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Newington council votes to send $11.6 million pool and splash-pad proposal to Nov. 5 referendum after lengthy hearing
Summary
After more than three hours of public comment, Newington Town Council voted to place an $11.6 million bond for a new Mil Pond pool, a splash pad at Churchill and related park work on the Nov. 5 ballot, 6–2, while promising explanatory text and continued review of details.
Newington’s Town Council voted Aug. 27 to send a bond measure authorizing up to $11,637,890 for recreational improvements at Mil Pond Park and Churchill Park to a referendum on Nov. 5, 2024, following a packed public hearing that ran into the council’s regular meeting and resumed afterward.
Supporters at the hearing said existing pools are deteriorating and unsafe, described benefits for swim teams and families, and urged that delays drive up construction costs. “The total cost is going to be around 13 million,” said Jason hip, who presented architects’ and engineers’ figures and a Consumer Price Index adjustment that he said could push the likely price beyond that original figure. Ryan Vino and his daughter Riley, who said she swims for Newington’s club team, urged the council to let voters decide the town’s future aquatic facilities.
Opponents and cautious speakers pressed fiscal tradeoffs, parking and safety issues, and questioned the chosen Garfield Street site. “The claim that a brand new pool can be built for $2 million is entirely incorrect,” said Philip Nolton, a Parks and Recreation board member and former pool-committee participant, who said the $2 million figure dates to a 2013 appendix and does not account for current health-code and accessibility requirements. Several residents asked the council to provide clearer ballot language and an explanatory statement so voters understand exactly what the $11.6 million would fund.
Council members debated whether the council’s role was to finish design work or to present a concept for voters. Multiple members said they would authorize explanatory text to accompany the referendum so the public can better weigh design, scope and costs. After deliberation, the council adopted the bond resolution and set the referendum date; the roll-call vote was recorded as 6 in favor and 2 opposed.
The resolution’s text incorporated site and scope language that lists bathhouse construction, splash-pad installations, accessible facilities and related site work. Councilors and committee members stressed that design details, phasing and implementation oversight would continue if voters approve the bond. If approved, the project team will return with final designs, permitting steps and a construction schedule. The council did not adopt final construction documents at the meeting; the referendum would authorize the appropriation and borrowing authority.
Next steps: the council will publish explanatory text for the Nov. 5 ballot and continue committee oversight and public outreach pending the vote.
