Selectmen approve new fees for Fire Department
Mattapoisett Selectmen have approved new fees for the Fire Department, the first time since 2010.
The fee schedule has a rise across almost every category, bringing the town more in line with other fire departments in Plymouth County, according to Fire Chief Andrew Murray.
Many fees went up by $20, including unvented gas heaters and fuel storage.
One addition is a $100 registration fee and $75 annual fee for radio boxes. The alarms are located in many homes and businesses and notify the Fire Department directly when there is a fire.
Since the department maintains the boxes, Murray said it makes sense to set up a fee for them in a revolving fund.
Nonprofits, churches and schools will be exempt.
While most fees went up, Selectman Jordan Collyer suggested doing away with the $10 open burning permit fee, since many towns don’t require a fee.
“You never want to give up revenue, but it’s such a token amount at the end of the day,” Collyer said.
Residents will still be required to acquire a permit.
The fees will go up July 1 except for the radio box fees, which will increase Jan. 1.