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Subcommittee approves $64,282 plan‑review fee to Westerly Fire Department after debate over who should pay
Summary
The Westwood School Building Subcommittee voted 8–2 on Oct. 9, 2024, to pay the Westerly Fire Department $64,282.12 for a plan‑review fee tied to Springbrook and Dunn's Corner projects after staff said the department had agreed to a reduced rate compared with a private‑department estimate.
The Westwood Public Schools School Building Subcommittee voted 8–2 on Oct. 9, 2024, to allocate $64,282.12 to the Westerly Fire Department to cover a plan‑review fee for local school construction projects.
Project staff told the subcommittee the Westerly Fire Department had agreed to a reduced amount that saved the district money compared with an earlier private‑department estimate. Staff said the fee covers items under the department's purview — framing, openings, mechanical and electrical systems, fire suppression and fire alarm review — while site work and foundation elements remain excluded.
Committee members debated the policy precedent and budget impact. One member asked whether similar plan‑review fees had been charged for other public projects in recent decades; staff said they would obtain a historical list of plan‑review fees for DPW facility work, the beach pavilion, the original middle‑school project and the high‑school renovation. The chair said the town manager has been engaged in the discussions and understands the subcommittee’s position.
The motion to pay the Westerly Fire Department carried after members moved and seconded the allocation. The chair recorded the final tally as eight in favor and two opposed.
The committee directed staff to record and process the payment in capital project accounts and to provide documentation of past plan‑review fees on public projects to give members historical context for future negotiations.
The approval does not change the committee’s intention to press for better clarity on plan‑review fee responsibility in future projects; members said they may seek stronger negotiation or earlier engagement to avoid similar one‑time charges.
