A fireworks show on July 4th is a time-honored tradition in Marion, but due to lack of fundraising, the Board of Selectmen voted to cancel the event until 2013.

In a two to one vote on Tuesday, April 17, Selectmen Stephen Cushing and Chair John Henry approved a request made by Town Administrator Paul Dawson to table the event.

The Fireworks Committee, Dawson said, had not been fundraising since last July 4.

Selectman Roger Blanchette suggested the board wait to see if private donations could be gathered in time to still sponsor the fireworks show.

With the event only three months away, Dawson said that getting the money needed would not be “feasible.”

“We’re really late in the season to assign this task at the eleventh hour,” Dawson said. “This year it’s really not feasible but maybe next year.”

To get planning started for next year, the Selectmen placed the responsibility of the July 4 fireworks under the Recreation Department.

However, Jody Dickerson, Director of the Recreation Department, said he would be hesitant to take on the fundraising for the fireworks given his already busy schedule.

“It’s year-round fundraising, and I just don’t have the time,” Dickerson said. “I have 32 programs year-round. It’s been a great tradition here in town. I wish I could help.”

Henry agreed. He suggested a committee be formed to organize fundraising and management, which Dickerson would then oversee.

“The direction you have taken thus far in all of your programming is unbelievable,” Henry said. “We all know you’re a 365-day guy. In the long haul it might be a good plan to have this under the Recreation Department to look at full-time management.”

The Selectmen agreed to schedule another meeting with Dickerson to finalize the details of fireworks fundraising for July 4, 2013.