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Willard aldermen debate fireworks sales window; plan town-hall or survey before changing code
Summary
A vendor requested expanded fireworks sales around July 4; aldermen weighed public-disturbance complaints, commerce-equity and enforcement issues and agreed to seek citizen input before amending the city's codified sale/set-off dates.
Members of the Willard Board of Aldermen spent an extended portion of the June 10 meeting debating whether to extend the permitted fireworks-sales season beyond the city’s current code window (presented in discussion as June 20–July 10).
Councilors and staff explained the distinction between selling dates in the municipal code and the time residents set off fireworks, with several members noting that sales extensions typically lead to extended use. One councilor said enforcement has been complaint-driven in the past and that police generally "looked lightly upon" non-dangerous violations unless they created safety problems. Another alderman emphasized fairness for vendors and whether granting an extension for one seller would require extending it for others.
Council consensus was not to change the ordinance at the meeting. Multiple members suggested gathering citizen input (a public hearing, town hall or online survey via the city Facebook page) after the July 4 holiday so the board can measure neighborhood sentiment and consider a code amendment on a future agenda. Staff offered to draft survey language and suggested a public-input process before any ordinance amendment.
Next steps: staff will prepare outreach (survey/town-hall options) and bring results back to the board before any ordinance amendment is drafted or voted on.
