[ad_1]
Written by Thane Grael
WESTPORT — A request to extend the Longshore Sailing School’s lease for 10 years faced some headwinds at Wednesday night’s Finance Committee meeting.
The request by Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava was brought before the board after members raised a long list of questions about the contract and some speakers questioned the fairness of the bidding process. Ta.
After reviewing the contract page by page, board members asked questions about the contract and its operations.
Chairman Lee Caney summarized outstanding questions regarding safety reviews and requirements and who will address them. If your usage increases, you may be able to purchase more boats. Do some board members have access to financial statements from the school? Can the town inspect the building before a lease is signed? Whether the liability coverage was correct and whether the town should require a bond.
The sailing school lease has been debated online, including accusations that the bidding process favored existing operations and stacked the odds against the two first-time bidders.
“We’re really happy with our safety standards,” said Jane Pimentel, who runs the sailing school.
One woman said she had sailed with schools in other locations and with local sailing groups.
“What they have given to the community and what Jane has given to Westport is incredible,” she said. “She survived COVID-19 and underwent surgery.”
She said much of the online discussion is “opinion, not fact.”
Tom Mullin, who himself has sailed at the school, said his son and other college students who plan to work there over the summer are considering other plans because of the uncertainty of the lease.
“Summer is coming,” he said. “Quality, safety and staffing are at risk every day and week.”
Heidi McGee, director of Greenwich Sailing School, which bid on the Westport contract, asked the board to take up the issue.
“This process has been thorough,” she said, adding that she was filing a Freedom of Information request “because I feel there has been a lack of transparency.”
She also said she felt there was a conflict of interest because one of the people who reviewed the Parks and Recreation Commission’s bid had a financial relationship with the school. Stu Gilfillen, director of U.S. Sailing Education, paid Pimentel a fee to teach the U.S. Sailing course.
“How do you choose a for-profit organization that offers higher class rates, higher rental rates for residents and non-residents?” McGee asked.
Jeff Manchester said many of the questions raised had not been raised in previous processes.
He called the $5,000 annual rent “exorbitant.”
“I would say I was surprised by the lack of sophistication in our town,” Manchester said.
“I just want to encourage and step back and look at all the documents and make sure the town is making the right decision for our community,” he said.
Kaney said he trusts the Parks and Recreation Department’s process.
“I think Longshore is the school we’re going to go to, but I think we need to resolve these issues, so I think we can hold off until the next meeting,” he said. .
Thane Grael grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in and around Fairfield County for 35 years.please contact him editor@westportjournal.com.Learn more about us here.
[ad_2]
Source link
