After a ferocious reaction from the public, city council backed away Tuesday from a plan to charge residents a fee for having a campfire.
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.
A report going to the community services committee April 18 offered an update on the process, saying the bylaw governing rules around campfires and other open burning would have to be updated to allow for the fee.
“Revisions to existing fire-related bylaws will be necessary to support the requirement of permits for open air burning,” the report said.
A plan was also in the works to inform the public of the new requirements and, “in particular, the communication strategy is to change the perception of the citizens (that having a fire) from a ‘right’ to a ‘privilege.’ ”
But after the news appeared on sudbury.com's website Monday, thousands of residents shared the story, more than 100 commented and at least two petitions started calling on the city to change course.
City councillors also received a flood of telephone calls and emails from angry residents. On Tuesday, Mayor Brian Bigger assured the public that implementing the fee was far from a done deal.
“Council recognizes that campfires are part of a great lifestyle here in Greater Sudbury,” Bigger said, adding that the freedom to have them were “close to many people's hearts.”
He said that the report going to the community services committee was for information only.
“No decisions have been made by city and council regarding ... implementation,” Bigger said, asking for the public's patience.
“We always encourage feedback from residents."
