City May Put Fireworks Ban to a Referendum

It's possible voters in Muskego will get to weigh in on the April ballot on whether personal fireworks should be banned in the city.

The Public Works Committee discussed the current procedures and restrictions on the fireworks ordinance, which does allow private residents to set off class C fireworks in a selected three-day period between July 1 and July 7. Muskego is the only city to allow such use, and recently residents opposed to their use have become more vocal, especially with the summer of 2012 being so dry.

The issue was moot as Muskego posted a ban on fireworks as well as burning because of the extreme drought. 

The committee itself was conflicted, with Alderman Rob Glazier siding with making improvements to safety requirements in the ordinance rather than an outright ban.

"You can't argue against the dangers of fireworks," he said. "But at the same time we're the only community that does them, and it lends to the uniqueness of the city."

The use of a non-binding referendum may not make the ballot in April, but was the most appealing for the committee, which voted to recommend discussion at the council level.

"I just want to get more information from the people," said Alderman Kert Harenda.

Discussion on Muskego Patch's Facebook page was largely one-sided in favor of keeping the ordinance.

"We have had a firework show for years and neighbors base their party around ours. We ALWAYS get a permit and take the necessary safety precautions. Why would they want to stop a family friendly way to celebrate Independence Day?" asked reader Erin Hoeffler.

The Common Council is not scheduled to meet again until Jan. 8, which is six days beyond the clerk's office deadline for candidates to file their necessary paperwork to get their names on the ballot.

If it's too late to get the issue on this April's ballot, it may not happen until April 2014, the next municipal election.