Ypsilanti Township officials express frustration over new firework limits
Ypsilanti Township will prohibit fireworks between midnight and 8 a.m. on the day of, day before and day after federal holidays.
The hours are specified by state law, and elected officials, who unanimously approved the first reading of ordinance wording, expressed frustration that they can't prohibit fireworks earlier in the evening.
“I live in a blue collar neighborhood and people are shutting their lights off at 9 o’clock and getting up at 4 a.m.,” said Trustee Mike Martin.
The ordinance comes after the Michigan State Legislature passed a law in 2012 stripping local municipalities of their ability to outlaw fireworks during the day before, day of, and day after national holidays.
New legislation signed into law earlier this month allows local governments to ban them between midnight and 8 a.m. on those days.
In September of last year, Ypsilanti Township banned fireworks every other day of the year following complaints from residents and a series of fires caused by fireworks.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department reported a spike in the number of noise complaints last summer and the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department said the number of fires and calls related to fireworks were up.
At its meeting on Monday, the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a first reading of the ordinance. But because there still needs to a be a second reading and a publication of the ordinance’s language in a newspaper of record, the new time limits will not take effect until after the Fourth of July.
Martin said there were recently fireworks blasts late at night and early in the morning on weeknights in the Crestwood subdivision. He said he called Sheriff's Department Lt. Jim Anuskiewizc about the issue and the deputies were able to get whoever was shooting the fireworks to stop.
“I understand people wanting to enjoy the holiday - the day before, the day after- but 11, 12 at night when it’s a work night seems a little excessive,” he said.
“We don’t have the opportunity under state law to do it any earlier,” Mike Radzik, director of the office of community standards told the board.
Supervisor Brenda Stumbo expressed frustration with the law.
“We can ask (state lawmakers) to make it earlier. It’s one of the worst state laws ever,”
On New Year’s Day the township can only ban fireworks between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Ann Arbor City Council passed the new limits last week.
In Snyder's absence, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley on June 19 signed the legislation that allows local governments to prohibit the use of consumer fireworks between midnight and 8 a.m.
"This is a common-sense bill that respects the preferences of communities by letting local authorities decide when fireworks can and cannot be used," Calley said.
House Bill 4743, sponsored by state Rep. Harold Haugh, D-Roseville, also guarantees all of the fees that vendors pay for fireworks safety go toward local firefighter training programs.
Comments
An American Patriot
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 3:25 a.m.
First of all I'm the American Patriot that Mr. Martin, used as an example to pass this fake law you see Mr. Mike Martin lied saying that every time he has called the police that it was because of my family shooting fireworks off late at night. A total lie . You see unlike his fake comment of him being a blue collar worker is far from the truth he's a politician payed far too much for his raping of our laws and amendment rights. The truth is Mr. Martin is one of those politicians that we are all getting so tired of. He would rather take our rights away with useless laws like this and he not only does that but does it on the day we as Great Americans celebrate our freedom while honoring our soldiers fighting for that freedom and honoring those who gave their lives protecting our freedom. Just remember Mr. Martin your job depends on those who vote, I bet you're wondering now how long your political career will last now with your slap in the face law to our Vets
Honez
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
Also, if the U.S. had labor laws more similar to the EU, we could have a four week block of vacation every summer and third shift workers may not mind so much the late night blasts.
Honez
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.
I think it would be sweet justice if a very large group of people gathered in front of the gates where Snyder lives off of Gedes and set off loud popping fireworks into the wee early mornings for many mornings. I wonder if Snyder would push to have the law changed backed after that?
fishjamaica
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 2:19 a.m.
I work at night and sleep from 10am. to 9pm. No one should be able to raise their voices or drive loud motorcycles during that time frame. Children should always be quiet. Don't step on my lawn. You must keep your lawn less than three inches tall. All people must follow my religion. Everyone should think and act like me.
beardown
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:30 a.m.
As a person who used to work your shift (when I was in college for minimum wage), i feel your pain. But the other 90% of the area, including myself now, that works traditional hours would beg to differ.
jns131
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 9:25 p.m.
If you live in the Crestwood subdivision? Here is my advice. Move out and move to the country if you want peace and quiet. Otherwise, bother them with children under 18 who are still roaming our streets after 10pm and no parent in sight. You are ruining my Fourth of July. I'd like to see what you would do if we in the area ran up our confederate flags. Good nite. Been too quiet around here as it is. Can't wait until the fourth where I will blast my fire works in your area.
TravisT
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.
