Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By CHARITY SMITH
Bessemer — The Bessemer city council is considering an ordinance to regulate use of temporary, portable generators as a result of a recent house fire.
“As you all may or may not be aware, we had a house burn down because of a temporary generator used for about two years and so the council has been exploring whether or not we need to have some sort of ordinance,” city manager Charly Loper said to the council during Monday’s regular meeting.
According to city attorney Ray O’Dea, the city does not need any ordinances for standby or emergency generators because that is part of the electric code. However, there are no ordinances or codes in place that put regulations on the use of temporary, portable generators. Therefore, the city council would need to implement a “stand-alone” ordinance if they wish to regulate the use of temporary portable generators, Loper said.
Mayor Adam Zak asked if the generator had been confirmed to be the cause of the fire that engulfed a house on U.S. 2 in October. Loper said that both the fire department and neighbors who were on the scene right away confirmed the generator was the culprit. Zak said he felt an ordinance would be a good idea, but was not sure how to go about it without hindering those who use the generators in the proper fashion.
“Even if we make this ordinance, I don’t know how easy this is going to be to enforce,” said Zak.
Councilwoman Linda Nelson asked how many incidents have occurred as a result of generators within the city. She said she thought there have only been a couple of instances.
Loper said that she is aware of the one house fire and there have been a few incidences where generators have caused issues in the downtown area in years past.
“Who is going to enforce the ordinance?” asked Nelson. “How far are we going to take it if we do issue a citation?”
Nelson said she would like to see the issue put to rest and then if it comes up again, handle it at that time.
Former councilman Bill McDonald had brought the idea of the ordinance to the table in October.
Zak said that the fire department members also had requested the city do something about it.
“Ultimately, they’re probably the ones most at risk if there is a fire,” said Zak. He suggested the city get the input from the fire department as to how its members feel about a generator ordinance.
Loper said she would send a letter to the fire department and have the chief, Neal Nelson, get the opinions of the firefighters. She said the letter would include the information the city has received from O’Dea and some of the council members’ concerns.
Councilman Rob Coleman said that if the fire department feels it is necessary, the city should do this. He said he thinks it is a good idea, but also questioned how it would be enforced.
“No matter how you word that, I can’t figure out where there is not a hole that you could argue something out,” said Zak.
The council voted to table the issue until they heard back from the fire department.
