North Andover To Renew Licenses For Businesses Behind On Taxes

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover businesses will be able to get their licenses to operate renewed without having paid off all their town taxes, after a recent decision by the Board of Selectmen.

The board voted on Nov. 30 to waive normal rules that revoke licenses for non-payment of taxes. Each year the board votes on license renewals at their last meeting of December.

The board had previously discussed waiving or reducing license fees, but town officials had recommended against it, citing the budget impact. The town has had a fall in income from meals taxes and some other sources.

Businesses will still have to pay off their taxes, and they will face late fees. The new rule just gives them more time, Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues said.

"We'll still recoup, it'll just be a little later," she said. "We certainly do not have a cash-in-hand problem."

The board voted unanimously for the change. The full meeting is available here from North Andover CAM.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.