SHELBY - Monday, a divided Shelby Village Council voted 5-2 to approve a lease agreement between the Village of Shelby and Shelby Township for Getty Field for a proposed community pool project.
The idea of a community pool was first proposed on Jan. 27, 2025, when a memo of understanding between the village and township was approved to explore the possibility of using Getty Field for a community pool. Since that time, Shelby Township has been in the process of applying for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant, which requires a lease agreement between the two entities. At the council’s Aug. 25 meeting, Village Administrator Phil Morse presented the lease for review, stating both village and township legal teams had reviewed it. Passage of the lease was tabled to give village council members a chance to read over the proposed lease more thoroughly and ask questions. The main concern by the council at that time was preservation of a space for playing pickup soccer, should a pool be built at Getty Field.
On Monday, Morse reported researching some alternative soccer field options within the village, however, each had its drawbacks. He told the council he had also spoken to Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffaelli about the council’s concerns. Raffaelli told Morse he felt initial plans could be adjusted to make room for a soccer field, if that is what the council wanted. “I believe Richard to be a man of his word. If he says he’s going to do something, he does it,” Morse said.
Monday, three community members spoke during public comment. Resident Don Wyns had a lot of questions and asked, “Who is really in favor of it? Who is going to use it, and who is going to pay for it? Who is going to watch over it? In my 60 years of living here, we’ve never had one. This is going to get expensive.”
(Please refer to the January 31, 2025 article, page 7 and the August 29, 2025 article, page 11 found at issuu.com/theoceanaecho for answers to these and other questions answered at previous village council meetings.)
Resident Tammy Carey spoke in favor of the proposed pool project, saying, “I moved here 33 years ago, and I’m so excited about the possibility of a pool. I grew up in suburban Detroit with a community pool. It offered swim lessons, employed lifeguards and was a gathering place for moms. There’s a perception that having a pool only open in the summer is a waste. But it’s a really great option. To my knowledge (the project) would be funded via grants…I don’t think it is going to be funded by our personal tax dollars. This is an opportunity to invest in our community and make it better. I’ve been saying for years, before I die, there’s going to be a pool. I can’t do laps without driving 45 miles.”
Swim instructor and Benona Township resident Beth Baker shared, “I’m blown away by the possibility. I think it (the project) is well worth considering.” Baker teaches swim lessons in several local townships and said she had 214 students this summer. “Having a (community) pool is something parents want, and I see a lot of potential.”
Morse told the council, “Your concerns are legitimate…it is on the table tonight because the DNR requires an Intergovernmental Lease Agreement (IGA) to know if we are committed. The IGA allows them (the township) to use the land for three years only.” He added, “Mark (Olmstead, superintendent of Shelby Public Schools) is in favor of this,” and “Communities our size usually don’t have this opportunity.”
Highlights of the IGA lease include the following parameters: the pool would be constructed at no cost to the village; the township would use the property exclusively for a pool; the village would lease the property to the township at no cost; the village would waive tap fees for sewer and water as its contribution to the project; any substantial alterations to the project - before, during or after - would require village approval; the lease would essentially be an “on-paper” agreement which would not affect current maintenance responsibilities or utility arrangements; if the pool is not constructed within three years, the lease would automatically terminate; if and when a pool is built the lease would be for a term of 50 years, and after that time frame a renewal of 40 years could be considered.
Councilor Steve Crothers opened the discussion, saying, “We’ll never have this opportunity again.”
Councilor Samantha Gottschalk added, “It also offers something for our teens to do.” She followed up by asking, “But who is going to be allowed to use it? Is this going to be packed?”
Morse reminded everyone what had been shared in January: the pool would be free for village and township residents; while everyone else would pay prorated fees based on where they lived.
At this point in the meeting, Village President John Sutton chose to allow additional comments from those in the audience. Carey said there would likely be capacity restraints, “Only so many people would be let in at a time. Swim lessons would likely be held early in the day.”
Police Chief Dean Roesler said, “There’s a ton of details, and I have a million questions, but this is not what you’re voting on.”
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to attend meetings and give input,” Crothers reminded.
Several minutes of discussion were dedicated to concerns about chlorinated water entering the village’s sewer system. That concern became a moot point when DPW Superintendent Jeremiah Helenhouse googled it and learned there are laws regulating how municipal pools treat water before it is released into a municipal system.
Crothers moved to approve said lease, with Councilor Curt Trott seconding the motion. Prior to the vote, Councilor Dan Zaverl said, “I think there’s too many questions. We need a public hearing.”
Councilor Mike Termer added, “If they can assure we have a soccer field and the water is ok, I’m in favor. Those are my concerns.”
When the roll call vote was taken Crothers, Trott and Termer answered “Yes” without hesitation. Gottschalk was silent for several seconds before voting “Yes.” Sutton voted in the affirmative as well. Voting against the motion were Zaverl and Councilor Crystal Heykoop.
On Tuesday, The Oceana Echo contacted Raffaelli to ask two specific questions: what the timeline for the grant would be and if any additional meetings are planned. Raffaelli told the Echo there are several funding areas that need to be sorted out (before the proposed project could move forward). Number one, the state budget has not been approved by the Senate, and number two, the DNR grant will not be answered for several months. Once (and if) funding is sorted out, there would be a public hearing to discuss the preliminary design and seek public input. At that point residents would have a chance to voice their vote to have the project proceed or not proceed, he said.
In the meantime, a copy of the lease is available at both the village and township offices. Village of Shelby council meetings are open to the public and held the second and fourth Mondays of every month in the village hall beginning at 6 p.m. Shelby Township meetings are also open to the public and held at the village hall in downtown Shelby the first Monday of every month beginning at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. May-September).
