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2009 Report of the Trustees of the Stetson School Fund
This year marked the completion of the rehabilitation of Stetson Hall, and its return to active service to the community.
After many months of construction and negotiations the Trustees received the keys to Stetson Hall at the end of January. Though work by the Construction Committee would continue for the next several months, the first of our office tenants, the law firm of George and George commenced their tenure at the beginning of February. They were soon followed in the spring by William O’Hara, CPA, and later in the summer by attorney Shenia M. Dancey. At this time, one office remains, which the Trustees are using for offices for both the Stetson Trustees and the Historical Commission, and as Rental Classroom, Rehearsal Room for performance artists, and as a Meeting Room.
The early months were dogged by fiscal difficulties brought on by an improperly adjusted HVAC system that caused the heating system to run constantly, consuming excessive amounts of fuel and electricity. This resulted in the Trustees being tasked with over $6000 in expenses from the Construction Phase of the Project. The Trustees also did not receive the training in all building systems specified in the construction contract, which has hindered our ability to diagnose and resolve problems quickly. We have been working hard all year long to educate ourselves in these systems, and have been reviewing other conditions affecting the building, and resolving them. Funds were expended that we had hoped to apply to the hiring of a Development Manager to help us attract rentals and performance artists in our dual efforts to make Stetson Hall
self supporting, and develop it as Community and Regional Center for the Arts. We are working towards getting a Development Manager in 2010.
The absence of a Development Manager did not mean that the Hall sat idle. The first performances were those of the Randolph Community Theater, who performed three productions during the spring, summer and fall months, with four planned for 2010. April saw the choirs of several local churches performing their Easter Cantata. May brought the arrival of the big band sound of the Old Kids on the Block, and the Randolph High School Art Show. In October we had a Youth Festival, and overtures for some public/private partnerships for program development. Contacts with several organizations indicate that there will be an increasing number of arts events in 2010.
In addition to the cultural events, several groups rented the hall, beginning with the Randolph Chamber of Commerce “Best Taste of Randolph”, and the Stetson High School Grand Reunion in May. As the year drew to a close, the Hall witnessed the end of the Town Meeting era with a special ceremonial Town Meeting that commemorated the past and looked to the future. Our first wedding in Stetson Hall since 1954 took place on New Year’s Eve, and three more have already been booked for the coming year. Contacts with a specialty event planner from our town offer the promise of increasing visibility of our beautiful building locally, regionally, and with potential national exposure.
While the restoration of the Hall has been completed, finishing details remain to be addressed in the coming year, including the installation of the c.1893 chandeliers in the Hall, and the installation of red velvet drapes in the Hall to match the stage curtain. Bugs still are working their way out of the heating and air conditioning systems, and the elevator has had occasional malfunctions requiring servicing.
During the past year, several people and departments helped the Trustees bring the Hall into active service, and keep us on track. We thank Collins Construction and Sub-Contractors, and members of the Construction Committee for their diligence in administering the construction project and bringing it to completion. Thanks also go to Walter Hess and Save Stetson Hall “Gardens” committee for their contributions of plantings and other improvements and enhancements to our newly refurbished building. Thanks also go to the Stetson High Reunion Grand Reunion for raising approximately $8000 towards the completion of the reproduction c.1893 electric chandeliers. We thank the DPW for their ongoing efforts to keep our parking areas free of snow and ice, permitting our tenants to do business, and our visitors and rentals to do so in
safety. We thank the Accounting Department for providing assistance and guidance in getting our fiscal operations on a sound business footing. Finally we thank Executive Secretary David Murphy for his encouragement, his ideas, and his challenges aimed at making us strive to succeed in our goals.
The Trustees look forward to working with our Town Manager and Town Council as we continue our efforts to build up programming and complete the functional and decorative enhancements to the Hall. We continue to welcome the ideas, constructive criticisms, and offers of assistance from our fellow citizens. We remind you that Mr. Stetson gave the building to the People of Randolph for their use and enjoyment, and the conduct of their Public Business. These are the guiding principals for the Trustees, and we are determined to strive to do right by the people of Randolph, and realize the goal of becoming the cultural crossroads of the South Shore. With your help and support, we will succeed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Henry M. Cooke IV, Chairman
Joseph A. Mulligan, Jr., Vice Chair
Ira E. Greene, Clerk
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