[upthesaukee]

MJM -- Using the beach required shutting down Rte 28A and Bay Hill Road due to its close proximaty to the beach. Closing RTE 28A could be a real safety issue for folks living out that way. There was also some concern about safety issues involving the electric lines in close proximaty to the beach as well (yes, both issues have been around for years, but doesn't necessarily mean that they shouldn't be addressed). A final consideration was a town warrant article that was passed this year funding half of the estimated $75,000 cost to return the beach to its former grandeur (tying the beach and Harmony Park in together, creating what's known as a "perched beach" with a small wall and steps down into the water). It's kind of difficult to ask the voters to fund that kind of money, and then tear the beach up once or twice a year to shoot off fireworks. I would also imagine it makes a little better "fire" issue with any sparks coming down.

Feedback I have had is that the fireworks were among the best ever, and that the new launch site was great. Thanks for asking.