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Newton commissioners direct staff to draft fireworks sales and discharge ordinance after extended public debate
Summary
After hours of vendor testimony and resident comments, the Newton City Commission directed staff to prepare an ordinance setting 2026 fireworks retail‑sale dates (June 27–July 4) and a tiered discharge schedule: safe-and-sane discharge for June 27–July 1 and aerial discharge July 2–4. The commission voted to draft the ordinance and return for formal adoption.
The Newton City Commission on Jan. 23 directed staff to draft an ordinance setting retail sale dates for fireworks from June 27 through July 4, 2026, and to limit loud aerial discharges to July 2–4 while allowing “safe and sane” (ground/low-height) discharges during the earlier sales period.
Denise, city staff, told commissioners the meeting’s purpose was to settle dates and times so the ordinance could be returned for formal vote; the item was framed as policy direction, not final adoption (Denise).
Several vendors and members of the public urged differing approaches. Brian Donnelly, owner of Big Show Fireworks, urged the commission to align sales with discharge or shorten sale days when discharge was prohibited, saying, “My recommendation is the first through the fourth” if sales are to be limited and that he preferred to be closed rather than sell on days when people could not shoot their purchases (Brian Donnelly). Jacob Marriott of Wholesale Fireworks advocated a longer sales window so customers could buy on varied schedules, proposing June 26–July 5 to include two weekends (Jacob Marriott).
Other vendors described the local economic impact of fireworks stands. Trinity Muth said tent operators bring customers who also patronize restaurants and gas stations; she argued for “common sense and consistency” so vendors can plan. One vendor estimated total sales across tents could top about $1,000,000 and noted local groups rely on tent fundraising (vendor comment).
Residents and service‑animal owners urged more restrictive discharge rules. Lori Hartke told the commission she supports the shorter, lower‑noise schedule used last year and described veterans and pets who suffer from prolonged fireworks noise: “We have veterans. I have a grandson who’s seen action in Iraq. He goes to the basement and turns up the volume” (Lori Hartke).
Commission discussion focused on predictability and balancing business interests with community noise and public‑safety concerns. Several commissioners cited Wichita’s approach of limiting louder aerial fireworks to a smaller set of days while allowing quieter devices across a broader sales window. One commissioner said the proposed compromise — sales June 27–July 4 with safe‑and‑sane discharge June 27–July 1 and aerial discharge July 2–4 — represented “middle‑of‑the‑road” policy and moved to have staff draft the ordinance accordingly.
The motion to direct staff to draft the ordinance, including proposed sales and discharge windows and permit conditions (hours, performance bond and application fees to be specified), passed by voice vote. Staff will return with the ordinance and the commission will take a formal vote at a future meeting.
Next steps: staff will draft the ordinance reflecting the direction given, include times of sale and discharge windows, and present the final ordinance for adoption at the next meeting.
