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Board discusses collecting peer‑review estimates up front using 53G guidance
Summary
Planning staff and the consulting engineer recommended amending rules to allow the town to request an upfront estimate of peer‑review and construction‑inspection costs (53G account) so applicants know total expected costs and the town avoids frequent replenishments.
Staff and the board’s consulting engineer discussed the town’s use of a 53G account to collect peer‑review funds and suggested changing the rules so large projects receive an upfront estimate for both application review and construction inspection costs. Under the current rules the board collects a $5,000 account and asks applicants to replenish it when it dips below $2,500; staff said for larger projects it is more practical to estimate total peer‑review costs at the outset.
Members agreed the rules should be redlined to permit the town planner to request an upfront estimate from the applicant or to require a one‑shot deposit for larger projects. The board directed staff to draft language and to use individual task scopes for each project so additional inspections or unexpected site conditions (for example, archaeological finds) can be billed as per‑visit charges.
