Muskego — Residents who like to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang won't be able to shoot off their fireworks as often as they do now, if the city approves new restrictions on the use of explosives.
Muskego is the only community in the metropolitan Milwaukee area that allows people to shoot off fireworks - as long as they have a permit. People can blast their colorful displays into the air every day, if they want, between July 1 and 7. They also can shoot them off anytime between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Now Muskego officials are considering limiting the permits to three days or perhaps just on July 4.
"Seven days is just too much," said Police Chief Paul Geiszler.
In addition, hours would be limited to evenings - fireworks could only be discharged from 8 to 11 p.m.
Do new limits go far enough?
But some residents want the city's restrictions to be even tougher.
The fireworks her neighbor shoots off 40 feet away from her bedroom actually rattle the windows, said resident Debra Spitzer. She wonders whether the city could have stricter limits on the size of fireworks.
She and others also would like the Fourth of July merrymakers to get permission from neighbors, especially if the fireworks will be going off just 40 feet from a neighbors' home.
Another resident, Rita Doepke, said people with a sick baby or a dying relative could use some kind of protection from the loud noise.
But almost as irritating for neighbors as the noise from fireworks is the litter they leave behind, Geiszler said.
Resident Georgan Werry added: "We closed our pool because of all the stuff."
Former alderman William Schneider said he is tired of clearing debris from his gutters and roof every year. One of his neighbors who shoots off fireworks helps him, but another neighbor who has a bigger display does not, he said.
Alderman urges caution
That good neighbor/bad neighbor story illustrates Alderman Keith Werner's point that the city should be careful not to take away something that many people value and handle responsibly.
"I've heard from people on the other side of the issue," he said. "There are people who do it right and are respectful of neighbors" and clean up their messes.
Sometimes they make a whole family or neighborhood event out of the fireworks display, he said.
"It's important to be fair to everybody," Werner said.
If there are complaints, maybe the Finance Committee should take them into consideration before granting a permit to the applicant the next year, Alderman Daniel Soltysiak said.
Fine may be too low
Resident Tom Nowicki said Muskego's $145 fireworks fine should be upped considerably to show offenders that the city means business. Those who illegally shoot off fireworks should be fined $250 with no warning tickets, he said. Greenfield fines people $271 for just having fireworks and $555 for shooting them off.
"Let people know this is no joke," Nowicki said.
The Finance Committee could take the matter up again on Tuesday.
THE NEXT STEP
WHAT: possible Finance Committee consideration of making fireworks rules more restrictive
WHEN: 5:45 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Muskego City Hall, S8200 Racine Ave.
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#1,there is a litter law that should apply.#2,ban all fireworks from individual households,let those who want,get city hall to let them shoot fireworks on city property and parks with a permit.Thay can have their fun and let the city be responsible for litter,possible fires,etc.
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We have a wooden house and this year we had debri from fireworks land on our roof. Someone else's fun might have burned down our home.
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In a sweeping motion Muskego has voted to not let anyone have fun. The fine for having fun is $255, "we must show people we mean busines".....
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I'm curious what good a new ordinance will do when they don't enforce the current one. There are people who shoot off fireworks all summer long, not just during the week of the 4th.
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I'm all for celebrating the 4th of July, but all communities have some sort of
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Leave it alone! 4 of July fireworks is a true American tradition. While the patriotic theme may seem to get lost in the execution of it in some people's eyes, it's nonetheless a celebration of Independence Day. Any further reduction of personal freedom should NOT be introduced, at any level. I didn't hear of any danger that it's trying to reduce, it's a minor and temporary inconvenience of neighbors. Let them work it out between them; don't pass legislation that effects everyone because of it.
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Back to topfuzzball - Aug 22, 2010 10:21 AM - Report Abuse
laurarose - Aug 17, 2010 6:56 AM - Report Abuse
Racingphotoguy - Aug 16, 2010 8:21 PM - Report Abuse
Bork98 - Aug 16, 2010 8:17 PM - Report Abuse
RN1990 - Aug 16, 2010 6:42 PM - Report Abuse
celebration for it's citizens to attend at a local park and not in subdivisions. I
would disagree with Grillmaster. It is more than a minor or temporary
inconvenience to neighbors. Many of these people shoot off fireworks the
entire week of the 4th of July. Not only are they waking sleeping babies, they
are waking 3rd shift workers who try to catch a little sleep before work, and
stress out many pets who can't tolerate the loud noises.
Grillmaster - Aug 16, 2010 4:53 PM - Report Abuse