Puslinch council’s passage of an open air burning bylaw was prefaced by comments from a delegation of Jessica Goyda and family on June 4.
Goyda, of Watson Road, told Puslinch councillors she and her family wished to express their support of the revised burning bylaw.
“Fire prevention and safety is not something our family takes lightly – especially with three young children,” said Goyda, adding her family takes great strides to ensure their home and property are safe from hazards.
She noted the recent open house at the Puslinch Fire Hall “was a fun and exciting way for our children to learn even more about fire prevention and safety – especially in the smokehouse.”
Goyda continued, “while safety is important, so is spending time together as a family around our backyard campfire roasting marshmallows and sharing stories.”
Goyda said, “from the time I was a small child growing up in Puslinch, some of my very fondest memories are those spent with family and friends.”
Now she and her husband intend to continue the same tradition with their children – and they have no issue with renewing their fire permit every three months.
“They have always been responsibly supervised and maintained,” she said of family fires.
However this year, “we were asked to stop this family time at our backyard fire pit because of a stipulation in the open air fire bylaw which states a fire cannot be located within 150 metres of any other building.
“Although we have quite a large backyard, 150 metres is almost 500 feet and as such, we don’t have the ability to meet that requirement.”
Goyda argued few properties within the township would be able to meet the requirement and suggested the originally proposed 150 metre requirement was “excessive”.
Goyda said the revised bylaw has a more “realistic but safe” distance of 15 metres – about 50 feet.
She said the revised distance would allow her family and friends to once more take part in the fellowship around a backyard fire pit.
“We are happy to pay the $20 for a valid fire permit, which would last a whole year.”
She also said her family had no issue with a $40 inspection fee to ensure the fire pit meets township safety requirements.
Goyda said the proposed bylaw as it now stands, allows for resident safety, while still providing an opportunity to have backyard fire pits.
She thanked the mayor and council for changes to the original bylaw.
“We hope council will pass this bylaw so we can continue to enjoy the great little community of Arkell for many years to come,” said Goyda.
Councillor Susan Fielding said Puslinch Fire Chief Steven Goode had done considerable work to make this happen.
Councillor Wayne Stokley appreciated the positive presentation, stating, “I agree with you that the family experience is very important.”
Councillor Jerry Schmidt commented that the intent of the bylaw was never to discourage backyard fires or barbecues. Like councillor Ken Roth, Schmidt appreciated “residents coming forward to tell us we’ve done something right.”
Mayor Dennis Lever stressed it was the fire department which spearheaded the efforts to revise the bylaw.
“We hope this will all work out well for everybody.”
In the fire chief’s report, Goode recommended passage of the proposed open air burning bylaw.
He referenced the April public meeting, at which a number of issues were discussed, including the $20 fee for a year long permit. Goode recommended keeping the fee which he said is comparable to surrounding municipalities.
Goode noted there were quite a few comments regarding the potential size and hours of open air burns. He said the bylaw follows provincially legislated requirements.
Goode said the most contentious issue was the distance requirements. While he was unsure why the 150 metre requirement existed, “simply put, it is very hard to obtain and is impractical as far as I am concerned.”
The 15-metre distance proposed still meets provincially legislated requirements, Goode said, noting enforcement will require an officer to investigate complaints.
“Any person that burns without a permit will be charged,” Goode said.
Currently there is no set fine, but in the township fee bylaw there is a $410 charge per truck responding to unauthorized burns. “We have implemented this,” said Goode.
Councillors later endorsed the new open air burning bylaw.
