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Health & Fitness

Blue Ribbon Committee To Consider Plans For New Pool

Recently an independent, grass-roots, non-aligned Blue Ribbon Committee was formed and has begun discussion and deliberation on the issue of the American Legion Pool at Patton Park.

DEFINITION: Blue Ribbon Committee is an informal term generally used to describe a group of exceptional persons appointed to investigate or study or analyze a given question. The term generally connotes a degree of independence from political influence or other authority, and such panels usually have no direct authority of their own. Their value comes from their ability to use their expertise to issue findings or recommendations which can then be used by those with decision-making power to act.

A motion to approve spending up to $2.5 million for a pool project was defeated at a Hamilton Special Town Meeting (STM) in November, despite nearly unanimous support from the Hamilton Board of Selectmen (BoS), the Recreation Board and the Community Preservation Committee (CPC).

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Opposition to the Town’s motion and the cost of the proposal was led by Enough Is Enough (EiE).  EiE felt that three important issues needed to be addressed before approving spending for a new pool: (1) a reduction in the scope and associated costs of the proposed pool, (2) the inclusion of Wenham as a partner in the project, and (3) commencement of private fundraising.

Since the defeat at the STM, a majority of Hamilton Selectmen and the Recreation Board have reaffirmed support for the original plan.  Since the motion at the STM was defeated by only two votes, some are suggesting that the same concept plan should simply be resubmitted at the Annual Town Meeting in April in hopes that it would garner enough votes to pass a second time around.

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EiE believes that would be a tragic mistake.  The point being that nearly everyone favors a new pool…just not the one proposed at the STM.  To believe otherwise is an underestimation of the opposition to the original proposal and its associated costs and long-term debt.

In the meantime, the Blue Ribbon Committee will be working on an alternate proposal, one that we hope will address the concerns of those that voted against the motion at the STM, as well as those that voted for the motion.  Win/win.

Many in the community have suggested that had they been given a choice, with a more modest and less expensive pool plan as an option, such a plan might have passed in the first place.  Now we have a chance to consider just that, but there is talk of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting opening soon, and then closing quickly so as to limit any changes to the original plan.  We hope that is simply a rumor and remind everyone of the adage, "Act in haste, repent at leisure."

Lastly, we also feel that participation with Wenham as a partner is essential.  We agree with Selectman David Neill who stated at the joint BoS and Recreation Board meeting on 12/4 that without Wenham the project “is doomed to failure”.

EiE looks forward to the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee, and as Hamilton Selectman Jennifer Scuteri aptly stated:

“All of us are hopeful we can work together in a respectful (and collaborative) manner.”

That would be nice.  Hope springs eternal.

Regards,

The Steering Committee of Enough Is Enough


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