The West Windsor Arts Council has taken another step towards having a permanent home. Five years after discussions began, the group and the township have agreed on a memorandum of understanding that will help to get the group into its desired location in the former Princeton Junction Firehouse on Alexander Road.
The memorandum was drafted at a council meeting in August, but was amended on Monday, September 18 to clarify that the agreement is non-binding. The agreement states that the township will be responsible for bringing the building up to code, and the Arts Council will be responsible for turning it into a working Arts Center.
It was made clear by both parties that use of the building is a long way off. Although the township had set aside $50,000 for improvements to the building last year, the entire amount had to be used for the unexpected cost of replacing the roof. The next step is hiring an architect to assess the cost of bringing the building up to code.
Several members of the public made comment questioning the township’s decision to enter into a financial commitment when the cost of its renovations to the firehouse is not known. “This would be like handing over a blank signed check,” said Bob Akins of 32 Windsor Drive.
In response to these concerns, council approved addition of a clause deeming that the agreement is “subject to determination of financial feasibility,” at the suggestion of Township attorney Michael J. Herbert.
Said Herbert: “There is no binding effect. The township isn’t buying a pig in the poke.”
Julia Rhodes, of 31 Scott Avenue, read a letter (see page 2) that highlighted the concerns of the Berrien City Neighborhood Association. Rhodes stated that the group believes the Memorandum of Understanding to be too general, and said, “we would like the memorandum to specify that small community groups such as book clubs, language study groups, garden clubs, and neighborhood associations may continue to meet free of charge at the firehouse just as they have throughout its history and as they do now at the library, the senior center, and the municipal building.”
Council adopted the sentence verbatim into the memorandum, and it was approved by a unanimous vote. Arts Council executive director Eduardo Garcia said he approved of the changes, and reserved the right to return with amendments pending a meeting with the board of the Arts Council.
