If we get the green light, we will post all updates and progress reports on the station's MontagueTV.org website. Anyone who wants to sign up will be asked to do so there.
The EDIC met last night to discuss the MCCI proposal to purchase the property containing the old Cumberland Farms building at the corner of Avenue A and 2nd Street in Turners Falls.
After a brief intro and overview of what our plans were, I suggested that their time with me (as a representative of MCCI presenting the proposal) would best be spent asking questions and discussing the proposal's details.
The Q&A period was congenial, informative, and illuminating. They still had some questions about our construction costs (ie; we forgot to include the price of insulation) and heating options, of which we have to get back to them.
Although the EDIC hasn't made an offer to MCCI for the building yet, it appears the four-person Commission is generally in favor of offering the building to us. We should note that the current chair, Andy Killean (sp?) is leaving the board as of June 1st, and Roy Rosenblatt and our own Town Planner Walter Ramsey will be joining the board next week. So, for about a week or so the EDIC will be a six-member Commission.
Also of note is the fact that the building on the lot is still under an Order from the Town Building Inspector for mold remediation. If the EDIC doesn't offer us the building soon, they will have to go to the Town and ask for the money (which Town Meeting approved) to remediate the mold. They have an estimate of about $14,000 I believe.
So, the timing on all this is pretty tight. They have to make a decision about what they intend to do with the building within the next week or so and then act on it.
They plan on having another meeting soon, hopefully next week. I'll keep everyone in the loop, and if we have enough leeway, try to have it broadcast, or at least recorded.
THIS WILL BE THE TIME for those who are interested in the health of the town's public access station to step up and either join the board, or, if we do get the property, sign up as a volunteer to help with the gutting and rebuilding of the new station.
Thanks Art. Hopefully the EDIC will make a decision in our favor tonight. I wish it was going to be aired, but the meeting was confirmed too late to schedule for broadcast.
Mic: I can't be at the meeting but I am behind you all the way on the Cumby bldg.and you can tell them that at the meeting. I voted for it at the town meeting and I'm with you tonight. I would be at the meeting but ill health has caught up with me. I just want you to know that all of the work that you do for our community is appreciated. Art Gilmore
If you're interested in the outcome of the MCTV proposal to the EDIC to build the Grand Trunk Media and Cultural Center at the former Cumberland Farms site in Turners Falls, please come to the Montague Town Hall tomorrow at 5:30 to witness and support. This will likely be the final meeting on the subject.