A small Massachusetts town that played a pivotal role in America’s founding has canceled its Fourth of July celebrations – with officials now saying they will not issue refunds for any donations.
Rutland’s Fourth of July committee, police, and fire departments released a joint statement on Wednesday notifying residents that planned fireworks, a parade and a concert to mark 250 years since the nation was founded were all being scrapped over staffing limitations they feared would make it unsafe for the public.
Officials noted they had ‘successfully raised the funds needed’ for the celebration, but said any donations to the now-canceled event will not be returned.
The funds were ‘pooled and expended collectively,’ making it ‘not feasible to determine the return on individual contributions,’ they explained.
All donations will now be put toward future celebrations, the officials said, as they thanked the community for its generosity.
The decision to scrap the Fourth of July celebrations comes shortly after residents voted on May 11 to deny a tax increase that would have helped the town fill a projected $3.1 million hole in Rutland’s budget for the next fiscal year.
Before the vote, police and fire unions warned of severe cuts that would be detrimental to public safety, according to the Telegram & Gazette. Four police officers and five firefighters are expected to lose their jobs, Mass Live reported.
Bu town officials insisted that the cancellation was ‘not related to funding availability or intended as a response to any community viewpoints.’
Rutland’s Fourth of July committee announcing that fireworks, a parade, and a concert were canceled. The town celebrated July 4 with an event last year
Officials said the cancellation was due to a lack of public safety
Officials said they considered bringing in outside personnel to help address the situation, but determined that, without a unified command, it would create additional concerns.
Residents of the town, which primarily served as a prisoner camp during the Revolutionary War, took to Facebook to express their outrage, with several claiming officials were seeking revenge over the recent vote.
One user asked: ‘Why does this feel like it’s being done out of spite and to teach people a lesson?’
Another added: ‘Nah, that is a Big middle Finger to your Residents, do better.’
A third simply wrote: ‘Dumba** town leadership.’
The town also noted that donations to the event would not be refunded and would be held for future events
Officials said events such as the Junior Olympics, road race, pancake breakfast and volleyball tournament are still taking place
The cancellation comes just over a month before the country’s 250th anniversary.
President Donald Trump launched Freedom 250, a public-private partnership ‘leading the presidential programming for America’s 250th anniversary,’ which culminates with the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Rutland Fourth of July committee, as well as the police and fire departments, for comment.
