WINSLOW, Maine — Winslow residents have voted to reject an effort to ban the use of fireworks in the town.
According to the town's website, approximately 2,400 people voted against the ban while about 1,400 people voted in favor of it.
Town Councilor Peter Drapeau said he received a number of complaints about residents using fireworks at random times and in odd places, disturbing neighbors, pets, Veterans, senior citizens, and others. He said he decided to leave the decision in the hands of voters as a referendum question on the town's November 2022 ballot.
"We thought it would be better served to let the public make the decision whether or not to ban the use of consumer fireworks in the town of Winslow," Drapeau said.
He said this issue has been building up for a period of time.
"I've had a bunch of constituents reach out to me ... Number one, being farmers; number two, the elderly; number three, the Veterans, and number four — probably the loudest group — are the pet owners," Drapeau said.
Vern Carlow, the manager of Pyro City on China Road, told NEWS CENTER Maine on November 4 a potential ban could drastically affect business.
"The town didn't even contact us and let us know that it was on the ballot to be voted on. We weren't in the decision-making process at all. I think that's kind of why we are upset so much," Carlow said. "I have over 700 customers in the Winslow area alone."