Pool manager urges limits on large out-of-town school pool days after staffing and cleanup issues

Pool Manager Stephen Trocolar told the Paramus Municipal Pool Commission on June 11 that large school-day events have strained staffing and caused operational problems, prompting a recommendation that future out-of-town parties require stricter booking rules or be avoided.

Trocolar described a recent booking for a school pool day that had widely varying attendance estimates — reportedly 500 at one point, later 350, and 320 registered — which he said made staffing and supervision difficult. He also reported that River Dell’s school-day event left the snack bar area uncleaned and that middle-pool staffing was inadequate during the event.

The manager asked that schools provide definite head counts at the time of booking and suggested requiring parties to utilize the snack bar and perform cleanup as part of contract terms. Commissioners discussed those operational adjustments and accepted the manager’s recommendation to tighten booking requirements for large school events.

The commission did not adopt an ordinance or new regulation at the meeting; the discussion identified potential contract-term language for future bookings and directed staff to pursue administrative changes to address the staffing and cleanup concerns.

The commission will rely on staff to draft any required contract language and to report back with recommended procedures for handling large school-day events before the bulk of the summer schedule.