RANGELEY – In a letter to the town manager, Code Enforcement Officer Robert Griscom suggested increases in application fees for subdivisions and conditional-use permits. There has been no increase in fees for several years, according to Griscom, and “there is quite a bit of time spent on these projects by various office personnel that we need to be compensated for,” he wrote.

Selectmen voted Dec. 21 to increase fees effective immediately.

The new fee structure is as follows:

For subdivisions:

• The application fee increased from $50 to $75 per lot

• The publishing and notice fee remained at $50

• A road construction fee is $150, if a new road is required for the plan

• The review escrow account is $100 per lot if requested by Planning Board, to be used for professional review and advice as necessary. Unused funds will be returned to the applicant.

For conditional use permits:

• The application fee increased from $50 to $75

• The publishing and notice fee remained at $50

• The review escrow account is $1,000 if requested by Planning Board.

According to Griscom, the board’s authority to ask for the escrows already existed; the change simply puts dollar amounts on it.

Other matters considered by the board last week included allowing Fire Chief Rudy Davis to apply for grants for tools, safety gear and a new firetruck; giving direction to the town manager and airport manager to pursue an airport grant for next year; the possibility of acquiring new property next to the public safety building; and the resignation of Karen Olivieri as administrative assistant.

Selectmen also signed a letter of endorsement for a grant proposal for an interpretive welcome center, to be written by Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byways in partnership with Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, and a grant application with them to double the amount now allocated for restrooms in Rangeley and Oquossoc from $60,000 to $120,000.