SCARBOROUGH — The Town Council approved a ban of consumer fireworks on the eastern side of Spurwink Road, covering the Higgins Beach area of Scarborough, on April 21.
The original change to the consumer fireworks ordinance was to ban fireworks from the south side of U.S. Route 1. Residents living near Higgins Beach spoke in favor of the ban during previous meetings due to safety concerns and the impact the fireworks may have on wildlife.
Based on feedback, Councilor Jean-Marie Caterina proposed an amendment to restrict consumer fireworks at the oceanside of Spurwink Road, beginning at the intersection of Black Point and Spurwink Roads to the Cape Elizabeth town line.
“I really am reluctant to eliminate fireworks in just one area given the feedback but we need to start somewhere in my opinion,” Caterina said. “So I’m willing to do this but I’m also planning on having an ongoing conversation to see what else we can work out, and I will be doing that with my fellow members of the ordinance committee.”
Councilor John Cloutier said he was in favor of the Spurwink Road amendment because he believed that the original proposal to ban fireworks south of Route 1 was too broad.
“I’m glad Councilor Caterina brought this compromise forward and will continue to look into a better, more permanent solution,” he said.
Councilor Jonathan Anderson spoke in favor of the amendment.
“Personally, I would be supportive of a full ban with a permitting option,” he said. “As Jean-Marie said, this is a good step in the right direction. It’s really addressing a lot of the concerns we heard from the Higgins Beach community, which I think is the primary driver that really brought this forward.”
Councilors agreed that the wording of the amendment is awkward and may need changes in the future.
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