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BET approves $41.2M Hamill Rink appropriation, ties releases to MI approval and fundraising
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Summary
The BET approved a $41.2 million appropriation for the Hamill Rink project with conditions: $2.7M in design funds release after municipal improvement (MI) approval and construction funds release after site approvals, a 12‑month operating pro forma and a formal fundraising strategy, voting unanimously 12–0.
The Board of Estimate and Taxation voted 12–0 March 31 to approve a $41.2 million appropriation for the Hamill Rink project, but added multiple conditions designed to preserve BET oversight and ensure the town only releases construction funds after key approvals and planning milestones.
Mister Deschamps, who moved the conditioned appropriation, said the position of the rink in the capital plan and the town’s planning approvals support moving to the MI stage now. "The project's timeline allows for additional A and E and construction to commence in fiscal year 27," Deschamps said, and he listed specific release conditions that must be met, including MI approval, the conclusion of the charter appeal period, and a 12‑month operating pro forma.
Why it matters: The Hamill Rink is one of the largest single capital projects in the FY27 plan. BET members said conditioning funds on approvals and business‑plan elements strikes a balance between advancing a long‑delayed town priority and protecting taxpayers by verifying operational viability and fundraising before committing construction dollars.
What the conditions require: The motion specified that design funds ($2.7M) be released automatically after municipal improvement approval by Planning & Zoning and the applicable appeal period; construction funds ($38.5M) would be released only after site approvals, acceptance of a business plan and income/expense projections, formation of a special revenue fund and a formal fundraising strategy with targets and timelines.
Debate and vote: Debate ran more than an hour. Supporters praised the thoroughness of the rink committee and the care with which the project had been developed; skeptics pressed for sequencing and additional community review. After discussion, the BET recorded a roll‑call vote and approved the conditioned appropriation unanimously, 12–0.
Next steps: The project requires municipal improvement and any related appeal period or RTM action before construction funds can be released. BET members said they expect continued committee oversight and public engagement as design and fundraising progress.
