Lansford borough is seeking a grant to help fund the renovation of the town's pool.

And while council endorsed the project, one member says he believes they should not use tax dollars.Council voted 4-0 Wednesday night to approve "Concept 1" presented at a public meeting last week.Council members Matthew Walsh, John Turcmanovich and Colin Jones were absent.Council needed to approve a design so that its consultant, Aquatic Facility Design, can complete a feasibility study."This decision is needed as soon as possible so (Aquatic Facility Design) can finish the feasibility study which is necessary for the DCNR grant. The application period closes April 15. The only fee involved with it would be the application fee," Councilwoman Rose Mary Cannon said.The pool design would combine the regular and wading pools, using a combined filter system in the existing pool shell.Aquatic Facility Design presented designs last month that would address the leaks that led to the pool being closed last summer, and add resort-style features.The underground pipes connecting the pool to its filtration system, coupled with cracks in the pool itself, are what caused the leaks.The renovation would replace them with a modern system which is integrated into the top of the pool walls, and relies on a lot less underground piping."I think that everyone who was at the meeting agrees that concept one was the best option for the borough," she said.At least one member of council says that the borough should not use taxpayer dollars to fund the pool.Joseph Butrie said that it would be too much for the town's tax base to bear."A lot of people in this town live on a fixed income. They can barely afford to make ends meet now. The pool is a luxury. It'll be beautiful when it's done, but not on the burden of the taxpayers," Butrie said.Cannon pointed out that the pool will be a benefit to taxpayers once it's completed.Resident Renee Mariotti Novak said that as one of those residents living at or close to a fixed income, she would support the pool regardless."I wouldn't mind, and I'm sure there's a lot of people who pay their taxes who wouldn't mind. Why get it up to 80 or 90 percent and then have it fall short? I'll put my taxes toward it," she said.Council also appointed Butrie to the borough planning commission. He and resident Bob Silver were the only applicants.Council also gave approval to borough tax collector Terry McCall, who wants to switch the software that the borough uses to process its property tax bills. McCall said that by switching to Touchpoint, the borough will save more than $500, and residents will get easy-to-read bills.