This letter was shared with MyVeronaNJ.com.
To: Town of Verona July 14, 2025 Attn: Department of Recreation and Pool Finance Committee Verona, NJ Subject: Proposal for Immediate Guest Fee Adjustment to Support Verona Pool Finances
Dear Town Officials and Members of the Recreation and Finance Committees,
I am writing in response to the article published on July 8, 2025, titled “Verona Pool’s Finances Running Dry” (source: MyVeronaNJ.com), which outlined the serious fiscal challenges facing the Verona Community Pool. As a concerned resident and advocate for preserving this beloved community amenity, I would like to respectfully propose a practical, revenue-generating adjustment to help stabilize and recapture much-needed operating in come.
While I understand that a guest fee structure is currently in place, I would note that the pricing is, respectfully, set at a level that discourages participation. The current rate is prohibitively high, deterring guests altogether and, as a result, undermining the pool’s ability to generate meaningful supplemental revenue.
I propose revising the structure to a more reasonable and accessible rate of $20 for adults and $10 for children. This change would preserve the value of membership while inviting responsible guest attendance that contributes directly to the pool’s financial health.
Additionally, I recommend that the pool begin distributing a clearly printed ¼-page guest rules and pool etiquette sheet at check-in to ensure a consistent, respectful, and safe environment for all users, particularly as we welcome more non-member guests.
It is also important to highlight that the article itself serves as a warning: The potential implementation of allowing non-resident guests appears imminent. Yet, at the same time, we have not fully explored or implemented other revenue-generating alternatives, such as a revised guest fee policy that leverages the demand for local access while protecting mem bership value. Evaluating community-driven events where the pool parking lot can be used at a percentage of profits or a flat rental fee for events such as a farmer’s market, pumpkin patch, swap meet could be other revenue generating ideas during the Fall season.
The issues outlined in the article—including ineffective consultation by NewGen, rising operational costs, and increasing capital obligations—underscore the urgency of additional thoughtful, community-conscious solutions.
To illustrate the potential benefit, I’ve included a basic projection based on modest weekday and weekend visitation through the end of the current season:
Day Type | Families/Day | Adults | Children | Daily Guest Revenue | Days Remaining | Total Projected Revenue |
Weekdays | 5 | 10 | 10 | $300 | 33 weekdays | $9,900 |
Weekends | 30 | 60 | 60 | $1,800 | 13 weekend days | $23,400 |
Total | | | | | | $33,300 |
Assumptions: 2 adults and 2 children per nuclear family. Guest fees are $20/adult and $10/child.
This adjustment could generate over $33,000 in additional revenue before the close of the season—offering immediate relief while supporting long-term sustainability.
Thank you for your time, leadership, and commitment to preserving and strengthening Verona’s community spaces. I hope this proposal is met with the thoughtful consideration and urgency it merits.
Sincerely, Amy Chin Molisani