Ridgewood Council Extends Graydon's August Hours

A projected hit of $3,000 to open at 10 a.m. during the last three weeks of August wasn't enough to scare the Ridgewood council.

The five elected officials were unanimous that giving residents every opportunity to use a pool that's only open a few months of the year was a good decision, effectively through the end of the season, Sept. 3.

"I think we're all in agreement that we should keep it open from 10 to 12 during the last two [three] weeks in August," Mayor Paul Aronsohn said.

"I guess I'm just reluctant to see us not get the most use out of pool especially now that it's been so nicely improved," Deputy Mayor Al Pucciarelli said, adding that the experiment this year would give the village a track record to examine next year.

Director Tim Cronin had , and noon throughout the latter part of summer, but resident consternation led the previous village council to quash the idea, at least partially.

The previous council left the new council to determine whether it wanted to keep Graydon open at 10 a.m. or open the gates at 12 p.m.

Cronin said a head count found that there was an average of 59 people using the pool during the first week between 10 a.m. and noon; 36 in the second; and 42 in the third week.

"It is a slower time compared to the beginning of the pool season," Cronin said of the last several weeks of August. With staffing costs, the period could cost the village $3,000.

For those with small children, the cost is worth it. A number of people appealed to the council prior to the formal discussion to revise the August hour change, stressing there were few other places like Graydon where parents could entertain children and also socialize with one another.

"$3,000 is something we can afford to spend," Councilman Tom Riche said.

Clarification: Though presented as a two-week schedule change, the period runs from Aug. 15-Sept. 3, meaning it's 30 additional hours.

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