Dear Resident,
Over this past week we have
been inundated with numerous complaints regarding the 2021 pool season as a
result of the Pool Membership Applications which were sent to all Residents on
Friday, April 23rd.
The overwhelming messages
received from our Residents expressed a major concern regarding this year’s membership
fees and also the lack of amenities.
Allow me to address several
of the most serious concerns that were overwhelmingly expressed by our Residents:
1. Membership Fee Increases - Membership fees were
determined on the basis of comparative fees of neighboring Municipal Pool
Facilities and the Board of Trustee’s concern for operational losses the
Village incurred from last year’s COVID related season and other past seasons.
2. The Village obtains a pool operating permit from the Nassau
County Department of Health. As such, the Village is required to adhere to the
current NCDOH COVID regulations, which are similar to the regulations issued
for the 2020 Pool Season and are still in effect as of this writing
(although certainly that may change). They may be different from CDC
and NYS guidelines. As a
result of these restrictions on operational policies due to COVID, it has
limited the capacity in our facility; thus increasing our operational costs.
These guidelines also placed a space limitation for table and chair
arrangements. While the Board cannot predict with any certainty how regulations
will change in the future, based on current trends, we anticipate a relaxing of
the current NCDOH regulations.
3. Non-Resident membership is necessary for the
long-term sustainability of the pool; as a combination of Stewart Manor Residents
and Non-Stewart Manor Residents’ memberships support the Pool operation
(despite efforts by the Board to increase Resident memberships such as a
one-time early bird discount in 2019).
It has never been the policy
of the Board to eliminate amenities, while at the same time price gauge our Residents
who enjoy our facility, as several emails have intimated; but rather to limit
operational losses, particularly in a very difficult year where overall revenue
to the Village has decreased.
Clearly, it appears that our Residents
are not in agreement with the new membership fees and other items.
We hear you and are
willing to make some acceptable changes; even though operational losses may be
experienced.
As such, the Board will
institute the following changes:
1. The rates will be rolled back to the 2018 season
rates, which for Stewart Manor Residents are as follows (if paid by May 31st):
Family $440
Couple $290
Individual $150
Senior Citizen $90
2. The regular pool
hours (June 26th to September 5th) will be as follows:
Sunday – Thursday,
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 11
a.m. to 9 p.m. (expanded hours)
Saturday,
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (expanded hours)
Senior Hour
(for pool members age 65 and over), Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Water Aerobics Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (for all
residents, not just pool members, but at an additional fee; the same fee as
when aerobics was held at Village Hall during the year).
3. Tables and chairs will be provided and set up
according to NCDOH COVID regulations.
4. Hot Food will resume as in past seasons.
5. The Snack Bar offerings will be enhanced.
6. Resumption of activities and admission of guests will
be considered pending the ability to comply with NCDOH guidelines and financial
constraints.
The Board is looking to meet
your needs and to provide a more enjoyable, welcoming pool experience that is
financially viable in the seasons to come. As such, we will be increasing our
communication with Residents to solicit suggestions to enhance our beautiful
facility.
Anyone who already submitted
a membership application will be contacted. All changes will be posted on the Village
website.
Sincerely,
Mayor Mike Onorato
