John Kirna Plans to Refurbish Memorial Pool Signage

A local Eagle Scout candidate briefed the Town Council Tuesday evening about his plans to refurbish the signs at the Memorial Pool complex in time for the 2010 pool season.

John Kirna, a member of Troop 72, said his Eagle Scout project will include putting in a new sign in the circle in front of the pool entrance near the flag pole along with new landscaping in the area. Kirna will also move the rules sign from the pool driveway at the intersection of Cumberland Street and Scotch Plains Avenue to an area closer to the tennis courts and playground and install a pool sign at that entrance.

"I've been a member of the Memorial Pool for a number of years and I've seen the signs and the weathering," Kirna said to the Council.

Kirna said in meetings with the pool management he found out that the sign has not been maintained in years and that little beautification has occurred in the circle in the last several decades. Pictures attached to Kirna's proposal show various aspects of disrepair at the sign site including portions of the sign falling apart. The current landscaping is some shrubbery and grass.

In the circle is a commorative plaque from the Westfield Service League marking the pool's 40th anniversary in 1972. This sign will be maintained as a part of Kirna's project.

In his proposal, Kirna indicates that he will surround the flag pole with gray stone with a new sign in front. The circle will have four dwarf hinoki trees behind the sign and two patches of tall sea grass flanking the sign. A sea of wood chips will be in the circle along with azaleas on either side of the flag pole. The sign in the circle will be seven feet wide, four feet tall and two inches thick.

The current sign on facing Scotch Plains Avenue has a small identification of the pool and lists various rules and regulations. Kirna said it made sense to move this away from where it can't be read and closer to the playground and tennis courts where people will be able to stand and read the sign. Councilman Tom Bigosinski voiced approval of this move.

Along Scotch Plains Avenue, Kirna is planning to install a sign which will have ground cover arborvitaes in front and back with two boulders on each side. River stones and sea grass will surround the area. This sign will be eight feet wide, two feet high and two inches thick.

The Recreation Commission has approved Kirna's project and Recreation Director Bruce Kaufman will be working with Kirna on the finals plans for the project. Kirna said his plans will have work starting after the pool closes for the summer and ending before the opening of the pool for next summer.

Kirna said he is in the process of fundraising for the project and has been reaching out to local businesses for donations. He currently has a proposal pending before the Westfield Foundation. The project will be installed by Kirna and volunteers.

Council members expressed support for the project. Councilman Mark Ciarrocca asked Kirna about any plans to recognize Vietnam veterans at the pool. There is currently a plaque marking Westfield resident who died during the Vietnam War attached to the front of the pool building. The Vietnam War is the only American war that does not have a monument in the memorial park at the intersection of North Avenue and East Broad Street.

Kirna said he will be maintaining the current plaques at the site. Town Administrator Jim Gildea informed Ciarrocca that another Eagle Scout candidate has been working with the administrator's office about a project to build a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the memorial park. Ciarrocca and colleagues showed overall support for Kirna.

"This is a fantastic presentation," Councilwoman Joann Neylan said.