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Select Board withdraws vote on revised fee schedule after members request more data on agricultural fees
Summary
The board considered a revised fee schedule (staff said it could raise fees roughly 30% overall) and briefly moved to adopt it effective March 18, 2025. One member asked for comparative information on agricultural fees, and the mover withdrew the motion pending further review.
The Bristol Select Board reviewed an updated town fee schedule presented by staff that the presenter said would likely result in roughly a 30% increase in some fees overall.
A motion to adopt the revised fee schedule effective March 18, 2025, was made and seconded. During discussion, a board member flagged agricultural structure fees — saying some towns keep those fees low to support farming — and offered to send materials from farmland trusts and neighboring towns for comparison. The member asked whether increasing fees for agricultural structures was appropriate in Bristol; members noted some fee lines had not been updated in a long time and suggested more review.
After the request for comparative data, the mover withdrew the motion to allow time for review and additional information. A separate clarifying detail was raised: plumbing fee language should state that the DWP share is 25% of the state's minimal fee, not 25% of other amounts; staff agreed to correct that language in the schedule.
Next steps: staff will accept comparative materials from the board, adjust wording on plumbing fees, and return the revised fee schedule for consideration at a later meeting.
