Who Will Use the Guilford Green in 2008?

The Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen has worked diligently over the last nine weeks to address concerns regarding multi-day events on the Town Green.

The Committee has finished its recommendation. Early in its report the Committee notes that, “The Guilford Green is held dear by all who live in Guilford. It is much more than just the center of town....It is the core of much of our commerce, where we celebrate, take time to play and enjoy the occasional solace it provides.”

The report is thoughtful and is based on facts. Professionals were invited to speak to the Committee to advise them on a number of points including: the impact of tents and stakes on the Green; the risk of electrical harm to individuals; recommendations of the Chief of Police concerning traffic and parking congestion; and, if damage to the Green occurs, how the town can be sure that the presenting organization will fund the repairs.

Interestingly, one of the revelations was that there was no correlation between the amount of risk of damage or actual damage between single-day and multiple-day events. Weather is an important factor, as is adherence to the rules, which the committee report emphasizes is crucial for all events to follow.

We encourage you to read the Committee’s report (below). We think you will find it interesting and useful in forming your opinion. The Committee has been told by First Selectman Carl Balestracci that the next step will be a working session with the Selectmen and the Committee to discuss the report. The Selectmen will then decide which recommendations to embrace and begin reviewing the applications for events on the Green.

We realize the decision to allow multi-day events on the Green is not as simple as “should the Guilford Art Center’s Expo on the Green or the Shore Line Arts Alliance’s Shakespeare on the Green be allowed to return?” There are more than a few opinions concerning the use of the Green and the rules must be broader in scope than any one organization’s request.

That said, Expo on the Green provides a critical source of income to the Guilford Art Center. There is no way to truly predict the success or failure of moving Expo on the Green, although many of the artists who currently participate have said they will not return if Expo is no longer held on the Green. The success of this event is clearly tied to the presentation of quality, hand made goods created by respected crafts people who display their art and craft in downtown Guilford’s charming, attractive setting.

Even with 3,000 to 3,500 attendees each day, Expo has never done any serious damage to the Green. Worn grass has always renewed itself with rain and cooler temperatures. To insure a safe environment, presenters must pass an inspection prior to opening the gates to their event. In 2007, on the completion of the inspection of the Expo site, the Town Building Inspector approved the set-up on the first pass stating, “This is a state-of-the art set-up.” Additionally, we pay for using the Green each year. In 2007 we paid $4,905 in Greens fees and $1,078 for a building permit, as well as all of the overtime salaries for police, fire and EMTs assigned to the event.

The Guilford Art Center is committed to providing opportunities in the arts that engage and encourage everyone to participate either as a student, an art viewer, or as a collector. We offer classes to nearly 2,000 individuals each year. Our students span an age range of two to eighty-two and occasionally older. No one pays the total cost of a class. Rather, the Guilford Art Center offsets the costs by using monies obtained in fund-raising activities, of which Expo is among our most significant. The same is true of gallery exhibitions. Everyone is invited and gallery shows are free. We offer 130 employment opportunities to artist/teachers each year, and pay a staff. Almost all of these individuals live locally. A drop in Guilford Art Center income will change all of this one way or another.

We strive to insure that economic realities do not eliminate the opportunity to engage with the arts, particularly for children. The Guilford Art Center is committed to providing a mix of exceptional experiences within the arts to everyone who shows up. This commitment is important to the community because art has the capacity to improve the lives of individuals of all ages and helps create richer, stronger, more culturally diverse and highly desirable places to live.

Who will use the Guilford Town Green in 2008? We would certainly like to return. So would others. The Committee’s report is an important resource of information which facilitates a decision that balances use, care, and protection of the Green. It is built on facts. It will help you better understand the dialog and become informed.

It is our hope that you will voice your support for the Guilford Art Center Expo to remain on the Green along with other multi-day events.

Thank you,
The Board of Directors
Guilford Art Center

SUPPORT MATERIALS

Who Will Use the Guilford Green in 2008?

Cover Letter - Ad Hoc Committee on Use of the Green

Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations

Traffic Notes for Final Report

Traffic Notes for Merchants

Tents and Stakes

Special Permission Form

Conversation with Electrician