Nigel Howe / CC
Rothesay council has no plans to change the town’s bylaws governing fireworks, despite recent complaints from community members.
The issue of fireworks has been a hot topic lately in the Kennebecasis Valley after a house in Quispamsis was struck by a firework rocket over Christmas.
Rothesay council recently received a letter from a Quispamsis resident asking them to consider a ban on consumer fireworks.
But on Monday, councillors rejected a recommendation asking staff to consider updating its nuisance and fire prevention bylaws “to improve clarity and strength and enforceability.”
“I’m not quite sure why we were diving into this further without hearing from our own residents about this being a problem,” Coun. Tiffany Mackay French said.
Mackay French said a report from former Kennebecasis Valley fire chief Bill Ireland did not seem to indicate that fireworks cause a big problem from a fire perspective.
Coun. Dave Brown agreed with Mackay French’s interpretation, adding that he thinks most of the problems relate to people not following the bylaws already in place.
“People are maybe doing them late, not being thoughtful to their neighbour, I think is where the problem arises with most of it,” said Brown.
Town manager John Jarvie said the nuisance bylaw was developed several years ago and one of the observations was that the penalties are “not very substantial.”
“Someone might look at the amount that would be charged to be more like a fee,” said Jarvie.
Coun. Peter Lewis and Coun. Bill McGuire said that consumer fireworks are an issue that is “very tough to police.”
“Staff has enough to do rather than rewrite or add to this,” said McGuire. “You could put whatever regulations you want. If they’re going to fire them off, they’re going to fire them off, it doesn’t matter.”
Deputy Mayor Matt Alexander said he feels changing the bylaws would be like “opening up Pandora’s box.”
“Once somebody sets them off and the police are notified, everything is put away by the time they show up. It’s hard to police,” said Alexander.
Meanwhile, an ongoing fireworks debate in neighbouring Quispamsis reached a stalemate earlier in February.
Coun. Kirk Miller put forward a modified motion to allow fireworks on five holidays — Victoria Day, Canada Day, New Brunswick Day, Labour Day and New Year’s Eve — and to allow residents to apply for permits for special occasions.
However, that motion was defeated by a 4-3 vote, with councillors Noah Donovan, Kerrie Luck, Mike Biggar, and Deputy Mayor Mary Schryer voting against it.
The issue is expected to be discussed again at Quispamsis council’s regular meeting on Tuesday night.
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