Crete expected to tighten swimming pool rules, require fences

CRETE | Village officials are expected to tighten regulations regarding swimming pools at the board's Jan. 26 meeting.

A new ordinance will detail the need for a fence around swimming pools, both in and above ground, and pools will be prohibited from occupying a front yard. The Village Board agreed to the wording of the ordinance at this week's meeting. Village Attorney Jim Stephenson will write up the ordinance and place it on the consent agenda for the next board meeting.

Village President Michael Einhorn said the safety of village children is the reason for changes to the current ordinance.

“There was some ambiguity in the wording of the current ordinance, especially with regards to fencing and location,” Einhorn said. “Our goal is to make sure we provide as much protection as we can for neighborhood children. Adding specific detail to the ordinance will help achieve that goal.”

In other news, the Village Board tabled a pair of ordinances regarding vacant properties and crime-free leases.

Village Administrator Tom Durkin told the board that he is continuing to work on the wording of the ordinances with Code Enforcement Officer Marty Braccio and Building Inspector Mike Smith.

“The three of us continue to work on both ordinances,” Durkin said. “We are not quite ready to turn over what we have to the village attorney for a formal write-up. We are still looking at some state statutes to make sure that our wording will coincide with the state, as opposed to cause conflict.”

The village wants to tighten control over vacant properties and be able to register them under a nuisance clause. That would provide more control over securing those properties.

The village also wants a crime-free ordinance that will allow a landlord the option to break a lease with a renter in the event of criminal issues. Several south suburbs have already adopted a similar ordinance, and Crete is looking at the wording of those in addition to the state.

The board also approved a motion to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the village of Steger concerning maintaining streetlights on 34th Street from State Street to Ronald Avenue.

According to the agreement, each village would be responsible for 50 percent of the maintenance costs for any light repairs.

The motion depends upon agreement from Steger officials. Durkin told the board that he will contact village this week and discuss the matter with them. He will report back at the next board meeting.