Douglas Select Board Approves First Building Fee Hike Since 2017

DOUGLAS -- February 17, 2026, Douglas Select Board approves first building fee increase since 2017 and tightens terms on Gleason Court sale. The board voted unanimously at its February 17 meeting to approve a revised building department fee schedule benchmarked against six neighboring communities, raising the demolition permit from $50 to $100, setting commercial electrical permits at $100 plus 3 percent of contract value, and establishing a $50 minimum re-inspection fee. Building Commissioner Ken Frazier, joining by phone, said the existing fees do not cover the cost of field inspections and that the last update was in 2017. The board also directed Town Administrator Matt Wojcik to strengthen a request for proposals for the sale of 11 Gleason Court, a former school building, by setting a $165,800 minimum bid floor, barring exterior additions to the structure, and adding, pending land use counsel review, a clawback provision and deed restrictions to ensure a buyer follows through on any proposed development. The revised RFP is targeted for posting in late March, with bids opening around mid-May. The board deferred votes on a proposed shared conservation agent agreement with Sutton and on whether to consolidate the town's animal inspector role into the Blackstone Valley regional animal control budget, which would increase 16.1 percent if the consolidation proceeds.