New pool rules for borough residents

SUSSEX — To some degree, Sussex Borough residents have fellow citizen T.J. Donnelly to thank for more fun in the sun. Until recently, it was illegal for Sussex Borough residents to install pools on their properties — even though some people had gotten around the system either by obtaining approvals from the zoning board or by installing pools without authorization. When Donnelly contacted Wantage Township Zoning Officer Kevin Kervatt last month to apply for permission to install a pool on his Lakeview Terrace property, Kervatt notified Mayor Chris Parrott who helped fast-track a new ordinance for Donnelly and other would-be pool owners. “We moved very quickly so that people could have pools (installed for use) this summer,” said Parrott. At its July 21 meeting, the Sussex Borough Council unanimously approved a new ordinance to permit swimming pools on residential properties. Councilman Frank Dykstra was absent from the meeting. There are some restrictions, however. Pools can be located only in rear or side yard areas of residential properties. In addition, the edge of any pool needs to be at least 10 feet from all property lines and 10 feet from any structure. In situations where pools are located in a side yard, the same setbacks apply and a six-foot fence is required to create a buffer between the pool and the road. During its discussion about the amended ordinance, Borough Councilperson Katherine Little said that she’d want to allow existing pools to be grandfathered into the new laws. But John Ursin, the borough attorney, cautioned against doing that since the borough can’t vouch for the safe installation and operation of any unauthorized pools. Still, Ursin did say that any pools that were previously approved by the planning board would have to be accepted under the new ordinance. The amended ordinance does not apply to so-called “kiddie” pools or any pools that aren’t permanently affixed or fastened down.