Scott Fournier, Chief
5 N Main St.
Berkley, MA 02779
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020
Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: ben@jgpr.net
Berkley Fire Chief Reminds Residents of Outdoor Burning Rules
Open Burning Season Begins Jan. 15
BERKLEY — Chief Scott Fournier and Berkley Fire Rescue announce that the State Open Burning Season will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 15 and end on Friday, May 1.
Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year to year. All residents need to re-apply for a permit and can do so by visiting the Berkley Fire station, 5 N Main St., to fill out the required paperwork. Residents who wish to acquire a permit will be required to pay a $20 fee.
Residents who have obtained permits need to call 508-822-7516 on the day they wish to burn between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Callers will hear a message which will inform them if burning is allowed that day and instruct them to leave their name, permit number and location of where the burning is taking place.
If burning is not allowed that day, the phone message will say so.
Residents must carry out their burning between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Burning must be done at least 75 feet away from buildings and be attended to at all times.
“Outdoor burning is limited for public health and safety reasons,” said Chief Fournier. “We ask that residents exercise caution while burning to prevent any fires from getting out of control and to keep their families, neighbors and property safe. If a fire gets out of control, call 911 immediately to prevent personal injury and property damage.”
Outdoor burning is only permitted for brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing for new non-agricultural purposes. Burning brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing grass purposes is prohibited. Burning grass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires, plastic and trash are prohibited as well.
Violations of the permit requirements, open burning law and/or open burning regulations will be grounds for permit revocation. According to the law, residents who are found to be violating these rules may be punished by a fine of no more than $100, by imprisonment for up to one month, or both.
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