Paris fireworks ordinance discarded

PARIS —  Paris selectboard members, during their meeting Tuesday, voted 3-2 to abandon a town ordinance to restrict fireworks use.

The board could revisit possible regulation, however, if fireworks use became an issue in the future.

Board Vice-Chair Bob Kirchherr and Selectman Robert Wessels have supported the creation of an ordinance, citing concerns over fire, property damage and public health.

The threat of fire, particularly on high-risk days, was still an issue the board should tackle, Kirchherr told board members.

“I think it would be negligent on our part not to address that,” Kirchherr said.

Wessels said he was “shocked” to discover that he was in favor of increased regulation, but was concerned that fireworks could be set off too close to other people's property.

a clear, easily-enforced ordinance could keep people from setting off fireworks near neighboring property or buildings housing livestock, Wessels suggested.

Selectman Ryan Lorrain argued against creating an ordinance, saying the state's fireworks law was sufficient.

An unenforceable town ordinance could prove to be more cumbersome than helpful, Lorrain suggested.

“I don't think you can legislate common sense to a certain extent,” Lorrain said.

Selectman Gerald Kilgore noted the town had only been through one season of fireworks. He remained open to constructing an ordinance if fireworks became a problem in the future. 

According to Interim Paris Police Chief Michael Dailey, there were 28 calls to the police department between July 1 and February 1. Ninty-five percent of the calls turned out not to be a violation of state statute, Dailey reported. 

Paris Fire Chief Brad Frost said his department responded to two fireworks-related ground fires, in Paris and Norway last year.

Each call, Frost reported, cost around $275 in vehicles and $70 in personnel, but without an ordinance there was no way to recoup the expense.

Those costs, Kilgore said, should be paid by the individuals responsible, not Paris taxpayers.

The department's limited daytime manpower made chasing down fires difficult, Frost reported.

Kilgore, Lorrain and Board Chair Sam Elliot voted not to pursue an ordinance. Wessels and Kirchherr voted against it.

Kilgore reminded fellow board members that if fireworks became a future problem, a town ordinance should be revisited.