Council approves temporary holiday fireworks license for Keystone Novelty Distributions LLC

The Richmond Town Council on May 20 approved a holiday/hawker license for Keystone Novelty Distributions LLC to operate a seasonal fireworks/hawker stand at Cherry Hill Plaza (listed as 119 Main Street) for the lease period June 21 through July 6, 2025.

Applicant Ed McMahon of Keystone told the council the required lease was late but had been provided to the clerk before the meeting. Council members raised concerns about last year’s site cleanup after the display concluded; Ed McMahon and Keystone acknowledged a rubbish complaint and said company representatives removed debris after the council contacted them.

Town staff said the holiday license typically is issued for the year but the applicant’s lease limited use to June 21–July 6. The applicant submitted a site plan; because the vendor will erect a tent, the fire marshal must inspect and approve the setup before operation. The clerk noted that the tent and vendor locations are on private parking (not state right-of-way), and the vendor will also require a fire department inspection and any needed exit signage per the fire marshal’s direction.

Motion and vote: The council approved the holiday license by roll call; recorded votes were in the affirmative for councilors present. The clerk said the license will be corrected to show the location and dates within the municipal records and that fire department sign‑off is required before the stand may open.

Councilors emphasized they expect the vendor to promptly remove rubbish after the event and to comply with all permit and fire-marshal requirements. The vendor said Keystone would follow up with the person managing the site to prevent a recurrence.