Rink Vote Expected
Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
9/2/10
Selectmen expect an agreement this week that may have Curry College taking on the management of the Ulin Rink.

Town Administrator Kevin Mearn said he anticipates having a proposal ready to present during the board’s Sept. 2 meeting.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 525 Canton Ave.

“We’ve been negotiating with Curry College since last Thursday [Aug. 26]. We had what I’d describe as a mini-marathon session. There were follow-up discussions Friday [Aug. 27],” Mearn said in a phone interview Aug. 30, adding that he was awaiting a draft response from Curry.

During their Aug. 19 meeting, Selectmen voted 2-1 to enter into contract talks with the college to operate the $5 million rink on Unquity Road.

The rink, which is used by the Milton High School, Curry College and Milton Youth Hockey teams, as well as groups from other communities, is scheduled to open for the season Sept. 15.

The contract would be a three-year permit for Curry to manage the facility.

At press time, Mearn said it was “premature” to reveal the status of the contract negotiations with Curry.

The choice was between Curry College and the Ulin Rink Management Corp., a nonprofit group of residents interested in managing the facility. Both groups submitted plans in response to the town’s Request for Proposals for operation of Ulin Rink.

Selectmen John Shields and Marion McEttrick voted for Curry and member Bob Sweeney voted for the nonprofit management group to take on management duties of the rink.

Shields and McEttrick said Curry offered more financial resources and management experience while Sweeney said he trusted the dedication of the Ulin Rink Management Corp. members.

Tim Kernan, president of the Ulin Rink Management Corp., said the group’s board of directors will wait until Selectmen execute a contract before deciding on its next move. He said having a user group manage the rink is not the best business model for town or taxpayers.

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Welcome, Deanie
J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
9/1/10
Another new face has joined the Milton Times staff.

Lifelong Milton resident Nadine Leary has taken over the position of advertising coordinator following the recent departure of Patty D’Agostino.

Nadine, who is also called Deanie, has a background well suited for the position. She worked as an administrator at the Forbes House Museum for many years and has served on the Milton Historical Society’s board of directors for 20 years. This is someone who knows the town.

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