Selectmen approve new fees for Fire Department

Mar 23, 2016

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.