Can't believe how many sticks-in-the-mud there are. I guess I just grew up in a state where people had a little more fun. Setting off my own fireworks twice a year was something I always looked forward too as a kid. We'd go watch the professional show (which doesn't even start until 10 or so, apparently after all the "blue collar" go to bed) and then go home and light our own. If you think it's loud around here, you should try going to a state where people are used to having a little fun twice a year. You guys should try setting them off yourself, you might accidentally find yourself smiling for a change.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 8 p.m.
I don't think it's actually the real fireworks being set off around the holiday that people have a problem with. It's the m80s exploding until 2 in the morning, which has been going on in my neighborhood since they went on sale weeks ago.
Bob Krzewinski
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
My fantasy is to find the address of the totally inconsiderate slobs who shoot off fireworks at 1am (or later) in the morning, then, on the days I have to leave at 5am to go to work, go to their house and blast off fireworks right under their bedroom window while I yell out "Party On Dudes".
John
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.
So people aren't happy with all of these fabulous new laws Snyder passed? When did that happen? I thought he was regarded as the second coming of Reagan?
beardown
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:27 a.m.
Hey, there are profits to be made here. By carpetbagger companies who come in like locusts for a couple of weeks, pay a fee, and make off like bandits while we have to deal with the aftermath.
obviouscomment
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
I am a big advocate for the new fireworks laws since I had neighbors who would shoot off fireworks every summer night until the wee hours of the morning. But I think asking that the fireworks end before midnight is a little excessive. First of all it is only a few nights, not constantly. And complaining that your lights are out at 9pm? It isn't even completely dark out at 9pm and most fireworks displays don't even start until 10pm for that reason. I understand the inconvenience of losing some sleep but anybody who goes to bed at 9pm every night is in the minority.
obviouscomment
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 7:25 p.m.
Guess what, my kids do get woken up from it occasionally (a toddler and an infant). That's life. But it is only the day before, the day of, and the day after a federal holiday. That's 3 nights every couple months or so and I can live with that. I'm not going to demand that everyone else change their lives because my kids woke up a couple times. Guess what else, I have to get up early too...but it's only 3 nights every couple of months. I agree, I do not have a dog that pukes and pees everywhere but that's because I don't want to deal with that stuff since that's what animals do and I'm not a pet person.
slave2work
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 3:48 p.m.
unless it was you who had to get up at 4 am.. or your lil babies cried because of the loud blasts.. Or your dog,, who puked and peed all over since the new law allows more violent blasts..
daywell
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
They are already setting off what sounds like M80's in our neighborhood, police can't catch them perhaps because many of the street lights are not working. This is also a problem for people with pets, load noises scare them, making them bark-many sleepless nights anticipated at my house!
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:41 p.m.
Some of those "blue collar" people work the night shift and sleep during the day. It's funny how some people assume that anyone sleeping during the day is just lazy. One wonders if those people who rise at 4am mow their lawns at 6 am on saturday morning.
jondhall
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:27 p.m.
What would Paul Revere think? We need more laws and less common sense!
beardown
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 3:26 a.m.
I'm sure Revere would be angry that the day to celebrate our independence from Britain has turned into a week or two of hillbillies trying to blow their hands off. Sure, the party stores and makeshift fireworks stores love the great profits from morons spending their checks on cheap beer and bottle rockets. And the rest of us have to put up with them. And our cops, who should be dealing with real crime, have to go investigate them.
jns131
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 9:27 p.m.
Actually we could send in the British with more taxes and a better tea party.
glimmertwin
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
It's just a lip-service law. One of many that cannot nor will not ever be enforced.
Shadeau
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:13 p.m.
I live in an Ypsi Township neighborhood and we have someone near me who will set off one or two fireworks a night - just enough to annoy, but of course if you call the police, they can't find them because they've stopped. Real considerate folks.
jns131
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 9:29 p.m.
Ypsi township cannot afford real fireworks so for us folks who like to enjoy something around this time of year, we will. Otherwise, stop treading on my civil rights.
Urban Sombrero
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 12:03 p.m.
I can understand the state allowing people to possess and use these fireworks. That's fine. But to tell communities that they have to follow a blanket law about what times they can be shot off is ridiculous. That part should be left up to the local communities. The state is overreaching here.
bbb
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 11:36 a.m.
I think saying it's one of the worst state laws ever is a little excessive. I can understand the disagreement, but there are much worse laws.
Heather
Tue, Jun 25, 2013 : 11:25 a.m.
I totally agree with Mike Martin and Brenda Stumbo. Why on earth would the state allow residents to shoot off fireworks in neighborhoods so late at night? Who wants that?