Fees for everything from new construction to solar panels to mooring and ramp usage will rise this coming year, if members of the select board approve 74 fee adjustments recommended by the town administrator this week (see list above).

Town administrator James Hartnett on Wednesday released a long list of fee increases that are being considered as Westport faces what is expected to be one of its toughest budgeting years in recent memory.

With the failure of the $3 million override in July, Hartnett and others have been saying for several months that making ends meet will require hard choices. And while the increasing fees won’t solve the town’s fiscal troubles, it’s a start.

“Unfortunately we are in a situation where we have to start from what we are legally required to provide as a town,” finance board member Christopher Thrasher said at a recent meeting. “The drop in the bucket thing ... adds up over time.”

Where are the increases?

Increases are being proposed in many departments, including the Board of Selectmen, Harbor Services, Shellfish, Planning Board, Building Department, Commercial Building, Inspector of Wires/residential and commercial, and plumbing and gas permits, residential and commercial.

Restaurant alcohol permit/fees would rise from $1,250 to $1,500 per year. The town’s waterway user fee would increase from $5 to $6 per foot. The new home construction fee would rise from 32 to 50 cents per foot. And the cost of many inspections would rise (see photo attached).

The select board is expected to discuss and vote on the new fee structure at its next meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 18.