STURBRIDGE - The Harvest Festival is the latest event to earn funding from the Sturbridge Tourist Association, but not before an intense debate on whether that committee decides who runs the autumn staple.
At the May 5 meeting, Chairman Kevin MacConnell asked committee members to consider two proposals, one from Recreation Director Lynne Girouard and the other from Executive Director of the Central Mass. South Chamber of Commerce Alexandra McNitt.
Immediately after that committeeman Dick Vaughn said the move was beyond the board’s mission.
“We have no right to bring people in to propose something that isn’t ours to give them,” Vaughn said. He also took issue with MacConnell soliciting such proposals.
“I have heard for three or four months – and I have disregarded it until I saw this (meeting) agenda – that you, as chairman, have been going around encouraging people and soliciting people to propose things to us and specifically for the Harvest Festival,” Vaughn said. “It’s not your job as chairman to do that.”
In response MacConnell said the committee paid a $6,500 fee to the chamber for last year’s festival.
“I think that my job on this committee is to watch out for the Sturbridge taxpayers. I think residents would like us to at least try and find other bids,” he said.
“We have no authority to do that,” said Vaughn. He noted last year the chamber was invited to take association funds on two stipulations: Non-chamber businesses are allowed to participate in the festival and all profits are returned to the association. Vaughn said the chamber was able to send back $7,100 to the committee.
“It belongs to the Publick House and the Chamber of Commerce. They’ve run it successfully for years,” Vaughn said.
The festival originated with Publick House management. For a number of years both the Publick House and the chamber partnered to operate it. Last year marked the festival’s 20-year anniversary.
MacConnell asked what the chamber would do if the association denied them funding. It would go on, Vaughn said, possibly locking out non-chamber businesses.
“Either the Sturbridge Tourist Association wants to support the Harvest Festival or they don’t,” McNitt said. “We’ll figure something else out.”
Committeewoman Joni Light noted last year was her first as a vendor at the festival, which featured local restaurants and crafters. She said she’d like to see the partnership continue.
“There seemed to be a nice path of collaboration. I don’t want to see that damaged,” she said.
MacConnell reiterated he was concerned the chamber’s bill to the town was higher than it should be.
After debate, the vote was three in favor to award the chamber funds. MacConnell abstained. The committee awarded $14,700 for the festival and ignored Girouard’s proposal.

Concerts on the Common

Residents will again be hearing the sound of music on the common this summer.
Before the Harvest Festival discussion, Girouard appeared before the committee and announced the Concerts on the Common summer series was nearly finalized. She also asked if members would fund additional concerts.
She said the tourist association normally gives between $1,000 to $1,500 for concerts. Last year, 10 concerts were scheduled. The majority of concerts are paid for through the Betterment Fund. One concert, the Heritage String Band, is paid for with a cultural grant.
Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Thursdays throughout the summer. Committee members voted to award $500 for an additional concert in June and another $500 to add a concert in August.