Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal (left) discusses a point with First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder while Selectman Skip Sibley (right) listens.

At Monday night’s Old Lyme Board of Selectmen’s meeting, First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder introduced the agenda item of an update on the Hains Park Boathouse project by describing it as a “pretty big week.”  It transpired that the plans for the new boathouse went out to bid at the start of the week, but by the end of the week had been withdrawn.

Selectman Arthur “Skip” Sibley explained that the problems had arisen at a meeting held last Thursday between Town representatives including the First Selectwoman, the Building Inspector and Fire Marshal, the architect Nina Cuccio Peck, members of the Boathouse and Hains Park Improvements Committee (BHPIC)  and representatives of Regional School District 18.  Sibley noted, “The big thing that happened was the building [the boathouse] being an educational facility.”  It states on the BHPIC page on the Town’s website that the, “Need to comply with educational occupancy requirements was identified for the first time in the design process,” at this meeting.

When Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal later asked, “What makes it educational?” Reemsnyder noted that the building will be leased by District 18 from the Town and, “The students will be under the supervision of the Athletic Department,” and so, “District 18 has to meet the requirements of an educational building.”  These requirements include making the second storey accessible to all, which, in turn, requires the installation of an elevator.

Sibley described the elevator as a, “Not inexpensive,” item, which took the project financially beyond the scope of the already increased funding for the project.  The BHPIC therefore decided to, in Sibley’s words, “pull the bidding process.”  Members contacted the builders who had attended the Oct. 25 site meeting, refunded their $50 document fees where appropriate and advised them they would be notified when the bid process was restarted.

Sibley stressed that, despite the bidding setback, there was, “Good collaboration between the Town and the schools” on the project and that he was, “Very pleased with the progress being made.”  He added, “I’m very confident we’re going to end up in a better place.”  Reemsnyder commented that these changes meant the boathouse would not now be ready for the spring 2015 rowing season, which had the advantage that it gave time to, “Tighten up the whole management part of it.”  In another new development, District 18 is now looking, “To have an agreement with the Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) to manage the building as a sub-contractor.”  This requires drawing up a Memorandum of Agreement between the two organizations — something on which the respective attorneys are currently working. Reemsnyder stated she had hoped it would be ready for last night’s meeting, but it was not due to, “All the developments,” making it, “A little bit complicated.”  She is now hopeful to receive the Memorandum by December.

Reemsnyder acknowledged that District 18’s position, “Had changed the whole thing,” and said the Selectmen’s response demonstrated, “We do listen, we pay attention,” noting all parties will now benefit from, “A cleaner relationship between District 18 and the OLRA covering liabilities and risks.”  Nosal added positively, “We are moving forward in a collaborative fashion.”

The revised plans for the boathouse, Sibley explained, will incorporate, “The elimination of the second floor and lower the overall height by up to four feet.”  Cuccio Peck is currently working on these plans and, in anticipation of their content, Sibley stated, “I don’t think you’re going to see a drastic change in the building.”

Nosal asked what the position was regarding the Town Meeting at which funds were approved for a building, which is now being changed in design.  Reemsnyder responded that, with the delay in construction, the Town has time to host a number of Public Information Sessions before building begins.  She said that only if the funds approved at the Town Meeting “Will be spent on anything else [other than the boathouse project] will the Selectmen go back to another Town Meeting.”

During public comment, Nancy Hutchinson made an impassioned plea for the membership of the BHPIC to be expanded, noting, “Almost every single one is a rowing coach,” and adding, “We need people that aren’t just rowing experts.”  Urging the board of selectmen to engender, “A win/win situation for the entire community,” she said, “I implore the board of selectmen to restructure the committee.”  Commenting that, “A lot of people support this project,” she suggested if the committee were expanded, the knowledge of both existing and new members could be leveraged — “Let’s help them,” she urged.

Reemsnyder agreed to discuss the suggestion at the board’s next meeting, but Sibley challenged Hutchinson’s contention that the BHPIC was lacking in experience.  He said one member was from the construction company O & G and another also worked in the construction business.  Hutchinson responded, “It’s sometimes helpful to refresh a committee,” adding, “My concern is that they go out to bid before they’re ready.”  Reemsnyder said firmly, “No contract is going to be awarded without it being to code.”

Timothy Griswold first suggested the Town should be using a specialist attorney for the project as the Town has done previously for such projects as the School Bus Barn.  He then commented on the overall changes of the project saying townspeople needed more information since what was being built had changed allegorically, “From a Lexus to a Ford.”  He told the board of selectmen, “I do encourage another Town Meeting so people know what they’re getting.”  Reemsnyder replied, “We don’t have the need for another Town Meeting, but we will have Information Sessions,” and stressed, “We don’t want to misrepresent to the town what we’re doing.”