To ban or not to ban: Point Edward mulls fireworks by law changes

Changes – even a total ban – may be coming to Point Edward’s fireworks bylaw.

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Village council is considering changes to current restrictions and is asking residents what they think. Comments should be emailed to [email protected] by Feb. 7.

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“We’ve been having complaints,” said Mayor Bev Hand. “Not overwhelming, but enough so we want to get the pulse of the community and see what people think.”

Complaints include fireworks being set off on days other than those the current bylaw allows, she said. “Some of these events, it goes on for days and they’re not respecting timelines.”

There have also been concerns about fireworks’ impact on pets, Hand said. “People talk about their animals cowering, and it’s just getting annoying.”

“And we’ve had cinders come down in some neighbors’ yards, so there’s a safety factor there” with the potential for fires, she said.

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“We’re taking a gentle approach,” gathering residents’ opinions before considering changes, Hand said.

The current bylaw, in place since 2016, only allows “family fireworks” on Victoria Day, Memorial Day, Canada Day, July 4, New Year’s Eve, and one day before or after those holidays, said village chief administrator Jim Burns. It also has age limits and rules on how fireworks are used..

Permits for larger fireworks displays during special events require council’s permission, he said.

Some fireworks displays raising concerns may be happening in nearby Sarnia and Port Huron, Mich., Burns said. “We can’t control that.”

“It’s often difficult to tell where the fireworks are coming from,” he added.

Residents’ input will go to a village fire and rescue committee meeting in February, Burns said.

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Nine responses had come in by early this week, ranging from “’Let us do what we want, it’s none of your business,’ to ‘Ban them completely and they should never be going off.’ ”

If council does make changes to the bylaw, they could be in place later this year, Hand said.

In neighboring Sarnia, the fireworks by law limits private displays by residents on their own property to Victoria Day and Canada Day, and the days before and after, or with a special occasion permit.

In the fall, the city ​​declared a special occasion day under its bylaw to allow private fireworks displays during Diwali, a widely celebrated Hindu holiday also known as the festival of lights.

[email protected]

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