Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter’s review of the city ordinance this month is the burn ban.
Senter said, “Over the next two months millions of leaves will be falling from the thousands of trees that we have here in Plymouth. City residents are limited to what they can actually do with those leaves. It is NOT required to do anything with them. If a family chooses not to rake, pile and put out for the city trucks to vacuum up that is fine. Some people mulch them up with their mowers and leave them on the grass. Others tend to just leave them alone (pun intended!)”
But the one thing that is NOT allowed in The City limits is the burning of leaves. Years ago that was the thing everyone did. People would pile the leaves up and strike match and let them burn filling neighborhoods and subdivisions with constant smoke. At times the fires would get out of control which is always dangerous to garages, sheds, cars and, especially, homes! There are also horror stories out there where people have actually had their clothes catch on fire while working and raking near the flaming pile. Mayor Senter said, “In my nearly seven years as mayor that has not been a problem, but it is still good to remind residents of the ordinance:”
Burning is generally prohibited in the city and the ordinance says: No person shall start, kindle, cause, allow or maintain any form of leaf burning, wood burning, or rubbish or trash burning of any kind on private or public property, except as specifically authorized by this subchapter.
There are a few exceptions: the burning of logs and other wood in residential fireplace, outdoor cooking, fires celebrating school pep rallies, fires for scouting activities, recreational campfires, 12th night ceremonies, industrial and commercial burnings through methods specifically and previously approved the IDEM and a fire that has obtained a variance by petitioning the Common Council.
Any person found in violation shall be subject to the following procedures: issued a warning notice to a first-time violator. The person must then correct the violation by immediately extinguishing the fire. Failure or refusal to immediately extinguish the fire shall result in a citation then being issued.
Issuance of a citation to the violator shall result in the imposition of a $50 fine. Failure or refusal by the violator to immediately extinguish the fire shall also result in the Fire Department having the authority to go upon private property to extinguish the fire. Furthermore, in such instance where a leaf or rubbish burning fire results in damage to property other than the violator’s property, including damage to public property, such as, asphalt, or results in injury to another person, or the imminent threat of damage to another’s property, and the fire is determined to be caused by negligence or the willful disregard or violation a fine equal to the cost expended by the city to send fire suppression personnel and equipment to the location shall be assessed with said fine not to exceed $2,500.
Each subsequent starting, kindling, causing, or allowing of a new fire after a warning notice or violation has been issued shall be considered a separate offense.
In closing Mayor Senter said, “As you can see there are several exceptions to the ordinance and recreational campfires (97.41 F) is one that I often get questioned about. It is still okay to have a campfire in your backyard just don’t throw your leaves in there!”
