MILLINOCKET, Maine — Irresponsible behavior by a handful of residents is the primary reason some local leaders want to ban the use of fireworks in town, they said Friday.
Town Councilor Michael Madore told councilors during their meeting on Thursday that he, Councilor Bryant Davis and Public Safety Director Steve Kenyon recommend that the council support an anti-fireworks ordinance being developed.
“We simply have too many people not abiding by the regulations and we have not the amount of manpower we need to handle the complaints that we get,” Madore said. “It is time that we take the steps necessary to come into compliance and make our community safer and to ease the burden on our police force.”
Complaints of residents shooting fireworks at one another and from the back of moving vehicles — not being “adult enough” — are a big part of Madore’s desire to implement the ban, he said.
Davis agreed, saying that the proposed ban “is probably the hottest issue in town.”
Councilor Jimmy Busque said he would oppose the ban.
“I think it is kind of un-American to tell people that they can’t celebrate with fireworks on the Fourth of July. It is going too far,” Busque said.
It is un-American to disrespect the law and use fireworks hazardously, Madore responded.
The law legalizing fireworks in Maine went into effect in January 2012. Maine law allows anyone 21 and older to buy, sell, possess or use fireworks. Legal fireworks include those certified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, such as certain firecrackers, morning glories, Roman candles and flaming fountains. They do not include missile-type rockets, helicopters and aerial spinners, sky rockets, bottle rockets or cherry bombs.
More than 40 Maine towns have banned their use, according to the state fire marshal’s office.
Millinocket, Madore said, is particularly hazardous for fireworks. Most of its housing lots are no more than 60 feet wide — too narrow to allow for privacy from displays. Neighbors have complained of fireworks remains littering their yards, he said.
The council will begin reviewing the draft ordinance in public hearings next month. The ban would not apply to professional fireworks displays.
Town Manager John Davis said Friday that he supports the ban as well. Too many people are abusing the privilege, said Davis, who is Bryant Davis’ cousin.
In other matters, councilors met with John Davis in executive session for about an hour prior to the meeting as part of his six-month performance review. Such reviews are routine and mandatory, council Chairman Richard Angotti Jr. said.
Davis succeeded Town Manager Peggy Daigle in April as town manager. His salary is about $59,000. He served as Millinocket’s Town Council chairman from November 2004 until becoming Frenchville’s town manager.
The review should conclude within a few weeks, Angotti said.