Insurance does not approve of site for July 4th fireworks 

 

COLUMBUS—The Town of Columbus Fabulous 4th of July could end a little differently with the firework show this year.  

Columbus Town Council met Thursday and heard from town manager Tim Barth about the town no longer being able to shoot the fireworks from its usual location across from U.S. 74.  

The town’s insurance company did an assessment and told the town the current private property can no longer be used. Barth said there had to be a 500 feet circle of clearance from any residences and the current location had two residences to close to the circle.  

Barth said the only place that could be found near downtown is behind the Credit Union. He said the fire department brought a drone and took it to heights of 300-500 feet, which is how high the town’s fireworks go before the shells explode.  

Barth said at 300 feet after the shell explodes some of that will not be visible. He said he and police chief Scott Hamby watched from the Polk County Courthouse lawn.  

Barth said he contacted the firework contractor and asked them to do only the 4 and 5-inch shells this year for the same contract amount of $10,000. Barth said the company agreed to throw in some 3-inch shells just so the town could see how they look.  

Barth said the show may be a little shorter than normal with only the bigger shells.  

Columbus Mayor Eric McIntyre said the town needs to have a fire department tanker on the site. Barth said regulations already call for a tanker to be on site where the fireworks are shot.  

The town has an easement on the potential new property but has plans to contact the property owners.  

The only other option for the firework show is somewhere near Milliken, but Barth said that is getting a little far from town.  

Barth said the town may have to have a special meeting soon because it has to have the company commit to come to Columbus on July 4.