Karina Andrew reports from the Coupeville Town Council meeting of Jun. 14, 2022.
The Coupeville Town Council will likely approve a code change at an upcoming meeting that would increase the mayor’s ability to restrict the use of fireworks in dry weather.
The changes, if approved, will not go into effect until next year.
They Said It
[Coupeville Mayor Molly] Hughes said last year’s hot, dry weather around the time of the holiday concerned her, and she was surprised that Island County was not at a burn ban level that prohibited fireworks at the time.
[Hughes’s preference] was that the code include a provision allowing the mayor to prohibit fireworks seven days before the holiday if she, in consultation with local officials with knowledge of fire risk during extreme weather conditions, determines the discharge of fireworks to present a hazard.
“I really believe that we should know seven days in advance if we feel the weather is that extreme,” she said. “And I think people deserve a heads up to let their families know, ‘Okay, you can come here, but we’re not going to discharge fireworks,’ or to make alternate plans.”
Councilmember Pat Powell questioned [a] provision [allowing the town to issue permits for public fireworks displays or special events such as commercial film production], saying it would be difficult to remain consistent in which requests were granted permits and that she would prefer fireworks never be discharged in town for any events outside of designated Independence Day hours.
Allowing a film company to set off fireworks would not create any tangible benefit for town residents, Powell said. She suggested the discharge of fireworks outside July 4 be restricted to the town itself.
