The referendum supporting a new agreement between the Grange and the Town of Essex was passed in the November 6 election. Volunteers canvassed nearly every house in the town and sent out flyers explaining why the Grange and the town should continue to work together now and in the future. The Town of Essex owns the building and the Whallonsburg Grange Hall (a 501c3 nonprofit) manages it on behalf of the Town. The Grange has been responsible for raising over $275,000 and organizing hundreds of hours of volunteer help to rebuild and restore the Grange as a center of the community. The Town will continue its valuable role as a partner in this effort and will continue to pay some of the utilities (up to $4,000) and provide basic services that it does for all other town-owned buildings.
Out of the 290 people who voted on the referendum, 78% voted YES! We are grateful to ALL of the people of the Town of Essex, however they voted, who support the Grange through their tax dollars and as volunteers and contributors over the past ten years. And we thank each and every person, wherever you live, who has been a part of this crazy, grand dream to bring back the Grange as a place to gather with friends and neighbors, old and new.