The Lakeville Select Board on Dec. 16 approved updated earth-removal fees and permit application changes intended to align the town with neighboring communities. Town staff proposed a fee of roughly $0.25 per cubic yard, an administrative fee collected up front, and use of the funds for road mitigation or deposit into a dedicated capital-stabilization or 53g/reserved account.

Andrew told the board that Colleen, Nate and Emily reviewed comparable town fee structures and that many towns now charge about 25 cents per cubic yard. He recommended collecting the administrative fee up front and keeping those funds in a reserved account that would be interest-bearing; he said the funds could be split (for example, part to a special-purpose fund and part to free cash) depending on policy decisions.

Staff also proposed that if a permit is denied the applicant would receive a 25% refund of certain fees. Board members asked clarifying questions about permit duration, payment timing and calendarization of fees; Andrew said permits are generally issued annually and would be revisited if a multi-year request were sought.

The board approved the earth-removal fees and the permit application as presented; Andrew and staff will draft the bylaw language for a town-meeting warrant article to implement the bylaw change.

The board noted the change is intended to capture staff time and to provide funding to help cover future inspection or engineering costs related to earth-removal activity.