Town Park and Beach Smoking Ban Okayed in Putnam Valley
By Neal Rentz
The Putnam Valley Town Board voted unanimously on July 22 to ban smoking from town park facilities, including beaches.
The legislation stated the town board was creating the ban because of the potential health hazards associated with smoking and the debris created from smoking.
Those found to violate the new law for the first time will receive a warning. Each additional violation will incur a fine of up to $50.
The new law will go into effect on October. 2.
Councilman Steven Mackay initially objected to the law because he said it would be too broad. But Supervisor Sam Oliverio said the fines would not be given to individuals who smoke in their vehicles in park or beach parking lots.
Fines Public Hearing
Also at last week’s meeting, the town board voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. on legislation that would levy fines for various building violations.
“This is a very specific law,” Oliverio said.
The town board is considering imposing fines for such offences as illegal dumping and zoning violations.
While there would be no fines for “something done in all innocence,” the first “mindful violation” would carry a maximum $1,500 fine for various violations, a maximum $3,000 for the second violation and a fine of up to $5,000 for the third violation.
Illegal dumping would carry a fine of $50 per yard. Town judges will determine the fines based on the particular cases.
CSEA contact approved
The town board also voted unanimously to approve a new five year contract with the town’s 13-member CSEA union. Oliverio said the CSEA union includes various types of positions in town government.
The annual pay increase will be 1.5 percent for this year and next year and 2.5 percent for each year for each of the final three years in the contract.
Tow truck licensing
Also at the meeting, the board instructed Town Attorney William Florence to draft legislation that would mandate tow truck companies to be licensed in town.
“The fees that are being charged are high,” Mackay said, noting that many of the tow truck companies who provide the service are not located in Putnam Valley.
