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Alton Planning Board adopts higher application fees to cover rising notification costs
Summary
The Alton Planning Board approved increases to planning application fees after staff said certified‑mail and publication costs have outpaced the existing charges. Board members asked for data on annual fee revenue but voted to adopt the higher schedule.
The Alton Planning Board on May 19 approved higher application fees after staff said current charges do not cover certified‑mail and public‑notice costs.
"Abutters fees will increase from $6 to $10," Chair Bill O'Neil said while reading the proposed schedule, and he added that notice letters would rise from $1 to $2 and newspaper notices from $75 to $90. O'Neil opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke.
Board members pressed staff for context. One member said, "It's a tax," questioning whether shifting costs to applicants was appropriate; O'Neil and staff reiterated that the increases are fees to match the town's out‑of‑pocket costs and avoid the town subsidizing routine notifications. Planning staff told the board that local post office certified‑mail charges have risen above the current $6 abutter fee.
Several members asked how much the town collects annually from these fees and asked for a topline figure before future adjustments; staff said that number was not available during the meeting. After discussion, a motion to adopt the updated fee schedule passed.
The board's decision changes the posted application fee table effective immediately for planning board applications. The board chair said the intent is to avoid repeated, small adjustments as postage and publication costs continue to rise.
What happens next: The board adopted the fee changes at the meeting vote; staff did not provide a consolidated annual revenue estimate at the hearing.
