MASSENA -- Fire Department Foreman/Code Enforcement Officer Ken McGowan presented the village board on Tuesday with a draft proposal to allow barbecue pits inside the village. The current code doesn’t allow them.

“Other communities … have code where you can have open burning as long as you have fire protection in place, the wood is dry, you’re there …,” he told the board adding that his proposal is based on looking at similar laws throughout the state. “Let’s put something in place so they’re done safely.”

“I like the idea. People are already doing it, let’s be sure they do it in a safe way and not annoy neighbors,” Trustee Patricia Wilson said.

Trustee Francis Carvel agreed, adding that local businesses already sell barbecue pits and chimneys to village residents.

The board will revisit the issue at their February 18 meeting where they will return to McGowan with questions and/or potential changes.