Cummings Township passed Burning Ordinance 06-1 in October 2006 in response to complaints received from the public over the burning of toxic and / or noxious items that were seen as a public health and safety threat. We have recently received complaints about the burning of garbage from Waterville residents and think it is appropriate to remind everyone about the existence of this Ordinance. A copy of the Ordinance is attached to this post for you to review and download.
Complaints over burning should be made via calling 911 at the time the burning is taking place. This will result in a visit to the location of the burning by TVRPD and a review of the offense under the ordinance with the property owner plus a written warning. Subsequent complaints could lead to additional action including a summary offense citation which would be brought before a District Justice.
We all value the freedom we have in Cummings Township to use our properties without undue governmental interference or regulation but also want to ensure that one person’s actions do not unreasonably impose on their neighbors – especially in our designated Residential areas such as Waterville, Ramsey Village, Harrison Flats and Little Pine / Happy Acres. Your cooperation in considering this ordinance is appreciated.
Additionally we’ve determined that the attached Ordinance – while currently on the books and enforceable as it is – would benefit from some revisions. For example the current Ordinance lumps Bonfires with Campfires and it might be appropriate to separate the two types of fires in the Definitions section. An initial discussion of revising Burning Ordinance 06-1 will be held at our Planning Commission meeting at 5 pm on Tuesday, September 14.
