Montague Board of Health updates fees
MONTAGUE — The Board of Health has approved waiving all late fees for food truck license renewals and reduced the cost of residential kitchen inspection fees.
The Board of Health discussed the food truck fee last week amid a request from the owner of the El Sotano food truck to waive a $110 late fee on the license renewal.
After discussing the timing for when food trucks are required to renew their license (Dec. 31) and the timing of when owners decide whether to have their trucks in Montague in the year to come, the decision was made to waive the late fees, but still require the annual relicensing fee if a truck intends to return to town.
Another approved change was to the fee for residential kitchen inspections, which are necessary for residents who are using their home kitchens in a business capacity. The fee was reduced from $180 to $100 to cover the planning meeting with the health director and initial inspection. There is an extra $75 fee for any re-inspections. The board also agreed to reimburse $80 for any residential kitchen inspection fee that has already paid.
This decision was made based on a request from the owner of Marianne’s Bakery to waive her fee under the rationale that she only sells at the Great Falls Farmers Market, which doesn’t require its vendors to pay an inspection fee. The Board of Health agreed that the inspection cost should not burden the kitchen operator and their ability to make a profit, but a fee is necessary to make sure residential kitchens are tied back to an owner and address in case of any food safety issues.
Make Valentine’s Day cards at the Discovery Center
TURNERS FALLS — Residents are invited to visit the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. to make Valentine’s Day cards. The workshop is open to all ages and children with their caregivers.
Feb. 21: ‘Deadline Dallas’ author talk
TURNERS FALLS — Fred Warren, CEO of The United Arc, will discuss his book, “Deadline Dallas,” at the Turners Falls branch of Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A, on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Warren will talk about his historical fiction novel that took 20 years to get published. Guests will have a chance to win a copy of the book and get their copies signed. Light refreshments will be served.
Nomination papers available for Turners Falls Fire District
TURNERS FALLS — Several positions are up for election within the Turner Falls Fire District this year, and nomination papers for the annual election are available to all district residents from the office at 226 Millers Falls Road until Monday, March 9.
All potential candidates must get 30 signatures from registered voters of the Turners Falls Fire District to qualify, and papers need to be returned no later than March 11.
Positions that are up for election include three-year terms on the Prudential Committee, as well as for the positions of water commissioner, moderator, treasurer and clerk.
The election will be held Tuesday, April 28, at the Turner Falls Fire District office from noon to 7 p.m.