BERKLEY — Chief Scott Fournier and Berkley Fire Rescue would like to offer a few reminders to Berkley residents when registering, applying and paying for their open burning season permits online this year.
“With us halfway through this year’s Open Burning Season, we would like to share a few helpful reminders for our residents,” Chief Fournier said. “Community members should note that each day they wish to burn they must activate their permit online through our portal. Community members can access the portal by visiting our department website and clicking the banner at the top.”
Open burning season began on Jan. 15 and runs through May 1. A permit is required to open burn in compliance with Massachusetts law. Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year to year. All residents need to re-apply for a permit online.
Residents who registered through the berkley.firepermits.com portal last year can simply log in and apply for a 2022 burn permit. Those who are new to the portal can begin by creating an account and then applying for a permit. The cost of the permit is $20, and can be paid for online.
Residents will receive an email notifying them when their permit is approved. On any day that a resident plans to burn, the permit must be activated by visiting their berkley.firepermits.com account. When a burn is activated, the department’s dispatch is able to view any open burning location on a map, assisting in public safety and emergency management.
Individuals who don’t have access to a computer should call the Berkley Fire Rescue at 508-822-6354.
Violations of the permit requirements, open burning law and/or open burning regulations will be grounds for permit revocation. According to Massachusetts law, anyone found burning without a permit may be subject to criminal charges, the punishment for which is a fine of up to $500, plus the cost of suppression or by imprisonment for up to one month, or both.
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