Board of Aldermen orders limited outside work, debates oversight after pool leaks force shutdown

The Board of Aldermen held a special meeting June 28 to address leaks and other damage that left the city pool drained and closed for the start of the season. Speakers described leaking expansion joints, lights allowing water intrusion and a deep-end crack that will be deferred for full repair until after the season.

Officials said Westport is scheduled to remove and replace the caulking in expansion joints on Saturday and that park staff have begun servicing the light fixtures. ‘‘The pool has been completely drained,’’ a presiding speaker said, noting the city superintendent and contractor crews were working to seal leaking lights and joints. Staff planned to wait at least one day after repairs before refilling the pool so new underwater materials could set, with refilling expected to begin Monday.

Why it mattered: parents, competitive swimmers and residents are losing recreational access during summer; aldermen pressed for faster action, questioned past maintenance practices and debated whether the board could direct specific employees to work overtime.

The debate produced three formal outcomes. The board voted to add an executive session for hiring/firing/discipline to the Tuesday regular meeting agenda. The board rejected a motion to have Robert assume interim oversight of the pool until a city administrator is hired. And the board approved a motion authorizing the mayor to ask Westport to finish sealing the pool lights if the park superintendent did not complete the work that day, with a spending cap of up to $3,000 and an amendment that the mayor not call Westport until after the superintendent’s shift ended.

Several aldermen said the pool’s problems reflect long-term maintenance lapses. One member argued the situation had deprived local swim teams and pool users of much of the season: ‘‘This has made their kids miss out on a swim season for competition and diving ... it’s not fair to the residents,’’ Speaker 4 said. Others pushed back, saying the board should not directly order individual employees to work because that is an administrative function. ‘‘We're the legislative body; that's administrative,’’ the presiding speaker said during the debate.

On repairs and timing, staff and outside contractors gave the following answers: Westport would replace caulk in the expansion joints Saturday; Mister Fowler (park superintendent) was working on removing and resealing lights; if those two repairs proceed and materials are given time to set, refilling could begin Monday. Chemical balancing of the pool water (handled by contractor Midwest) would follow and could take one to three days, meaning a July 4 opening was uncertain and contingent on weather and balancing needs.

Cost and contracting: the board heard two dollar figures in the meeting. An alderman said a full replacement quote given earlier was approximately $35,100; the board approved a contingency authorization of up to $3,000 to have Westport finish the lights if in-house staff could not. The presiding speaker said she would review the Midwest contract to determine whether a credit or reimbursement for the delayed opening was available and whether additional staffing/days could be scheduled in August to compensate for lost service.

What’s next: staff will update the board at the Tuesday meeting on repair completion, contractor availability and any contract credits. The board also added the executive-session item to that meeting; no personnel actions were taken at the June 28 special meeting.

The meeting adjourned after the board approved a motion to close the session.