The long awaited renovation of the Connors Memorial Pool is finally beginning to take shape, state Sen. Susan Fargo told a crowd at Government Center last night.
Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Waltham Council of Neighborhood Advocates, Fargo, D-Lincoln, said the state Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking environmental permits so that it can begin demolition of the old pool and bath house.
Earlier this year, Fargo secured a $6.3 million earmark in an environmental bond bill for the pool's renovation that last month passed both the House and Senate and was not vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick.
Fargo noted that money to restore the pool had previously been secured by the Legislature during Gov. Mitt Romney's administration, but Romney vetoed the funding. Even though the House and Senate overrode that veto, the money for Connors Pool never materialized.
"I feel really confident about our chances this time," Fargo said. "But it's taken way too long."
Connors Memorial Pool, at the corner of Newton and River streets, has been closed for the last six years. The state shut down the dilapidated pool and bath house citing a lack of money for repairs.
A design for a new pool and bath house is already in place.
"The (Department of Conservation and Recreation) wants to do this," Fargo said, noting that the state has already renovated pools in Brockton and Chelsea.
Fargo spoke last night not only about Connors Pool but a host of other issues. She urged those in attendance to vote against ballot Question 1 in November, which seeks to repeal the state income tax.
Fargo said if the measure passes it could cut $12.8 billion out of the state's budget and "devastate" the state's bond rating.
"This is one of the most destructive and irresponsible propositions that has been put forth in a long time," she said.
Fargo said she was concerned that because of current tough economic times, some of the state's voters would opt to vote for the ballot question in hopes of lessening their financial burden. However, Fargo said if the income tax were repealed, residents would pay more in the long run through higher property and state sales taxes.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
