Castine Selectboard seeks community input on draft daycare lease RFP; residents raise facility, selection and affordability concerns

The Selectboard reviewed a draft Request for Proposals for a Daycare Center lease that would run three to five years with a possible two-year extension and invited public input on the draft terms.

Resident Ren Albon summarized site constraints: "there is no functional kitchen; no sprinkler system; you cannot have a functional kitchen without a sprinkler system; each classroom has a bathroom; laundry room on site; water meter in basement" and noted the RFP should reflect those limitations. Board members and attendees agreed meals would need to be provided by outside vendors or taken as takeout rather than prepared on site.

Community commenters urged clearer selection criteria and conflict-of-interest language. "I would hope to see a better relationship between the establishment and the community so possibly the language could be tightened up since it's a bit vague," said Danielle Morgioni. Lauri Lyman asked whether a selection committee would be formed and about funding information for potential vendors; Amy Gutow said the Town does not yet have funding details to share.

Public suggestions included allowing the Town to sell the State Street property to private owners as a way to free the site for alternative uses and a request that the Selectboard consider offering childcare during the March 28 Special Town Meeting so parents could attend; the board said it would try to accommodate that request.

Next steps: finalize the RFP language, clarify selection and conflict-of-interest processes, and consider childcare at the Special Town Meeting.