Township updates firework policy for practicality

By Dana Casadei

Bloomfield Township Clerk Martin Brook’s presented changes to the township's fireworks policy, and trustees unanimously approved them at the board of trustees meeting on Monday, July 24.   

There were two proposed changes Brook presented.

The first was officially changing the permit application fee in the policy from $250 to $280, which people have been charged since 2021 anyway, after Bloomfield Township permit fees were revised two years ago.

The second change was an additional amendment to the policy that would allow for a date change on approved permits with the approval of at least two of three elected officials, rather than waiting to go before the board of trustees. That could be accomplished by seeking a signature from two of the following: supervisor, clerk, and treasurer, instead having to go before the full board of trustees and seek approval from them, which is the current process.

“It made sense to allow for just date changes given the unpredictable weather and other events that can cause them to be delayed,” Brook said. “This helps to keep things within the more narrow span.”

Multiple board members agreed, each citing occurrences where fireworks had been delayed weeks or months because of the current policy and the board of trustees meeting schedule.

“I’m normally not fond of a lot of policy changes but this one makes sense, especially when we’re talking about shortening that window,” said Dani Walsh, township supervisor.

The Bloomfield Township fireworks policy resolution was originally adopted in 2012 after the state amended fireworks laws, allowing for much greater use of fireworks in the community.