[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Longmeadow as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted as § 2-319 of the General Bylaws; amended 5-7-2013 ATM, approved 6-12-2013; 5-9-2017, approved 8-31-2017]
[Amended 10-25-2022STM by Art. 23, approved 2-22-2023]
The Department of Finance and Administration, hereinafter referred to as the "Tax Collector," shall annually, and may periodically, furnish to each department, board, commission, or division, hereinafter referred to as the "licensing authority," that issues licenses or permits, including renewals and transfers, a list of any person, corporation or business enterprise, hereinafter referred to as the "party," that has neglected or refused to pay any local taxes, fees, assessments, betterments or other municipal charges, and that such party has not filed in good faith a pending application for an abatement of such tax or a pending petition before the appellate tax board.
The licensing authority may deny, revoke, or suspend any license or permit, including renewals and transfers, of any party whose name appears on said list furnished to the licensing authority from the Tax Collector or with respect to any activity, event or other matter which is the subject of such license or permit and which activity, event or matter is carried out or exercised or is to be carried out or exercised on or about real estate owned by any party whose name appears on said list furnished to the licensing authority from the Tax Collector; provided, however, that written notice is given to the party and the Tax Collector, as required by applicable provisions of the law, and the party is given a hearing, to be held not earlier than 14 days after said notice. Said list shall be prima facie evidence for denial, revocation or suspension of said license or permit to any party. The Tax Collector shall have the right to intervene in any hearing conducted with respect to such license denial, revocation or suspension. Any findings made by the licensing authority with respect to such license denial, revocation or suspension shall be made only for the purposes of such proceeding and shall not be relevant to or introduced in any other proceeding at law, except for any appeal from such license denial, revocation or suspension. Any license or permit denied, suspended or revoked under this section shall not be reissued or renewed until the license authority receives a certificate issued by the Tax Collector that the party is in good standing with respect to any and all local taxes, fees assessments, betterments or other municipal charges payable to the municipality as of the date of issuance of said certificate.
A. 
Any party shall be given an opportunity to enter into a payment agreement, thereby allowing the licensing authority to issue a certificate indicating said limitations to the license or permit, and the validity of said license shall be conditioned upon the satisfactory compliance with said agreement. Failure to comply with said agreement shall be grounds for the suspension or revocation of said license or permit; provided, however, that the holder be given notice and a hearing as required by applicable provisions of the law.
B. 
This article shall not apply to the following licenses and permits: open burning, MGL c. 48, § 13; sales of articles for charitable purposes, MGL c. 101, § 33; children work permits, MGL c. 149, § 69; clubs, associations dispensing food or beverage licenses, MGL c. 140, § 21E; dog licenses, MGL c. 140, § 137; fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses, MGL c. 131, § 12; marriage licenses, MGL c. 207, § 28; and theatrical events, public exhibition permits, MGL c. 140, § 181.
[Amended 10-25-2022STM by Art. 23, approved 2-22-2023]
The Select Board may waive such denial, suspension or revocation if it finds there is no direct or indirect business interest by the property owner, its officers or stockholders, if any, or members of his immediate family, as defined in MGL c. 268A, § 1, in the business or activity conducted in or on said property.
The due date for the payment of charges and bills due the Town shall be shown on the bill or other invoice for the charge or bill. Interest at the rate of 12% per year shall accrue if the charges remain unpaid after the due date; provided, however, that the rate of interest shall not exceed the rate of interest charged on unpaid real estate tax bills.