Searles Trustees agree to explore partnership with NHC Events for winter weddings

Cheryl Haas, Searles Coordinator, told the Searles School & Chapel Board of Trustees on Sept. 4 that NHC Events had proposed hosting winter weddings and other events at the venue "during the period when their tent is not up" and would handle marketing, bookings, event planning and day-of coordination.

Haas said NHC proposed compensating the town through a rental agreement and suggested the town receive "50% of their venue fee charged to their client." Trustees pressed for more detail on legal coverage, insurance and how the vendor would comply with existing venue regulations.

Trustees discussed operational and scheduling issues, including whether NHC should be limited to a January 1–April 1 rental window and whether rentals should be required to be full-weekend bookings to avoid midweek conflicts with community use. They also noted the venue regulations prohibit a cash bar and asked how alcohol service would be handled under any vendor arrangement.

The board raised practical questions about staffing and on-call coverage during events — who would set up, who would respond to building issues and how building closure and damage inspections would be managed. Trustees said an outside rental agreement could reduce access for Windham residents and asked staff to assess that impact.

Chair Peter Griffin asked for trustees' views; "Consensus was that it was a good idea to explore a possible partnership further," the minutes state. The trustees did not take a formal vote; Haas was asked to request a formal written proposal from NHC that details compensation, schedule access, insurance/indemnification, and operational responsibilities.

The special meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. and adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Minutes were submitted by Secretary Michael Mazalewski.