During the Catasauqua Borough Council special meeting held Feb. 6, a number of residents and council members discussed the municipal pool.

Emotions ran high as Catasauqua residents tapped into their nostalgia about the “good old days” of rushing down to the pool on a hot, summer day to claim their spot, learning to swim and spending quality time with family and friends.

On the other hand, some residents implored their neighbors to think more realistically and factor in the current financial status of the borough.

An earlier feasibility study conducted by borough engineering firm Remington and Vernick Engineers listed a number of possible uses for the site and potential costs associated. Since one of the primary concerns for closing the pool was a persistent leak, a geotechnical study had been requested.

The results of the geotechnical study said, due to limestone erosion in the area, it was not recommended to have a pool on that site for fear of sinkhole formation.

Councilman David Bernini noted the geotechnical study had been completed with outdated maps and information, adding the study firm used 20-year-old ground maps. He was not satisfied with the level of investigation or work conducted in the study.

Bernini and a number of residents commented on the prevalence of sinkholes in the borough and surrounding areas in general. It was said, if one only looks at the geological maps, there would be fear the whole area could collapse. Jeff MacHose, former borough public works director, agreed the borough has a number of sinkholes but not in the area of the pool.

MacHose also alleged there were corners cut when the current pool was installed in 1999. He also said he does not believe enough efforts were put into finding the source of the leak. He noted they kept patching the pool, but the water continued to disappear.

He suggested more work be put into checking the equipment, especially since he is not convinced the installation of the current pool was done correctly.

“They cheated when they did that pool in 1999,” MacHose alleged.

MacHose said he believes the borough needs to break it down and find out exactly what is needed and involved to fix the pool.

“We’re not getting the full story on what we need here,” he said. “You need to find out what is really needed to fix everything.”

It was noted numbers previously provided did not account for all the items and equipment needing repairs or replacements.

Councilman Gene Schlegel took the audience on a visual trip using a photo slideshow of the pool’s current state, including damaged and outdated areas.

“The cost to repair this will be insane,” Schlegel said, adding it would be at least five years for the borough to find the money.

Council Vice President Howard Cunningham said the overall picture comes down to the financials.

“Do you really want your taxes raised again?” he asked.

He also added data showed only 10-15% of Catasauqua residents used the pool.

Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart reiterated the difficult position in which the borough finds itself.

“Under our current financial position, I don’t see how we could possibly do it,” Eckhart said. “We need to try and save some money and bring more people in.”

He added there is not a lot of money in the borough’s budget, adding he would rather spend that money on things like police, streets and other essential services instead of a swimming pool.

He did mention they are considering reaching out to neighboring municipalities about opening up their pools to Catasauqua residents.

According to Eckhart, there are a few lots in town away from the creek and other water sources that could serve as a potential location for a pool in the future, when the borough is more fiscally sound.

There were a few residents who spoke up about the number of people in the audience. The meeting had been heavily advertised and talked about in the community and on social media. However, there were only approximately 50 people attending the meeting. It was suggested this is a big issue to a small group, but not the majority of the borough residents.

Resident Virginia Schlegel asked those in the audience to think realistically.

“Stop thinking with your hearts; start thinking with your heads,” she said.

She also commented on how disappointed she was with the meeting turnout since there was so much chatter on social media. She said the only voices that matter are those of the ones who showed up to the meeting.

It was said it would not be fair to increase everyone’s taxes when only 10-15% of residents use the pool.

Resident Mike Snyder spoke to the fiscal component of the issue, saying recent tax increases have been hard enough on some residents.

“We are not in any financial shape to do anything,” Snyder commented.

He added many of his neighbors and other residents have their own pool. Another resident commented there has been a drop in pool attendance the last few years before it was shut down.

It was also questioned if the pool needed to remain its current size or if a smaller version would be more cost effective and realistic.

Resident Stephanie Crogan said she comes from one of the lower-income families that makes up the majority of Catasauqua residents. Eckhart said the average income for a family of four in Catasauqua was close to $40,000. She said growing up, she wasn’t able to go to the pool regularly due to cost concerns.

She implored council to consider some cost-effective options for the site to accommodate more of its residents.

It was noted there are a number of possibilities for the area, if the pool is saved or not. A variety of different options have been discussed among council and recreation committee members. It was noted the area would not just be left vacant and unused.

One of the concerns for the ground below the pool is that no one really knows what is down there. Previous studies and tests into finding the leak has left investigators with questions about where the water is going. The assumption was the water was leaking into the nearby creek, but dye tests proved that theory flawed.

Council President Brian Bartholomew said there have been rumors about an underground river flowing through the area. He said that could be a potential reason the dye tests are inconclusive.

He also said just filling in the pool area would be problematic since no one knows what is under there and a threat of collapse could still remain.

One of the loudest proponents for fixing the pool was resident Robert Zakos.

“I’m looking to live in a quality town, and that pool offers quality of life,” Zakos said.

He said there are other people in the town who want the pool open and may leave the town if the pool closes, which, he said, will lead to a lesser quality of person to move into the borough.

“There’s people in this town who want this pool open,” he said, adding they should be holding fundraisers to raise money toward the cause.

He said he is worried about the borough turning into a town of “used to be” - with the things that make the community special disappearing.

Gene Schlegel noted there is a citizen group - Friends of Catasauqua Parks - that was formed to help find solutions and raise money for the parks and, specifically, the pool. The group, which also includes residents like Zakos and Councilwoman Jill Smerdon, is currently looking for more volunteer members to step up and help out.

“Now would be the time to get off your butt and do something,” Gene Schlegel said to the passionate Catasauqua residents in the audience.

Virginia Schlegel also challenged those attending the meeting to step up and work with the council members to make something happen instead of just talking or complaining about things.

A couple of residents, including Kim Brubaker of Catasauqua Main Streets, suggested holding off on making a final decision until more investigation and research are done into some of the remaining questions.

“Maybe now isn’t the time to make a decision,” Brubaker said.

Another resident suggested postponing a decision to give people a chance to step up and raise funds for the project.

MacHose addressed council again, reminding them that someone is always going to complain.

“You got to do what you think is right,” MacHose said.

Borough council unanimously voted to table the final decision on the future of the municipal pool.