Madawaska town officials will address funding for the town’s recent NoMa Summerfest — an event they projected would cost nearly $90,000 and pledged to fund without tax dollars — during an upcoming Select Board meeting next week.
Until then, they’re not saying how many tickets were sold or if enough has been raised through donations to cover the festival’s expenses, which were at the center of the board’s decision last week to suspend the town manager.
Summerfest was the town’s first-ever such concert and featured Nashville and Maine artists. Officials and residents clashed over its funding, with some fearing taxpayers would have to shoulder some of the costs. Now, nearly three weeks after the Aug. 22 event, leaders still won’t say whether they made enough to cover costs.
The Select Board will take up the matter Tuesday, Chair Renee Deschaine said Wednesday. While the group has convened special and emergency meetings since the event, next week’s session will be its first regular meeting since the festival.
Invoices are still coming in and revenue and expense totals are still being finalized, according to the town’s finance department.
The Bangor Daily News requested ticket sales and donation totals this week under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. Town FOAA officer Denise Duperre acknowledged receipt of the request, but said she was out of the office until next week.
As of Aug. 11, the town had $48,201 in confirmed revenue via sponsorships, tickets and other sources. The event’s total price tag was $89,025.
The funding model also sparked controversy among the Select Board. Members voted Aug. 5 to cap the proposed production budget — originally requested at $58,000 — to $30,000 to hold costs down. That money was used for lighting and audio equipment, technicians and artist needs.
The board voted in an emergency meeting last week to suspend Town Manager David Daigle and begin the process of firing him due to his handling of Summerfest funding. Deschaine read a preliminary resolution to which Daigle has 20 days to respond, after which the town may choose to remove him.
The resolution called the manager’s decision to commit more than $75,000 of town money to the event a blatant disregard for the authority and direction of the board. Daigle’s handling of the event has undermined town employees’ confidence in the town government, the document stated.
Daigle is suspended with pay until the 20 days are up.
The festival featured rising country artist Cody Lohden, Maine-based artist Anthony Todd, rapper The Real Young Swagg, and Ryan Remalia with UnderWay. Town departments and volunteers collaborated.
Some concert proceeds also went to local groups such as Project Graduation. Members of the rec department also sold snacks and beverages at the event to raise money for local youth programs.
The full agenda for the Tuesday meeting was not available Wednesday.