Complaints were raised at the Mayville Village Board regarding the higher dock fees. The fees for residents increased from $750 to $1,000 at Lakeside Park.
P-J photo by Gregory Bacon
MAYVILLE — Increased boat dock rates and revised regulations seem to have upset a number of people who lease space in Lakeside Park.
In September, the Mayville Village Board unanimously raised the rates from $750 to $1,000 a year for residents, and from $1,000 to $1,500 for non-residents. Payments, along with proof of insurance, are due by April 1.
Officials also revised the boat dock regulations. They said most of the changes were minor in nature.
After the September meeting, a copy of the revised regulations and the new rates were sent out to current leases. Some of those who lease dock space appeared at the October meeting to express their displeasure with the increase and questioned the new regulations.
Mayor Rick Syper said the village has been working on revising the regulations and determining fees since April. “This board did not make this decision lightly. It was at the last minute that this was agreed upon,” he said.
Syper noted that the board has decided to use the increase funds to go back to Lakeside Park. “This helps the whole park program, so everybody wins,” he said.
But not everyone agreed with that statement.
One resident complained, “This is wrong and you guys know it. … You guys are going to jack up that price. Shame on you.”
Another replied, “I want to share our displeasure in the cost. It’s quite astronomical from $750 to $1,000.”
Residents said they wanted a detailed list of how the money will be used. Syper responded that the money is going into the park account. How the money is spent is determined when the budget is created.
Trustee Dan Rousch said he was first opposed to increasing the fees, but since the money is going back to the park, he decided to support it.
One of the regulations states that the village can terminate a lease for any reason and that refunds are not provided.
One resident expressed concern that the village may just cancel her lease for a minor infraction and then keep her money.
Syper said terminating a lease would be because of someone not following either the established rules or breaking the law. He used the example if someone was boating while intoxicated or assaults another person.
Trustee Bill Ward noted that there are no new rules in the regulations. “None of these are any new edicts. They’re just easier to read,” he said.
According to village officials, there are 24 docks available to rent. Two of them are currently being rented by Chautauqua Inns, in front of the Watermark Restaurant. The other 22 docks are rented to individuals. Some individuals share their docks space with another person.
Village officials also said there is a waiting list of 21 people who want to rent dock space in Lakeside Park.
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