Politics & Government

Should Township Waive Pavilion Rental Fees?

South Whitehall Board of Commissioners discuss waiving pavilion rental fees for public service and non-profit organizations.

South Whitehall Township traditionally charges residents a modest $25 fee to rent the pavilions in Covered Bridge Park.

Occasionally, public service and non-profit organization ask the Parks and Recreation Board to waive the fee, which is $100 for non-residents to reserve a pavilion.

In a recent memo sent to the commissioners, the Parks and Recreation Board recommended it should be township policy that no waiver of pavilion rental fees be granted.

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As an alternative, the board recommended the township pay the rental fee as a charitable donation.

"I feel strongly we should be in a position to offer a waiver under certain conditions, case by case," Commissioners President Tori Morgan said at a recent meeting.

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"And if that means coming before the board of commissioners to do it, so be it. I think there are situations where the waiver is appropriate," Morgan said.

Commissioner Dale Daubert said the township manager should have the perogative to waive the rental fee "and the board of commissioners shouldn't get involved."

"I think somebody should have the perogative to grant the waiver if the waiver makes sense," Morgan said.

Township Solicitor Joe Zator the commissioners are legally authorized to grant waivers. "It's a policy choice," he said.

"The only thing to keep in mind is you want to have an even-handed approach in  dealing with waivers, as opposed to opening yourself up to claims of favoritism or discrimination," Zator said.

"How many waiver requests have we actually gotten? Does it happen frequently? Is it really an issue?," Morgan asked.

Daubert said he considered the granting of waiver fees an administrative function, not a legislative one.

"Who it is who offers the waivers isn't really the question. The question is should we offer waivers, period?," Morgan said.

The commissioners took no action on the matter.

 

 

 

 

 


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