Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Volunteer group seeks town help as fireworks costs rise; council weighs funding options
Summary
The volunteer Double Enders group said rising costs threaten the town's July fireworks; council members discussed budget limits, volunteer capacity, safety tradeoffs and possible revenue ideas such as a paid beach parking pass.
Members of the Double Enders, the volunteer group that organizes the island’s fireworks and summer events, told the council they face sharply higher costs and declining sponsorship income and asked whether the town could provide more financial support or other options.
Christy Zen and other volunteers said this year’s costs jumped and that securing a pyrotechnic company willing to perform for a small island and barge launch is increasingly difficult. “We’re asking you either for a whole bunch of money or ... we don’t wanna do it,” Zen said. The group said it had surveyed residents and posted outreach but found fundraising shortfalls and limited vendor options, including drone providers.
Council members discussed competing budget priorities and public‑safety tradeoffs. Councilmember Keith (first reference) said he was unsure where town funds for the event come from and warned that without a public display, “we’re gonna get even more Tom, Dick and Harry’s, setting off their own amateur fireworks,” raising safety concerns. Councilmember Al (first reference) and others noted pressure on volunteer time and public safety and stressed that the fire chief controls the decision to hold a land‑based show versus a barge launch.
Several possible approaches were floated: the recreation group could consider converting to a 501(c)(3) to improve fund‑raising (the Double Enders said they operate as a 501(c)(4) civic league), the town and tourism council could be asked for larger contributions, or the community could pursue paid beach parking or a beach parking pass to raise revenue. One resident urged a modest vehicle parking pass (examples cited: Nantucket) and suggested it could raise tens of thousands of dollars for community events.
The council did not take a binding vote on funding. Councilors encouraged the volunteers to pursue options, asked staff to identify where current municipal funding originates, and discussed whether the Recreation Department could take on event management to broaden fundraising mechanisms.
Ending: The council signaled sympathy for the volunteer group and discussed policy options including municipal support, a possible paid parking scheme and greater outreach; no specific funding commitment was made at the meeting.
