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Holyoke official proposes modest increases to weights-and-measures inspection fees
Summary
Marcus Gabrielli, Holyoke’s sealer of weights and measures, presented a regional comparison and recommended raising several inspection fees (example: scanner/price-verification proposed from $1.00 to $1.25) to align Holyoke with peer Massachusetts cities; the committee asked legal to draft ordinance language and tabled the item.
Marcus Gabrielli, Holyoke’s sealer of weights and measures, told the Ordinance Committee on March 4 that the city’s fee schedule for inspections hasn’t been updated in about six years and that a regional comparison supports modest increases. "I ensure consumer transparency and equity in the marketplace," Gabrielli said, summarizing the office’s inspections at gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, cannabis dispensaries and other retail and manufacturing sites.
Gabrielli presented a spreadsheet comparing fees in Western Massachusetts and said Holyoke’s scanner/price-verification fee would move from $1.00 to $1.25 under his proposal; he also cited examples of other inspection fee adjustments (he described a $2.00 fee proposed to move to $2.50 and said certain high-tier charges would remain at $5.00). Gabrielli said the proposed changes are meant to bring Holyoke in line with peer cities and towns and that inspections are an annual compliance activity rather than a revenue driver.
Councilor Bacon expressed concern about matching fee increases to local business ability to pay and noted Holyoke’s economic profile is more comparable to Chicopee and Springfield than to some higher-fee communities cited. Bacon asked for context on the percentage change for smaller stores and multi-register establishments; Gabrielli pointed out many neighboring municipalities already charge the proposed $1.25 and that Springfield is moving its fees higher. Gabrielli said fees are charged annually and that the program’s goal is compliance, not revenue generation.
Chair Meg McGrath Smith thanked Gabrielli for compiling regional data and recommended legal draft the precise ordinance language needed to effect the changes. Council members agreed to ask the city solicitor to prepare draft legal language and table the order pending that language and any additional review.
The committee did not vote on fee amounts and will return the item after the city solicitor provides draft ordinance language and any clarifying detail requested by councilors.
