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Residents urge limits on loud consumer fireworks after child injured
Summary
Two residents told the Gardner City Council that loud, early and late fireworks disrupted neighborhoods, caused property damage and led to a child’s broken wrist; council members said enforcement is difficult and agreed to review the fireworks ordinance and enforcement data before next year.
Ashley Montgomery, a Gardner resident, told the council that an early‑morning explosion of a large consumer firework startled her children on July 1 and left one of them with a broken wrist. “The blast was so sudden and loud that my husband and I ran outside to find our 7‑year‑old crying and our 13‑year‑old startled so badly that she fell off her bike and broke her wrist,” Montgomery said, urging the council to ban the loudest artillery shells, mortars and ground salutes while leaving small sparklers and fountains permitted.
Jennifer Smith, also speaking during public comment, said she found an illegal firework in her driveway and described a powerful device that shook a power line and caused a fallen limb. Smith thanked the police, parks and utilities staff for increased signage and cleanup but said the city should do more to reduce disruption and protect residents with sensory issues.
Council members acknowledged the complaints and discussed enforcement limits. A public‑safety captain told the council the department documented 42 fireworks‑related calls last year and 30 this year and that officers begin with warnings and issue citations only for repeat violations; there were no citations this year. “Enforcement is difficult,” the captain said, noting that fireworks often go up and the person who set them off has already left.
Council member Wayne said staff and the ordinance review group will continue outreach — including signs and HOA contact — and consider whether the code needs specific limits on the loudest devices. Several councilmembers asked staff to provide more detailed enforcement data (number of calls, citation history and any repeat addresses) and line‑item budget information to inform future decisions. The council did not take any regulatory action at the meeting; members said they will return with options for ordinance changes and enforcement steps before next year’s Independence Day period.
