Council will vote on ordinance to address illegal tying or mooring of vessels
LAKE ARTHUR — It may soon be illegal to tie or moor any type of vessel to the Lake Arthur City Park pier or wharf for more than seven days without documented permission.
The town council introduced an ordinance Wednesday addressing the illegal tying or mooring of vessels in the Lake Arthur park. It does not apply to boat launches.
The ordinance will be voted on at the council’s Dec. 5 meeting.
“The town council is aware that Lake Arthur has had an increase in pleasure boats coming to Lake Arthur by waterway and increasing tourism in the town,” town attorney Bennett Lapoint said.
As proposed, the ordinance would prohibit any vessel to remain tied or moored for more than seven consecutive days to the Lake Arthur Park pier or wharf without prior authorization from the mayor.
A violation of any provision of the measure would constitute a criminal misdemeanor offense incurring a maximum fine of $150 days. Each day shall constitute a separate offense, Lapoint said.
The ordinance does exempt the tying or mooring of vessels for more than seven days in case of a life-threatening emergency.
In other matters, the council agree to seek funds from the state to help make water system improvements throughout the town.
The council unanimously voted to support an application to the Governor’s Office of Community Development, 2018-2019 Community Water Enrichment Fund Program to help fund the water system improvement.
The town is asking for up to $35,000 for water system improvements, according to Mayor Sherry Crochet.
“There are a lot of things that we can use it for,” Crochet said.
The grant is expected to be announced next year.
The Legislature established the Community Water Enrichment Fund in 2008 to help local governments improve and build community water systems.