Community Corner

Boom! How are West Bloomfield Residents Handling Fireworks Season?

Retail profit and increased noise are by-products of new fireworks law.

If you haven't been in bed early every night this past week with earplugs on, you're likely familiar with the new sounds of Independence Day.

The state Fireworks Safety Act which went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year, lifting a ban on airborne fireworks and authorizing the state to collect revenue from an application fee, sales tax, and a six percent "safety fee."

as amatuer pyrotechnicians have plucked the pyro off of shelves at between $10-75 for most individual items.

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The act mandates that a permit approved through the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees is required to shoot newly-legal bottle rockets, Roman candles, and other flying devices, but that hasn't stopped the evident sights and sounds of fireworks being used in an unapproved display.

Fire Marshal Pat Riney has said in media reports that the department views fireworks as being abused, pointing out that irresponsible use of fireworks could easily lead to fires.

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Do you support the new law? Tell us in the comments.

In case you didn't know:

The ordinance prohibits the use of consumer fireworks on any day other than the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday.

National holidays are: New Year’s Eve, Martin Luther King Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The new ordinance (PDF) will also prohibit the use of consumer fireworks in public, schools, churches, or private property not owned by the user without written permission from the property owner. Consumer fireworks do not include ground and handheld sparkling devices.

Violators of the new fireworks ordinance may be fined up to $500.

On May 14, the township approved permits for six fireworks displays set to take place in the township over the next two months, including one public show at Union Lake July 3.


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