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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 16
Warrant Article Title:
BYLAW AMENDMENT / TOWN FEES AND CHARGES
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Title IX, Article 3 of the
Town Bylaws to update existing fee amounts and add any
currently omitted services with accompanying appropriate fee
structures; or take any action related thereto.
Requested By:
the Town Manager
Report Excerpt:
Vote and comment to Town Meeting - Favorable Action (5-0).
This article, inserted at the request of the Town Manager, arose
out of discussions that took place this past year during the long-
range planning process. The proposed amendment will help
ensure that fees are set at appropriate levels to keep pace with
costs and adequately compensate the Town for its expenses in
providing fee-based services. Finally, the Board’s review of the
proposed updated fees revealed that they are reasonable and
consistent with fees in neighboring communities.
Currently, many Town fees are prescribed in Title IX, Article 3 of
the Town Bylaws. It should be noted some of the published fees
are accurate to what is being charged in practice, while others
have not been updated to reflect changes to certain fees that
were implemented over time. In other instances, new fees have
been instituted in accordance with newly adopted bylaws,
regulations, or services but have not been incorporated into the
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bylaw. The proposed bylaw amendment seeks to reconcile Title
IX Article 3 to capture missing fees, match current fees, and
codify newly proposed fees where appropriate.
[The Finance Committee] supports the Town Manager’s and the
Select Board’s efforts to update the Town’s fee structure to more
accurately reflect the true cost of services delivered to our
residents and strengthen the Town’s enforcement mechanisms to
ensure compliance with our Bylaws. Accordingly, the Finance
Committee recommends favorable action on Articles 16, 17 and
19.
Vote Language:
That the Town does and hereby amend Title IX, Article 3 of the Town’s
Bylaws so that it reads:
ARTICLE 3
TOWN FEES AND CHARGES
(ART. 3, STM – 11/30/88) (ART. 24, ATM – 05/04/92) (ART. 24, ATM –
05/04/92)
Section 1. Town Officers' Obligation
All Town Officers shall pay all fees received by them by virtue of
their office into the Town Treasury.
Section 2. Office of the Town Clerk
( *Amended on 3/18/04 per
John Maher and 3/2/2009 per Juliana Rice)
A. For filing and indexing assignment for the benefit of creditors.
$15.00
A. For issuing a certified copy or certifying documents
requiring the Clerk’s signature, seal or both. $10
* B. For entering amendment of a record of the birth, death or
marriage and of an illegitimate child subsequently legitimized
$20.00 $25.00
* C. For correcting errors in a record of birth, death or marriage
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$20.00 $25.00
* D. For furnishing certificate of birth, death or marriage $10.00
* E. For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of birth $ 6.00
* F. E. For entering delayed record of birth $20.00 $25.00
* G. F. For filing certificate of a person conducting business under
any title other than their real name (which includes a certified
copy) $30.00 $50.00
* H. G. For filing by a person conducting business under any title
other than their real name of statement of change of their
residence, or of their discontinuance, retirement or withdrawal
from, or of a change of location of such business $15.00 $25.00
* I. For furnishing certified copy of certificate of person conducting
business under any title other than their real name or a statement
by such person of their discontinuance, retirement or withdrawal
from such business $15.00
J. For recording the name & address, the date and number of the
certificate issued to a person registered for the practice of
podiatry in the commonwealth $20.00
* K. For correcting errors in a record of death $20.00
* L. For furnishing a certificate of death $10.00
* M. For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of death $ 6.00
N. For issuing & recording licenses to keepers of intelligence
offices $50.00
O. H. For issuing & recording licenses to keepers of billiard
saloons, pool or sippio rooms or tables, bowling alleys, etc. 1st
table or alley $60.00 $100.00 for each additional table or alley
$25.00 $50.00
* P. I. For entering notice of intention of marriage and issuing
certificates thereof $30.00
* Q. J. For entering certificate of marriage filed by persons
married out of the commonwealth $20.00 $30.00
* R. For issuing certificate of Marriage $10.00
* S. For furnishing an abstract copy of a record of marriage $ 6.00
* T. For correcting errors in a record of marriage $20.00
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* U. K. Dog Licenses
(1) Unspayed females $20.00
