Newington Pool Committee Elects Tiniakos Chair, Eyes 2027 Renovation Referendum

Town Council · Meeting of January 27, 2026

Newington's Town Pool Project Building Committee reorganized and debated referendum strategy at its January 27 meeting. A.J. Tiniakos, a Town Council member, was elected chair on a 4-2 vote after outgoing chair Eileen stepped back, citing her new role leading the Parks and Recreation Board; Tim Mankey was elected vice chair 4-1.

Engineers Patrick Bates and Tim Sheehan of Weston and Sampson presented a revised Mill Pond rendering showing six competition lanes reoriented 90 degrees within the existing pool shell, preserving a full 25-yard competition length. The full committee informally endorsed maintaining and renovating both Mill Pond and Churchill pools rather than consolidating to one facility. A staff member identified as Jonathan said a November 2026 referendum is not feasible, with design funds of roughly $25,000 not available until July 1 and an RFP process still needed — pointing toward 2027 as the earliest realistic ballot date; a special referendum was noted to carry an additional cost of approximately $30,000 and a higher voter-approval threshold.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 864 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of January 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

NEWINGTON — January 27, 2026 — The Newington Town Pool Project Building Committee opened its new year by electing A.J. Tiniakos as chair, receiving updated design renderings for Mill Pond Pool, and holding an extended discussion on how and when to bring a renovation referendum to voters.

Town Council member Tiniakos, who represents the committee through a council appointment, was nominated by an unidentified member and won a 4-2 roll-call vote over objections from two members. The outgoing chair, identified in the meeting only as Eileen, said she was stepping back because she had recently been named chair of the Parks and Recreation Board. Tim Mankey was elected vice chair on a separate 4-1 roll-call vote. The committee also approved the minutes of its December 15, 2025 special meeting without objection.

The Full Story

The meeting's most substantive business came during a lengthy discussion with Patrick Bates and Tim Sheehan of Weston and Sampson, the engineering firm retained for the pool study. Sheehan shared a revised rendering of Mill Pond Pool showing six competition lanes reoriented 90 degrees from the existing layout. The change, he said, allows the new pool shell to be constructed entirely within the footprint of the existing structure rather than requiring demolition of an exterior wall.

"We're basically pouring a whole new eight-inch wall inside of the existing structure," Sheehan said. "So we're not having to worry about whether it's like a veneer or a plaster finish that might delaminate or come off at a later point." [00:15:18] — Tim Sheehan, Weston and Sampson engineer

Bates described the geotechnical challenges at Mill Pond, where groundwater levels are highest on the east side of the site near Mill Pond itself. He said any construction would require a dewatering management system installed beneath the pool shell to provide hydrostatic relief when the pool is drained for maintenance. He characterized the approach of rehabilitating the existing shell as cost-effective despite the labor involved in chipping out deteriorated concrete.

On Churchill Pool, the committee reviewed three previously submitted options ranging from maintaining the existing 50-meter Olympic-length configuration to downsizing the pool and adding a splash pad. Bates noted that the 50-meter format is increasingly rare regionally and that some clubs specifically seek it out for long-course swimming. Several members said the committee should eventually designate one pool as family-recreation oriented and one as competition oriented. Public commenter Matt Braddock, of 69 Autobahn Avenue, suggested Mill Pond serve families given its neighborhood setting, while Churchill accommodate lap and meet swimmers.

"I think it's an important point. We have to balance the use. Would a splash pad get more use than the lap swimmers?" [00:47:31] — Tim Mankey, vice chair

The committee reached informal consensus that the town should maintain and renovate both pools rather than consolidating to one. No formal vote was taken on that question, but all members who spoke endorsed the two-pool approach. Discussion then turned to referendum strategy. A staff member identified as Jonathan told the committee that a November 2026 ballot deadline would require council action by late June, which he said was not feasible given the current absence of design funding. He indicated approximately $25,000 in state funds may become available at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. A 2027 referendum was floated as the more realistic target. One member raised the possibility of a special referendum, but Jonathan noted such a process costs approximately $30,000 and requires a higher approval threshold than a standard ballot question.

The committee also debated whether to send a single referendum question covering both pools or to pursue separate questions for each. Member Eileen argued that a combined question had hurt the prior referendum, while Tim Mankey and others said voters expected accountability for both pools. Jonathan said the bond counsel would need to weigh in on the precise question language.

Why It Matters

Both Newington municipal pools have been in need of renovation for years. The committee's current work is aimed at producing a design and cost estimate credible enough to win voter approval at referendum. With design funds not expected until July 2026 at the earliest, and a full RFP process still ahead, any construction is now likely at least two to three pool seasons away. In the interim, the pools are expected to open as usual in 2026. The committee's choice between pool configurations — particularly whether to preserve Churchill's 50-meter Olympic lanes — will shape which swim clubs and programs can be accommodated, and how many lifeguards will be required to staff each facility. A draft RFP is expected to be circulated before the committee's next monthly meeting.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Election of A.J. Tiniakos as committee chair Tally: For: 4, Against: 2, Abstain: 0, Total: 6

- Vote: Election of Tim Mankey as committee vice chair Tally: For: 4, Against: 1, Abstain: 0, Total: 5

- Vote: Approval of minutes from the December 15, 2025 special meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Adjournment Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Newington's community access TV: Town Pool Project Building Committee meeting, January 27, 2026