Council approves wording, dollar amount for fines

Ticketing just became a bit easier for local police after a city council decision Monday.

Council approved dollar amounts and short form wording for 40 traffic violations ranging from $85 for skateboarding on municipal property to $250 for driving too fast on a bridge. The decision was made during a regular scheduled council meeting at city hall Monday night.

Administration made the recommendation, saying city police were tied up in a system that treated the less severe infractions as criminal matters. Administration explained that information needed to be sworn before a judge and those charged needed to be served a summons.

Coun. Aldo Ruberto said he agreed with the recommendation, but said that the fines should have been set higher for public safety.

“If they make a mistake I hope they do pay for it significantly before people get hurt,” he said.