Mattapoisett’s Board of Selectmen discussed the need to try and find new ways to offset expenses associated with providing specific services – services that, by and large, benefit individuals or business entities versus the community.
On March 26, the selectmen and Town Administrator Michael Gagne began a conversation on fees currently collected for services rendered and services that might be ripe for imposing a fee. The plan is to build in new fees to help offset operating costs.
Gagne outlined the phases of construction and associated inspections required for building homes and other structures, saying, “It’s very individualized.” The services – site visits, plumbing and electrical inspections, and construction site inspections all require special services. But, beyond those expected with construction projects, there are other services provided by other town agencies equal in importance, but currently not offset by fees.
Gagne said that he wanted to look at the Conservation Commission, as well as the Recreation Department. He continued his thought by adding that currently, before construction activities are permitted, a Request For Determination of Applicability (RDA) or a Notice of Intent (NOI) must be filed with the Conservation Commission. Of those two permits, only the NOI charges a fee on $100 that is then split with the Commonwealth.
Selectman Paul Silva asked Gagne what the operating expenses were for the Conservation Commission, to which Gagne replied, “The agent and the clerk are both part-time, but salaries plus office expenses are $65,000.” He said the agent spends 90-percent of her time assisting people with all manners of wetland-related issues. When asked how much money the commission currently had on the books Gagne said “about $5,000.”
Regarding the issue of whether or not a town could impose conservation fees without having a local wetlands bylaw, Gagne said it most likely is possible.
“I’m having town counsel look into that, but I think all we have to do is have a bylaw for the fee,” Gagne said.
Selectman Tyler Macallister asked how many NOI s and RDAs are applied for annually, and Gagne said that data and data on fees charged by other cities and town would be discussed during the March 27 Finance Committee meeting.
Silva thought, if the Building Department was successfully covering 80 percent or more of its operating costs, then that might be the goal for all town agencies providing services.
“It’s not right that the average person should pick up the costs,” Silva opined. He also asked Gagne to look into whether or not the set NOI fee could be raised.
Continuing on the theme of fees, Gagne said that while the community was the host town for many community-wide events, there were other events that had singular beneficiaries. Of this later category, he said there is an “exhaustive list” of organizations and individuals petitioning to hold events in Mattapoisett, but who do not pay the town a fee to do so.
“I want to make it clear,” Gagne stated, “I’m not talking about certain community events; but others, yes.”
During his updates, Gagne said the Fire Department Building Committee is on track, and the committee selected Context of Boston for the architecture while project management will be handled by Vertex of Weymouth, said Selectman Jordan Collyer, who was attending the meeting via remote connection. Gagne said the committee is close to presenting costs estimates in preparation for the May Town Meeting.
Silva said he also wants to present Town Meeting with the value of the old fire station as the town considers the real possibility of putting the property up for sale and using the revenue to offset construction of the new fire station. Gagne told Silva that type of language would be in the Town Meeting appropriation article for the firehouse construction. It would also ask that the Board of Selectmen be granted authority to advertise the property and manage the sale.
Collyer felt it was critically important that Town Meeting be presented with this financial information, to which Silva concurred, “It’s appropriate to let the public know what we plan on doing.”
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for April 9 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell