Since the covid lockdowns and the new the renovation to the Dracut High School football field, the town has not had a fourth of July fireworks celebration at the school complex. There has been an outcry from citizens and town officials to “bring them back”.
Last year, the Board of Selectman had many discussions about where to have them. Town manager Ann Vandal and other town officials cited the installation of the new artificial turf at the school complex as a main reason for not having them there. Manager Ann Vandal says the potential of a fallen amber from fireworks is too great and could cause serious damage to the field.
A fireproof tarp for the field was suggested. Vandal estimated the cost at $25,000.00 or more for a trap. She believes that makes it cost prohibitive for the town to purchase. As an alternative, Vandal suggested a laser light show, but that idea fell like a dud!
Discussions on where to have fireworks were going in circles. It was suggested that maybe Beaver Brook Farm would be a good place. That idea was shot down in a flash as being still too close to the school complex. But I suspect Board of Selectman Chair Alison Genest, who is an abutter to the Farm had a lot to do with that quick discharge.
Veterans Park was next but that was “immediately” considered a bad location because it is in one of Dracut’s most densely populated areas.
Selectman DiRocco whom, It is believed, has relatives in Veterans park neighborhood has spoken often in the past about some sort of unwritten, backroom deal with the abutters to the park, that the park would be a passive playground.
Remember when Pop Warner wanted to install lighting? It was Selectman Joe DiRocco who quickly reminded the board about the secret handshake.
For all the reasons stated above it appeared that the annual 4th of July event was officially dead.
Fast forward to the Board of Selectman goals setting session for Manager Ann Vandal.
With her upcoming reelection campaign on the horizon, board Chairperson Alison Genest was pushing her personal goal of bringing back the fireworks! Kind of self-serving don’t you think? She may regret this move, but the election will be over by the time we find out.
It is rumored that Chairperson Alison Genest wanted to present herself as the hero. A savior of the annual event. Alison who is a staunch supporter of town manager Vandal, managed to get her blessings to move the event to Veterans Park. With Vandals support she also got the support of both the Fire and Police Chiefs to include the fireworks as part of this year’s 2nd annual Public Safety night to be held at the park on June 29th. It was said that the first Public Safety night a year ago saw a crowd of over 1800 people jammed the playground! Many believe that with the addition of fireworks the crowds will surely grow way be beyond that number.
Some are questioning… What happened to all the push back a year ago? Did the powers that be suddenly forget the dense location of Veterans Park? Police Chief Bartlett gleefully boosted about last year’s attendance! Does it make any sense to add fireworks to an event that well further crowd the park and make it impossible to adequately protect the neighborhood from overwhelming congestion and traffic? Is moving the fireworks event from the 65-acre school complex to a 10 acres playground make sense?
Manager Vandal stated that the neighborhood was sent a letter informing them of the event and that the town received no pushback. I have been contacted by several local residents who did not receive the letter. But they want to remain anonymous in fear of political retribution. Isn’t it curious that the towns biggest power broker, Selectman Joe DiRocco, who is the self-appointed voice of authority when it comes to protecting veterans park, is mostly silent on this issue. As Joe quietly stated “This may be a one and done” event. That remains to be seen. I believe this is a bad place for this event, even if it is for only one time!
