By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/25/10
Selectmen plan to craft a letter to the state asking that the Ulin Skating Rink be taken off a bid list, where management of the facility could go to a private entity.
They said transferring operations of the rink from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation to private management would be bad for the town, as it could mean town hockey might lose ice time or families could be asked to pay much more.
“When they built these rinks, it was for the public good. Now we’re getting away from that, and into privatization. And that’s not right. We have to step in,” Selectmen Chair John Shields said as the issue was raised at the board’s Feb. 18 meeting.
It was clear Selectmen were not going to put the issue on the backburner. Although it was not on the agenda, more than half of the four-hour meeting involved discussion of the Ulin Rink, which DCR has decided it will no longer operate. The board even bypassed its usual practice of not answering comments during Citizens Speak when several residents came forward to voice their concern with the state’s plan.
Tim Kernan, who volunteers in the Milton Youth Hockey program, said parents and other volunteers have organized a Ulin Rink study committee to explore the economic feasibility of the town or a nonprofit taking over operation of the facility.
Kernan pointed out that the DCR’s proposed five-year lease for Ulin, part of a Request for Proposals for the new management plan, does not require legislative approval, merely an OK from the governor. Kernan said “the interest of the town will not be first” if a private company were to take over the rink.
“We’re looking to run it in a self-sustaining way. It’s going to require creative solutions,” he said.
Kernan said he would report back to the board when details can be worked out.
Kevin Keating, who is also involved in youth hockey, pleaded with Selectmen to allow the town time to come up with a plan for the rink.
“This came out of the blue. There was no due process here in Milton,” he said. “We need more time. We have a resource in this town. We can’t let it go. Just give us time. We have volunteers. We will find a way. I promise you.”
Tracey Feloney, secretary of the Milton Youth Hockey program, and Maggie Radley, the coach of the Milton High girls’ hockey team, also spoke of the impact privatizing Ulin Rink would have on the town programs.
“The hours [of skating time] are of grave concern to us. It’s no secret that DCR hours [are] the best deal going,” Feloney said.
Since finding out about the RFP two weeks ago, officials and residents have been scrambling for answers. A hastily called meeting at Cunningham Hall Feb. 12 delayed the state’s plan for a February deadline for proposals to be submitted.
Meanwhile, Shields last week opposed how DCR has gone about seeking to transfer management of the rink. He called the five-year lease a “cynical attempt to get around legislation.”
“They’re telling us they can’t run this rink anymore. They’re basically doing whatever they want to get rid of this thing,” he said.
Shields said he would prefer that DCR continue to operate the rink. He said there is “an economy of scale” in having the state maintain several rinks.
Parks Commissioner Stephen Affanato said it would be “a tough pill for Milton to swallow financially” to run the rink itself.
“The town alone can’t go forward with this,” he said, adding that it would require some type of partnership, preferably a local one.
Things got heated later between Shields and state Sen. Brian Joyce, who accused the selectman of calling him “a liar.”
Shields made comments during Citizens Speak about a phone conversation he had the day prior with DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan. Although Joyce previously said the state deadline for proposals for Ulin has been extended to May 1, Shields said Sullivan was unable to make that guarantee by phone.
“When I talked to [Sullivan], he couldn’t give me a May 1 deadline. He said ‘I can give you an extension, but it may not be until May 1,” Shields said.
Shields also took issue with the state’s assertion that Milton hockey programs will get preferential treatment for gaining ice team under new management. He said it is not spelled out that way in the RFP.
“It just seems to me that was a lie. If Milton Youth Hockey and Milton High were taken care of, that would be a part of a provision in the RFP,” he said.
Joyce, who arrived after Shields made the comment, said his wife had heard them on the television broadcast of the meeting and notified him via telephone.
“I was fairly surprised to hear that my old friend [Shields] had called me a liar,” Joyce said.
“I never called you a liar. I did not say that. I was careful with my words,” Shields said. “ Don’t start a meeting by saying that.”
“You did say the information that came from me was a lie,” replied Joyce.
Joyce tried to assure the board that the May 1 deadline for proposals is solid. Selectman Marion McEttrick asked to have it in writing. Joyce said he would do so.
Joyce and Shields also clashed over whether the rink should be turned over to a private operator. Joyce said it should. He said professional management can do a better job than either the town or state, and cited cases in other communities where that was so.
“It’s clear to me the state is not a good manager of recreational facilities,” Joyce said. “Ulin Rink is costing the state money. A [private] rink operator would make money. In every instance [where communities have gone to private operation], it has turned out to be a better deal for the taxpayer, for children and for parents.”
Joyce also said Curry College has long held an interest in being involved with the rink. He disagreed with Shields that the town would be treated differently under new management.
“The same language is used in rinks throughout the state. It’s the same language I wrote years ago,” the senator said. “We clearly want it to favor the children. We want it to favor the nonprofits. I believe the children of Milton’s interests will be protected. That’s my job.”
Still, Shields countered, “You cannot tell me, Brian, that a five-year lease is a good business decision. It’s five years. It’s not something you can build a business on. I firmly believe that is true.”
Joyce explained that there have been longer leases proposed in Senate bills in the past, but the House has always rejected them. He said that since 2004 he has included in Senate budget proposals leasing options where the town could operate the Ulin Rink at no cost, but none have passed.
“This is going to happen. My preference was to give it to the town. But that didn’t pass,” said Joyce.
Selectmen plan to invite DCR representatives to their March 4 meeting to discuss the future of the ice rink.
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