A draft fireworks ordinance to help suppress noise pollution has been prepared in Lower Towamensing Township.

Township solicitor Jim Nanovic said the ordinance distinguishes between consumer fireworks and large-scale fireworks.

Resident Drew Everett asked whether the ordinance deals with people manufacturing fireworks in their homes.

Nanovic said that was a good question and that he wasn’t certain of an answer on that.

Resident Angela Farrell asked if there is any limit to consumer fireworks.

Resident Steve Meining asked who would be in charge of enforcing the township ordinance.

“I think it’s up to the three or four of you as to who specifically is doing what,” Meining said. “But if you don’t have someone to enforce them, it’s (meaningless).”

Meining then reminded the board that several years ago he had two candidates who were willing to do that.

“You guys are shirking your duties,” he said. “You need to have an enforcer.”

Board Chairperson Connie Brown told Meining, “I think we do a good job.”

Meining said, “I just don’t understand why we can’t get this issue resolved.”

Nanovic cautioned Meining that the township can’t appoint someone until it has an ordinance.

Meining noted that a lot of other local municipalities are looking for code enforcement officers.

Still, resident Brian Keenly said “a fireworks ordinance solves almost nothing in regards to some of the complaints.”

“There’s people who set fireworks off five days a week (all year long),” Keenly said.

Brown concurred and added, “Our windows rattle.”

Resident Barb Green asked if there’s any money in the budget to be able to afford a code enforcement officer.

Supervisor Jay Mullikin acknowledged that finances for the position aren’t there.

“The money’s definitely an issue,” Mullikin said. “We don’t have a lot of money to spare.”

Regardless, Meining said he believes that if a push were made, things would get done.

However, code enforcement officer Brent Green told Meining there will always be people violating an ordinance somewhere.

In August, supervisors agreed to have Green and Nanovic work on the fireworks ordinance.