Council advances open-burning ordinance language to second reading after discussion of scope and variances

The East Greenwich Town Council advanced an amendment to the town code addressing open burning and the use of recreational open-flame devices, approving the ordinance at first reading and directing staff to schedule a second reading and public hearing.

The proposed revision to Chapter 47 narrows the definitions that would trigger the new section on recreational open-flame devices, explicitly excludes barbecues and cooking devices, requires that recreational devices be attended at all times, and allows a member of the fire department or a police officer to order an unsafe fire extinguished. The draft also gives the fire chief authority to grant variances from certain requirements such as minimum distances from structures or flammable materials.

Town Solicitor (name not specified in the transcript) said the revised draft eliminated ambiguous provisions — for example, measuring the size of an “open flame” rather than appliance dimensions — and added a subsection authorizing the fire chief to grant variances for difficult lot configurations.

Councilors and the solicitor noted the need to follow the town’s charter process for ordinances, including a second reading with a public hearing; the council moved the ordinance to second reading and directed staff to advertise. The council recorded the second-reading date as Aug. 12 and voted 5-0 to advance the measure.

Members of the public at the meeting expressed health and safety concerns during general public comment. A resident urged the council to consider the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance on health risks associated with wood smoke and noted small lot sizes in some neighborhoods that could make open flames unsafe.

Councilors and staff said they expect a more thorough public hearing where the fire chief and other staff will provide technical input and where the council will accept formal recorded public testimony before any final vote.