Public concerned over safety and use of fireworks
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Council will be addressing the need for an ordinance pertaining to the use of fireworks later this summer, following numerous complaints to city departments about the use and/or misuse of the products which were made legal by lawmakers in Augusta this year.
The topic of fireworks came up early at Monday night’s Council meeting, with Bob Pinette, a resident of Presque Isle, expressing concern during citizens’ comments.
“Fireworks suddenly occurred nine days ago but haven’t stopped. Sometimes it’s not bad, but my wife was so panicked about it on the 4th. It’s very much a fact of fire,” said Pinette.
A veteran, Pinette also expressed his own difficulty with the sound.
“I woke up with jitters thinking about explosions — like mortars going off and rifle fire. I don’t think there’s a place for fireworks in the city limits of Presque Isle. I’d like to see City Council get control of this, for safety reasons and all kinds of reasons. Council passed on this the first time; I think you should rethink and come up with an ordinance and some kind of policy,” said Pinette.
City Manager Jim Bennett agreed during his manager’s report that councilors should look into the matter at a future meeting.
“Based on the information I’ve received, I can provide data regarding complaints pertaining to fireworks, then you can decide what you’d like to do,” Bennett said.
Police Chief Matt Irwin confirmed most of the complaints his department received were in regard to noise.
Bennett said this has been “an interesting learning curve.”
When the state approved the sale of fireworks in the state last January, councilors discussed creating an ordinance to address local sale and use of the products. Councilors agreed at that time that the state had laws to address such and that no action would be taken at that time. The state does have several laws pertaining to the sale of fireworks but there are only three laws in place with regard to personal possession and use. They include: only can be used from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., except certain holidays; must be used on one’s own property, unless permission is given to use another’s property; and cannot be possessed by or furnished to anyone younger than 21.
The PIPD responded to 24 complaints between July 1 and July 6, with the majority about noise. Residents also questioned the safety of their homes and property, given the sparks falling from neighbors shooting off an array of explosives so close by. Motorists also reported having firecrackers thrown at their vehicles by passing pranksters. Two businesses, Lowe’s and the Northeastland Hotel, also reported several youth trying to or obtaining access to their roofs. When located, the juveniles told police they were attempting to find places “to watch the fireworks.”
Callers indicated their pets and children were negatively impacted by the noise, with animals showing signs of distress and infants and toddlers unable to sleep or being frightened by the random explosions. One person reported teenagers harassing a bear with firecrackers near the School Farm. Another concern was the debris left behind from falling wrappers. Calls were received from the following locations around town: State Street, Birch Street, Arnold Brook Lake, Strawberry Bank Road, Midway Drive, Whitney Street, Blake Street, Second Street, Main Street, Industrial Street, Beacon Road, High Maysville Street, Mic Mac Drive, Rainbow Road and Munson Street.
No date has been set for councilors to discuss what can be done. Bennett indicated the matter may be addressed at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting in August. Currently Caribou and Houlton appear to be the only community in Aroostook County with an ordinance in place for fireworks, that’s according to records maintained in Augusta.
For more information on the use of fireworks or the laws, call Bennett at 760-2785, the Presque Isle Fire Department at 769-0881 or PIPD at 764-4476.
