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Date: 12/15/2020
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield Licensing Commission recently voted unanimously to remove all license renewal fees for 2021 for businesses in good standing.
The Board of Health also voted last month to reduce permit renewal fees for those businesses by 50 percent for calendar year 2021 renewals.
Mayor William Reichelt sent a statement to Reminder Publishing describing the benefits for local businesses in a situation such as this one.
“The fee waivers and reductions will allow local businesses some financial space to spend money on their staff, and keep their business open, instead of fees to the town during this difficult time,” said Reichelt.
According to a message posted to the mayor’s Facebook page, these fee reductions are an integral part of the city’s effort to relieve some of the economic strain local businesses have faced due to COVID-19.
“This has been an unprecedented time for all of us, and we continue to try and come up with creative ways to offer relief to West Springfield businesses and residents to offset the burdens caused by COVID-19,” said Reichelt.
The posted message notes that these fee reductions are a part of the overall package of relief incentives that Reichelt has explored over the course of the pandemic. These include, extensions of deadlines for tax and other payments, as well as relief to residents through various initiatives related to water-sewage charges.
The mayor also said that he hopes the state offers some type of assistance when it comes to how they charge small businesses.
“I do not know specifically what fees the state charges small businesses, but if there is flexibility, then I do hope they will exercise it,” said Reichelt.
Reichelt is also currently working with the town council to brainstorm other ways in which West Springfield can assist residents and businesses. According to the mayor, any business that has paid their taxes and utility charges on time is considered a business in good standing.