Published in the November 26, 2018 edition.

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — The Town Council on November 15 discussed hiking the fees that some groups are charged for events that involve the use of the Common. The board had few problems with the fee increases but several members also wanted other topics addressed in the town policy that governs the use of the towns parks, playgrounds and recreational areas.

Town Councilor Tony Longo noted the popularity of Lake and Common events and said that fee increases were intended to assure that the town doesn’t actually lose money on some of these events. He pointed out that some of the larger events involve trucks being driven on the Common as well as tents which require large spikes to be driven into the ground. He said that the fees should be enough to cover this wear and tear as well as the mountains of trash that are sometimes left for the town to pick up.

Longo said that Wakefield-based organizations like the Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association, the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, July Fourth activities and Common Ground events are all exempt from the fees.

Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio added that the fees have not been updated since 2002. He also said that the fees mainly apply to large national charity organizations that pay their executive directors “handsomely.” He cited the Buddy Walk and the Angel Fund as examples. “They can certainly afford” the higher fees, he observed.

Under the proposed new fee structure, an organization seeking to use a town park for an event would have to pay a $50 application fee (up from $25). Applicants using the Bandstand for any purpose including electricity would be charged a refundable fee of $100 (up from $50).

The fee for erecting tents would be increased from $25 to $50.

Park restoration fees for expected crowds of 100-200 would go from $25 to $50. For crowds of 201 to 500, the fee would go up from $50 to $100. For 501 to 1,000 people the fee would be increased from $100 to $200. Events expecting over 1,000 people would be charged $500 (up from $150).

Maio added that there have only been one or two organizations over the last decade that have abused the privilege of using the Common by leaving a mess or being uncooperative with the town.

Town Councilor Ann Santos asked if any consideration had ever been given to limiting the number of events held on the Common and around the Lake.

Maio said that most of the events are concentrated in the spring and the fall, leaving most of the summer for local residents to enjoy the Common and lake unimpeded by large, organized events. “We seem to have hit a middle ground,” in terms of the number of events, Maio said. He also noted that there is usually a local affiliation, as even the larger charities typically have local resident members involved.

Town Councilor Julie Smith-Galvin said she had no problem with the proposed fee increases, but wondered if some of the other language should be updated as well. For example, she wanted to mandate that groups using the Common must recycle. She also wanted a master calendar of events to be available so that neighbors would be aware of what’s going on. In addition, she proposed meeting with lake groups to get their input on possible changes to the policy.

Chairman Peter May noted that the Town Council could approve the changes to the fees and update the policy in other areas later.

Town Councilor Edward Dombroski questioned the policy of refunding the fee for using town electricity. He also observed that even after the increases, the fees still seemed rather modest. He also had several other questions about the language and organization of the policy document. He suggested tabling it until the next meeting. In the meantime some of the issues raised could be addressed and incorporated into the policy.

The board agreed to table the matter until its meeting tonight.

—–

In other business, the Town Council:

• Approved request for the Menorah on the Upper Common to be lit for 8 nights from Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018.

• Approved a request to hang a banner across Main Street for the 5th Annual Gator Gallop 5K on April 6, 2019. The WMGLD will put the banner up on March 25, 2019 and take it down on April 8, 2019.

• Approved a request for a one-day liquor license on Jan. 13, 2019 from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Americal Civic Center for a baby shower.