By Karen Mahoney~Correspondent

After approving the ordinance to create a create boat-launching fees for Center and Camp Lakes last month, the Salem Town Board created section 330-20 which sets boat launch fees for the lakes.

The fees collected are required by the DNR to receive a $5,000 grant to be used to develop and maintain boat launches and the surrounding property.

While the DNR was pleased with the original ordinance, they informed the Board that they could not charge non-residents more than 150 percent of the resident fee to launch their boats. In addition, they cannot exempt the CCLRD from the fees, despite Camp Lake residents paying higher taxes and spending over $200,000 to rehabilitate the two lakes.

Supervisor Dennis Faber recommended the District find a means to pay a one-time fee to the CCLRD and to give them an annual sticker.

“For them to pay to use the lakes after spending that much to rehabilitate them just seems wrong,” said Faber.

Though Faber suggested waiting to vote on this until the Board could figure out a way to help the CCLRD avoid these fees, Administrator Patrick Casey reminded him that they are on a deadline in order to receive the $5,000 from the Wisconsin Waterways Commission to receive grant monies for lake rehabilitation.

Proceeds from the launch fees and the grant funds would be deposited in a separate account to renovate Center Lake’s boat launch.

“If we don’t pass this ordinance, we will forfeit the $5,000 towards the boat launch,” said Casey. “You can pass this ordinance and recommend something later for the CCLRD

In order to sign the grant documents in time to receive the grant, the board voted to charge Wisconsin residents a $3 launch fee, $4.50 for non-residents, and a $20 annual launch fee for residents, $30 annual launch fee for non-residents. Those 65 and older would launch free.

Anyone launching a boat at a public boat launch on Camp Lake or Center Lake is required to display, at the request of any water patrol or public safety officer, a receipt for payment of the daily fee or an annual launch sticker.

The Town will install and maintain a secured collection box at the public launches to accept the daily fees, and will post a notice of the fee requirements in a prominent place at the public launches as well as providing payment envelopes with a receipt.

Those needing annual launch fee stickers can purchase them at the Town Hall during normal business hours.