Fireworks create a stir in Follansbee

Follansbee officials sworn in by First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Jason Cuomo

FOLLANSBEE -- As Independence Day nears, Follansbee officials are looking at its current law for the use of fireworks while considering whether more should be done to regulate them in the future.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. noted any changes to the city’s fireworks ordinance would require two readings, so no changes will be made before the holiday weekend.

Velegol told council members at a special meeting Monday he wanted them to be aware of the existing ordinance in the event they receive questions or complaints about fireworks from residents.

“I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page,” he said while adding City Police will have two additional officers on patrol on the night of the holiday in an effort to ensure compliance.

In 2016, a previous council amended an ordinance prohibiting the sale or use of any fireworks in the city to reflect a new state law that permitted those defined as consumer.

Such firecrackers include roman candles, bottle rockets, helicopter and aerial spinners, multi-aerial mine and shell devices, aerial shell kits and reloadables.

But the amended city ordinance also prohibited anyone from using fireworks after 10 p.m. on any day except Independence Day or New Year’s Eve and on those occasions, no later than 12:30 a.m.

The move was made in response to complaints by residents they were being disturbed by neighbors discharging fireworks on several days and at late hours, disrupting their sleep or pets.

Comments by city officials and residents on Monday revealed the complaints haven’t diminished.

Councilman at large John Casinelli said the most frequent complaint he’s heard is of neighbors discharging fireworks days earlier and disturbing pets.

“I feel bad because there are animals, as well as people, it really affects,” he said.

Fifth Ward Councilwoman Wendy DeAngelis said while she enjoys fireworks, she has received complaints of debris from them damaging property.

Some spoke of shrapnel from the explosives burning holes in outdoor decks.

Resident Cindy Dobbs said a neighbor uses a cannon-like device to launch his fireworks, causing the windows of her home to rattle and doesn’t stop discharging them after Independence Day.

City Police Chief Larry Rea said such complaints aren’t uncommon. He said he’s aware of residents covering decks and other property with tarps to protect them.

Rea said enforcing the firework ordinance is more difficult outside holidays, when additional patrols are scheduled.

He said it also can be difficult to identify the person responsible when an officer encounters fireworks being released at a large gathering.

Former city police chief John Schwertfeger said the shells of some fireworks are too large to be discharged safely in higher population areas.

Rea said that’s especially true for downtown, where homes often are no more than 5 feet apart.

He suggested the radius of an aerial shell could be considered if council is to pursue further restrictions.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Alexis Russell suggested council members seek input from residents.

“I think it’s something we need to look at before next season,” she said.

Until then Velegol encouraged Rea to be vigilant in enforcing the existing ordinance.

“We know where the hot spots are on this thing. We’ve got to monitor them,” he said.

Also on Monday, council went into a brief executive session to discuss a contractual matter before returning to consider bids submitted for health insurance for the city’s 35 employees.

City Manager Jack McIntosh said bids were submitted only by Assure America for three prospective plans covering deductibles paid by the city for its employees.

Council agreed to accept the lowest of the three, in the amount of $65,656.

McIntosh said up until then, the city paid about $130,000 for the same coverage.