Council continues public hearing on draft open‑burning ordinance after hours of testimony

The East Greenwich Town Council continued a public hearing on a proposed rewrite of Chapter 47 (open burning) after a multi‑hour presentation by the town's working group and sustained public comment. Fire Chief Bill Perry described a draft that separates 'authorized burning' (recreational fire pits, chimineas, UL‑listed devices) from 'fires requiring permits' (brush/tree burning) and prescribes fuels, time windows and setbacks.

Chief Perry told the council, “Over the last 18 months, the fire department issued 128 burning permits,” and said the draft aims to reduce smoke nuisance and safety risks by limiting fuels to clean seasoned wood, wood pellets, propane and natural gas while prohibiting painted wood, tires, trash and other hazardous materials. The draft proposes recreational devices be limited to roughly 3 by 3 feet, located a minimum of 25 feet from structures and 10 feet from property lines; brush permits would be limited to a 5 by 5 pile and require 100‑foot setbacks.

Public commenters were split. Susanna Bodell urged strict enforcement, saying, “currently there is no recreational burning in the town of East Greenwich,” and argued against variances for noncompliant pits. Other residents and safety experts cited NFPA guidance and urged maintaining professional setbacks; some asked for grandfathering or zone exceptions where lots are small. After hearing testimony and staff suggestions to clarify definitions (for example, how long wood must be 'seasoned'), the council voted to continue the public hearing to November 10 so the working group can revise the draft and add clearer definitions and enforcement language (motion carried 4–0).