By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
A new $6.37 million stainless steel pool will be installed at the Community Park Pool complex this fall, at a cost of $1.5 million more than a concrete pool recommended by the Recreation Board.
The governing bodies of the Princetons made the decision at a special joint meeting on Monday night.
In a surprise turn of events, township engineer Deanna Stockton recommended the pool made by the Myrtha company, which is based in Italy.
The system, which features stainless steel walls coated in PVC, a thermoplastic polymer, was recommended after a vetting of eight bids that were submitted and a meeting with the Myrtha president.
Also driving costs up were delays in getting the bid out and the redesigns that have taken place. The initial $6.1 million cost estimate was from 2009.
The redesigns to the project as a result of public input incurred fees of about $136,000 plus additional legal fees of the bidding process.
The Recreation Board is on board with the Myrtha pool, despite having recommended the least-expensive concrete option at its meeting on June 30.
”Once the Rec Board and staff realized there may be additional funds available from the municipalities, I met with the management committee of the Rec Board and the staff,” said Ben Stentz, executive director of Princeton Recreation. “The board felt confident the Myrtha system was a good system, but at that June 30 board meeting we were unaware the governing bodies would put more money in the pot.”
Reduced maintenance cost estimates were attractive to board members.
Projected maintenance over the life of the Myrtha pool is $102,750 for a new coat of PVC. The main pool, family bay and diving well will be Myrtha. The baby pool will be concrete on its own filtration system.
An all-concrete pool system would require more than $1.56 million in today’s dollars in maintenance costs over its lifetime, said Mr. Stentz.
Myrtha also comes with a 15-year warranty whereas the concrete pool has a two-year warranty.
”I think there was a lot of investigation that happened in the time from when the Rec Board recommended the concrete,” said Committeewoman Sue Nemeth, who is liaison to the Recreation Board. “Once we did the math we realized we would be looking at $1.4 million to maintain a state-of the-art concrete pool … it changed the picture. It was not so much a turnaround, but an evolution in thinking.”
The Borough Council, which directed the Rec Board to scrub the project to its bare bones, forced the board to recommend the lowest bid, said Ms. Nemeth.
”They couldn’t recommend anything else politically,” said Ms. Nemeth.
Another selling feature of the Myrtha was the fact that it can be built in any condition, said Ms. Stockton.
”If it’s raining and snowing you can still build that pool system,” she said.
A first date for completion is April 29 when a substantial completion milestone is set. The project must be complete 30 days later, by May 29, said Ms. Stockton. The whole complexpools, bath house and landscaping is scheduled to be open for Memorial Day 2012.
Mayor Chad Goerner suggested the[cki: : ] governing accept bid the lowest bid for the Myrtha system with Robert Bruschi, borough administrator, financing suggestion that splits the additional $1.5 million between the Recreation Department and the two governing bodies.
”I think it’s worth it to put the investment in now while we can, especially to have the pool open on time,” said Township Committeeman Lance Liverman.
The Borough Council was not so universal in its support, splitting the vote 3-3, with Mayor Mildred Trotman voting in favor of the Myrtha pool to break the tie.
Council President Kevin Wilkes, Councilman Roger Martindell and Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad voted no.
Mr. Wilkes voted against the pool because he supports the concrete, which is less expensive.
”I think the Myrtha pool is an extra $600,00 expenditure we don’t need to make,” he said. “The concrete will give us the same design for $700,000 less. I think it’s extravagant of my colleagues to spend that money in these difficult times.”
”It’s only about the material choice. I’m excited it’s finally done,” he said.
He says the savings are speculative and unproven.
”I’m skeptical of the assertions that we will save $1 million 40 or 50 years from now,” he said. “It’s hocus pocus, (his colleagues) fell victim to a sales job and upselling by a clever sales rep.”
The installer, Mainline Pools, “was getting the contract, regardless of what they sell,” he said. “Of course he’s going to go to the one that brings his company more money; it’s naive of my colleagues to think anything less.”
”I love this pool complex,” he said, as he waited to dive in for an evening swim on Wednesday evening. “I’m concerned about the ongoing expenditures that make it difficult for our taxpayers to stay in our community.”
Any raising of fees is unacceptable, which is part of what makes the pool special.
”It’s a community pool, not an Olympic pool,” he said.
Mr. Martindell said he voted no on this particular contract and not against a pool project or any particular system.
”It had nothing to do with the pool. I am for building the pool. I’m not concerned with concrete or Myrtha,” he said. “I’m concerned there is no accountability or transparency for one of the biggest projects we have seen in years.”
”I made the decision because it was evident about five days before the vote that the price increase for the project had jumped about 15 percent,” he said.
He said he came to the “conclusion that not only had the price jumped by 15 percent in five days and it would jump again because the contingency would be too low in the eyes of our administrator.”
The contingency figure was added at the last minute, said Mr. Martindell, who thought it was too low for a project of this scope. A 5 percent contingency of $318,000 was added on Monday night and an additional $584,125 in professional services and other fees.
He was also concerned with the four layers of management and oversight Cambridge, Brandsetter Carrol, township engineer and someone yet to be determined that amounted to $434,000 involved with the project.
”This was relative accountability for public funds and low transparency,” he said. “I can see the situation where we are asked to pay significantly more money.”
The contract was awarded to Hall Building of Farmingdale. Mainline Commercial Pools of King of Prussia, Pa., will be the subcontractor for the pool.
