Frequently Asked Questions
Can PMHA legally purchase the pool and is it for sale? Or is demolition inevitable? How much?
Demolition is not inevitable. PMHA is a legal non-profit entity incorporated with the State of Vermont. See PMHA Certification of Incorporation on our web site. We can buy and sell assets, including the pool. Yes, Pinewood Inc. has agreed to sell the 1.31 acres with the pool to PMHA for the discounted price of $120k. This is the approximate as assessed value, generously below market price.
Isn't the Pinewood Pool a neighborhood amenity and why is this changing?
The pool was installed by Pinewood Inc, the business of the original developer of the neighborhood, Bob Marcotte. However, there has never been a legal obligation to provide the pool for use by residents. After the pool was built, it was funded by Pinewood Inc until our association, PMHA , was formed in order to assume operation of the pool. From that point on, Pinewood Inc has retained ownership of the property while PMHA has leased it and managed the pool, covering operating costs with revenue from memberships. There has been no lease fee (except a token $1/yr which has been waived). Pinewood Inc, now run by the Marcotte family since Bob Marcotte passed away, has paid property tax and mowing costs to date. They no longer wish to retain ownership of the land and are providing PMHA the opportunity to purchase the property. Otherwise, they will look into resolving their ownership through development and sale, removing the pool in the process.
Can membership cover the added operational costs without support from Pinewood Inc?
Yes. Our finances have been stable for many years with no increase in membership cost. The only new on-going expense will be property tax. That will be roughly $30 increase for the approximately 90 families that join. The new-member Capital Expense Fee has helped to build about a $30k saving buffer for expenses.
That’s all great news. But where will the $120K come from to purchase the pool?
That will need to come from fundraising. PMHA has no required HOA fees because it was incorporated AFTER homes were built. It’s possible to also finance some of that using the land as collateral.
How much are you expecting from each homeowner?
With close to 300 homes in Pinewood (counting Raymond Dr and Forest Ext), IF everyone contributed $400, we would be able to raise the funds for the purchase price. Closing costs would be extra but could come from savings. Many HOAs charge that much or more PER MONTH! Since we can’t bill everyone for this, a larger donation would help offset what some neighbors can’t or choose not to donate.
What’s the backup plan if it all gets too expensive down-the-road and money can’t be raised to replace the pool?
Our hope is to continue responsibly building up our savings so that our first plan, even if something breaks, will be to keep the pool running. We are reasonably confident in our ability to do so! However, in such an event where we were not able to continue operating the pool, we would explore what options we would have to use our resources to permanently close it and use whatever would remain to create another shared resource for the neighborhood. That could look like selling the property, turning it into a green space or park, or other. Our goal would be to return the land to a safe and appropriate final condition, then to use any remaining savings towards adding or creating another shared neighborhood space or resource.
Is the pool at end-of-life? How much longer will it last and what big expenses could be in the near future?
Our pool director, Kel Carptenter, has consulted with several pool experts who've told us that the Pinewood Pool has great bones. If we do the maintenance and take care of it (which PMHA does annually by hiring the proper entities to check pumps, lines, etc.), it should last us at least another 10 years before a big mechanical replacement may be needed. PMHA has about $30k in savings, which it hopes to continue building on, should we need to take on a major pool-related expense.
Has legal council been explored to help navigate the process?
Yes. PMHA worked with a real estate attorney in the neighborhood to make sure we can legally purchase the property, which we can.
I live in the neighborhood, but I don't use the Pinewood Pool. Why should I donate to this cause? What if I don't donate, but want to join the pool next year?
The Pinewood Pool is a valuable resource and amenity for our neighborhood. It's great benefit when it comes to selling our homes and attracting new residents. It's also a natural meeting place, where many neighbors have met lifelong friends and made memories that they cherish. If the property is purchased, there could be other enhancements made to include potentially a new pavilion or pickleball court. When it comes to joining the pool without donating to the Save the Pool cause, it's likely still an option but details are still being figured out.
I donated to the Save the Pool effort. Is there any incentive when it comes to future pool memberships?
Potentially. These details are still being explored. There could be an option for discounted memberships for a certain timeframe. Stay tuned!
Could we just move the pool by building a new pool somewhere else?
No, due to a number of factors from expense to zoning and other logistics, it is not feasible. Many people have asked about the park and playground area, that is owned by Town of Essex who due to zoning/parking concerns would not consider approving a pool there, even if we had the funding to do so.
What are the next steps?
We're forming a larger Pool Committee to drive fundraising, explore financing options, and plan for eventual pool repairs vs. replacement. We need to figure out if we'll execute the purchase or decline the offer. Are you interested in joining this effort? Click here.