At their last meeting the Board of Selectmen voiced their intent to pursue a management of the Ulin Rink. The DCR has a deadline of June 1 for a response to an RFP that would grant a permit to the town to manage the rink for 5 years.
However there are at least 3 different scenarios in play that make for a confusing situation.
The Board heard from Tom Kernan who is a member of an ad hoc group of residents who advocate that the town pursue taking control of the rink. They propose the formation of a non-profit group that would be responsible for the maintenance and management. Mr. Kernan argues that this is beneficial for two reasons. It assures the town maintains control and can look after its interests regarding ice time for local leagues, schools and the public. Second, while it would seek to breakeven, its non-profit status would reduce the likelihood that costs would rise or ice time would be squeezed as a result of the financial motives a for profit rink management firm would have.
Ms. McEttrick, chairman of the board, relayed some concerns that town counsel had raised. It is not a trivial undertaking and Ms. McEttrick also asked about the group’s sustainability once the current advocates move on. Mr. Kernan is confident that the expertise to manage the rink exists in town and that at such time that the current group moves on there will be plenty of concerned and motivated parents to replace them. Board member Bob Sweeney, who directs the Learn to Skate program, reiterated this. He also voiced his concerns about allowing the rink to be managed by a group that is motivated by profit.
The DCR is getting out of the rink management business. But how? This is confusing to Mr. Kernan’s group and the BoS. There is an urgency for the town to respond to the RFP issued by the DCR that has a deadline of June 1. If the town registers its intent then that may preclude anyone else from competing for the permit. It was acknowledged that this is a permit only. However, one argument for the town to pursue it was that should the DCR look to dispose of the land etc at a future time, the town would be in a more favorable position to follow-up on that.
The plan put forward by Mr.Kernan would need more work and different options were discussed such as the non-profit taking control of the rink and outsourcing its maintenance and upkeep. The wrinkle in all this is legislation that was passed by the state senate regarding the disposition of DCR rinks. There is also legislation before the house that is expected to get out of Ways and Means Committee this coming week and be voted on within the next two weeks by the House. Should it pass there would then be two bills pending and the Senate and House would need to hash through those. Lastly, the Governor reportedly has a plan for what to do with the rinks should the Senate and House not come to a resolution. And then there is some question of which process takes precedence over another. For example, if the House bill passes and is enacted will that render the current RFP put out by the DCR moot?
The plan now is to pursue the permit and also explore having the DCR extend the deadline for a response in hopes that the legislative process becomes clear and also provide Mr. Kernan’s group some time to refine its proposal and factor in feedback from town counsel and the board. The board will discuss further at their May 27th meeting.