New ordinance will require Selectboard to create agent role; $5,000 fee sparks pushback

The Planning Board on March 18 discussed implementation steps following passage of an ordinance that will require the Selectboard to establish a new town agent to accept and route land‑use applications.

Board members said the Selectboard must draft an application form, create a job description for the agent, and hire that person. The agent would serve as the single point of intake, distributing applications to the appropriate departments. The minutes note that an online group has already threatened legal action seeking a re‑vote in response to concerns about a proposed $5,000 fee tied to the process.

Members discussed administrative details the Selectboard should consider, including whether to add an application admin fee to cover the agent’s time and which voluntary planning-board tasks—such as delivering plans or preparing lot‑merger forms—might transfer to a paid town employee. The board also discussed clarifying application language to explain that ordinary maintenance (for example, replacing a roof) does not change assessed value, while exterior changes that affect assessed value would be subject to the fee or review.

The Planning Board emphasized the Selectboard’s role in drafting the application and determining fee levels; the board agreed to propose that the application include language about sewer connection status and other basic items for applicants to declare.

Next steps: the Selectboard is expected to draft the application and job description and to determine any admin fee; the Planning Board will review those materials once released.