North Adams Commission Hikes Campground Seasonal Rates
 The Windsor Lake Recreation Commission voted for a rate increase of 10 percent for seasonal campers. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Seasonal campers will have a spend more this coming summer to stay at Historic Valley Park Campground.
The Windsor Lake Recreation Commission voted to raise seasonal fees 10 percent, or an extra $180, for campers who spend the entire summer at Windsor Lake.
"We haven't raised the seasonal rates since the 2012 season," said Chairman George Forgea at Tuesday's meeting. Forgea said he had discussed the rate hike with the mayor. He also suggested raising the monthly camping rate by 10 percent.
The seasonal rate was raised to $1,600 in 2010 and $1,800 in 2012.
Forgea passed out a rate sheet of comparable campgrounds that showed Historic Valley with lower rates overall.
"If you take a look at all the other campgrounds, we're the only that doesn't have metered electric. Our electric bills have gone up as everybody knows, and they continue to rise," he said. "Everybody else charges more and meters their sites.
"Until we have metered sites, we're going to have to entertain this increase to keep us in the black."
There are about 46 seasonal campers, which would mean about $8,280 more a year.
Forgea pointed out the hike is about a $1 a day, raising the daily rate for a seasonal from $12.16 to $13.20. Those paying daily are being charged $35 to $40 a day.
"I think the issue with the increase is it's going to appear to be a lot but when you break down by the day, that's important for people to understand," said Commissioner Nancy Bullett. "It's not so much we're gaining profit but more to accommodate the increase in our costs."
Forgea said the campground also has to show it can make money to justify requests for more improvements.
People that were grandfathered in with the senior discount will continue to receive that. Forgea suggested the daily rates not change because they have risen incrementally over the past few years.
The commissioners determined to do away with monthly rates all together after hearing from campground manager Cindy Rosenburg. The city was charging $700 a month; that would have jumped to $770.
Rosenburg said monthly rentals aren't common; no one reserved a monthlong spot last year and only one this coming year. But renting for a month would also ensure that a site is occupied, she said.
"You'll make more renting that one month than leaving it open," she said, referring to one of the popular and higher-priced "lakeside" sites that Forgea thought should not be "locked up" for a month.
A couple who frequently camped at the lake had already requested that site for a month next summer. The commission decided to grandfather them in for the 2015 season but not take anymore reservations at a monthly rate.
Commissioner Paul Corriveau was also concerned that nearly half the 100-site campground was being used by seasonal campers, limiting vacancies.
Rosenburg said there is usually a spot for anyone driving in. Holiday weekends and music festivals like Wilco's Solid Sound are the only times, she said, she'd turned anyone away. "There's always a site for someone."
The manager said she's been tracking occupancy and revenue from each site and would bring her data in for the commission to review.
In other business, the commission:
• Discussed the trail network at the lake and needed signage. Bullett referred to a presentation done by Williams College students (presented at last week's City Council meeting) on signage and parking for the city's trail systems. She volunteered to walk the trails and take photos to document where signs could go.
Forgea said he would speak with Public Services about who would be responsible for signs, including "no hunting" ones. He was concerned over reports that hunters had been seen leaving the lake area, which is a wildlife sanctuary.
• Approved the NAmazing Initiative's request to use the park for a snowshoe/community event, with the caveat that it may be asked to roll its event into the Winterfest one on Feb. 21. Forgea said he would speak to another commissioner on whether NAmazing could be accommodated separately.
• Heard about vandalism over the weekend in the small park area where the lake's sign is located. A truck apparently got stuck near the boat ramp and two others pulled it out, leaving ruts and tire tracks. Commissioners are asking residents of the area to contact police if they see or hear anything unusual.
• Was informed the new playground equipment should be completed by the end of the month despite the uncooperative weather. "It's a unique playground," Forgea said. "They really had their back against the wall ... it's been a Herculean effort."
Tags: campground, camping, fees, Windsor Lake,
