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Select Board reviews North Star planning-services contract with rate increases
Summary
The board reviewed a proposed 2025 North Star contract for land-use planning services that raises hourly rates across planner levels; staff will consult the Code Officer and return next week for further action.
The Select Board reviewed a proposed 2025 contract with North Star for land-use planning services that increases hourly compensation for several planner levels.
Town Administrator Jennifer Roux said the principal planner rate would rise from $160 to $175 per hour, senior planner from $150 to $165, a lower-level senior planner from $120 to $135, Planner 2 at $125, Planner 1 at $110, and an administration manager at $85; travel time would be billed at 1.5 times normal billing plus IRS mileage. Roux said roughly 80'95% of the fees are typically charged to applicants and that the rates have increased annually since 2022.
Select Board member Tom McGurty asked whether those rates reflect what North Star charges other clients; Roux said she would get clarity from the Code Officer and return next week. Public attendee Joyce Bakshi told the board the change "was not that bad of an increase over the ten years they have been employed, and they are the best around and what is valuable is that they come to meetings and work with the Planning Board." The board did not vote and deferred final action pending staff follow-up.
