Warrenton residents will now be able to shoot off fireworks legally one day a year.Aldermen last week adopted an ordinance allowing fireworks to be used between 5 and 10 p.m. on July 4.The amended law still prohibits the sale of fireworks, although city officials agreed that ban should be reviewed.City officials had been discussing the idea of removing the ban in recent meetings.“I know there are some people who want it longer or want more, this is a good start,” Mayor Eric Schleuter told The Record. “I think we have a happy compromise.”Previously, there was a year-round ban on the sale, use, discharge or exploding of any fireworks in the city.The approved time frame is similar to what Wentzville implemented in 2015. Someone caught using fireworks within the city limits outside of the five-hour window on the Fourth of July holiday faces a fine up to $500 for each offense.While some aldermen are concerned about safety and noise, they hope the five-hour period to shoot fireworks legally will help curtail usage at other times. At previous meetings, it was noted that the fireworks ban causes police officers to chase noise. Police Chief Greg Houdyshell said around 20 calls are responded to a night related to fireworks use around the holiday, but that each response ends up in an officer making multiple contacts with residents.The police department was in favor of the change.“It will free them up to patrol some more,” said Schleuter.Last week, city officials discussed the possibility of allowing fireworks to be sold in the city limits. Currently, multiple fireworks tents are open in nearby Truesdale.City officials instructed city attorney Chris Graville to gather more information on what municipalities have adopted to regulate fireworks stands.Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch remarked that a civic organization or entrepreneur may be open to operating a business.“Seems logical to me, if we change the ordinance to allow fireworks, does it make sense to not allow sales?” Gary Auch asked. “It’s not a business year-round. It’s time limited. It seems silly to me to allow fireworks and not allow sales.”Fireworks