Township plans to regulate outdoor furnaces

Wantage — A proposed township ordinance regulating the use of outdoor furnaces has opened a debate about whether existing furnaces will be grandfathered in, or whether all outdoor furnace owners will have to comply. At the April 15 township committee meeting, Township Administrator Jim Doherty brought up the subject of the proposed law, which had been introduced at the March 25 meeting. The ordinance was originally proposed by the township Land Use Board, due to concerns about the safety and environmental impact of outdoor furnaces, and due to complaints about smoke and fumes blowing into neighboring houses. Owners of outdoor furnaces — there are currently 18 permits on file in the township — find them to be an economical way to heat their houses. “I’ve had folks on both sides of this issue talk to me about this,” said Deputy Mayor Bill DeBoer, “and I understand both sides. There’s got to be some way for us to deal with this, because if we don’t, it’s going to be a big problem.” DeBoer described a recent situation where the township’s first aid and fire squads were called to a local home where there was smoke all though the first floor because of a neighbor’s outdoor furnace. “I wouldn’t want that to happen to me,” he said. “The smoke is not something anyone would want to have in their home.” The proposed ordinance includes the following regulations: New furnace owners must get a permit Owners of existing furnaces when the new law takes effect must comply with the new rules Only firewood and untreated lumber are permitted to be burned in any outdoor furnace; Outdoor furnaces will be permitted only on lots of 5 acres or more; Setback for the furnaces must be 75 feet or more from the nearest lot line; The furnaces can be operated only between Sept. 1 and May 31 All outdoor furnaces must be equipped with properly functioning spark arresters. The final hearing for the proposed ordinance is slated for the April 29 township committee meeting.