The next Bellwood Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.
One item on the agenda Council will address is whether or not to enact Ordinance No. 469 regarding outdoor recreational fires.
During the August council meeting, Brenda Earnest spoke out on behalf of several residents and provided a petition signed by 150 individuals requesting that council reexamine the burning ordinance.
Earnest said she enjoys having recreational fires in her back yard. The families like to cook marshmallows and hotdogs and she said the kids also like to sit around the fire when there is nothing to do. However, during one such occasion, Earnest was informed by a borough police officer that burning is not permitted unless it is for cooking.
“He said once we take the hotdog off the fire, we have to put it out,” Earnest told the council.
She went on to explain that she agrees there should be a burning ordinance for burning trash and even leaves, but that having a recreational fire should not be illegal.
Council members recalled this issue coming up previously and they had determined that it is okay to have a recreational fire, as long as it is contained, such as in a fire pit.
“According to the ordinance, we can’t even use a charcoal grill,” said council member Fred Sweigert, “We need to update our ordinance.”
Council will look at enacting Ordinance No. 469, which amends Ordinance No. 384 which, among other things, regulates and restricts outdoor fires within the Borough of Bellwood.
In summary, Ordinance No. 469 “allows for small recreational fires using natural, untreated wood and containing a fuel source of no more than two cubic feet, so long as such fires are in compliance with all other provisions of said Ordinance, and so long as not banned due to drought conditions, or due to edict or decree by any agency or authority which has the ability to ban or limit such fires within the Borough.
“Additionally, out-of-door fires shall be permitted upon private property in the Borough of Bellwood provided that every such out-of-door fire shall be built in and confined to a structurally intact non-combustible container.”
A notice placed in The Daily Herald says the full text of Ordinance No. 469 is available for review at the Borough of Bellwood Municipal Building. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Borough Council will also look at an ordinance dealing with animal defecation and noise disturbances.
Council meetings are held at the Municipal Building located at 516 Main Street.
