At last night’s session the Board resumed the discussion of the Ulin Rink. In attendance were Representatives Walter Timilty and Angelo Scaccia who were there at the invitation of the board to discuss their views on Ulin Rink and the House legislation regarding it.
Mr. Timilty argued that his legislation that passed the House is the best for the town. It grants the town a lease for 10 years that protects the traditional tenants,” given proper management it could generate a “slight revenue” stream, and is consistent with his belief that “public assets should stay public.”
Mr. Scaccia concurred, saying “I don’t like the DCR giving up anything of a recreational nature. The governor is wrong and has bypassed the legislature.” Mr. Scaccia was referring to the DCR’s RFP which will award a special permit to the town for 5 years. The reason the term is only 5 years is that the DCR would have required legislative approval to grant a longer term. Scaccia went on to ask, “Why would you turn it [the rink] over to a private interest? I don’t get it. Your position would become very precarious.” He feels management of the rink by the town “is a winner for you folks. . . and the onus is on you to make us [House and Senate] get together.”
Ms. McEttrick sought to confirm that the town pursuing the RFP issued by the DCR would “help your case.” She was referring to the case being made by the House. She prefaced the discussion with Timilty and Scaccia by saying that the board is preparing a response to the RFP to the DCR and also preparing an RFP for potential parties to manage the day-to-day operation. The Selectmen have no choice but to pursue this but their strong preference as voiced by McEttrick is to get a long-term lease in place. If a strong response to the DCR’s RFP can help accelerate movement in that direction so much the better. Scaccia’s recommendation was to pursue it any way you can.
Selectman Sweeney reiterated his concern regarding the time frame.He too believes that the state should continue to manage the rink but acknowledged that will not happen and the town needs to deal with it. Scaccia was sympathetic. “They [government] should give you the time. ” He also added that a lack of time might imply “they are looking for a different buyer with a different motive. I don’t want to say that publicly.” This struck some as an odd statement given the large attendance and media presence.
Selectman Shields stated that the town wanted the rink and wanted exclusivity. There continues to be some concern that Senator Joyce’s bill would open the door to a third-party, the town would lose control of the rink, and this would be “irretrievable.” Scaccia’s recommendation is that the Selectmen “prepare this town to have the finest skating rink.” Timilty did state that he cannot support the Senate legislation “because of the subjective nature of it.”
McEttrick confirmed that the Selectmen favored the House bill as it was the “clearest unequivocal option. We think it is best for the town.”
At the end of the discussion Mr. Kernan rose to speak. Mr. Kernan is leading a local group of residents that is exploring management of the rink. He questioned how if the needs of the town were being moved forward. He asked if there was a “road map for resolution. I don’t see any actions coming from this conversation.” Shields assured him “We are going to do what we need to do to give them [Representatives] what they need.”