Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pool Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board backs health agents'reading that repairs to Wyantyne Country Club pool do not trigger 6-foot fence
Summary
Great Barrington's Board of Health voted to "stand by the interpretation of the health agents" that routine repairs at Wyantyne Country Club's pre-1976 pool do not require replacing an existing 4-foot fence with a 6-foot fence, while asking staff to verify latch height and document compliance.
The Great Barrington Board of Health voted to accept health agents' guidance that repairs to the Wyantyne Country Club pool do not automatically trigger the newer 6-foot-fence requirement for pools built after 1975. The board passed a motion by roll call to "stand by the interpretation of the health agents acting on our behalf in the case of the Wyantyne Pool fence."
Inspectors summarized the work performed: they said the club repaired the main drain, water returns, skimmers and some drainage but did not enlarge or relocate the pool. As one inspector explained, "If the pool was built before 1976, you have a 4 foot [fence]; if it's built post that, then you have to have a 6 foot fence. There's not any discussion in the actual regulations about, if something would trigger that change." The board asked staff to verify that the gate latch is mounted at a height that meets the 4-foot standard so children cannot reach it.
Board members said the agents' technical reading of the code — distinguishing maintenance from a qualifying change of use — was persuasive, but they directed staff to confirm the latch height in writing and record the inspection. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with members present voting "aye."
