Stonington — A small group of residents voted quickly and unanimously Tuesday night to support a proposal for the town to join the Ledge Light Health District.

The response was far different from the one in 2012, when Ledge Light approached the town about joining the health district. At that time a large group of local business owners and organizations successfully opposed the idea, saying they were worried about an increase in fees.

That opposition never surfaced for the current plan even though it will increase restaurant fees.

The town is joining Ledge Light because its sanitarian and health director are stepping down May 1. First Selectman Rob Simmons has said this puts the town “under the gun” to continue providing the town's residents and businesses, including 150 food establishments, with inspections and other public health services.

The town estimates it will cost $50,000 less to join Ledge Light than to continue with its own health department.

Ledge Light has promised not to increase permit fees the first year. In addition, Simmons said, the town will have three members on the Ledge Light board and Ledge Light employees will be stationed in an office in Town Hall. And while fees eventually will increase for restaurant and other permits, Simmons has said Ledge Light would provide a greater array of services for the town than the town department was able to offer.

Now that the town has approved the plan, the Board of Warden and Burgesses is slated to vote on the plan at its April 17 meeting.

j.wojtas@theday.com