Abbeville considers burning

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 13:07

At last week’s city council meeting the topic of burning in the city was introduced.

Currently the city ordinance 7-9 states: No person shall burn or permit his servant, agent or employee to burn any offal, vegetation, fruit, fruit peelings, garbage, straw, shavings, paper, filth, sweepings (including sweepings of any description whatsoever from private residences, stores or premises of any nature), rubbish or debris of any kind whatsoever, in or upon the roadway, banquettes, or sidewalks of any street or alley of the city.

However, Abbeville Police Chief Rick Coleman approached the subject.

“I had an opportunity to speak to City Attorney Ike Funderburk and Fire Chief Michaud and we are approaching the burning season again.”

“The problem is not someone having a small fire. The problem is people raking up a big pile of leaves when the wind is blowing at 40 miles per hour and setting it on fire,” Coleman continued.

Documents from the fire chief and DEQ were provided to the council for review.

Councilman Touchet agreed with Chief Coleman.

“We have people in our neighborhood who are for whatever reason taking household trash and burning it. I’m willing to do whatever we have to do to make that not allowed.”

The current ordinance speaks specifically to the burning debris such as leaves or garbage on city property, but does not restrict it on private property, according to Coleman. A motion to review the ordinance was made.

Engineer and city of Abbeville resident Eugene Sellers commented about the burning.

“I have some property in the city limits, but on the outskirts of the population, a camp. In fact it is 40 acres of farm land in the city limits,” Sellers stated.

“On occasion we need to burn some branches and things that we accumulate to be able to keep the place clean. I think in those particular cases an individual should be able to come to the city council to get a permit; charge a $50 fee for a permit for a one time burn.”

The council voted to review the ordinance and investigate the possibility of permits.