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Presque Isle narrows consumer fireworks windows, keeps $10 permit fee
Summary
Council adopted revisions to the consumer fireworks ordinance to clarify permitted times (including an adjustment to allow limited use Dec. 24–31), codify fire-chief discretion for location and hazards, and retain the $10 fireworks permit fee as listed in the city's schedule of fees.
The Presque Isle City Council voted Dec. 3 to amend the consumer fireworks ordinance (Chapter 62), tightening certain permitted time windows and clarifying enforcement language while retaining the existing permit-fee framework.
Council member Tim Lev (who introduced the ordinance updates) said he had incorporated council comments from the prior meeting and added a provision clarifying that the fire chief may exercise discretion over permits in cases of location-based fire hazards. He described a weekend time frame (Thursday–Saturday) for extended allowances and proposed opening Dec. 24–31 with limited hours to accommodate holiday celebrations while preserving Sunday quiet hours. "We could open up and say from the 24th through the 31st" with restricted times, Lev said during the discussion.
Police and fire staff were described as supportive of the changes; a staff member told the council the nuisance/disorderly-conduct language is standard state wording and is enforceable when necessary. The council also discussed the fireworks permit fee, which was referred to the city's schedule of fees; during the meeting a speaker said the fee is $10 and staff indicated it will remain in the schedule rather than in the ordinance text.
After limited discussion, the council voted to approve the Chapter 62 amendments with the Christmas-week revision and retained the permit-fee approach tied to the fee schedule. The updated ordinance establishes clearer authority for the fire chief and a more defined set of allowed days and times for consumer fireworks.
