Groton — Groton City may charge fees for services that are now free, including notary services, copies of large planning documents and use of conference rooms in the Municipal Building.

The City Council discussed the proposed fees on Monday. The city’s budget also includes a new bulky waste fee of $35.

The city now offers bulky waste pickup on Wednesdays for free except for appliances such as refrigerators, which cost $20 per appliance. The city excludes some items for pickup, like carpet and tires.

Mayor Marian Galbraith said Tuesday that officials haven't decided yet how the bulky waste fees would be structured.

She said the city is considering the new charges because of “the cost of providing the service and to be consistent with other towns.”

The first proposed fee would charge residents and nonresidents $5 for each notary signature, as is done in Groton Town. The second proposal would charge $5 for copies of oversized maps, such as large maps kept in the planning office. The third proposal would charge $25 for use of conference rooms and the council chambers in the Groton City Municipal Building.

Organizations that have used the rooms for years, as well as youth and community groups, including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, American Legion and Little League, would be exempt.

The council is expected to vote on the fee changes during an upcoming meeting at 7:30 p.m. July 6 in the municipal building.

Galbraith said the city hasn't decided whether the new fee would be $35 per bulky pickup plus an additional fee for appliances, or a flat $35 per pickup. The new structure will be outlined shortly, she told the council.

The charge for use of municipal building space would most likely affect groups such as private management companies.

City Clerk Deb Patrick said a number of companies use the rooms to hold board of directors' meetings for condominium associations or annual business meetings.

The municipal building has two conference rooms that can accommodate about 12 to 14 people each, and the council chamber, which can accommodate about double that.

d.straszheim@theday.com

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