The Evening Sun
By MEG BERNHARDT
Evening Sun Reporter
The Gettysburg Borough safety committee spent most of its meeting Monday trying to figure out how to handle a growing number of ghost-tour companies.
The borough sent letters to 13 walking-tour companies earlier this month after a Baltimore Street resident complained to the committee about litter, noise and trespassing outside his house.
The letter sparked six people from three ghost-tour companies to come to the committee meeting. And they acknowledged some companies cause problems in the town and don't follow voluntary guidelines intended to mitigate concerns.
"There are some tour companies with grandiose opinions of themselves who are doing whatever they please," said Cindy Codori Schultz, owner of Sleepy Hollow of Gettysburg.
The borough formed a ghost-tour subcommittee in 2004, which agreed on guidelines instead of strict ordinances to regulate the tours. Since then, the number of ghost-tour companies has grown and borough officials worry not all of them are following the guidelines.
"These are the good operators who take the time to come here and speak with us," said committee member William Monahan.
But Monahan said if the problems are not solved, an ordinance regulating the tours might become necessary. He said if that happened, it would be a long process because the borough would need to gather input from the ghost tours to make sure regulation would be fair and work well.
The committee also said it would consider whether to require that all amusement-permit holders carry insurance.
Currently, walking tours must obtain amusement permits and contribute 10 percent of ticket sales to the local government. They must also follow the borough's sign ordinances and Pennsylvania traffic laws, but there are no requirements they hold insurance or follow the safety guidelines.
In the letter sent to tours, however, the borough said violating the sign, sidewalk or licensing ordinances could result in the borough suspending or revoking an amusement permit.
The borough also said in the letter that limiting group size to 20 people was one of the guidelines, but at the committee meeting chairwoman Holly Giles said that was a clerical mistake. No limit was ever agreed upon.
Still, the borough is stepping up its watch on the companies.
The Borough Council asked code enforcement officer Bea Savage to start spot checking the tours on nights and weekends. Last weekend, she went out Thursday and Friday night.
In her report of the visits, Savage suggested guide companies change routes to stand in front of businesses closed at night instead of residences if the houses can still be seen from across the street. She also said some tours were crossing the street outside of crosswalks, especially if the street appeared quiet. But it could be a problem if a driver comes through fast.
"You need to make a believer out of the guide because it's a safety issue," Savage told the committee.
Gettysburg Ghost Tours owner Mark Nesbitt said he planned to send a memo out to his guides telling them of the suggestions. Cathy Leap from Echo Tours said she felt her company was obeying the guidelines.
In other business:
? The committee discussed moving 10 parking meters from the 100 block of South Franklin Street and instead requiring residential permits there. On average, those meters make only $4.88 per month, said parking manager William Little. The borough can place the meters in a spot where they can make more money. The matter will be decided by the Borough Council.
? The committee decided the parking garage will not charge a $5 event-parking fee during weekday matinees at The Majestic.
? Savage is coordinating an effort to help property owners in the 3rd Ward clean up graffiti on private buildings. She hopes to work with the juvenile probation program to make it a community-service project.
Contact Meg Bernhardt at mbernhardt@eveningsun.com.
GUIDELINES
? Guides are required to wear badges that include the names of the guide and company;
? The groups should be organized and out of the streets;
? No trespassing on private property;
? The companies must follow all sign ordinances.
http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_4066016
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