Byram council sinks proposed boat storage restrictions - Measure was recommended by Lake Mohawk County Club

Byram - The Byram Township Council unanimously rejected a resolution to enforce strict boat storage regulations in the Lake Mohawk section of Byram. The vote was greeted by applause from some 40 area residents who attended the meeting, carrying with them a petition with more than 100 signatures urging the council to reject the measure. The resolution had been proposed at the request of the Lake Mohawk Country Club, which asked the council to institute regulations similar to those imposed by the club and on the books in Sparta, which prohibit boats from being stored in front of a home, or visible from the street. In a letter sent to the council, the club said that having such a law in Byram would give it more fire power in pursuing boat storage violators, allowing it to go to the municipality for help if club efforts were unsuccessful. Echoing the sentiments of most who attended this week’s council meeting, Councilman Earl Riley insisted the issue was not Byram’s business. “I just can not see ever considering this,” said Riley. “Why would we put a law on the books to help the Lake Mohawk Country Club enforce its laws? That’s their problem.” When the council originally discussed Lake Mohawk’s request at a prior session, it also considered extending the ban throughout the town. Councilman James Oscovitch said at the time that if a ban was to be considered, he did not want to “pick on one part of town.” But in the end, Oscovitch did not want to forcibly impose the measure on any boat owner. “In order to have this ordinance successful you are going to force people to store boats,” said Oscovitch. “The financial burden to have to store these boats is a major problem.” The boat storage ban did have some limited support. Although, she voted along with the rest of the council to defeat the measure, Councilwoman Donna Griff voiced reservations. “People do park (their boats) in front of their yards. We do have to be sensitive,” she said. One resident spoke in favor of the ban, pointing out that in some cases, undeveloped lots owned by the club become illegal boat parking lots in the winter. Byram already has some ordinances governing boat storage. While it is permissible to store boats in driveways, boats are not supposed to be stored in front lawns or in areas blocking the view of surrounding homes. But anything more comprehensive appears to have no chance of passing in the Township of Lakes, at least for now. “I think we should trash it (the ordinance),” declared Riley. “Just throw it away. It doesn’t belong here.”