Selectmen ask staff for firmer cost analysis as planning, zoning and wetlands fee increases proposed

Town staff presented proposed increases to planning, zoning and wetlands application fees Monday, saying advertising costs have risen since the Republican-American was acquired by Hearst Media and that several flat-fee application types currently cost the town more to notice than they bring in. Planner Jeffrey said the town is "upside down" on many flat fees: for example, current site-plan fees left the department $35 short on an example application and excavation renewals could leave the town several hundred dollars in the hole when a required public hearing triggers advertising costs. Selectmen responded by asking staff to produce a clearer, itemized comparison showing current fees, proposed fees and what nearby similar towns charge. Several members suggested comparisons should focus on towns similar to Winchester rather than larger cities such as Hartford or Greenwich. Staff agreed to return with a more detailed spreadsheet and a recommended fee schedule at a future meeting; the item was discussion-only and no fee changes were adopted Monday.