Fees for boaters in the Town of Oyster Bay who make use of the Tobay Boat Basin and Town launching ramps have been held at the 1996 level, according to Town Councilman Joseph D. Muscarella, who added that this year, town senior citizens 60 and over will be entitled to free seasonal trailer permits.

"I'm pleased to announce that fees for the Tobay Boat Basin and town launching ramps remain at the 1996 level," Councilman Muscarella said. "In fact, the only change in these two categories is that the town board lowered the senior citizen discount eligibility age from 62 to 60 and determined that seniors holding town clerk issued Senior Citizen Beach ID Cards will be entitled to free seasonal boat trailer permits."

At Tobay Boat Basin, seasonal stickers for resident will be $25 (one to 25 feet), $35 (26 to 31 feet), and $50 (over 31 feet). The basin entrance fee for residents without a sticker will be $10 (one to 25 feet), $14 (26 to 31 feet) and $18 (over 31 feet). The daily slip rental for residents Saturday, Sunday and holidays will be $15 (one to 25 feet), $20 (26 to 31 feet) and $25 (over 31 feet) while the fee Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, will be $7 (one to 25 feet), $10 (26 to 31 feet) and $15 (over 31 feet).

This year, the town is instituting a special senior citizen rate from Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, of $3 (one to 25 feet), $5 (26 to 31 feet) and $7 (over 31 feet).

Non-residents can use the boat basin Monday through Thursday excluding holidays. The basin entrance fee will be $20 (one to 25 feet), $25 (26 to 31 feet) and $30 (over 31 feet). The daily slip rental will be $25 (one to 25 feet), $30 (26 to 31 feet) and $35 (over 31 feet).

Councilman Muscarella indicated that the official season for collecting boating fees will be Saturday, May 16, through Sunday, Sept. 27, and all Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays during the period of Oct. 5 through Nov. 2. Seasonal permits will be honored during that period.

The season at the John J. Burns, Harry Tappen and Theodore Roosevelt launching ramps will officially open on Saturday, May 23. Fees will be collected through Monday, Sept. 7. Seasonal trailer stickers and daily trailer fees are required in addition to the payment of all beach parking fees, when applicable.

The resident fee for a seasonal beach sticker is $30, the fee for a seasonal trailer sticker is $20 and the daily cost without stickers is still $10. Non-residents can also obtain a seasonal trailer sticker at John J. Burns for $75 or use the ramps for a daily fee of $20. The non-resident daily car, truck and trailer fee is $40 at Harry Tappen and Theodore Roosevelt ramps. The fee for commercial use at each of the locations is $275.