Baldwin City Council is moving quickly on a new ordinance to regulate the sale and use of fireworks within the city limits.
A new Georgia law expands the types of explosives that can be sold to the public starting on July 1 and Baldwin city staff reports that one retailer has already contacted them about a permit to open a roadside fireworks stand.
“It just says that folks can now sell fireworks in the city according to state law,” says Baldwin Mayor Jerry Neace of the proposed city ordinance. “It outlines how it can be done through occupational taxes if someone opens a business and temporary permits and special use permits.”
Under the old Georgia law, the sale of fireworks was limited to wire or wood sparklers, glow sticks, noise makers, poppers, snappers and drop pops. The new definition is much broader and covers any small fireworks device that is intended to cause “a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, including blank cartridges, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, bombs, sparklers, and other combustibles and explosions.”
Council member Jeff Parrish is not a fan of the new state law, “I think that is unfortunate, I truly do.” He sees a big potential downside for the town once the new state law takes effect on July 1, “I think it has the potential to cost us more in fire and police responses.” Parrish also expects there to be an uptick in noise complaints as Baldwin neighbors add fireworks to their holiday celebrations.
He says citizens need to be aware that Georgia legislators changed the law and the city is just moving to comply with the changes at the state level.
The state law does come with restrictions on when folks can use the explosive devices. It will be legal to shoot fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight every day but the state law expands the curfew on holidays when it’s more likely people would use them. On Independence Day and New Year’s Eve you can set off fireworks till 2 am.
Baldwin City Council will hold a first reading of their new fireworks ordinance on Monday, June 8 at 6:30 pm. Council meets inside the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom at the Police Department at 155 Willingham Ave.
