Ypsilanti Township approves ordinance limiting use of fireworks
The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a second reading of a fireworks ordinance that limits when residents can use large fireworks.
The board unanimously approved the measure at its Sept. 24 meeting and it will go into effect on Oct. 4.
Ypsilanti Township has restricted the use of fireworks.
The state lifted a ban on large fireworks this year, and officials say it has used a significant amount of firefighter and law enforcement resources addressing problems created by the use of fireworks.
The state law strips local governments of the ability to prohibit use of fireworks on federal holidays or the days before and after.
But the law does grant municipalities the ability to restrict the use of fireworks every other day of the year, and the new ordinance in Ypsilanti Township makes it a misdemeanor to ignite or discharge fireworks on all but the 10 federal holidays and the days before and after each.
"Therefore we have reduced the public safety hazard and public nuisance to 30 days versus 365 days of the year," said Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo.
The ordinance is enforceable by township ordinance officers and Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department deputies.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department has reported a spike in the number of noise complaints over the summer and the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department said the number of fires and calls related to fireworks is up.
Ypsilanti Township officials have said they believe the state loosened the regulations to bring money into the state.
The state charges a fee of approximately $600 for people to become fireworks vendors, which provides it with needed revenue. Local municipalities receive around 20 percent of those funds because they are charged with regulating the vendors.
"My understanding is that the state elected officials who passed this law did it to generate money for our state, but in my opinion the amount of money generated is not enough to justify the havoc it has caused in our community and burden on our police and fire," Stumbo said.
Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
transplant
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
I think this is WONDERFUL! We had fireworks going off day and night from July 2 to July 10, followed by more the next weekend. We were not only furious, but exhausted. It was also a bit scary having people set up major displays on dry (as in DRY) grass with maybe a bucket of water on hand. Mark Hergott - I'm sorry, but your comment about distrusting the sheriff makes no sense to me. And Stevek, I believe guns are fired in other parts of Washtenaw County.
stevek
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
Good! Now if they could just do something about the gunfire.
transplant
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
Oh, is there gunfire only in Ypsilanti township?
jns131
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
This will go over real well with Chinese New Year. They do use fireworks to celebrate. Going to get a little sticky Brenda.
bdonald
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.
I hope they revisit the loud music ordinance too. You have certain individuals who have no respect for other residents and they blast that garbage at all hours of the night.
clownfish
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
How dare the police and fire and citizens pass a law that helps save tax payer money and creates domestic tranquility!
grye
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 11:26 a.m.
Just another case of the man keeping us down. Take all the fun away. Why not just ban them after a designated time at night?
bdonald
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
It sounded like a war zone this past summer, weeks after the 4th Holiday. It's not fun when you are trying to sleep and some knuckleheads wants to set off fireworks in the middle of the night. Good luck trying to set a designated time, I'm sure the idiots would comply...yeah right.
Turd Ferguson
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 10:35 a.m.
Maybe this will be enforced as well as the Pitbull Ordinance.
Halter
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 10:07 a.m.
Sounds great! Now Ann Arbor City Council time to enact this same thing!...
jns131
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 5:22 p.m.
You folks always look to us to get the job done. Thank you. Now, when is Ann Arbor going to start tearing down your buildings instead of complaining?
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
...because once they have this taken care of, there are no more issues to contend with in Ypsi township. Right.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees = Big Brother
jns131
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 5:22 p.m.
I think we need to talk to Brenda about this. They are stepping on some toes here.
shepard145
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
....yaaa, that was the problem with Ypsilanti!
jns131
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
Sounds like someone from Ann Arbor who does not like the way we do things over on our side of the pond.
hail2thevict0r
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
I'm sorry, but I find these laws kind of stupid. Assuming a similar law passed out here in Dexter - my neighbor could shoot a .50 cal rifle from like 8am - 9 or 10pm but he couldn't lite off a bottle rocket? So he can operate a chainsaw from 8-10 but not a bottle rocket? noise is noise. It's a waste of time and money to prevent people from doing these things anyway that they're probably going to do law or no law.
Joe
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
Awesome.
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
Back to tracer rounds, I guess
Mark Hergott
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
While I don't see a point to bothering neighbors and risking fire for the months of June and July, fireworks are fun. When people have a reason to do something that is fun, and also illicit, especially when other communities across an imaginary boundary are doing it... well, this law will cause friction between citizens and cops. The last thing Ypsilanti Township needs is more reasons to distrust the sheriff.
transplant
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
How on earth does this make me distrust the sheriff?
Little Patience
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
In general, I don't have a problem with fireworks. I do have a problem with them going off almost on a nightly basis ALL summer and in the middle of the night many of those night. Makes sleeping a bit difficult and then the work day drags.