ALBANY – A bill that would give the Orange County cities of Middletown,
Port Jervis and Newburgh the ability to opt-out of selling “sparkling
devices” has been approved by the state Senate and Assembly and
is headed to the governor’s desk for his action.
The state last year approved the use of sparking devices subject to county
approval. With Western Orange County bordering Pennsylvania where more
fireworks devices are legal, residents are driving to the commonwealth
to purchase sparkling devices legal in Orange County and illegal fireworks
in the county.
Last year that resulted in a firestorm of quality of life complaints to
several local police departments, in particular in the City of Middletown.
That prompted Legislator Jeffrey Berkman, at the request of Mayor Joseph
DeStefano, to seek the option for cities to opt out of the sales.
Senator John Bonacic (R-Mt. Hope), who sponsored the measure in the Senate
called that proposed provision “a common sense measure that will
help alleviate the issues that occurred last year related to fireworks.
DeStefano called the option to opt-out of the sale of fireworks a “reasonable
approach that will help ensure residents are not subjected to unwanted
fireworks.”
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh) sponsored the measure in
her house.
