Dear editor:
I would first point out a discrepancy in the numbers proposed by Mr. Barhydt as reported by the Warren Times Observer on Tuesday, November 20th, $112,000.00 divided by 817 property parcels equals $137 per year which equals $11.42 per month, not the $10.00 per month stated by Mr. Barhhydt.
My objection to this recreation tax is that the Borough of Youngsville has been pouring taxpayers money into that hole in the ground for years, I know that there was popular support for the pool which at one time probably almost paid for itself, but times change, the economy has certainly changed and the population has changed, in addition pool usage is not what it used to be, it is no longer adequate to combat the rising expenses such as liability insurance and pool operation supplies. And this does not even begin to address the maintenance costs both in equipment, materials and the labor supplied by Borough workers who could be used to work on the infrastructure instead of the BVSP.
If the Friends of the Brokenstraw Valley Swimming Pool can support pool operations on donations, I say God bless them and let them do so, but without any Borough funds.
I believe that if the $97,800.00 recreation expense number is correct, that the great majority of that expense goes into the swimming pool, because as far as I know there is no "Bike/ Hike" trail in existence, nor should there be at Borough taxpayer expense at this time.
And I submit that a lot less than $97,800.00 is needed to maintain the ball fields and parks.
I suggest that in order to restore the crumbling streets, water and sewer systems, which I believe to be the Borough's primary responsibility, stop funding the swimming pool.
Then if we use Mr. Barhydt's numbers we could use a modest portion of the $97,800.00 possibly $10,000.00 to maintain the parks and ball fields and use the remaining amount to restore the infrastructure, without a tax increase.
I would also like to add that if needed, I would support a reasonable tax increase to help upgrade and maintain the Borough infrastructure, but not one cent for the swimming pool, which I consider a luxury we simply cannot afford at this time.
Richard Pollaro
Youngsville