Committee approves ‘Whale’s Tail’ at East Ferry site; council demurs



Despite support from the public art committee, the town council tabled a decision on whether to install the “Whale’s Tail” sculpture at the East Ferry seawall.

The councilors during their meeting Monday night heard from Duncan Pendlebury, chairman of the ad hoc committee established in November to draft a policy governing public art. The 10-member panel, which said it has finished its work, also was tasked with making a recommendation on whether to accept Peter Diepenbrock’s 10-foot-tall sculpture as a gift. The group that spearheaded that effort, however, said the donation, estimated at $90,000, was contingent on the East Ferry location.

While the public art committee previously agreed to a policy that said gifts with conditions attached would not be accepted, Diepenbrock’s group said the location was not negotiable, according to Pendlebury.

The committee during its May 8 meeting then voted 4-2 “to recommend the triangle site at the bus shelter at East Ferry” as the site of Diepenbrock’s sculpture.

“Our committee was somewhat divided on this,” Pendlebury said.

According to the committee’s report, “The ad hoc committee also voted unanimously that this location for the ‘Whale’s Tail’ not be considered permanent and be re-evaluated in three years or less. The re-evaluation should take into account some of the negative factors discussed when considering this recommended location: view disturbance, size appropriateness and conflict with other functions at East Ferry.”

Despite the majority in support of the East Ferry sculpture, Pendlebury said the board was split. Just six members, however, voted. Pendlebury said meeting a quorum for the 10-member committee was “difficult.”

“We don’t have 100 percent agreement,” he said. “It could be that we’re 50-50 on this.”

Voting in favor of the East Ferry site were Robert Trout, Mary Beth Murphy, Sandy Sorlien and Mick Cochran. Pendlebury and Allie Sabalis, however, voted for an alternative site at Beavertail State Park.

Members Tory Reiff, Barbara Cunha, Peter Fay and Valerie Southern did not attend the meeting to vote, which had been advertised per state law.

Councilman Bill Piva said he was wary of approving the site before seeing minutes from the May 8 meeting. The council unanimously agreed. They told Pendlebury to schedule a meeting for the committee to approve the minutes.