(2) Spayed females $15.00
(3) Males, unneutered $20.00
(4) Males, neutered $15.00
V. For recording power of attorney $15.00
W. For recording certificate of registration granted to a person to
engage in the practice of optometry, or issuing a certified copy
thereof $20.00
X. For recording the name of the owner of a certificate of
registration as a physician or osteopath in the Commonwealth
$20.00
Y. L. For recording order granting locations of poles, piers,
abutments or conduits, alterations or transfers thereof, and
increase in number of wires and cable or attachments under the
provisions of Sec.22 of Chap. 166 3.50 additional for each street
or way included in such order flat rate $60.00 additional fee $ 8.00
Z. For examining records or papers relating to birth, marriage or
deaths upon the application of any person, the actual expense
thereof, but not less than $15.00
AA. For copying any manuscript or record pertaining to birth,
marriage or death $ 6.00
BB. M. For receiving & filing a complete inventory of all items to
be included in a "closing out sale" etc. per pg. $ 4.00 $10.00
CC. N. For filing a copy of written instrument or declaration of
trust by the trustees of an association or trust, or any amendment
thereof as provided by Sec. 2, Chap. 182 $60.00 $75.00
DD. O. For recording deed of lot or plot in a public burial place or
cemetery $12.00 $20.00
EE. Recording any other documents per 1st page $12.00 per
additional page $ 4.00
FF. For issuing burial permits $10.00
P. Raffle Permit initial $25.00, subsequent days $10.00
Section 3. Office of the Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
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Fees of the Treasurer's Office shall be in accordance with
Section 15 of Chapter 60 and other appropriate provisions of the
Massachusetts General Laws in addition to those set out below.
A. Tax Payment Research Report
1. All requests for tax payment research covering more than a
two year period (excluding herein request for municipal lien
certificate) must be in writing and paid in advance.
2. To prepare three year tax research report minimum $12.00
$15.00
For each additional year requested $ 3.00 $5.00
Section 4. Department of Community Safety
(ART. 24, ATM – 05/07/01) (ART. 24, ATM – 05/04/92)
(ART. 17, ATM –04/24/96)
A. Fire Services Division Fire Department- Chapter 148 Fees
The Schedule for fees for licenses and registrations relating to
the keeping, storage and manufacture of any of the articles listed
in Section 9 of Chapter 148 of the General Laws except
fireworks, firecrackers and torpedoes, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 13 of said Chapter 148, as amended, shall
be as follows:
1. Vehicles Containing Inflammable Fluids Fees for licenses for
garages and for keeping and storage for sale of petroleum
products or any other inflammable fluids, required under Chapter
148 of the General Laws, Section 13, as amended, are hereby
established as follows:
Aggregate Car Storage Capacity Fee for
each Garage Original License
5 to 10 cars $36.00 $50.00
11 to 50 cars $54.00 $100.00
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51 cars or over $90.00 $200.00
2. Premises Storing Inflammable Fluids for Use or Sale
Fees or licenses for keeping and storage for sale of petroleum
products or another inflammable fluids are hereby established as
follows, except where the license is issued for the keeping and
storage for direct consumption on the premises licensed or direct
consumption by motor vehicles owned by the licensee or their
assignee and not for sale of petroleum products or any other
inflammable fluids:
Aggregate Storage Capacity for Fee For
Entire Parcel of Land Licensed Original License
Class A - 165 to 5,000 gallons Flat fee of $36.00 $50.00
Class B - 500 to 5,000 gallons Flat fee of $36.00 $50.00
Class C - 1,000 to 5,000 gallons Flat fee of $36.00 $50.00
All classes - 5,001 to 10,000 gallons $7.00 $10.00 per thousand
gallons
All classes - 10,001 to 50,000 gallons $290.00 $350.00
All classes - 50,001 to 100,000 gallons $360.00 $450.00
All classes - 100,001 to 500,000 gallons $540.00 $650.00
All classes - 500,001 to 1,000,000 gallons $900.00 $1,100.00
Over 1,000,000 gallons $1,800.00 $2,500.00
If a license is applied for solely for the purpose of keeping and
storing for direct consumption on the premises licensed or for
direct consumption by motor vehicles owned by the licensee or
their assignee and not for sale, of petroleum products or any
other inflammable fluids, the fee shall be ($36.00). $50.00
Except as otherwise provided for in this section, the fee for a
certificate of registration provided for in General Laws, Chapter
148, Section 13, as amended, shall be one-half of the license
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fees according to the schedule set forth above, payable to the
Town Clerk annually on or before April 30th of each year.
