NEVERSINK  — While discussing the progress of the upcoming Summer Camp during last Wednesday  night’s meeting, Neversink Town Councilman Rick Coombe Jr. discussed challenges in referring to a request to use the pool.

He stressed the importance of getting a group to think about all the “reasonings” before the access to the pool is granted.

He reminded that the pool has its challenges given the way it is structured.

“I am interested, and maybe this is a pool committee question, is there a platform for... anything that can be inserted in the pool so it makes the shallow end shallower?” inquired Coombe. “A temporary thing of some sort.”

He highlighted the importance of making the pool more kid-friendly, specifying an area that could be roped off or a safer area.

He brought up a sentiment shared by Town Supervisor Chris Mathews and himself about the safety that, if they’re running a Town Parks and Rec. Camp, their goal should be to work together.

Pool availability was also brought up amongst the Town Board, such as events like Lap Swim and the potential of having a spot in the morning for the pool.

“I don’t know if it’s that the pool has to be available to the camp five days a week... I just  think it’s a big asset of the community,” Coombe stated. “If this camp is being housed at the fairgrounds I think we should try to figure out how to make it work [in some way].”

Coombe also brought up that the depth of the pool was not friendly to “little, little kids” and that a four-year-old is “not ideal in that pool by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Maybe there’s something that’s reasonable that could make an area,” speculated Coombe. “Twelve-by-twelve with a net around the side to keep them in that little area that they could stand in, and it would be easy enough to go in and out.”

Talking Sullivan 180 Grants

Town Clerk Staci Conjura brought up her discussions with the Sullivan 180 Director of Community Development and Communications, Shannon Cilento, who had informed Conjura that the Community Impact Grant has been announced and is out.

This year was noted to be a little different for Sullivan 180  because of the lack of government funding from Former New York State Assembleywoman Aileen Gunther anymore.

The awards would be $125,000 for the Golden Feather and $75,000 for the Silver Feather.

“I think with the projects we have going on [such as the pool that we need to have a lot of work done, and ice rink] I think we could be very competitive in this grant selection process,” stated Conjura. “I thought it was worth mentioning and maybe we want to try applying for this grant...and get some funding for these big projects that we have on the horizon.”

Conjura reported that Parks and Rec. Director Tanya Huggler seemed to be “very receptive” and eager to be a part of the grant process if they move forward with it.

She notes that the downside is the quick turnaround with grant applications due May 2.

Coombe noted how both projects [pool and ice rink] would be a challenge and he couldn’t see how the pool project could be carried out by then. Grey advised the budget be focused on the ice rink instead.

Former Parks and Rec. Director Cher Woehl suggested the incorporation of a Splash Pad if they have an open area for the little ones.

“We’ve talked about that for three or four years and that would be great for the community,” noted Woehl. “There’s plenty of space over there to put it.”

Coombe mentioned in agreement that a lot of communities are doing the rink with the Splash Pad on the same pad.

“You have the same infrastructure, then of course you’re missing a roof in the winter and Splash Pads in a roof doesn’t make a lot of sense,” noted Coombe. “I would be game to help try and figure it out, it’s a tight timeframe.”

Woehl also reminded Councilwoman Nicole Gorr that if the Town goes the Splash Pad route, there are a “couple companies” that “do the Splash Pads” in many different sizes online.

Coombe stated that they will get together and try to figure something out.