Council OKs pond-sign ordinance

FISHERS—In a matter of minutes, a proposed ordinance which has been touted as a potential lifesaver became law Monday night.

Fishers Town Council voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance requiring warning signs to be place near all retention ponds in the town.

No one from the audience of about 50 people spoke for or against it. Councilors barely discussed the matter at all before taking the vote.

Once the new ordinance is on the books and proper notifications are made within several days, it will become law, said Fishers Town Manger Mike Booth.

Retention pond safety became an issue after 6-year-old Jackson Van Hook of Fishers drowned Aug. 18, 2000, in a retention pond at a construction area near his home in the Fishers Farm subdivision. The tragedy started town officials talking about ways to prevent it from happening again.

Council members at first considered a requirement for fencing around retention ponds at construction sites. That proposal was shot down because children could scale a fence, then be trapped inside and unable to run for help.

Under the new law, every pond must have at least four warning signs no more than 500 feet apart. Signs must be placed at every public-access point and entrance area for each pond.

In addition to prohibiting trespassing, swimming, wading and any other water-related activity, the signs will include a graphic of a swimmer inside the universal red circle/slash symbol.

Temporary signs will be required for construction-site ponds that contain water. Once occupancy permits are issued, the developer must install permanent signs to be maintained by homeowners’ associations.

Developers will install signs after filling out an application on a new town-supplied form. The original ordinance, presented Aug. 6, required only 20 0feet between signs. It was sent to the Fishers Plan Commission, which recommended the 500-foot spacing before giving the document its approval.

While they look appealing, retention ponds are dangerous, officials have said.

They have a gradual entry, but then a deep and sudden drop-off. Depths range from 10 to 60 feet. The water is black with mud, preventing rescuers from easily finding swimmers who have gone under,.

Chunks of wire, concrete and other construction debris are often left at the bottom. The water contains lawn-chemical runoff, animal excrement and other contaminants.

This story was first published Aug. 21 in the Daily Ledger.