Terms & Conditions

for Rental of

Saint Michael Parish Center

Effective February 26, 2004

90 Concord Road

Bedford, Massachusetts  01730

Rental Coordinator Phone: 781-275-6318

Fax: 781-271-9879

E-mail:

 

GENERAL:

 

The Parish Center is a smoke free building primarily used by the Parish Community of  Saint Michael Church. The Parish Calendar is set by the Pastor or his designee and the  Parish Administration Office each year prior to the start of the Parish Administrative Year, which begins in September. After programmatic needs of parish activities are scheduled, the calendar will be open for consideration of applications by other groups consistent with the Parish Center Charter and in the order in which they are received. References may be required at the time of rental application.

 

The terms and conditions, payment terms, and capacity limitations for renting St. Michael Parish Center are shown below.  These terms apply to both parishioners and non-parishioners alike.  All outside support services, including catering, police and fire department personnel when required, are the responsibility of the renting party and are not part of this agreement.

 

Space available for rental:

 

The Parish Center is air-conditioned and fully handicapped accessible.  Available rental space includes the Parish Hall, a “Catering” Kitchen, one Triple Meeting Room, and five single Meeting Rooms. The Library and Conference Room can be made available for rental at the discretion of the parish.

 

Parish Hall

·         Capacities:

o        “Banquet Style” - 250 Maximum (seated at tables)

o        “Theater Style”  - 500 Maximum (seated, no tables)

o        Maximum number (standing) allowed in the hall, per Fire Dept regulation - 600

·         Small, slightly elevated stage area is part of Hall

·         Sound system integrated into Hall

·         Main access is via Parish Center Main Lobby

·         Parish Hall rental may be with, or without, Kitchen rental

 

Kitchen

“Caterer’s kitchen” - Supports serving of already prepared foods (e.g., foods prepared by a caterer)

Equipment:

·         Institutional-size range

·         Institutional-size refrigerator and freezer

·         Double conventional ovens

·         Microwave oven

·         Dishwasher

·         Ample counter area

·         Direct access to hall

·         “Caterer’s entrance” in back

 

Meeting Rooms:

·         Triple Meeting Room (convertible to 3 smaller meeting rooms)

o        Capacities (as triple meeting room):

§         “Theater Style” - 48 maximum (seated, no tables)

§         Round Tables - 40 maximum (5 round tables/8 chairs per table)

§         Rectangular tables – 48 (6 rectangular tables/8 chairs per table)

o        Capacity (each individual room of the triple meeting room):

§         “Theater Style” – 16 maximum (seated, no tables)

§         Rectangular tables – 16 (2 rectangular tables/8 chairs per table)

·         Five Individual Meeting Rooms (in addition to Triple Meeting Room)

o        Capacities

§         “Theater Style” – 16 maximum (seated, no tables)

§         Round table – 8 (1 round table/8 chairs per table)

§         Rectangular tables - 12 (2 rectangular tables/6 chairs per table)

·         Conference Room

o        Capacity – 8, seated around fixed conference table

o        Equipped with white board, bulletin board

·         Library:

o        Capacity – 10, seated around fixed conference table

o        Available to St. Michael parishioners for reading and for pursuit of a deeper understanding of our Christian faith

o        Provides comfortable setting within the library for bereavement counseling

 

Supporting Material:

 

Audio/Visual Equipment:

Parish Audio/Visual equipment and musical instruments are not included in the room rental agreements. However, use of the sound system integrated into the Parish Hall will be considered to be included in the Hall agreement. Setup of this system is the responsibility of the Parish Center custodian.

Use of the Center’s telephone jacks for computer communications is not allowed.

 

 

Consumption of Food & Drink:

 

Serving of Food:

Food may be served in the main Parish Hall; in this case, rental of the Kitchen must be included in the rental agreement.  Light foods (e.g. pastries, cookies) may be served in meeting rooms; no food is to remain following the meeting—room is to be thoroughly cleaned and swept. The following applies when serving of food is included in the rental agreement:

·         Groups provide their own food and paper products

·         If the event is to be catered, the caterer must be named in the rental agreement. The Parish reserves the right to deny use of the premises to specific caterers.

