Officials: Increase fees paid by massage parlors

Permit application fees could increase by $500 for parlors looking to operate in Warren.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City officials have proposed a substantial increase in application and renewal fees for massage parlors, masseurs and masseuses doing business in Warren.
Councilman Alford Novak, D-2nd, said the increase will cover the city's cost for inspections at such facilities and the cost of background checks for employees and owners.
City council will weigh legislation that aims to increase fees when it meets Wednesday.
New charges: If legislation is approved, owners of massage parlors who apply for a permit will be charged $750 -- a $500 increase. The ordinance calls for permit renewal fees to increase by $610, from $125 a year to $735 a year.
Individual masseurs and masseuses who apply to work in the city would be charged $640, which would be nonrefundable. The fee now is $100. Renewal fees would be $65 per year, a $15 increase over what's charged now.
Legislation says massage facilities would be inspected a minimum of 12 times a year, instead of the two inspections required now.
Mayor Hank Angelo said Police Chief John Mandopoulos and Bob Pinti, the city's deputy health director, worked together to determine how best to update regulations for such businesses.
Six massage parlors operate in Warren, Pinti said, explaining the legislation's intent is to cover the cost of inspections performed by his department and background checks performed by the understaffed police department.
Background checks can be time consuming, Mandopoulos said, explaining that fees charged now "don't even come close to covering our expenses."
The city is not trying to legislate morality, the mayor said, but added that massage parlors "just don't enhance the city's image."
Businesses increase the city's tax base, but Angelo said an influx in the number of massage parlors here is not something he wants to see.
"We want to send the message that Warren will not be the massage capital of the world," he added.