Nutmeg TV Moves to Farmington

In December 2010, Nutmeg Public Access Television, Inc. moved from Plainville to Farmington. According to Executive Director Joanie McCauley, the move was prompted because remaining in Plainville would have put Nutmeg TV in a poor financial situation.

“We own the building we’re in now,” McCauley said. “Our mortgage is $2,000.00 less a month than our lease was in Plainville.”

McCauley went on to say that Nutmeg TV was under a triple net lease, meaning they were also responsible for everything from heating and air conditioning to water, sewer and $18,000 a year in real estate taxes because they did not own the building. One year before Nutmeg’s lease was up, the Board of Directors developed a committee and they started looking for property.

The Economic Development in Plainville worked hard to find Nutmeg TV a location there but it was unsuccessful. McCauley said they had enjoyed being in Plainville but Nutmeg needed to be more self sustaining. The non-profit organization is funded by subscribers so by spending less on maintaining the business, more funds could be used to give back to the people.

The committee realized that the location they needed would have to be a clear span of space. They wanted an open area to accommodate cameras, as well as space for offices, studio space for presentations, and a large reception area. They also wanted a kitchen where employees could go to enjoy a quiet lunch and not have to eat at their desks.

It took the committee a year to find and secure an 8,300 square foot location at 9 Eastview Drive in Farmington. Nutmeg had been functioning in a leased 5,500 square foot building in Plainville.        

“It was a challenge to turn the 8,300 square foot space into what we needed,” said McCauley. “We sent out requests for proposals.”

Although quite a few proposals came in, the winner was Bartlett, Brainard, Eacott from Bloomfield. BBE had built Gampel Pavilion and was doing work at Hartford Stage Co. They were chosen because of their construction management approach. McCauley said that Nutmeg knew every move that was being made regarding work on their site.

BBE was also involved in taking down the Aetna Building in Middletown. Acting as middle man between Nutmeg and Aetna, representatives from BBE, along with McCauley, the Nutmeg TV Board of Directors building Committee and Paul Fiedler, Technical Operations Manager & Master Control Supervisor, did a walk-through at the Aetna Building to ascertain what could be used in the new Nutmeg TV site. BBE then brought everything that was chosen to the new location. BBE then began to install lights, furniture and fixtures.

There are still many items that have not been set in place at Nutmeg but, as McCauley said, “We can add more in the future and it will be Nutmeg’s.”

Nutmeg TV now has more space to offer to the public. There are two studios, several edit suites, and a Green Room. Everything is handicap accessible and there is plenty of free parking.

Nutmeg TV is regulated by the DPUC. In the transition from the site in Plainville to the new site in Farmington, the station was not down for any time. Because of receiving a grant for a new piece of equipment, Nutmeg now also has On Demand and Live Streaming.

The station is maintained by a staff of five individuals. Executive Director Joanie McCauley, Technical Operations Manager & Master Control Supervisor Paul Fiedler, Production Operations Manager Tom Naclerio, Financial & Human Resources Manager Deborah Rycki, and Programming Administrator Noreen Zurell.

“It takes a team to run a business,” McCauley said. “Without Paul Fiedler, who was instrumental in what was done here, the staff and the Board support, this move could never have happened.

Nutmeg TV serves the cities and towns of Avon, Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, Farmington, New Britain, and Plainville. Since 1990 it has been an independent, non profit corporation. They offer a free training program, technical assistance and support, and offer viewers the opportunity to produce their own show. To reach Nutmeg TV, call 860 321-7405, or fax 860 321-7530.

“We’re open for business,” said McCauley. “This station is here, at no charge, for the communities we serve.”