Presented with still another opportunity to ban outdoor wood-fired boilers in the township, South Whitehall commissioners tabled the issue after listening to the concerns of a Cetronia resident.

Douglas Snyder, 27 N. Schaeffer St., told the board, at its Oct. 3 meeting, he needs a wood burning water heater to keep his family warm this winter.

Snyder explained his situation.

"I have a job, two children and a wife," Snyder said. "I'm trying to keep my home warm with a fireplace because oil is so expensive.

"In a boiler, I'd be burning half the wood I'm using in the fireplace. This comes down to survival."

Synder owns a wood-burning stove that is intended to be used in a basement.

"In my case, this is not feasible," Snyder said. "I don't have access for it in my basement. I need to put it in my garage."

Although he was denied a permit for the wood burner because it is a boiler, Snyder said fireplaces and woodburning stoves are allowed.

"How can a fireplace and wood stove be OK but not a wood boiler?" Snyder asked. "It's the same wood."

He said the fireplace is far less efficient than a wood boiler, probably creating twice as much smoke.

"Oil has pollutants, too," Snyder said.

Commissioners asked Community Development Manager Gerald Harbison to read the definition of a wood-fired boiler, then concluded Snyder's wood burner fits the type referred to in the proposed ordinance for banning.

Solicitor Joseph Zator said if a wood-burning boiler fits the definition in the proposed ordinance, it would be banned, wherever it is placed.

"It does not need to be physically outside," Zator said.

He said the issue has come up in other municipalities because people tend to burn all kinds of garbage in their wood stoves, causing complaints about smoke and odors.

"There's a minor movement started in the region to ban these things," Zator said.

Commissioners' President Christina "Tori" Morgan said the proposed ordinance reflects language in state regulations for wood-burning boilers.

The proposed South Whitehall ordinance includes this statement taken from the state Department of Environmental Protection printed materials: "While they may seem harmless, the use of outdoor wood-fired boilers generates air pollution that affects human health and is the source of many odor and nuisance complaints."

Commissioner Thomas Johns suggested taking another look at the proposed ordinance and bringing it back for review in two weeks.

"Let's table it to see if we're missing anything here," Johns said.

Commissioners agreed to the postponement.

Snyder offered his thoughts on the matter.

"I'm just trying to circulate heat so the kids' rooms will get warm," Snyder said. "The fireplace isn't enough."