Comment Re. Fireworks

This is a response to the post earlier today regarding the upcoming JPA vote on fireworks:

Thank you for the info Joe in your recent email about the upcoming vote on the fireworks at the fall meeting.  Although I appreciate the efforts of the board to streamline the discussion and the vote on this topic, I feel the info provided in your email is lacking in proper context on the history of the funding of the fireworks.  

Traditions are important in framing the funding of the fireworks.  The fireworks were never funded entirely by donations as Jack’s table appears to demonstrate.  The sale of ice out tickets has however, been widely perceived as the funding activity to help support those fireworks.  It may not have been voted on as far as your available records can prove but it has been the generally held belief among most association members that this was what we used the ice out revenue for. The combined total from the sale of ice out tickets and donations has successfully funded the cost each year including last year.  In fact, in 2022 and 2021, I believe there was a surplus of revenue (donations plus ice out revenue) over the fireworks expenses (see treasurer’s report from summer meeting).

This association has the revenue available to pay the going rate for a fireworks show and should continue to put on the annual fireworks show. We do not need to carry over $50,000- $60,000 year over year as a reserve fund for emergency funds as suggested in the recent email from the board. Emergency repairs or replacement of pavilion equipment or other association assets is unlikely to ever rise to that level of need.  Milfoil abatement could be expensive, yes, but to use that future possibility as an reason to not pay for our fireworks begs the question:  Why then do we fund any amenities? 

Yes, a reasonable reserve fund is prudent but at the summer meeting Jack stated that this “is not about the money, we have the funds” to pay for the fireworks.  In past years when necessary, we have had special fund raisers quite successfully to renovate and repair the pavilion, resurface the tennis courts, and build the playground.  It would be a reasonable option to consider for catastrophic events that may or may not occur in the future.

Additional support for the fireworks could be sought from the towns of Danville, Cabot and Walden, perhaps.  We certainly provide a hefty amount to them in property taxes each year for very few services.  They make no bones about coming to our association seeking donations for their community activities.

Assuming that we can get state approval for the use of the rail trail or find another suitable site, let’s support the fireworks show!  Unlike other activities/events, it’s the one event available to all our members (of any age or ability) to enjoy with our family and friends, and has for many of us been a tradition of Joe’s Pond for generations.

Please vote to continue our annual July 4th fireworks celebration.

Brad Towne