HATFIELD — Restaurants, bars and other businesses in Hatfield, continuing to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will have certain license fees waived for 2022.
The Select Board voted 3-0 this week, for the second year in a row, to not collect the fees associated with various alcohol and entertainment licenses used by restaurants, bars and clubs. The fees include the $500 all-alcohol veterans club license for the American Legion, the $1,200 all-alcohol pub license for the Polish Club and $2,000 for all-alcohol licenses used by restaurants. There also are $100 entertainment and auto amusement licenses used by several of the businesses.
“(This is) in the spirit of supporting our businesses so that they can continue to recover and get back on their feet because this is still a crisis,” said Select Board Chairwoman Diana Szynal.
Szynal said even those businesses that have reopened are still faced with limited hours, and challenges associated with staffing. “I want to do what we can to support businesses,” she said.
Board member Brian Moriarty said that many places have resumed operations this year, but are still not to full capacity
“I think it’s a somewhat small gesture on our part, but well-received as a large thank you on the business’ part,” Moriarty said.
The American Legion, for one, has only been able to open for a couple of days each week and has limited its functions, said board member Edmund Jaworski.
Town Administrator Marlene Michonski said a total about $14,000 in revenue could be relinquished by the decision.
Fees for package stores will still be collected because they have largely escaped the COVID-19 impacts.
While there is a lost revenue component of the American Rescue Plan Act and other COVID relief bills that could support businesses, the board said that the fee relief would be a better approach for now.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
