Lower Township residents protest pool closure as construction begins during summer season

Lower Township leaders on June 1 defended the unexpected decision to close the municipal pool for the 2026 season after residents and council members pressed them for a detailed timeline and explanations about why the work could not wait until the off-season.

Township Manager Laffey told the council he and staff had explored options to keep the pool open while the clubhouse work proceeded but that insurance and safety concerns, scheduling gaps between award and preconstruction activities, and the contractor’s timetable made remaining open impractical. "We contacted our insurance carrier... they believed that it would not be a good idea to open the pool and have the construction happen at the same time," Laffey said, adding he would provide a more thorough timeline to Councilman Wareham by the end of the week.

Jim Ridgeway, a risk-management consultant representing the township, summarized a JA Montgomery safety review and recommended a temporary closure for the 2026 season. "It is our professional recommendation... that the municipal pool facility be closed for the duration of the 2026 pool season in the interest of public safety, employee safety, operational integrity," Ridgeway said, citing risks including flying and falling debris, airborne dust and contaminants, compromised emergency routes and ADA-accessible paths, and difficulties maintaining water chemistry and filtration near active demolition.

Town Solicitor Pulasko told the council the Local Public Contracts Law constrains the township’s ability to suspend or cancel the awarded contract without risking damages to the municipality. He said a suspension beyond the 60-day threshold set out in the law could expose the township to claims from the contractor.

Residents who rely on the pool for exercise and social connection reacted strongly at the public-comment period. "There's 52 weeks in a year — 10 weeks the pool is open — why is it happening now?" said resident Sabina Bloom. Multiple commenters including Paula Marder and Toni Zawesa stressed the pool’s importance for seniors’ physical and mental health and urged the township to consider phased work or engineering mitigations to allow partial access.

Other residents disputed the immediacy of the hazard. "On Saturday there was nothing going on... Today they have it barricaded," said Ed Bruce, who said his construction experience made him skeptical that full-season closure was required. Several people said construction activity appeared to have started only the day of the meeting, which raised concerns about communication and planning.

Manager Laffey and Ridgeway said safety and liability informed the decision and that insurance and safety reviews had been completed; Laffey also said the township had secured a grant for clubhouse improvements and that the project schedule and bid-award process constrained options. Councilman Wareham reiterated a request for a written, itemized timeline of delays, change orders, contractor issues, permitting challenges and alternatives considered to provide pool access.

No formal vote was taken to close the pool during the meeting; the action described was taken administratively by staff in consultation with the township’s insurance and safety advisors. Laffey said he would deliver a tentative timeline and further documentation to council and indicated residents could seek project records via the township clerk through an OPRA request. The council closed the public portion and agreed to continue working with staff to explore possible solutions.