Fees for use of Fort Williams picnic shelter going up
Fees for group use of some facilities at Fort Williams Park are going up.
At their meeting Oct. 10, the Town Council approved increased fees for group
use of the picnic shelter, and for "location use" by professional photographers
and videographers.
The move came after the Fort Williams Advisory Commission reviewed current
fees and recommended some increases. No increase in fees were recommended
for use of the gazebo, bandstand or areas such as Battery Knoll, the meadow
or the parade ground.
It's the first increase in group fees since January of 2004.
The location-use fee applies to photographers and videographers whose work,
in the estimation of the town manager, would have an effect on use of the
park.
For example, individual portrait photography would not trigger a fee, but
a filmmaker bringing a large group of subjects or staff would.
"If it doesn't have an impact on the park, that's fine," Town Manager Michael
McGovern said.
McGovern also said filming that promotes the State of Maine, such as those
sanctioned by the state's Maine Film Office, is often allowed for little
or no fee. "A lot of it is negotiated," he said.
The revised fee schedule and
statement of group uses are available on
this Web site.
Here is a summary of the fee changes, effective Dec. 1, 2007:
Picnic Shelter Current Fee New Fee
Resident- Full Day .................$75.00 $90.00
Residents – Half Day.................50.00 60.00
Non-Residents, Groups
& Businesses – Full Day..........300.00 360.00
Non-Residents, Groups
& Businesses – Half Day..........200.00 240.00
Non-Profit Organizations
501(C)3) – Full Day..............200.00 240.00
Non-Profit Organizations
(501(C)3) – Half Day.............150.00 180.00
All of the above fees require a $50.00 security deposit upon confirmation
of reservation.
Location Fee (Applies to the use of the Park for commercial photography
and/or filming)
Current Fee New Fee
Maine-based company $500.00 $1,000.00
Any other company 1,000.00 2,500.00
- For filming activity that has a significant impact on the public’s
enjoyment of the park, a special fee must be negotiated with the Town Manager
or his/her designee.
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