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Esky OKs fireworks ordinance

ESCANABA — Escanaba City Council officially approved an amended ordinance that reduces the number of days fireworks can be set off in the city during 10 national holidays at its regular meeting Thursday.

Escanaba’s ordinance previously allowed fireworks to be used during a nine-day period surrounding New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, George Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

In response to recent public concerns regarding noise, nuisance and safety hazards of July 4th fireworks, council reduced the number of days for fireworks use to the day before, the day of, and the day after holidays, in accordance with the minimum state law.

No comments were presented at Thursday’s public hearing regarding the amended fireworks ordinance, which also clarifies that sparklers cannot be used in public parks.

In other action, council approved new rates for parking violations, increasing the fine for non-winter parking violations from $15 to $25 and upping the fine for winter parking violations from $30 to $35.

Council also presented the first reading of a proposed ordinance to prohibit smoking and apply the city’s park rules to the new marketplace in downtown Escanaba.

Following a closed session Thursday, council concluded its meeting by approving a three-year contract for water/wastewater employees, which includes a 2-percent wage increase for each year. Teamsters Local 406 had previously approved the agreement.

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