RICHARD ANDERSON
SOUTHWICK – Fire Chief Richard Anderson praised residents for a safe burning season.
Residents are allowed to burn brush on their property, with a permit issued by the fire department, from Jan. 15-April 30. Anderson said this year was one of the best as far as calls for fires and smoke concerns.
“We just completed open burning season and residents did a good job,” he said.
When a resident comes to the department to notify the chief they plan to burn brush, he issues a permit and gives out a fact sheet about open burning safety. The sheet includes what can be burned and safety precautions to take. Anderson said contrary to popular belief, grass and leaves cannot be burned by homeowners.
“They create too much smoke,” he said.
Many towns across the Commonwealth have banned any type of open burning by residents.
“We are still a farming and recreational community and people want to be able to burn brush,” said Anderson. “Hopefully they will continue to use care with their fires.”
There is no fee for an open burning permit but having one is a requirement. Anderson said he is creating new regulations that would be more user-friendly for residents.
“Now they have to come down every day they want to burn,” said Anderson, noting an exception for farmers clearing for planting.
The new procedures in the works would eliminate the need for residents to come to the station every time they want to burn something.
“I do like talking to people when they come in, but this will make it easier on them,” Anderson said.
