Plumbing, gas fee increases OK'd in Newburyport

Heather Alterisio, The Daily News of Newburyport, Mass.
·1 min read

Jul. 14—NEWBURYPORT — The City Council approved increases in plumbing and gas fees Monday night.

For residential plumbing, fees increased from $20 to $40 for permits, from $30 to $45 for inspections, from $5 to $10 for each fixture, and from $30 to $60 for replacement of hot water heaters.

For commercial plumbing, fees increased from $30 to $40 for permits, from $30 to $45 for inspections and from $40 to $75 for replacement of hot water heaters. The charge for each fixture remained at $10.

For residential gas, fees increased from $20 to $40 for permits, from $30 to $45 for inspections and from $30 to $60 for replacement of hot water heaters. Appliance fees are still $5.

For commercial gas, fees increased from $30 to $40 for permits, from $30 to $45 for inspections and from $40 to $50 for replacement of hot water heaters. Appliance fees remained at $10.

For all residential and commercial plumbing and gas needs, the council agreed to add a new reinspection fee of $45 if something fails and needs to be looked at again.

The first reading of these increases took place during the council meeting's June 28 with councilors voting 8-1 to approve. Councilor at large Joseph Devlin voted against the increases. Councilor at large Afroz Khan and council President Jared Eigerman were absent for the vote.

On Monday, the council voted 10-1 to approve the increases with Devlin voting against the measure.

The ordinance was sponsored by Councilor at large Charles Tontar.