By Allen Brewer

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors settled a dispute over fireworks with a gentleman’s agreement during Monday’s board meeting.

The issue came from several complaints the board received over fireworks being shot around 10 p.m. at The Jefferson.

Lisa Mills, manager at The Jefferson, and Max Hill, the owner of the neighboring property, came to the meeting to each explain their part in the dispute.

“I love to get people involved in the community,” Jeff Busby, President of Board of Supervisors, said. “It makes things work better that way.”

Mills came forward at the public hearing to give account for her company’s use of fireworks. Mills said The Jefferson, which opened about a year ago, has shot off fireworks three times around 10 p.m.

Some of the events that included firework shows included weddings, Mills said.

While Mills agreed that the fireworks do not have to be shot after 10 p.m, Mills said that her company would like to offer fireworks earlier in the night.

“I understand that there are a lot of older people in the area who go to bed early, but I feel that if other people can agree on this then we would never shoot fireworks after 10 p.m,” Mills said.

Hill, who is The Jefferson’s closest neighbor, said that the fireworks were too noisy and left his family uncomfortable.

“I might not be old, but I will be in bed at 10 p.m., Hill said. “It is like a fire alarm going off next to your head. I would respectfully say that shooting fireworks at 10 p.m. is too late.”

The board decided on an agreement where fireworks will not be shot after 9:45 p.m. The agreement will still allow The Jefferson to shoot fireworks and hopefully not interfere with the neighbors’ nighttime routine.

“I’m going to take everyone at their word,” Busby said. “The last thing we want to do is to make more rules and regulations.”