Arzillo named Arena head
Published on June 23rd, 2004
STONEHAM, MA - Though the move still requires union approval, Town Administrator David Berry will appoint Unicorn Golf Director Rick Arzillo the new joint manager of the Arena and Unicorn Golf Course on July 1.
According to Berry, Arzillo, who received approximately $73,000 as Unicorn Director last year, will receive an additional $4000 to $5000 as the joint director.
While Berry will implement the promotion at the Selectmen's behest -- who proposed combining the two directors into one position during the FY05 budget process -- the town administrator remains skeptical of the move given the overlap between the two recreation department's seasons.
"Hopefully it will work out. During the golf season, Rick puts in a huge amount of time. He works over 40-hours a week. So how's that going to work? I really don't know," said Berry.
"I think without having that third assistant manager position [added under the override budget] that it's going to be very difficult to make this work. Had that position been added, I think the chances of success would have been a lot better. I think the Selectmen will have to look at some of these changes very closely between now and October" Berry added.
Despite Berry's concerns, Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello believes the combination of the two directors under one department will prove fruitful. Recalling that a similar position existed during the 1990's, Ciccarello said it worked back then and that it should work again now.
"We had one director at one time back in the 90's. It was for the Senior Center, the Arena, and the golf course. So I don't think this should be a problem. If it doesn't work, we'll just have to try again," Ciccarello remarked.
Although Berry described Arzillo as an excellent hands on manager at the Unicorn Golf Course -- a quality he found lacking in former Rink Manager June Scarpa -- he believes that Arzillo will find himself at a learning curve disadvantage at the Arena because he has little to no experience in such a facility. Asked why he didn't advertise the position to outside candidates who might be more qualified to handle both responsibilities, Berry doubted that many people would have experience in such different jobs.
"He doesn't have any direct hands on experience with the Arena like he does with the golf course. So at the moment, he really doesn't have the capability to be that hands on operational manager [we're looking for]. Again, I really don't know how that's going to work," said Berry. [But if you hired somebody else], you'd really be punishing a guy whose been running the golf course really well all along. How do you justify that?"
While Ciccarello has little doubt that Arzillo will step up to the challenge of the Arena, he contests Berry's suggestion that the position doesn't need to be advertised.
"On a temporary basis he can hire anybody he wants. But on a permanent basis we have to advertise it," Ciccarello disputed.
According to several members of the town's newest Arena Committee, which will make recommendations on how to improve the fiscal situation of the ice-skating facility by July 31, the ultimate success of the Arena will depend on finding new ways to increase revenues while decreasing expenditures.
"I think anytime a position turns over that you have to learn the job. Rick went to the same meetings as June did and they worked together over the years," said Arena and Open-Space and Recreation Committee member Maureen Houghton.
"I think a lot of things will have to fall into place for the Arena to start making money. But do I think it's possible? Absolutely. I have great hopes for the Arena and it's something we should really hang onto. It contributes a lot to the community and it can stand on it's own," Houghton added.
While the Arena Budget Committee just started its difficult task of identifying ways to increase revenue at the facility, the group plans to meet with several rink managers over the next few weeks for advise over the next few weeks.
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