Councilman on Graydon renovation: 'We have no money, we have no money, and we have no money'

A Ridgewood councilman recommended killing a request for proposals bid for a Graydon Pool renovation.

After nearly eight months of committee work, Councilman Patrick Mancuso said the current council shouldn't issue a Graydon RFP. 

"Initially, we worked close together listening to several presentations. Now one groups wants an RFP, and the other doesn't," said Mancuso, recommending council not issue an RFP.

"I make that recommendations for three reason. We have no money, we have no money, and we have no money," Mancuso said. "We're in a position where we are about to layoff 27 people and can't move forward" with this project.

The pool committee was organized in October to view proposals on ways to improve the natural-bottomed pool and increase attendance—the latter declining in recent years. Comprised of members from development and preservation interest groups (along with village professionals), the committee implemented several water quality and marketing plans to improve clarity and perception for Graydon. In April, the committee put its final touches on an RFP. However, it decided to hold off until a May council election to bring the issue to Village Council.

Following the May election of Tom Riche and Bernadette Walsh—candidates who opposed a Graydon renovation and were endorsed by the Preserve Graydon Coalition—the committee decided to table the bid further. Last night, the outgoing Mancuso cited dollars and cents—as evident in recent budget cuts—as a final reason to squash a proposal.   

"I don't want our community to be at odds when we have no money, and our staff members are working several jobs [to make up for layoffs],"he said,

Ridgewood Pool Project cochair and committee member Jane Morales approached council May 26 requesting it issue the RFP—which costs nothing—to provide the incoming council options on a facility that lost $130,000 in 2009, according to recent budget information. 

"They have nothing to lose," she said, adding council members could accept or reject any plans they wanted. "At least we'll be in a better position than we are in now."

Last weekend, Graydon opened with a free pass for residents. Mancuso said 1,200 people attended.

"I hope all of you had an opportunity to go to Graydon over the weekend, and see the hard work they've done," he said.

Deputy Mayor Keith Killion and Mayor David Pfund also attended Graydon's opening weekend.

"Walking around, it looked good. Our staff did a terrific job, and it shows," Killion said. The outgoing mayor said he took a dip.

Mancuso and Pfund—also a committee member—will leave office after month's end. Walsh and Riche will be sworn in July 1.