Updated fireworks code now on the books

New PMEA bylaws, resident appointments also get OK

Council voted to adopt a new code spelling out updated rules and regulations for using fireworks in town.

LANSDALE >> An updated code for using fireworks in town is now on the books in Lansdale.

Council voted unanimously on Oct. 17 to adopt a new code spelling out updated rules and regulations for using fireworks in town.

“If you’re a resident in Lansdale, make sure you read the ordinance, make sure you understand what your rights are, your responsibilities, and your obligations,” said Police Chief Mike Trail.

Borough officials discussed fireworks for much of the summer, as residents made complaints about them being set off in town, and council’s public safety committee then vetted the proposed new fireworks code, recommending in September that council pass it the next month.

The new code draws on a new state fireworks law, Act 43 of 2017, establishing distinctions between commercial and display fireworks.

“‘Display’ are what you would see in a commercial event, like at a baseball game, for the Phillies, stuff like that, whereas ‘consumer grade’ is the type you or I can now buy at a store,” said Trail.

“What this ordinance will provide is greater regulations for consumer grade fireworks,” he said.

As per state law, the new local code prohibits anyone from “intentionally igniting or discharging” a consumer firework on public or private property without permission of the owner. The local code also prohibits anyone from intentionally setting off consumer fireworks on any borough street, sidewalk, park, or other boroughowned property. Consumer fireworks also may not be used within or thrown from a motor vehicle or building, thrown or put into or at a motor vehicle or another person, or used within 150 feet of an occupied structure or while a person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.

Penalties for doing so will be set by the local district justice, and will likely range on a sliding scale from $400 or $500 to as high as $1,000 per offense, according to Trail.

“This keeps us on par with what the state has done,” he said.

Staff anniversaries recognized: Borough council recognized several employees for reaching milestone anniversaries working for the town:

- Open Records Officer Pat Chapman, five years;

- Electric Superintendent Andy Krauss, 15 years;

- Rick DeLong, Public Works director, 30 years;

- Dan Shinskie, wastewater treatment plant supervisor, 40 years.

“It is really important for us to acknowledge the years of service that these people have dedicated to this borough,” said Borough Manager John Ernst.

“This is the best place to live, and the best place to work, anywhere in Montgomery County, and I certainly think it has to do with the crew that we’ve assembled, to make it all come together,” he said.

PMEA bylaws updated: Council also voted unanimously on Oct. 17 to approve the new bylaws for PMEA, the Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association, a regional organization that advocates for towns like Lansdale with their own electric departments.

PMEA adopted a new strategic plan in September allowing the organization to have a full-time executive director tasked with assisting and connecting communities with their own public power departments, as well as lobbying state lawmakers on behalf of those towns.

Council’s resolution states that it has reviewed the updated PMEA bylaws, and “finds that the recommendations set forth in the proposed PMEA strategic plan, and the proposed restated and amended PMEA bylaws, are in the best interests of the borough.”

The council resolution also accepts a change in the rate structure for PMEA’s annual dues, which staff have said would shift from a $2,900 per year annual fee to a new calculation based on the number of electric meters in town. Staff have said the new dues calculation would result in an annual cost to the borough of roughly $41,500, which would be absorbed by increased efficiency of staff and their equipment, combined with savings from lower purchased power costs.

Council also voted to prepare and advertise an ordinance establishing technical requirements for customer-owned generation systems from renewable energy sources, and a detailed draft could be available for council and public review in November.

Appointments get OK: Two residents were appointed unanimously to fill vacant positions on two town boards.

Resident Rege McKenzie was named to serve a twoyear term on the borough’s Economic Development Committee, effective as of the Oct. 17 meeting and running through Sept. 30, 2020.

“Rege actually brings, with his appointment, brings the EDC up to its full complement (of members), so it’s a good thing,” said council President Denton Burnell.

Council also voted unanimously to appoint resident Michael Sarnocinski to the borough’s police pension fund board of trustees, for a three-year term running through Oct. 31, 2021.

Lansdale’s borough council next meets at 9 p.m. on Nov. 7, with various council committees starting at 7 p.m., all at the borough municipal building, 1 Vine St. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.Lansdale. org or follow @LansdalePA on Twitter.