HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council approved new rules for the July 4th celebration at its regular meeting on Monday regarding street closures and barricades.
Residents are allowed to block off streets with permission of all of the residents on the block to shoot off personal fireworks. However, the rules are becoming stricter.
“We’ve had some abuses,” Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told the council.  Barricades are getting broken or not picked up during regular office hours.
The council also discussed eliminating the barricades altogether.
The new rules include a $100 refundable deposit with all applications submitted five days prior to July 4 going forward. This year, the city will allow an exception, and all applications have to be in three days in advance.
The barricades have to be picked up and returned during regular business hours and must be returned in good condition.
Members of the council complained about people not cleaning the streets from the remains of fireworks. It was discussed making this a requirement, but instead decided to make this a strongly worded request.
The council approved this measure by consensus.