Three towns enact and consider new local regulatory measures
Tap title to read story
North Bennington, Vermont; Fresno County, California; and Westerly, Rhode Island each moved this week on local ordinances: on July 7 North Bennington Village Trustees adopted an open burning and waste incineration ordinance effective 60 days after adoption; Fresno County unanimously approved the MEHKO ordinance on June 30 with a final public vote scheduled for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.; and Westerly's Town Council passed an emergency ordinance Monday implementing odd-even outdoor water restrictions after an earlier emergency ban.
The measures immediately set rules, permits, and enforcement: North Bennington's ordinance restricts open burning while allowing permitted campfires and vegetation burns under conditions; Fresno's MEHKO move advances legal pathways for home-based food entrepreneurs with a public hearing at the Hall of Records where proponents such as Genoveva Islas argued it would expand opportunities; Westerly's ordinance enforces odd-even watering for addresses, extends to Pawcatuck users on the system, cites a recent 4-inch main separation at state beach property and establishes fines for violations as officials work with the state on repairs.
Timeline
- 1. June 30, 2025: Fresno County Board unanimously approved the MEHKO ordinance to continue the pilot program.
- 2. July 3, 2025: Westerly's odd-even outdoor water schedule was cited as an active restriction (example date).
- 3. July 7, 2025: North Bennington Village Trustees voted to adopt the open burning ordinance, effective in 60 days.
- 4. A few weeks before the Westerly council meeting: a 4-inch main separation at state beach property required state repair work.
- 5. Monday (this week): Westerly Town Council passed an emergency ordinance restricting outdoor water use; Fresno County set a final MEHKO vote for July 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.

























