Mahwah March 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Council authorizes increase in municipal pool fees by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Council has passed a resolution that authorizes an increase in the municipal pool fees in an attempt to close the gap between the $209,000 it cost to run the pool last year and the $182,000 in revenue the pool generated. Most of the fees for the pool have been raised by $10 to $15 in an attempt to have the pool’s finances break even this year, according to Pool Manager Marion Crescitelli. Crescitelli and some council members voiced their concern, however, that the rising fees might deter some residents from joining the pool, which could still prevent the pool from breaking even. They discussed several ways to try to motivate more people to join and use the pool facility, which is located on Darlington Avenue near the end of Macarthur Boulevard. Councilman Robert Hermansen suggested reducing the day rate at the pool during the end of the summer when attendance at the pool tends to decrease. He also suggested offering a buy one, get one free day rate. Crescitelli suggested admitting children under 12 years of age free of charge during the last two weeks of the summer season to try to attract people who do not want to travel at this time. Crescitelli explained that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. She noted that about 200 to 300 children on the swim and diving teams use the pool on summer mornings before the pool opens to the public at 11:30 a.m., and 300 to 500 others use the pool daily depending on the weather. Hermansen suggested reaching out in May to people who used the pool the previous year, but had not signed up by the April 30 deadline. “The problem is that people don’t want to pay a late fee after April 30,” Hermansen said. Councilman Allan Kidd said the pool is not close to breaking even and he brought out the fact that a lot of membership checks are returned for insufficient funds. Crescitelli explained that she receives a lot of those checks from people who pay late, and it takes a month or so before the checks bounce, allowing the people to use the pool in the meantime. Following the general discussion, Council President John DaPuzzo recommended, and the council concurred, that the pool fee increases be adopted as they were proposed by Crescitelli with the same deadline. Crescitelli will also have the authority to use her discretion to lower the pool fees from Aug. 15 to the end of the pool season. Mahwah Township Attorney Terry Bottinelli will now prepare an ordinance reflecting that recommendation. Pool membership applications will be mailed to all residents and former pool members during the first week in April. After that time, applications will also be available in the lobby of the township’s municipal building on Corporate Drive, according to Crescitelli who noted that pool rates are reduced for those who apply for membership during. Mahwah residents will be able to join the pool early for $275 per large family, a $15 increase; $110 per individual, an increase of $10; and $40 for senior citizen or disabled residents, an increase of $10. Small Mahwah families, usually two people, may join early for $110 per person, an increase of $10. The reduced membership rates will be in effect until April 30. After that date, large families will have to pay $360; individuals will have to pay $150; and small families will be charged $150 per person, all the same as last year. Non-resident memberships are welcome: non-resident large families may join for $735, an increase of $15; non-resident individuals can join for $275, an increase of $10; and non-resident small families may join for $275 per person, an increase of $10. Pool members may bring guests for $9 per person per day on weekdays, and $10 per child (ages three to 11), and $12 per adult (12 years and older), on weekends, the same prices as last year. Children under age two will still be admitted free this year, and Mahwah senior citizens may use the pool at the daily rate of $5 per person, an increase of $2. The group party rate this year will be $7 per person with reservations only. After school swimming, when available, will be $4 per person. 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