NORWICH – Town of Norwich residents and others who were charged fees for re-roofing projects over the last three years will be reimbursed by Chenango County, lawmakers decided Wednesday.

Due to a discrepancy in the county’s code fee schedule, adopted in 2003, and an existing 1988 local law, fees of $25 per re-roofing project were being charged erroneously. Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law brought the dispute before the Safety & Rules Committee and the county’s Public Health Department in November.

Approximately $2,150 for 86 permits will be refunded. Codes Enforcement Officer Bruce Bates said each individual project would need to be reviewed.

Acting on counsel with County Attorney Richard E. Breslin, Public Health Director Marcus Flindt recommended the refund and suggested that re-roofing projects be permitted without fee collection until Chenango County Local Law #2 can be amended and fees determined. The three-year-old fee schedule was created to be in compliance with international codes and updated New York State Fire & Uniform Building Codes.

“If we continue the way we are, like the state says we should, we are in violation of our own local law,” Bates said.