National Grid owes Newton $232,300 in permit fees
Newton and National Grid officials are working to resolve nearly $232,300 in fees that the utility company owes the city for street and trench opening permits.
The permit fees date back to 2004. But city only recently realized that National Grid hadn’t paid the fees during its recent review of accounts, said Bob Rooney, the city’s chief operating officer.
Companies have to apply for permits when they do underground utility work.
Unlike other utility companies that file permits in-person with a check for the fee, National Grid files its permits electronically, and hadn’t been paying the fee, Rooney said.
“We didn’t pursue it as aggressively as we should have,” Rooney said.
Charlotte McCormack, a National Grid spokeswoman, said the company was only recently made aware of the outstanding fees and is working with city officials to resolve the issue.
Deirdre Fernandes can be reached at deirdre.fernandes@globe.com.
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