MEXICO — Residents will have two local questions on the Nov. 6 ballot thanks to actions taken Tuesday night by selectmen following a series of public hearings.
The first will ask whether residents want to have an ordinance prohibiting the sale or use of consumer fireworks. The second would place a six-month moratorium on new or expanded mobile home parks.
Both ordinances are recommended by the Planning Board.
Selectman and Planning Board member Reggie Arsenault said residents voted down the use or sale of fireworks in the town during a straw poll at the June elections.
“This ordinance will give the Police Department some teeth,” he said.
As proposed, violations of use would bring a $250 fine plus lawyer fees for the first offense, and a $500 fine plus lawyer fees for all subsequent violations.
Violation of the sale portion of the proposed ordinance could bring a fine of $500 to $1,000 plus lawyer fees for the first offense, and fines of $1,000 to $2,500 plus lawyer fees for all future offenses.
The town would also have the right to seize consumer fireworks that it believes will be used or sold.
If voters approve the ordinance, it will go into effect immediately.
The only exception to the fireworks ban is for professionals who must get state and town permits to put on a display.
The moratorium on the development or expansion of the mobile home park ordinance was brought for several reasons, including the current 13-year-old outdated document, and numerous complaints from residents about the health, safety and appearance of some parks.
Planning Board Chairman Dan Casey said some are antiquated and very close to others, which could cause fire and other safety hazards.
If approved by residents, the Planning Board would have 180 days to draft a revised mobile home ordinance. If that isn’t sufficient time, Town Manager John Madigan said, selectmen could enact a 180-day extension, following a public hearing.
The board also held two other public hearings Tuesday night that resulted in approval by selectmen and will go into effect immediately.
Selectmen approved Carlton Avenue as a backup route for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to connect with the trail system and to get into town for food and gasoline.
The second bans parking on the right side of Cherry Street from Tucker Street to the Baptist Church.
Board Chairman Richie Philbrick said vehicles parking on both sides of the street cause near-impossible passage of other vehicles.
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