LIVE BLOG: 2015 Framingham Town Meeting - Night 3

Framingham Patch is live blogging during Framingham Town Meeting.

Editor’s Note: While the blog is in place, please excuse typos. I will refresh as often as I can during the live blog. I will update the blog and fix typos the next day.

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Framingham Town Meeting members will start with Article 12 tonight - the $19 million capital budget.

Discussion will likely start with $5.7 million renovations for Loring Arena

7:29 p.m. quorum is present

Framingham Town Manager is speaking.

7:36 p.m. Moderator calling for Town Meeting members to do a Test question of the electronic devices.

Do you know how to access Framingham’s website?

Moderator says she has a Facebook and Twitter sites. “Coming into Social Media.”

93-8-15 VOTE -- passed

***

Moderator -- left up to the discretion of the moderator.

More than a majority vote needed - ask to use the electronic devices.

If the moderator is in doubt after hand vote, moderator can call for the counted vote.

If 7 members question the vote -- an electronic vote can be taken.

Ultimately up to Town Meeting if we have a recorded vote if the moderator does not call for one.

7:42 p.m.

Kevin Crotty -- take up articles 30-34 - zoning articles on May 12 due to conflict with Town Counsel

Hand vote -- passed

***

Start with $5.7 million Loring Arena removations - Article 12.

Start with presentation, committee reports, and then Town Meeting discussion explains Moderator.

7:45 p.m.

Jim Duane - Parks & Recreation Director speaking

2013 works with Loring Arena Legacy Foundation -- concept plan.

1961 - Framingham High won state championship

1962 rink designed

1963 rink opened to public

Rate setting --- avg $284 an hour for ice time

Loring Arena is at $270

four closest competitor avg $279 - natick, 2 marlbor and one westborough

Over the last 5 years -- Loring operated with net surplus of $81,000

Community users -- Framingham Youth, Framingham High, Framingham State, Marian & Keefe, public skating, adult hockey programs, etc...

2001 Loring Arena study committee

Since 2001 Town has been making investments in the area... installed a new lighting, wood beams, infrared heating for spectators, replace the cooling tower in 2009, invest in zamboni in 2014.

Significant stability for the operating of the arena.

ISSUES: gender and age seperation

Common hallways - shower facilities and locker rooms

overcrowding issues due to original design

serious lack of accessibility in the rink and rink’s restrooms and press box.

asbestos and lead paint issues at the rink - 2013 made temporary repairs - issues need to be addressed ins hort term even if the rink is not renovated at $5.7 million

Rink has the original 1963 boiler

Repair the concrete buttresses that support the beams

Design development plan -- 2 story renovations on front and 1 story renovation in the back of the area says Duane

Gender separation -- with new locker rooms says Duane

In rear plan to add storage space for Framingham High. Flyers home ice. Kids don’t take hockey equipment to school or lockers.

New community use areas -- designed and positioned to deal with heavy volume programs like learn to skate and public skate programs -- more than 100 patrons at a time.

Administration offices & expanded zamboni room.

Office space looks out to rink for more safety.

Elevator -- very important -- opens to a new 2nd floor lobby, rest rooms and concessions

Asbestos removal is $150,000

$5.66 million is the estimated budget

Conversations with Framingham State University -- lump sump - $200,000 and $300,000 to the rink says Duane

This plan is a very well-vetted strategic community plan says Duane

Numerous public presentations says Duane

We are renovating an arena that many communities would want says Duane

Why are we in the arena business - Framingham has a very viable skating community - says Duane

8:02 p.m. Committee reports

Capital Budget Committee reports - Jeanne Bullock

Wonderful thing this town has had for a lot of years

Girls are now playing hockey - requires changes for changing rooms and restrooms

Ned to provide as much as we can for a reasonable price

This is a reasonable prices arena

Ammenity people have come to expect - needs to be brought up to code.

We hope that Town Meeting members will vote to do this arena

***

Betty Funk -- Finance Committee - TMM6 -- speaking

served on the capital budget committee this year as a member of the finance committee

Finance committee 7-0-0 to recommend favorable action on Loring Arena.

