations, approached the BOS and Town Administrator to advise them of our interest in and vision for the Town House.

At the October 2007 town meeting, a sense of the meeting vote provided the BOS with a clear mandate for maintaining Town ownership of the building and for further exploring Apple Tree Arts’ proposal. Since this time, Apple Tree Arts’ Town House Committee has been hard at work researching potential sources for funding and investigating how similar projects in other towns across the state were accomplished in order to find the best model for success here in Grafton.

Simultaneously, we have been working to secure the necessary funding to replace the roof of the Town House, which is the original to the building and has been in need of replacement for quite some time. Significant water damage was incurred in 2006 when the roof failed, and the temporary repairs made in early 2007 are no longer guaranteed.

Through a collaborative effort between Apple Tree Arts and the Board of Selectmen, and with strong support from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and Historic District Commission, as well as assistance from State Rep George Peterson, State Senator Edward Augustus and the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), we are very pleased to advise that the necessary funding to complete long-term roof repairs has now been secured and work will soon be underway.

Funding for the roof includes $69,000 in grants from the MHC, as well as $68,000 of CPC monies. These were added to $100,000 of previously set aside Town funds and an additional $1,000 donation from Apple Tree Arts. The $238,000 that was obtained has enabled the Town to formally contract with the highly regarded firm of Crocker Architectural Sheet Metal, Inc. for completion of these much needed roof repairs. Apple Tree Arts has also agreed to expand its role and serve as the coordinator of the project.

Apple Tree Arts is eager to build upon the successful collaborative relationship that has been established over the past year between us and the Town of Grafton. We would very much like to continue to drive the capital campaign that is needed to raise the $3 million dollars that it is estimated is necessary to complete the overall renovation of the Town House. Our goal is simple: to generate funding through public grants and private foundations in order to make the revitalization of the Town House a reality and, in the process, save Grafton taxpayer dollars.

Our Town House Committee is already hard at work laying the ground work for the next phase of the overall renovation effort, which will involve an addition to the building to provide two enclosed staircases and an elevator. These are necessary to meet current fire codes and to allow for ADA compliance.

To continue to move forward with such an arrangement, however, Apple Tree Arts must have a vested interest that goes beyond our honest desire to see this building restored. Of particular consideration is the fact that availability of many potential funding sources is predicated on the arts/cultural aspects that Apple Tree Arts’ involvement brings to this initiative. These funding dollars are not accessible without Apple Tree Arts having a formal stake in the building.

Accordingly, we have recently submitted for the BOS’s consideration some proposed terms for a long-term lease agreement between the Town of Grafton and Apple Tree Arts. Major highlights include the following:

• Apple Tree Arts to drive a capital campaign for full renovation of the Town House with the Town providing input as necessary in support of securing grant and foundation funding.
• Apple Tree Arts to serve as overall project coordinator with regard to the Town House renovation effort with the Town providing input and support as needed.
• Apple Tree Arts to assume full responsibility for 48.6 % (according to square footage of 2 nd & 3 rd floors) of the building’s common maintenance expenses once we are able to occupy the space.
• Space on the 2 nd and 3 rd floors is to remain available for the Town to lease prior to build-out/occupancy by Apple Tree Arts with the stipulation that no major work/changes be made to the Great Hall.
• Town to provide Apple Tree Arts with a 50-year lease @ $1.00/year for the 2 nd and 3 rd floors of the Town House in exchange for raising the funds necessary to renovate the building.

This arrangement will provide the ability for the Town to maintain current tenant income while Apple Tree Arts expands its efforts to obtain the necessary funding to complete the Town House renovation project.

Today, the Town House is a largely vacant and deteriorating building. Under Apple Tree Arts proposal, the Town is afforded an opportunity to preserve an historic asset while saving taxpayer dollars, and in the process, create a performance arts center that will generate business and enhance the quality of life within the community. Sounds like a perfect harmony to us.

Sincerely,

Apple Tree Arts’ Town House Committee

Town House Committee Members:

Donna Blanchard, Beth Concaugh

Paul Scarlett, John Stephens

Dana Wilson