The city is considering a ban on the sale of fireworks.
An ordinance is under consideration that would prohibit the sale of any fireworks within the boundaries of Bristol.
Residents would still be free to purchase legal fireworks in other towns and use them in town, officials said.
City Councilor Ellen Zoppo said there will be a public hearing on the proposed ban at 6 p.m, Wednesday, Oct. 24 in the meeting room at City Hall.
Zoppo, who chairs the ordinance committee, said that officials are interested in hearing what people have to say.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro expressed skepticism about the far-reaching ban.
"We're going to ban little kids' sparklers?" Nicasto asked.
Mayor William Stortz raised the idea last summer after public safety officials devoted considerable time to checking on the safety of fireworkers dealers in Bristol, most of which are temporary businesses. They also found a couple of people selling illegal fireworks, officials said.
Connecticut allows the sale of small fireworks.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
16 comments:
I agree!!!
Why take up city resources to make sure that the law is followed, that some people are not beating the system?
Do we collect sales tax on illegal sales?
What is the benefit to us, the city?
Yeah,,right Just another reason to shop outside of Bristol.
NO, THEY SHOULD BE BANNED...PERIOD.
NO SALE NO USEAGE
You want to ban fireworks in the city, yet the city allows people with dogs (Yes, the dogs have teeth) run free up on the Roberts property? Seems we have an A**backward thinking process here.
Walker in the woods.
Let Zoppo strut herself around for the last few weeks. Soon a NEW chair can handle this committee as it should be handled. Not the way it has for years for self-serve interests.
this summer was horrible - glad to see the ban might make it a little more difficult for the poeple who are not responsible.
I don't think the city can ban fireworks completely. It can only do what the state law allows, which includes a ban on the sale of fireworks.
Most of the businesses that sell the fireworks are temporary "tent based" fireworks stands. I wonder how much revenue and/or economic benefit receives from the influx of businesses versus the cost of police enforcement.. etc.
First they messed with my Ocean State Job Lot, and now this? FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!
To bring a level (non-political) head into this conversation...
If the issue is that vendors are selling illegal fireworks and/or are storing the legal incendiary devices in an unsafe manner, then why not have them go through a permit process with Bristol Fire Dept or some other appropriate agency? Make conditions of the permit random inspection of the place of business by police / fire /other city agency (whoever collects the permit fee)
Fireworks will be purchased by city residents. Why not in town under watchful eyes?
Frank, you are a state representative: can "little kids" buy sparklers?
And for "buying" in Bristol. With that logic, lets have porn shops, and other undesireable thngs for sale. That way we can get people to come to Bristol.
Hurrah!!!!
Collins: I think you're wrong (again). Why would they ban just the sale of the fireworks? Obviously Zoppo is responding (correctly I may add) to the noise issue.
Steve, you ARE correct. They can not ban the use of fireworks within the borders of Bristol. It is not within the City's powers to ban usage, just the sale of.
This has been an issue with the Fire Chief since 2004 when all kinds of fireworks sale tents were popping up all over town without any warning, permits or regulations being taken into consideration.
Every year since the State made fireworks legal Cheif Pose has been keeping very accurate records of who is selling fireworks, where, and if they are following the laws regarding safety and working with the police to ensure that they are not sold to anyone under the age of 18. He has also been in contact with the hospital after 4th of July season to determine if there was a rise in injuries due to the use of fireworks.
This is a fire issue and community safety issue. It isn't about taking sparklers away from children. It's about making sure the stupid 19 year old isn't burning down the neighborhood and blowing his face off because he wants to have the biggest show in the neighborhood.
It's also about making sure that the people making a fast buck selling the fireworks aren't keeping them in hazardous areas and selling the items that are not legal, such as the gas station in the triangle on Rte 6 and King Street that was busted this past summer.
enough is enough with stupid regulations and ordinances!!!!whats the point of banning the sale of fire works if you cant stop people from buying them elsewhere and shooting them off here. this is america damn it!!!! how much freedom will we have to give up before we lose our freedoms all together.
plain and simple, fireworks are leagal for those that are over 18 so let those of age buy them and use them. for some of us its part of our tradition for celebrating the 4th of july. if your stupid enough to get hurt by fireworks then it on you and i have no sympathy!!!!!!!!!!!
This isn't Zoppo's doing..it's Stortz.
With his business sense he could put Wal-Mart and Target out of business.
Having said that - Zoppo and Stortz are both lame Ducks and they should just go away quietly and leave all this up to the next administration.
If they are legal in CT., What if a person from out of town is here with them? Are they given the Bristol guidebook at the townline first? If they don't know about it, they can get arrested, and say, hey fireworks are legal!, and the cop says not in Bristol they ain't! -- Didn't you get the memo?! I'm not so sure this makes sense. In fact I'm sure it does not.
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