Theater repair on agenda for Pittsfield council

PITTSFIELD – Town councilors will vote Tuesday on an emergency appropriation to stabilize the roof of the Pittsfield Community Theater.

Because of compromised steel roof beams, inadequate trusses and years of water damage, the theater was closed last week after a report from the James W. Sewall Co. concluded it was unsafe.

Town officials will have a firm estimate of the cost of repairs at the Tuesday meeting.

Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said, “Three recommendations were made to do this stabilization work – repairs to bearing plates, steel beam rehabilitation and wood truss upgrade.” She said the projected cost was $62,000.

“The theater is an amazing asset for the town and one that we do not want to lose. In some aspects, it is like the Pinnacle [ski slope],” she said. “When you go there, it is as though you are transported back to a simpler time. The decor and the history in the theater cannot be copied in a different location. As it is a part of the community and the citizens’ lives, as well as a regional asset, we are committed in reopening and restoring in the future.”

Meanwhile, Theater Manager Donna Dunphy is investigating the possibility of moving the theater operations to another building, and is checking to see if town permits and licenses can be transferred to another site.

Also on Tuesday, the council will continue working on the 2009 budget. The $2.8 million proposed 2009 budget contains “no plan for growth, no new development and no enhancement,” Ruth said.

But it also doesn’t contain a tax increase, she added.

The council already has held several budget workshops and will hold another after regular business Tuesday, but no changes have been made to the draft budget. It is proposed at $2,874,006, which is $79,919 or 2 percent higher than 2008.

“While expenses are up,” Ruth said, “at least preliminarily, sufficient revenue sources were identified.”

The individual budgets to be reviewed Tuesday include recreation, library, theater, airport and community service agencies.

The council also will vote on:

. The transfer of unexpended funds to cover overextended departments.

. Accepting the proposal of Kleinschmidt Associates for design work and bidding assistance for the Pittsfield Public Library expansion project.

The council also will hold its annual evaluation of the town manager.

bdnpittsfield@verizon.net

487-3187