You’ll pay if you light up in one of Cobleskill’s parks.
The village board last Tuesday approved an anti-tobacco law that bans all tobacco use in all Cobleskill parks.
Being convicted of tobacco use could carry a fine of up to $250 and/or 15 days in jail.
Mayor Linda Holmes proposed the law last month, citing smokers bothering the audience at the summertime Arts in the Park concert series.
But the law goes beyond smoking. It also bans chew, liquid nicotine and electronic cigarettes.
And although Veterans’ Memorial Centre Park––site of the concerts––is Cobleskill’s most visible park, there are many other park and recreation areas:
Golding Park, Iorio Park, the Community Plaza at Main and Division streets, the green in Clinton Circle, Smith and Dow reservoirs and the Holding Pond.
“The law is for those who do not exercise good judgment,” Mayor Holmes said Tuesday, adding that signs will be posted in parks.
When the law was first proposed, there was concern about enforceability. Police Chief Jeff Brown said most enforcement will come after residents report having observed tobacco use in parks.
The law will be in Cobleskill parks codes, which covers driving a motorized vehicle or damaging trees and shrubs.