·         All food provided for an event is to be removed from the refrigerator and freezer when you leave.

·         The kitchen and serving areas are to be cleaned, wet mopped and swept, and the trash placed in designated dumpsters at the conclusion of the event.

·         Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, Barnstormers, Bruegger’s Bagels, Dunkin Donuts and other retail stores are located on The Great Road within one mile of the Parish Center.

 

Serving of non-alcoholic drink:

Non-alcoholic drink may be served in the main Parish Hall and in meeting rooms (with prior agreement); kitchen refrigerators can provide temporary storage.

·         Groups provide their own beverages, containers, paper goods

·         Kitchen is available if some preparation of the beverages is necessary

·         Coffee makers of various sizes are available in the Kitchen. A rolling cart is available in the kitchen to move heavy items

o        For parish events only: the Kitchen has a “Coffee Cupboard” which is equipped with everything needed to make coffee: ground coffee (regular and decaf), filters, sugar and sugar substitutes, napkins, cups, and stirrers. Groups may use anything in this cupboard for their needs. Groups must provide their own cream.

 

Serving of alcoholic drink:

The use of alcoholic beverages is discouraged. It is recognized, however, that serving of alcoholic drink can be desired for some events. In this case, it is the responsibility of the Renter to ensure the event complies with all applicable laws, including Town of Bedford by-laws, as well as liability insurance coverage. Evidence of this compliance needs to be included within the rental agreement. No alcoholic beverage will be allowed/consumed on the premises without pre-approval. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to:

·         If liquor will be consumed, a 24-hour liquor license must be obtained from the Bedford Town Manager’s Office two weeks prior to the event.

·         Proof of liability insurance coverage must be provided by the Applicant in an amount no less than $1,000,000.00 naming St. Michael Parish and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, Corporation Sole, as the additional insured.  (The caterer may carry this insurance).

 

 

SUPERVISION AND ORDER:

 

General:

·         The Parish, through its building custodian, maintains supervisory control of the premises over the period of the rental.

·         Evening functions (including necessary cleanup) must end by 9:30 PM. Exceptions may be made at the time of rental as agreed to by the Parish.

·         Functions involving young people under 18 years of age must have adequate adult (over 18) supervision as follows:

o        Up to grade 8: one adult for every 10 children

o        Grade 9 – 12: one adult for every 15 children

·         All adults involved with youth groups using Parish Center facilities must be CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checked in order to lead or supervise youth  group activities at the Parish Center.  

·         St. Michael staff must have free access to all rooms at all times.

·         The Applicant is held responsible for the preservation of order at all activities, and is responsible for any loss or damage occurring during Applicant's use of St. Michael’s facilities.

 

CLEAN-UP:

Rental space will be clean and necessary set-up will take place at the start of your rental period. Space is to be returned to the prior condition before the end of your rental period unless other arrangements have been approved.  (The Parish Center often has a tight booking schedule and another group may be using the same space immediately following your rental period).

·         If you are employing a caterer, please make sure to provide this policy to the caterer. You remain the responsible party for clean-up.

·         Take everything with you that you bring in.

·         Cleaning of the rented space is the responsibility of the group renting the Center.  The group may do it themselves or employ a cleaning service.

o        Dispose of all trash (bagged) in the dumpster.

o        Upon departure, coffee makers must be cleaned, unplugged and left in the condition they were found

o        Clean all surfaces: tables, counters and floors.

o        Wet mop the kitchen floor (mop and bucket in storage closet near the caterer’s entrance).

o        Dry mop the Parish Hall.

·         Other activities expected of a group prior to vacating rental space include:   

o        Leave the Room’s furniture in the order it was found

o        Erase the whiteboard and dispose of litter

o        Turn-off the lights and any equipment used

o        Inform the custodian of any damage or malfunctioning equipment

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

·         Putting up decorations or scenery, or moving furniture is prohibited unless prior permission has been given

·         Do not stick anything on the walls or painted surface, using tape, nails, push pins or tacks.

