Bristol residents will decide whether to adopt an ordinance to restrict the use of fireworks to 3-4 days per year at annual town meeting , March 19.
The Bristol Board of Selectmen, after a brief attempt to reach a compromise on the number of days, voted 2-1 to present the ordinance without any changes. Chairman Chad Hanna voted against the motion.
“If it was me, I would strike the restriction in days so it’s basically in accordance with state law as far as usage,” Hanna said.
Selectman Bill Benner supports the ordinance, but said he would not object to a compromise on the number of days.
“I really hate to see the restrictions be taken out completely and I think a lot of people in town would be very disappointed if that happened,” Benner said.
The selectmen said someone at town meeting could suggest a compromise, but Town Administrator Kristine Poland said town meeting cannot amend ordinances, which require an “up or down” vote.
“I don’t think we need to be afraid of presenting something that might be defeated,” Poland said. “If it’s defeated, it’s defeated.”
The ordinance would permit the use of fireworks on the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as July 3 or July 5 if one of those days falls on a Friday or Saturday.
The ordinance would prohibit fireworks use on days with high fire danger, on public property or within 150 feet of buildings. It would also ban the sale of fireworks.
Bristol Fire Chief Paul Leeman Jr. has said he supports the fire danger language, but fears the ordinance is too restrictive to pass.
Benner and others support the ordinance for various reasons, including objections to the noise and the effect of the explosions on dogs and other animals.