3. Permits for Hazardous Activities Permits granted Section 10A
-
Chapter 148 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Supervised display of fireworks $30.00 $200.00
Oil burner installation or alteration $15.00 $100.00
Oil Tank installation $100.00
Oil Tank Removal $100.00
Installation of liquified petroleum equipment $30.00 $100.00
Certificate of approval - flammable fluid tank trucks $20.00
$50.00
Storing of gunpowder and small arms ammunition $15.00
$100.00
Blasting of rock $100.00 $200.00
Keeping, sale and use of model rocket engines $15.00 $100.00
Use of salamanders for drying construction materials $15.00
$100.00
Supervised firing of cannon $15.00 $100.00
Tar Kettles $15.00 $100.00
Cutting welding/hotwork $100.00
4. Installation of Fire Detection and Extinguishing Systems
Schedule of permit fees for the installation of fire detection and
extinguishing systems required by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Building Code:
Fire detection and alarm systems
1 to 10 outlets $15.00: each additional 10 outlets or fraction
thereof $8.00.
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Fixed chemical, powder or inert gas extinguishing systems
$15.00. $100.00
Fire line and/or standpipe installations $15.00 plus $5.00 for
each hose outlet.
To install a sprinkler system in an existing building, the fee will
be $18.00 minimum up to 10 sprinkler heads - additional heads
$2.00 each -
maximum $250.00.
To install a sprinkler system in a new building, the fee will be
$18.00 minimum up to 10 sprinkler heads - additional heads
$2.00 each - maximum $250.00.
Plan examination fee for above will be $30.00.
Fire Alarm-Installation Plan Review $250.00
Inspection $100.00
Re-inspection: $50.00
Sprinkler-Installation
Plan review $250.00
Inspection $100.00
Re-inspection: $50.00
5. Fees For Fire Safety Services
Connecting private Fire Alarm Box to the municipal system
$120.00 plus cost of materials $200.00
Private fire alarm systems tests $20.00 $100.00
Fire alarm master box connection $325.00 $750.00
Sprinkler or standpipe test or shutdown for repairs $20.00
$100.00
Licenses for land for explosives and Inflammable materials
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$1800.00
Miscellaneous Inspections and Fees $20.00 $100.00
Underground Flammable Tank Removal or Relocation Fee
$360.00 $400.00
Smoke Detector Inspections
1 family $20.00 $100.00
2 family $30.00 $150.00
3 to 5 family $40.00 $200.00
6 and up $60.00 $300.00
Research location of underground tanks
$25.00 per hour, 1 hour minimum.
6. Penalty for Premature Work Where any work is started without
a permit, all required fees will be twice the scheduled fee.
7. Fee For Medical Emergency Response Service The fees for
use
of the Town Rescue Vehicle shall equal the maximum allowable
rate
approved for any beneficiary of health insurance under Title XVIII
of the Social Security Act for a medically necessary service as
determined by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human
Services.
