Amity police will crack down on illegal fireworks

AMITY - Because of the extreme fire danger, Amity police officer James Clark told the city council Wednesday night that the department “will not tolerate” illegal fireworks before, on or after the Fourth of July.

“We’re going to confiscate,” Clark said. “Citing individuals in the past has always been at the officer’s discretion. Issuing citations this year is being encouraged.”

In addition to Chief Dan Brown and Clark patrolling Amity in an effort to discourage the use of illegal fireworks, reserves will be out in force, too, which will strengthen the department’s ability to curtail illegal activity.

Only fireworks that emit fire, smoke or sparks are allowed in Oregon.

Fireworks that explode, eject balls of fire, fly more than 12 inches into the air, travel more than six feet on the ground or behave in an uncontrolled and unpredictable manner are illegal. Examples are fire crackers, bottle and missile rockets, cherry bombs, M-80s and sparkle bombs.

Councilor Brandon Zipser expressed concern at the meeting about a large field surrounded by homes in the northeast part of the city.

“If you look on Google Earth, it appears green, but it’s not green right now,” Zipser said. “I don’t know how the fire department would even get in there.”

In Oregon, possession of illegal fireworks in a Class B misdemeanor. A conviction could result in a $2,500 fine and a six-month jail sentence.

In other business, the council:

n Appointed Karen Dahl to Position 5 on a 5-0 vote. She replaces Sharon Haggith, who resigned earlier this year.

n Awarded a building inspection services contract to Burrows Consulting Service Inc. of Salem, which the city has worked with in the past. Clair Company of Corvallis and The Building Department of Eugne also submitted bids.

The council voted, 5-0, in favor of Burrows. Zipser recused himself from any discussion of the subject and the vote because he’s part-owner of The Bulding Department.

City Administrator Larry Layton and Mayor Michael Cape interviewed representatives of each firm. They recommended Burrows to the council, feeling it offered the best compensation package for the city in addition to the experience owner Mark Burrows has working with city staff. Continuity was important, they felt.

The council will next meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.