The annual event drew thousands from neighboring towns. But after the 2007 celebration, things just got too expensive. That includes a change in labor contracts. Because the fireworks fall on a holiday, the unionized members of the Springfield fire and police departments are now entitled to double time and a half on holidays. 10 police officers were required for the day-long event and a team of firemen were in charge of setting off the pyrotechnics.
The required amount of liability insurance coverage also increased, from $1 million to $5 million. And fireworks certainly haven't got any cheaper. The cost of the fireworks alone in 2007 was $20,000. So with the other increased costs since, the price tag for a 2011 celebration with fireworks could well have topped over $40,000.
The Police Department in conjunction with the Fire Department, issued one permit for the discharge & display of personal fireworks which took place the night of July 3rd in the Spencer Hollow Road area.
Neighboring Claremont, NH will be providing the following:
The Claremont Parks and Recreation Department is once again sponsoring a spectacular fireworks show, set to begin between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m., from Monadnock Park on Sunday, July 4th. Music by the Flames will begin at 6:30 p.m., and food will be for sale by the Claremont Lioness Club. Spectators viewing the fireworks from the park are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.
VERMONT FIREWORK LAWS:
Specifically Permitted Sparklers less than 14” long with no more than 20 grams of pyrotechnic mixture. Novelty sparkling items limited to snakes, party poppers, glow worms, smoke devices, string poppers, snappers, or drop pops with no more than 0.25 grains of explosive mixture, and that are in compliance with CPSC regulations.
Specifically Prohibited: Firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, torpedoes, and daygo bombs.
DISPLAY FIREWORKS
Display Permit: You must apply to local authorities (Fire & Police) at least 15 days before display date.
Insurance: No amount specified in state law but may be required by local authorities.
Operator: No license specifically required in state law but display must be under competent operator approved by local authorities in area where display is to be held.
Source: Springfield Police Department
Published March 19, 2008 in the Rutland Herald
Fourth of July fireworks on ice
By SUSAN SMALLHEER Herald Staff
SPRINGFIELD — Barring a miracle or a last-minute sugar daddy, the Springfield Fourth of July fireworks are cancelled this year.
The executive vice president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, said Tuesday that additional costs doomed the 2008 show, which traditionally has drawn thousands of people from area towns.
But Pat Chafie said her committee is already looking toward fund raising for 2009, which might include a different, cheaper location for the fireworks and the day's celebrations.
For the past 10 years or so, the state-owned Hartness State Airport in North Springfield has been the site for the fireworks and other events. But Chafie said the state had had to increase its insurance requirements because of the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as other fees. She also said that because of new contract language for the Springfield firefighters and police members, there were additional costs in that area as well.
"There are more additional fees to the state, and insurance costs, that has added quite a bit to the bottom line," said Chafie.
"The fire and police fees have gone up dramatically too. We just didn't feel the group had enough time to do the fund raising necessary to come up with the money," she said.
Chafie said the fireworks alone cost $20,000, and that other costs added at least another $15,000.
Because the fireworks fall on a holiday, the unionized members of the Springfield fire and police departments are entitled to double time and a half, she said.
Chafie said she needed 10 officers to patrol the event, and she was getting them from off-duty state police, the sheriff's department and local police. "It was very costly," she said.
On the state side, the state increased its required insurance coverage from a $1 million to $5 million liability, which was a significant cost increase, she said.
Bill Duchac, of Vermont Risk Management Division, said he had given the chamber a waiver for the past year from increasing the liability insurance coverage at the event. He said it was the largest event currently staged on state property.
"We had actually been in discussion with the chamber over a couple of years, advised them two years ago, that the limits had to be increased," said Duchac.
He said he was in favor of the increase to $5 million of coverage because of the large gathering, and the combination of fireworks and serving of food.
"The number of folks who have the opportunity to be injured if something goes wrong is just great. It's prudent to have some kind of adequate limits," said Duchac, who said "happily" there have never been any claims associated with the Springfield events.
"The whole event was well-managed and well-run. Nobody plans to have something bad happen. I'm strictly the insurance guy," said Duchac.
The last Phish concert was on state property in Coventry, he said, and their insurance policy was for "far more than $5 million."
Chafe said the state wasn't being unreasonable in its requests, but she said the combination of financial factors made this summer's event out of reach.
Last year, 20 different individuals and businesses contributed $1,000 each to help fund the fireworks, she said. With the economy worsening, she said she didn't think that kind of contribution would be coming in.
"People just don't have the extra to give away," she said. She said the group would look into finding a different location, which could reduce costs.
"If we stay with a $20,000 show, we would easily need $35,000," he said.
