The city of Jefferson may be little noisier and Jefferson police officers will spend less time answered calls about neighborhood fireworks over the Fourth of July and New Year holidays. The Jefferson city council at its Feb. 25 meeting approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the regulating and sale of fireworks in the city limits.
Shooting off fireworks will now be allowed July 3 from 10 am to 10 pm, or until 11 pm if July 3 is a Saturday or Sunday. They can be shot off July 4 from 10 am to 11 pm, regardless of the day of the week.
Fireworks will also be allowed from 10 am Dec. 31 to 12:30 am Jan. 1.
Fireworks can only be discharged on a person’s own property, unless a property owner gives written consent to another person. The property owner and/or the person discharging the fireworks are liable for any damage done. Also, Anyone under the age of 18 may not purchase fireworks and must have parental supervision to discharge them in the city. Sky lanterns with an open flame are prohibited.
Also, persons who are visibly intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, or who are determined to be that way, can not have or shoot off fireworks.
The ordinance stipulates that fireworks cannot be discharged during a burn ban established by the state fire marshal or the Jefferson fire chief.
The amended ordinance allows the sale of consumer fireworks from an approved temporary structure June 13 through July 8. Fireworks can only be sold in areas zoned central business commercial or light industrial. Sellers must be inspected by the state fire marshal and get a permit from the city of Jefferson.
Persons must be 18 years or older to purchase fireworks.
Both the council’s police committee and the fire committee approved the draft ordinance.
“I think this will take away a lot of calls away from the LEC from people mad that they’re out blowing them up anyway,” fire committee member Chad Sloan said. “A lot of people enjoy doing it and I think it’s a positive thing. We put rules in place with it and let people have fun.” City administrator Scott Peterson said he expected to hear comments about the ordinance but hadn’t, even after asking people about it. “I thought people would have strong feelings about it, and they don’t. Still, there will be opportunities here people can still come forward and express their opinion,” Peterson said.
