Heather Wright/The Independent

Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Gary Atkinson wants the town to look at a different way to collect boat launch fees at Highland Glen Park after some boaters were fined even though they paid for a pass.

Currently, boaters have to go online to the town’s website and buy either a $15 day pass or a $200 yearly pass. But the system has been problematic, with boaters arriving at the park and finding it difficult to get cell service to buy the passes.

“I do have some concerns that were brought to me related to the process of purchasing boat passes at Highland Glen,” Atkinson told council. “I’d like to ask staff to review our current parking cost arrangements, and for council to consider a payer display or another means.

“I think we’ve had some confusion out there the last while,” he added.

Chief Administrative Officer, Adam Sobanski agreed. “Staff have too, received an abundance of phone calls in regard to his current updated system.

“People are having a lot of challenges in accessing the online system. That’s becoming very frustrating for those residents, and it’s resulting in unnecessary fines where they’ve actually purchased a pass but because the system does not update quick enough, they get fined.”

Staff will take a look at other options to bring back to council for discussion.

Meantime, residents in the area will soon have their beach access repaired. The Hyde Street beach access stairs was recently declared not safe for public use.

Southwest Fence and Deck recently replaced a similar staircase on Darymple Street and will complete this job for $23,580. The town will use money saved after the boat launch was dredged.