BEAVER TOWNSHIP Officials consider repealing ban on sales of fireworks
B.J. Alan wants to open a facility, possibly on Market Street.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- Officials are discussing whether to repeal the ban on fireworks sales in Beaver Township.
The township planning commission, at a meeting Tuesday, agreed to ask the Mahoning County Planning Commission to review the matter.
The township will hold a public hearing on the issue at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the township administration office.
Selling fireworks in the township is prohibited. However, Bruce J. Zoldan, president and CEO of B.J. Alan, has indicated he would like to sell and store fireworks in the township, possibly at a site on Market Street, township officials said. Once the township planning commission has received comments from the county, it will make a recommendation to the township trustees as to whether they should overturn the prohibition.
Following procedure
"This is the process that the township must follow," said George Smerigan, township planning consultant. "Once it's open for discussion, the planning commission and the trustees can decide whether to do away with the prohibition. There's a whole process the township must go through. By sending it to the county, the township is opening it up for discussion and review. Then they can decide whether to change it."
Smerigan said if the township were to change its stand on the issue, he would recommend several conditions be placed on retailers. For example, the township could require a retailer to have a fire prevention plan in place.
"If the township decides to allow the sale of fireworks, it would be recommended that there be conditions and criteria the retailer must meet," he said.
"There would be certain rules and conditions that would have to be met."