Charlton Select Board reduces commercial solar permit fee after appeal

The Charlton Select Board voted Feb. 10 to reduce a $34,200 building permit fee assessed for a commercial solar project at 261 North Surbridge Road after an appeal from the property owner.

Town Administrator Andrew presented the appeal on behalf of appellant Michael Fahey, saying the project previously underwent an extensive engineering review under an earlier, substantially complete permit and that Fahey had been told reissuance would not require a lengthy additional engineering review. Building Commissioner Meskis told the board he agreed with the appellant’s assessment and recommended the board consider reducing fees.

After discussion about the town’s special services fine appeal policy and past payments, an unidentified board member (Speaker 4) moved to reduce the fee to $2,500 and another member seconded the motion. The board voted in favor and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The decision reduces the developer’s upfront cost for the project and clarified that the board can exercise discretion under the town’s appeal policy when prior permit reviews are already on file.

What next: The board’s action resolves the current fee dispute for the 261 North Surbridge Road project. The town did not provide further details in the meeting about any conditions attached to the reduced fee or a final invoice schedule.

Quotes from the meeting:
"Building commissioner Meskis had stated that the previous applicant and the responsible party had paid $34,000 on 10/03/2023 for the same project, which was substantially complete," Andrew said while presenting the appeal.

"I would make a motion that we reduce the fee to $2,500," said the unidentified board member who moved the reduction.

Provenance: topicintro: SEG 161; topfinish: SEG 236