Prior to its regular meeting Oct. 19, Hanover Township Council held a special meeting to review some of the township fees and fines.

In an earlier meeting, the council looked at parking fines for a special case situation and determined the fine was not sufficient to deter a repeated offense.

Chairman Bruce Paulus asked for a detailed review of the ordinance and asked township Solicitor Jackson Eaton for his recommendation. The special meeting was called to review the township ordinance.

The most glaring instance needing attention was a parking fee of $15 for parking in a fire lane. Council raised the fee with little debate. The new fee is $50 and increases to $75 after 72 hours.

The rapid increase after a township code enforcement officer issues the ticket is a standard policy in the township. Most fees have a similar escalator.

“We need to enforce parking in these areas,” Paulus said. “Resident safety is a goal for the township.”

He cautioned residents not to park in front of a fire hydrant during an emergency. Firefighters are allowed to break car windows, if needed, to attach a fire hose to a hydrant.

Township Manager Sandra Pudliner commented on the fee for a zoning hearing. Residents can go before the township zoning hearing board for a flat fee of $50. No change is contemplated.

The cost for businesses runs up to $1,000.

“That seems high, but that is the going rate for other municipalities,” she said. “It costs us about $1,700 to put one on.”

The cost is three-fold. As for each hearing, the township must pay to advertise the hearing and bring in a stenographer and an attorney.

Council rejected the idea of increasing the fee to cover those costs.

“We want to encourage businesses to locate in our township,” Paulus said.

Council members also commented on a local fine for traffic violations.

Councilman Michael Woolley pointed out the fine for failing to stop at a stop sign is $25.

“I think it is much more than that,” he said. Eaton explained state police enforce traffic violations, and they use the state list of fines. According to Eaton, a driver could argue the township fee prevails on township roads and maybe get a reprieve in court; however, that window is closing. Council revised the ordinance to change all traffic fees to the state levels.

“Most of the fines we get are from out-of-town people,” Woolley said. “Residents pretty well know where not to park.” Data shows most parking fines are in parks, where cars are left overnight, or due to temporary parking in fire lanes.

The fine for failure to remove a car during a snow emergency, another problem area, remains at $25 with an escalator clause after 72 hours.