Rescheduling Fireworks Costs City Almost $4K

The city of Takoma Park had to spend an extra $3,711.03 to after the company setting off the display was , Takoma Park Deputy City Manager Suzanne Ludlow said.

• Police had to guard the fireworks overnight on July 4. That cost the city $645.78. 
• Police had to staff the rescheduled display on July 5. That cost the city $2,630.67. 
• Public works staffing for the rescheduled display cost the city $275.58.
• Charges for restrooms came to $159.

The reason for the July 4 delay was that the wiring took too long, said Bay Fireworks Dennis Brady.

After waiting until 9:15 p.m., the Takoma Park Independence Day Committee decided it would be too late once the fireworks were ready and decided to reschedule the display for the next day, July 5, Committee President Gene Herman said.

Setting up an event like Takoma Park's could take six to 10 hours depending on variables, Brady said.

Bay Fireworks and the Takoma Park Independence Day Committee are working out a discount for the delayed display, Brady said.

The committee met July 13, but are still deciding how to proceed, Ward 4 Takoma Park Councilman Terry Seamens said.

"Discussions between the Committee and Bay Fireworks are continuing. The Committee has not yet received all the bills for the extra expenses," Seamens said.

Despite the delay, Brady said he is confident Takoma Park would renew the Bay Fireworks contract for the city's 2012 July 4 display.

No contract has been signed yet though.

"It is still too early to know which fireworks vendor the Committee will choose for next year," Seamens said.

Herman gave a more pessimistic view in a .

"We're not likely to use the company next year," he said.