When Centre Wellington council began considering a $15 increase to its $10 burning permit, councillor Walt Visser was opposed.
He said Monday night he had assured people he would oppose such an increase.
“I was totally against this; it’s a large increase,” he said, speaking in the past tense. “A one hundred and fifty per cent increase of anything is not a good thing.”
But, he added, his attitude held until he listened to Fire Chief Brad Patton’s reasons for the proposal. “Brad explained that other municipalities need a permit for every fire.”
Centre Wellington’s permit now costs people $25, but it is good for an entire year.
Patton said in 2000, there was no process for issuing a burning permit, even though municipalities had been told by the province they could have them in 1997.
So, the township started issuing a $10 permit, and Patton said sales average about 1,600 each year.
People need a permit for any open air burning that they want to do. A permit alerts the fire department if someone sees smoke and calls in an alarm.
The only exception comes when “such burning consists of a small confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.”
The township emphasized that the fire must be used for cooking to qualify for the exemption.
Patton said in his report to council the cost of issuing two carbonless copies per permit from a printing company, Newspaper advertising, staff time to issue and file the permit, plus store them so they are readily accessible to firefighters 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and putting all the information into a data base costs more than the current $10 fee.
As well, the township keeps such permits for ten years, and then must property destroy them because they contain personal information.
“Our proposed permit fee of $25 per year can be justified when consideration is given to other municipality’s programs. As an example, higher yearly permit fees; and municipalities that only issue a one time permit. This means that each time someone wishes to burn, they need to go to the municipal office to get a new burn permit, which can get expensive for our citizens,” he stated in his report.
“Our program allows the permit to be issued once a year, so that our citizens do not need to take time out of their schedules to come to the municipal office each time they need a new permit. Our program also allows people to burn at their convenience.”
Patton also pointed out that with the permit system in place, there has been a reduction in grass and brush fires.
The failure to obtain such a permit or not burning within the rules can lead to charges under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, with a maximum fine of $25,000 for personal, and $50,000 for corporations. As well, those convicted would also be liable for the charge of $390 per hour per truck dispatched, with a minimum of two trucks being sent to fires.
Patton said the current permits have not paid for themselves for the past three years. He said to make it even more convenient (and cheaper), next year he hopes the township can start issuing $50 permits that are good for three years.
Councillor Fred Morris asked Patton to define an “open air fire.”
Patton said it is anything not lit indoors. That means outdoor fireplaces and wood stoves are considered open air fires and require a permit.
“A small, confined fire, with a grill,” is not considered open air if used for cooking.
Patton’s report showed that municipalities have wide differences in their permits and fees. In Ottawa, open air burning is allowed in designated areas only, requires a permit, and it costs $11 per year, or $25 per special event.
In Owen sound, it is $5 per day. In Stratford, it is $50 per day. In Vaughan, the cost is $29.68 for residential permits and $782 for commercial properties.
Halton Hills permits cost $20 for recreational and residential permits, and $200 for businesses and construction.
The new bylaw also establishes the size permitted for recreational burns, as well as distances from structures and flammable materials.
Councillor Kirk McElwain asked if inspections are required.
Patton said they are if the burn is bigger than 2 metres long and wide, and flames reach two metres high. He said those fires usually are for clean-ups and burning of old building material.
Council passed the new fees unanimously.
