UPDATE:
A Freedom of Information Law request filed by The Spotlight to obtain the Town of Bethlehem’s bid on the Normanside Country Club property has been denied by the town. Officials cited a portion of the law that allows records to be withheld that if disclosed would impair present or imminent contract awards or collective bargaining negotiations.
The Bank of America’s sealed bidding process for the property closed yesterday.
Also denied under the same provision was a FOIL request for a summary of the vote taken on Wednesday authorizing the bid. Members of the Town Board on Wednesday evening declined to discuss the vote and whether it was unanimous.
The Spotlight plans to appeal the decisions.
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Bethlehem Supervisor Sam Messina told The Spotlight before tonight’s Town Board meeting that the town has, in fact, submitted a sealed bid for Normanside Country Club.
Messina read a statement at the beginning of the meeting.
`Although the Town Board consistently strives for openness and transparency, in this case we had to operate in executive session,` he said. `If the Town Board had revealed it’s position in an open forum, there is a substantial possibility that the cost of any Town acquisition would have rapidly increased.`
He continued on to say that the Board could not reveal what the amount of the bid was, and that it could not comment any further. This was done to protect any future negotiations with Bank of America,which currently has control of the golf course, or other possible bidders who could potentially acquire the debt.
`We would note that it is possible that a national concern could acquire the Normanside debt as part of a bid for a block of bank assets, and that they could re-sell the Normanside piece,` he said. `We would not want our bid to the bank revealed to potential local competitors for this property.`
Councilman Kyle Kotary echoed Messina’s statements, and added the entire board supports and approves of Messina’s statement.
While the bidding process is closed, though, Kotary said the decision as to who gets the property is still up to Bank of America, which is why the Board has refused comment.
`The process isn’t over,` he said. `[Bank of America] will decide which of the bids are considered.`
This frustrated some of the residents in attendance, as Jeremy Near pressed the Board to see how each member voted and questioned as to when the minutes will be released.
`Regardless if your for or against the decision, I think it’s very important for the members of the town to understand how their town board members are representing them,` he said after the meeting. `Especially for major decisions that are going to be worth $1.3 million or more. I understand their concerns about wanting to keep the details in executive committee till after the process. I don’t understand the need to wait on telling us how people voted. And I hope those details come out before the next voting cycle.`
Town Attorney James Potter responded and said the minutes of the executive session will be released but could not at the time of the meeting.
Another resident, Linda Jasinski wondered as to how the town is going to pay for the country club.
`I have no further comment at this time,` Messina responded.
After Messina had finished his statement, an audience member shouted, `Well that’s what they call open government.`
Kotary said because there were certain details that were required to be discussed in executive session, the procedures the Board took fell under the guidelines of the open meetings law.
He added that there was even a special public hearing held to hear comments from the residents, and said the Board saw an overwhelming support from the community for things such as preserving open space.
While he said not knowing what Bank of America is going to do can be frustrating, he understands that there is more to be done.
Check back to www.spotlightnews.com for updates to this story.“