Board, committee discuss fireworks restrictions

PARIS — The town is revisiting a possible ordinance that would restrict fireworks use.

On Monday, selectboard members met with members of the town's policy and procedures committee to go over options for an ordinance.

So far, however, there is no consensus on how far-reaching an ordinance should be, although no board members expressed interest in banning fireworks outright.

Board Chair Sam Elliot and Selectman Ryan Lorrain said the state's fireworks law adequately dealt with the issue without the need for a town ordinance, while Vice Chair Bob Kirchherr and Selectman Robert Wessels said more restrictions should be considered to help prevent fires. 

Last year, board members requested the P&PC draw up an ordinance to address fire danger and noise.

In a January 10 memo to board members, P&PC members asked for further clarification about the ordinance proposal.

Specifically, the P&PC asked whether the board would like to have restricted hours and days of use, how it should deal with noise, what penalties might be imposed and whether it should be a "good neighbor" ordinance, in which fireworks users would need to alert abutters to their property.

Kirchherr said that from his research into the issue, it would be very difficult to enforce noise restrictions and a "good neighbor" requirement could open a bigger debate on noise complaints.

Selectman Robert Wessels said fire danger, particularly from people setting off fireworks close to homes and buildings, concerned him. 

Kirchherr suggested an ordinance could require daily fire warning levels be placed at the point of fireworks sale and restrict use to 500 feet away from buildings that house livestock.

Town Manager Amy Bernard noted only one Paris police officer was qualified to prosecute ordinance violations and it could cost the town up to $70 in overtime for each case that officer would prosecute.

According to Bernard, Fire Chief Brad Frost, who did not attend the meeting, suggested limiting fireworks use until after 5 p.m., when volunteer firefighters would be in town to deal with a blaze.

Frost also suggested restricting use to 75 feet from buildings and designing a permit system for fireworks users to alert the fire department to the location of displays.

Elliot, however, voiced opposition to enacting an ordinance. He said the town had few problems in the single fireworks season it had and should wait until there was a real problem.

"We need to give it time to evolve into a major issue before we treat it like one," Elliot said.

Lorrain agreed, pointing out state statute already dealt with many of the issues being considered.

An ordinance would never fit everyone's needs and could place additional strain on the police department, Lorrain said.

Interim Police Chief Michael Dailey said that the department had received a number of complaints over the summer, but often fireworks users were gone by the time officers showed up or were following the state law.

P&PC member Anne Stanley said the town should consider regulation before it became an issue, rather than try to enforce an ordinance afterward.

The full board will take up the fireworks discussion again at its next board meeting February 11.