TORRINGTON -- All hope of a taxpayer-funded fireworks celebration July 4 fizzled Monday when the City Council voted 4-1 against approving a $14,000 payment to the city's fireworks supplier.
A cost estimate of between $40,000 and $50,000 that Mayor Ryan J. Bingham provided to the council last week warded off any interest in spending the equivalent of a city worker's annual salary on the Fourth of July celebration, which requires money for police overtime, entertainment, rides and fireworks. Bingham has not said whether the city has a deficit, but several City Council members said they expect another tight year.
Councilman Thomas C. Jerram was the only council member to vote in favor of including fireworks in the celebration. Councilman Paul F. Samele was absent.
"The economy is worse this year. Nobody's getting raises, people are still losing their jobs, everybody's in trouble," said Councilman Rick E. Dalla Valle, who was behind last year's unsuccessful attempt to cancel fireworks. "I think that money could be much better spent in the city to at least help some of the citizens with the burden."
The city last year considered canceling the fireworks about a month before the celebration, but instead decided to start a fundraising effort that netted about $14,000 to offset costs.
Bingham told council members he was against canceling this year's display because it is among the highlights of the city-sponsored celebration. Councilwoman Marie P. Soliani said she agreed, but declared herself on the fence because she had difficulty seeing how the city could afford it.