CODE REVISION: JACKSON ALDERMEN MAY ALTER CITY'S ORDINANCE ON FIREWORKS

JACKSON - The Jackson Board of Aldermen may consider revising its fireworks ordinance, making the period for the sale and discharge of fireworks the same as that of Cape Girardeau.

The question came up after the aldermen approved legislation amending the city code to include controls on the discharge of fireworks. The three sections in the amendment were not included in the BOCA code adopted by Jackson several years ago.

The amended ordinance prohibits the setting off of firecrackers or fireworks in any public place or on private property without the consent of the property owner. Fireworks can't be launched from a moving vehicle, according to the ordinance, nor can they be thrown onto private property from a public street or sidewalk.

The legislation was requested by the Jackson Police Department. City Administrator Carl Talley said the amended ordinance gives the police better legal grounds to han~dle complaints on the discharge of fireworks.

"The three sections were in our old city code, but were not included in the new BOCA code," Talley explained.

Talley said the three sections of the amended ordinance would not be enforced unless complaints are received by the police department.

After adopting the amended ordinance, several aldermen asked if the time period for the sale and discharge of fireworks in Jackson could be changed so it is the same as that of Cape Girardeau.

Currently, Jackson permits the sale and discharge of fireworks from July 1-7. Cape Girardeau allows the sale and discharge of fireworks between June 20 and midnight July 4. In the absence of municipal or county controls, fireworks may be sold and discharged in Missouri from June 20-July 10 and Dec. 10-Jan. 5.

City Attorney David Beeson was instructed to look into the matter and report back at a future council meeting.

In other business, the aldermen adopted legislation to change the traffic flow on Kate, Maryland, and one block of Sanford streets from one-way to two-way. The streets were originally made one-way when a shoe factory in that vicinity was in operation.

The board approved the purchase of 9,200 feet of plastic water pipe that will be used for a new water main from the site of the new elevated water tower near East Jackson Boulevard and Interstate 55. Construction of the tower is expected to begin within the next two years.

The board also approved the advertisement for bids for paving the street into Litz Park from Ridge Road.