Nazareth Council Pushes for New Pool

After a two-hour presentation about the state of the Nazareth Boro-Park Pool at Thursday's work session, the decision by Nazareth Borough Council Monday night seemed to take about two minutes.

Taking shift action though motions without discussion, council unanimously decided not to spend $61,000 for a temporary fix to get the pool open for part of the summer season.

Then Councilman Frank Maurek made a motion to close the pool for the 2013 summer season. And he followed that up with another motion to proceed with planning for a new pool.

That motion was amended, in a suggestion by Councilman Christian Audrenreid, for council to "explore" the option of a new pool to replace the 74-year-old pool, which has fallen into disrepair and has a damaged pipe system.

Council Vice President Larry Stoudt asked about having a for-profit group  reconstruct the pool. He had received a phone call from a resident with that suggestion.

"I believe we should explore all options," Councilman Jack Herbst said.

Ted Wallover, a consultant with Wallover Associates, had offered up the temporary fix, but most council members felt that spending $61,000 was "throwing money down the drain" because the piping system might not hold up.

A motion was also approved to pay the oustanding $242,612 balance due to Neptune-Benson for new pool filters, which will be saved for a new pool.

The biggest news to come regarding the pool was a decision by officials to hold a special meeting about the pool at 7 p.m. May 16.

The session at council chambers was mentioned as "an informal public meeting to address the pool situation and future plans for the pool."

Wallover estimated that a new pool could cost about $5.2 million and would not be open until 2015.

Council also approved a contract with Wallover Associates for services connected with the borough's development of a new pool.