WILMINGTON, MA — At Monday night’s meeting, the Wilmington Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed that it should be the Wilmington Fourth of July Committee – and NOT the Town of Wilmington – to procure and work with the carnival vendor for the Fun on the Fourth celebration.
Historically, the carnival has been the responsibility of the Fourth of July Committee. Last year, however, it was the town — not the Committee — that carried that burden (and reaped its rewards) due to complications with the Zoning Board of Appeals process.
At its August 15 meeting, several Selectmen expressed an interest in exploring the possibility of the town continuing to be responsible for the carnival. The town typically provides overtime for police, fire, public buildings and public works departments in the ballpark of $50,000 for the celebration. Until this summer, the Town never recouped a substantial amount of that expense. With the carnival under its control, however, the Town was able to take in approximately $30,000 from the carnival company.
One of the concerns moving forward, however, is that the Fourth of July Committee relies on the carnival revenue to fund to operate and fund its expenses — both Fun on the Fourth-related (e.g., fireworks, Family Fun Day, etc.) and otherwise (e.g., Town Tree Lighting, equipping the Fourth of July Building, etc.).
After hearing a presentation from Wilmington Fourth of July Committee Chairman Scott Garrant, and with input from Town Manager Jeff Hull, the Selectmen agreed that the best course of action was to revert back to the Fourth of July Committee taking charge of the carnival.
“This is your baby,” Selectman Mike McCoy said to Garrant and many of the Fourth of July Committee members in the audience. “You should run with it. The town should support you to the fullest. You do a fantastic job. And folks should know that they’re all volunteers that get paid zero.”
“If it ain’t broke, let’s not go and try to fix it,” remarked Selectman Mike Champoux. “I hold you and your entire committee in the highest regards for the amount of time, energy and patience you’ve exerted to continue to provide this celebration to our town.”
“I don’t want to get in the way of what you guys do. You guys do it best,” said Selectman Greg Bendel. “The Town should find a way to help fund it and support the committee however we can.”
“I’m in full support of the Fourth of July Committee. It’s a volunteer group that’s second to none. They’ve done an outstanding job,” noted Selectman Kevin Caira. “I’m satisfied with how you’re going to approach it. I just ask that when there’s [leftover] funds available, make a contribution to the town [to help cover some of the $50,000 in personnel costs].”
“I am also prepared to be supportive of returning the carnival to you. It’s something you’ve created. I take no credit for it,” said Selectwoman Chair Judy O’Connell. “There is not enough words to express what you’ve done as a committee for the Town of Wilmington…. I trust [the carnival] is being placed in good hands.”
Caira and O’Connell were both glad the issue was raised last month, as a meaningful dialogue arose and important questions were answered.
Fourth of July Committee Chair Scott Garrant provided Selectmen answers to all their questions, from the group’s non-profit status to its finances to its use of the Fourth of July building.
Garrant pointed out that after the Town’s Annual Tree Lighting, which the Fourth of July Committee organizes, sponsors and underwrites, he anticipates his organization’s reserves will be down to just $5,000. His Committee received zero carnival revenue this summer, while incurring costs of $27,000, primarily for fireworks, family day expenses and rentals.
In fact, his Committee received zero carnival revenue this summer and in 2013 (no carnival), and significantly reduced carnival revenue in 2014 and 2015 (carnival at the Shriners).
“For three of the last four years, we’ve actually operated at a lost. We made a net revenue of just $854 [for the other year],” noted Garrant.
Thankfully, the Committee had been setting a portion of its carnival revenue aside for several years, leading up to 2013, recognizing that the carnival would be displaced as a result of construction of the new Wilmington High School.
Those monies now, however, are nearly all gone, jeopardizing the Committee’s ability to hold the types of events the community has come to expect.
The Fourth of July Committee unanimously voted at its September 13 meeting to apply to the Board of Appeals for the necessary special permit to hold a carnival. The Committee will use an application that is similar in form and substance to the town’s successful one last year. The size of the carnival and its days/hours will likely remain the same to allay some of the concerns of abutters.
Before going to the Board of Appeals, the Committee must go in front of the Planning Board, who will determine if the permit application is materially different from the application that the Committee submitted to the Board of Appeals for this summer’s carnival.
The Committee hopes to do both these things very quickly, likely before the end of the calendar year.
“It’s time to get to work,” said Garrant after the Selectmen went down the line and all signaled their support.
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