The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Town Hall oversight objections
Recent selection of a construction manager for municipal offices rankles some officials
EAST HAMPTON >> The effort to build a new Town Hall/police station took additional steps forward Tuesday, although it was dogged by friction and complaints from two town councilors.
After decades of discussing and debating the idea of building a new Town Hall, the Town Council is suddenly racing ahead with a proposal to build a new facility on a 5.4-acre parcel of land in the Edgewater Hill mixed-use development.
The land is being donated by the project developers, Stephen and Lisa Motto.
In exchange for the land, Stephen Motto will serve as construction manager for the new building — or buildings. Motto’s fee is expected to amount to as much as $400,000 — or more, depending on the size of the building.
Last week, a nine-member building committee held its first meeting and chose a chairman, Glenn Gollenberg, and a vice chairman, Kurt Comisky.
Gollenberg is the architect for the high school renovation project.
However, when the council moved Tuesday to exempt Motto from the normal selection process, councilors Ted Hintz Jr. and Mark Philhower raised objections. Hintz opposes the plan, while Philhower voted for it with reservations.
In introducing the proposal to exempt Motto, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco said having “a single-source provider is a better fit” for the project — and the town.
Unimpressed, Philhower described the exemption as “a real back-door way to get something accomplished.”
Hintz said having Motto oversee construction of the Town Hall created a conflict of interest.
Motto would put the needs of the Edgewater Hill project ahead of the town’s best interests, Hintz argued.
“The fox is going to be watching the hen house,” Hintz said.
Philhower also complained that no one else was allowed to present an arrangement like Motto proposed when the Council reviewed eight potential sites for the new town offices.
Councilor Melissa Engel disagreed, saying Motto should not be penalized for his “creativity.”
When Council James “Pete” Brown began offering his thoughts, he abruptly stopped speaking. “What annoys me most,” Brown said, is that Hintz carries on making sub rosa comments to Philhower as other councilors are speaking.
When Hintz dismissed Brown’s complaint, Brown said, ”Oh, OK, let’s be kids.”
To which, Hintz replied, “Bring it on, Pete.”
Brown paused for a moment and fixed Hintz with a steady stare before moving on.
“We had Mr. Motto came forward with what I thought was a great idea,” he said. “He was going give us some land, the price was right, so I thought we could get this by the town. So, this to me in my estimation is the best way to do that.”
“I just hope no developer comes forward and sues the town” because he changed the rules to fit one developer, Philhower said.
Brown said he also “felt bad” for Motto who, he said, had been mischaracterized since coming forward with his proposal.
Hintz was later taken to task by Council Chairwoman Patience R. Anderson for his stage-whispered comments and for continually texting during the meeting.