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Hillsborough Selectmen hear resident pushback on proposed fee increases
Summary
At a Dec. 9 hearing, residents questioned proposed increases to photocopy, building‑permit and Transfer Station fees, citing timing after a revaluation and asking for documentation of the cost analysis; the board said fees will be adjusted after public input.
The Hillsborough Board of Selectmen on Dec. 9 held a public hearing on proposed fee increases for town services, drawing sustained public questioning about the timing and underlying analysis.
Town Administrator Laura Buono presented a slate of proposed changes the board published before the hearing that would raise photocopy fees (8½x11 to $0.60 from $0.50; 11x14 to $0.80 from $0.75) and increase several building‑permit charges (for most residential and commercial permits, roofing, foundations and solar permits the base fee would rise to $75 and per‑square‑foot rates would increase). Transfer Station changes would raise mattress and boxspring disposal to $40 (from $10), tires to $10 (from $5) and set a new $5 fee for certain small electric items; demolition disposal rates would rise to $0.09 per pound ($180/ton).
Residents pressed for the analysis behind those increases and questioned whether the timing was fair after a townwide revaluation that raised many property assessments. "What is the analysis that brought the town to the new rates and how that decision was made?" asked Larry Baker during the hearing. Several speakers, including Riche’ Colcombe, said the combination of higher property assessments and proposed user‑fee increases would harm people on fixed incomes; Colcombe also raised governance questions about the Manahan Trust and said she will not do bookkeeping for the Trustees of the Trust Funds without pay.
Town officials defended the proposal as an effort to align user charges with rising outside disposal and processing costs. "The Transfer Station is the one department where you will see consistent changes," Town Administrator Laura Buono said, noting hauling and disposal rates have risen. Chairman James Bailey said fee revenue helps offset general fund expenses and keeps the tax rate steadier, but added the proposals were "not etched in stone" and that the board would consider public feedback before finalizing rates.
Selectwoman Iris Campbell and Buono pointed to building‑permit receipts — about $45,000 collected to date — as a partial offset to department costs. Residents asked whether the fee schedule had been benchmarked with nearby towns; officials said department heads prepared the figures and that the board would review public comments and the underlying data before any final vote.
The hearing record will remain open for board consideration; the hearing was opened at 6:30 p.m. and closed at 7:10 p.m.
