Lantzville will help its firefighters fire off some fireworks at Halloween.
During a council meeting on Monday, Lantzville councillors voted 6-1 in favour of giving the Lantzville Firefighters Association $4,500 to purchase fireworks for the association’s annual Halloween firework display.
The decision came after councillors and staff received a late grant-in-aid request from the firefighters association. The deadline to apply for the grant-in-aid program was Feb. 1.
In an e-mail, made available on the district’s website, the firefighters association cited a lack of donations and available funds from their own members as some of the reasons for the late request.
Coun. Denise Haime supported the request and told councillors the Halloween fireworks event has been held in the community for years and should continue, noting that councillors already approved a late grant application from the Lantzville Historical Society back in March.
“I don’t see how we could not support it,” she said.
Coun. Dot Neary said she couldn’t support the request because it is late and goes against the district’s current grant-in-aid policy. She also raised concerns about whether a one-time request from the firefighters would turn into an annual request.
“I am reluctant to commit $4,500 for funding fireworks this year, particularly if its going to become an annual event. I think that merits a bigger discussion,” she said.
Coun. Mark Swain said “it’s a small, small financial contribution from our taxpayers to host such a fantastic event.”