Bethel adopts boating ordinance

By DAVID HULSE

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — Amid threats of litigation for damages, the Bethel Town Board adopted a new boating ordinance on August 28.

The new law limits summer weekend hours of operation for personal watercraft on White Lake and bans their use on Lake Superior and the public portion of Toronto Reservoir.

Local registration and boating certificates will be required. Operation of personal watercraft on White Lake on weekends between July 1 and August 31 can take place between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The new law will not include special fees for personal watercraft. However, the rest of the town’s standard boating permit system, which does include a charge, will remain in place.

Attorney Charles Giulini, representing personal watercraft rental agent John Payne, claimed the new law was 90-percent unconstitutional. Giulini charged that the law discriminated against commercial users but did not otherwise specify how it was unconstitutional. He threatened to sue for damages if the law was passed.

Other concerns were voiced about the hours of operation and the board did resolve in passing the law, to immediately reexamine those hours.

A majority of the standing room audience at the Bethel Senior Center appeared to favor the new law. Resident Charlie Greenhouse said, “I’m all for it. It’ll give us a few days of peace and quiet,” he said.