Warren County seeks input on fireworks law
Board may consider repeal of law
The Warren County Board of Supervisors wants to hear your opinions about the Warren County law that allows sales and use of certain types of fireworks within the county. The Board of Supervisors Governmental Operations Advocacy plans to discuss the impact of this law in our community at its next meeting on August 23rd.
The Board of Supervisors adopted a county law in 2015 that allows the sale of sparklers, fountains and some other types of fireworks (see link to state law here) during certain times of the year. While only sold during certain time periods, they can be used all year long.
As complaints about fireworks have risen in recent years, the Board of Supervisors Governmental Operations and Advocacy Committee on July 19th discussed a possible repeal of the fireworks law. (Watch video of this Board of Supervisors discussion here, at the 59-minute mark.
Supervisors concerned about the law have cited the negative impact on military veterans and pets. Warren County Emergency Services Director Ann Marie Mason said July 4th, the day fireworks are most heavily used, is the day with the highest number of pet runaway complaints of the year.
Lake George Supervisor Dennis Dickinson, who opposed passing of the law in 2015, said he has requested that it be repealed because the cons strongly outweigh the pros. He said injuries are occurring annually, noise complaints are frequent and the pop-up stands that sell the devices are unattractive.
Rachel Seeber, Chairwoman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said complaints from the public warranted a new review by the Board of Supervisors.
“We have heard from many of our residents that allowing fireworks to be sold locally and used year-round has in fact become a quality-of-life issue. We have gotten complaints by the hundreds, as veterans and those who have pets have let us know that these devices are having a negative impact around the county,” Seeber said.
Eleven counties in New York do not allow fireworks sales. Albany County is among them, having opted into the law that allows fireworks sales in 2016, but repealing it in 2020 amid safety concerns and rising complaints.
Those who have opinions about the law, either pro or con, can email their comments to warrencountystrong@warrencountyny.gov for presentation to the Board of Supervisors.
Total fireworks calls received by Warren County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center (does not include statistics from other police departments or municipal officials):
2015 – 92
2016 – 73
2017 – 78
2018- 65
2019- 53
2020- 188
2021 (as of 7/14) -- 78, 44 of which occurred between July 1-5.