Northampton presentation says pool needs about $94,400 in immediate repairs; council sets four‑week budget decision

Assistant Borough Manager Jerry Sorensen told the Borough of Northampton council that the municipal pool requires several mechanical and building upgrades and that the borough’s estimate for the minimum required work to open in 2026 is $94,399.45.

Sorensen described circulation, filtration and chemical-dosing systems at the pool and listed line-item costs: “A new pump is $14,343.91. A new VFD is 6,649. And a quote from an electrician to come in and do the wiring is about $17,100,” he said, adding those electrical and pump items total about $38,092.91. He also listed a quoted roof replacement for the filter room at $12,100 and other miscellaneous equipment and supplies. With materials, a 10% contingency and 780 hours of public‑works labor, Sorensen said “for a total of $94,399.45, which is basically the minimum of what we would need to put into the pool to to upgrade for next year.”

Why this matters: the pool is a seasonal public facility used by families, day‑care programs and older adults; Sorensen’s presentation also showed that pool revenues have not covered expenses in recent years and that the operation has not produced a net profit in the last 15 years. The council must weigh the upfront capital cost plus ongoing operating losses against other borough budget priorities.

Details of the technical findings and proposals Sorensen said the pool holds roughly 15,275 square feet (about 440,000 gallons) and described safety and mechanical components that must be maintained or replaced. He said the pool’s anti‑entrapment VGB (Virginia Graeme Baker) drain grates were replaced this year; the main pump was replaced in 2013 and is due for replacement; the sand filters date to the 1970s and need replacement or upgrading; and the chemical dosing approach currently uses siphon pumps pulling from 55‑gallon drums. Sorensen said the borough has been offered filters from Catasauqua’s closed pool that could be adapted if space is reconfigured.

The immediate capital items Sorensen listed include: - New circulation pump: $14,343.91 - New variable frequency drive (VFD): $6,649 - Electrician quote (wiring/install): ~$17,100 (electric/pump/VFD subtotal ~$38,092.91) - New roof over the filter room: $12,100 - Miscellaneous equipment (automatic chlorine tester, ladder, siphon pump replacements, et cetera): $13,848 - Materials, supplies and contractual services subtotal shown as $64,041.50 plus a 10% contingency ($6,400) - Public-works labor estimated at 780 hours (three workers for roughly six weeks) at about $24,000 Sorensen presented those line items to arrive at the $94,399.45 minimum estimate for the work the borough would need to budget to open the pool next season.

Financial context and operating history Sorensen presented multi‑year charts showing salaries, materials, contractuals and capital outlays back to the 2010s and said the facility has not returned a profit over the period shown. He noted that 2023 included significant capital spending that produced a larger loss for that year. Revenue streams listed were daily and season passes, pavilion rentals and a concession stand rent; concession rent yields roughly $1,500 per year, he said.

Community response and council reaction Dozens of residents spoke in support of keeping the pool open and described it as a community and historical asset. One frequent commenter said the pool was dedicated in the 1940s as a World War II memorial and urged refurbishment rather than closure. Residents proposed a lap lane, more advertising, theme events, additional shade, and volunteer or donor support.

Council members acknowledged the public sentiment and the pool’s history but repeatedly stressed the borough’s tight budget. Several members said the borough has about four weeks to make a budget decision that will determine whether the pool can be funded and open in 2026. Councilmembers and staff said they will explore grants, donations and possible changes to operations, but they also emphasized that the pump, VFD and filter-room renovation are prerequisites to safe operation and cannot be deferred if the borough decides to open next year.

What happens next Councilmembers and staff agreed to accelerate budget discussions. No formal vote to close or to appropriate funds was taken at the meeting; Sorensen and staff said the pool work is included as a request in the draft budget and that council has roughly four weeks to resolve funding. Residents were invited to continue engagement through the recreation committee and to offer donations or volunteer support.

Ending The borough presented a technical scope and a near‑term budget figure that frames the fiscal choice: spend roughly $94,400 (plus operating subsidies) to attempt to open the pool in 2026, or postpone/close pending further funding. Council members pledged to continue pursuing options and to make a budget decision within the stated timeline.