Central council rejects revised business-license ordinance after concerns over fees

The Town of Central council voted on Nov. 10, 2025 to defeat the second reading and adoption of ordinance 1110-2025 BL, a revision to the town's business-license schedule.

The motion to adopt the ordinance was moved and seconded by council and then debated. A council member raised concerns that the proposed structure would charge an $80 annual license fee for work under $2,000 and would double certain fees for contractors based outside the town, saying, “If you're having someone come in to work for you for less than $2,000, that just concerns me.” The speaker said that could deter short, local jobs and urged a more thorough comparison with ordinances in other towns.

Council members discussed whether to perform a comprehensive comparison of neighboring towns’ business-license ordinances before adopting changes. One council member noted that a single-element comparison (fee for a small job) does not capture the full burden of different towns’ licensing schemes.

After discussion the mayor called for a vote by a show of hands. The motion to adopt ordinance 1110-2025 BL (business license updates) was put to a vote and was defeated; the transcript records the outcome as "motion's defeated" but does not list individual tallies.

The ordinance was on second reading and, as presented on Nov. 10, will not become law. Council members noted the option to revisit the ordinance with amendments and to undertake a more detailed ordinance comparison and fee review before reintroducing it.

The meeting proceeded to other business and then recessed into executive session to discuss a legal matter.