Wood furnaces too hot for city council

Exterior wood furnaces were a hot topic at Tuesday night’s Norwalk city council meeting.

Currently, council is considering a couple pieces of legislation regarding the furnaces after dumping legislation that would have enacted a total ban.
The two remaining ordinances would either allow the furnaces with some restrictions or ban new furnaces but allow existing ones.
Mike Hemenway, of A-1 Sewer and Drain, said new technology has made these furnaces safer and more nuisance free.
Hemenway provided council with loads of information regarding the furnaces, which he sells.
West Main Street resident Tim Freriks told council his neighbor used to have an exterior furnace.
“We had to endure it during the heating season,” he said, adding the smoke laid low during the winter months.
Kelly Beck, of 62 E. Elm St., has owned an outdoor furnace for seven years.
Beck said the only “call” regarding his furnace was in April 2006 when he called police and fire to verify it was not running.
Beck said there were no other verified “complaint calls” other than his own.
Councilman Dwight Tkach said he could live with the furnaces as long as proper setbacks were adopted.
“Be respectful in what you burn and how you burn,” Councilman Harry Brady said. “I’m not really for government telling citizens what they can and cannot do...I’d appreciate some time to take a look at this legislation.”
“I’m not sure this legislation addresses what is before us,” Councilman Bob Carleton said. “I need to sit back and digest this new information.”
Councilman Shane Penrose repeatedly referred to the Wisconsin Department of Health Service’s Web site.
“The smoke comes back down,” Penrose said. “The smoke permeates the home even when the windows and doors are closed.”
Council will continue the furnace discussion at Tuesday’s work session.
In other business, council received an update on Sofios Park from Ken Leber, parks and recreation superintendent.
Leber said if all goes well, seeding on 14 acres of the complex will begin Thursday. Leber said through donations by local farmers, Firelands Supply and Lake Erie Construction the project is moving ahead quickly than anticipated.
Leber added if things go as planned, those 14 acres should be ready for soccer in fall 2011.
The restroom project for Sofios Park is pending.
Leber said the city should receive a $13,000 grant toward the project. The restroom will cost about $25,000, but that does not include labor or the running of utilities.
“That’s council’s call,” he said.
“The sooner the fields are used, the sooner the money comes in,” Brady said about the Huron County Youth Soccer Club kicking it money once it starts using the park.
“This was a terrific buy,” Tkach added.