Aldermen put 'teeth' in fireworks ordinance

Aldermen put 'teeth' in fireworks ordinance

Posted

An ordinance that governs the use of fireworks inside the city limits was approved 5-0 by the Philadelphia Mayor and Board of Aldermen last week.

The need for the ordinance has been talked about off and on for years. But an increase in complaints about the noise during the July 4th holiday sparked the writing and passage of the ordinance.

“We went ahead and took care of that so it would be ready for the holidays,” Mayor James Young said. “Our police department is ready to enforce it when we gets complaints.”

The ordinance goes into effect immediately, officials said.

Fireworks may only be used in the city limits on June 27-July 5, and Dec. 23-Jan. 3 between the hours of noon and 10 p.m.

An exception will be New Year’s Eve when fireworks may be used from noon until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

It is also illegal and a violation of the ordinance to discharge fireworks:

• Within 1,000 feet of a hospital;

• Under or on cars and other vehicles;

• Within 75 feet of a location where fireworks are sold;

• Within 100 feet of a gas pump, filling station or bulk fuel storage facility; and,

•Within 600 feet of a church.

The discharge or use of fireworks is not permitted on public roadways, parks or any public property. It is also illegal to throw, cast otherwise propel a pyrotechnic device in the direction or path of any person or group, or from or in the direction of any car or vehicle.

The ordinance was adopted in pursuant of state law. Any person found guilty in a court of law of violating the ordinance is guilty of a misdemeanor. They could be fined up to $1,000 and/or imprisoned for up to six months, or both.

Each day this ordinance is violated shall represent a separate offense.

In other matters, aldermen voted to:

• Approve the minutes of the pervious meeting and approve the claims docket;

• Approve the payment of $75,502 per Wagoner Engineering for work on the AWOL project at the airport;

• Approve the payment of $100,000 to Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music as budgeted. The city has committed $1 million to the project;

• Approve to pay John B. Stewart, real estate appraiser, $1,500 for appraisal at the old Wells Lamont building;

• Approve resolution requesting Mississippi historic landmark designation for the Booker T. School;

• Approve continuing the public hearing for the dilapidated house on Holland Avenue;

• Approve paying Kirk Auto World $30,735 through at Trustmark National Bank lease purchase for a truck for the police department;

• Approve street closures for the December 7 Christmas parade; and,

• Authorize the opening of four bank accounts with The Citizens Bank as part of the bond issue.






Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions