close

Burning ordinance in effect in Connellsville

By Patty Yauger 2 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A council proposal to impose a ban on open burning will have residents now utilizing the option to seek other methods to dispose of unwanted refuse. Councilman David McIntire, who serves as director of public health and safety, said that the panel will have to revisit its Monday action to enact the ban because of a “misunderstanding” but he will pursue action that will halt all burning within the city limits.

The Monday action was in the form of a resolution, but an ordinance is required for enforcement and imposition of fines.

“Just walk out of your home for a picnic on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll find that there is more burning than just your gas grill,” said McIntire.

The city enacted an ordinance in 1971 that prohibits the accumulation, burying and burning of garbage and other refuse on private property, but later council action permitted Wednesday and Saturday restricted burning of lawn trimmings.

Some residents, said McIntire, continue to burn all types of garbage and the new ordinance will prohibit the burning of any materials.

“People are crossing the line,” he said, noting the prior restrictions of confining odors and emissions from the fire to the property.

Residential open burning is at the discretion of the local municipality, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) air quality regulations.

City fire Chief Joe Childs said Tuesday that the local fire departments are dispatched weekly by the county 911 to various locations to extinguish “illegal” fires that have been reported to the county emergency office.

“We’re out once or twice a week, especially during the spring and fall when people are burning branches and yard clippings,” said Childs.

McIntire said that with mandated garbage collection and recycling service along with fall leaf pick-up offered by the city, residents should have no need to burn items.

“It is the 21st century and we do have environmental concerns,” he said.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today