Politics & Government

Pool Liner's Production Delayed, Council Told

On Monday, Hellertown Borough Council gave engineer Rob Sarnowski permission to 'play hardball' with the company contracted to manufacture the new liner for the borough pool.

Although the company that's contracted to manufacture a new liner for the Hellertown Pool is dragging its feet, engineer Rob Sarnowski of Barry Isett and Associates told Hellertown Borough Council Monday the contract should protect the borough from any financial losses, if, in a worst case scenario, the pool's opening would be delayed.

That scenario appears unlikely to occur, because Sarnowski was given permission by council to "play hardball" with the manufacturer in order to get the liner delivered to the borough within the next month.

The pool is scheduled to open for its 2013 season on June 15.

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Sarnowski said the liner manufacturer recently told him it needs six to eight weeks to produce the liner, which would not allow enough time for the installation to happen before the pool's scheduled opening.

He said he voiced displeasure with that timetable, and told the manufacturer the borough would do the same.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Play whatever you've got to play (with the manufacturer)," council vice president John Bate instructed Sarnowski.

Borough Public Works director Tom Henshaw told council that although the existing liner will leak, it could probably be used for one more season if necessary.

Sarnowski told council he believes the color of the new liner—dark blue—is at the root of the production delay.

"I think they were hoping we're going to cave in on the color,” he said.

Sarnowski also updated council on the status of several major projects taking shape in Dimmick Park.

He said that concrete footers have been poured to support a new bandshell, and added that the bandshell canopy is likely to be set up this week.

Lead paint remediation at the adjacent grandstand has concluded, Sarnowski said, and the structure has been primed for repainting.

Councilman Tom Rieger requested that the contractors working in the park be sure to clean up debris as much as possible each day, because the park is open while the work is taking place.

"We have kids up there with Little League," he said. "Before it gets out of hand, nip it in the bud."

Sarnowski told council a walking path in the park was damaged by a concrete truck that drove across it, but said repairs will be made by the responsible party.


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