Tenafly council appoints pool ad hoc committee and unveils membership plan to hit $200,000 goal

The Tenafly Mayor and Council on Dec. 17 appointed an ad hoc pool committee and discussed a draft municipal pool membership program designed to gauge interest and revenue before the 2025 season.

Mayor appointed Janet Kim, Maria Velez Velez Tejada, and Christine Cook to the ad hoc committee and staff presented a draft plan that includes a 15% discount on family memberships for both Tenafly residents and nonresidents. Staff said the program aims to have memberships paid by Feb. 28 so the borough can determine whether the pool season will proceed. The presenter said the administration is targeting "a minimum goal" of $200,000 in total revenue across membership categories.

The form will be placed online and enrollments will be handled through Community Pass. Staff said they plan to publicize the membership window through the borough website, schools’ communications and the mayor’s weekly messaging. Committee members present (Janet Kim and Christine Cook) and an online member (Maria Velez Velez Tejada) offered support and said they would help outreach to previous out-of-town members.

A council member asked that committee members prepare a report for the council's first March meeting so the council can review whether enrollment met the threshold to proceed with the season. Staff also noted it will review staffing, including bringing on individuals with certified pool-operator credentials, and will examine whether the swim club previously overstaffed shifts.

Several public and council members thanked the committee and expressed enthusiasm for outreach plans.