How should the Town of Huntsville regulate fireworks use?
The municipality is currently reviewing its fireworks bylaw and is seeking resident input.
Huntsville’s fireworks bylaw distinguishes between consumer fireworks (outdoor, low-hazard fireworks that are designed for recreational purposes and can be purchased at licensed retailers), and display fireworks (outdoor, high-hazard fireworks that are designed for professional licences only and require a permit from the Huntsville / Lake of Bays Fire Department as per the Explosives Act).
The Town is asking for input on both types of fireworks via a questionnaire available at myhuntsville.ca.
Questions include whether or not consumer fireworks should be sold in Huntsville, whether a permit should be required for use of consumer fireworks, and if use of fireworks should be restricted only to specific holidays.
The public input process comes following a staff recommendation at the September 25, 2019 Development Services Committee that the Town restrict the use of consumer fireworks to the five days preceding Victoria Day, Canada Day and New Year’s Eve and restrict the time when they can be used on those days from dusk to 11 p.m.
The questionnaire has been extended to January 6, 2020. Results will form part of a report presented by staff to Huntsville’s Operations and Protective Services Committee on January 29, 2020.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
The issues raised by the previous speaker have quite a serious tone.Explosions and detonations caused by the fireworks used may have a very negative impact on the psyche of domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, horses, pigs, etc., as well as those not domesticated such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, roes, etc. No one will surely be able to give reliable information about the negative effects and changes in the existing for thousands of years ecological system we can expect using fireworks available everywhere. We have three options to solve this Gordian knot.We can completely ban the use and sale of fireworks in Huntsville.We can ask the Huntsville authorities to establish a new Fireworks Department whose employees will supervise and control all fireworks events in Huntsville for a small fee. The last option left to us is a complete ban on using the fireworks from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Personally, I’m not a supporter of any of these options.Let’s leave it alone once and for all.
Get rid of fireworks that are sold to the general public, whether anyone admits it or not very few people are responsible with there firework use. Take new years eve for example there were fireworks going off til after 2 am, now don’t anyone tell me children were up watching those. And I’m sure there were a lot of people trying to sleep during the midnight til after 2 am time period with dogs and cats that are afraid of fireworks so why do we have to have to get drugs to calm our animals for something that isn’t necessary. If you want a decent firework show a couple of timess a year done by the town then donate your money to them and let trained people set them off. Also at least Hidden Valley had there fireworks show at a family friendly time. Also you can see what happened in Germany new years eve when three women accidently burnt down a primate exhibit in a zoo with Chinese lanterns, and the same thing happened in Manchester,UK , the fireworks accidently burnt down there animal shelter.
I agree 100% with what kelly zytaruk said . This is absolutely ridiculous to be even having this discussion. What’s next banning boating, kids yelling in the playgrounds? It is not an every day occurrence and people are not lighting them off for prolonged periods of time. We need to stop catering to the few whiners and complainers so the majority of people can enjoy making memories with their families.
No there should not be restrictions and added taxes and permits for the community to absorb!!
This tradition dates back centuries and it would be sad to see a part of history erased. Participating in this heritage brings back some of the best memories shared with my family over the years. Good wholesome family time spent together. Banning things rarely has the desired effect and will only mean that a “black market” will open up and make it even more dangerous and fireworks more likely to fall into the hands of youngsters and those who would act irresponsibly.
Personally I cant believe that town council is wasting their time debating this issue when there are so many more issues in the town with so much more validity that should be addressed.
There are plenty of things which are more dangerous and or cause more environmental damage than fireworks such as cars, deforestation, farming, and pollution from motor boats in our lakes. What is the next right to decide that government will take away from us. The number of cars are increasing daily. Are they next, ban only one car per family…..ban boats in cottage country. Come on people, let common sense prevail here. Fireworks usually only occur 2 to 3 times a year…..not daily.
Dogs may be scared of fireworks but plenty of people are scared of dogs and no one wants to see them banned because they cause others anxiety, alarm, or distress!! Once again, common sense. Everyone has things which annoy or upset us but we cant go around and ban everything that upsets someone.
It is not the governments job to take away our right to make our own decisions. This is just one more instance of government trying to control our lives, limiting our freedoms and our ability to choose for ourselves. We need less government interference NOT MORE!
On that note, I say let common sense prevail and let families and cottagers coming to our area choose for themselves how they will enjoy part of the cottage experience with their families and friends. Let the fireworks begin! Don’t take this heritage and family custom away from our children!
We are already taxed to the max and legislated with permits coming out our ears!! Treat us as the adults we are. There is already an age restriction in place to purchase fireworks.
My comment, which has probably already been read and evaluated by many people, is a form of irony which I wanted to draw attention to a proposal of counsellors in our town, devoid of any logic.To sum up the passing year, it must be said that it was a year of unfortunate decisions taken practically against the public opinion.This nightmare is like a never-ending story.Wrong decisions made by the city become our daily bread. I ask openly what the city authorities want to hide, trying to distract us from the matters that the city lives by passing unnecessary regulations?
I read this article and think to myself “Has the municipality got nothing better to do?”
The article is vague as to the purpose for regulating fireworks. What are they trying to accomplish?
To me this smells of government over-regulation and intrusion of personal freedoms.
There is one question in the questionnaire that “hints” that the purpose of all of this is that someone complained that the fireworks might have unexpectedly scared their dog. Is this any reason to regulate the entire region?
There are noise by-laws in place that can be leveraged if noise is an issue.
Laws already cover the sale and use of fireworks to minors.
So what is truly the problem that the municipality is trying to solve or are they so up to date with all other important matters that they are looking for new things to do?
The only reason that I could see for regulating fireworks would be if there was a fire safety hazard during the dry season. Even this doesn’t really need licensing and regulation. This can be handled by a fireworks warning or ban like open pit fire bans.
Fireworks have been around for over 1200 years. We all love them. We don’t need more government intervention.
Fireworks put on by the town is okay but not residential. Some residents are not responsible. It also frightens dogs and wildlife. Does it effect war veterans?
I have always been against any additional taxes and today I am exceptionally in favour of introducing them.Why the sudden change?. I realized that there is nothing for free.The town needs money to expand and modernize outdated infrastructure.The only viable solution and instrument available is taxation.We need to introduce new taxes on fireworks with the appropriate licenses.We need to introduce new taxes for short and long term rental of a house or apartment. We need to introduce taxes on bikes of all sizes together with the relevant licenses. We need to introduce paid lakeside beaches with adequate relief for the disabled and small children. The self-government of yacht owners and all kinds of boats with internal combustion engines should also be stopped.If someone can afford such a yacht or a boat, they will also be able to buy a license.
No, to have fireworks a couple times of year is a very special time of gathering for towns folks. Perhaps there could be certain dates in which they could be set off, so that fireworks do not occur whenever people just feel like it. There is nothing in this world that replaces the wonder and awe of fireworks.