Nearly six months in, the division in the new City Council is clear.

On one side of the divide are Bill Knobloch, Debbie Vancil and Kim Brackett. On the other, Chris Snow, Kjell Stoknes, Barry Peters and Hilary Franz.

At the heart of the split is the heart of a downtown set for major renovations.

Although the split has long been clear even to casual council observers, it was formalized on Monday when the trio submitted a declaration of opposition to the Winslow Way reconstruction design contract.

They say they agree the infrastructure beneath the street needs to be repaired, but think the plan and city finances are too fraught with uncertainty to be pushed ahead.

“We have major concerns about our own personal liability here,” Vancil said. “The intent was to wave the red flag and throw it on the field.”

The flag-waving has remained steady throughout the transformation of the project’s cost and scope; the extent of that transformation was acknowledged last week by design firm Heery International, in a letter to the city withdrawing the controversial contract.

“The repeated delays to the contract demonstrate that the city is uncertain what scope of services is desired from the Winslow Way design team,” the letter says. “Therefore, we recommend that the city provide a description of the scope of services and project schedule requested, and the team can respond with a work plan and fee proposal.”

So, while it may still be too early to definitively cast the newish council’s collective identity, it’s not too early to say that the rift is having reverberations.

Nor is it too early to say that some fairly straightforward philosophical disagreements are at play, the most basic being the handling of an uncertain financial situation at City Hall.

Lagging revenue has drastically changed the city’s capacity to complete capital work, with effects being felt throughout City Hall as leaders scramble to adjust to new realities.

Where possible, staff is trying to move tasks in house, and cuts to operating and capital spending have been ongoing for the past several months.

As planned, much of that work has gone on in committees. Knobloch, who took over as Council Chair this year, has continually stressed the importance of committee work to a functioning council.

“I think it’s a combination of several issues,” Knobloch said of the divide. “Some of it’s personal.”

For example, Knobloch said, Stoknes was involved in much of the planning for Winslow Tomorrow.

“He has a stake in that, and I understand that,” Knobloch said. “But the bottom line is we now need to understand who we are and what we can afford.”

Stoknes said the “schism” he sees is simply about how different personalities react to trying times.

A lot of the problem, he said, stems from unanticipated spending on last years council, which purchased two open space parcels using bond money.

Now, with a worsening economy, the new council is dealing with the repercussions.

“We just got caught,” Stoknes said. “We should have seen it coming, but I don’t think very many cities did.”

Peters, who like Brackett and Franz are new to the council, said the combination of the economic downturn and the need for a decision on one of the biggest projects in the city’s history have equaled “a two-part recipe for a very challenging five months.”

That said, he’s happy with the council’s performance to date.

“Some people when confronted by uncertainty want to stop until they know more,” he said. “Others want to take action to reduce expenses and keep doing a vital infrastructure project. It’s not a more profound split than that.”

For Peters, there is disappointment in the continuing perception by some that the project is bigger than an infrastructure repair – it has been slashed from a $20.6 million Streetscape to $11.3 million worth of utility repairs, plus $1.4 million in optional above ground amenities – and that many still mix it up with Winslow Tomorrow.

He’s also troubled by conspiracy theories.

“It’s disappointing that some people assume fixing the street is some sort of special favor for property and business owners there,” Peters said. “Fixing infrastructure on Winslow Way is as important as fixing any infrastructure on the island – we should do it for the good of all of us.”

Vancil said she sees some commonalities among all councilors when it comes to the project. All want the street fixed.

The difference here, she said, is that some of her colleagues are less concerned about cost than about moving ahead.

“It’s all great to keep on track,” she said. “But we don’t even know where we’re going. I keep hearing this is a bare bones project, but that contract wasn’t bare bones – it was so full of fluff it didn’t deserve air time.”

Councilors maintain they respect one another; most also are quick to point out that it’s never as black and white as it seems... sometimes.

“When it comes to money it’s black and white,” Brackett said. “It’s not about the project anymore. It’s about the money.”

Still, both Peters and Stoknes say they’re encouraged by the work of the council and staff so far this year, and by the arrival of new City Administrator Mark Dombroski.

“I absolutely believe the administration and council are working together more closely and effectively at diligently minding the financial store than prior councils have,” he said. “I don’t think the problem is a lack of information. The problem is that our city finances are intricate and complex.”

Work on the city’s capital plan will continue into June. Vancil said she thinks the WInslow Way project should be included in that effort as two separate plans – a utility project and an above ground project.

Others point out that the project has already been split in two, much like the identity of the current council.

“We’ve formed new coalitions it seems like,” Stoknes said. “For a small community, there’s an incredible amount of politics going on.

“It’s unfortunate, but I think it’s about control. We’re all vested. We all think we’re right.

“It creates war tactics – and I’ve seen too much of that since I was elected.”

Whatever the tactics, Brackett said, the council has remained respectful toward one another.

“Nobody goes away mad,” she said. “That’s the good thing.”

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