Gardner council delays Greenwood Memorial Pool signage payment, sends item to finance for study

Councilors on July 6 debated whether to use $4,016 from the city council’s wages and salaries account to pay for signage at Greenwood Memorial Pool and ultimately referred the measure to the finance committee for study.

Councilor Mack, who introduced the signage request, said the funds would cover lettering on the exterior of the remaining outdoor pool building and that an existing vendor quote would expire on July 25. "The funds have to be allocated and used by August…If we don't approve this now, doing something in the future will most likely be more expensive," Mack said, stressing the pool's historical connection to the Greenwood and Haywood families and the desire to preserve that legacy.

Other councilors urged caution. One councilor on the finance committee said they were uneasy about spending the money in the middle of the season and preferred to wait to see the pavilion design before committing funds. Another councilor suggested temporary signage as an interim option and noted broader budgetary pressures and competing priorities.

After discussion about vendor options and whether grant money was available, Councilor Mack withdrew the immediate motion and moved to refer the item to the finance committee for study and report; the referral passed by voice vote.

What the referral means The finance committee will review alternatives (including using the sign department, temporary signage, or seeking new quotes) and report back to the full council with recommendations. The vendor quote cited in the discussion is valid through July 25, 2026; council members asked the committee to weigh timing, historical preservation aims and budget priorities before the item returns for a vote.