Selectmen Drop Recreation Center Funding

By Kendra Bobowick

With a resigned expression Monday night, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Edward Marks knew he would not see any community center capital funding — for now.

Hopeful, however, he said, “I definitely want $600,000 for designs next year.”

During the evening’s selectmen’s meeting board members were clear that a recreation center was not in line for capital improvement funding. In the past month a $600,000 item for center designs teetered as selectmen at first supported the request, then took it away. The center would open doors for the recreation department, seniors, and the teen center.

In past weeks as selectmen reviewed Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) they had at first been prepared not only to grant a $600,000 request for recreation center design funding, but upped the amount to $1 million to include Litchfield House demolition to make way for a new structure. Their actions caught seniors’ attention. They adamantly opposed the plan, insisting they wished to remain separate, and officials ultimately dropped plans from the CIP. Funding requests for this year and funds for construction in following years disappeared from the financial planning document.

Cash aside, Mr Marks said, “I am more concerned about direction in terms of how to move forward.”

During the past year the recreation department had tried to work with the seniors toward designing a combined-use building. That effort came to an abrupt end when seniors declared they wanted no part of a combined facility, and more than 200 people had signed a petition that said so. First Selectman Joseph Borst got the message in person last week when he attended a Commission on Aging meeting.

What do seniors want?

Seeking an answer, Mr Borst asked Senior Center Director Marilyn Place to provide him with a list of seniors’ wants and needs.

 

Untangling The Knot

Speaking about the center’s funding Monday, Selectman Herb Rosenthal noted, “I thought we would revisit it once [Mr Borst] talked to the seniors; I don’t think the rec center is out of the plans forever; I don’t want it out for any length of time. It’s been in the CIP for a number of years.” Explaining their decision to cut funding for the moment, he said, “We’re pulling it because we’re not sure of the magnitude of the project.” He also stressed, “I want the Board of Finance to know that we’re coming back with it sooner rather than later.”

Selectman Paul Mangiafico said, “We should not go back until we know what we’re talking about.” Mr Borst confirmed that “the agreement was Marilyn [Place] would come up with a hard copy of what they need and want. She is supposed to supply a list of what they want.”

Mr Rosenthal believes a list of needs is already filed with the recreation department. Throughout 2007, while working on the assumption that seniors would be part of a recreation center, Mr Marks had asked Commission on Aging representatives to speak with seniors to determine their needs. However, seniors have only recently become outspoken about their position on the issue.

Mr Marks noted, “I think [Ms Place] feels she is starting from scratch to reassess needs.” He told the selectmen, “If we receive direction to move forward together, we will. We’re waiting for a recommendation, ” he said, adding “We’ll need to be told to move together or separately.”

In a statement that in part reflects the past weeks’ rollercoaster of on-again, off-again funding, Mr Marks said, “I don’t want Parks and Rec held hostage to seniors.”