To the Editor:
There is a question on the ballot in Topsham asking to allow the use of fireworks. We are urging people to vote “no” to keep our current ban.
If the restrictions are overturned, the sale and use of fireworks would fall under the current state law. The current state law allows fireworks use on your own property from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, more on special occasions such as July 4th.
To some, this might seem like a simple case of people having the freedom to do as they please on their own property. But they cannot confine the noise to their own property.
Your neighbor will be able to set off fireworks any night up to 10 p.m. The noise could disturb your children’s sleep, upset your pets and interrupt a peaceful evening at home after a stressfilled day at work. There will be nothing you can do about it.
Before you decide to relinquish local control and depend on the state law, ask yourself, what will your neighbors do?
Mike and Maggie Dumais
Topsham
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less