Mahwah February 29, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Township council agrees to raise pool rates by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Township Council has decided to increase the 2012 membership rates at the Mahwah Municipal Pool. The municipal pool area includes the main pool, which ranges from 3.5 feet deep up to diving depth; an intermediate pool, which ranges in depth from two feet to three feet; and a wading pool for toddlers. At a recent budget work session, Pool Manager Marion Crescitelli provided the council with a package of information about all the events that took place at the pool last year, and the finances of running the municipal pool. Crescitelli told the council that the municipal pool cost more to operate last year, but she pointed out that it was a rainy season. She explained, however, that the revenue from most of the categories of fees for the various programs offered at the pool during 2011 increased, while the number of season memberships of residents and non-residents decreased. Compared to 2010, Crescitelli said the revenue from individual per day rates increased in 2011, and the revenue from the program fees for swim and dive lessons and the swim team increased dramatically, as did the revenue from food sales. Crescitelli attributed the decrease in the number of memberships to the fact that people were using the pool on a daily basis instead of buying annual memberships, perhaps because of the rainy weather, or perhaps because they were trying to find the least expensive method to use the pool. Councilman Harry Williams told Crescitelli and the rest of the council that he felt the township should raise the membership rates at the municipal pool this year to try to break even. Councilman John Spiech did not vote on the matter because receives a preferred membership rate to the pool as a township volunteer. Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio voted against the increases. DiGiulio said she believes some residents are out of work and many of them do not have their own pools and need the municipal pool for recreation. She said she would prefer to hold the rates at the current levels for this year to see the results of this summer in case better weather improves the pool’s revenue. The majority of the council agreed with Williams, however, and voted to approve increased pool membership rates for this summer. The resident large family membership, which includes all family members at the same address, will be $295 if the family joins before April 30. This fee is up from $285 last year. The membership for a resident small family, which is usually two people, will be $125, up from $115 last year. After April 30, large and small family rates will rise to $375 and $175, respectively. The annual membership fee for an individual resident will be $125, up from $115 last year, and will be $175 after April 30. Resident senior citizen and disabled memberships will rise from $40 to $45, the non-resident large family membership will rise from $400 to $450, and the non-resident small family membership will rise from $200 to $225. The non-resident individual membership fee will be $225, up from $200, and the emergency services/township volunteer membership will rise from $25 to $30. The Mahwah resident senior citizen per day rate will remain at $5, while the group party rate will increase from $7 per person to $8 per person, and the after school swimming fee will rise from $4 to $5 per day. Day rates for guests and walk-ins who are not members will be $10 per person on a weekday, and $10 per child and $15 per adult on weekends. Crescitelli said a special lift for the disabled is being installed this year. The lift will allow disabled individuals to enter and leave the pool by themselves. In addition, new handrails are being installed in two of the three pools at the site. The pool area also has a lightning detection system that warns swimmers by siren if lightning is within five miles of the pool area. The pool also has large structures that can accommodate up to 75 people who want to sit in the shade. Crescitelli said the municipal pool is an aquatic training facility that offers swimming and diving lessons, and has a competitive swim team known as the Mahwah Marlins. It also offers lifeguard training, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, and Red Cross first aid training programs throughout the summer. The Ramapo Reformed Church will hold a Saint Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Saturday, March 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. The dinner, which will include corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and dessert, will be available to eat in or to take out. The cost is $10. A chil- Church celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day dren’s meal of corned beef or chicken will be available for $5. Advance tickets are required. Call the church at (201) 529-3075 or visit www.ramaporeformedchurch.org to purchase tickets. The church is located at 100 Island Road in Mahwah.