BREWER, Maine — Local residents will decide by referendum Tuesday whether they want to restrict the use of fireworks to outlying areas of Brewer where the discharge of firearms is allowed.
City Councilor Joseph Ferris is behind bringing the vote to referendum, which, if approved, would ban the use of fireworks between Day Road in north Brewer to the junction of Elm and Mill streets in south Brewer, and all areas east of Green Point Road, Interstate 395, and Pierce, Lambert and Day roads. Ferris proposed the referendum after a couple of residents brought the issue to the City Council this past summer.
“To me, this is about citizens telling us what they want,” he said Monday. “If people want to have fireworks — fine, we can have it. If they want it restricted, this is a significant restriction.”
Councilor Larry Doughty is vocal in his opposition to the proposed change.
“This is merely a backdoor attempt to rid our city of fireworks,” Doughty posted Sunday on his blog. “So folks, keep in mind as you vote Tuesday, if you want to continue to enjoy fireworks a few times a year, and do so at your own home, vote NO.”
The question asks residents if they want to amend the land use code by adding the following sentence:
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the use of consumer fireworks shall be restricted to those area[s] of the City of Brewer that permit the discharge of shotguns, muzzleloaders, black powder guns, revolvers and pistols pursuant to Chapter 35 of the Codes and Ordinances of the City of Brewer.”
“I have no ax in this fight at all,” said Ferris, who lives in an outlying area of the city that will allow fireworks even if the restrictions are passed. “This is about the people making a decision.”
On Jan. 1, the law banning fireworks in the state was lifted. Those at least age 21 are now allowed to use fireworks anywhere within Brewer, as long as they own the property or have permission to use the property. Under state law, fireworks can be set off only between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., except on certain holidays, such as the Fourth of July, which have extended hours.
Lovely’s limited liability corporation, owned by Newport businessman Greg Lovely, gained approval last month to construct a single-story, 1,600-square foot retail fireworks store at 972 Wilson St., which sits within the area where the use of fireworks would be allowed.
Residents on Tuesday also will pick two City Council members and two school board members during the local elections, held in conjunction and statewide votes and the national presidential election.
The stores are still in business? The one I see never has a car in the parking lot.
When you purchase fireworks you receive a safety sheet with suggested precautions. Every one of them asks customers to stay back 75 feet from the exploding device. In Larry Doughty’s own neighborhood that’s impossible-on many south Brewer lots-you’d be in your neighbors kitchen. You would think a councilor would want to obey the safety precautions that the stores provide.
Brewer residents have not yet experienced what Mainers to south have-Legal fireworks with a store in town. With a retail fireworks store in Brewer and one proposed for Holden we’ll see way more fireworks in use than we did last summer and also during the New Year’s period. Those that fabricated this law knew that fireworks had no place on small city lots-that’s why the state incorporated provisions to let each community make their own rules. Mr. Lovely, the owner of the new store is facing the same referendum in his native Newport. They have already had enough of their own store. Last summer was a nightmare for in- town Newport residents. There is some irony here: At one end of Brewer we have two beautiful new Brick Walls with city plaques welcoming people to Brewer. On the other end of town we’ll have a cheesy fireworks store like you’d see in Georgia or South Carolina. Vacationers from all 50 states will see that first when coming from Bar Harbor, and that’s about all as they head to I 95. People will be able to buy fireworks. However they will need to take them somewhere where there is enough space to safely ignite them. Why do we have airports? Planes need enough SPACE to land SAFELY. You can’t just land anywhere. Unfortunately there is an even bigger danger here than just using fireworks on small in town lots. The Maine DOT issued a permit to the new fireworks store for a very unsafe location. Entering and exiting 972 Wilson Street will be the most unsafe and accident prone area in Brewer. During New-Years and 4th of July time period traffic will be bumper to bumper at peak times. There is no way to take a left turn out of there safely. Even a right turn back toward in town Brewer will be hazardous. The store is located at the bottom of Whiting Hill. Stop in and try to get out during heavy traffic-that will be more exciting than blasting off the fireworks-unless you can sit in your neighbors kitchen to watch.
Larry Doughty how does a fireworks store stay in buisness so we can enjoy fireworks a FEW times a year.
I hope the voters say good-by to both, the fireworks and Larry Doughty tomorrow.
Check out Larry’s Tea Party Blog. How this guy gets elected to office is beyond me. If he thinks some people will only use fireworks twice a year, he’s further out of touch than I thought. It’s the whole “Nanny State” thing with Larry-an infringement on our rights. It’s funny we never heard anything about fireworks from Larry before they became law.
Just as Maine legalizes fireworks places ban them! What was the point in legalizing them if we cant use them? I understand restricting them in certain areas that are congested and all or even only on weekends.