LISBON
The Town Council will take a first look at proposed changes to the town’s consumer fireworks ordinance, which includes a new requirement that people get permits through the office of the Lisbon’s fire chief on the day they would set off fireworks.
The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the town office.
Town Manager Diane Barnes said recently the council has received several complaints of fireworks going off in town and said the police chief is issuing citations now instead of warnings. The first citation carries a $110 penalty; the second a $210 penalty; the third a $ 425 penalty and subsequent citations would cost $500 instead of $850 to follow state law.
As proposed under the ordinance revisions, consumer fireworks can no longer bet set off the Friday of the Moxie Festival so that it doesn’t compete with the town’s commercial fireworks that day — which are not impacted by the ordinances.
Fireworks would be allowed July 4 from 4- 10 p.m., and the Saturday following July 4, 4 to 10 p.m.; and on Dec. 31 from 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. the following day.
Lisbon Fire Chief Sean Galipeau said if the ordinance is passed by the council, the logistics of when and where the permits are issued would have to be worked out but would go through his office. The permits will be granted based on the forestry conditions as are the burn permits to ensure for example fireworks permits aren’t granted on a red flag warning day.
Galipeau said since the consumer fireworks ordinance was adopted three years ago, the department hasn’t responded to calls due to fireworks and said it has been more a case of nuisance fireworks garnering complaints. However the permit requirement will make it more easy for officers to enforce use of consumer fireworks.
The state fire marshal’s website has a list of and links to ordinances in 40 Maine communities prohibiting the use and sale of consumer fireworks; and ordnances for two communities that prohibit the use of consumer fireworks.
The council Tuesday will also consider voting on orders regarding the sewer commitment, purchase of winter salt for $61.44 per ton, purchase of two fuel pump security cameras, acceptance of Fairbanks Road, signing the Maine Downtown Center Network Community Agreement, soliciting bids for fuel and setting registrar hours for casting of absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election.
Positive Change Lisbon and Riverside Flea Market are also seeking to renel mass gathering and itinerant vendor permits.
An executive session is scheduled for the acquisition or disposition of real property for economic development, as well as labor negotiations.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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