Boro Pool Could Break Even in 2012

Construction at is still ongoing, but planning for the 2012 pool season is well underway.

Council President James Lonergan announced to the Chatham Borough Council Monday the pool is likely to operate this year without a burden for taxpayers.

"We've made a capital investment in the pool this coming year," Lonergan said, and the Pool Committee is marketing membership to the borough pool.

Fees went up in 2011 for the pool, but Lonergan, working on recommendations from the Pool Committee, budgeted the 2012 fees to remain flat for those who join before the April 30 Early Bird deadline.

Those who join on May 1 or after will pay an increase over 2011 membership fees.

"We'll have a beautiful new pool, great location, and these are by far the cheapest rates you'll see anywhere still," Lonergan said. "We're trying to get people to act quickly and book their membership before May 1."

In past years, the pool has operated with a deficit of between $25,000 to $27,000, according to Lonergan, which taxpayers have been forced to make up. Falling membership and the need for costly improvements led to a on whether borough residents wanted to keep the pool open, which .

With the anticipated growth in membership thanks to the pool's improvements, "we should end up with a net zero cost to the taxpayer pool, which is a dramatic improvement," Lonergan said.

The 2012 fees are as follows:

The council approved the 2012 pool rates by a unanimous vote Monday. Councilman James Collander, who is recovering from surgery, was absent from the meeting.