Of course it hurts the town. But, a lot of towns like it that way. If they can inhibit new construction, then they don't have to upgrade the sewer plant or the water treatment plant or build the new school or etc. Or maybe the agenda is to allow all contractors to have free rein and build without inspections, so they cut the budget to the inspection department or hire a doofus inspector who can get fooled easily or won't check for permits when he happen upon a concrete truck rumbling down the road.
