Town Administrator Mel Kleckner announces that the Select Board has moved to reduce fees for certain business licenses and is permitting businesses to defer payment of those fees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Select Board license fees for restaurants and lodging accommodations have been reduced by 50%, and the deadline for payment of fees has been extended to April 15, 2021. The Select Board made the change at the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Board, which noted that restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels continue to be hard-hit by the impacts of the COVID-19.
While affected businesses will still be required to submit paperwork by the typical December due date, they will not be required to pay the reduced license fees that typically accompany renewal paperwork until next spring.
“This adjustment is one we believe will go a long way toward easing the burden on businesses as they look ahead to the winter months,” Select Board Chair Bernard Greene said. “We’re happy to do what we can to support restaurants and hotels as they do all they can to overcome the challenges they’ve faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Under newly-adopted rules, the fees above will be reduced by half for businesses that qualify, and the deadline to pay license fees will be delayed until April 15. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Brookline)
