The look into possible fireworks rules in Alna has unearthed a broader question of how the town can enforce certain other rules, officials said Feb. 10.

Other than land use rules the code enforcement officer enforces, the town may not currently have a way, Third Selectman Doug Baston said.

Planning Board Chairman Sean Day asked if the panel could forego giving the selectmen a proposed fireworks question for this year’s town meeting. The planning board could use more time to explore enforcement, possibly through a deal with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Day said.

Selectmen supported the delay, unless they and the planning board get all their answers soon. Town meeting is March 18, with elections, and March 19, with the open meeting at the fire station. Town Clerk Amy Warner said she needs the final warrant eight days before town meeting.

The planning board’s other suggestion, to propose voters adopt the state fireworks guidelines, fell flat with selectmen.

“To me, that wouldn’t be accomplishing anything,” First Selectman David Abbott said. “We’ve already got the state ordinance. Unless you’re going to come up with something more stringent, I don’t really think there’s any point to bring it before the town.”

“That’s kind of redundant,” Day agreed.

On fireworks enforcement, planning board members said they didn’t want to add to town officials’ burden with permit paperwork or possibly having to notify permit-holders’ neighbors.

People who plan to shoot off fireworks should inform their neighbors, particularly those with livestock, as a matter of courtesy, members of both panels said.

Complaints about fireworks use could also be hard to enforce because, unlike some violations, there might be nothing left to see or hear by the time authorities can get there, planning board member Beth Whitney said.

“What are you going to do, 15 minutes after they’re fired off?”

Planning board members noted they recently heard from residents concerned about fireworks startling livestock; the concerns are legitimate, but it would have helped to hear them earlier, members told selectmen.

Members also cited resident Fred Bowers’ point last month that, if the town can’t enforce a fireworks ordinance, how can it enforce others. Bowers favored having a town meeting fireworks question as voters called for in 2015, but he said he was more concerned about that larger question.

“It’s a broader issue now,” and requires more research, Day said. “I’m more than happy to keep working.”

Officials predicted that residents would rather vote once, later, rather than take a placeholder vote now.

Paul Lazarus’ petition led to the 2015 vote, in which fellow residents called for a proposal. Reached later Feb. 10, Lazarus said he was happy to hear that officials want to keep working to address enforcement.

“I’d rather we not wait another year, but if it takes another year to get something practical, that’s the way to go,” Lazarus said. Maybe the proposed fireworks rules could be added to a special town meeting if any are held later this year, he said.

Officials planned to seek a meeting with Sheriff Todd Brackett about prospects for an enforcement agreement. The planning board agreed to update residents on work toward fireworks rules, in the panel’s annual report.