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Debate over $1-a-year lease for Onancock Main Street space puts council on edge; lease returned for edits
Summary
Supporters urged council to approve a lease of 38 Market Street to Onancock Main Street while some councilors and residents questioned a proposed $1-per-year, three‑year term and free utilities; council directed staff to return the edited lease for a future vote.
Council opened a public hearing for a proposed lease of 38 Market Street to Onancock Main Street (OMS). Lisa Ficki, who identified herself as representing OMS and said the board and counsel had reviewed the draft, described the lease as "approved language" among the parties and asked the council to consider a single drafting change to correct the lease term language.
Several business owners and residents spoke in support of Main Street. Margie Labadee said, "I support the Onancock Main Street, and I hope that you'll renew the lease," and John Morrison of Mallard's Restaurant said Main Street's marketing work had produced substantial upticks in revenue for his business. Supporters argued the organization's activity had led to private investment downtown.
Other residents raised concerns about the lease's value to the town. Priscilla Hart questioned the $1-per-year arrangement and the breadth of space included, saying the visitor center suite comprised roughly half the building including a conference room and utilities; she said, "I don't see how a dollar a year lease is amenable to anybody." Several council members pressed staff on the lease's terms: whether the town or OMS would pay utilities, whether separate meters could be installed, whether OMS could sublet conference space, the practicality of a three-year rent-free term and whether the town attorney had formally approved the final text.
Town staff confirmed Lisa Ficki drafted the lease, that Town Manager Matt Spuck and town attorneys reviewed it, and that staff would return the corrected document for a formal vote at the next meeting. Councilors asked for the town attorney's thread of review to be provided and for staff to check boilerplate clauses (for example, a clause allowing 30 days to cure alleged illegal activity) before the council finalizes any approval.
Because council members asked for revisions and more documentation (attorney review, corrected typographical errors, clearer language about utilities and subletting), the council did not vote and scheduled the lease as an action item for the next meeting.
