RUPERT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – With the Fourth of July approaching, officials in many areas throughout the Mountain State have taken to restating area firework ordinances and the penalties in place for operating outside these ordinances.
The Town of Rupert is but the latest addition to the growing list, with Chief C.L. Burkhamer of the Rupert Police Department taking time Thursday to share the town’s policy on use of the celebratory devices.
The base ordinance states that fireworks which explode with noise, arial or otherwise, are not to be ignited or discharged unless authorized by the Town Council.
Exceptions to the rule are stated, however, for Independence Day, Labor Day, and New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day.
The Independence Day ordinance states that fireworks may be set off Friday to Sunday between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00pm should the holiday fall on a weekend.
Should Independence Day fall on a weekday – as it will this year – fireworks are permitted to be set off the day of the holiday, the weekend before (Friday through Sunday) and the weekend after (Friday through Sunday) between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00pm. Other weekdays aside from that of the holiday itself will not permit the use of fireworks.
In the case of Labor Day, fireworks are permitted the Friday prior through the Monday of the holiday between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00pm.
Fireworks are permitted from 10:00am on New Year’s Eve to 1:00am on New Year’s Day.
Penalties for those who violate these guidelines could be subject to a warning upon first offense, a $250 fine upon second offense, and a $500 fine upon third offense. Additional offenses will result in additional $500 fines with the added possibility of up to 30 days in jail.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage of town firework ordinances can be found here.Â