WINSLOW — Town Manager Michael Heavener says the town council has decided to take a “wait-and-see approach” on how to react to a nonbinding fireworks referendum earlier this month.
“This time of year, obviously, the complaints are few and far between,” he said.
On Election Day, Winslow voters rejected the idea of limiting or prohibiting the use of fireworks in the town with 1,532 voting for the third option that called for the town to follow the state law.
Meanwhile, 991 voted to restrict the use of fireworks on certain days of the year and 755 voted to prohibit fireworks entirely, a total of 1,746 votes for the two anti-firework options.
“There are two ways of looking at that of course,” said Town Council Chairman Gerald Saint Amand. “More people voted to allow it to continue as it now does, but if you total option one and option two, that tells you more people are unhappy that voted than are happy.”
The council remained divided on the issue.
“The majority said leave it like it is,” said Councilman Benjamin Twitchell, District 2.
“Enough people have spoken. That’s my thought,” said Councilwoman Catherine Nadeau, District 1. “We should be able to revisit this in the near future.”
According to Police Chief Shawn O’Leary, complaints regarding fireworks have been on the decline in recent years with 103 in 2012, 23 in 2013 and 14 in 2014.
Comparatively, Waterville, which prohibits fireworks, had 187 complaints in 2012, 41 in 2013 and 38 in 2014, O’Leary said.
Evan Belanger — 861-9239
ebelanger@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @ebelanger
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