Wawa Municipal Council's putting off deciding whether to allow a local store to sell fireworks.
In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council received a staff report addressing a request from the Great Canadian Dollar Store for the ability to sell fireworks, with the report noting it would require a change to the municipality's fireworks by-law, but also raising concerns about increased risks including of injury, fires, and complaints that the Municipality already receives about fireworks being set off in the community despite the current prohibition.
Though it gave suggestions if Council wanted to allow firework sales - including age and licensing restrictions - the report recommended continuing that prohibition but updating the decades-old by-law, even suggesting the Municipality undertake some public consultation before Council makes a decision - an idea Mayor Melanie Pilon seized upon, saying she's thinks the "flat" prohibition is "a little too cautious" but she's in favour of hearing from the community including about whether other businesses would be interested in selling the items, with Councillors Jim Hoffmann and Joe Opato agreeing, while Councillor Cathy Cannon backed the report's recommendation, noting safety concerns, particularly for kids.
Council will have a vote on a resolution in the next meeting, set to be held June 2nd.