WINSLOW — Three street names in town will be changed in response to the confusion among emergency responders and dispatchers when a woman was killed last summer, the Town Council agreed Monday.

The council also gave preliminary approval to an amendment that requires a permit to sell consumer fireworks in town.

The council agreed that Murray Lane will be changed to Primrose Street, Leo Street to Hemlock Street and Charlotte Street to Poplar Street.

The date the changes will go into effect hasn’t been determined.

The call to change street names first came in June after Sarah Gordon was shot outside her home by her husband, Nathaniel. She had called 911 to report that her husband was threatening to kill her on Marie Street, but police were dispatched to Murray Lane instead.

Councilors Monday approved the first reading of the fireworks amendmen 6-1. The council will still discuss restricting them in certain areas of town.

Councilor Cathy Nadeau, the amendment’s sponsor, voted against it after councilors made a change reducing restrictions on proposed buffer zones between structures.

State law calls for a minimum of 60 feet between retail fireworks stores and neighboring structures. Nadeau’s wanted to increase the distance to 100 feet.

Councilor Raymond Caron said the state’s requirements were ample, and he didn’t want to restrict businesses any further.

The council will take a second and final reading of the amendment at the next council meeting.

Town Manager Michael Heavener said the amendment wouldn’t affect Pyro City Maine, a retail fireworks business that could open in Winslow as soon as April.

Last month, Steve Marson, the owner of a pyrotechnics business in Hallowell, filed a permit application to turn the former site of Ken’s Restaurant at 173 China Road into a fireworks store. His permit would not be subject to the amendment, and the site would already satisfy any of the proposed changes.

Later, Heavener opened a discussion on restricting the use of fireworks within certain areas.

Nadeau said she would like to prohibit the use of fireworks in densely populated neighborhoods including Dunbar Heights, Sunset Heights and Smiley Acres.

Caron said the council should form a committee that includes firefighters and police to look into the issue. Chair Gerald Saint Aumand said a committee already exists for that purpose — the town-wide safety committee — but he suggested councilors should also get involved in the process.

Nadeau and Councilor Jerry Quirion volunteered.

A new state law took effect Jan. 1 that allows the sale, possession and use of consumer fireworks, but municipalities have the right to opt out of the law.

Late last year, the Winslow Town Council approved the first reading of a 180-day moratorium on the sale of consumer fireworks; but on Jan. 9, the council rejected the moratorium proposal, 4-3.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

bmccanna@centralmaine.com

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