Springfield has held its Fourth of July fireworks at the Hartness State Airport for most of the event's history, although she said for a while the fireworks were set off at Riverside Middle School during the 1980s and 1990s, before returning to the airport.
Until then, the 2008 fireworks are on hiatus. "If somebody wants to underwrite the show, we'll be more than happy to work on it," Chafie said.
Fourth of July fireworks on ice
By SUSAN SMALLHEER Herald Staff
SPRINGFIELD — Barring a miracle or a last-minute sugar daddy, the Springfield Fourth of July fireworks are cancelled this year.
The executive vice president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, said Tuesday that additional costs doomed the 2008 show, which traditionally has drawn thousands of people from area towns.
But Pat Chafie said her committee is already looking toward fund raising for 2009, which might include a different, cheaper location for the fireworks and the day's celebrations.
For the past 10 years or so, the state-owned Hartness State Airport in North Springfield has been the site for the fireworks and other events. But Chafie said the state had had to increase its insurance requirements because of the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as other fees. She also said that because of new contract language for the Springfield firefighters and police members, there were additional costs in that area as well.
"There are more additional fees to the state, and insurance costs, that has added quite a bit to the bottom line," said Chafie.
"The fire and police fees have gone up dramatically too. We just didn't feel the group had enough time to do the fund raising necessary to come up with the money," she said.
Chafie said the fireworks alone cost $20,000, and that other costs added at least another $15,000.
Because the fireworks fall on a holiday, the unionized members of the Springfield fire and police departments are entitled to double time and a half, she said.
Chafie said she needed 10 officers to patrol the event, and she was getting them from off-duty state police, the sheriff's department and local police. "It was very costly," she said.
On the state side, the state increased its required insurance coverage from a $1 million to $5 million liability, which was a significant cost increase, she said.
Bill Duchac, of Vermont Risk Management Division, said he had given the chamber a waiver for the past year from increasing the liability insurance coverage at the event. He said it was the largest event currently staged on state property.
"We had actually been in discussion with the chamber over a couple of years, advised them two years ago, that the limits had to be increased," said Duchac.
He said he was in favor of the increase to $5 million of coverage because of the large gathering, and the combination of fireworks and serving of food.
"The number of folks who have the opportunity to be injured if something goes wrong is just great. It's prudent to have some kind of adequate limits," said Duchac, who said "happily" there have never been any claims associated with the Springfield events.
"The whole event was well-managed and well-run. Nobody plans to have something bad happen. I'm strictly the insurance guy," said Duchac.
The last Phish concert was on state property in Coventry, he said, and their insurance policy was for "far more than $5 million."
Chafe said the state wasn't being unreasonable in its requests, but she said the combination of financial factors made this summer's event out of reach.
Last year, 20 different individuals and businesses contributed $1,000 each to help fund the fireworks, she said. With the economy worsening, she said she didn't think that kind of contribution would be coming in.
"People just don't have the extra to give away," she said. She said the group would look into finding a different location, which could reduce costs.
"If we stay with a $20,000 show, we would easily need $35,000," he said.
Springfield has held its Fourth of July fireworks at the Hartness State Airport for most of the event's history, although she said for a while the fireworks were set off at Riverside Middle School during the 1980s and 1990s, before returning to the airport.
Until then, the 2008 fireworks are on hiatus. "If somebody wants to underwrite the show, we'll be more than happy to work on it," Chafie said.
Rest in peace, poor old Springfield.
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 kinds of people in this world...Those who are part of the problem (by placing blame)..and ones who are part of the solution (who are trying to work for the betterment of all concerned). The people who are part of the problem and do nothing in my mind should have NO voice because they are perpetuating the problem and hindering a solution. People who are part of the problem need to either put up and try to make a difference or just shut up...Springfield WILL rest in peace if more people stand up and decide to become a part of the solution rather than a blaming,ridiculing part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteDon't our taxes and water bill cover any of cost, heck we pay enough, near the highest totals in the state, for those whom don't use the school system something should be free. I hust think "there's lazinees on Unions side to make a profit out of it". Other towns with similar budget south of here do it. Oh also, maybe if close the "EDGER MAY" money pit place we can have our monies back for fireworks.
ReplyDeleteThe required amount of liability insurance coverage also increased, from $1 million to $5 million. And fireworks certainly haven't got any cheaper. The cost of the fireworks alone in 2007 was $20,000. So with the other increased costs since, the price tag for a 2011 celebration with fireworks could well have topped over $40,000.
