Lake Hopatcong won't be charging user fees next year

Posted on November 11, 2009 10:18 pm

The plan to fund weed harvesting on Lake Hopatcong through user fees is dead.

Its strongest proponent, Art Ondish, the Lake Hopatcong Commission chairman and Mount Arlington mayor, withdrew his support after learning from state officials it would be unconstitutional to bypass state coffers and keep all fees collected at the local level.

"That blows my plan out of the water," Ondish said.

It is a victory for many residents and marina owners around the lake, who vociferously opposed user fees, worrying it would overburden households and diminish business.

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