09/12/2026
RE: Lenox Township Fireworks Invoice
Following the August 11 Council meeting, at which the Lenox Township Fireworks invoice was initially denied, Council members who opposed payment reviewed the recording of the 2025 meeting and recognized that completely denying the invoice did not accurately reflect the intent of the prior Council action - to partner with Lenox Township and agree to move the fireworks to 4th of July. I also want to acknowledge my own role in the misunderstanding. I regret that I did not present the matter clearly enough at the August 11 New Haven Council meeting to ensure that Council fully understood that New Haven had previously agreed to partner with Lenox Township, despite the possibility that the Village could ultimately be responsible for supporting two fireworks displays.
With that in mind, I would like to clarify the timeline from New Haven's perspective.
The proposal to relocate the fireworks display to Lenox Township was presented to the New Haven Village Council on June 10, 2025. During that discussion, the cost referenced was $12,000. Unfortunately, the motion ultimately adopted did not specify a dollar amount, which, in hindsight, created ambiguity for all parties involved and serves as a lesson for each of us moving forward.
At the June 16, 2025 Lenox Township Parks & Recreation meeting, the Camtor proposal was presented to the committee with a quoted cost of $20,000. At that meeting, being a member of Lenox Township's Parks & Recreation committee, I indicated that the revised amount would need to be brought before the New Haven Village Council for consideration and approval. New Haven's next regularly scheduled Council meeting was not until July 8.
Before New Haven's Council had the opportunity to discuss the revised proposal, Lenox Township held a Special Meeting on June 30 that included, among other agenda items, the $20,000 proposal for the 2026 fireworks display. The proposal was approved unanimously.
Because New Haven had not yet had an opportunity to consider or approve the increased cost before Lenox Township's action, the New Haven Village Council ultimately voted unanimously on September 8th to authorize a partial payment based on the original $12,000 amount discussed when the partnership was initially approved. Under that approach, New Haven's share would be $6,000, less its portion of the sponsorship proceeds previously divided between the communities ($1,500), resulting in a partial payment of $4,500.
While I understand that Lenox Township would have preferred full reimbursement, I hope this partial payment demonstrates New Haven's commitment to honoring its original understanding of the partnership with a split cost of $12,000 and helps mitigate the financial impact on Lenox Township.
