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Council passes ordinance to prohibit fireworks

By Anna Shearer Timers Republican The matter of prohibiting fireworks in town sparked debate at the Toledo City Council meeting Monday evening. One community member asking for fireworks to be prohibited said they are very loud, which can bother young children and those with PTSD. She also mentioned the potential danger to those shooting them off. Another community member opposed the prohibition, stating that it would not stop people from shooting fireworks off. Mayor Brian Sokol said it will take community action to reduce the fireworks. "If you are hearing them or seeing them go off, call the police. I mean, that's really the only way that we're going to get this under control," he said. "It's going to be tough. I mean, it's no different than, you know, our speeding ordinances. People are still going to speed, but we do the best we can to enforce what we have." The Council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the use of fireworks in town limits, which will be effective July 3. All members voted to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance. Violation of this ordinance will be punishable by a civil penalty of $250 per violation. The town will still have a community fireworks display on Independence Day, depending on the weather. Sokol noted that they cannot stop the sale of fireworks by authorized dealers in town, as this is a matter determined by state government. The council approved an increase in water and sewer rates by three percent. A community member asked why the rates continue to increase. Sokol said the city's expenses continue to go up and repairs need to be made, which take money. The rate was last raised in 2018. Sokol said raising rates yearly prevents the need for dramatic increases. "The idea of the council is to make gradual increases, more than likely annually, to help soften the blow of the larger increases," he said. In other business, the council approved a general obligation loan agreement of a $100,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Note from State Bank of Toledo. This will pay for a police vehicle, fire department gear, and improvements to the police department facility.

The matter of prohibiting fireworks in town sparked debate at the Toledo City Council meeting Monday evening.

One community member asking for fireworks to be prohibited said they are very loud, which can bother young children and those with PTSD. She also mentioned the potential danger to those shooting them off.

Another community member opposed the prohibition, stating that it would not stop people from shooting fireworks off.

Mayor Brian Sokol said it will take community action to reduce the fireworks.

“If you are hearing them or seeing them go off, call the police. I mean, that’s really the only way that we’re going to get this under control,” he said. “It’s going to be tough. I mean, it’s no different than, you know, our speeding ordinances. People are still going to speed, but we do the best we can to enforce what we have.”

The Council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the use of fireworks in town limits, which will be effective July 3. All members voted to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance.

Violation of this ordinance will be punishable by a civil penalty of $250 per violation.

The town will still have a community fireworks display on Independence Day, depending on the weather.

Sokol noted that they cannot stop the sale of fireworks by authorized dealers in town, as this is a matter determined by state government.

The council approved an increase in water and sewer rates by three percent.

A community member asked why the rates continue to increase.

Sokol said the city’s expenses continue to go up and repairs need to be made, which take money.

The rate was last raised in 2018. Sokol said raising rates yearly prevents the need for dramatic increases.

“The idea of the council is to make gradual increases, more than likely annually, to help soften the blow of the larger increases,” he said.

In other business, the council approved a general obligation loan agreement of a $100,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Note from State Bank of Toledo. This will pay for a police vehicle, fire department gear, and improvements to the police department facility.