Nesquehoning is better defining its burning ordinance.

Over the years, officials said that the borough has gotten a little lax with burning in the borough and worked to update the ordinance to better outline what is and is not allowed within borough limits.On Wednesday, borough council voted to approve the ordinance as advertised.The new ordinance better defines types of fire pits and terms for fires in public areas and on private properties.Under the ordinance, outdoor fires are permitted on private properties during certain times if they are in an outdoor fire pit that is contained within a noncombustible container.Pits must be built and confined, as well as covered with a screen of ½-inch or smaller mesh, or with another noncombustible covering that should be no more than 3 feet wide.Fires are not permitted in any container similar to a gallon drum.In addition, no fire is allowed closer than 30 feet from a dwelling, 20 feet from any other structure or 10 feet to a property line.Fires in fire pits are permitted any day of the week between Memorial Day and Labor Day between 6 and 11 p.m.All other times of the years, fire pits may only be used on holidays and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 5 and 11 p.m.Burning garbage and other materials outlined in the ordinance are prohibited.If a person violates the ordinance, a fine of up to $600 dollars may be issued.If a burn ban is put into effect in the borough, either by council, Carbon County or the state, then no burning is permitted until the ban is lifted.VolunteersIn other matters, borough solicitor Robert Yurchak discussed House Bill 1683, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law in November and went into effect this year. The bill allows municipalities to offer active fire company and EMS volunteers with a tax credit on either earned income or property tax liability.Council said that the budget committee will meet to look over the matter and will determine what the borough could do in the near future.According to reports on the bill, the legislation, which was proposed by state Rep. Ryan Warner, gives back to the people who volunteer their time to ensure the safety of the towns they serve.The tax credit would be based on the number of calls the volunteer responds to, as well as training and company functions they participate in.