But communist Springfield has a new child parent center, so you can all go there now for (in)dependence day "fun". You hard earned money going towards nosing-in and meddling with your families, and when they take away your kids for some stupid reason, you can sit on your dumb butts and watch the non-existant fireworks by yourselves.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree 100% The child parent center only benifits CPS. It gives them a place where they can watch over parents and report anything that can be twisted into abuse even if there was no abuse.
Delete11/23 and 12//54 clearly don't have an understanding of how important a parent-child center is. I learned enough to save my son by becoming a better parent. A lot of families who have used their services are free of a lot of stress they used to live under.
DeleteSo you want to close a place that offers healthy living and exercise, so we can have one firework show? Yeah that really makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteSpringfield certainly isn't the only town in America that has stopped their yearly fireworks show as city and town budgets get tighter and there doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel so it may be a while before you enjoy such a show here again.
ReplyDeleteThis was all run by Matt Aldrich a few years ago, he organized, sponsored and tried to teach the town how to do it so it was cost effective. They tried but the greedy liberals wanted to make sure THEY made money before the town did so they failed.
ReplyDeleteThere is a simple way to do this. The article said the cost doubled because union workers felt they should be paid time and a half as it is a holiday OK no problem, they have the day off. Charge people $2 for admission, charge the vendors around $300 for the day. Have a raffle, like they used to do with the corvette every year. I'm sure Springfield Auto Mart or Kelleys would donate a car for the publicity! Sell tickets for $100 a piece. We could pay a security company to do the work of the police as far as parking bans along 106 and the dam. We could hire a pyro company that has THEIR OWN insurance. Have a circus and charge them 10% to be there for the day. This can be done as long as the greedy politicians kept their hands out of it. I even think the town could, dare I say, make money!
I could not agree more!
DeleteYou're dreaming in terms of your math and paranoid about politicians and liberals.
ReplyDeleteTo the poster right before me....You are part of the problem not the solution, the poster before you is on to something. Now if he/she will put it to use there might be a fireworks show. I wonder how much it would actually cost to do? The main issue that I can them running into is negative people like yourself. Too bad there are more just like you around here that look for the problems that they will face and sit on your lazy butt while people like them at least try.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha Ha!!! I just laugh that a town the size of Springfield cannot get their act together enough to blow off some fireworks! It's truly pathetic.
ReplyDeleteMaybe in some way it's just Karma coming to kick you in the butts for some of the stuff your citizens have done.
That guy must be an upset Bellows Falls prodigy, always blaming Springfield for their inequalities. You sound like Obama blaming Bush for everything that is wrong with this country. What, may I ask did some of the citizens of Springfield do?
ReplyDeleteSpringfield has turned into the hood and slums! Very little people in this town take pride in their homes and it shows!Matt Aldrich tried very hard to help out this town and all he got for it was shit! Springfield on the Move has been trying to move this town for at least 15 years and we are still slowly going more and more downhill all the time! I'm looking forward to retirement, but will I be able to sell my house in this town....we sure aren't bringing in any business here! Who can afford Peebles? We have one fast food restaurant! We shop out of town - due to Shaw's being incredibly expensive. The elderly are still tolerating the old Community House. Children are not even safe in this community with several pedophiles living so closely to our schools and people just released from prison wandering the streets! Welcome to Springfield.
ReplyDeleteSpringfield on the Move has it's heart in the right place but a coat of paint, colorful banners, and a town slogan are not going to bring change here. We need businesses and lots of them that will pay decent wages, improving the overall standard of living which will entice more people to move here, which would lead to a complete revitalization of this withering town. However, I'm not expecting that to actually happen any time soon.
ReplyDeleteThis town needs to tell the welfare wagon train to stop somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteSpringfield needs business in the town. The government based companies arent doing anything for the community (HCRS, Lincoln St, Turning Point, RACLT, etc..) All they are doing is using the size of our community to warrant the gov't sending them more money. More money the Gov't sends out more money WE have to spend to pay for it. Vicious circle huh?
This town needs small businesses, with 10 or so employees to come in. They have to hire local people to work, local people have to be willing to work (for what the job is worth)
The town needs to give them a break on taxes so they can actually thrive. Once they start to thrive then they might be able to pay a full share of taxes. Same with building owners, would you rather have an empty building that makes nothing or a building that makes something? Seriously if you own a building and want to charge $1000 a month. Noone can afford it but can afford $500 why not take it?
As a member of that team of firefighters, not one member ever charged the Town for their time in setting up, displaying or cleaning up after the fireworks, from burying the tubes the day of, to setting them off, to retrieving and picking up tubes and firework debris after, all time was donated by the firefighters
ReplyDelete