WINTHROP — The sale of fireworks in town won’t be allowed after all.

At a special meeting Monday night, the Town Council did an about-face and voted to ban the sale — but not the use — of fireworks.

The ban on selling fireworks will take effect Jan. 1 when the new state law that permits the sale and use of consumer fireworks throughout the state goes into effect. The law allows municipalities to restrict fireworks.

Councilors postponed discussion on the matter in August and voted 4-3 last week to not reopen debate, a move that effectively meant accepting the new state law as written. Councilors believed that they could not reopen discussion for another year.

But following the council’s decision last week, the town’s attorney weighed in and said the matter could be reopened at any time. Several councilors then decided to switch their votes.

“After we met last time I did a great deal of thinking,” said councilor Linda Caprara, explaining the change in her vote to reopen debate. “I am concerned about having a building (for fireworks sales) in town or on the outskirts of town. You could potentially have a huge building with explosives in it.”

Fire Chief Dan Brooks concurred, citing the danger of sending any firefighter into a smoking building packed with explosives.

“My greatest concern is for my 75 to 100 police, fire and EMS people,” Brooks said.

A week ago, councilors Caprara, James Lattin, David Rheaume and Ken Buck all voted to postpone discussion on a fireworks ordinance.

On Monday night, however, Caprara and Buck voted in favor of reopening discussion. The final tally was 5-1, with councilors Sarah Fuller, Kevin Cookson and Priscilla Jenkins joining in the yes vote to reconsider a fireworks ordinance.

The seven-member council then voted 6-0 to proceed with a new ordinance that would ban the sale of fireworks in Winthrop but permit their use on private property only. Rheaume did not attend the meeting.

Town Manager Jeff Woolston will compose the language of the proposed new ordinance, which will then be presented for a public hearing and vote, possibly in December. The ordinance will also be reviewed each year.

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