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Select Board reviews revenue update and proposes public hearing on fee changes
Summary
Board members examined revenue projections ahead of the tax-rate setting process and reviewed proposed fee adjustments (townhouse rental, dump stickers, master plan copies). They agreed to post proposals online and hold a public hearing before adopting changes effective Jan. 1.
The Select Board reviewed current revenue projections and began preparing to set the town tax rate, while also discussing a package of proposed fee changes that will go to public hearing.
Speaker 2 and others walked through the town's financial position, noting missing revenues (rooms & meals tax, highway block grants) and potential reliance on trust funds (including a $10,000 planned draw for townhouse repairs). The board agreed to update revenues and work with DRA for final figures; an MS-1 filing was flagged for early September.
On fees, the board discussed raising or keeping several charges: townhouse rental rates, dump stickers (a proposed $5 two-year sticker drew debate), and master plan copy fees. Some members argued the dump sticker should remain low because residents already pay taxes; others noted the town has costs for certain services and digitized materials. Speaker 2 asked staff to post the proposed fee schedule on the website, arrange an email blast to notify candidates and residents, and to schedule a public hearing in September with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
The board also touched on certified-mail costs tied to certain planning and ZBA notices and recommended using the actual certified-mail cost when charging applicants.
Next steps: staff will post the proposed fee schedule, notify the public via an e-blast, finalize revenue updates with DRA and schedule a public hearing on the fees in September.
