HAMILTON - WENHAM RECREATION DEPARTMENT

16 UNION STREET

HAMILTON, MA 01982 DIRECTOR WEBSITE

SEAN TIMMONS TELEPHONE: 978-468-2178 WWW.HWRECREATION.COM

Veterans Memorial Pool Question and Answer Sheet

Q: Didn’t Hamilton already vote for the pool? Why are we voting for the pool again? What’s changed?

Yes. Now the pool has the support of both Hamilton and Wenham Boards of Selectmen, Finance Committees,

Community Preservation Committee and the Joint Recreation Committee. The two towns have signed a 25 year

partnership to support the pool if you approve it at Town Meeting.

In November of 2013, a Special Town Meeting was held and Hamilton voters were asked to vote to approve a

$2.5M, debt-financed pool - alone, as Wenham had not provided any financial commitment. The vote required

a 2/3 (super majority) approval and despite the large request and the fact that Wenham was not contributing, the

vote was very close 219 for and 112 against. The message from Hamilton Town Meeting was clear – we all

want a pool that is smaller, costs less and also involves Wenham. So, the H-W Joint Rec Board went to work

and reduced the size, the cost, and Wenham voters will be asked to approve their share of the funding.

The new pool request is an amount not to exceed $2M and Wenham voters are being asked to pay their share.

Hamilton’s share of the cost is approximately 1.4 M, which is over a million dollars less than the original

request of $2.5M, while Wenham’s share is approximately 700K.

Q: Can’t we cut the cost by renovating the existing pool?

A: If you look closely at the cost estimates you will find that the actual pool only accounts for 30% of the total

project cost. The lack of the current infrastructure has the greatest impact on the overall project cost. In

addition to the pool itself, the proposed project includes a bathhouse with private changing areas and private

showers in contrast to the open changing areas and the open community showers that is currently present. It

also provides two fully handicapped accessible bathrooms that will also be available for park users in the Spring

and Fall. The proposed project also includes new pool decking, fence, sick bather area, and proper lifeguard

office, all of which are code complaint. The project also includes items that lead to a more efficient way to

operate the facility; a controlled access point for safe entry and exit, a small office for the Summer Park

Program to store important documents, a separate and secure place for staff to use the restroom, and a safe and

properly ventilated storage area to store pool chemicals and supplies. All of the aforementioned features are

either insufficient or completely non-existent in the current facility.

Q: How long will the pool be open? What is the length of the season?

A: While this may vary slightly from year to year the plan is to make the pool available for use approximately

13 weeks a year.

Q: Will this project increase my property taxes?

A: No. The pool will be built with CPC funds from both towns and operating costs will be covered by

Recreation fees. Although, the accumulation of CPC funds comes from property taxes, the CPA funds to be

used for the project were already collected from you, over the years. These funds have also been boosted by

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State matches, on average, over the last five years; the State has matched 33% of Hamilton funds and 61% of

Wenham funds.

Q: Can CPA funds even be used on the pool? A: Yes. In 2012 an amendment was made to the CPA to allow for the rehabilitation to outdoor recreational

facilities. In fact, Belmont, East Longmeadow, Lincoln, and Newton have all used CPA on municipal

swimming pool projects.

Q: Will non-resident pool passes be needed in order to financially support the operation of the pool?

A: No. One of the items put forth to the Recreation Committee by the pool working group was to develop a

pro-forma budget for revenue and expenses of the new pool. The Recreation Committee has determined that

only resident passes will be sold, making this a TRUE community pool. Guest passes for visiting family and

friends will also be available for purchase

Q: Will the facility only be open during the summer months.

Though the pool itself will only be open during the summer months, two handicapped accessible bathrooms

from the proposed bathhouse will be available to park users in both the Fall and Spring

Q: Why is the proposed parking lot cost not included in the cost estimation for the Pool?

A: The town was awarded a $100,000 safety grant which will cover the cost of the new parking lot. This

parking lot is not only a necessity for the pool project but also for the other various activities, programs and

events that are held at the park.

Q: Do we really need to have the buildings as part of the pool plan?

A: Yes. Due to the state code for swimming pools, the buildings are a must in order for the pool to be deemed

operational by the Health Inspector. The Recreation Committee has been hard at work making sure the

buildings size and scope stay as minimal as possible while also providing the functionality that is needed. The

Recreation Committee has also decided to pursue wood framed buildings that not only reduce the cost but also

provide a more attractive appearance.

Q: Wouldn’t an indoor pool get much more use than the outdoor pool being proposed.

A: While there is no question that an indoor pool would be used year round, it does not qualify for CPA funding

because it is not considered outdoor recreation.

Q: By voting yes for the pool, will a turf field at the HS not become a reality?

A: The Recreation Committee is very much committed in seeing a community pool and turf field come to

fruition as they both were indentified in the Recreation Master Plan as high priorities. In fact, Hamilton

community members will have an opportunity to vote for $500,000 of the proceeds of the sale of the Patton

Estate to be moved into a Recreation Stabilization Fund. This Stabilization Fund is extremely important since

the actual turf material itself cannot be funded by the CPA.

Q: Wouldn’t the funds being spent on the pool be better off being allocated to improving school

buildings?

A: While not dismissing any of the work that may or may not need to be done at the schools. CPA funds can

only being used on projects that fit into four specific categories: Outdoor Recreation, Historic Preservation,

Open Space, and Affordable Housing. Work done to school buildings does not qualify for CPA funding;

therefore they are not competing projects.

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Q: Will there ever be anytime at the pool for adult or senior exclusive use

A: The goal of the Recreation Committee is to make this a multi-generational facility. Various programs will

be offered to ensure that community members of all ages and skill levels will be able to use the facility. If

approved the Recreation Committee would love to hear more from the public about the types of programming

they would like to see at the facility.

Q: How much will it cost to operate the pool? Where is that money coming from?

A: Based upon preliminary numbers the Recreation Committee expects the pool to operate at an annual cost of

between $75,000 – $85,000 a year. These costs will be paid for from the fees collected from swim passes, swim

lessons, swim team, aquatic programming and a portion of the funds collected from the Summer Park Program.

Q: With other swimming options nearby, do we really need a community pool?

A:

We need to continue and honor the wonderful legacy the American Legion gave to the Town 54 years

ago.

Thousands of people over the years have benefitted by having a community pool. Even more will

benefit with the new pool that will accommodate a wider variety of ages and abilities.

A successful summer park program has utilized the pool for many years. There was a reduction in

enrollment when the pool was not operational.

This pool will provide a safe and convenient environment for all ages to swim – other options like

Bradley Palmer cater to a very young age, and the beach is not the safest place for young swimmers to

learn to swim, elders to swim, or lap swimmers to swim.

A new pool will enhance the usability and aesthetic appeal of Patton Park. It will build a stronger sense

of community by offering another gathering place for citizens of the two Towns.

Our Towns have always supported great public gathering spaces – the HW Library, the Community

House, Council on Aging, Patton and Pingee Park. This will be another public gathering space that

people can utilize in our Town. Keeping people local during the summer months will benefit our

business owners, employ our kids at the pool, while providing a valuable gathering space that will

enhance the community feel of the Town.