Stoughton Bills Pyrotecnico $2,300 for "Unexpected Costs" due to Undetonated Fireworks Incident

The Town of Stoughton has sent Pyrotecnico, the company in charge of the , a bill for more than $2,300 after the town "incurred unexpected costs due to the hazardous conditions left behind from [Pyrotecnico's] recent fireworks display on July 3, 2012," Stoughton Fire Chief Mark Dolloff wrote in the cover letter for the invoice.

Even though records indicate Pyrotechnico swept the West School fields twice following the annual fireworks display (once right after the show and then again on the morning of July 4), an undetonated firework was found on the Anthony Novello baseball field on and another one was found on the field .

The discovery of the undetonated firework on the 10th prompted a through search of the field on the 11th, where employees from the Fire Department, School Department and Recreation Department spent hours sweeping the fields, making sure they were safe for use.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also responded to the sweep on the 11th.

Dolloff appeared before the Board of Selectmen at their Tuesday, July 24 meeting to review the incident. He said the town took a proactive approach in handling the situation.

A bill for $2,310.67 was sent to Pyrotechnico, a New Castle Pennsylvania-based company. The invoice indicated the Fire Department incurred a cost of $1,615.94, with the School Department and Recreation Department incurring costs of $355.08 and $339.65, respectively.

"It is is my contention that these extra costs would not have been placed upon our various departments had your company performed their job with proper due diligence," Dolloff wrote in the cover letter.

"With this in mind, I am presenting your company with a bill for the costs incurred by the three departments that were involved in establishing a safe environment for our citizens after the display and subsequent discovery of 2 undetonated devices."

Pyrotecnico was properly licensed by the state and properly permitted by the Stoughton Fire Department, but the company has since had their after they left behind unexploded fireworks from shows they did this July 4th season in Ware, Waltham and Worcester, in addition to Stoughton.

On July 10, an when a landscaper went over it with a lawnmower when cutting the grass in left center field of the baseball field. Luckily there were no injuries.

during a precautionary sweep of the field July 11 by Stoughton officials. This firework was detonated by the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad.

Stoughton Firefighters also used a ladder truck to check every rooftop in the vicinity of where the fireworks were launched (the West School, O'Donnell Middle School and Stoughton High School).

Dolloff said he "feels confident we rendered the field safe." There have been no reported incidents at the frequently used athletic complex since the completion of the July 11 sweep.

Pyrotecnico also swept the field on July 12, fulfilling an order from the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Dolloff said these undetonated fireworks were from China. He said in "layman's terms," for each firework launched, you will see the colorful display and then hear a "boom." It is this "boom" that did not detonate.

As soon as the fireworks enter the town, until the moment they are launched, they are supervised by a member of the SFD, Dolloff said.

Selectman Bob O'Reagan suggested the Fire Department also monitor the morning sweep of the field after next year's show.

In theory, Pyrotecnico would not be able to operate in Stoughton next year (if the town elects to use the company again) if they have not paid their bill.

"I would not be a very popular person next year if there weren't fireworks because of an unpaid bill," Dolloff said.

But if Stoughton is faced with that issue of non-payment, it will be up to the selectmen to decide, Dolloff said with a smile.

Review a timeline of fireworks-related events in Stoughton in the media gallery (posted as a PDF document).