Residents urge commission to accept $2.6 million state grant to rebuild Sherrill pool

Dozens of residents told the Sherrill City Commission that the town pool is a vital community asset and urged officials to accept a $2,600,000 New York State grant to fund a roughly $3,000,000 rehabilitation project. Chair opened public comment noting the commission needs a 0.667 majority (four of five votes) to approve borrowing; he said three commissioners support the grant, two oppose it and those two were not present.

"I came today to urge the commission to pass the bond for the Cheryl pool," said Lauren McDonald, a local resident. Mike Holmes, a longtime resident who served on the pool committee, outlined the project's changed scope and cost, saying the grant is an 80/20 split: "with the grant being eighty-twenty split, New York state picking up 80% of it, 20% of the city, you're looking at $600,000 over the course of 20, 20 years or so." Commissioners and staff repeatedly told speakers the state is ready to execute a grant disbursement agreement once the commission approves the financing portion.

The crowd cited swim lessons, safety and multigenerational use in support of the project. An official summary of the publicly cited survey — which staff said included about 540 responses, roughly 394 verified in-city responses and showed 92% of verified respondents favoring the project — will be published publicly as directed by the commission. Chair said he will present a bond-resolution at the next meeting so the public can speak again before any vote.