Town Alters Skate Park Removal Strategy

Windham Selectmen approved a new bidding process for the skate park equipment Monday, seeking to get the equipment off of the Griffin Park property, no matter the financial gain to the town.

The board voted 5-0 to approve placing the remaining assets, including the fence, out to bid. All reasonable offers from qualified bidders will be considered.

According to the board, one business owner in town has stepped forward to say that they will remove all of the pieces at no cost. 

While board members don't expect any other parties to come forward, the strategy of going out to bid is what Town Administrator Dave Sullivan called a matter of following process.

In addition, the board approved to enter a negotiation with the town of Salem for three of the skate ramps and 10-plus pieces of plywood. 

The Salem Recreation Department entered a $3,100 bid for the equipment, but Sullivan noted that the plywood may no longer be available.

The board also made clear that whatever party eventually removes the equipment will need to do so in a timely manner.

Selectmen initially voted in early July to place the equipment out to auction on a website called GovDeals.com. At that time, Salem's bid for part of the equipment had been rejected.

Advocated of maintaining the skateboard park in Windham received a final blow on July 18 when members of the Recreation Committee rejected a proposal for a park monitor.