New Richmond adopts rule to sell fireworks

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Mayor Fred Horne (right) takes his oath of office as he’s sworn in to his second term as New Richmond’s top elected official. City Clerk Tanya Reigel (left) conducts the ceremony.

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The New Richmond City Council unanimously approved a new ordinance paving the way for retail sales of fireworks in the community.

The new rules were drafted after local businessman Jamie Gibson, owner of Gibby’s Lanes, approached the city about the possibility of selling higher-grade fireworks on a seasonal basis. He indicated that he wants to sell from a storage container and retail tent on his bowling alley’s property.

At the council’s meeting April 17, City Attorney Ron Siler said he patterned the community’s proposed ordinance after rules established in Roberts and Baldwin.

The ordinance allows for the sale of fireworks from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Any retail outlet that wants to sell higher-grade fireworks would have to secure a permit from the city, and appropriate fire codes would apply.

The new ordinance will allow for one fireworks retailer for every 5,000 community residents. Because New Richmond now has more than 8,000 residents, two seller’s permits can be issued at this time.

The ordinance also established three permits related to fireworks. The seller’s permit, fireworks event permits and possession permits.

The city will charge $125 for an event permit allowing anyone wanting to offer a fireworks show to do so.

The possession permit, at a cost of $3, will be required for anyone purchasing fireworks in the city. Those permits will be required to be purchased on a daily basis. The fireworks retailers will collect those permit fees and turn them over to the city.

Police Chief Mark Samelstad said the permits will allow people to have fireworks in their possession, but it will still be illegal to set them off in New Richmond.

The ordinance was approved on a 5-0 vote. Alderman Roberta Dale-Wozniak was absent from the meeting.

For the complete story, see this week's New Richmond News.

Tags: new richmond, local government, communities, wisconsin