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Ellsworth council weighs broad rewrite of fireworks code; staff to redraft times and rules
Summary
City staff proposed a comprehensive rewrite to the fireworks code to add vendor rules, designate where discharges are allowed, add cleanup requirements and set sale/discharge windows; council instructed staff to redraft dates/hours (proposed: noon–10 p.m. July 1–3, midnight July 4) and return for another review.
The city attorney presented a comprehensive rewrite of the city's fireworks code to correct errors and add provisions governing vendor contracts, sale locations and discharge dates and times.
The attorney said the draft would add stipulations for vendors that use city easements and would allow an exception for one longstanding residential vendor while moving future sales toward commercial areas. "Really, this presentation is just for, just to get it in front of council so that you guys can discuss any issues that you have with it," the city attorney said. The draft also included sections addressing commercial display permitting and cleanup requirements.
Councilors and residents debated appropriate dates and ending hours. Options discussed included limiting discharge and vendor sales to a shorter window around the Fourth of July and setting a daily end time (several councilors proposed 10 p.m. or 9 p.m. on some days; others favored midnight on July 4). Concerns raised included pet and PTSD impacts, enforcement practicality and trash left on public property after events.
Members generally supported returning a redraft with clarified dates and enforcement language. The city attorney said she would revise the ordinance to reflect the council's direction — staff suggested starting fireworks sales at noon with discharge ending at 10 p.m. July 1–3 and at midnight July 4 — and bring the revised draft back to the next council meeting.
No formal ordinance was adopted at this meeting; the item was sent back to staff for redrafting with specific guidance on sale/discharge windows, cleanup requirements, and a commercial‑display permitting section.
