Town says no to cover for pool

The two action items on Tuesday’s Pahrump Town Board agenda died before board members put forth a vote.

The discussion and decision to provide an enclosure for the town pool did not generate enough support for a second motion after board member Amy Riches made her initial motion.

Two town board members, Bill Dolan and Robert Adams were absent.

Board Chairman Harley Kulkin said the town is simply not in a financial position to lay out funds for the project.

Aside from an enclosure, the pool itself is in need of major surface repairs at a minimum of $40,000, which would bring the cost estimate for the project, in the area of $100,000.

“When we sit down to do the budget for the year, that kind of money, we would have to budget for that proposal and we didn’t do it at the time. Having a pool open all year would be a tremendous financial liability. The pool item didn’t fly and we didn’t take any action on it. I suggested that Amy Riches bring it back for a future town board meeting when we have a full board. There was no second for her motion on Tuesday,” he said.

The chairman was also quick to add that a year-round swimming option would certainly be a good idea for the community.

“It’s not that we don’t believe this would be great for the residents and we would certainly like to do that, but we just don’t have the money for it. It’s not just the enclosure, you have to heat the pool and pay lifeguards and staff. It’s a very expensive endeavor,” he said.

With a little more than three months before Nye County Commissioners assume the fiduciary duties of the town, Kulkin noted that the issue would likely end up in the hands of the county.

“I suggested that our board propose it to the county commissioners. They will be in charge next year when we set the budget the following year. They can maybe look at ways to finance the enclosure for the pool. One way would be to increase the tax for the pool district, which could end up being maybe $2 a year for each parcel in Pahrump,” he said.

The second item on the board’s agenda sought to purchase holiday decorations for the town, just in time for the Christmas season.

The item was also authored by Riches who said she would like to see Christmas decorations this year adorning all parts of the town.

Board member Dr. Tom Waters said this week that though Riches suggestion was admirable, there are strict limitations the town must follow according to state laws.

“The things she was talking about can be done in an incorporated city. She and her supporters do not want incorporation, yet they want all of the benefits of incorporation. Everything she mentioned, like decorating the street lights and traffic signals, that would be a city responsibility, but in the town of Pahrump, it’s the Nevada Department of Transportation’s (NDOT) responsibility. We can’t just put things on the lights that go down Highway 160, because the town doesn’t have the authority to do such things,” he said.

Waters, did however, offer up a suggestion to Riches in her quest to give Pahrump additional holiday spirit.

“I suggested that she approach Karen Jackson from KNYE and support the community Christmas tree, but she said the people that she has spoken to don’t want an artificial Christmas tree. I personally haven’t heard anybody say that killing live trees is good, and every year we do that. We no longer need to do that because here’s one that will last for 30 years, which actually looks better than a real tree. Amy assured me that she would get together with Karen and hopefully work something out,” he said.

The item also died due to lack of a second motion.