Columbia Borough Council has taken action to restrict the use of fireworks in the borough. At its July 9th meeting, council voted unanimously to advertise its intention to adopt a fireworks ordinance (shown below) at its August 13 meeting. The ordinance will severely restrict the use of fireworks within borough limits.
According to a statement read by councilman John Novak, who is also chair of the borough’s legislative committee, the proposed ordinance prohibits the lighting or discharge of fireworks on public property without permission from the borough. It also prohibits such use on private property without the express permission of the owner. In addition, fireworks may not be discharged within 150 feet of any building. The ordinance also covers all borough-owned parks, sidewalks, streets, and public buildings. The ordinance will take effect in accordance with Pennsylvania state law. According to Novak, the ordinance does not cover school district property, which is seen as private. It will be up to the district on whether or not to allow the use of fireworks on its properties. Borough Manager Rebecca Denlinger cited a state fireworks law that describes a violation of the law as a summary offense which, upon conviction, carries a maximum fine of $100.
Code Enforcement Manager Steve Kaufhold said, “This is a great ordinance. I think it’s a necessary ordinance,” adding that the next step will be to find a way to enforce it. Kaufhold said that a fire was caused by the discharge of fireworks on North Third Street during this year’s Fourth of July holiday. The fireworks discharge originated in a second floor apartment, which subsequently burned the kitchen of a downstairs apartment, causing $15,000 damage. Kaufhold also recalled a fire at Bully’s Restaurant a few years ago that was started by a single bottle rocket fired from across the street.
The proposed ordinance is a reaction to a state law enacted last year allowing the purchase of various commercial grade fireworks, and to complaints from borough residents. Novak said of the ordinance, “This has been, obviously, a concern of many of the citizens of Columbia, and the borough has recognized that position and situation, and the borough is reacting within the state laws to be able to provide guidance for the borough on how fireworks can be used.”
Columbia Spy 
I agree a lot of things are changing because Steve Kaufhold dreams up things. All people who work for the boro should live in Columbia. Like the person they just hired did they not have anyone in the 400 applicants? That was a fixed job too.
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I called the police twice on two different nights for fireworks. The neighbors were setting them off over my 100 year old house. The debris was landing on my roof. Never got a call back from the police or even a drive by. My biggest fear was that the roof would catch fire from the debris.
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100% Agree! Just the other night at 2nd and Union, the entire intersection was being used to set up fireworks at 10:30pm. The people setting the fireworks off did not make any attempt to move the various boxes out of the street so the vehicles could continue through. Unbelievable disrespect. I would only hope they get fine $500. What about working citizens that pay taxes and are trying to sleep, not too mention drive on a public street???
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I think we should shit down all the bars in town, people leaving the bars have caused more accidents for the boro. Then fire works!!
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I decided to take a walk around Town the other night and I was so (DISGUSTED) by what I saw, they talk about Code Enforcement Officers but as i walked I saw more weeds growing along sidewalks, in yards and any place they can squeeze thru. What is the Code Officers job entail in this town? Does he come to work and jump into a Pickup Truck and drive around wasting gas, why doesn't he start walking the streets with a note book and write down addresses with high weeds and confront these people and have them clean up their weeds. There are more weeds growing in town than there is up along Rte 441 and along the tracks along the river. Get out of your truck and do the job you are paid to do. STOP STEALING THE TAX PAYERS MONEY AND DO YOUR JOB.
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how about the borough spraying weeds in gutters, oh they spend all there time at the money pit.
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Leave the river people alone enough is enough time to let a dead horse lie is that all you have to worry about in this town get a life
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i agree, the code officers SHOULD BE WALKING THE BEAT DOWNTOWN EVERY SINGLE DAY
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Easy solution. Can all fireworks and the sale of fireworks in the borough Except for those put off by pyrotechnic professionals and put more teeth into the fines.
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the council is above the law and has NO common sense, make laws that No one knows about,waste of money like the money pit.
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