HARTFORD- State Representative DebraLee Hovey (R-112) today praised the Monroe Town Council’s vote to move ahead with the restoration of Wolfe Park Pool utilizing $450,000 in Small Town Economic Assistance (STEAP) grant funds.
“After many years and exhaustive deliberation on the part of the Monroe Town Council and Parks and Recreation Department on how best to address the needs of this facility, I am pleased that the Council has voted to move ahead with the restoration of Wolfe Park Pool,” said Rep. Hovey. The pool is a welcome reprieve from the hot summer weather for scores of Monroe residents each year, and the Council’s vote ensures that Wolfe Park Pool will continue to safely operate for many years to come at a minimal cost to Monroe taxpayers.”
Since the project’s inception in 2005, Rep. Hovey has worked with Monroe area legislators and town officials to advocate for state investment in the pool’s restoration. She was instrumental in convincing Governor M. Jodi Rell and the State Bond Commission to approve $450,000 in STEAP funding, which will cover nearly the entire cost of the necessary renovations. The project now awaits final approval by Monroe residents at the August 12, 2009 Republican Town Meeting.
“As I have said before, in tough economic times we must preserve the assets we have. In renovating Wolfe Park Pool, the Town will be preserving a vital recreational facility that our community has come to rely on,” Hovey continued. “In addition, because the Council acted prudently in choosing to renovate and repair the pool rather than completely replacing it, the majority of the financial burden for this project will fall to the State. This is a victory for the taxpayers and proof that by working together, we can maintain a great quality of life in our community even under difficult circumstances. I strongly encourage all Monroe residents to give final approval to this project at the August 12th Republican Town Meeting.”
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