East Millinocket raising funds for building repairs

EAST MILLINOCKET – With a $127,000 town office and auditorium renovation finished, selectmen are tackling a different job: renovating the building’s downstairs banquet room and entranceway, officials said Tuesday.

The Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 during a meeting Monday to allocate about $1,400 to repair and repave an outdoor walkway to the banquet room. The board also threw its support behind a fundraiser that will help pay for more building upgrades.

Acoustic blues guitarist Mark “Guitar” Miller will perform in the auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday, splitting proceeds to help fund installation of new banquet room restrooms, plumbing, a commercial refrigerator and acoustic tiles. New tiles also will be installed in the auditorium, town Administrative Assistant Shirley Tapley said.

“It’s a great cause. They have done a fantastic job restoring that building so far, and the town of East Millinocket has done a great job supporting us over the years, and we want to perform a service in kind,” said Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce President Chip Lamson, whose organization is helping promote the concert.

Howland Construction Inc. of Houlton won the contract on the job in mid-December 2007. It modernized and is rebuilding the Main Street building’s auditorium, lobby, hardwood floor, stage and balcony areas, putting on a fresh coat of paint in shades of gold and installing new insulation while restoring the building’s historic character.

The suspended ceiling and lights were removed and molding and other woodwork were refinished. An anonymous donor provided 49 theater seats that completed the renovation of the small second-floor balcony overlooking the small stage and open floor.

The multipurpose building has the town clerk and administrative offices, a dance floor and restrooms on the first floor. The town’s recreation department and a banquet room are in the basement. The auditorium is rented for parties, weddings, conferences and other occasions, and the rental fees and other expenses go into town coffers. Karate classes also are held there.

The building opened to almost entirely positive reviews in early May. The renovation account has about $29,000 left over, but officials opted for the fundraiser to help limit costs as much as possible, Tapley said.

“That kind of money doesn’t go that far when you’re doing work like this,” she said.

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Fast facts

WHO: Acoustic blues guitarist Mark “Guitar” Miller.

WHAT: A fundraiser concert.

WHERE: East Millinocket Municipal Building.

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.

WHY: To help pay for renovations to the town office auditorium and downstairs banquet room.

HOW MUCH: Tickets $10 per person at the door. About 300 tickets are available.