Borough finally in the swim with swimming pool ordinance

AVIS - This is one instance in which one might say the process of revising an outdated ordinance hasn't gone swimmingly. But, at long last, it's finally over.

Borough Council last night unanimously adopted its updated swimming pool ordinance, after more than a year of talking about and thinking through the changes.

Don't rush out to buy a pool, though.

According to borough law, the new ordinance won't officially be enforceable for 30 days, or until Oct. 2, 2008. The old requirements remain in effect until then, at which time the original ordinance enacted in June 1982 will officially be repealed.

The most significant of the revisions to the ordinance is a change in setbacks from any property line, sidewalk or accessory structure from 20 feet to 10 feet. The reduction was made to allow residents living on lots 40 feet wide a very common lot size within the borough to be able to put pools on their properties.

"This should pretty much take care of most people's concerns," said Councilwoman Amy Brooks, who also serves as the chairperson for the ordinance committee.

The new ordinance excludes inflatable pools 23 inches deep or shallower. Brooks said it excludes any pool inflatable or not with a depth of 23 inches or less, though the wording doesn't reflect that.

"We're really looking at more permanent structures with this ordinance," said Brooks.

Like its predecessor, the revised version of the rule requires pool owners to erect a fence, wall or other enclosure that is at least four feet tall around the pool or the entire property, with gaps of no more than two inches in any direction. This stipulation is aimed at restricting unwanted access to pools and thus protecting others from injuries.

Another safety-related condition this one new to the revised ordinance requires pool owners to also to cover the pool with a tarp or other covering to prevent unwanted entry into the pool, both by people and mosquitoes.

Pool owners must also protect any electrical power source within 10 feet of the pool, according to the new ordinance.

Brooks said the ordinance committee is not finished considering safety regulations for swimming pools within the borough.

"There are some other things we're going to work on as far as safety and sanitation is concerned. That'll be forthcoming next month," Brooks promised.

Neither residents nor council members made any comments on the proposed ordinance during a 10-minute public hearing before last night's regular monthly meeting.

In other business, council:

- Heard an update from Councilman Garlyn Yenner on the search for a replacement for Secretary-Treasurer Steve Snyder. Snyder is retiring from his 34-year position at the end of 2008.

Yenner said the personnel committee has completed its first round of interviews, with a second round planned for Thursday. He added the committee is hoping to select a candidate by the end of this month so he or she can begin training with Snyder as soon as possible.

- Asked Yenner to get quotes from area contractors to extend the sidewalk in front of the borough building across the entire width of the building, to reach the door to Zoning Officer Bob Truby's office.

Truby shared with council that a handicapped gentlemen visited him recently and had to navigate through the grass to get to his office door. The man couldn't use the ramp from the lower parking lot in front of the building because he had to go up a step to get onto the ramp. In addition, the building's only handicapped parking space is located to the other side of the building from Truby's office.

"I'm not handicapped-accessible. We need to fix that," Truby said.