Graydon Fee Hike Figures Released

The have been released after the village council introduced the rate hike as an ordinance on Thursday night at its public meeting. 

The 'modest' increases for seasonal badges in 2011 are $10 higher than they were in 2010 if you don't grab them early. General adult membership from May 1 through May 21, 2011 (early badges) will be $87 for parents, $77 for kids aged 2-15, and $15 for seniors. From May 22 on, adults will pay $97, children $87 and seniors $20. Badge renewals for adults and children will no longer be offered.

Non-resident adults in 2011 can purchase a seasonal badge for $160 and non-resident children for $140.

The fees will continue to climb in 2012. The 2011 figures from May 22 on will become the early bird special starting on May 19 of 2012. Starting May 20, adults will cough up $110, children $100 and seniors $25. In 2012, fees for out-of-towners will increase to $175 for adults and $155 for children.

Ridgewood will be making a larger effort in the coming years to incorporate more residents from other municipalities into Graydon. A cap of 250 persons had been proposed but there was a difference of opinion on the need to even have a cap.

The Graydon fees–even with a possible increase–are lower than those of neighboring towns with pools, officials say. With a down economy, Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh said at a Jan. 23 meeting that cheaper Graydon rates could bring others into the fold.

Preserve Graydon co-chairs Alan Seiden and Marcia Ringel have supported the move to small increases provided there were a move to keep early bird discounts, which is present under the proposal.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert has publicly stated he believes the village can break even on the landmark by 2012, which would be a marked improvement on a pool that had improved financially in 2010 after a scorching summer and better water quality but one still with questions unanswered.

The sand-bottom pool has operated at a loss for years, prompting a who have said major changes would need to be undertaken to make Graydon a viable, more financially pliable option–concrete. Whether 2010's large gains represents a trend or an outlier will be sure to keep Graydon in the news for years to come.

The council will hold a public hearing on the fee increases on March 9.