Community Corner
Thank You MFO! MHC#1! NMVFC!
... and to everyone else who worked on July 4th so we could celebrate, including our police officers, town employees, state employees (including those at Hammo) and others.
Madison was packed Thursday with town residents and people from all over the state, here to celebrate the Fourth of July. After a spectacular small-town parade Thursday morning, the beaches were packed with people seeking relief. Conditions got so crowded at Hammonasset Beach State Park that no new visitors were allowed at one point in the afternoon.
By evening, it was clear that it would be a perfect night for fireworks off of a barge off of West Wharf. With our volunteer firefighters from Madison Hose Co. No. 1 and the North Madison Volunteer Fire Co. keeping watch, the fireworks went off at about 9:30 p.m., to the delight of the thousands of people watching from Clinton, Madison, Guilford and other spots nearby.
The professionally done fireworks, thanks to the volunteers from the Madison Fireworks Organizations and many, many, many donors, were entirely privately funded. While it appears as though the donations made this year will cover the cost, it's not too early to donate next year. Go to the Madison Fireworks Organization webpage to find out more about how to do that.
For people who set off of their own fireworks, the Connecticut State Police have issued a reminder that fireworks are illegal in Connecticut. See below for the full text of that reminder. So next time you're tempted to buy some, consider donating to the fireworks fund instead.
And, you can also consider making a donation to Madison Hose Co. No 1 and the North Madison Volunteer Fire Co., the volunteers who help keep us safe on the Fourth of July and every other day and night.
You can make a donation to Madison Hose Co. No 1 during a boot drive Saturday, July 6th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the firehouse in the center of town. If you can't make it Saturday, you can contact Madison Hose Co. No. 1 at Madison Hose Co. No. 1, 655 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443 or call (203)245-2772 to find out how you can help.
To help support the North Madison Volunteer Fire Co., donations can be forwarded to: North Madison Volunteer Fire Company, 864 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443.
Thanks to Sarah Kyrcz for the great fireworks photos!
A release from the Connecticut State Police:
The Connecticut State Police reminds Connecticut residents that fireworks are illegal in the State of Connecticut.
The public has been overwhelmed with advertisement, signs, and sales pitches of so-called "fireworks." July 4th always raises questions about what is legal as far as fireworks are concerned.
Many questions are received by State Troopers, Fire Marshals, Resident Troopers, and local Police statewide regarding fireworks. The questions reveal that many people are confused as to which "fireworks" can be used by citizens in our state.
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To avoid confusion and caution our citizens, Connecticut Law 29-357 is very specific:
Only sparklers and fountains of not more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item, which are non-explosive and non-aerial, are legal in Connecticut. Sparklers and fountains can only be legally used by persons age 16 or older.
Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Novelty items such as party poppers, snakes, smoke devices and anything that emits a flame are not legal for private use in Connecticut. In addition to being illegal, exploding devices are dangerous and have caused serious injuries in the past. A number of house fires and grass fires have also been attributed to fireworks.
"Illegal fireworks bring with them the potential for property damage and they endanger human life. If a fire or explosion is made intentionally and causes damage or destruction, it could be designated as an arson, a class C felony," noted Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
The safest way to enjoy this year’s Independence Day celebration is to attend a public display conducted at a state approved site by Connecticut licensed pyrotechnicians.
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