We are responding to the recent article about a petition being circulated to overturn the fireworks restrictions in Topsham. The proposal is to put a yes-or-no question on the ballot in November to either overturn or keep the current restrictions. If the restrictions are overturned, the sale and use of fireworks would fall under the current state law.
The 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 4). 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. If Topsham decides to depend on the state law, your neighbor will be able to set off fireworks any night up to 10 p.m. The noise could disturb your young children trying to sleep, upset your pets and interrupt a peaceful evening at home after a stress-filled day at work. There will be nothing you can do about it.
Our neighbor has publicly declared his wish to use fireworks. Before you sign a petition seeking to overturn our current restrictions, ask yourself, what will your neighbors do?
Mike and Maggie Dumais
Topsham
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