Peabody, Florence to allow fireworks on holiday
Florence and Peabody will allow the shooting of fireworks in their city limits for the Fourth of July holiday.
"We want people to have fun," said Peabody City Clerk Cindy Harms. "But there are restrictions in place to keep people and property safe."
The Florence city council agreed at its meeting Monday that Florence citizens also can shoot fireworks in the city this year.
Both communities will allow fireworks to be shot between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 1 through July 3 and until midnight July 4.
Fireworks may be discharged only on private property with permission of the owner or lawful occupant.
Restrictions in the Peabody ordinance are as follows:
"In no event may any fireworks be discharged in the following locations: within 50 feet of any retail fireworks stand or facility where fireworks are stored; within 50 feet of any gasoline pump, gasoline filling station, gasoline bulk station, or any building in which gasoline or volatile liquids are sold in quantities in excess of one gallon; on into, under, or on any motor vehicle; nor may any fireworks be thrown from any motor vehicle."
Florence Mayor Jeanie Meirowsky noted that while Florence does not have an ordinance regulating the shooting of fireworks like Peabody does, people should use common sense. "I would hope most people would know better than to shoot fireworks around a gas station," she said.
Howard Kahler, chief of police for Florence, also reminded the council that some fireworks such as bottle rockets and cherry bombs are against the law.
The city of Peabody allows the sale of fireworks within the city limits, but Harms noted that a permit is required. Permits are available at the city office.
