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Selma considers ban on mass balloon releases and tightens fireworks/noise rules
Summary
Council members at the July 21 work session proposed banning mass balloon releases inside town limits over power‑line and wildlife concerns, discussed limits on fireworks in denser areas, and agreed to revisit Civic Center rental rules to reduce late‑night noise.
At a July 21 work session, Selma officials signaled they will pursue an ordinance to ban mass balloon releases inside the town's limits, citing instances when balloon strings have contacted power lines and caused outages and the risk balloons pose to wildlife.
The chair said the town would prohibit large ceremonial releases within Selma city limits "just to keep it simple," drawing analogies to the fireworks policy that restricts more powerful displays in denser downtown areas. Residents acknowledged memorial releases are meaningful to families but said organizers must weigh safety and environmental consequences.
Officials compared enforcement to fireworks rules: police would respond to observed releases in the way they respond to illegal fireworks displays. Council members suggested the town could add lanterns and similar items to the ban and noted there were prior incidents downtown (the chair said a past balloon release had affected power lines near the Rudy Theater).
Council also reviewed fireworks policy and event scheduling. Large professional shows require licensed operators and open fields; budget constraints reduced the downtown show this year despite similar spending because fireworks prices rose. The chair said the town coordinates bigger shows with neighboring jurisdictions and is open to public requests for a larger downtown show in future budgets.
On noise, council members agreed to tighten Civic Center rental policies to reduce loud late‑night bass in nearby residential neighborhoods.
Ending: No ordinance was adopted at the session; staff will draft language on balloon releases and related prohibitions, and those drafts will be reviewed in subsequent meetings and public hearings.