Went through every aspect of this building both physically and financially says Funk

It is an incredible asset for the community says Funk

The renovations are essential

it will mean separate showers and locker rooms for females and males

It will fix accessibility issues

Three things we though about -- gender, health, legal issues.

Health issues is the lead and asbestos

legal issues is the ADA compliance

We did have some concerns -- 2 concerns -- fee scale for users & access to the arena - why just a seasonal facility - why can’t it be all year round.

***

810 p.m. Harold Gellar - TMM2 -- Ways & Means Chair speaking

ways and means voted not in favor.

129 TMM present at the moment

Big issues with this committee was the lack of alternatives presented to Town Meeting

Reduce scope and also privitalization options

Many ice skating rinks are owned by the state.

New DCR commissioner is a Framingham resident and a former Finance committee - we should discuss with the state about the rink.

Should also discuss with Ashland -- should also look at new construction options.

8:17 p.m.

Herb Chasan -- standing committee on Community services

Voted in favor 7-0-1

Brings in $500,000 every year to the general fund

talked about the repairs needed -- asbestos, lead paint,

Question of a lot of money has come up tonight - if project is delayed could cost more

***

Disability Commission vice chair speaking -- Susie Santone (Karen Dempsey chair could not be here)

Commission voted 7-0-0 to support this much needed projects

Many access issues that exist in town.

Very difficult for people with a disability ...

Like to encourage you to support this ...

Make it Framingham a wonderful place to live.

***

Charlie Sistsky: Chair of Selectmen speaking

Board voted 5-0 to support the capital budget as presented tonight

Town provided the Callahan senior Center -- less than 10,000 seniors in town that take advantage of that

8,000 students -- and generously fund with half of operating budget

6,300 ambulance runs in town -- population of over 72,000 people

We are a community and that is what a community does - we provide for our residents

Selectmen urges you to vote favorable -- to correct the basic inadequacies and to bring up to code.

8;24 p.m.

Town Meeting member discussion

William LaBarge - TMM16 speaking -- renovation is very badly needed to be done.

Resolution introduced -- moderator says resolution will be done after the main vote.

I intend to support this line item.

8:26 p.m. Yael speaking - question -was capital projects consultant - Director buildings consultant?

Jim Paolini speaking: yes I was consultant. It is a complicated process.

Came to the conclusion that this project is the best plan.

address asbestos issue now ... or we are ordered by the DEP - that number on the screeen will be transposed.

Can’t keep kicking the can down the road.

Rise in support of motion to refer the article back to sponsor -- made by ways & means

Now hear there are major structural issues with the building that need to be addressed

We seem to be building a palace and seem to be building it on shaking grounds.

The rink is only used 7.5 months of the year.

Told to fixing there would cost an additional $2 million says Yael.

I believe Town Meeting deserves to get alternatives.

Maybe we are putting money in a building to old to be renovated.

I don’t think alternatives were properly considered.

13% of kids who play hockey are on free/reduced lunch and comparison football is 48% of free & reduced lunch

are we spending above the needs to meet the wants?

How are we going to fund this extra stuffing?

We deserve more alternatives

this is 30% of this year’s capital budget

TMM5 -- Bob Boise speaking - question to sponsor - was the option of privatization considered?

Duane speaking - improve plan did not income privatization -- because it was based on the concept plan approved by TM in 2014.

Privatize arenas freeze out the public -- no longer have control - Framingham has a very vibrant user group that supports the rink via user fees.

8;35 p.m.

Boise speaking again -- appreciate the hard work Rise against funding the project now.

Love the rink and all it provides to the community.

all viable funding alternatives have not been fully evaluated.

says he was a coach and watched Flyer games at the rink.

My fear is hat we will lose the rink in the future -- considering the dark financial picture in thefuture.

I vote to refer back to sponsor.

Loring Arena is not a core building nor a core service in the Town of Framingham

My fear Loring may be cut or sold in the future.

TMM7 - Kevin Crotty - speaking - I have a confession to make. Originally the only one on capital budget to vote for this project. I now support this project.

This goes back a long time - named after an old hockey coach. In the 1961 photo -- Duane’s father was on the state championship team.

Won the state championship -- my feeling is we have a cadillac here of an arena.

I will vote in the affirmative for this.

