Following a petition to ban fireworks altogether and public consultation in September regarding the discharge of fireworks and lengthy discussions at Huntsville’s General Committee meeting on November 26, councillors seemed to arrive at a recommendation most of them could get behind.
The new bylaw, proposed for ratification at Huntsville Council’s meeting next month, would limit the discharge of Consumer Fireworks to specific holidays, during specific times, with only New Year’s Eve having its own time allowances.
Huntsville Bylaw Enforcement Officer Corey Crewson told committee that one of the most significant changes proposed would be to no longer allow the discharge of Consumer Fireworks (fireworks that can be purchased by consumers off the shelf) during weekends in the Town of Huntsville. Instead, Consumer Fireworks will only be allowed to be discharged during Canada Day, Labour Day, Victoria Day, and the Civic holiday between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., and on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. the following day.
The bylaw also prohibits Display Fireworks (professional firework displays) outside of weekends and Statutory Holidays. “Additionally, a permit must be obtained from the Town of Huntsville Fire Department, and the person discharging the fireworks must hold a valid Display Supervisor Certificate from Natural Resources Canada,” added Crewson’s report to the committee.
A provision was also added to the new bylaw “to allow for a member of the public that wishes to discharge fireworks outside of the permitted days and times indicated under the by-law to apply to the Town of Huntsville Appeals Committee to seek an exemption to the by-law. This would only apply if the discharge of fireworks is occurring on private property within the municipality,” adds the report.
A section has also been added to the draft bylaw “to allow for fireworks to be exempt, if they are in association with a Special Events permit. A Special Events Permit Application is reviewed by the Special Events Team consisting of multiple Town Departments, OPP and District of Muskoka. These events would include any event that is conducted on Town of Huntsville owned property or fireworks being set off by Town of Huntsville staff.”
Councillors discussed the $300 fee required to apply for an exemption to the Town of Huntsville Appeals Committee and directed staff to review the fee.
All councillors voted in favour of the draft bylaw with the exception of Councillor Bob Stone. You can find the staff report HERE.
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So we are only going to support polluting our environment and torturing animals with fireworks 5 days
a year , unless you have a special permit. Much better
Another worthless bylaws that no one will enforce and does nothing to solve any problem.
Once again the town is not doing what’s best for the environment .
Looks fairly reasonable until I see the fee of $300. Did Trump suggest this number or is there some basis somewhere in fact that demonstrates that the fee needs to be this high?
I would have thought it could be much lower.