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Council considers splitting permits, reworking fee schedule after water-connection cost review
Summary
Staff proposed separating demolition, site-disturbance and flat-work permits and reviewed water-connection installation costs, saying the town’s $2,300 base fee can be insufficient in worst-case installations that require trenching and hot taps.
Council staff (S1) proposed revising the town’s permit structure and fee schedule at the March 3 meeting, recommending separate permits for demolition, site disturbance and flat work and a clearer fee matrix to reflect different inspection and road-impact requirements.
S1 explained that the current new-building permit bundles demolition work and that separating demolition permits would allow more precise oversight and fees. He proposed splitting the site-disturbance permit to distinguish landscaping and nonstructural work from full excavation and suggested a separate flat-work permit for driveway and nonstructural concrete/asphalt activity.
On water-service fees, S1 said the town’s listed new water-connection fee ($2,300) represents a best-case installation (pit already in place and lateral in shoulder) but that material and labor estimates show that the true cost can be roughly double in common worst-case scenarios (when the lateral is under asphalt and a trench and hot tap are required). S1 and S2 discussed options such as setting a base charge and adding variable fees based on site conditions or charging for actual installation hours. Council members did not finalize changes; staff will include fee adjustments and permit revisions in upcoming budget and code discussions.
