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Selectmen hold off on permitting software purchase, cite staffing and recurring costs
Summary
After hearing inspectors’ views, the board voted that the feasibility and sustainability of townwide permitting software are not justified now, noting the need for a dedicated administrator and uncertain ongoing costs.
The Board of Selectmen voted Oct. 7 that the town should not proceed at this time with purchasing permitting software for building, plumbing and electrical inspections, following presentations from local inspectors and staff.
Staff reported two broadly different commercial options were presented: a lower-cost product and a higher-cost product (examples discussed included OpenGov as a higher-cost option). The board and inspectors said the systems would likely require a dedicated staff person or “gatekeeper” to administer modules, manage per-module fees and handle annual increases in licensing and maintenance. Those added personnel and recurring costs led the board to find the project infeasible at present.
Selectmen also said it would make sense to revisit the question after the town hires a town administrator, so that a single administration point could assess long-term staffing and financial sustainability.
The board approved a motion that “the feasibility, sustainability and necessity for the town are not essential at this time for the permitting software.” Staff reported the grant, if used, would have covered initial software purchase but not ongoing staffing or all licensing needs; the transcript records a voice vote approving the motion but does not provide a roll-call tally.
