By Katie Wagner, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — The township recently sent the Montgomery Center for the Arts a notice of eviction from the 1860 House that the center has been leasing from the township for more than a decade.
”The Montgomery Center for the Arts has failed to provide necessary proof that they are in compliance with their lease beyond Nov. 16 and that proof is insurance coverage,” said Township Administrator Donato Nieman.
The nonprofit organization which once offered a variety of art classes, summer camps, studio space for artists, exhibitions, performances, lectures, poetry readings and special events at the 1860 House has been inactive since December, about a month after 13 members of the former center’s board resigned.
At the time of these resignations, Emily Logue, former program director for the center, stated that she was determined to salvage the organization and was working with Linda LeBoeuf, a former instructor for the center, to establish a new board of trustees for the organization.
According to Mr. Nieman, Ms. Logue recently claimed in an e-mail that the center continues to pay for insurance coverage for the 1860 House.
Mr. Nieman added that the township responded, “Provide us with the information,” but has not received a response.
Ms. Logue did not return e-mails or phone calls Friday and Monday.
Township Committee members have mentioned the high costs of maintaining the 1860 House during recent Township Committee meetings.
Selling the house in a public auction, mothballing it or using it for recreation are informal proposals Township Committee members have made regarding the building.
