Fireworks proposal, new dog law on tap for Tuesday night New Hope Borough Council meeting

The Delaware Rivertowns, formerly the Greater Lambertville-New Hope Chamber of Commerce, will present to New Hope Borough Council Tuesday night its proposal for a series of five short fireworks displays spaced out over the next five months, according to sources close to the situation.

Borough Council will also allow public discussion of New Hope’s controversial new dog ordinance Tuesday night, and possibly vote on the proposed law.

Delaware Rivertowns will propose a short, three to five minute initial fireworks show over the Delaware River for May 20 to help celebrate Pride Week, and four June-September shows that will each be 10 minutes in length. The business group will also inform borough council about its plans for short fireworks bursts during Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in New Hope and Lambertville in late November.

Funds for the fireworks shows have not yet been raised, say sources.

One person not happy to see the potential return of fireworks to the New Hope and Lambertville waterfront is Delaware Riverkeeper Maya Zonrossum.

“To me, if you’re a river town and you’re enjoying the benefits of our beautiful and healthy river, you have an even higher responsibility than others to honor the needs of the river — including the eagles flying above and fish beneath,” she said.

“Fireworks are certainly a concern for the eagles, because we know we have nests in the area,” continued Zonrossum. “Organizers really need to be having a serious and significant discussion on the impact to all river life.”

Delaware River Towns did not respond to a request for comment.

Also up for public discussion and possible consideration at the Tuesday meeting is borough council’s proposal for an expansive new dog law governing canine ownership and control in New Hope. Some canine behavior experts say elements of the law, including the requirement that all dogs be “properly socialized,” are unrealistic and go too far.

Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the New Hope community room on New Street.