When the Board of Selectmen last year considered imposing a local meal and raising the hospitality tax, they unanimously decided against it. This year the outcome was a bit different.
While they still reject the idea of a local meal tax, the board decided to approve an increase in the hotel tax from 4 to 6 percent. The increase still has to be voted on at town meeting in April, but if approved it’s expected to bring in an additional $16K in revenue.
A meals tax would have netted the town about $95K annually.
(Selectman John Rooney) said that although the hotel tax will bring in significantly less revenue than the meals tax, the hotel tax is the only option that won’t add to the burden on taxpayers.
The meals tax option was unanimously rejected, and the hotel tax passed 2-1.
Selectmen Chairwoman Bonnie Phaneuf was the lone vote against the hotel tax, saying that she’s heard of multiple occasions in which residents had to temporarily stay at a lodging in town.
You can read more in this article by the Metrowest Daily News.
