BANGOR TOWNSHIP, MI (WNEM) -
Bangor Township officials discussed a possible fireworks ordinance for their community at their township board meeting Tuesday night.
Bangor Township Supervisor Terry Watson said in the past three weeks, he's received dozens of phone calls from residents who say fireworks are being set off all hours of the night and are disturbing the peace.
At Tuesday's meeting, Watson asked the board if he should pursue writing a proposed ordinance to put some fireworks restrictions in place to get some control in the county.
"To stop this all night, they are one, two, three-o-clock in the morning shooting off fireworks, that's disturbing everyone in the township," said Watson.
The board unanimously agreed something needs to be done. Watson said he will also pursue stiff penalties for those who don't abide by the possible new rules, including possible misdemeanor charges for people who don't follow the ordinance.
"I mean I hate to see someone go to jail, but if that's what it takes, do it," said Carol Schmolitz, a Bangor Township resident who said fireworks booming through the night is out of hand.
The township board also agreed on holding a special meeting to pass an ordinance as soon as possible.
"This tranquility and beauty of living in Bangor Township is slowly disappearing due to the disrespect of neighbors," said resident Don Morin.
Morin served in Vietnam and said the random bangs through the night bring back bad memories. His wife Carol said their pets are traumatized when someone lights a firework. They hope the township seriously looks to adopt some type of policy.
On Jan. 1, Michigan passed a law that allows certain aerial fireworks to be sold in the state and legal to fire.
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