Town looks to snuff out smoking in recreational areas - WFSB 3 Connecticut
Member Center:
One Tolland County town is looking to snuff out smoking in town-owned recreational areas.
There's already an ordinance on the books in Ellington that bans alcohol, and smoking could be next.
"I'm a non-smoker, so I think it's great," said Ellington resident Connie Gilbert. "Especially over at the park where the kids swim. I don't think they should smoke."
Ellington is exploring an ordinance that would eliminate smoking at Sandy Beach on Crystal Lake and also at all athletic fields in town.
"I'm a big athletic person and it's really uncomfortable when you're trying to run and there are people smoking," said Ellington resident Margaret Ziomek.
This week the Ordinance Committee asked the town and its attorney to start drafting a no smoking ordinance.
If it's similar to the one that outlaws alcohol on Sandy Beach, violators could be hit with a $100 fine.
Ellington's first selectman said right now it's just in the planning stages, but as it moves forward, there will be plenty of opportunities for public comment, whether it's during an ordinance committee or Board of Selectman meeting.
Already many in town have an opinion.
"It's too restrictive on human rights to me," said Harold Reed, of Ellington. "I can't see where there is injury to anyone else when you're out in the open air."
"What about rights for people who don't smoke?" Gilbert said. "I don't want to be subjected to it and I don't want my grandkids subjected to it."
Once the ordinance is drafted, it will need to be approved by the Board of Selectmen and must put it to a vote at a town meeting.
Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
 | 
|
