The Municipality of Meaford is getting tough on residents who its burning bylaw.

Meaford council at its regular meeting on Monday night gave staff approval to prepare a bylaw setting fines for burn bylaw infractions and putting in place fees for other Fire Department services.

When the bylaw is passed it will allow the Fire Department to issue bills for out of control fires it must respond to and fires in violation of the burn bylaw. The bylaw will also allow the Fire Department to bill for false alarms at the MTO's rates and charge $50 for services such as property file searches, inspections and fireworks reviews.

Fire Chief Steve Nickels explained to council that the bylaw will give the Fire Department some teeth when it enforces burn regulations.

"It's for when we have very toxic materials being burned and fires that have gotten out of control. The knowledge is out there that we can't burn our mattresses, plastic toys and furniture," said Nickels.

Councillor Gerald Shortt said he is concerned that a person having a fire that is legal and conforms to regulations might have the Fire Department called by another person driving by with a cell phone. Councillor Shortt wondered if that person would be charged under the burn bylaw.

Chief Nickels said the Fire Department would not bill the property owner in that case.

"We do not invoice when someone calls in about a fire that's in compliance. There's only a bill if the fire is out of control," said the Chief.

Councillor Jim McPherson wondered who receives the bill if tenants renting a property have a fire in violation of the bylaw.

Chief Nickels said the owner of the property would bear responsibility for the problem and would receive the bill. He said in his experience he has never had such a situation arise.