Council weighs fireworks ban

- Lina Wu
Posted 6/3/20

Fourth of July is well known for the excitement of fireworks and celebrations of patriotic pride. The holiday still runs into the risk of dangerous and illegal sparkling devices causing fires.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Council weighs fireworks ban

Posted

Fourth of July is well known for the excitement of fireworks and celebrations of patriotic pride. The holiday still runs into the risk of dangerous and illegal sparkling devices causing fires.

Fireworks and sparklers fall into the category of sparkling devices. In an effort to address the risky activity, the council held a public hearing to address a potential local law to ban the possession and sale of sparklers and sparkling devices.

The local law addresses the amendment of chapter 172 of the Code of Ordinances to add “Article II-Fireworks & Sparkling Device.”

“I was really concerned about the data given on the number of fires and calls to the police department and also the emergency room visits,” said Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde during a previous council meeting. “This is something I would definitely support [a ban].”

The council also held another public hearing to address the amendment of the citizen participation portion of the Community Development Block Grant [CDBG].

The citizen participation portion of the CDBG would be amended to allow the city to take on public participation processes such as virtual meetings, observation, and email comments in times of emergency.

Any comments on the citizen participation portion can be submitted to the Department of Planning and Development during the five day public comment period. The council plans to discuss the local law on banning the possession and sale of sparklers and sparkling devices at the next council work session.

The council scheduled a public hearing on June 8 for a substantial amendment to the CDBG fiscal year 2019 annual action plan. The substantial amendment will be for the allocation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding. The council also scheduled a five day comment period for the substantial amendment.

The council also scheduled a public hearing on June 8 to hear public comments for a substantial amendment to the CDBG fiscal year 2020 annual action plan to reallocate funding to community policing and neighborhood services. The council also scheduled a 30-day comment period for the substantial amendment.

To submit comments regarding the agenda and general matters of City business email comments@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov with the Subject Line in this format: “PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM” by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2020.