The seemingly never-ending fireworks that rocked neighborhoods all across Northampton Borough over the Independence Day holiday were the hot topic at the July 5 meeting of borough council.

Edward Deichmeister implored borough lawmakers to address the issue with action.

“The fireworks were going off all over,” Deich- meister said.

What really got his attention, though, was when someone, at approximately 2 a.m. July 2, detonated fireworks that “shook the house.”

He said the fireworks came from a field near Howertown Road.

The discussion by council members indicated an ordinance regulating the noise volume may not be the answer.

“Seriously look into it,” Deichmeister suggested, while asking council to come up with a solution.

Just as Councilman Robert McHale said fireworks were also going off in his neighborhood, two bursts of fireworks were heard in council chambers.

The sharp hike in fireworks being set off by the public is attributed to the state legislature approving revised regulations that have loosened the governing of the sale and use of pyrotechnics.

Councilman Ed Pany questioned the position that state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, took when the issue was on the House floor for a vote. Mako’s district includes Northampton.

Residents have likened the noise level of the fireworks to gunfire.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst, who served in combat during the Vietnam War, said mortar fire from the enemy was a lot different.

He said, while growing up in the borough, fireworks were always set off on the holiday. The difference now is that they are being set off as early as a week before the holiday and still continue after.

Police Chief Bryan Kadingo talked of the difficulty in arresting someone for setting off fireworks. He said the officer would have to witness a person setting off the firecracker.