Labor issue halts show in Randolph

This Fourth of July weekend will mark a historic event for residents of Randolph: the first Independence Day without fireworks in more than a decade.

The annual display, scheduled for tonight, has been canceled in part because of stalled contract negotiations between the town and the firefighters' union, a shortage of funds, and a lack of firefighters volunteering to help out.

Randolph Fire Chief Charles D. Foley Jr. announced yesterday that the Fire Department is "unable to secure appropriate and necessary safety measures to exercise responsible risk-management procedures."

The firefighters' union has sponsored the summer fireworks for the past 12 years. This year, however, it has been unable to recruit volunteers for the holiday, according to Foley and Ronald J. Cassford, head of the firefighters' union.

Cassford said the contentious contract negotiations are one of the reasons why firefighters are not participating.

"Well, it's one of many reasons," Cassford said. "It's not the main reason. When we decided not to do it, a number of our individuals who take part in our volunteering decided that they weren't going to do it this year. When I talk about people who've been doing it in the past few years, participation has been declining over the years, anyway. The selectmen used the term boycott. It was just a number of individuals who decided not to participate. We've been without a contract since June of last year."

"It saddens us, as an association so involved in the community, to announce that we will be suspending our sponsorship of the annual fireworks display," Cassford said.

Foley said the cancellation was a safety issue.

"I am charged with the responsibility of evaluating all measures of precaution," Foley said.

"The risk of exposure with pyrotechnics for not only the residents but also the largest capital assets of the town, the high school and Town Hall, is significant."

Foley hopes to return the oohs and ahhs to Randolph next year.

"I remain hopeful that we will be able to permit a safe fireworks event with all the necessary precautions and safety measures in place next year," he said.