Planning Board split on pursuing impact fees; members call for more study before asking voters

The Planning Board spent the bulk of the meeting discussing a planner’s guide to impact fees and the Capital Improvement Program Committee’s prioritization pilot. Scott, who presented the guide and work to date, said the town needs data to define eligible projects and decide whether to pursue impact fees in the future.

"The town did not vote for the impact fee this year," Scott said, describing last year’s ballot result and the committee’s intent to separate a consultant hire from an impact‑fee question on the warrant. He proposed focusing on capital needs—especially the public‑safety building and public‑works facilities—and running a community outreach process to explain the fee and its application.

Board members debated whether to require a consultant, how to treat conversions of seasonal camps to year‑round homes, and whether to apply fees to road, school or public‑safety projects. Ron (a Planning Board member) argued conversions from seasonal to permanent occupancy should not get the same "delta" treatment as new construction and suggested higher charges for conversions; other members worried that aggressive fees would create barriers to long‑time residents seeking modest upgrades.

Members agreed the item needs more work. The board asked staff to prepare options and to hold a September work session before forwarding a refined recommendation to the Select Board or placing a question on a future warrant.