B. Office of the Building Inspector Inspectional Services
Department
1. Schedule of Building Permit Fees
New construction (including additions, alterations, repairs to
existing buildings)
$15.00 $20.00 per $1,000. of estimated cost of construction
minimum fee - $36.00. $50.00
To demolish any building
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$15.00 $20.00 per $1,000. (cost of demolition)
minimum fee - $36.00. $50.00
Signs
$7.00 $10.00 per $100. (based on cost of sign)
minimum fee - $36.00 $50.00
Moving of a structure
$60.00 for any building of assessed value under $5,000
$15.00 per $10,000. for any building assessed valuation over
$5,000 minimum fee - $60.00. Flat fee $500.00
Preliminary permits for foundations
$15.00 $20.00 per $1,000. of estimated cost of construction
minimum fee - $30.00. $50.00
Buildings being built for and owned by Town, County, State or
U.S. shall be exempt from paying fees. The Housing Authority
will pay permit fees if Federal or State Grant programs allow
them as a project cost.
Occupancy Permits
$36.00 for commercial buildings
$36.00 for single and two family dwellings
All other uses - $30.00. $100.00
Annual inspections $100.00
Petition to Building Zoning Board of Appeals $120.00. $400.00
Plan Review - (Zoning or Building Code)
$5.00 per $1,000. of estimated cost of construction. If no
construction is contemplated, then $50 per hour of Building
Inspector's time. Fee may be waived at discretion of Building
Inspector.
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To inspect and certify buildings and structures in accordance
with Section 108.5.1 and Table 108 Section 110.7 and Table
110 of the Massachusetts State Building Code as revised.
If plan review is deemed necessary for large projects, it shall be
done by outside consultants of which cost shall be paid for by
applicants or owners, etc.
Where any work is started without a permit, all required fees will
be triple the scheduled fee.
Re-inspection necessary because of violations or work not ready
on a requested inspection - $30.00 $50.00 before inspection is
made.
2. Schedule of Plumbing Permit Fees
$24.00 $30.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost, or portion thereof,
up to the first $10,000.
$6.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost for that portion of valuation
over $10,000.
$24.00 $50.00 - minimum fee.
Work started without a permit - all fees shall be tripled.
Re-inspection necessary because of violations or work not
ready on a requested inspection - $50.00 before inspection
is made.
3. Schedule of Gas permit Fees
$24.00 $30.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost, or portion thereof,
up to the first $10,000.
$6.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost for that portion of valuation
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over $10,000.
$24.00 $50.00 - minimum fee.
Work started without a permit - all fees shall be tripled.
Re-inspection necessary because of violations or work not
ready on a requested inspection - $50.00 before inspection
is made.
4. Plumbing - Gas Combined
Gas fired, automatic water heaters shall be rated as one fixture.
5. Electrical Permits
$24.00 $30.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost, or portion thereof,
up to the first $10,000.
$6.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost for that portion of valuation
over $10,000.
$24.00 $50.00 minimum fee.
Work started without a permit - all fees shall be tripled.
Re-inspection necessary because of violations or work not
ready on a requested inspection - $50.00 before inspection
is made.
6. Board of Examiner Fees For Building Licenses
$48.00 for single class or combination of classes.
$30.00 for renewal if renewed within 30 days of expiration.
$42.00 for reissue after 30 days of expiration.
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6. Dumpster permit $24.00 $50.00 including on-street
parking pass if needed.
7. Pod permit $24.00 $50.00 including on-street parking pass
if needed.
