Milton waives park fee for nonprofits

Quick action from Milton Town Council and fundraising efforts from local businesses and residents have convinced two nonprofit groups to keep their events in town.

A new park fee schedule, adopted by town council in November, requires all groups reserving Milton Memorial Park, the gazebo at Milton Memorial Park or Mill Park to pay a refundable security deposit and user fee based on the size of the group. Additional fees for police presence and damages may also be required.

The principle behind the new fee schedule offended Aaron Smith, who has brought a free youth fishing tournament to Milton for the last 20 years. For the Rev. Dr. Diane Davis, who hoped to bring a new ministers' alliance's first Easter sunrise service to the park, it posed a financial burden.

Both Smith and Davis were considering locations outside of Milton if the town refused to waive fees that would have cost each group more than $100, including a refundable security deposit.

Council members unanimously voted March 26 to waive all user fees for nonprofits, which will include Davis' and Smith's events. A security deposit – ranging from $25 to $75 – will still be required. Council also voted to send the park policy and request form to the town's parks and recreation committee for review and recommendations.

Both the youth fishing tournament and the Easter sunrise service are expected to be held in Milton Memorial Park. The sunrise service will be held at 6:15 a.m., Sunday, April 5, and the fishing tournament is planned for the first Saturday in June.

But before council made its decision to honor nonprofits' concerns, Michael Chamberland of Milton's EDGE Martial Arts Academy wanted to make sure the money was available to continue the two-decade-long fishing tournament. Chamberland, along with Techno Goober, Quillen Signs and individual donors, raised enough money to pay the user fee on behalf of the free tournament.

“I knew we could do something to send a valuable message that Milton belongs to its individuals, business owners and families,” he said. “It's just a message that people still come together and help one another.”

For more information, call Milton Town Hall at 302-684-4110.