TOPSHAM — During a meeting rescheduled from March 1, the Topsham Board of Selectmen today will consider taking action on four proposed ordinances regulating sale and use of consumer fireworks.

Part of the discussion about the proposed ordinances, Town Manager Cornell Knight confirmed, includes their possible placement on the draft warrant for the May 16 town meeting.

An informal survey that selectmen put to residents revealed a split opinion about whether use and sale of fireworks should be banned in town, though there was an interest to have fireworks regulated at the local level. The questions arose in reaction to a new state law legalizing consumer fireworks in Maine as of Jan. 1.

The first proposed ordinance, “Prohibition of the sale of Consumer Fireworks,” would ban the sale of fireworks in Topsham. The second, “Prohibition of the use of Consumer Fireworks,” would ban the use of fireworks.

If an ordinance banning the sale of fireworks were to fail, a third proposed ordinance has been drafted by the Planning Board, a zoning amendment regulating the sale of consumer fireworks in town. The Planning Board held a public hearing Feb. 7 on the draft ordinance and voted to send it to selectmen for inclusion on the town meeting warrant with a recommendation of “ ought to pass.”

Similarly, if town meeting voters reject an ordinance banning the use of fireworks, they could then be asked to consider a proposed municipal code amendment that governs the use of consumer fireworks in Topsham. Selectmen will review that proposed code amendment today.

The selectmen also will hold a public hearing today on the proposed posting of town- owned roads in town limiting heavy loads.

In other scheduled business:

— Selectmen have been requested by the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee to create a Route 196 Corridor Study Committee. As called for in the town’s 2005 comprehensive plan, the committee would work to define a vision for this part of town and evaluate current and future land uses, traffic, safety, utility service and access-related issues. An estimated cost of $20,000 would be paid with contractual services funds.

— Selectmen will consider an annual contract with the Coastal Humane Society.

— Selectmen will consider appointing the following people to the Topsham 250 Celebration Steering Committee: Ron Riendeau, Jane Scease, Timothy Young, Steve Edmondson, Mike Labbe, Pam LeDuc, Ralph Williams and Ruth Lyons.

— Selectmen will consider a request by the Maine Department of Transportation to replace existing traffic loops with cameras at two intersections as part of the department’s Route 196 “mill and fill” project this summer. The estimated cost to the town is $19,400.

— Susan Chadima will present a donation from the Brunswick Rotary Club to the Head of Tide Park.

— Selectmen will consider a grievance filed by the Local S/ 89 District Lodge No. 4 International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers.

— The board will review electricity bids for town accounts.

dmoore@timesrecord.com