Fouts vetoes open burning ordinance
Warren Mayor James Fouts vetoed an ordinance unanimously approved by City Council on Tuesday that would allow residents to have fire pits or chimineas.
In his veto statement, Fouts cited the impact of smoke on citizens with asthma or other health issues as the main reason for his action.
“The implications of this ordinance could be devastating to the health of our citizens with respiratory illnesses, including those with lung damage caused by COVID-19,” said Fouts in a statement. “Our immunocompromised citizens, suffering from asthma, COPD, lung disease or lung complications from COVID-19, have the right to live without the environmental hazards of smoke. Their very quality of life depends on good air quality, and the smoke-induced exacerbation of their conditions could be devastating.”
Fouts also said he disagreed with allowing backyard burning until 1 a.m. and is concerned about the impact of backyard fires on general air quality. Although Fouts said there were no restrictions as to how far a burning receptacle should be from a house, garage or shed, in fact there is a requirement that they must be at least 15 feet away from any structure.
Council Secretary Mindy Moore said during Tuesday’s council meeting and again in an email communication regarding the mayor’s veto that the city attorney’s office was given 15 days to review the proposed ordinance and suggest changes or make comments. She said the City Council did not receive any feedback about the ordinance prior to the meeting.
According to the City Charter, the City Council can override the veto at one of its next two regular meetings but must have no less than five affirmative votes to do that. Should the ordinance receive the required votes, it would go into effect 10 days after the vote is taken.