Wentworth sets rules and fees for renovated school facility, approves appliances and IT upgrades

Wentworth Town Council on Jan. 6 adopted a facilities-use agreement and rules for the Wentworth Consolidated School, setting rental rates and operational requirements for the gym, event room and smaller classrooms. Council approved a $150 refundable security deposit for large event rentals, a $400 four-hour rental fee for residents ($500 nonresidents), and a $10 add-on fee to allow use of the facility kitchen refrigerator/freezer for booked events.

Council members added several operational rules: no tobacco use on the premises, no baseball or softball practice inside the gym, a prohibition on dunking that might damage equipment, and limits on types of footwear allowed on the gym floor. The council also required that groups of more than 30 people that serve alcohol obtain an approved server/bartender and comply with state ABC permit rules; the council removed a standing requirement in the draft that would have required off-duty sheriff’s deputies for every event with alcohol, leaving security needs to be assessed case by case.

On capital purchasing, the council approved combined purchase of a reach-in refrigerator and freezer for the school for $7,200 and authorized replacement of several town computers (quote $3,698) and a managed IT services contract (Noctum Solutions) at $313.60 per month. The purchases were funded through a budget amendment that reallocated existing general fund lines; staff said the purchases would be placed once floors and final building work are complete.

Council also approved merit increases already included in the FY 2025–26 budget: a 3% increase for deputy clerk/accounting clerk Hunter Wilson and a 3% increase for town clerk/finance officer Yvonne Russell. The council discussed cleaning procedures and deposit forfeiture for messes left after rentals, and staff said they will revisit rental rates and operational details after several months of experience.