Of the 222 food establishments in town, ranging from restaurants to convenience stores to nursing homes, 50 establishments - almost 25 percent - do not have a valid permit for 2012. 

Danvers' Health Director Peter Mirandi told the "unfortunate" figures to the Board of Health at their March 1 meeting.

Establishments were supposed to have their permit application processed by the first of the new year. As of that date, only 71 establishments had paid to have an active permit.

The town issued a $25 fee on the first of February to the 151 delinquent establishments who had not sent in a check. Between February and March 1, Mirandi said the town received 101 payments, but were still without the remaining 50.

Yesterday, March 1, the 50 remaining establishments were sent another $25 fee.

"You can't operate without a valid permit," Board of Health director Peter Mirandi said. "It's disappointing to me that we have to resort to fines to motivate them to do what they should be doing routinely."

Of the 50 establishments who have yet to pay, 37 have filled out the application but have not sent in a check. 13 establishments have not filled out the application or sent in a check.

This is the first year the town has used an electronic sharing software, Full Circle, to accept payments for permits. The brand new system includes a three page application, but Mirandi said it is designed to be easier for business owners.