Service fees ordinance referred back to Council

Some councilors note need for more information before vote

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — The City Council did not send a proposed ordinance to recover service fees for the deployment of public safety services to first printing Monday as Mayor Mark Hawke had recommended, but rather voted to refer it back to the council as a whole so that they would have adequate time to address several issues. Mr. Hawke, who recommended the issue be sent to first printing at a Public Safety Committee meeting last week, said he was not disappointed with the council’s decision. “I think some of the councilors needed some more information on the ordinance,” said Mr. Hawke. “And now we just have to see if we can get the city solicitor and a representative from the company to come and get us that information.” The proposed ordinance would call for the collaboration between the city and a private company to create a program aimed at recovering service fees for the deployment of public safety services for motor vehicle accidents that are outside the scope of basic crime prevention, investigation, and fire prevention. Councilor Alice Anderson, who attended a public safety committee meeting earlier in the week with city officials said she was in favor of sending it through to first printing. “This ordinance was brought before the public safety committee, it was supported strongly by the mayor, the fire captain and the police chief, and we wanted to bring it before the council and recommend it sent to first printing,” said Ms. Anderson, “and I am in favor of sending it.” One councilor who spoke against the first printing of the ordinance was Councilor Kim Dembrosky, who said she still had several concerns with how it was written. “I’m very torn about this particular ordinance and this is why if we are looking at just the city itself than yes, it gives us another avenue to buy vehicles or additional supplies,” said Ms. Dembrosky. “But if you look outside of the benefit to the city, if you look at the residents of the city, I think this is a disservice.” Among Ms. Dembroksy’s primary concerns with the ordinance was insurance companies increasing their rates to make up for the additional costs associated with paying the city. “Each and every one of us has insurance,” said Ms. Dembrosky. “The problem is, if you get in an accident and the insurance company pays for this, and their costs go up, we are all going to see an increase. I think it is a Pandora’s box and I would not want to be somebody who started something like this, I personally would like a lot more information.” One councilor who was in favor of sending the ordinance to first printing was Councilor Josh Cormier, who said that because there are fewer council meetings in August, sending it to first printing would still allow time to review and discuss possible changes. “I don’t think this is an easy decision to make and I understand where Councilor Dembrosky is coming from because there is that fear that insurance rates will go up,” said Mr. Cormier. “But that is almost like saying the more liquor licenses you have in the community the more drunk driving you will have, and now we should stop giving out liquor licenses. That is the thinking behind that theory, and I think insurance rates will go up no matter what, and it will have nothing to do with this program.” Councilor James Robinson, who was in favor of taking more time to research the ordinance, said he wanted to hear more information from the city solicitor before making his decision. “I think the theory behind this is good,” said Mr. Robinson. “I recommend the city solicitor sit with us as a council as a whole and give us some pluses and negatives before I feel comfortable putting something like this out there. If we pass this I feel like it could be something that will come back to bite us.” Although the ordinance would produce increased funding for emergency services in the community, Ms. Dembrosky said it is not a time-sensitive issue and it would be in the city’s best interest not to rush into a first printing.] “There are still a lot of questions,” said Ms. Dembrosky. “And I don’t think there is any rush or timetable out there saying we have a certain amount of time to do this.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 8/5/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 184)