“I think we need to, as a family, get together and start getting active with the city of Newton,” said Seana Gaherin, an owner of Dunn-Gaherin’s Food and Spirits on Elliot Street in Newton.
And this “family” of businesses in Newton is just starting to do that as reported in the Newton Tab.
Peter Murphy, owner of The Coffee Corner Café on Walnut Street, is concerned about the possibility of the city implementing a meals tax that would raise the restaurant sales tax from 6.25 percent to 7 percent.
…..Murphy was among about 10 restaurant owners in Newton who recently met to discuss their thoughts on the meals tax the city is considering. While a number oppose the tax, fearing its impact on business, many acknowledge it is inevitable.
“We all believe every alderman is going to vote for it if it’s going to generate $1.2 million for the city in the course of the year,” said Seana Gaherin, an owner of Dunn-Gaherin’s Food and Spirits on Elliot Street.Thus, the restaurant owners are considering asking the city for something in return for their support of the increase.
First, though, they are making sure they should support the increase by talking to other restaurant owners in Newton, and Newton restaurant customers. If the consensus is they should support the tax hike, an agreement will be sought on what that benefit should be.
Pretty impressive display of good citizenship by a group of business people who are struggling with basic community building questions.
What kind of local government do we want?
How can our government help our businesses prosper?
How does it all get paid for?
crossposted at ONE Massachusetts
