Trending
South Williamsport Borough Council approved an amendment on Monday to the outdoor burning ordinance on dimensional setback allowance and increasing the fine to $300 per offense.
The setback is now 15 feet from any fire pit or fireplace from any structure either in the homeowners property or adjoining neighboring property.
It is not one that impedes outdoor recreational burning but rather is meant to improve safety and prevent fires, said Steven W. Cappelli, borough manager and public safety director.
This amended ordinance better defines outdoor burning and was the result of finding a remedy following a complaint from a borough resident.
He was concerned that a neighbor had a recreational fire outdoors that was close enough from his property that sparks could have ignited property or landscaping.
The borough reviewed similar ordinances in the City of Williamsport and Loyalsock Township and had Joe Orso, borough solicitor, review the proposed amendments.
This does not prohibit outdoor recreational burning and is not meant to open Pandora’s Box, especially when law-abiding residents invest money in new fire pits and construct fireplaces using mountain stone and other materials, Cappelli noted.
What it does is to establish clear dimensional setbacks with the mindset of protecting property and provides for the set penalty and $300 fine.
Enforcement of the ordinance will be done by borough codes, South Williamsport Fire Department and/or South Williamsport Police Department.
DuBoistown Borough planning to tweak
burn ordinance
The borough listened on Tuesday to residents sounding-off on the issue of outdoor burning of paper products, with some residents abusing this privilege by burning items that result in noxious fumes.
The borough, along with Jersey Shore, continues to allow that practice, by ordinance, said Ann Baker, DuBoistown Borough Manager.
Residents who are for burning of paper are being heard as are those who might be against it, she said, ahead of a possible vote by council in March to either ban outdoor burning of products or tighten up the hours and days allowed.
It is estimated that out of about 540 homes in the borough, about 50 choose to burn papers outdoors.
Additionally, as nearby South Williamsport this week amended its outdoor recreational burning ordinance, for recreational purposes -- for those using fire pits and fireplaces, DuBoistown, too, is going to tweak its ordinance, she said.
DuBoistown also is planning to eliminate controlled burns -- such as those of brush piles.
Residents can anticipate stronger enforcement of the burn ordinance, either the burning of paper products and the recreational fires, by police, Baker said.
The purpose is to reduce the amount of residents who are burning what they are not supposed to be and to add more elements of safety for law-abiding residents who want to enjoy a backyard fire in a pit or fireplace.
The boroughs are sharing ideas and reviewing similar ordinances, Baker said.
The idea is to find the right combination for the older-generational residents and those who are younger. The purpose is to find the right balance that provides for safety and is fair for all involved, she said.