Police: Honesdale pool damage due to lack of winterization, not vandalism

The Honesdale Borough Pool was not damaged by vandalism after all, but by lack of being winterized.

An announcement issued in late May by the borough indicated there was significant vandalism discovered at the swimming pool pump house this spring. A borough councilor offered a $500 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the apparent perpetrator. Borough police were notified.

Chief Richard Southerton, on June 27, announced that an investigation by the police department discovered that the damage occurred because last fall because the pump house had not been winterized.

The water had been turned off for the winter in the fall of 2023. Several of the pipe fittings connecting pipes in the pump house, however, had frozen, resulting in the pipes failing when the water was turned on to the pump house in April 2024. These leaks caused water damage, which was reported as vandalism. Southerton reported that a section of pipe reported as cut out and missing was removed in a contractor’s attempt to repair fittings.

Honesdale Borough Pool opened for the season on June 7. A Community Day has been set for Saturday, July 6, offering free admission, local food, music, games and events.

Information on the Borough Pool is available by calling 570-251-1882 or online athonesdaleborough.com/departments-and-services/park-rules/pool-schedule/.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.