Anything to do with something as hot as fire doesn’t seem like a natural topic today, but last week when things were warmer, burning of yard waste and leaves was on the minds of Silver Lake trustees.
Village President Bruce Nopenz kicked off a discussion at the Dec. 7 regular board meeting about burning. He said the chief problem is that the current village ordinance (ordinance 308, section g) is not followed nor enforced.
“It has been a concern of mine,” Nopenz said. “People burn in the culverts. People burn in the streets.” That is prohibited by the ordinance.
The issue may be complicated somewhat by the impending merger with Salem. While Silver Lake is densely populated and smoke from burning leaves can become an air quality problem, burning might not be as much of a nuisance on larger parcels coming into the village from Salem. Trustee Patrick Dunn suggested crafting an ordinance that restricts burning for areas of smaller parcels.
Trustee Bob Raymond pointed out that if enforcement is a problem, this could be a task for the Public Safety officers the village will add when the merger is complete.
Trustee Eric Eriksen said he was not opposed to banning burning because of the effects of the smoke on some people.
Trustee Doug Randolph defended the current ordinance and said it reflects “common sense.” He urged enforcement of what is on the books already “before making more rules.”
The board did not take action on the issue but may discuss it again at a future date.
Before you add any new laws you ought to verify that enforcement of existing laws is happening and thus sufficient. Salem currently has a burning ordinance. While it doesn’t specify ditches and right of ways it does specify the amount that you can burn as a cubic yard. Also Salem states no burning barrels or other containers are allowed.
This is just one of many ordinances that will have to be reviewed and meshed with the current/old town ordinances as they are currently written.
To ban burning you are thus increasing taxes and/or fees as you will then have to pay for leaf pick up.
You’ve got all summer to review and make these changes. Also it’s the new board that should be making these types of final decisions.
Do they have a pick up service … I personally burn leaves in my fire pit same I use for bonfires … Will this also effect bonfires?
Band the pot smoke I smell first then worry about the leaves!