Edmond Town Hall Board Reviews Budget, Celebrates Strong Event Attendance

NEWTOWN, CT —The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers on Nov. 11 approved a revised operating budget and heard updates on strong fall event attendance, new bookings and facility projects during a meeting highlighted by reports of growing revenue and increased community engagement.

Chair Jennifer Guman called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m., with five board members present and one participating by phone. No public comments were made.

Board Approves Updated Budget

Business Manager Lauren DiMartino presented Version 3 of the proposed 2026–27 budget, outlining changes made since previous drafts and detailing updated projections across revenue and expense categories.

After discussion, the board approved Version 4 of the budget unanimously.

DiMartino also reported that Edmond Town Hall received a $5,695 operational grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

Strong Attendance and Revenue Growth

Executive Director Gary Lindemann reported a series of sold-out shows, including Wally Lamb: In Conversation, The Grand Kiev Ballet and Mike DelGuidice, bringing nearly 1,400 people to the building in one weekend.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show weekend also sold out, and Stella Blues Band generated one of the year’s strongest bar revenue nights.

Lindemann noted several new bookings for 2026 — including North County Band, Uptown Funk, Ledbetters, Super Unknown and a Dave Matthews tribute band— and highlighted rapidly growing demand; comedian Tig Notaro became the venue’s fastest seller with 478 tickets purchased in under one week.

Membership continues to expand, with 37 new members in November, bringing the total to 76 and generating $11,475 to date.

Operations and Building Updates

Operations Manager Anthony Sartori reported ongoing inspections and project work, including a large electrical report under review, a hazardous materials inspection scheduled for mid-November, and work underway on structural assessments related to theater HVAC systems.

Concession stand upgrades, painting throughout the building and installation of short-throw projectors are progressing, he said. Gym floor repairs are expected to occur the week of Christmas.

Repairs to several radiator thermostats and efforts to address deterioration at the front doors are also in progress. The Department of Transportation is reviewing issues related to the building’s front parking lot.

Financial Performance Above Expectations

In her business report, DiMartino told the board that total revenue through Sept. 30 reached $589,572, or 51 percent of the annual budget, just three months into the fiscal year.

Live events and commercial-kitchen programming exceeded expectations.

Expenses totaled $441,522, or 33 percent of budget, and Edmond Town Hall posted a positive year-to-date net profit of $148,049, despite a full-year budgeted loss driven largely by mandated health insurance costs.

Upcoming efforts include expanding sponsorship outreach and participating in the Community Center’s Sip & Shop event, where gift certificates and event tickets will be available.

The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.