Fulton Common Council Approves Special Fire Safety Permit Fee Increases, Will Hold Three Different Public Hearings On Various Topics Next Meeting

February 17, 2021 Kassadee Bradshaw
City Clerk/Chamberlain Dan O'Brien (left) and Mayor Deana Michaels lead the February 16 Common Council meeting. Photo by Kassadee Paulo.

FULTON – The Fulton Common Council met last night and unanimously approved all items on the agenda, including advertising for three public hearings and to increase several special fire safety permit fees.

The council approved for the city clerk/chamberlain to advertise for three separate public hearings to be held during the next council meeting – Tuesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Municipal Building. 

The public will be able to voice their thoughts and opinions on amending Chapter 510 “Secondhand Dealers,” Chapter 223 “Auction and Auctioneers,” and Chapter 560 “Taxicabs.”

The council also approved to change several special fire safety permit fees (Chapter A700-3 of the city code). The changes, which will take effect March 1 (all existing contracts will be honored), are as follows:

One Time Operation Permits (annual renewal is required) – 

  • Special Events
    • Tent (used as assembly space or place of public assembly) will increase from $10 to $25 with an inspection from the fire department. 
    • Permit to sell fireworks will increase from $25 to $50/day or $750/month.
    • Outdoor burning permit (wood burning boiler) will stay the same at $100.
    • Bonfire permit will increase from $15 to $25.
    • Recreational fire permit (backyard pit) – there is no fee, but a permit is needed. If there is no permit, the first offense will cost $25 and the second will cost $100.
    • Welding and cutting permit will increase from $10 to $25.
    • Placement and/or removal of flammable liquid tanks will remain the same at $25.
    • Demolition involving explosives will increase from $25 to $250.
  • Annual Operating Permit
    • Bulk storage of flammable liquids:
      • Class A, less than 50,000 gallons will increase from $25 to $100.
      • Class B, 51,000 to 999,000 gallons will increase from $50 to $150.
      • Class C, 1,000,000 gallons or more will increase from $75 to $250.
    • Private fueling facility, per nozzle will increase from $10 to $20.
    • Storage of explosive materials will increase from $75 to $100.
    • Storage of radioactive materials will increase from $25 to 100.
    • Storage of hazardous chemical/corrosive materials will increase from $25 to $100.
    • Welding and cutting operations will increase from $25 to $100.

Other items approved in the agenda are as follows:

  • Approve the minutes from the February 2, 2021 meeting.
  • City Clerk’s report for January 2021 in the amount of $3,355 shall be received, approved and placed on file. 
  • Notation: Ryan Pratt was appointed to the Plumbing HVAC Board of Examiners effective immediately and to expire December 31, 2021.
  • The Fire Chief is authorized to sign a three-year AED service and maintenance agreement with Stryker ProCare Services. The final total of this agreement is $8,078.40 beginning February 1, 2021 and ending January 31, 2024.

Before the resolutions were read, Linda Eagan from Fulton Block Builders came in to give a recap of the past year in the program. Beginning four years ago, FBB has funded nearly 800 properties, many coming back for another year in the program, to encourage neighborhood blocks in Fulton to collectively work on improving the appearance of their homes’ exteriors. The program has invested about $500,000 since the program began and residents have invested about $2 million. 

While the pandemic changed certain aspects of the program, it did not halt progress, according to Eagan. The program was able to raise $200,000 to fund all applicants, there was a 90% completion rate, they expanded on Light Up Fulton, began Chalk the Walk, among other neighborly projects. FBB is in the application stage now, and Eagan said she hopes they can get up to 300 properties to be part of the program each year. 

Mayor Deana Michaels said she submitted Fulton Block Builders as a nomination for Program of the Year at the New York Conference of Mayors, and it won. Now, other communities across the state are looking into adapting the program. 

More information on FBB can be found here. 

Following the resolutions, the mayor polled the council. Many thanked FBB for coming in and for the progress the program has done, a few councilors having been participants themselves.

Second Ward Councilor Douglas Chapman reminded attendees of the Parks and Rec department’s Snowman Competition – this Saturday.

Third Ward Councilor Don Patrick Jr. reminded residents that this cold weather always creates water breaks and if you have dirty water you should not run your hot water as to keep the dirty water out of your hot water tank. The best way to clear your water lines after the break has been repaired is to run the cold water in your bath tub until it clears.

Sixth Ward Councilor Larry Macner spoke of the late Mayor Ronald Woodward and the work he did for the city. Mayor Michaels said there will be a tribute to Mayor Woodward on March 2.

missing or outdated ad config

Print this entry