Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 20, 1993 TAG: 9311220269
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Many of the town's parking fines were set at only $1. Even more serious violations, such as parking near a fire hydrant or in a handicapped zone, still had $2 or $3 fines .
Dublin Town Council voted unanimously Thursday night to increase fines for some parking violations and add some new ones, as recommended by Police Chief R.E. Gwaltney.
Starting Jan. 1, people who park overtime, in a loading zone, blocking a driveway or otherwise improperly will pay $5 instead of $1.
The current $2 fines for parking on a sidewalk or in a prohibited area will also go to $5.
The price for parking in a handicapped zone will go from $2 to $25, and for parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, from $3 to $25.
Two new violations also will be added: parking in a fire lane and not having a town vehicle decal. The fine in each case will be $25.
Decals in Dublin cost $20, and Gwaltney said a $25 fine would provide an incentive for people to buy and display them.
Council also accepted Gwaltney's recommendation to raise the price of permits for selling door to door in town from $5 to $25 per person, effective Jan. 1. A permit would be good for 30 days, and apply only to people who make a living from the practice so groups such as Scouts and school children would be exempt.
``It would eliminate not all but some of that activity, plus it's another way of [raising] revenue for the town,'' Gwaltney said.
Council also voted to increase deposits for residential customers hooking on to town utilities from $20 to $50, starting in January. Commercial customers will pay a $75 deposit.
Deposits have not been covering unpaid water bills sometimes left behind when people move, Town Manager Gary Elander said. Such unpaid bills have been averaging about $45.
Council voted to crack down on those failing to pay town real estate taxes.
Town residents who are delinquent in their taxes by three years or more will find their names made public as the first step toward sale of the property involved. Town Attorney Tommy Baker said that publication usually prompts payment so the property need not be sold to get the tax revenue.
He said there is about $15,000 in unpaid town real estate taxes.
by CNB