By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-856353.mp3
Albany, NY – The Colonie Town Board has adopted new fees for hotels that house registered sex offenders. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
A recently adopted local law that limits the number of offenders that can reside at a hotel at any one time is bolstered by a resolution governing fees that may be assessed against such facilities. The so-called "hotel-motel law" affects all such businesses which accept any type of referral or payment from federal, state or local agencies in return for accomodating sex offenders.
This month parents in the South Colonie School District received a letter informing them that 15 sex offenders were living town, all but one staying at one of two Central Avenue motels: the Skylane Motel at 1927 Central Avenue and the Blubell Motel at 1907 Central. Managers of the hotels could not be reached for comment in time for broadcast.
The new measure is set to become fully effective in about 90 days and is expected to withstand any possible challenge because it regulates the hotels, NOT the sex offenders.