After a busy Independence Day weekend for police, Coaldale Borough Council passed a fireworks ordinance it drafted in June.

The new ordinance will still allow fireworks, but with greater restrictions on where and when they can be used.

“They can still set their stuff off, but it will be smarter and safer,” said council President Angela Krapf.

The ordinance adds to existing state laws for using fireworks. It prohibits launching fireworks within 150 feet of an occupied building, from a moving vehicle, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone using fireworks must have permission from the owner of the property where they are launching them.

It also takes further steps, making it illegal to use fireworks more than seven days from a federal holiday. On days when they are allowed, fireworks would be prohibited after midnight. The only exception is Jan. 1, when they will be allowed until 12:30 a.m.

There are separate rules for display fireworks, which are defined as “salutes that contain more than two grains or 130 mg of explosives; or aerial shells containing more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions.”

Penalties for violating the display fireworks rules would be up to $2,000, and $600 for the other sections of the ordinance.

Those fireworks require a permit, which would cost $100. Users would also be restricted to using them in the field located behind the Coaldale Housing Development.

Council decided not to vote on the ordinance before July 4 because they did not want to schedule a special meeting. Its regular June meeting took place before the ordinance had been on public display for the minimum 10 days required by law.

The vote to pass the ordinance was unanimous, with Ken Hankey Jr. and Wayne Figner absent.

Councilwoman Yvonne Stoffey said a Fourth of July ride-along with police reinforced her belief in the need for the ordinance. She said the amount of debris from fireworks falling close to homes and vehicles concerned her, and led to numerous complaints from residents.

“It was very eye opening,” Stoffey said.