Why Hamilton Should Vote to Fund the New Pool Now, and not Delay until April

Over the course of the pool project development, there have been many concerns and objections raised, including “the existing pool can be repaired;” “the new pool is too large;” “the new pool is too expensive;” “we don’t know what the new pool will cost.”  As those points have been addressed or otherwise debated, the conversation has shifted to, “we all agree that we need and want a new pool, but let’s wait until April so we can _______ (“get Wenham to commit; get more information; or pick your obstacle du jour).”  Here is why waiting until April is pointless:

One argument for “delay” is that it will allow time for additional dialogue with Wenham.  Over the last 2 years, we have had a lot of conversations with Wenham officials, and I can tell you this:

·      They are still (justifiably) reeling from the loss of Penguin Hall and the concern of what will be located at the site.

·      Wenham’s tax rate is projected to be close to a rate of $19, yes $19, and they no longer have the future hope of Penguin Hall property tax revenue. (Our tax rate may drop below $17)

·      Wenham is working with Harborlight Community Partners on locating a large, senior affordable housing development on Maple Street and the expectation is that a request for $1M will be made in April of 2014 from their CPA funds (yes, the very funds from which a pool contribution would be made).  So, should Wenham CPC also recommend funding the pool as historically, they have only spent $97K of CPA Funds on recreation? Of course, but will they?  Probably, eventually, but maybe not in April of 2014. 

So, where DOES funding the pool end up on their list? Although the Wenham’s BoS Chairman was optimistic, and said “the door is still open” (or something to that effect) and I do believe that Wenham will eventually contribute at the Town level, they are busy with other issues and the pool does not appear to have moved to the top of their list.  None of the Wenham Selectmen even attended any of the public information sessions.  They have not studied the project to the great extent that our citizens or our Boards and Committees have studied this project. 

The other reason why waiting until April does nothing (other than cause “delay”) is… WE STILL WON’T KNOW WHAT WENHAM IS GOING TO DO.  This is because Wenham has their Annual Town Meeting on the first Saturday in April - the very same day as Hamilton. However, we start our meeting at 9:00 AM, and Wenham starts their meeting until 1:00 PM.  So, guess what? Even if Wenham has a warrant article requesting funding for the pool we won’t know how they’ll vote that afternoon when we are taking our vote in the morning! 

Does this mean we are done requesting funding from Wenham?  No.  The Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Board, which unanimously supports the new pool, will continue to request CPC funding from Wenham.  Everyone wants to see our joint programs remain and even expand.

Another argument being advanced for “delay” is that we can have more discussion on the “scope”.  Well, the difference in “scope” is mainly confined to one solitary issue – we either decide to include a zero entry pool (and sincerely provide access to the pool for our residents who may have difficulty using a ladder or are physically infirm and for small/young children who cannot yet swim) or we build a new pool the size of our old one, which will require residents with such restrictions to use a electronic lift to get in and out of the water. We either want an accessible pool or we don’t. So let’s stop calling it “scope” and acknowledge this is about whether we have a zero entry pool, or not.  This discussion will be no different in April.  

Finally, there is the thought that with a “delay” private fundraising efforts can be initiated to help lower the costs.  Well, the experts on private fundraising – the Friends of Patton Park (and they have proven themselves to be the resident experts on private fundraising!) – have said that private fundraising doesn’t really get going until it is clear there is actually going to be a project. It makes sense that people won’t make contributions to a project that is not even a project yet. So, private funding is not a reality until the pool is a reality…and “delay” does not foster reality. And personally, I am not sure I would contribute to a pool that may not provide equal access to our residents.

The vote needs to take place now, not “delayed” until April:

1.            Because, like Wenham, Hamilton will have many other important items on our April warrant – like the school and town budgets and the likely vote to sell a portion of the Patton Property for the development of 12 houses.  Are we going to DELAY the Patton vote because we have been busy having more discussions on the pool?

2.            Because we have run the operations numbers for the new pool and guess what?  The economic model shows that we will generate a sizable profit from pool fees that allows us to pay back into our CPA funds $40,000 a year (a return of $800,000 over the 20-year loan.) And why is this? Mainly because in our projections we charge Wenham residents $425 for a family rate (which we benchmarked, and purposefully kept reasonable) as compared to the Hamilton resident’s rate of $175.  So Wenham is already in, although unfortunately, their financial commitment falls on the Wenham families. We can realistically expect a Wenham commitment at the town level (at some point) – but they are already in and helping to pay our debt. 

3.            Because pool construction costs are only going to go up.

4.            Because “delay” causes an initiative, any initiative, to lose energy and nothing gets done. Hopefully this is not the precise reason for advancing this argument.

The Friends of Patton Park have worked tirelessly, and despite the usual skepticism and unforeseen roadblocks, they built a beautiful new playground that addressed many of our Community needs. With the same thoroughness and competence they have shifted their focus to the new pool, which was always the next step in their desire to preserve and improve our Community. They do not deserve to have their initiative lose energy because of a delay, which will serve to resolve nothing.

We are as ready as we will ever be to move forward, and even if you don’t put one toe in the water, a new pool will help preserve Hamilton as the Community we all want it to be. So let’s get our new pool funded with Community Preservation Funds, and keep the good momentum going! Vote Yes for the Pool on Monday, November 4th – 7:00 PM at the High School.

Jennifer Scuteri

Essex Street, Hamilton