By Andrew Coen
The village board decided to raise fines for an expired meter from $10 to $15 and overtime parking from $10 to $15. Double-parking violations were doubled from $25 to $50, prohibited parking went from $25 to $35 and restricted parking from $25 to $35.
In addition, no-stopping violations went from $25 to $35, no-standing violations from $25 to $35, head-in parking infractions from $10 to $15 and time stalled from $20 to $35. No-permit violations were raised from $25 to $35, parking in a loading zone went from $25 to $35 and parking at a bus stop from $25 to $50.
Those caught parking at a fire hydrant will now pay $50 instead of $25, and those parking in a no-parking area from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. will shell out $25 instead of $15.
A new violation, for parking on the wrong side of the curb, will cost violators $25, and handicapped-parking violations remain the same, at $100.
The new fines went into effect immediately after the July 23 vote.
Lawrence's neighboring village, Cedarhurst, also recently raised the parking fines for an expired meter to $15, and in nearby Valley Stream, the violation costs motorists $25, Lawrence Village officials said. We're trying to make sure we're in line with other similar types of villages, said Lawrence Mayor Dr. Jack Levenbrown.
The board also approved changes in fees for licenses and permits in the village. Parking lot permits have been raised from $20 for a resident and $10 for a second car to $40 for a resident and $20 for a second car. A non-resident permit increased from $50 to $100, an overnight permit increased from $200 to $300, and those filing for a Zoning Board of Appeals application must now pay $750 instead of $500.
According to Village Administrator Peter Overs, the changes in fees will increase the village's revenue by $75,000 to $100,000 a year. Levenbrown said the additional revenue will help ease residents' tax burdens.
The village is in sound fiscal shape, however, every municipality has had a marked increase in their expenses related to insurance and the state employee pension program as well as a marked decrease in their interest earnings, the mayor said. We are constantly striving to streamline our operation of the village, and these increases were looked at, since it is the first time in many years that they have been raised, and we believe the revenues are needed to continue to provide services to our residents at the least possible cost.
In a safety issue related to meters, the board approved a measure to eliminate two parking meters in front of the Plaza at 360 Central Ave. I must say that if you have a car sitting there, particularly if you have any kind of SUV sitting there, it is total broadside, said Mayor Levenbrown. You hate to lose the meters and you hate to lose the parking spots, but safety has to come first.
Also during the July 23 meeting, the board responded to a May 13 complaint made by Martin Troy of an unruly chicken on his property. Troy was upset that his neighbor, who had the chicken, was not taking proper care of it, and it was making a mess on his property.
With the help of Village Attorney Ron Goldman, the board approved a measure to correct an omission in a current law regarding animals on public or private property. Under the new law, any owner failing to restrain a pet would be subject to a penalty that would include a fine of up to $1,000 or 15 days in jail. After Goldman announced the new law, Troy said to the board, I thank you all very much for your consideration, and I think it will help the people in the village in the future not to have the pain that I had to go through.
The law passed unanimously. Since the complaint, the neighbor has gotten rid of the chicken, according to Troy.
There is no village board meeting scheduled for August. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 p.m. at Lawrence Village Hall.
