The town needs to come into compliance with pool safety standards and the Town Council will consider approving more than $11,000 in order to do so when it meets Jan. 6.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act came into existence after the tragic death of a child who was trapped by equipment used in pool drains.

As a result of that event, public pools and spas are required to be equipped with unblockable drains or anti-entrapment drain covers. During the past decade, there were 74 incidents reported due to body or hair entanglement in drains, resulting in "suction entrapment". This included nine deaths.

While all pools were to be fixed By Dec. 19, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has granted enforcement discretion for seasonal pools and spas currently closed. These facilities do no need to comply until they re-open in 2009.

The Berlin Parks ad Recreation Department is requesting a budget transfer of $11,535 and a waiver of the bidding process in order to award the project to Brock Enterprises Inc. of North Haven.

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