In reaction to some incidents that have left the village facility dirty or damaged, the Bristol Village Board Monday approved adding a security deposit to the requirements for renting the Village Hall meeting room.
Renting the hall will now cost $100 with a $200 security deposit. That deposit will be returned to renters that leave the room in good order.
The hall also will only be rented to Bristol residents with the expectation that the resident will be attending the event, the new procedures state.
Village Clerk Amy Klemko reported the village has had instances of the hall being rented by residents, but then the residents do not attend the event. Some of these instances have resulted in parties that have violated rules such as no amplified music and have had to be broken up by sheriff’s deputies. Other events have left bathrooms or the hall a mess.
For about the last four years, residents using the hall have had to pay a $100 fee with no security deposit.
“It’s just sad that it has to be done at all,” Klemko said.
Board members in favor of the security deposit said they hope it might serve as a deterrent to leaving the hall damaged or dirty and if not, then the money could be used for outside cleaning services.
The measure including the security deposit and resident attendance expectation passed 4-1, with Trustee Ruth Atwood voting against.
Atwood wanted to see a higher fee and perhaps a better way of assuring the hall is rented only to residents who will also attend.
“I think we should up our rental price,” Atwood said.