Section 5. Department of Human Resources Health & Human
Services
(ART. 24, ATM – 05/07/01) (ART. 13, ATM – 04/30/03)
A. Board of Health
1. Handling of Wood Alcohol Permit $ 6.00
2. Fee for Clubs to Disperse Food and Beverages $12.00
3. Home Caterer Permit Fee $46.00
4. Garbage Removal Fee $12.00
5. Inspection of Pasteurizing Plants $50.00
6. Regulation of Milk Products $12.00
7. Food Operator Permit Annual Fee $120.00
8. Mobile Food Units $95.00
9. Retail Food Permit Annual Fee $65.00
1. Food Establishment - Risk Level 1 $150.00
2. Food Establishment –Risk Level 2 $250.00
3. Food Establishment –Risk Level 3 $350.00
4. Food Establishment –Risk Level 4 $450.00
5. Temporary Mobile Food Vendor $150.00
6. Annual Mobile Food Vendor $250.00
7. Seasonal Food Vendor $100.00
8. Keeping of Hens $100.00
9. Bathing Beach $200.00
10. Permit for Public and Semipublic Pools $110.00 (Exclude
nonprofit entities) $200.00
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11. Tanning Facilities $145.00 $200.00
12. Waste Haulers $110.00 $175.00
13. Tobacco Vendor $500.00
14. Massage Bodywork Therapist $50.00 $75.00
15. Massage Bodywork Establishment $40.00 $200.00
16. Camp $55.00 $150.00
17. Body Art Establishment $1,000
18. Body Artist $200.00
19. Reinstatement Fee $100.00
20. Temporary Food Permits $25.00 per event $50.00 per event
(Exclude nonprofit entities)
21. Inspection of caterers providing services without Arlington
based permit $25.00 per function
22.21. Food Operator Plan Review $100.00 $200.00
23. Retail Food Plan Review $50.00
24.22. Any failure by a food operator or retail food owner to
correct any violation after follow-up inspection shall be subject to
a daily $50 fine, each day of violation to be considered a
separate offense. $75.00 per re-inspection
23. Marijuana Establishment Permit $2,500.00
24. Marijuana Sales Agent Permit $100.00
25. Burial Permit $10.00
26. rDNA Permit $500.00
27. Power Sanding Permit $30.00
28. Commercial and Residential Dumpster Permit $100.00
29. Dumpster First Fine $50.00
30. Dumpster Subsequent Fine $100.00
31. Demolition Inspection Fee $100.00
32. Pre-Occupancy Housing Inspection $100.00
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33. Water Submetering certification filing $50.00
B. Sealer of Weights and Measures
1. Scales Etc
Scale w/capacity over 10,000 lbs $100.00 $120.00
Scale w/capacity 5 10,000 lbs $75.00 $90.00
Scale w/capacity 1 5000 lbs $50.00 $70.00
Scale w/capacity 100 1000 lbs $25.00 $45.00
Scales/balances 10 100 lbs $20.00 $30.00
Scales/balances under 10 lbs $10.00 $20.00
Liquid capacity measure of cap. of
more than 1 gal. & measures on pumps (gasoline) $15.00 $20.00
Liquid measuring meter diameter 1/2"-1" $15.00 $20.00
Liquid measuring meter diameter over 1" $20.00
Vehicle tank pump $50.00
Vehicle tank gravity $60.00
Bulk storage $72.00
Bulk storage w/cert. prover $36.00
2. Taximeter $20.00 $25.00
3. Device to determine linear or area $15.00
4. Milk bottles or jars $20.00
5. Vehicle tanks used in sale of commodities by
Liquid measure per 100 gal. $20.00
6. Separate tanks - Same vehicle (each) $20.00
7. 3. All other weights and measures (Metric, Apothecary, Troy
each) $2.50 $5.00
8. 4. Yard Sticks/Tapes $2.50 $5.00
9. 5. Scanners 3 or less $75.00
4 to 11 $150.00
more than 11 $250.00
10. 6. Reverse Vending $10.00 $20.00
C. Youth Consultation Center Arlington Youth Counseling
Center Fees established to maximum permitted by Rate Setting
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Commission.
