Braintree Man Pulls Plug On Holiday Display That Caused Traffic Nightmare
BRAINTREE (CBS) - A Braintree neighborhood is pulling the plug on a popular holiday lights display.
Some say what started as a small holiday celebration on Messina Woods Drive, just got out of control. Traffic is so bad; some neighbors can't get to or leave their homes.
"It's Christmas," says neighbor Pam Kiley. "This is what it's about, it's about the holidays, it's about lights."
But when the sun goes down, with a simple switch, it's a magical wonderland of light.
Michael Hammond is the mastermind behind it all. It started out as only a few bulbs and multiplied over the course of ten years. He even added a few neighbors along way for a four home showing.
But last year with the popularity of the electronic display, thousands came with a wondrous eye.
"Buses from retirement homes come by to bring people to look," Hammond says.
It's a revolving glance, snarling traffic for hours. The display is synchronized with music that spectators can tune-into on their FM radio in their cars.
"I was out here last night trying to direct some people, but you can't be out here every night," Kiley says.
"Some of our neighbors have gotten into verbal alterations with people who block their driveways," Hammond says.
So Tuesday night at 10pm, the display plays its final note for neighbors and spectators.
"Collectively we agreed that it's just not fair to everyone," Hammond says.
It's not about a Grinch, or disgruntled neighbors they say.
"I think it's great," Kiley says. "I don't mind if there's a lot of nights we can't get out of the driveway, nights we can't get back into the neighborhood."
But a traffic dilemma is turning this season of cheer into a neighborhood nightmare
"I'm going to have to find a new hobby," Hammond says.
Braintree Police say they have had no complaints about the holiday display.
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