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Ferron officials weigh fireworks and events as drought shrinks water supplies
Summary
With local water scarce, the council discussed fireworks safety and changes to Peach Days programming; the golf course will restrict watering and tournaments to preserve the municipal water allocation.
Ferron City officials spent part of their May 13 meeting discussing how a regional water shortage will affect Peach Days, the fairgrounds and the municipal golf course.
Fire Chief Randy Kenney said the fire department is concerned about private fireworks because of limited water availability and referenced letters from the state fire marshal; he said the department will alter burns and other activities to account for low water. Mayor Trent Jackson said the fairgrounds require a 200-by-350-foot area to safely set off fireworks and that fireworks also distress livestock and pets.
Councilmember Kellee Singleton was named the council liaison to Peach Days; she said there will be no mud bogs this year and that the youth council seeks to hold a dance in the new agricultural building. Councilmember Mike Behling said organizers are exploring horse-racing events. The council discussed logistics for trailers and fireworks safety zones at the fairgrounds.
Kasey Edgehouse reported that the municipal golf course is watering twice weekly and will limit tournaments after June 1 so the course can recover without exceeding the city’s water allocation. Mayor Jackson reiterated that golf-course water comes from the city’s portion (not a separate allocation) and that staff expect to reduce usage in parallel with residential cutbacks.
No council ordinance banning private fireworks was adopted at the meeting; the discussion recorded the fire department’s safety concerns and operational adjustments in response to drought conditions.
