Warrenton is one step closer to allowing the legal use of fireworks on the Fourth of July holiday.Aldermen, at their last meeting Feb. 16, reviewed a proposed ordinance that would allow fireworks to be shot off between 5 and 10 p.m. on July 4.Formal approval of the ordinance is expected at their next meeting March 1.Currently, there is a year-round ban on the sale, use, discharge or exploding of any fireworks in the city. Someone caught using fireworks within the city limits faces a fine up to $500 for each offense.City officials hope the change will allow residents a chance to shoot fireworks legally and help police officers focus on other criminal activity.“I think we are moving on the right road to rectify this and save us some time and law enforcement on the Fourth of July,” Mayor Eric Schleuter said.When officials discussed the idea two weeks earlier, it was acknowledged that enforcing the fireworks ban causes officers to be chasing noise. Police Chief Greg Houdyshell said around 20 calls are responded to a night related to fireworks use, but that each response ends up in an officer making five contacts.The police department is in favor of the change, Ward 2 Alderman Toni Hawley said.Schleuter, a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, preferred officers be on the lookout for other criminal acts.“Typically we run a lot of calls and we have other violations,” he said. “We are bogged down, not that the fireworks calls are minor, but maybe there is a DWI down the road.”Though there had been some concerns about safety and noise, other aldermen were open to allowing the legal use in a short window of time.“I do appreciate the time frame maxing out at 10 p.m.,” Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly said. “I would expect at 10 p.m. we are strongly enforcing the no fireworks ordinance.”The time frame is similar to what Wentzville implemented in 2015Hawley noted city officials could review the new ordinance after July 4 and choose whether revisions need to be made.“We will see how it goes,” she said. “We will be open to making changes in the future.”Fireworks