Claudio Guerra noted that restaurateurs are still trying to cope with a .75 percent local-option meals tax instituted by the city in 2009.
NORTHAMPTON – With an eye towards generating more revenues for the city, the License Commission will hold a public hearing on Aug. 3 to hear comments on various proposals to raise the fees for food, entertainment and other licenses.
The last time the city increased the fees for licenses was in 2009, and Mayor Mary Clare Higgins has asked the commission to come up with some alternatives for new increases. License Committee Chairman Brad Shimel said the additional money will help pay for the rising expense of monitoring licensees.
“There’s an increasing layer of things to be done,” he said, inspections among them.
Many of the proposed fee hikes are in the vicinity of $50. Among the areas targeted and wine and malt licenses for restaurants and special events, all alcoholic licenses, package store licenses, common victualler and entertainment licenses, lodging house licenses and licenses for automotive dealers.
Although in many cases, the increase is a small percentage of the overall fee, some business owners are not haopy about the prospect of paying more.
“The cost of all licenses and fees has gotten out of hand,” said Claudio C. Guerra, who owns five restaurants in Northampton, all with liquor licenses. “We thought we got off the hook for a few years (after the 2009 hikes). I’m really kind of shocked they’re going for more now.”
William Collins, Guerra’s the director of operations, said the proposed $50 increase for the all alcohol license comes on the heels of a $105 hike for that same license in 2009.
“All these small little hits are adding up to a big hit,” he said. “We have to start looking in other areas to raise tax money to cover costs. When is enough enough?”
Guerra noted that restaurateurs are still trying to cope with a .75 percent local-option meals tax instituted by the city in 2009.
“The amount of revenue they’re trying to squeeze out of the restaurant business is extreme,” he said. “I don’t know how much more Northampton feels it can squeeze.”
Eric Suher, who owns The Iron Horse nightclub, the Calvin and other entertainment venues in Northampton would be in for increases in several licenses connected with each business.
“It does all add up,” he said.
Suher said he will wait to hear the proposals before taking a stand, however.
“The License Board has been fair and listens to both sides,” he said.