Controlled burning amendment proposed

By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The city is moving closer to lifting its ban on open burning.
City council introduced a measure Thursday that would amend the city's fire prevention code to allow residents to burn paper or cardboard, providing they live in single-family dwellings or duplexes. Council intends to vote on the proposed measure before summer.
According to the proposed amendment, open burning would only be allowed with a permit issued by the city treasurer's office. Permits would be valid for two years. The cost would be $30 for permits issued this year, and $35 and $40 for permits issued in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
The fire chief would need to approve all burning containers, and only one burning container would be permitted at each dwelling or duplex. Burning would be limited to Saturdays from dawn to 4 p.m. Violators could face fines of between $250 and $1,000 for the first offense, $500 to $1,000 for the second offense and between $1,000 and $10,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
Council members have expressed concerns over lifting the ban on burning but said they are considering it in an effort to generate revenue for the financially strapped city.
"I'm not entirely for this," Councilwoman Christine Sands said. "I don't know that I want my neighbors burning. But I also realize it is a way to bring money to the city."
The city banned open burning nearly four years ago. However, officials have talked about lifting the ban several times over the past few years.