Thursday, January 4, 2001 Older Editions

Key fundraising report released, but not to public

By Rebecca Piro

Fundraiser Butcher, Nolan & Briggs explained to the Friends of Andover Seniors on Friday whether it believes it can raise $4 million by July to renovate Will Hall.

But as of Wednesday, Townsman presstime, it was still a mystery as to what went on behind that presentation's closed doors.

"I'm waiting (with) baited breath," said Director of Elder Services Jeanne Madden, who was not at Friday's meeting. "I hope they share it with me."

Madden, who said last Thursday that she did not plan to attend the presentation, had said she did not know where or when the meeting was to take place. Fundraiser Jim Butcher, who was to present the report Friday, also said he did not know the whereabouts of the meeting. Friends President Doreen Correnti did not return several phone calls placed to her by the Townsman. Since Friday, there has been no word from any of them on the fundraiser's report.

The Friends hired Butcher, Nolan & Briggs about two months ago to determine if there is time to raise the remaining funds by July, in accordance with a lease signed with Phillips Academy. The town signed a lease in 1999 with the school to renovate and use the building as a senior center for the next 30 years. Seniors continued efforts to raise money towards their $4 million goal, but less than $1 million has been raised since 1996.

Madden did not know Tuesday whether the Friends planned to withhold the report for an extended period of time. The lack of response to the press could simply be a matter of timing, she suggested. "With the holiday and all, it was (probably) a difficult time to get the word out," she said.

The report is intended to analyze the feasibility of meeting the $4 million goal by July, said fundraiser Jim Butcher last week. The fundraising group conducted about 53 interviews of townspeople, officials, volunteers and potential donors. "You basically ask non-directional questions and encourage them to tell you what they really feel," Butcher said. "This is all done through confidential interviews on a one-on-one process."

Butcher would not comment on the contents of the report. "It's up to (the Friends) if they wish to release (the report) to the public."

In the event that the report reveals a low potential for fundraising, he said only, "Then they have some decisions to make." The seniors are under no obligation to take Butcher, Nolan & Briggs' recommendation, he added.

Selectmen, however, will take that recommendation very seriously, as it is the board's role to decide whether to continue with the Will Hall lease, said Selectmen Chairman Brian Major. Major, who has not seen the report, says he does not want to speculate on its findings. He expects to see the fundraiser's comments in the next couple of weeks.

"The Board of Selectmen is expecting to have a summary (of the report) in the month of January, whether it be at the Jan. 8 meeting or the (Jan.) 22 meeting," said Major.

Will Hall or no Will Hall, the seniors will not be left without options, no matter what the report says, he added.

"It would be an extremely positive thing if the fundraising committee came back and said, 'We feel extremely comfortable with moving forward with Will Hall.' If it can't, then we have other alternatives that are available to us, such as possibly doing something in conjunction with the youth," said Major.

In the event that Will Hall is not feasible, Major has said that he would like to see another wing added to the youth center proposal in West Andover, creating a community center.

"Ultimately, it's going to be important for us to provide the correct facility. Right now, senior services is way undersized. It needs significantly more space," Major said.

Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski had not received a copy of the report as of Wednesday. He said he hopes to receive it by Jan. 16, not only to prepare information for the selectmen, but so he can provide an update to Phillips Academy one month from now as to the state of the fundraising.

"This (report) just gives me a heads up for what kinds of problems, or no problems, I can expect," Stapczynski said. Problems, he said, include a possible difficulty in fundraising, but do not signal the possible termination of the lease. "I hadn't taken it to that extent," he said. "I'm not sure what the report is going to say. I'm optimistic."