Council Votes to Ban Fireworks

Although Muskego residents can still enjoy the celebration on Little Muskego Lake on July 3rd including a fireworks show at dusk, no other personal use of fireworks will be allowed.

In a special session of the Common Council on Saturday, the continued lack of rain was at the heart of concerns, and made for a unanimous vote to rescind the permits held by resident to set off class C fireworks (pretty much anything sold in those red and white tents sprinkled throughout the city). Sparklers are also included in the ban, as they burn at a far higher temperature that many others.

This ban follows closely behind a from Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti. It forbids any burning with the exception of barbecues.

The resolution passed states that anyone holding a valid permit for this year will have the option to request a refund, or hope that a ban is lifted before July 7. The city allows fireworks to be used with a permit in normal circumstances from July 1 to 7, with each permit holder designating a three-day window to set theirs off. Should the ban be lifted prior to July 7, the resolution would allow usage by all permit holders regardless of which three-day window they had originally selected.

If the ban extends past July 7, 2012 permits will be valid for the following year (2013), but permit holders must resubmit appropriate proof of insurance at that time.

"We have every reason to believe the ban will extend beyond July 7," said Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti. "We have little hope that we'll see the rain."

Fire Chief Carl 'Skip' Wojnowski said that although many of Muskego's lawns look greener than other communities, "you still have a lot of material below that grass that is dead, and can spread a fire quickly."

Permit holders, and there are about 60 residents with valid individual permits in the city, will be contacted directly by the Muskego Police Department.

Residents are urged to be cautious with any burning materials, including the use of cigarettes, as the risk of fire is high in this portion of the state.