By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES —A straw poll taken by 260 of the Election Day voters showed that the majority of people favored a complete rebuild of the gym and town office on the property where it exists. 

But, people’s pocketbooks are more likely to support the least expensive option instead. 

At least that is what people sitting on both sides of the table are saying.  

In fact, a couple residents said the talk around town is that people are afraid of what will happen to their tax bill — if a multi-million dollar project is passed. 

If what is on the November ballot is too extravagantor expensive, people are more likely to say no. 

If the town wants the voters behind the rebuild, go for the least cost now and do the rest later — was the advice of residents who spoke at a selectmen’s meeting this week.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen heard the results of a straw poll asking people which option they preferred to replace the town gymnasium and town offices.

On Election Day, the voting booths were in the gymnasium and the doors were open to the wide hallway, where engineer’s sketches were set up and the straw poll was being conducted.

On Election Day, more than 670 people in Naples showed up to cast their ballot. The total number of people who answered the straw poll was 261. Therefore, about 38%, more than one-third, of the voters took some time to provide the town with their opinion. 

There were three options. 

Option #1 Full replacement on Village Green in two phases (Gym, recreation program and kitchen first, Town office and meeting rooms second) Gym phase $6.0M + Office phase $7.5M = total $13.6 million.

Option #2 Full replacement, split development — two phases (Gym/rec/kitchen next to fire station, town offices on Village Green) Gym phase $6.0M + Office phase $6.3M = total cost $12.3 million. 

Option #3 Full replacement next to fire station — two phases (All construction next to fire station, demolition and restoration on Village Green.) Construction $10.1M + Restoration phase $1.8M = Total cost $12 million.

The results were: Option #1 — 102; Option #2 — 84; Option #3 — 75. 

Fewer people answered the question about whether or not the post office should be included. The outcome was: Yes — 133; No — 78. 

Bob Caron II, who was chairman of the Naples Community Center Exploratory Committee, and Selectman Colin Brackett talked to the citizens about the straw poll, which is a non-binding vote. The purpose of the straw poll was to figure out which options people would support.

“I want a clear understanding of where the board wants this committee to go,” Caron said.

As the discussions took place, it was clear that each selectman supported a different version of the rebuild. 

Selectman Ted Shane promoted the idea of putting all three options on the ballot.

“We should put this to vote in November with the three options. Say, ‘choose one,’ ” Shane said. 

Grattelo said that as elected officials it was the selectmen’s responsibility to narrow down the choices and “not throw a jump ball to the citizens.” 

Naples Town Manger John Hawley said it was financially prudent to stick with one option.

“We are paying money to engineers. If we refine it to one choice,” that is fewer hours for the engineering firm and a smaller bill for the town, he said. 

Rogers said despite nostalgia about going to school in the building, he favored Option #1, tearing down and rebuilding in the same spot. 

“I strongly urge the board to put it on the ballot drawn up as Option 1,” he said. 

He said putting off the project is only kicking the can down the road. Unfortunately, the gymnasium building is beyond repair so it must be rebuilt.

“We are sitting in my 5th grade classroom,” Rogers said. 

Brackett asked if town officials had a Plan B.

“If it goes to vote and fails. We don’t have a back up plan. If it is voted down in November, what are we going to do? I don’t think we have a clear path ahead,” Brackett said. 

Shane said there is solvable. 

“If whatever we choose for an option fails, we go to regular town meeting for a gymnasium,” he said. 

Selectman Bill Adams provided his opinion. 

“I am a No. 2 fan. I like more parking,” Adams said. 

“The people I spoke to who liked Option #2 said it was because there’s more room for expansion. Expansion up at community center or expansion down at the town hall,” Caron said. 

“Plus, it saves $1.5 million,” he said.

Chairman Grattelo observed, “The select-board is not united on any option. You don’t have consensus on anything.”

He said it was best to send back to committee for a decision of which option might most appeal to voters.   

Samantha, an audience member who has been attending the past several Community Center Exploratory Committee meetings, spoke.  

“The committee is stuck on Option 1. Put it on the ballot, it will fail. I have heard townspeople say they don’t want to spent the money,” Samantha said.  

“Naples needs a gym. I’ve been talking to people who just want the gym,” she said. “Put option #2 on the ballot. It gets us our gym now. It allows us to keep the town hall here.”

“I think you really need to make a decision,” she told the board. 

Grattelo agreed the more expensive one would get voted down. 

“The 400 people who didn’t take their time [to do the straw vote]. At least half of them are going to vote no — no matter what the plan,” Grattelo said. “At the end of the day, we may end up with nothing.”