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Advisory committee presses for clearer burn rules after recurring illegal fires, suggests involving De Witt fire chief and town attorney
Summary
Members discussed developing a local fire code or clearer enforcement guidance because residents reported ongoing burning despite a statewide ban. Committee members said town officers need a written rule to enforce and that witnesses and video evidence could support violations.
Advisory committee members raised enforcement concerns about repeated backyard burning in town and discussed pursuing a written local fire code or clearer enforcement guidance to help code officers and police act when neighbors complain.
An attendee described a resident who reportedly burns frequently despite a statewide burn ban. The attendee said town officials have been uncertain about jurisdiction and enforcement: “I can't get anybody at the town to do something about this because they don't know what they should do, and we need to have something in writing,” the attendee said. The attendee said they have photographic stills showing sudden large flames where a small pile had been seconds earlier and suggested accelerants may have been used.
Committee members suggested inviting the De Witt fire chief and consulting the town attorney, and the organizer said they would invite both the fire chief and an attorney (identified as Natoli) to a future meeting to discuss a possible town-level code or enforcement protocol. Members discussed whether an independent town code is needed given the existence of state building code and state burn restrictions; several members said a clear local policy would enable code officers and police to issue warnings or fines.
No ordinance or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting; discussion centered on next steps, gathering evidence and arranging a future meeting with the fire chief and legal counsel. The attendee who raised the issue said they had already contacted their county legislator for earlier cleanup support and would re-engage town officials about enforcement options.
