A proposed ordinance to further regulate when fireworks can be launched in Watson Township doesn’t appear to have a good chance of being adopted.
Supervisor Kevin Travis Thursday evening presented a proposed ordinance to ban fireworks from being shot off from 1 to 8 a.m. on the days in which they are legal. The proposed ordinance also would regulate who can can buy and sell firewoorks.
Trustee Michelle Harris’ reaction was, “I think it’s overkill. We already have a state law.”
Travis said the state rules don’t deal with hours they can’t be launched one day before, the day of and the day after designated holidays. He added that the local law would regulate permits for people who want to shoot fireworks on days not designated by the state.
“People were popping off fireworks on two Sundays in January,” he said, adding he didn’t appreciate it that authorities told complainants to call the township supervisor.
“The police don’t have an ordinance to enforce,” he said.
Harris said she opposes a permitting process for people on non-designated days, maintaining, “You let everybody do it, or you let nobody do it… I don’t see how we can enforce it.”
Travis said his idea was have offenders ticketed to pay fines.
Harris replied, “I’m just not excited about micro-managing.”
It finally was agreed to have the proposed ordinance tabled until next August, after the height of the season of noise to revisit it.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the Township Board:
• Was told by Trustee Chuck Andrysiak that the Planning Commission os looking into looking at a parks plan. Though he noted Watson is a rural and agrarian township, “It’s nice to have a parks plan when it’s not needed instead of needing it and not having it.”
He added that it’s possible in the future it could come in handy when applying for grants.
• Learned its annual contribution to the Hopkins Area Fire Board this year is $46,823, down slightly from the previous year.
• Decided against making a contribution of $1,250 to Lakeshore Advantage for economic development because, as Harris said, “On the surface, I don’t see a return on our investment.”
