Hartland Township Considers Adding Fireworks to Noise Ordinance

After a brief discussion on Tuesday night, a general consensus by the Hartland Township Board was agreed upon to research the possibility of adding the topic of fireworks to Hartland's current noise ordinance rather than creating a separate ordinance. 

Calling it the most direct and easiest way, Township Supervisor Bill Fountain recommended on finding two or three different options to bring to the board for discussion. 

"I don't think anyone is looking for something too restrictive, but to have a tool," Fountain said. "If the tool can be added in the noise ordinance, perhaps that's the direct way to go-- and the easiest."

Hartland Treasurer Kathie Horning raised the question of needing to "spend time" on the issue of creating a specific fireworks ordinance due to community feedback on social media.

"I have never gotten a complaint," Horning said during the meeting. "And since it came up and we had it on our Facebook page, people have approached me and said they hope we weren't going to do things- we have enough government in our lives."

The question of who would enforce a specific fireworks ordinance was also brought up by Trustee Glenn Harper who added that neighborhood associations would have more authority and control for restricting specific activities.

"That's probably one of the lowest priority calls for a police department and the Sheriff is not going to respond to it unless somebody gets hurt," Harper said. "So why pass something that you can't enforce?"

However, with mixed reactions from the community, Trustees Joe Colaianne and Matt Germane argued in the more rural areas of the township where there are no associations present, having a tool "on the books" may benefit residents and help "strike a balance."