Barrington has concerns about 'flying lanterns'

    BARRINGTON—The Barrington town board expressed concerns about people in the area using “flying lanterns,” during the monthly town board meeting, Wednesday, June 27.
    Board member Bruce Castner brought in four of the lanterns that he had found.  The devices are made of paper and have a candle attached to a wire base. When the candle is lit, the hot air fills the inside of the lantern and sends it floating into the air. According to different brands, they are eventually supposed to extinguish and float to the ground elsewhere or burn up.
    The concern is that the lanterns can return to the ground and possibly catch fire to structures or plants.  Last year at this time the board also expressed concerns about the lanterns being used around the Fourth of July weekend.  Planning board chairperson Sue Lange also pointed out the sheriff’s office is concerned about the metal parts of the lanterns getting into the lake and damaging boats.
    In other business:
    • The board has received at least 246 responses to the survey the town mailed to residents about hydrofracking.  The deadline to return the questionnaires was July 2.  Clerk Joy Perry said the board members will split the responses up to review them.
    •  The zoning board has stopped meeting because the town code is complete.  The zoning board will now meet with the town board to review the document.  
    •  The town board will also review the proposed road use law.  The regulation controls traffic with heavy equipment on town roads.
    The next Barrington town board meeting is Wednesday, July 25, at 7 p.m.