SHELTER HOUSE Board plans to charge all groups a rental fee

In 2004, 48 paid and 23 nonpaid events have been in the shelter house.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The days of free rides at the Packard Park Shelter House for nonprofit groups are coming to an end.
The W.D. Packard Music Hall board of trustees want to develop a fee structure for all groups that want to use the structure, which is a popular site for everything from family reunions to council ward meetings.
Frank Tempesta, director of the city's operations department, said the board charges $225 for rental on weekends and holidays and $215 during the week. That amount includes a $50 deposit which is refunded to groups if the hall is clean and undamaged. The fee allows groups use of the building from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Only one event is booked per day.
More requests
The fee has been waived for nonprofit groups, but John Bentz, board president, said the frequency of requests to waive the fee has been increasing. Many nonprofit groups want to use the shelter house annually.
"I'm not in favor of charging one group and waiving the fee for another," Bentz said.
Tempesta said so far this year, 48 paid and 23 nonpaid events have been in the shelter house. The city must pay to heat or air condition the building even when a nonprofit group is using it, he added.
Jim Fogarty, who was sworn in as a new board member Thursday to replace Ray Bagaglia, suggested a discounted rate for nonprofit organizations.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, suggested that nonprofit groups be required to present copies of the information proving that they have nonprofit status to secure the discounted rate.
Bentz believes agreements already made regarding fee waivers should be honored, but he doesn't advocate grandfathering groups in and continuing to waive fees.