By Mary A. Crisafulli
DELHI - Summer is in full swing and the Delhi town pool is open for visitors. Delhi Town Board members discussed pool operations and possibilities for next season at the regular meeting on July 8.
Open swim hours are Monday through Friday noon until 4 p.m. and from noon until 5 p.m. on weekends. Weekday mornings and evenings are currently dedicated to swim lessons.
The town is still accepting applications for the final swim lesson session scheduled from July 22 until Aug. 1. Infant sessions are at 11 a.m., and toddler at 11:30 a.m. Level I through level VI sessions are held between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Town residents are free while other individuals are $40 a session. To register visit the town clerk at 5 Elm Street.
Supervisor Maya Boukai reported 69 students enrolled in session one, 67 in session two, and roughly 35 already in session three.
Council members approved Delaware Opportunities to host a table in front of the pool to advertise and educate on its Head Start program during evening swim lessons.
Water Aerobics is a new program this year with instructor Rebekka Mower. Council members approved providing aerobics to town employees for free as a health and wellness opportunity.
Following an executive session, the council extended Mower's contract to August 22 to continue the Monday through Thursday class at 10 a.m. The council also approved Lifeguard Amy Randall to teach an evening water aerobics class at $23 an hour through Aug. 22. Randall and Mowers are permitted to interchange times of instruction.
Boukai responded to complaints that open swimming is not longer. "The goal of the pool is to get people to swim," she said, "If a child can't swim, then open swim doesn't matter." She explained that lessons will be offered early to help more children learn to swim so they can participate in open swim hours in August. Boukai suggested opening earlier in the season next year to hold swim lessons and having open swim all of July and August. "It is a good way to ease people into it," she said, noting that staffing is easier for lessons.
Arts and crafts are offered on Saturday, July 13 and 20th from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. and Aug. 3 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The program targets children aged four through 12.
The first Crafts by the Pool session was "lightly" attended by about nine individuals, said Councilmember Mathew Krzyston. He said the children were recruited by himself and Randall. "They were happy to come over," he said. With some more publicity, Krzyston felt the event could be better attended. Children painted and made wind chimes. Krzyston also noted that "Amy is spectacular at the job and had people cheering and laughing. She is very good at that."
The council accepted a donation from the Delhi Youth Sports Booster Club to improve or enhance youth programs and services at the pool. Funds are expected to be around $1,000. Possible uses include purchase of new lawn chairs or development of a scholarship program for the third swim session.
The board approved a grant application and 20% matching funds for the NYSwims Capital Improvement program. Boukai said the town is agreeing to matching funds but other grant opportunities for the matching portion are available. If approved, funds will be used to build a shade structure and pavilion at the pool.
The summer intern will be helping with social media for the pool. This will include the development of lifeguard profiles and other posts. She will also create satisfaction services for swim lessons and lifeguards.
In another discussion, Krzyston brought to the board's attention updates on the Friends of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower initiative. The friends have been working to resurrect the fire tower at the summit of Bramley Mountain for a few years. While they have encountered several code-related delays, the group is still at it.
Currently, the Friends are awaiting approval from the State on variances which will be determined on July 18. Variances include immunity to some code requirements including handicap access up the tower, an access road, permission for open stairs, and rise and run of stairs, explained Krzyston. If approved, they will need to re-apply for a town permit.
"Time is ticking for them," said Krzyston if they want to install the tower this year. In an effort to help the group, Krzyston and Councilmember Josh Morgan hope to meet with Town Code Enforcement Officer Dale Downin on July 19. The group wants to know what is needed if the state grants the variance, Krzyston explained. He hopes a meeting with Downin will streamline the process.
"It's been a long time, it's been a couple of years," he said, "I feel bad about it because it's an important project."
Morgan stated that the county should be the one to issue any permits necessary. "If a variance is issued," he said, "hopefully a permit can be issued or some kind of understanding of how they can move forward."
In other business:
Tiffany Croizer was hired on a contractual basis at $2,000 to assist with legal codes. There are roughly 18 to 22 documents Croizer will work on. Any paperwork needed to be served will be outsourced at a rate no higher than $250.
Former Mayor David Truscott again urged the council to conduct a housing reassessment. He said the last reassessment was over 40 years ago. In reviewing his taxes, Truscott said his home on 10 Orchard Street has been assessed at $59,000 since 2000 - which was the farthest back he had available in paperwork. "It's time for the town to bite the bullet and have a general reassessment," he said. The purpose of a reassessment is to secure local revenue, Truscott explained. He added that the idea is that people with more income have properties worth more and can afford higher taxes and the opposite for those with more modest incomes.
Resident Jim Smart stated that he is shocked by the speeding that occurs down Main Street. He told the council something should be done and that the town could make a lot of money off speeding tickets alone.
Trustees approved a public petition to drop the speed limit to 30 MPH on portions of Arbor Hill Road. The current speed limit is 40 MPH. An application will be sent to New York State Department of Transportation for review.
The next regularly scheduled town board meeting is Monday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.
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