WATERVILLE — Councilors tonight will consider several issues, including whether to approve a consumer fireworks ordinance and whether to take action on a burned-out house on Oak Street.
City Manager Michael Roy said Monday that the city is proposing to ban consumer fireworks in the city. Police Chief Joseph Massey said Monday that police last weekend received 16 complaints about people setting off fireworks and 18 complaints from Friday to Monday.
He said that initially he was not convinced an ordinance was necessary, but now he supports having one.
People complain not only about the noise from fireworks, but also that they cannot always distinguish between the sound of fireworks and the sound of gunshots, he said.
“That can concern a lot of people and I understand that,” he said.
Roy said he received three complaints Monday about fireworks.
Councilors will vote whether to declare the burned-out house at 25 Oak St. a dangerous building and a nuisance. As part of the vote, the council would require the owner to remove the debris and fill the cellar hole or the city will demolish the structure and clean up the area.
Fees incurred for the cleanup must be paid by the owner within 30 days. If not paid, then the city would assess a special tax against the land, collectible in the same manner as real estate taxes.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
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