Greater Sudbury city council is looking to drop the fee attached to permits residents would be required to obtain before having campfires in their backyards.
Approved in November during the budget process, the plan was to charge $50 a year for an open air burning permit, $10 for a week, or $25 to renew the annual permit. The move was forecast to bring in $10,000 in new revenue, an amount included in this year's municipal budget.
But after an angry reaction from the public, including numerous calls to councillors from residents, members of the community services committee voted in April to send the issue back to city council for another look.
The agenda for the May 31 council meeting includes a motion from Ward 6 Coun. René Lapierre to reconsider the original decision, in favour of a new motion to drop the fee, but keep the permit requirement.
The motion recognizes that “having an outdoor fire in a safe manner, and at no cost to the residents, has been part of the lifestyle and culture for many Greater Sudbury residents for years.”
The amended motion would see councillors approve “in principle the implementation of an open air burning permit system and that staff be directed to prepare amendments to the Open Air Burning bylaw, without the inclusion of a fee for any such permits.”
In order for the change to take effect, the original motion must be repealed with the support of two-thirds of city council. At that point, they can adopt the new motion, or opt not to make any changes.