Acknowledging the fact that they will get static from some residents, members of the Secaucus Town Council agreed to give a special group discount rate to residents of North Bergen – after the discovery of contaminants closed the North Bergen municipal pool.
“North Bergen has helped us in the past and this is something that we should do,” said Mayor Dennis Elwell in a caucus session before the Town Council meeting on Tuesday. “If we had a problem like North Bergen’s, I’m sure we would be grateful if another town helped us out.”
Elwell said Secaucus has helped other towns in the past, such when Weehawken needed to use the sports fields. “This isn’t something North Bergen planned to happen,” Elwell said. “Mayor [Nicholas] Sacco said told us not to hurt ourselves, and that he would appreciate whatever accommodations we could make.”
Although North Bergen is apparently making arrangements with Palisades Park as well as Secaucus, Town Administrator Anthony Iacono admitted that the lower pool rates as well as the first class facilities would likely draw significant numbers of North Bergen residents to Secaucus.
“The rate Palisades Park will charge is higher than even our out of town rate,” Iacono said. He said that as many as 400 people from North Bergen could take out seasonal passes in Secaucus. Last year, 1,300 Secaucus residents took out passes.
While some residents, such as Barbara Napierski of Humboldt Street, have already complained about the increase, Iacono said the impact would not be as great as people might expect. Iacono also noted that the additional income would help pay off the Secaucus municipal pool – which has run at a loss nearly every year since its inception in 1987.
This year, the town expects to make its final payment on the facility, but council members say significant repairs will be needed, so the North Bergen influx of cash is welcome.
Council Bob Kickey, councilman of the 2nd Ward where the pool is located, said the pool has the capacity to handle the increase in swimmers. He said that last year’s 1,300 passes were down from the peak year of 1987 when 2,188 people took them out. The pool facility, which has several pools including one for small children, was apparently designed to handle 3,000 people.
Councilman John Bueckner, the other 2nd Ward Councilman, feared overcrowding, especially on weekends, and especially if people decide to bring guests. Under pool regulations, each season pass holder can bring in two guests at $8 per person. Weekends generally tend to be much busier than week days, and thus if North Bergen residents are allowed to bring guests as well. Bueckner feared the pool might become uncomfortable for people using it.
“Can we establish a cap on the number of people that come in?” Bueckner asked. “I don’t want to inconvenience our own residents just so that we can make a buck.”
Iacono said there were several things Secaucus could do, such as monitor the situation to see how many North Bergen residents take advantage of it. While the town could limit North Bergen residents to one day on the weekend, the biggest impact would be additional guests. Iacono recommended that North Bergen residents not be allowed to bring guests during the weekend.
Different rate?
The Town Council is considering a possible “group rate” for North Bergen pool users that would be more than Secaucus residents would pay, but less than the out of town rate.
Currently a Secaucus adult would pay $175 a year, and a resident of another town, $225. The group rate for North Bergen residents would be fixed at $220. The cost for children would see a similar discount, as well as in family plans and senior citizen rates.
Bueckner asked about the possible negative reaction the town might get from residents of towns other than North Bergen, who pay the usual out of town rate.
Iacono said this would be a group discount based on 50 or more people.
“While I can’t say exactly how many people will come from North Bergen, I think it will be more than 100,” he said.
Bueckner also asked about the loss in revenue from North Bergen residents who have paid the usual fee to come to Secaucus in the past.
“There will be a handful of people from North Bergen,” Iacono admitted.
The additional people will also likely require the hiring of two additional lifeguards.
The Town Council is also expected to adjust pool hours to accommodate the requests of residents for the pool to open before noon.
Iacono said the pool has been used by the various swim teams from Secaucus schools, well as private swimming lessons in the morning. Indeed, the North Arlington YMCA has requested use of the pool for lessons. By having the teams come in earlier in the morning, Iacono said the town can open the pool to the public at 10:30 a.m. The pool will maintain its traditional closing time of 6 p.m.