Burning Permit Rules Change

The town has changed its rules on burning permits. No longer does snow have to be on the ground for a burning permit to be issued.

Fire Marshal George Lockwood said the change was implemented for the convenience of local residents.

“A lot of people have had brush piled on their property for a couple of years because there just hasn’t been any snow,” he explained.

Burning permits are only issued between November 1 and April 1 because the risk of spreading brush fires is lower during the winter months.

Under a new state law, burning permits now will be issued through the office of the local fire marshal rather than through the local health department.

Mr Lockwood said his office is still waiting for a copy of the new law that was approved by the legislature in October.

“We have to go by our local guidelines until the state regulations come in,” he explained. “No one told us anything when they were approved — we haven’t seen anything yet.”

Burning permits are $5 and are issued for a one-time use. The fire marshal’s office is in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills. It is open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday except during holiday weeks. For more information, call 270-4370.