Wellman residents hot over burning yard waste

Posted 4/18/19

The Wellman City Council will be taking a look at adding more restrictions on burning in the city limits.At Monday’s meeting, council members said that there have been complaints about burning yard …

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Wellman residents hot over burning yard waste

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The Wellman City Council will be taking a look at adding more restrictions on burning in the city limits.

At Monday’s meeting, council members said that there have been complaints about burning yard waste.

Wellman resident Donna Van Bibber, whose husband John has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said that recent burning near her home caused issues for him.

“Two weeks ago, the burning was kind of sporadic on Saturday,” Van Bibber said. “On Sunday, it was pretty much a continuous thing. We had to close the windows.”

Council member Bob Goodrich agreed. 

“It’s obnoxious when it gets in the house,” Goodrich said.

Council member Tracy Owens said that there have also been issues with burning around Mid-Prairie West Elementary School. 

“It’s an issue when the school is calling you,” Owens said.

The open burning of landscape waste and tree trimmings is allowed by city ordinance. Burning of other trash is not allowed.

The ordinance also allows exceptions for disaster rubbish, controlled burns and recreational fires, including “open fires for cooking, heating, recreation and ceremonies.”

City Administrator Kelly Litwiller pointed out that the city picks up yard waste. Bags are available for 75 cents each at City Hall and can be left at the curb for pickup.

Litwiller said that the city of Kalona only allows burning on certain days.

“The Kalona ordinance says a fire must be extinguished if the neighbors complain,” she added.

“It would be nice to burn one day a week so people can be prepared for it,” Goodrich said.

Mayor Ryan Miller agreed, suggesting that burning be restricted to weekends only.

“Enforcement is going to be the thing,” Owens said.

Goodrich said he would support stricter burning rules.

“I don’t have a problem with a burn ban,” he said. “But we need to find a way to let everyone know.”

Council members agreed to look further into the issue to come up with a solution.

“Keep in your minds what directions you want to go,” Miller said. “There has to be a better answer.”

The council meets again on Monday, May 6.