GIRARD — Officials plan to update the city’s fireworks guidelines by putting into place times residents can set them off on certain holidays.

City council’s safety committee met this week and asked police Chief John Norman and fire Chief James Petruzzi what they recommend for commercial use of fireworks.

Petruzzi said most communities are limiting the times when fireworks can be set off because it is difficult to restrict fireworks on holidays like the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo and others. He said communities propose allowing fireworks to be set off between 6 p.m. and midnight.

“We can’t just (be) firing off fireworks on any day or time,” Petruzzi said.

Fourth Ward Councilman Thomas Grumley said residents are finding bottle rockets and other fireworks debris on their roofs, driveways or yard.

Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert said there is a concern about fire with fireworks landing on a roof, and debris in the streets and park or school parking lots.

Norman said the city gets calls about fireworks being set off beginning in June. The calls last past July and then come back around Labor Day.

He said people lighting up and setting off fireworks while in vehicles, too close to a building or house, or while intoxicated, face charges.

“If they are shooting off fireworks on days that are not holidays, that creates a nuisance in neighborhoods. They should be charged,” Grumley said.

Grumley said Lambert and the chiefs will bring recommendations before council for review.

In other business, officials plan to review what projects may be done with the $966,000 the city received in American Recovery Plan funds. Auditor Julie Coleman said the funds need to be used by December 2026.

Officials said they will look at street safety projects like curbing and sidewalks at intersections as well as the city gymnasium and public restrooms.

Also, council set a meeting for 6:15 p.m. April 11 with an engineering consultant on projects and flooding issues.

Lambert said work is being done to address flooding off Wellman Avenue, East Liberty and other nearby streets.

Melfi said work is continuing to renovate the city gym with plans for a dedication on Oct. 1.