The final cost is still being determined for the cleanup of the lap pool at the Rosemary Recreation Complex after a guest’s jar of salsa shattered on the deck on July 14, sending glass into the water and shutting down the pool for more than three days during a heat wave.
The estimated cost of $15,000 to $20,000 to drain, clean, refill and chemically balance the pool is covered by the Park & Recreation department’s budget allocation for repairs and maintenance, said Amy Haelsen, director of communications and community engagement. “Should the department not be able to cover the expense within its allocated budget, the town would seek supplemental funding,” she said.
The supplemental funding could be approved by the Finance Committee from the reserve fund or by a Town Meeting appropriation. Haelsen said the town is looking into whether insurance would cover any of the costs, but she said it’s unlikely because the damage was not structural.
Haelsen said the cost estimates reflect the unique nature of the pool and its proximity to Rosemary Lake. “As the 230,000-gallon lap pool had not been drained completely since the pool was opened in 2018, doing so presented a risk of cracking the pool’s shell from the hydrostatic pressure,” she said. “It took a coordinated effort by town staff from the DPW’s Water, Sewer and Drains division and the Park & Recreation Department, along with expertise from (engineering firm) Weston and Sampson, to ensure the pool did not sustain any damage as it was drained.”
At its July 22 meeting the Park & Recreation commission discussed the incident and considered measures going forward. Member Cindy Chaston suggested adding new signage about glass not being permitted, and all members concurred. They also supported continued communication and verbal reminders to guests.
Assistant Director of Park & Recreation Hannah Corrigan said plans for new signs were already underway. “Even before this incident we were looking at updating some of our signs, and this just prompted a specific sign for glass,” she said.
The commissioners agreed not to implement bag checks as visitors enter the pool area.
“We’ve been open for years before and never had an issue like this,” commission Chair Chris Gerstel, who opposed checking bags, told the Observer. “I don’t think we’re at the phase now where we need to check everyone’s bags. That would delay the process of getting in.” He said there is a long line when the pool opens, and checking bags would cut into the amount of time people can use the pool.
“You’re adding a few minutes of looking through everyone’s bags,” Gerstel said, noting it takes time to scan visitors’ passes. “Especially if you have parents who have young kids, the bags are over their shoulders, they’re carrying their kids, they’ve got to put them down, and it’s more of a process that now is going to hold up getting people in to enjoy the pool. So that’s the tradeoff.” He said focusing on signage and communication with pool guests will be the priority.
Commission member Jim Rosenbaum suggested adding language to the pool registration form where registrants must acknowledge they have read the rules about glass not being permitted. Gerstel said that is something he would like to implement for next season.
Following the incident, some residents wrote on social media that there should be sanctions for the person who brought glass to the pool. Gerstel disagreed. “I don’t think this was maliciously done. It was an accident,” he said. “Yes, it was a very costly accident but we’re not going to hold people accountable. This was an honest mistake and a shame that it had to happen.”
The commissioners expressed their gratitude to the Department of Public Works and everyone involved in the cleanup.
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