The Town of Huntsville council has approved a draft fireworks bylaw after receiving a petition to ban fireworks in September.
At a Nov. 26 committee meeting, Corey Crewson, bylaw enforcement officer, presented a report to council with over 580 responses received during the September public consultation process. These responses helped staff draft a new fireworks bylaw.
Crewson said one of the changes proposed in the new bylaw involves Consumer Fireworks, which are the type of fireworks residents can typically purchase at local or convenience stores.
“They are no longer to be discharged on weekends,” said Crewson. “Now, under the draft bylaw, they are going to be restricted to Canada Day, Labour Day, Victoria Day, and Civic holiday between 8 and 11 p.m., as well as on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.”
The previous bylaw stated consumers can use fireworks over the weekend from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Another change involves Display Fireworks, which Crewson described as “the more high-hazard type” reserved for professionally licensed individuals. These fireworks must be authorized through the Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department.
“Under the draft bylaw, they are being restricted back to weekends, which again is Friday, Saturday, Sunday, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., as well as the same statutory holidays and New Year’s Eve,” said Crewson.
The previous bylaw stated fireworks could be set off on any day throughout the week, weekends, and statutory holidays, as long as the person had a valid license.
“There is now a provision if someone wishes to set off fireworks outside of the bylaw,” said Crewson. “They can make an application to the appeals committee. Through that process, there can be additional restrictions put.”
Some of the new restrictions include the time frame and location where fireworks can be discharged. Additionally, the Town can require confirmation that the operator has notified the surrounding neighbourhood before setting them off.
During the discussion, council also addressed the fees required for applying for an exemption, but Councillor Bob Stone opposed them, stating that making residents submit a form and pay a fee for permitting fireworks at certain celebrations is “inappropriate.”
As a result, Council approved the draft bylaw and directed staff to review eliminating all fees for bylaw exemptions before bringing the topic back for further discussion at a later meeting.
