At the behest of Leitchfield City Council member Kelly Stevenson, at Monday night’s council meeting the body voted to unanimously approve the first reading of an ordinance that limits the times when citizens within the city limits may set off fireworks.
The statute says in part that fireworks may only be “used, ignited, fired or exploded between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.” However, the “ignition of fireworks is permitted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and midnight on December 31, January 1, July 3 and 4 and Memorial Day.”
The ordinance says that “the limitations shall not apply to events sponsored by municipal, religious or civics groups that are sanctioned by the city of Leitchfield.”
Violating the ordinance will be punished by a yet to be determined fine.
The second reading of the proposed ordinance will take place at the next City Council meeting on August 21.
Two years ago the City Council approved the first reading of a similar ordinance, but the legislation did not move beyond that one vote. This time, however, council members appear to be more motivated to approve the ordinance, at least partly due to the high number of complaints received from citizens about fireworks being set off during all hours of the night and early morning.
