Town adopts new building and zoning schedule of fees

NORTH EAST ­­— The Town Board adopted a new schedule of fees for the Planning and Zoning Office at its last meeting of the year, on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Planning and Zoning Secretary Lisa Cope presented the new fees to the board, which included residential and commercial building and construction fees covering the application process, administrative costs, mechanical permits, new structures, demolition, cell towers, multiple occupancies, sign permits and miscellaneous work, as well as zoning fees.“This is in line with what other communities in the area are asking,” Cope said. “Nothing new is being added. It’s already stuff we’re collecting fees for.”In fact, Cope said, some fees may have been dropped from the new schedule. The goal was to make the fees “more in line with the amount of work time” put in to each task.“The whole purpose is to help cover the cost of enforcing them,” town Supervisor John Merwin said.Councilman Steve Merwin said he was especially pleased to see the fire department getting its due.“I know with the fire inspections, a couple of years ago they decided they needed to start charging for them,” he said. “They take quite a bit of time, especially with the bigger buildings, like supermarkets. It takes about an hour to do one, so you’ve gotta charge for it.”“Most places are required to have one on a yearly basis,” Cope added.“And this is enforceable?” asked Councilman Ralph Fedele. “[Code Enforcement Officer] Mike [Segelken] is going to have no problem?”“No,” Cope replied, assuring the board the fees could all be enforced.The board voted unanimously to accept the new fee schedule. The new fee schedule went into effect Jan. 1. For a copy of the schedule stop by Planning and Zoning Office at Town Hall, at 19 North Maple Ave., Millerton, during office hours. Those hours are now Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (closed for lunch between 12:30 until 1 p.m.) and then open again from 1 until 2:30 p.m. For more information call 518-789-3300, ext. 607.