AUBURN — Councilors took a preliminary step toward banning fireworks in the city Monday night.

The first read of an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of consumer fireworks passed 5-1 Monday, with Ward 4 councilor David Young dissenting. The law will have to pass a second read at the council’s next meeting on Dec. 5 before being adopted by the city.

Councilors in support of the ban cited the potential threat that fireworks could pose to property and personal safety during a brief discussion of the ordinance.

“When Lewiston-Auburn does fireworks even in the safest of conditions there is always the chance of something happening,” said Belinda Gerry, councilor at-large.

The proposed ban comes as a response to a new state law that would allow the use of consumer fireworks beginning in January. The law also allows for municipalities to determine their own limitations, and several cities, including Portland and Bangor, have already enacted bans.

A similar ordinance proposed in Lewiston failed to pass a second reading this month, despite the majority of the council voting in favor of it on a first reading.

In other Auburn business, following an executive session later in the meeting, the council announced that the city will employ Don Gerrish, a consultant for the Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, to fill the role of interim city manager as Auburn searches for a replacement for Glenn Aho, who was fired in late October.

Gerrish served as the Brunswick town manager for 19 years, and filled the same position for a decade in Gorham before that. Auburn resident Tim Dotts, who was on the Brunswick town council from 1998 to 2001, said that Gerrish is an excellent choice and a “really great administrator.” Gerrish will start Nov. 28.

Eaton Peabody will also take over the process of recruiting Auburn’s next city manager, Mayor Richard Gleason said.