D. Recreation & Community Services Athletic Field Users Fees
(ART. 78, ATM – 05/26/04)
(1) Organized Arlington adult groups: $20.00 per hour
$150.00/team
(2) Out of Town groups: $50.00 per hour
(3) Arlington youth organizations, organized town leagues
$10.00 per participant
(4) Private Schools located in Arlington $13.75/participant
(5) Arlington Public Schools and teams $8.75/participant
Park Permits
(1) Picnic-Arlington Resident- $50.00 per rental
(2) Picnic-Non-Arlington Resident $100.00 per rental
(3) Special Event-Arlington Non-Profit Group $25.00/hour
(4) Special Event-Arlington For-Profit Group $50.00/hour
(5) Special Event- Non-Arlington Non-Profit Group
$50.00/hour
(6) Special Event- Non-Arlington For-Profit Group
$100.00/hour
The Parks and Recreation Commission will establish rules and
regulations to enforce the above. All receipts for this purpose
shall be deposited into a revolving fund as established by Town
Meeting for the maintenance and reconstruction of the playing
fields of the Town.
Section 6. Select Board
(ART. 24, ATM – 05/07/01)
1. Common Victualler $ 60.00 $100.00
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2. Common Victualler Application $75.00
2. 3. Food Vendor $ 60.00 $75.00
4. Food Vendor Application $75.00
3. 5.Wine & Malt Beverages Only $1,750.00 $2,500.00
6. Wine and Malt Beverages Only with TIPS $2,250.00
7. Wine and Malt Beverage Only application $200.00
4. 8. All Alcohol Restaurant $3,000.00 $3,500.00
9. All Alcohol Restaurant with TIPS $3,150.00
10. All Alcohol Restaurant application $350.00
5.11. All Alcoholic Club $1,000.00 $1,500.00
12. All Alcohol Club with TIPS $1,350.00
13. All Alcohol Package Store $4,000.00
14. All Alcohol Package Store application $350.00
6. 15. One Day Alcohol. $ 25.00 $75.00 for first day, $25.00 for
additional consecutive days
7. 16. Hackney Carriage & Public Auto $50.00 $75.00 per unit
8. 17. Class I and Class II $ 100.00 $150.00
9. 18. Lodging Houses $ 50.00 $75.00
19. Inn Holder $100.00
10. 20. Fortune Telling $ 60.00 $100.00
11. 21. Public Entertainment $ 100.00 $150.00
12. 22. Secondhand Dealer $ 100.00 $150.00
13. 23. Automatic Amusement Devices $120.00 $150.00 per unit
14. 24. Contractor/Drainlayer $ 75.00 $100.00
15. Dumpster Permit $ 24.00
16. Awning Permit $ 50.00
25. Outdoor Seating (Sidewalk) $100.00
26. Outdoor Seating (Parklet) $250.00 per parking space,
maximum of 2 spaces
27. Street Performer $20.00
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28. Short Term Rental $100.00 flat rate
29. Theatre License $2,500.00
30. Theatre License with TIPS $2,250.00
Section 7. Department of Public Works
(ART. 29, ATM – 05/09/01) (ART. 30, ATM – 05/09/01)
(ART. 23, ATM – 05/01/02)
A. Commercial trash pickup by the Department of Public Works
shall require a sticker (s) sold by the Department of Public Works
for a fee of $2.30 per week per 4 cubic foot (or 32 gal) container
attached to the container. Commercial trash containers without
this sticker will not be collected.
B. Items containing CRT (Cathode Ray Tubes) and white goods
including
major household appliances such as water heaters, air
conditioners, stoves, and refrigerators shall be picked up by the
Department of Public Works by appointment if the item is tagged
with a sticker sold by the Department of Public Works for a fee of
$20.00.
A.Disposal of TVs or computer monitors: $20.00 each
B.Disposal of Laptops: $5.00 each
C.Disposal of compost bins $25.00 and sink-side food
scrap collectors $5.00
D.Disposal of Fire extinguishers- $5.00
E.Disposal of Mattresses and box springs $45.00
F. Purchase of overflow bag $3.00 per bag
Section 8. Interest on Unpaid Charges:
(ART. 40, ATM – 05/12/97) (ART. 13, ATM – 04/28/99)
Simple interest at 10% per annum shall accrue on all unpaid
Town Fees and charges on the first day after the due date.
