FARMINGDALE — Sparks flew Tuesday as the Planning Board discussed the use of consumer fireworks in town.

Board of Selectmen Chairman David Sirois told the board a number of residents are apprehensive about the use of fireworks.

A state law that goes into effect Jan. 1 says Maine residents can shoot off certain types of consumer fireworks between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. Larger cities, such as Portland, have banned the sale and use of consumer fireworks; while others, such as Augusta, are debating curbs.

Sirois asked the Planning Board to consider a ban on consumer fireworks. The request did not get a good reception.

“We had it (fireworks) when I was a kid and I loved it, and I see no reason why we should deny the kids today,” Planning Board member Alden Longfellow said.

The remaining board members and a couple of residents in attendance agreed.

Sirois researched ordinances in several New Hampshire towns and drafted one geared toward a strict permitting process, but Planning Board members decided it was too complex and toned it down.

They said they could revisit it next year and revise it if too many problems arise.

Planning Board Chairman Bill Longfellow told the board he talked to municipal leaders in Windham, N.H., who said they have had few problems involving people shooting off consumer fireworks, and board member Tim Leet spoke to leaders of another New Hampshire municipality the same size as Farmingdale, who said they have no licensing or permitting ordinances and have had no problems in three years.

Selectman Eugene Moreau, a former Planning Board member, told the board he is concerned about the health and safety of people setting off the consumer fireworks and about the possibility of the debris flying onto other properties.

Farmingdale’s proposed ordinance states that “fireworks shall be ignited a minimum of 50 feet from any structure, overhead utilities and woodlands.”

The next draft will go back to the Planning Board on Nov. 15.

Steven Marson, owner of Central Maine Pyrotechnics, has said he plans to open six stores in Maine, including one in Farmingdale at the former car wash on Maine Avenue, when the law takes effect.

Also Nov. 15, the Planning Board plans to take up ordinance proposals on utilities and changeable signs.

The sign ordinance would allow 100 percent of the surface area of a changeable sign to be used, with the highest point of display not to exceed the height of 25 feet and all text and graphics to be permitted 24 hours a day.

The board also discussed limiting the dimensions and brightness of signs and how close to the road they could be.

Moreau suggested drafting an ordinance that deals with all signs.

An underground utility accommodation ordinance would protect the town when utilities dig up a road’s shoulder to work, resident Andy Hendrickson said.

“We’re going to require them to resurface the whole road,” he said.

The possibility of a natural gas line coming through Farmingdale prompted the town to draft that proposal.

The Planning Board intends to have all three proposed ordinances prepared to go before residents at a special town meeting before the end of the year.

Joyce Grondin is a Kennebec Journal correspondent who lives in Augusta.