Decision on Lantern House pool fencing deferred as board seeks construction date and retrofit options

The Board of Health tabled a decision about the Lantern House pool fencing after staff and the building inspector reported the town code generally requires chain-link material for fences taller than 5 feet to reduce fall hazards. The contractor said a brand-new 6-foot cedar fence with 4-inch slats and a 2-inch bottom gap was installed; staff replied the spacing and material do not meet the cited guideline and suggested options such as applying a metal mesh to the outside of the wooden fence or confirming whether the pool predates the 1976 trigger.

The contractor described the new fence and the prior condition: "We have put a beautiful cedar fence all the way around 6 foot, 4 inch spaces in between with a 2 inch space from the bottom up." Board members asked the parties to locate construction records or contact the previous owner to show whether the pool was built before 1975; without that evidence staff said the code would require a chain-link enclosure or an approved retrofit. The board tabled the issue to a future meeting to allow the owner to provide the requested documentation and for staff to evaluate retrofit proposals.