It was not surprising when Northampton Borough Council voted at the May 21 meeting to have the community pool closed for the summer. What was surprising was that the vote was not unanimous. Councilwoman Judy Kutzler cast the only vote against shutting down the pool.

“We have to open our community,” Kutzler said.

She reasoned that the pool is in the open air, chlorine is in the water and safety measures would be met.

She also noted if the pool is closed, children from day care centers could not attend and trained lifeguards and other pool personnel would not have summer jobs.

The liability issues were also raised at the meeting.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst noted there will be work continuing at the pool this summer. He said the foundation for a pool pavilion is currently being laid. The pavilion is a result of a grant the borough received from other governmental sources.

In addition, public works crews are expected to paint the pool building’s exterior and interior. Other maintenance work at the pool will keep borough workers busy for weeks.

Closing the pool for the summer is in line with what other municipalities in the region, such as Whitehall Township, Coplay and Catasauqua boroughs and others, are doing.

The pool on Laubach Avenue has been open continually since 1948 with no interruptions, until now.