City Council passes fireworks ordinance
Get ready for fireworks.
At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, the Hillsboro City Council approved a new ordinance that allows fireworks to be sold and shot off in Hillsboro.
The ordinance should be welcome news to both local fireworks enthusiasts and local Boy Scouts, who had previously sold fireworks as fundraisers.
According to the guidelines, fireworks can be shot within the city limits from July 1 to July 4 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. They can also be shot on New Year's Eve between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Those looking to sell fireworks need to get a license from the city and have proof of liability insurance. They can be sold inside permanent structures such as businesses or in temporary fireworks stands, but only from June 20 to July 5.
In other City Council business:
The city approved the final payment to Flaming Metal Systems for the construction of the new electric shop.
At previous meetings, council members had expressed concern that a particular wind brace looked out of place, almost like it had been an afterthought while the building was being set up, since it wasn't flush with the ground.
At Tuesday's meeting, City Administrator Steve Garrett said that both he and city building inspector had studied the wind brace and found that it's appropriate for the building and is, in fact, an industry standard.
The City of Hillsboro officially deeded back two properties to Tabor College.
Hillsboro held the deeds to these properties, located at the south end of Madison and along South Adams, since 1969. Hillsboro took formal possession of the deeds so that Tabor could receive industrial revenue bonds to build residence halls. The college deeded the property to the city and then "leased" it from the city. The bonds were paid off in the mid-1980s.
Since the bonds were paid off more than a decade ago, this matter could have been taken care of years ago, said Mayor Delores Dalke.
City officials have learned that the Marion County waste transfer station will start charging $40 a ton to dispose of construction and demolition garbage.
But the county needs to clearly define what is considered construction and demolition waste, Garrett said. The new rate could hurt local businesses.
"Somebody better notify the contractors of this," said councilmember Matt Hiebert. They may have to consider other waste options if the cost gets too high.
