The letter from Mike Baxter in the West Windsor-Plainsboro News of August 27 regarding the West Windsor Arts Council (WWAC) and the Princeton Junction firehouse demonstrates not only a lack of knowledge about the WWAC, but also contains numerous misstatements of fact that should be corrected.
First, he should understand that the West Windsor Arts Council (WWAC) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation registered with the Internal Revenue Service. As such, it is supported almost entirely by voluntary contributions by individuals, businesses, and foundations. The only other sources of funds open to such nonprofits are grants from state, county, and local governments for special purposes when applied for. The WWAC has not received any such grant from West Windsor Township, nor has it ever requested one.
Referring to Mr. Baxter’s numbered points, here are the facts:
1. The financial agreement between WWAC and the developer of Nassau Park is based on a specific requirement that WWAC conduct a program of live performances and other public activities each year at the Nassau Park Pavilion site. These programs have become very popular and have been presented regularly for the past six years. The agreement between WWAC and the developer of Nassau Park has absolutely no effect on the amount of taxes paid by the developer.
2. Employees of the WWAC are now and will always be paid by the WWAC itself. No salary or benefits for WWAC employees are or have ever been paid for by West Windsor Township. This fact can be verified by any resident who makes a formal request at township hall.
3. Compensation of its employees is determined by the WWAC Board of Directors. In the case of the present Executive Director, WWAC is extremely fortunate to have the part-time services of a professional with over 30 years experience in directing the affairs of similar nonprofit organizations. His salary is consistent with that of others of similar experience and responsibility in the State of New Jersey, and he is paid solely with WWAC funds.
4. WWAC was formed by volunteers nine years ago in response to the township administration’s decision to use the partially abandoned firehouse as an arts center. Before that decision, there was no Arts Council.
5. There are many examples of in-kind support of nonprofit groups by local governments in New Jersey and throughout the country. While the WWAC has received no such formal support from the township, any difference between the rent WWAC will pay and the township’s utilities costs will be treated as such a contribution toward providing the township with desirable and valuable programs and services.
The money spent by the township for renovations would have been spent whether or not the WWAC ever occupied any portion of the building. As it is, WWAC will occupy about 60 percent of the building, and the township will continue to occupy the other 40 percent, where it houses emergency vehicles that must be kept indoors in a heated space and for which there is no alternative.
When the building was abandoned by the fire company, it was in such poor condition it could not be occupied legally by anyone, including the township. The money spent to date has been mainly to repair seriously deteriorated structural features and utility systems and to bring the building up to legally required code specifications. The $300,000 portion spent on specific WWAC-related work has been paid for by WWAC with its own funds.
6. Though the WWAC was started by volunteers, once the organization took shape and became a nonprofit corporation, its administration was clearly beyond the scope of those volunteers alone. There was an obvious need for professional guidance to make sure the organization and its programs were being run efficiently and according to good practice. That is why a part-time executive director was hired.
After WWAC is well established in the firehouse, there will be the need for a full-time person in that position, and the present part-time employee will leave. The need for professional help in such positions is well established throughout the country, and should come as no surprise to anyone. As has always been the case, all salaries and benefits of WWAC employees will be paid by WWAC itself. No township funds are involved.
7. WWAC is well aware of potential pedestrian safety problems in the area of the Wallace Road parking lot and the intersection of Wallace and Alexander Roads. It is working with the WW Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance to formulate a safety plan for the area.
8. All nonprofit organizations raise funds from the private and public sectors to help address their mission whether it be social services, humanities, health, or the arts. Raising funds in the present economic environment is challenging, and to suggest that the WWAC board and its members “are well positioned to pay for it themselves” is a badly flawed assumption.
9. The WWAC has already used a number of “existing space” locations, including Nassau Park Pavilion, the West Windsor Library, the West Windsor Senior Center, and two different school auditoriums. It was determined some years ago that because of scheduling conflicts, cost, and the broad program offered by WWAC, the use of school facilities on a regular basis was not possible.
In addition to the above points mentioned by Mr. Baxter, he should be aware that the WWAC prepares and files not only the legally required annual financial statements (990 forms), but monthly ones as well for its own use. Anyone may view our 990 forms filed with the IRS in the reference section of the West Windsor Library.
We hope that Mr. Baxter and others will now be better informed on the true facts about the WWAC operation.
Richard S. Snedeker
WWAC Board Member
