Nahant July 4 fireworks to be set off from Bailey’s Hill

NAHANT – The date for the annual town fireworks display has been set for Friday, July 4 but there is a change in venue this year.Fireworks in town are traditionally shot from Short Beach but this year the pyrotechnics display will be set off from Bailey’s Hill.Selectman Richard Lombard, chairman of the Fourth of July Committee, said there are several reasons for the change in venue including safety and finances.Lombard said it costs almost $15,000 more to shoot off fireworks from Short Beach than it does to launch the display from Bailey’s Hill.Lombard said the fireworks cost $15,000, which is raised using private donations. He quickly added when fireworks are shot off from Short Beach the town picks up the tab for security and staging, which he said costs between $10,000 and $15,000 annually.Lombard explained when Short Beach is used for fireworks, the beach must be closed at noon and snow fencing erected along the beach, which is expensive.”The town has to pay DPW workers overtime to erect the snow fence,” he said. “The town also pays for police and fire details to cover Nahant Road and the area along the beach.”Lombard said when fireworks are shot off from Bailey’s Hill only one police officer and one fire truck are required to cordon off the area, which he said saves the town money.The last time the town set off a fireworks display from Bailey’s Hill was in 2003 as part of the 150th anniversary celebration.Lombard said another reason for the change is the “Battle of the Beaches” contest from last summer, which pitted Short Beach against Tudor Beach.”Short Beach lost,” he said. “We said the winner would determine where the fireworks were held the following year.”Robyn Howard, who is helping coordinate fundraising for the event through the Recreation Department, said the Fireworks Committee is selling T-shirts to raise money for the annual pyrotechnic display, which is expected to cost a minimum of $15,000.The fireworks T-shirts, which cost $15 each, are available at Town Hall or by calling Jen McCarthy at 781-592-5272 or Robyn Howard at 781-581-1373.Anyone who would like to make a donation to the fireworks fund should send a check or money order payable to Nahant Fireworks to Jennifer McCarthy, 19 Range Road, Nahant, 01908.