Fireworks fundraiser must raise remaining funds or move site, Select Board says

The Waterville Valley Select Board told the Waterville Valley Foundation on April 15 it needs to confirm by the May 20 meeting whether it has raised sufficient funds to stage the town’s traditional fireworks display, and that location and related town detail costs will determine whether the town can host the show in the traditional Valley Road/bridge location.

Town staff outlined two options: a traditional bridge location requires more extensive road‑closure details and has higher DPW and police/fire personnel hours and post‑show cleanup; a golf‑course site would concentrate setup and cleanup on private property and could reduce town personnel time and associated overtime costs.

Staff estimated a traditional location detail could cost roughly in the low‑thousands (several thousand dollars in combined town personnel costs), while a private‑land setup could reduce that burden. The board noted a business‑association donation of $3,000 is available and that the foundation still needs to raise remaining dollars; staff said town accounting rules mean any personnel costs will be charged to operating expense this year unless a revolving fund is created by warrant article in a future budget cycle.

The board asked the foundation to confirm its fundraising position by the May 20 Select Board meeting. If organizers seek to hold the show at a private site, the fireworks vendor will resurvey the site and amend the state permit as needed. Staff said they were exploring options to limit town overtime expense if the foundation proceeds.