Date: Fri 24-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Building-Dept.-fee-hikes

Full Text:

Building Dept. Proposes Fee Hikes

The town's building department is proposing increases in its building fees.

The Board of Selectmen must now determine what the added cost should be.

Building official Tom Paternoster proposed two separate fee increases to the

selectmen Monday night, pointing out that an increase has not been made since

1992. First Selectman Herb Rosenthal had requested that the building fees be

examined.

In Newtown, the current building permit cost for a new 3,200-square-foot

single family dwelling with 2.5 baths, a two-car garage and a 400-square-foot

deck is $1,075. That figure is low compared to Southbury ($1,105), Middlebury

($1,468), Westport ($1,634) and Monroe ($3,020).

The new fee would include additional costs for the building permit, the

certificate of occupancy and for inspections to plumbing, heating, electricity

and pumps.

The selectmen are expected to take up the issue at their next meeting and will

likely choose between two proposals: a $275 increase or a $591 increase. No

public hearing is required, however, the selectmen suspect there are some

builders who will have comments on the plan.

"It's really not that much of an added cost when you're talking about a house

that's worth $300,000 or more," Mr Paternoster said.