Nahant July 4 fireworks display in jeopardy

NAHANT – If donations don’t increase, the town’s Fourth of July fireworks display could be canceled this year.Robin Howard, who is one of the fundraising coordinators, said donations are down this year and the committee is nowhere near the $15,000 it needs to pay for the fireworks.”We have approximately $9,000,” she said. “We need to raise at least $6,000 more. This is crunch time. If we don’t raise $15,000 we won’t have fireworks this year and the money will be rolled over for next year.”Howard said the fireworks haven’t been canceled due to lack of funds in recent years, but it’s a possibility this year.”We’re tight every year,” she said. “But people really need to step up to the plate now if they want fireworks in town this year.”Fireworks t-shirts, which cost $15 each, are still available in Town Hall and by calling 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, MA 01908.The date for the annual town fireworks display is Friday, July 4 but there is a change in venue this year.Fireworks in town are traditionally set from Short Beach but this year the pyrotechnics display will be set from Bailey’s Hill. The last time the town set off a fireworks display from Bailey’s Hill was in 2003 as part of the 150th anniversary celebration.Selectman Richard Lombard, who is also 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. But 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. He 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 saves money.