DCR finds numerous violations at Kasabuski

SAUGUS – A recent inspection by the Department of Conservation and Recreation found several issues at Kasabuski Ice rink last week, including exposed wiring hanging from the ceiling, broken water fountains and bathroom plumbing in need of repair.S.J. Port, spokesperson for the DCR said these violations were found on Jan. 26 during a yearly inspection and were issued to the Town of Saugus because it leases the rink from the DCR.?Because the town is the lessee in our eyes ? we?re dealing with the town,” said Port. “They?ve been very compliant and they recognize the issues. If you rented out your apartment with a sublease, you?d still be responsible if that person had violations. These are citations that we have asked them to do. We would call them code violations.”Port said several violations had already been taken care of, such as barrels of oil being stored in the mechanical room and a new lock being installed on the mechanical room door.Dan Maniff, who subleases the rink from the town, said he was not issued any violations, and said the concerns raised are all “recommendations and housekeeping issues.”?I don?t have one thing to say that I?m in violation of anything,” said Maniff. “I?m a fire inspector, that?s what I do. I go to your business and say, ?Hey, you shouldn?t have this barrel over here. You should move this over here.? They?re not violations. You?re telling them what to do. Violation is way off base. I have not been cited for anything. If you don?t (make the repairs), then it could turn into a violation.”Maniff said he?s being “harassed” by the town and noted the rink has only improved since he took it over.?When I walked in the door I put $300,000 into it,” said Maniff. “When the town owned it it didn?t need any improvements. Dan Maniff takes the rink over and all of a sudden it?s a dump and it needs a million improvements. I put $300,000 into it and it?s never looked so good.”On Thursday, selectman Chairman Scott Crabtree said the problems found by the DCR are a continuation of the issues between the town and the sublessees.?It seems like there?s a long list of things,” said Crabtree. “These are similar issues that have been ongoing for some time. I was told (the DCR) will be keeping us informed because we lease it from DCR. The good thing is the DCR is taking a more active role.”On Wednesday, a superior court judge ruled in favor of Maniff and business partner John Curley after a long legal battle with the town of Saugus. Judge Geraldine S. Hines ruled the town wrongfully terminated its contract with Maniff and Curley.In her decision, Hines specifically mentions Crabtree as being on a “personal crusade on behalf of aggrieved parents.”While Crabtree said he was disappointed with Hines? decision, he noted he saw her comments about him as positive.?The board and myself represent the residents of Saugus ? and I think they have legitimate issues,” said Crabtree. “As you can see from the ruling, they did in fact breach those provisions in the contract. I will continue to represent the town and the residents of Saugus. The benefits of that facility have diminished.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].