Hope the young Flyers will have a championship in hockey.

8:40 p.m. Moderator no shouting out to move he question

TMM4 Herb Chasan - 95% of the hockey players are Framingham residents.

Point of order --

Moderator please stick to the subject

Chasan - message here - save Loring Arena -- It is a Treasure

TMM11 speaking Ryan -- 6 children - 5 sons and 1 daughter -- all grew up playing at Loring Arena

Daughter is forced to come out of locker room with full frontal from the Framingham State players

There is no bathroom. There is a urinal and a stall with no door.

If you go in there on Friday night or Saturday during beginners, see 100s of children smiling and skating...

learning respect for others and community pride

Parents making lifelong friendships

Stand here with my best friend ... Michelle Quinn Smith who encouraged me to speak.

8:47 p.m. Betty Muto - TMM12 -- 25 years as a Town Meeting member - we protect our assets without delay. We should be protecting this asset. This arena needs addressed. I ask that you support and vote for this line item.

TMM10 - Bill McCarthy speaking - Very much in favor of the Loring Arena project. It is a very valuable asset in this town and it needs updating.

Boiler is 52 years old, asbestos and lead paint and structural issues too

The second floor is a very small addition and it only covers about 10% of the building. Needed to make the building ADA complaint.

Three high schools in town use it and FSu uses it -- all pay for their ice time.

We need to keep facilities like these well well maintained.

***8:53 p.m.

TMM 7 Deb Butler speaking

I stand in opposition to this project

The tax consequence likely to occur is staggering.

Motion to refer back - ways & means beat me to that motion

Hope Loring will return with a reasonable request.

If a refer back is unsuccessful I will vote no.

Butler said she is related to Mr. O’Ree who played as a winger for the Boston Bruins and is referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of ice hockey” due to breaking the black color barrier in the sport,

8:57 p.m.

TMM Patrick Dunne speaking -- saying it is hard to get around due to his disability

Duane speaking -- asked to answer structural soundness - this past winter speaks for itself.

Paolini speaking -- the loring arena area -- the skating area is in great shape, but there are ADA code issues.

Dunne - this is the best value around for children learning how to skate.

9:03 p.m.

Point of order -- Gerry Bloomfield -- doesn’t Town Meeting member have preference to speak

Moderator asking Chief Ferguson to take the microphone away from TMM1 Gerry Bloomfield

Chief encourages Bloomfield to move so a member of the public can speak.

William Ortiz - Framingham resident -- southside kids -- born on this side of Route 9 - played Framingham Youth hockey _ I would not have gotten to this point - my parents were those parent who could not afford to play hockey

This gave me an opportunity to get an education - gave me an opportunity to give my kids a better life.

Loring Arena opened up a door for me to be successful.

Coaches helped pay my tuition for Framingham Youth Hockey

Now I want to help others.

9:07 p.m. Clapping from the hall.

Moderator says no displays

TMM6 - Bill Osborn speaking - rise in support

TMM16 - Lloyd Kaye -- ask about the ADA

If there is a fire how are people with a wheelchair getting out?

Paolini -- no handicapp seating on the first floor. There will be a fully fire supression system in the building.

How was the plan approved by the ADA? - Kaye

TMM12 -- Michelle Quinn Smith speaking - former youth board member - 3 children in the program.

HR professional - I am one of the people -- experienced full frontal nudity of a FSU player. It was embarassing me and not my 10-year old daughter. Risk it represents.

Title IX issues - important 10 year old and 46 year old girls

TMM3 - Audrey Hall speaking -- I am a parent of former figure skater .. spent Tuesday nights at Loring. Back then it was in need of repairs. However rising to speak that this is not the right option. Think we need more options. Required by law to take low bids and we are not good with renovations. We have heard some dire needs about Loring. Seen the rust. Seen the cracks in the foundation. Not arguing with any of that.

As TRM members we need to get thebest $$ for taxpayers.

I would prefer a plan to demolish and build brand new.

Not convinced that this is the best plan.
Like to see Framingham get a new rink.

I support refer back for more options

I’m not standing here opposed to Loring, as TMM with fiscal responsibility

9:15 p.m.

