The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners has approved higher fees for fire inspections of buildings in the township.

Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a resolution to amend the fire safety inspection fee schedule.

In most instances, fees are increasing from a range of $10 to $100. The fees went into effect following the commissioners’ vote of approval at the March 22 township meeting. Commissioner Rodney Conn made the motion to bring the resolution to a vote, seconded by Commissioner James Seagreaves.

“It’s a pretty modest increase,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said at the March 8 township workshop when the fees increases were discussed.

According to the ordinance approved under Chapter 1, Part 12, of the township codified ordinance, “The fee for a fire safety inspection is based upon a fee schedule that takes into consideration the type of occupancy, the usage, and the square footage of the facility.”

The Salisbury Township Police Department provides annual fire safety-life safety inspections in the township. The police department’s fire marshal and fire inspection program supervisor is Sgt. Donald Sabo Jr.

The township’s five fire inspectors are Dustin Grow, Dev Kannan, Kyle Mertl, Matthew Griffin and Thomas Hart. There were 364 fire inspections in 2017.

According to the annual township police department report, fire inspection fee revenue in 2017 was $41,255.

However, the report stated that in 2017, fire inspection part-time wages were $44,654, and fire inspection administration and training costs were $15,000 for a total cost of $59,654, which, based on the revenue and cost figures, resulted in an $8,399 deficit.

Following is the list of the increases in fees, by category, that have been approved.

Commercial properties

•Zero to 2,999 square feet. Old fee: $60. New fee: $70.

•3,000 to 5,999 square feet. Old fee: $80. New fee: $100.

•6,000 to 9,999 square feet. Old fee: $120. New fee: $150.

•10,000 to 24,999 square feet. Old fee: $200. New fee: $250.

•25,000 to 49,999 square feet. Old fee: $300. New fee: $375.

•50,000 to 99,999 square feet. Old fee: $400. New fee: $480.

•100,000 to 499,999 square feet. Old fee: $500. New fee: $600.

•500,000 square-feet or more. Old fee: $600. New fee: $700.

Under the new fire inspection fee schedule, two categories were separated out from the commercial properties category.

The new categories are multi-residential dwellings and apartment buildings.

•Zero to 50 units. Old fee not available. New fee: $100 per building.

•51 units or more. Old fee not available. New fee: $125 per building, plus $5 for each unit above 51.

Another category is publicly-funded educational institutions.

•Zero to 500,000 square feet. Old fee: $75 per building. New fee: $100 per building.

•500,000 square feet or more. Old fee: $125 per building. New fee: Unchanged, $125 per building.

Also, a re-inspection fee, based on two or more inspections, is increasing. Old fee: $50. New fee: $60.

The failure to comply fee remains the same at $50.

A certificate of operation (new business) fire code inspection fee is unchanged at $50.

There’s a new consultation and services fee of $30 per hour.