At their July 21st monthly meeting, after extended discussion our Board of Trustees approved an amended burning ordinance. The key components established with the new ordinance are:
- The location for any open burning shall not be less than 100 feet from any structure and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 100 feet of any structure.
- No open burn shall be more than 10 feet by 10 feet by 10 feet in dimension.
- No open burn shall burn in excess of six (6) hours in any calendar day.
- Landscape burns shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Any open burn shall be constantly attended by an individual at least 18 years of age until the fire is completely extinguished.
The ordnance was approved by a partisan vote of 5-2. Trustee Jacobsen inexplicably voted against the ordinance at the last minute despite the fact that she verbally agreed with most if not all of the changes made by a majority of fellow trustees prior to the vote.
A copy of the ordinance can be viewed here.
Was any thought given to those who suffer from asthma or other lung diseases? In addition to the prohibition of embers onto neighboring property, couldn’t we also prohibit clouds of smoke?
Yes there was discussion. However, as this is rural community, there’s very little in the way of options for such disposal without significant infrastructure upgrades to waste disposal systems for the village. The wording is consistent with other rural community ordinances. As landscape waste is often green, it will smoke. Dry leaves will also smoke.
Leaves and green waste can be composted. Grass clippings can be left on the lawn. No infrastructure improvements are required for these options.