The Ulin Rink issue continues to vex the Board of Selectmen. Two issues came to light this past week that have resulted in Selectmen revising their decision to submit a response to the DCR’s RFP for proposals to pursue a permit for management of the Ulin Rink.

First and most important, Town Administrator in conversations with the DCR learned that awarding a subpermit to another organization to actually operate the rink on a day-to-day basis would not be permitted. The town would be directly responsible for the management. Somerville and Medford, two other towns with rinks under consideration, are going to have their Parks and Recreation Departments manage the rinks. Tis is not an option for Milton. The town does not have the resources and as Ms. McEttrick noted, capital expenditures would be required and the town needs to raise that  capital.

A second concern was the inability to raise or alter public skating fees. Mr. Mearn and Mr. Kernan, who is leading a local group of advocates, seemed to have differing understandings on this.

Lastly, there are the three pending legislative efforts regarding the rink. Senator Joyce sponsored legislation that has passed the Senate which would award a 25 year lease to Milton or other non-profit. There is Representive Timilty’s legislation that just passed the House which would award Milton a 10 year lease exclusively, and there is a bill the Governor has that give Milton a 20 year lease. Any of these would supercede the DCR permit. Mearn emphasized that the DCR RFP concerned a permit only, not a lease.

Selectmen Shields advocated requesting that the DCR pull Ulin from the RFP to give the town time to further assess particularly in light of legislative efforts which could potentially render any work the town put into an RFP moot. The other selectmen agreed that was the reasonable course to take.It was noted that all three legislative efforts (Senate, House, and Governor) advocated giving Milton preference on managing the rink.

The board will submit a request to that effect. The DCR has indicated they would respond to such a request by end of day Monday. If the request is granted then the town has a reprieve. If the request is denied, then the board will seek to have the DCR amend the requirement such that the town can award a subpermit and allow a third-party to manage the rink.

The Selectmen were also in agreement that it needed to be an all for one effort. Shields commented, “We all have to be n this together.” Sweeney later echoed that sentiment when he said, “It is going t take a partnership of current users.”

Tim Kernan voiced his support and said “it is a wise decision.” Another member of the group, Kevin Keating, recommended letters be sent to the legislative representatives (Joyce, Timilty,Forry,etc) informing them of the step the board was taking (i.e. letter to DCR). The board agreed.

No one disagreed when Mr. Shields said, “Nothing is crystal clear.”