NORWAY – Town Manager David Holt on Thursday asked selectmen to think twice before recommending that residents approve a $10,000 request from Norway Downtown Revitalization.
While reviewing the proposed capital improvement budget during a workshop after the board’s regular meeting, Holt focused attention on the organization’s request for a few minutes.
“This year,” he said, “it’s my advice to you that you’ve got to give that program hard consideration.”
Holt said selectmen should be asking what Norway Downtown Revitalization does for the town and what residents would see for a return on their investment.
“They’re struggling,” he added. “People that have made commitments to them have not been forthcoming with donations. Programs that were to make money for them have not made money.”
Holt wondered whether the organization would survive.
The board was largely silent while Holt spoke. Selectman Bob Walker said he thought a three-year funding agreement with the group had ended and that it was supposed to be self-supporting.
“I believe that to be true,” Holt said. He said he felt the town should support the organization, but didn’t specify what he felt would be an appropriate budget amount or action.
On Friday, Roy Gedat, newly elected president of the Norway Downtown Revitalization Board of Directors, acknowledged that the organization has been struggling. He added, however, that there has been renewed interest in its programs.
He said he is confident the group will “stay afloat.”
“I guess we’re hoping for the continued support of the town of Norway,” Gedat said.
In 2004, Norway Downtown Revitalization fell $2,000 short of meeting its $64,470 budget, he said. He said he thinks one problem was that the organization had unrealistic fund-raising goals.
This year, the group’s budget has been scaled back to $54,6000, Gedat said. “I think that we are trying to capitalize on the increased support that we had last year, but we’re trying to do it in increments, or responsibly.”
Gedat noted the organization raised between $7,000 and $8,000 in its first major fund-raising campaign last year, which is good for this area. It takes years to build to the point of raising $10,000 or $20,000, he said.
Reached at the town office Friday, Holt said he has invited Gedat and Norway Downtown Revitalization to address the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee at a meeting Monday.
He said the entire budget review process probably will take a few more weeks. The budget committee will continue to meet every Monday and Thursday evening until that point, he said.
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