Nov 17, 2016 3 min read

Parking on the grass at Peterswood Park could eventually cost a whole lot more than it does today.

Responding to concerns from the parks and recreation department about the practice, members of Peters Township Council are considering a $50 fine for violators of the no-parking policy.

At council’s Monday night meeting, township manager Paul Lauer said the current penalty of $5 serves as little deterrent.

“It has been that since Mike Silvestri first started working here,” he said about the recently retired manager, who had been employed by the township since 1976.

Technically, the increase in the penalty would be a revision.

“The fine is actually $50 now,” Lauer explained. “If you pay it early, it’s $5. What might make more sense if it was $25 if you paid it early, and it’s $50 if you don’t.”

Along with vehicles causing damage to the grass, council member James Berquist cited a matter of principle, especially in cases where spaces still are available in lots.

“The point is, there’s plenty of parking,” he said. “We’re talking about some guy’s got to walk 10 yards. It’s ridiculous.”

Lauer recommended considering similar revisions of fines for other parking violations, such as leaving a vehicle on the street overnight. He plans to prepare an ordinance for council’s consideration.

“I think we want to be educational,” he said about the changes. “We don’t want to be punitive.”

In other business Nov. 14:

• Council discussed the possibility of allowing alcohol in public parks. Solicitor John Smith said the current no-alcohol policy could be changed, “but there is obviously some concern about limiting it.”

At his suggestion, council directed the parks and recreation department to review the matter and come back with a recommendation.

“They’re the ones who are probably dealing with this more often than not,” Smith said. “See if they want to create a policy. It can be for special events. It can be just in general.”

Council members expressed reservations.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to allow it at athletic events, because I think the last thing we need is a bunch of sports fans consuming alcohol and taking out their frustrations on an official, or something like that,” Frank Kosir Jr. said. “I was always of the understanding when we were discussing this was that it would be more along the lines of allowing it at the pavilions for graduation parties, or something of that nature.”

Lauer, who joined township administration in 1984, said the issue is nothing new.

“When I first started here, there was quite a discussion about whether there would be alcohol in the park, and council eventually got the position where they were emphatically against it,” he recalled. “So that has been the policy in the park for quite some time.”

• The Robinson Township certified public accounting firm Hosack, Specht Muetzel & Wood LLP was appointed municipal auditor for three years, 2017-19, at a cost of $33,800.

“They have been your auditors over an extended period of time,” Lauer told council. “They have performed well. They have assisted us in preparing the comprehensive annual financial report.”