SOUTH HADLEY — Following a heated discussion Tuesday, the Select Board opted not to take action on a $1,500 request to help fund lighting on the Town Common for the holiday season.
The request came from Dale Johnston, executive director of the South Hadley & Granby Chamber of Commerce. In a letter, the chamber asked the board and Town Administrator Michael Sullivan to consider spending $1,500 for the light display.
Johnston, who appeared before the board Tuesday, said that multiple trees were removed from the Common and the electricity connection had been interrupted, which may cause difficulties for the annual display.
Johnson maintained that the request was not for a donation, but Sullivan disagreed.
“Mr. Johnston will argue he is not asking for a donation, in fact, he is. He is asking the town to appropriate $1,500 to be used for lighting on the Commons,” Sullivan said. “That is what is being requested here.”
Following Johnston’s explanation of potential issues with trees, Select Board Chairman John Hine asked for clarification on what exactly was being asked of the board.
Johnston responded by asking if the town would be willing to put in a temporary pole and fix connectivity issues. The board did not act on the request.
Speaking more broadly, Hine asked the board to consider the town’s policy in donating to a nonprofit.
Board member Francis DeToma said as much as he would like to see lights up on the Common for the winter season, the request did raise a larger issue.
“It would set a precedent,” DeToma said. “There are a number of reasons why I think we need to go a little more slowly. Sorry to say that — Dale is a good friend and the Chamber does a lot of good things for the town.”
Select Board member Ira Brezinsky characterized the situation as “the result of a fairly poorly crafted letter with good intentions.”
“I personally just want to leave it at that and figure out (tonight) if there is a way for the town to help to ensure that the Chamber can run the lights and pay for them the way they’ve done in the past,” Brezinsky said.
Later in the discussion, Brezinsky clarified that he was not suggesting the town spend money to remedy the situation.
It is unclear how the board’s decision will affect the annual event. A call to Johnston Wednesday was not immediately returned.
The 28th annual Holiday Stroll hosted by the South Hadley & Granby Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2. The event begins around 5:45 p.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m. The Michael E. Smith Middle School Choir is expected to light the holiday tree at 6 p.m.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com