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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Council moved a proposed ordinance that essentially prohibits the use of fireworks within city limits closer to becoming law when it approved the first of two readings at its public meeting Thursday.</p><p>The second and final reading is scheduled for council&#8217;s Aug. 9 session. If approved then, it would become effective 10 days later.</p><p>The ordinance would make it illegal to use the consumer-grade fireworks that became available for purchase in Pennsylvania this year on city sidewalks, streets, in parks and all city-owned real estate. State law already prohibits using them within 150 feet of an occupied building.</p><p>Three residents spoke in support of the ordinance during council&#8217;s 17-minute meeting.</p><p>Dan Ritter, of Matson Avenue, said he took his dog to Parsons Park on July 5 and found it littered with spent fireworks.</p><p>He asked for a heavier penalty than the $100 proposed by the city, saying someone who pays $900 for the fireworks that are heavily taxed by the state &#8220;isn&#8217;t going to bat an eye&#8221; at the fine. In addition, the city could fine someone for littering and being in the park after the posted hours its open to the public, Ritter said.</p><p>Council chairman Tony Brooks responded that the city fine can&#8217;t exceed the amount set by the state in Act 43 of 2017 that allowed for the sale of aerial and other more powerful fireworks.</p><p>&#8220;It also doesn&#8217;t mean there can&#8217;t be multiple violations,&#8221; added councilman Bill Barrett.</p><p>Jim Burden, of Taft Street, suggested the city assign more officers to afternoon and night duty during the Fourth of July holiday to enforce the ordinance.</p><p>Council also approved the final readings of ordinances dealing with parking violations. It established a procedure to appeal parking tickets and set the costs of parking fines &#8212; $20 if paid within 72 hours, $30 after 72 hours but within 10 days; $50 after 10 days but within 30 days; and $100 after 30 days.</p><p>In other business, council approved:</p><p>&#8226; The first reading of an ordinance that sets a five-day period for compliance when someone is notified to remove a vehicle from private property.</p><p>&#8226; The first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2009 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.</p><p>&#8226; A change order that increased the demolition contract for the Academy Market property on Academy Street by $3,800. The city awarded A.R. Popple a $19,000 contract for the demolition. The increase covers the cost of removing garbage from inside the structure.</p><p>&#8226; The award of a lease and purchase deal for a 2019 Mack garbage compactor for $199,500 to the most qualified bank.</p><p>&#8226; Renewal of the $104,000 information technology services and support contract for one year with Aelaric Inc. of Carbondale.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Fireworks are shown on display recently at Keystone Fireworks in Hanover Township. Wilkes-Barre council on Thursday approved the first reading of an ordinance that would significantly limit where fireworks could be used in the city. The move is in response to a recent state law that allowed the sale of more powerful fireworks to Pennsylvania residents. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_TTL062218fireworks2.cmyk_.jpg</photo0><caption0>Fireworks are shown on display recently at Keystone Fireworks in Hanover Township. Wilkes-Barre council on Thursday approved the first reading of an ordinance that would significantly limit where fireworks could be used in the city. The move is in response to a recent state law that allowed the sale of more powerful fireworks to Pennsylvania residents. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre moves fireworks ordinance closer to launch