Board gets petition for fireworks regulation

WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Board of Selectmen received a petition September 4,  asking for action by the town with respect to regulating the use of fireworks.

Each selectman and Town Manager Vern Maxfield said they have gotten numerous complaints about fireworks being shot off late at night. Most are from people on Lake Christopher, but Concord and Shag Ponds are also being used for impromptu firework displays, they reported at the meeting. 

Selectman Rick Young noted that "they are supposed to be illegal after 10 p.m. anyways."

Fire Chief Geoff Inman discussed the difficulty of enforcing any regulation, saying "it would be hard to catch them. As soon as they are lit, the proof is gone, said Inman. 

Selectmen agreed that complainants should contact their local representative. 

Woodstock is covered by the Oxford County Sheriff's Department and the Maine State Police, making enforcement of any new regulations problematic.

Bob Elliot, representing the Woodstock Wind Power Ordinance Committee, made a presentation to the board noting "the committee has met 26 times in the past year, and has asked for lots of feedback."

He said the biggest response has been from people affected by the noise of the wind turbines.

The committee will have a final draft of an ordinance ready before the next selectmen's meeting on September 18.

Elliot says the proposed ordinance will require lower decibels, "but still provide for further development."

Maxfield reported that a citizen who was fined $1,875 for illegal cutting on North Pond is contesting the amount.

According to Young, the fine is not nearly enough. "It ought to be higher," he said. "He really opened the place up." 

In other news, the board: 

• Approved a $1,726 bid from Betty Young, of West Paris, on the 1990 squad truck.

• Displayed a copy of a property tax check in the amount of $376,660.13 from Spruce Mountain.

• Reported that work on Concord Pond Road is done.

• Reported that two-thirds of the 2012 property tax bills have been paid.

• Reported that summer paving will begin soon. Bruce Manzer began prep work yesterday.