Officials seek to educate public with pool vote looming

By Mike Berger

Canton residents wanting to learn more about the proposed town pool renovation project and upcoming debt-exclusion override vote were given two opportunities to do so at recent public information sessions hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department and Board of Selectmen.

The sessions were held on April 25 and 29 at the Canton Public Library and attracted approximately 25 attendees.

Recreation Commissioner John McCourt, who has taken the lead on the pool project, said he has fielded many questions about the project costs, pegged at $6.4 million with $5.9 million to be borrowed — pending a two-thirds approval at the May town meeting and majority approval at a May 28 special election. Selectmen Chairman Mark Porter said the town clearly has an important decision to make and he believes selectmen should continue to do all that they can to educate the public about all aspects of the project.

Canton Finance Director Jim Murgia said if the override were to pass, the impact on taxpayers would be felt beginning in FY 2021 and would average $30 annually for the next 20 years. The initial charge, based on a home with an assessed value of $490,000 (the average assessment for a Canton homeowner), would be $37 and it would decrease to $24 by the end of the bond in 2040. In the meantime, several major capital projects, also financed via debt-exclusion override, are slated to come off the books during that period, including renovations to the police station, library and high school as well as additions to the Luce and Hansen schools. Murgia said four of the five projects will be off the books by 2024 and added that if the town must borrow, now is a favorable time to do so as the interest rate for the bond would be 3 percent and possibly lower thanks to the town’s top-tier municipal bond rating (AAA).

McCourt, and Bob McCarthy, Building Renovation Committee chairman, outlined some of the major factors contributing to the high price tag for the pool renovation, including architecture, design and project manager costs amounting to $610,000, a $500,000 contingency account for overruns, state prevailing wages, accessibility (ADA) requirements, added bathrooms to accommodate more pool users, Board of Health requirements, and state building codes for electricity and chemical storage.

While the total cost of the project is $6.44 million, selectmen and the Finance Committee have already allocated $340,000 in design money and the Community Preservation Committee has recommended a grant of $200,000, reducing the amount to be borrowed to $5.9 million …

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