Point of Information -- Mike Cannon would like Duane to speak

TMM Steve Friedman would like to move the question .

***

Moderator said she will not accept

New Town Meeting member - TMM1 speaking -- son gone to Loring - skating ...Loring a great opportunity for many.

Town should be a city ...

We need to address a couple of things

soundness of the facility

handicapped accessibility

does there need to be a second floor? I don’t think so.

Is the concession stand a bit of fluff or a necessity?

Should we renovate or start from scratch and build new?

Question -- Cost comparison to tear down and build new?

Duane speaking with regards to tear down and replace and construct new.

Arena built in Blackstone - $3.7 million - built a year ago and now out of business, says Duane.

undersized locker rooms in Blackstone.

Constructing a new arena -- estimate $12 to $18 million cost says Duane. Loring seats 2200 people.

9;23 p.m.

TMM6 - Pete DeVito speaking - best ice around - 3 boys all played through high school

We have to do this and do it right.

Let’s choose a great rink.

All for this.

TMM12 Ed Kross - speaking capital budget committee member - to refer this back does not make sense.

Highly suggest you vote for this.

If you are one who doesn’t use the facility doesn’t mean don’t support this. I skated 45 years ago,

TMM5 - Mike Welch -- 3 of 4 children played hockey in town -- very important decision for the town.

Major issue for us to decide for the community.

Former high school principal

The project has been aggressively looked at by many many people

NOTE: 145 TMM in attendance at 9:30 p.m.

Families looking to move to town with good recreational facilities.

When people come to Framingham’s Loring arena they think wow this quite a place.

I know a little about Title IX as well. I never thought about it with my boys but different when daughter.

I don’t want my daughter subjected to questions because she is developing by being at Loring.

Finally, all of us know - Framingahm is known as a hockey town.

Need to invst in that gem (loring arena) now.

Urge TMM to vote in favor of this article.

This is not a Taj mahal it is necessary to keep this gem operating in town.

TMM2 - Nancy Cooper -- suggest refer back - spent almost 2 hours discussing this,

Move the question

Moderator - 2/3rd vote needed

Question is moved.

Point of order -- Cannon suggest a speech was made and there is new information available

Point of order -- Joel Winett -- question on moving the question

Motion made to move the question -- 2/3rd vote again

Moderator will take a vote -- 2/3rd vote needed

Point of order - Kathi McCarthy -- should say how many peopel still waiting to speak and there is new information available

hand vote -- moderator is in question on vote.

Electronic vote on moving the question ...

76-61-5 FAILED

****

Discussion will continue at 9:35 p.m.

Richard Barritz - I rise in support of Loring Arena but not for this article.

Discussing Keefe Tech and Framingham State University ... maybe get corporate sponsors.

TMM9 -- Michael Cannon speaking - love the passion and the enthusiasm we have.

We have everything in Framingham. And we have a fantastic portflio.

Loring Arena has been a great hallmark in our Community for half a century

Girls hockey is one of the fastest growing sports and the rink was built when the sport did not exist

I was originally against this ...

Find public fundraising ... conversations CFO..

learn 2 things -- we do not have to accept the lowest big - we can accept the bid of the greatest value.

what will it cost each individual taxbill in Framingham per year ...

per year --existing residential taxbill - $14.89 per year - $1.24 a month or 4 cents a day so we can be a steward of this facility for the next 5 decades.

This is not an increase -- existing tax bill.

This is a no brainer - for $15 bucks a year .

never been so happy toa dmit I was wrong in my opinion .says Cannon

9:41 p.m.

Gloria Gellar rises to move the question

motion not debatable - 2/3rd vote

question moved

MOTION -- electronic vote -- refer back to sponsor.

9:43 p.m. Majority needed to refer back

Moderator wanted to do hand count TMM says electronic

Point of order -- more people voted than on the check in list -- Norma Shulman - TMM5

48-98-3 - MOTION FAILS to refer back to sponsor

Point of personal priviledge -- TMM12 - Ken High we should hear from our citizens

vote to approve $5.7 million - 2/3rd vote needed

106-35-7 PASSED

Motion made to adjourn at 9:55 p.m.

Passed

Town Meeting will resume on Tuesday, May 5.