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Westwood board reviews new borough lightning-detection policy that would expand detection radius
Summary
The Recreation Advisory Board heard that the Governing Body has created a borough ordinance and Lightning Detection Policy applying to all parks; a resident urged increasing the detection radius from 5 to 10 miles and the policy assigns responsibility to coaches and permit holders.
The Westwood Recreation Advisory Board discussed a newly created borough ordinance and Lightning Detection Policy for all borough parks at its April 13 meeting, Recreation Director Gary Buchheister reported.
Buchheister said the ordinance and policy would apply to all organized and individual users of borough parks. He reported that a resident promoted increasing the current 5-mile lightning-detection radius to 10 miles and that the policy text includes required participation and acknowledged responsibility for coaches and anyone holding a permit to use park facilities.
Board members held extended discussion about the policy’s scope and enforcement, including who must acknowledge responsibility under permit terms and how alerts would be communicated to teams and park users. No formal vote or ordinance number was recorded in the minutes; Buchheister presented the policy as an item created by the Governing Body and for the board’s awareness and comment.
Why it matters: The change would alter how and when activities at borough parks are paused for lightning risk, affect the obligations of volunteer coaches and permit holders, and may require new communications or monitoring systems. The minutes note that the proposal stemmed in part from public input advocating for a larger detection radius.
Next steps: The minutes do not record a formal board motion on the policy; any final ordinance or enforcement details remain with the Governing Body and follow-up appears to be administrative rather than an immediate board vote.
