Last chance to take our Frozen Ropes poll

Editor's note: Our poll closes at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 25, so if you haven't weighed in yet, here's your chance. See the results in this Friday's paper.
By Erika Norton
Chester — The Town of Chester wants to buy the Frozen Ropes sports complex on Old Black Meadow Road to expand its parks and recreation program, according to town Supervisor Alex Jamieson.
The purchase will depend on voters' approval in a referendum to be held Election Day, Nov. 8. (What do you think so far? Take our poll, below.)
The property, also known as The Rock Sports Park, is owned by the national Frozen Ropes company. It includes a building almost 15,000 square feet, turf fields, a store with a food consignment counter, and a full kitchen. Outside are three ball fields — two with artificial turf and one planted with grass — and LED lighting.
Valuation Consultants appraised the property at $2.78 million. It is listed by town board member and Keller Williams real estate agent, Claude Brischoux, for $3.5 million. But the current negotiating price for the site is about $3.3 million.
Brischoux, who stands to make a six-figure commission from the sale, told The Chronicle that he recuses himself and leaves the dais whenever the town board discusses Frozen Ropes.
The founder of Frozen Ropes and the seller of the property is Tony Abbatine, a former attorney and former Major League Baseball consultant.

Public wants more information

At past town meetings and at the public tours of the Rock last week, many residents have been asking questions about the town's plans for the facility. Why is the current negotiating price so much more than what the appraiser said the property is worth?
According to Jamieson, if the town wanted to build a sports complex like the Rock, it would cost upwards of $5.5 million. Local attorney Ben Ostrer disputed this claim at the last town board meeting.
Members of the public have also criticized town officials for rushing into the venture without first scrutinizing the business's books. Several Frozen Ropes franchises have closed in recent years, including one in Danbury, Conn., one in Chicago, Ill., and another in White Plains, N.Y.

Public meetings planned

Two special meetings to discuss the acquisition will be held at the Chester Town Hall, 1786 Kings Highway:
A meeting including public comment on Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 6 to 7 p.m.;
A presentation with a question-and-answer portion on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Related stories:

Supervisor answers some questions about Frozen Ropes plans: http://bit.ly/supervisor-answers-questions
Tour Frozen Ropes on Tuesday: http://bit.ly/frozen-ropes-tour-tues
Public peppers town with questions on Frozen Ropes purchase: http://bit.ly/public-peppers-town
Chester considers buying Frozen Ropes: http://bit.ly/chester-frozen-ropes