Wawa Municipal Council's dropping plans to allow firework sales and use in the community, amid substantial public opposition.
In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council heard a new report from Treasurer, Deputy Clerk, and Director of Finance Heather Rainville, who explained the Municipality received about 39 submissions about the proposed by-law during the brief public input period between the prior Council meeting and last Thursday - with a few more arriving after the deadline - nearly all of those opposing the proposal to allow the sale and use of fireworks in the community, under certain restrictions.
In those comments, the main concerns related to animals - both pets and wildlife - as well as mental health, safety, environmental impact, and noise concerns, and concerns about enforcement, while comments in favour of allowing fireworks suggested economic benefits, including for potential events.
Councillor Cathy Cannon again reiterated her opposition to allowing fireworks sales and use in the community, with residents Carol Robert and Laurie Cavan - who were among four people in the audience for the issue - also spoke out against allowing fireworks - Cavan noting other communities are even moving away from them - with Mayor Melanie Pilon acknowledging the input and that this whole process began because of a request from a business - the Great Canadian Dollar Store's request to allow it to sell fireworks was first heard in early May.
In the end, it was decided that the by-law will be revised, dropping the proposed measures allowing - but restricting - fireworks in favour of simply updating the nearly 60-year-old by-law to meet modern language and enforcement requirements, maintaining the prohibition - that revised by-law is set to be brought to Council for approval at the July 14th meeting, with the current by-law staying in force until then.
In their following regular meeting, Council also approved scheduling a special meeting for June 23rd at 4:30 pm - a reason was not given, though it was noted that Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg's expected to make an announcement regarding Seniors Active Living Centres program funding at the Wawa Goose Seniors Centre at 3:30 pm that afternoon.