Bolton proposes inland wetlands fee increases and a new ‘minimal‑impact’ permit; board refers schedule to subcommittee

Alyssa Barroso, Bolton’s wetlands agent, presented a proposed update to the town’s inland wetlands fee schedule on Sept. 2, asking the Board of Selectmen to approve a roughly 30% increase across permit types to reflect 10 years of inflation and to add a new minimal‑impact agent permit for very small projects. Barroso told the board the minimal‑impact permit — intended for work such as a few concrete piers for a deck or a small shed sited well away from wetlands — would remain subject to the state fee and would add a $60 town agent fee. She also proposed modest increases to consultant hourly rates and violation penalties to reflect regional market rates. Selectmen asked clarifying questions about categories labeled new applications, modifications and renewals; Barroso explained modifications would apply when a previously approved project sought significant changes, while renewals would remain lower because they usually require limited staff review. Board members agreed the town should update fees after a decade but asked for more time to compare Bolton’s schedule with neighboring towns. The board voted to send the proposed fee schedule and the new permit line item to a subcommittee for review and requested that the wetlands agent provide comparative fee data and legal/regulatory context at a future meeting.