Voters approve $6 million budget, fireworks ordinance

JAY — Townspeople approved all articles pertaining to a $6 million municipal budget Tuesday, as well as a Consumer Fireworks Ordinance during the annual town meeting referendum.

Two former Jay School Committee members, Clint Brooks and Michael Schaedler, were elected in write-in votes to serve on the RSU 73 Board of Directors. No one had taken out papers for the positions currently held by Dan DiPompo and Tammy Dwinal-Shufelt.

Brooks received 33 write-in votes and Schaedler, 17. They will each serve three-year terms.

Some others received five or less write-in votes, Town Clerk Ronda Palmer said.

Voters elected Justin Merrill with 269 votes to serve another term on the Board of Selectmen.

Stephan Franchetti was elected with 28 votes to another term as a trustee on the North Jay Water District Board of Trustees. Darren Roundy received 76 votes to serve another term on the Jay Village Water District Board of Trustees.

New bylaws were approved for both Water Districts, Palmer said.

The $6 million spending plan for 2013-14 is $210,305.06 less than the current budget.

The proposed fireworks ordinance will go into effect in 30 days.

The state legalized fireworks on Jan. 1, 2012.

The ordinance proposes the hours of use and the type of fireworks allowed follow state law.

Under the ordinance, a permit is required from the Jay Fire Rescue Department. Hours to get a permit would be between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., with no permits issued after 6 p.m.

The fire chief, or a designee, would issue the permit if it is found not to create a fire danger to the general public.

The guidelines state that fireworks would not be used within 100 feet of any combustible structure or within 50 feet of overhead power lines.

Spectators would not be allowed closer than 50 feet from the discharge point.

Any person using consumer fireworks would need to provide for cleanup and removal of debris. The disposal of unfired or unused fireworks would be required to be done under the guidelines set the by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

It would be unlawful for any person using the fireworks to be under the influence of alcohol or otherwise impaired.

The proposal also outlines the penalties for a civil violation that would be $200 to $400 plus attorney fees and cost for the first offense. Subsequent offenses would range from $500 to $1,000 plus attorney fees and costs.

The ordinance would be enforced by Jay police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Maine State Police and any law enforcement agency with which the town has a mutual aid agreement.

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: Jay ballot clerk Pam Newton puts together ballot packs to give to each voter Tuesday afternoon during the annual town meeting referendum at the Jay Town Office.