By Stan Welch
The West Pelzer Planning Commission met Tuesday night to review their proposed ordinances governing fireworks in the town, and the burning of tree limbs and yard debris.
The firework ordinance establishes specific hours for the use of fireworks on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Those hours are from 11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. That period is extended for two hours on New Year’s Eve.
The use of fireworks on other occasions not recognized by the ordinance requires an exemption from the police chief. At least 48 hours notice of such a request for exemption is required. The prohibition on the use of alcohol while discharging fireworks also includes non-alcoholic beer.
The burning ordinance distinguishes between recreational burning and campfires, but does limit the burning of yard debris and limbs to the first and third Saturdays and the first and third Wednesdays of each month from November till April. From April till November, no such burning is allowed. The hours for the permitted burning are from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.
Town Clerk Paula Payton informed the commission members that, in addition to the burning aspects of the ordinance, they could also consider an alternative to additional burning, such as adding some days for leaf and limb pickup. She also informed them that Waste Industries conducts such pickups on three different days of the year, at the cost of fifteen hundred dollars each time. She suggested that the town crews might possibly perform an additional pickup once or twice a year, but added that fees for disposal of the debris at county landfills are imposed.
Both proposed ordinances will be presented to the full town council at a future meeting.
