The Save the Littlestown Pool Committee has about two months to find ways to reclaim the neighborhood park swim center before it is scheduled to be filled in sometime in April, according to Craig Rosendale, President of the Littlestown Borough Council.
“We’re going to do what we can, and it’s a lot,” said Committee founder Kathleen Ednie, “but to hear it described as a burden is pretty disheartening.”
The decision to close the last public pool in Adams County was made at the December borough council meeting. Concerns regarding pool management, staff procurement, and meeting new state regulations and child labor laws were some of the reasons cited for closing the nearly 60-year-old pool. In addition, it was reported that the pool needed significant upgrades such as pumps, repairs to tiles and plaster, equipment, and fence replacement.
“I think it was a big eye-opener to them to hear how much water the pool loses every year,” said Rosendale. The board has maintained that repairing and maintaining the pool costs beyond the borough’s ability. The YMCA had managed it but decided it no longer wanted to be in charge of its operation.
Rosendale, Borough Manager Charles Kellar, and Borough Secretary Sandy Conrad recently met with Ednie and other Save the Pool Committee members. Rosendale called the meeting productive. “We’re going to give them some time to get resources together,” Rosendale said, “but we can’t leave it upended,” had added, referring to filling in the pool since it will become a safety issue for the community. The Save the Littlestown Pool Facebook Page provides updates regarding the group’s attempts to keep the facility open.
Littlestown Community Park, which houses the pool, is undergoing significant improvements this year, providing appropriate play equipment for two age groups of children, pickleball courts, and walking paths.
Other Council Business
The discussion regarding live streaming of borough meetings has been tabled until the borough has more information about the cost. In addition, the borough council is considering a move to a larger facility, and board members pointed out that purchasing new equipment for live steam meetings should be delayed until that issue is resolved.
The Borough Council approved a motion to create a one-way section of highway on Ebaugh Alley from Cemetery Street to Boyer.
Borough Council Secretary Conrad announced that road, well, and water main repair has begun in the borough. She also reported that the cameras and modems for police cars and body cams are being installed, and training will be provided for the new system.
Rosendale said the new Dunkin Donuts franchise is moving along and should be opening soon.
Borough Authority
The Borough Authority approved an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) request for a property at 681 Boasehoar School Road but denied an EDU request for 102 Boyer Rd. An EDU measures sewage flows for a single-family resident household.
EDU requests depend on how many are available within the system as measured by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Using an average of flow rates over a five-year period, the DEP determines that if the rate is within five percent of five percent of a facility’s capacity, it is overloaded. The Littlestown Borough holds EDUs within 15 percent of capacity.
Judith Cameron Seniura is a freelance reporter. She began her journalism career in the early ‘70s and has written for newspapers, magazines, and other media in Ontario, Canada, Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, San Antonio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Great reporting on important subject…a public pool is not a luxury