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Council grants Cumberland Education Foundation 50% discount for Lodge events
Summary
The Cumberland Town Council approved a 50% discount for the Cumberland Education Foundation’s rental of the Lodge at Diamond Hill after board members described the foundation’s grant and scholarship work. Council limited the relief to a case-by-case framework and tied the discount to the facility’s seasonal rates.
The Cumberland Town Council voted March 18 to give the Cumberland Education Foundation a 50% discount on rental fees for the Lodge at Diamond Hill, after the foundation’s leaders described years of grants and scholarships that support local students and teachers.
Rosemary Riley Shamat, who identified herself as chair of the foundation, told the council the nonprofit formed in 2016 to “strengthen the connection between the community and the public schools” and that the group has awarded grants and scholarships funded by community fundraising. Board member John Marquet said the foundation has “granted out a little over $57,000 to teachers” and “given scholarships to the tune of a little over $16,000” and asked the council to consider fee relief so more fundraising proceeds go directly to students and classrooms.
Councilors debated whether to offer a blanket waiver for all local nonprofits or handle requests individually. The town solicitor explained the lodge has seasonally different rates and that a blanket waiver could produce inconsistent results depending on prime vs. nonprime months. The solicitor noted prime months include April, May, June, September and October, and that the published April weekend rate would be $1,800 while Monday–Thursday prime rates would be $1,200.
Council President Kinchin amended a pending motion to grant the Cumberland Education Foundation a 50% discount that would apply to whatever rate corresponds to the chosen date, prime or nonprime. The amendment passed by voice vote. Afterward, council members emphasized the council had not created a blanket townwide policy change and said future requests from larger nonprofits that pay salaries may be treated differently.
The vote gives the foundation reduced access for an upcoming community event planned for April or May and leaves open whether the council will revisit the town’s rental-fee ordinance later. The foundation said it will return with a date once plans are finalized.
