Town Meeting on $400,000 in Pool Improvements Set for Dec. 12

Selectmen have set Dec. 12 as a date for a town meeting for a proposal to spend $400,000 for upgrades at Mills Pond Pool.

The funds would come from the town's undesignated fund balance — or its "reserves" and would not directly impact taxes. The funds have been approved by the boards of Selectmen and Finance but need the go-ahead from residents at town meeting. Voting will take place by a show of hands that evening.

As estimated, the money would fund the following:

• $129,470 for replacement of the concrete deck and drainage improvements.
• $39,959 for repairs to the pool and pool shell, including realignment of the gutter systems, repairs to the concrete shell, removal of underwater lights and repair of a broken pipe.
• $223,042 to modernize mechanical and pool filtration systems and move them above ground.

The repairs come to an estimated $387,471 and combined with the $15,000 already in the pool capital improvement fund, would provide some for design and contingency.

Selectmen Wednesday also briefly discussed the concept of a covering over the pool, which is not part of the Dec. 12 meeting. The idea, still in its early stages, is to provide a architectural covering for the pool and convert it into a year-round, revenue neutral facility, an idea recently presented to the Economic Development Agency by Parks and Recreation Director Brian Wilson.

Selectman Lowell Humphrey raised concerns about public confusion that there is a "plan" in place for such a structure. First selectman Richard Barlow agreed and said it is something the Parks and Recreation Commission will explore further, not one that's ready to go forward.

Barlow also said further work on the pool shell would need to be done before any structure could be added.

Selectman Tom Sevigny added that the town should go ahead with the $400,000 no matter what it does in the future.

"I think no matter what route we go, this $400,000 needs to be done,” Sevigny said.

The town meeting will take place at 7 p.m. the night of Dec. 12.