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06/22/2022 08:47 AMThe Board of Finance (BOF) unanimously approved a motion to let voters decide on granting $30,000 from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund toward the Veterans Memorial Hall. The decision will go to a Town Meeting on Wednesday, July 6 to be voted on by town electors.
Several members of the Veterans Memorial Hall organization advocated for the allocation of the $30,000 in ARPA funding at the June 16 BOF meeting, speaking about how the financial and social impact the coronavirus pandemic had on the memorial establishment that has stood in the village of Centerbrook since 1946. Art Davies, president of the veterans club, gave a speech before the BOF to present the clearest picture of the impact of the pandemic on the hall’s standing, its members, and various activities, and the need for ARPA funds as a result.
“The Essex Veterans Memorial Hall was severely affected by the coronavirus. After being allowed to re-open, we were unable to hold fundraisers,” Davies said. “Many of our members have donated their time and money to allow the club to continue and to make improvements for the next generation of veterans to enjoy, but our donations and labor have not been enough to sustain the club.”
Davies mentioned in his speech that in the first quarter of this year, the hall found itself in a deficit exceeding $7,000, and that the requested amount in ARPA funds is the amount that would cover a deficit that would be allowed to grow if the club did not receive financial support.
“I assure that it is only out of the need that we take this embarrassing opportunity to ask for a $30,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan. If we are successful in getting this grant, I am sure that without all the previous restrictions, it would allow us to rebuild our operating and membership funds.”
The club has already planned numerous events for the summer that include at least one fundraising event held in each month of the year. The representative went on to mention the civic activities the club has practiced in the past, such as a small scholarship for children of local veterans, whenever such a grant is financially feasible, as well as supporting the Essex Boy Scouts with a donation of $2,000 a year.
“We are constantly trying to be a good neighbor, lending a hand to Essex residents whenever possible,” Davies said. “We ask you to please consider this request so that we may continue to offer any veteran a friendly place to visit.”
Nina Solinsky, the hall’s bookkeeper for the past five years, emphasized that the ARPA funds granted to the hall would be solely devoted to utilities, and is not intended to go toward additional amenities for events or for payroll. Solinsky said that the club’s infrastructure was still being paid for during its closure to the public as a result of the pandemic, and is the one part of the memorial that must be sustained to keep it open to the public and local veterans.
She mentioned that the club was forced to tap financially into other accounts intended for other purposes at the hall in order to pay utility bills.
“At this point I don’t really see where I could get the money to put back in [the utilities account]—$30,000 is what we spent last year simply on utilities,” Solinsky said. “This is the worst it’s ever been. I’m really nervous that we will not make it to the end of the year.”
Following these remarks, First Selectman Norm Needleman spoke in support of the appropriation of ARPA funds for the hall, and for it to serve as an inclusive space for all American veterans, not just those who served in World War II, for whom the club was originally established
“Times have changed. It was originally set up for World War II veterans, by them, for them, and as things have evolved, we want it to be a vibrant center for veterans,” Needleman said. “With the wars that we’ve gone through recently, it’s got to be a sort of linchpin in reaching out to that group. So I think we wholeheartedly support it.”
Visit chesterct.org for updates on the July 6 Town Meeting time and participation.