Old Lyme — Every year, people gather on the Saturday night of the Midsummer Festival to enjoy the fireworks, which are set off behind the high school once darkness falls.

But along with people enjoying the annual tradition have come some complaints about debris from the fireworks.

Two years ago, on a still night, debris from the fireworks — large chunks of cardboard — fell onto the roof of the high school and later was discovered after the school year started, when workers went onto the roof to look at the air conditioning system, said First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder.

She said by the time the debris hit the roof, it wasn't a fire risk. The fireworks company came back to look at the debris and see if there was any concern for the roof, and school officials said it was more of a nuisance than anything.

Last year, with a wind blowing from north to south, debris fell into the Library Lane and Dunns Lane area of town, leading to complaints from several residents about debris on their lawns and roofs, she said.

The Board of Selectmen recently considered a suggestion to change the fireworks show to a laser light show, which Reemsnyder said wouldn't have the debris or the "bangs and pops" that can cause stress to animals.

But after looking at the possibility, they decided at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting to stick with the traditional fireworks.

Reemsnyder had reached out to companies and heard back from Laser Encore, which would have provided a 25- to 30-minute show, done to music, with an array of different colored lights projected onto a large screen and also over and into the audience, while avoiding people's faces. The laser light show would have cost about the same, perhaps a little less, than a fireworks show, she said.

Selectman Chris Kerr said there's always a good turnout for the fireworks show and everybody loves it. He said people who come say it's a better show than in Niantic and in New London, and with less traffic.

"I'm still old-school," said Kerr, adding that he thinks fireworks are more enjoyable than a laser light show.

Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal said she tried to remain as neutral as possible when reviewing the laser show demos, because she thinks it's a unique concept and a good idea to consider. But she said she was most excited to see the laser show in conjunction with the fireworks, which she called "spectacular," so she believes she's "still a fan of fireworks with a little extra thrown in."

She opted for continuing the fireworks show this summer, with some public works support.

Nosal asked if the town always had the show by the high school. Reemsnyder said the town held the show one year by the beach, but that involved a barge, which adds a “tremendous expense.”

Kerr said the barge costs between $6,000 to $10,000, while the location by the beach also leads to traffic and parking issues. He said there is more parking in the location by the high school. It's also nice to have the fireworks by the high school because people already are nearby all day for the festival and then can go over to the field at night for the fireworks.

Reemsnyder said after the meeting that she will have public works resources available and likely will reach out to nearby residents to let them know they can call public works if they find debris.

k.drelich@theday.com