Board of Health recommends 0.0 ppm chloramine target before Atkinson Pool reopens

SUDBURY — January 21, 2025 — Sudbury Board of Health pushes Atkinson Pool reopening below state minimum for chloramines. Chair Carol Bradford and member Linda Marie Huet-Clayton recommended Tuesday that the lap pool reach 0.0 ppm combined chlorine — stricter than the state code's 0.2 ppm ceiling — before swimmers return, after a Jan. 8 inspection during swim practice measured 0.6 ppm and forced closure of the natatorium. Health Director Vivian said two shock treatments failed to break up the chloramines and that one-year-old doors into the Fairbanks Community Center are already corroding. A UV secondary disinfection system was ordered Tuesday with a three-to-four-week lead time. Dennis Mannone of Parks and Recreation asked the board to consider a phased reopening at 0.2 ppm for low-load general public swims; Huet-Clayton refused, saying "there's no room to error if you have 0.2 parts per million." The board also voted 2-0 to set the FY26 vaccine revolving account limit at $50,000.