There are an extra two days for the discharge of fireworks within the city limits of Trenton. That was the result of action taken this morning by the Trenton City Council when members voted six in favor and one opposed to adopting a new ordinance.
Fireworks can be discharged within the city of Trenton on July 2nd and 3rd from 8 in the morning until 10 o’clock at night. The July 4th hours for discharging of fireworks remains from 8 in the morning until 12 midnight.
The new ordinance will have these effective dates and hours every year unless changed by the city council at some point in the future. The only vote against the ordinance came from city councilman David Mlika. City Clerk Cindy Simpson said Mlika did not publicly state a reason for voting “no.” Travis Elbert was absent from this mornings’ meeting.
Among other comments, Mrs. Simpson noted councilman Larry Porter said some people he’s talked with would have preferred to change the time to shoot fireworks on a Sunday to begin “after church,” beginning at 12 noon. But July 2nd through 4th dates will not include a Sunday in some years. Mrs. Simpson also noted changing the wording in an ordinance incurs additional cost for the city as the attorney is compensated for preparation of the ordinance and to have it codified.
The additional days to discharge fireworks at Trenton came from a request that Rocky Dunkin made at Monday night’s’ council meeting with the expectations the extra time to shoot fireworks will boost local sales of fireworks.
Mrs. Simpson noted there are two fireworks stands within Trenton. In her research, Mrs. Simpson said other communities allow the sale of fireworks on more than one day while some either restrict it to one day or not at all. The sale of fireworks at Trenton, by ordinance, must end by midnight on the 4th of July.
General requirements and prohibited acts remain the same as in a previous fireworks ordinance. Among them is a city business license and permit; the display of “no smoking” signs; no sales to children under the age of 14 or to anyone intoxicated; no discharge of fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, or school building, nor within 50 feet of a gas pump, filling station or gas bulk station; and no discharge within 75 feet of a fireworks retail sale location. The ordinance specifies penalties for violations.
Even though it was listed on the agenda, a closed executive session for personnel was not held this morning by the city council.
Mrs. Simpson said it was intended for councilmen to review applications for city administrator. Instead, she noted each of the eight city councilmen is expected to stop by city hall to review those applications.
No time frame was suggested for when that should be done. Mrs. Simpson said there are eleven city administrator applications for the council members to review.
