Planning board discusses impact fees, permit-fee increases and staffing needs for administration

Members of the Swansea Planning Board held an extended discussion about whether the town should adopt impact fees or raise permit and development fees to better cover municipal service costs tied to new development.

The conversation ranged from high-level policy questions — whether an impact-fee regime is justified — to implementation details such as account reporting, staff workload and whether the town would need to hire personnel to administer the program. Town staff and board members agreed they need a cost analysis before taking action.

One board member sought a clear cost-benefit analysis and recommended inviting Town Bookkeeper Teresa to explain bookkeeping and administration. A separate member suggested also consulting with officials in nearby municipalities that have adopted impact fees to learn how they administer and update those charges. Another member recommended raising permit fees in the short term because current fees are “strikingly low” and might not cover the town’s review costs.

The board clarified differences between impact fees (statutorily structured fees placed in dedicated accounts for specific capital needs and requiring reporting) and exactions (project-specific negotiable requirements). Staff said an impact-fee program requires an analysis that demonstrates the costs new development would impose on services such as fire, police, roads and schools and that the town must justify fees proportionally.

No vote was taken. Board members asked staff to prepare comparative fee schedules from similar towns, a cost analysis of staff time and administrative burden, and to invite the bookkeeper and a neighboring municipality official to discuss practical implementation. The item was scheduled for further review at a future meeting.