·         No parking at any time in designated fire lanes or restricted parking areas.

 

Services of the Bedford Police Department:

 

·         St. Michael Parish and the Town of Bedford reserve the right to require that an organization employ the services of the Bedford Police Department. In general, a police officer will be expected if money is being collected for an event (e.g., admission fees, sale of goods), and when public safety requires an officer  (e.g., traffic control, parking, alcohol consumption, etc.).

 

Fire Prevention and Public Safety requirements:

·         No flammable or combustible decorations or pyrotechnic devices may be used in the building. All decorations are subject to inspection and approval by the Chief of the Bedford Fire Department. In case of doubt, samples should be submitted to him for prior examination.

·         No device or appliance causing flames or sparks shall be used, unless such device or appliance is approved for use in the buildings by the Fire Department.

·         The use of decorative candles or other similar devices is specifically prohibited.

·         Smoking is not permitted at any time in the Parish Center.

·         Wine or similar alcoholic beverages may be brought into the Hall and consumed by patrons attending an event only if prior approval has been received.  (See “Serving of alcoholic drink,” above).

·         Criminal penalties are provided by statute for violation of state laws relating to public safety in public buildings. The parish and its representatives have no authority to make exceptions to the provisions of these laws. The following provisions must be complied with.

o        The number of persons permitted in the Parish Hall and/or the meeting rooms must be restricted to the maximum number as set forth in the agreement

o        No person using the Hall and meeting rooms shall permit any obstruction either by persons or objects to exist in aisles, stairways or emergency exits.

o        An Emergency Evacuation Plan for the Parish Hall will be posted in the Hall and will be made available by the Parish 14 days prior to the scheduled event.

o        In the Parish Hall, an audible announcement shall be made not more than ten minutes prior to the start of each program to notify occupants of the locations of the exits to be used in case of a fire or other emergency.  (In the case of programs at the Parish Hall that continue with the same participants at a regular frequency, e.g., weekly or monthly, an audible announcement at successive programs is not required).

o        Persons using the Hall and meeting rooms shall cause the immediate removal of all fire hazards.

 

 

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

 

·         The Parish Office will strive to maintain all confirmed bookings as stated, but reserves the right to reassign rooms to maximize the use of space.

·         The Parish Office reserves the right to cancel any event for which it deems public safety at risk.

·         Bookings are for the specified room or rooms only. Exclusive use of corridors and other common areas for booked activities is prohibited, except with explicit permission in the confirmation letter.

·         The Renter is required to confirm the satisfactory condition of the facilities prior to the start of the scheduled event. Any complaints should be made to the custodian or his designee at that time. Complaints submitted after the event will not be accepted.

·         Center users are required to maintain a sound level which does not disturb others.

·         The Renter must leave the space at the time specified in the booking confirmation, and in a condition acceptable to the Parish Center Office (see CLEAN-UP section).       

·         The custodian will lock up the rooms and the facility.

 

 

FEES:

 

See attached fee schedule

 

 

PAYMENT PROCEDURE:

 

·         Security deposit must accompany the application form to reserve the Parish Hall. Payment in full is required 30 days prior to the event. In case of cancellation, the deposit is refundable if notice is received at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Refer to current fee schedule.

·         Acceptable methods of payment are limited to cash and certified check. Personal and business checks are accepted only at the discretion of the Office. Accepted checks that are returned due to insufficient funds or stopped payment are subject to a service charge plus the check amount.

·         Once your application and deposit have been received and use approved, a confirmation letter will be sent. Your use is not approved until you have received this confirmation letter.

·         Full fee (as listed on current fee schedule) will be due THIRTY (30) DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT.

·         Security deposit will be returned one week after the event after cleaning has been completed and in the judgment of the Parish no loss or damage has occurred.

 

(CenterT&C022604)