Selectmen discuss fireworks concerns and consider drone or light-show alternatives
Summary
Selectmen and residents raised concerns about fireworks' impacts on pets, people with PTSD and the environment; the board agreed to begin community outreach and explore drone or laser shows as lower-impact alternatives, with preliminary cost cited around $40,000 for a Saybrook show.
Select member (speaker 3) raised concerns received from residents and from a letter by Judith Archer about the impacts of traditional fireworks on pets, people with PTSD and the environment.
The select member suggested exploring alternatives such as drone or laser light shows, noting successful examples in other communities and that Saybrook's drone show cost about $40,000. Members agreed that any change would require broad public input and suggested starting the conversation now to allow time for cost estimates, public outreach and regional partnership possibilities. Chair said the recent in-town show was well-run and praised the local band performance, but supported beginning public discussion so residents' views can be gathered before decisions on location or date are made.
The board did not take action at the meeting but asked staff to include the topic in future agendas and to explore options and potential costs for a drone or light show, including whether a pooled regional approach might lower per-town costs.
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