Selectboard waives late fee until end of January after town-office closure

Mount Vernon’s selectboard voted to extend the dog-registration penalty-free period through Jan. 31 after residents were unable to access the town office during an extended closure.

Board members discussed options including waiving the $30 late fee, reimbursing the town’s portion of the fine (about $24), or holding additional makeup office hours. One member asked whether the late fee is statutorily required; the board acknowledged uncertainty and noted that portions of the fee may be state-mandated rather than retained by the town.

A motion to extend the deadline for dog registration to the last day of January and to delay application of the late fee until Feb. 1 was moved and seconded; the board approved the motion with a recorded vote of five in favor. Members asked clerks to confirm whether the fee is state-mandated and to explore options such as limited make-up hours for residents who need in-person service.