New Castle mayor vetoes burning measure

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Mayor Wayne Alexander has vetoed a measure to allow open burning in the city.
On Thursday, with a 3-2 vote, city council approved an amendment to the fire prevention code to allow residents to burn paper or cardboard Saturdays from dawn to 4 p.m. On Friday, Alexander announced he had vetoed the measure.
Council needs four votes to override the mayor's decision. Unless one of the two councilmen who dissented changes his vote, the veto will stand and the ban will remain in place.
Council's next regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m. April 11.
Councilmen Chet Orelli and Will Quimby voted against the ordinance. Council members Rob Ratkovich, president, Christine Sands and Karen DeCarlo voted for it.
Alexander has said he opposed the ordinance because paper and cardboard can be recycled. He has also expressed concern that residents might burn other materials..
The city banned open burning nearly four years ago. However, officials had discussed lifting the ban several times over the past few years.