Should Firework Celebrations Have Limits?

Summerville Town Council could explore limiting fireworks on non-holiday nights if Councilman Walter Bailey's proposal grows legs. 

Mayor Bill Collins agreed Monday to have the item placed on council's agenda in September.

"There ought to be a deadline or a cutoff," Bailey said, adding that he heard fireworks going off around midnight on the days leading up to and after the July Fourth holiday.

Fireworks are a popular on-sale items at retail stores and fireworks stands the days after July Fourth and New Year's Day, meaning the party can keep going for days.

Bailey also said he didn't want to ban or limit fireworks displays on the day of holidays like Independence Day and New Year's Eve. 

"I don't want to ban fireworks; there just needs to be a cutoff period," he said.

Councilman Bob Jackson proposed the provision be added to the town's current noise ordinance, but Police Chief Bruce Owens said the noise ordinance as "it is currently written, it is difficult to enforce."

He explained that because noise violations in town limits are misdemeanors, the officer must witness the incident in person.

"It's a little more complicated than it sounds," Owens said.

Though Bailey suggested the fireworks discussion be taken up this Wednesday or during the August meeting, Collins decided to wait until September so he could delve into the issue.