In this tough economy, making difficult choices when it comes to putting a budget together is something most every household can relate to. It has been a rough few years in northern Maine, and the outlook is not likely to feature a quick turnaround.
Therefore, school districts and municipalities are struggling mightily when it comes time to put a budget together. Every new purchase must go under a microscope to see if it is necessary, while new revenue streams need to be identified.
And even once a budget is completed, the job is not done as new and unexpected purchases are bound to crop up, just as they do in everyone’s household.
The Houlton Town Council is currently mulling whether to purchase a piece of land from Temple Theatre owner Mike Hurley of Belfast. The sale is something that the theatre owner and town officials have discussed off and on for at least the past two years, but nothing concrete had ever materialized.
At a March 24 town council meeting, Town Manager Eugene Conlogue presented a plan for the town to purchase the parking lot more commonly referred to as the “Key Bank” parking lot for $91,000. That figure came from an independent third-party appraisal.
It was stated that funds for the purchase would come from money sitting in the town’s Downtown TIF account, so no new tax dollars would be used.
Change is needed at the Houlton theatre as the movie industry has shifted away from producing 35 mm film in favor of digital systems. From the moviemaker’s standpoint, the change made perfect sense. Why continue producing movies on celluloid film that can become damaged or deteriorate when they can be stored on a hard drive and shipped at a fraction of the cost?
How many people still use VCRs or 35mm film cameras? I have a couple of cameras sitting on a bookshelf at home and another at the office, but displaying them for nostalgia is about all they are good for these days. Meanwhile, the VCR and boxes of movies on tape acquired back in the days of Columbia House Movie Clubs are stored away in the basement, likely never to see the light of day again.
The Temple Theatre is in a similar situation. Eventually, sooner rather than later, movies will simply no longer be put on film. What happens then? Unless the theatre converts, there will be yet another iconic empty building in our downtown.
Some may question why the town would spend money to aide in a local business. It’s a valid concern. But something else to consider is that the theatre owner is not simply selling the parking lot to pocket a quick buck. The money received from the sale is going to be reinvested into the Temple Theatre to ensure movies will remain a part of Houlton for many years to come.
Where would the town be without its movie theatre? People already complain there is nothing to do in the town. Taking away yet another form of entertainment doesn’t seem to be a step in the right direction.
Other theatres around the state and the nation have looked to their communities to help keep them open. Some have done fundraisers, while other have sought tax breaks to free up needed cash to purchase the digital projector systems.
The council will revisit the parking lot proposal at its next regular meeting, scheduled for Monday, April 14 at 6 p.m. Members of the public are allowed to speak during the public comments portion held at the beginning of every meeting.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. His opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect that of the newspaper. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.
