Springwater town officials continue to work out the final version of a law that would limit adult entertainment within the town.
Jim Campbell, counsel for the town, brought up concerns at the board’s Monday night meeting about the latest revision of the bill. He explained that the board cannot prohibit adult entertainment entirely and further cannot require an annual permit. He pointed to the need to define areas where adult-oriented shops could be allowed within the town.
He also explained that a provision in the law for a annual $1,500 permit was problematic for the town. An annual permit is not an option for the town, according to Campbell. Further, the state sees large fees as tantamount to a tax. A smaller fee — he suggested $150 — would be seen as a fee and is permissible.
Campbell added that the first time the town issued a permit, an adult entertainment business would be allowed to remain in the town permanently.
“So we can’t license them like dogs,” said Supervisor Deborah Babbitt-Henry.
Campbell brought up a point that he said relates to a lot of the town’s attempts to legislate: that the town lacks zoning, one of the most common ways to limit the areas where businesses can operate.
“Zoning, in part, is intended to deal with these kinds of problems,” Campbell said.
Springwater’s adult entertainment law has not passed review at the county planning level and a final revision is expected to be adopted by the town at a later date.
Public comment
While town officials are looking at various proposed laws, it’s also budget season. The town will be reviewing its budget over the next month or so and one question at the forefront for many residents is the state of the water system and the costly repairs needed for both the treatment facility as well as aging waterlines throughout the community.
One resident presented a jar with the discolored water from his tap and another spoke about health issues that keep many residents from drinking their own tap water.
“I can’t give you promises,” Babbitt-Henry said, though she stated that the entire water system, including a filtration system that will come online before 2015, is a top priority for both her and the board.
Budget plans
Babbitt-Henry said she would have a budget presented to the town clerk before Sept. 30, in accordance with state law.
On Oct. 1, the town board will meet at 3 p.m. to accept the supervisor’s tentative budget and begin the process of reviewing the preliminary budget.
Babbitt-Henry said the budget will be a priority at the board’s Oct. 9 and 22 board meetings. The town must schedule a public hearing no later than Nov. 8.
Springwater town officials continue to work out the final version of a law that would limit adult entertainment within the town.
Jim Campbell, counsel for the town, brought up concerns at the board’s Monday night meeting about the latest revision of the bill. He explained that the board cannot prohibit adult entertainment entirely and further cannot require an annual permit. He pointed to the need to define areas where adult-oriented shops could be allowed within the town.
He also explained that a provision in the law for a annual $1,500 permit was problematic for the town. An annual permit is not an option for the town, according to Campbell. Further, the state sees large fees as tantamount to a tax. A smaller fee — he suggested $150 — would be seen as a fee and is permissible.
Campbell added that the first time the town issued a permit, an adult entertainment business would be allowed to remain in the town permanently.
“So we can’t license them like dogs,” said Supervisor Deborah Babbitt-Henry.
Campbell brought up a point that he said relates to a lot of the town’s attempts to legislate: that the town lacks zoning, one of the most common ways to limit the areas where businesses can operate.
“Zoning, in part, is intended to deal with these kinds of problems,” Campbell said.
Springwater’s adult entertainment law has not passed review at the county planning level and a final revision is expected to be adopted by the town at a later date.
Public comment
While town officials are looking at various proposed laws, it’s also budget season. The town will be reviewing its budget over the next month or so and one question at the forefront for many residents is the state of the water system and the costly repairs needed for both the treatment facility as well as aging waterlines throughout the community.
One resident presented a jar with the discolored water from his tap and another spoke about health issues that keep many residents from drinking their own tap water.
“I can’t give you promises,” Babbitt-Henry said, though she stated that the entire water system, including a filtration system that will come online before 2015, is a top priority for both her and the board.
Budget plans
Babbitt-Henry said she would have a budget presented to the town clerk before Sept. 30, in accordance with state law.
On Oct. 1, the town board will meet at 3 p.m. to accept the supervisor’s tentative budget and begin the process of reviewing the preliminary budget.
Babbitt-Henry said the budget will be a priority at the board’s Oct. 9 and 22 board meetings. The town must schedule a public hearing no later than Nov. 8.
