As Hillcrest Pool Opens Saturday, Politics Surfacing [Updated]

Update, Friday, 4:20 p.m.

The town announced the opening Friday afternoon:

"All regularly scheduled programs will commence as of Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012."

Original Story:

After a drought of swimming at Hillcrest pool, the sounds of splashing will be returning Monday.

Now the political waters are churning.

The pool repairs were paid for with state grants obtained by State Sen. Anthony Musto, D-Trumbull. However, both Musto and Nancy DiNardo, the state and Trumbull democratic chair, say First Selectman Tim Herbst isn't giving credit where it's due.

In a press release, Herbst thanked "all parties involved who helped to complete the project."

"We are fortunate that our leaders at the local and state level work collaboratively and creatively to find the money to renovate this pool without placing a negative financial burden on the Trumbull taxpayers," Herbst said.

But Musto and DiNardo said Herbst never mentioned Musto specifically.

Musto commented on Patch that he was glad the pool was recognized as a priority, but added:

"It is unfortunate that he [Herbst] has chosen to say that he worked collaboratively with legislators to get this money when, put simply, he did not. I respect Mr. Rowe and Mr. Hwang, and when we do work together (paving Church Hill Road, relocating the Nichols Power Plant, etc.) we recognize each other's efforts and give each other the credit for our collaborative efforts. In this case, neither of them claimed they had any role in obtaining these funds. The reason is they did not work on it, and I respect them enough to know that they would not falsely claim they did. But Mr. Herbst claims that he worked with other to receive state funds. This is false. It is an attempt to claim he did something important, but that he did not do. Simply put: he did not work with me to get this $500,000 to support a valuable asset for our Town. For Mr. Herbst to claim he had anything to do with it is disingenuous."

Herbst responded Thursday night.

"Perhaps Senator Musto would like to see all of the correspondence sent between my office and other entities, including from my Chief of Staff to work collaboratively to get this done.  I guess Senator Musto has amnesia.  Once again, politics ahead of people.  Given his poor voting record of voting for the largest tax increase in Connecticut history and voting to repeal the death penalty in the wake of theCheshire home invasion- one of the most brutal crimes in our state's history, perhaps that would explain the angry and hostile post from Senator Musto. He engages in petulant behavior that is beneath the office he holds," Herbst said.

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The first selectman said $869,890 on the renovation, and $498,000 came from the state.

"Our recreational and Town programs will be able to take advantage of a renovated pool that will continue to serve the needs of our community," he said.

Recreation Director Mary Markham said the updated pool will have a new paint job and ventilation system.