HAVERHILL - When Halloween rolls around in 281 days, the city may actually see children going door to door speaking their traditional ultimatum - "trick or treat."
The City Council's Administration and Finance Committee is meeting tonight about the possibility of allowing trick or treating on Halloween night.
In 1996, the council voted to ban trick or treating on Halloween if it fell on a Sunday or weekday, and instead limited it to the last Saturday in October.
Councilors are considering abolishing the ordinance in response to a flood of complaints from parents.
Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O'Brien said she received dozens of e-mails and calls from parents who want the law changed to allow children to trick or treat on Halloween night. She is chairwoman of the committee.
"This is kind of an emotional issue because it involves children," O'Brien said. "People really had strong feelings."
Other parents support the status quo of Saturday trick or treating, which avoids having to take their kids outside on the streets during the rush of school and workdays, she said.
The law was changed 11 years ago to prevent children from trick or treating on a school night, or on business days when traffic is thickest.
"The passion was equal for both sides," O'Brien said. "It really was almost half-and-half how people thought about it."
If the committee decides to change the law, the full council will have to approve it.
According to the city ordinance, trick or treating would happen on Oct. 25 this year, six days before Halloween.
The public is invited to tonight's meeting at 7 in the City Council office on the second floor of City Hall, Daly O'Brien said.
Councilor Kenneth Quimby said his only concern about Halloween night trick or treating is how the parents will be able to get home from work in time to go with their children. But he plans to vote to abolish the current ordinance.
"If it comes down to it, I'll go for the regular trick or treating day," he said.
PG1 BOX
Having a say
What: Meeting about allowing trick or treating on Halloween night
When: Tonight at 7
Where: City Council office, second floor of City Hall
The City Council's Administration and Finance Committee is meeting tonight about the possibility of allowing trick or treating on Halloween night.
In 1996, the council voted to ban trick or treating on Halloween if it fell on a Sunday or weekday, and instead limited it to the last Saturday in October.
Councilors are considering abolishing the ordinance in response to a flood of complaints from parents.
Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O'Brien said she received dozens of e-mails and calls from parents who want the law changed to allow children to trick or treat on Halloween night. She is chairwoman of the committee.
"This is kind of an emotional issue because it involves children," O'Brien said. "People really had strong feelings."
Other parents support the status quo of Saturday trick or treating, which avoids having to take their kids outside on the streets during the rush of school and workdays, she said.
The law was changed 11 years ago to prevent children from trick or treating on a school night, or on business days when traffic is thickest.
"The passion was equal for both sides," O'Brien said. "It really was almost half-and-half how people thought about it."
If the committee decides to change the law, the full council will have to approve it.
According to the city ordinance, trick or treating would happen on Oct. 25 this year, six days before Halloween.
The public is invited to tonight's meeting at 7 in the City Council office on the second floor of City Hall, Daly O'Brien said.
Councilor Kenneth Quimby said his only concern about Halloween night trick or treating is how the parents will be able to get home from work in time to go with their children. But he plans to vote to abolish the current ordinance.
"If it comes down to it, I'll go for the regular trick or treating day," he said.
PG1 BOX
Having a say
What: Meeting about allowing trick or treating on Halloween night
When: Tonight at 7
Where: City Council office, second floor of City Hall
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
