published: Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Lake Placid adopts recreation fee rate plan

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

LAKE PLACID - The Town Council in Lake Placid passed a resolution to set fees needed to supplement the care and maintenance of parks and recreational areas.

The fees became effective immediately after the vote, but the council made a second motion to exclude the 2012 Caladium Festival.

Councilman Ray Royce's first motion to install the fees but exclude the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Caladium Festival and Car Show was withdrawn after advice from the town's attorney, Bert Harris.

Royce sits on the chamber board of directors.

The new fee structure requires participants of all ball leagues to pay $20 per player per their respective season in Lake June Park. The council did not exclude the recently formed Lake Placid Football League and made it clear that those already participating would have to come up with the extra $20 per player and $28 per hour for the use of the lighting.

Those wishing to use each of the parks would be required to pay a deposit of $200 for groups up to 200 and $300 for groups larger than 200 at the time of their reservations.

The resolution included fees for the use of the pavilions as well as the entire portions of Stuart Park and DeVane Park.

Spectators merely watching the game, referees giving their time to leagues and teams, Miracle League volunteers for a specific game, and team and league workers maintaining, mowing, marking or operating the field are exempt from the fee unless they are participating in an event. Also included in that exemption with restrictions are concession stand, town staff, contractors and police.

Any league that allows a person to participate in an organized sport activity at Lake June Park who has not purchased a town recreation permit will be fined as set by resolution. Failure to pay the fine shall result in the termination of the league's privilege to use Lake June Park.

Any person using Lake June Park for any sports activity found not to have a recreation permit will be assessed a fine equal to twice the cost of a town recreation permit.

Mayor John Holbrook discussed a last minute addition to the resolution that would exempt all non-profit organizations from paying a fee, but got no support from the other council members.

"Any organization that is working for the betterment of the town should not be charged," Holbrook said.

"What better way to give back to the town than to pay your fee," Councilman Steve Bastardi countered.