Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Riverton Pool topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance committee approves moving $1.6M Riverton Pool bond to full council
Summary
The Finance Committee voted unanimously to advance a $1.6 million general-obligation bond request to fund Riverton Pool construction; staff said it would add about $145,000 in annual debt service for 20 years and recommended bonding rather than reallocating CIP funds.
The Portland Finance Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to send a $1.6 million bonding request for the Riverton Pool construction project to the full City Council.
Finance staff presented two options for funding the project: the quickest path would be to add $1,600,000 in general-obligation bonds, which staff estimated would add about $145,000 in annual debt service over 20 years beginning in FY28. The alternative was to reallocate CIP funds from the Deering Oaks Pond reconstruction project, which staff did not recommend because that project has been a multi-year priority.
During the public hearing, Steven Sharp questioned why the full cost was not known earlier and suggested it might have been cheaper to replace the pool entirely. Jen Southard, speaking for herself and as a member of Maine Community Swimming, urged support for Riverton Pool, saying the facility is critical for swim instruction and community exercise: "the Riverton Pool is really critical" to efforts to ensure every second grader can swim, she said.
Councilor Grant moved the bond allocation; Councilor Pelletier seconded. Chair April Fournier recorded unanimous "yes" votes from Grant, Pelletier and herself. The item will proceed to the full council for a first reading and a public hearing as part of the FY27 budget schedule.
