Lyonel Doherty, TimesChronicle
Be careful not to damage boulevard trees in Oliver because it will cost you.
The Town will soon approve a new enforcement and municipal ticketing bylaw that will see fines increased for damage to boulevard trees.
“Once trees have been damaged it is often too late, thus it is important to have stiffer fines,” said Director of Development Services Randy Houle in his report to council on Monday.
Fines have been increased or added in several categories. For example, fines have been added for disturbances to watercourse and environmentally sensitive development permit areas.
“It has been evident through recent disturbances that the province is relying more and more on the Town to enforce,” Houle said.
Damage to boulevard trees will result in a fine of $500 (from $150) under the enforcement bylaw, and from $150 to $1,000 under the municipal ticketing bylaw.
Houle said the main difference between the issuance of a bylaw offence notice and a municipal ticket is the dispute process and fine amount. A bylaw offence notice goes through a dispute, screening and adjudication process with the ticket ending up in collections if not paid. A municipal ticket is issued through the Community Charter and any disputed tickets end up in provincial court.
“This is an extensive and lengthy process, thus it is only used in rare circumstances in which compliance can’t be achieved through a bylaw offence notice,” Houle pointed out.
The benefit is it allows for higher fines and requires people to attend court.
“The goal is that this may correct their behaviour.”
Under the enforcement bylaw, improperly transporting an animal in a vehicle comes with a $100 fine, while feeding wild animals also results in a $100 fine.
Constructing or demolishing something without a permit will saddle you with a $500 fine under the building regulation bylaw.
Under the cemetery bylaw, scattering without a permit will cost you $100, while modifying a grave space will result in a $200 fine. Even having a live animal in the cemetery will leave you $50 poorer.
Allowing a nuisance on your property or failing to remove a fire hazard will cost you $500.
Discharging fireworks without a permit will result in a $125 fine, while accumulating stagnant water will cost you $150. Urinating other than in a toilet will also set you back $150. And did you know that having a garage sale for too many days comes with a $100 fine?
