March 18, 2024

Council approves fireworks use on holidays

Newton City Council finalized a city ordinance Wednesday for consumer use of fireworks within city limits between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July and between 9 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. New Year’s Day.

“I think this is a reasonable compromise,” councilwoman Miranda Kulis said.

Along with the time regulations, several other requirements were approved for fireworks use in city limits. Those requirements include:

• No person under the age of 18 is allowed to discharge a DOT 1.4 class consumer firework without parental supervision.

• A person can only discharge a consumer fireworks device on real property they own or on property where consent has been given. Novelties, including snakes, sparklers or caps, can be discharged on a public place so long as all trash, wrappers and wires are properly disposed of.

• Consumer fireworks cannot be discharged by anyone showing visible signs of, or determined to be, intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or narcotic. Any person discharging a consumer fireworks device assumes all responsibility for its operation and the consequences thereof. No person can discharge a consumer firework device in a reckless manner or manner likely to cause death, injury, fire or property damage. Fireworks may not be altered, removed or discharged from its intended method. Sky lantern open flame devices are not permitted to be released within the city limits, except if tethered by a retrievable rope so long as the person discharging has control over the sky lantern.

“It cannot be done in public spaces, especially when we have crowds gathered,” Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik said. “A good example that we caution people on is Agnes Patterson Park on July Fourth and Berg School. Those are two areas where we receive a lot of complaints regarding fireworks usage and those obviously will be high traffic areas for us to be looking to enforce the rules as well.”

The use of display fireworks is still prohibited within city limits by consumer users. Display fireworks can be used if an application is written, a permit is granted and the fireworks are handled by a competent operator. No permit will be granted unless the operator or sponsoring organization has filed with the city evidence of specific insurance.

If a citizen were to violate the regulations, they would be guilty of a simple misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of no less than $250.

Those living outside city limits in Jasper County are allowed to follow the less restrictive state regulations which say fireworks can be used from June 1 to July 8 and Dec. 10 to Jan. 3 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. On July Fourth and the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following July Fourth, the hours expand from 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on Dec. 31 to the next day fireworks are allowed between 9 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Also, on the Saturdays and Sundays immediately preceding and following Dec. 31 fireworks can be used from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Jasper County Supervisors approved those fireworks regulations earlier this week.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com