The Yarmouth Taxpayer

This tax may be coming to your Town.

Any town wishing to have their legislator file a Home Rule petition with the language below should add an article to a town meeting warrant (special or annual) similar to all Home Rule articles that says something in the way of, "shall the             selectmen seek special legislation that would allow the town to impose a room  occupancy tax on vacation rentals not       currently subject to such tax?" I suggest each town consult their town counsel regarding the necessary language of the   warrant article. However, we would like all of the petitions filed by the legislators to be consistent as printed below.          

"Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the town of_----------------- may impose a room occupancy      tax, in addition to any such occupancy tax currently allowed by law, on any vacation or leisure accommodation,             including but not limited to apartments, single or multiple family housing, cottages, condominiums and time share units  or any other such temporary occupancy not currently defined in Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 64G. Vacation or leisure accommodation is defined as occupancy for a price to be paid and intended at the time of contract to be for a      period of ninety consecutive days or less regardless of whether such use and possession is as a lessee, tenant, guest or licensee."

  This tax should not be put on Town warrants. This piece of Legislation is severely flawed and it crosses the lines when it comes to property rights.

Yarmouth Rentals:

In the Town of Yarmouth there are approximately 2500 rentals. According to one town official ,there is no breakdown on what type of rentals Yarmouth has. The questions are, how many are Year Round Rentals, How many are Seasonal Rentals.  

Enforcement:

Who is going to enforce this? The Town? The State? I doubt it. Presently there is one Yarmouth town employee who among his other duties tries to check on rentals, according to one Town Official. It impossible to enforce at the present time. It will also be impossible to enforce if the tax is implemented. Many Realtors who currently handle a few rentals would probably just not do it anymore because they would be put in the position of being the Collector of the Tax, according to one Realtor. They would also not be sending the owners of the property (and the IRS) 1099 tax forms showing the amount of income the owners are responsible to claim when they file their income tax. Chances are good that many summer tenants would be taken advantage of by off-site owners who take their money, provide disappointing accommodations possibly in violation of local codes, then not report the income received to the IRS or the State Department of Revenue or the new rooms tax intended to help out the Town.  

Rental Underground:

“In Yarmouth it will be easy as anyone with rentals is supposed to have a permit to rent. I'm sure there are some that don't, but [that will be a starting point],” said Edward S. Lewis, Democrat, a Brewster Selectman . I'm sure there are some that don't?

It's huge.

There is a large underground in Yarmouth of property owners who rent out their homes or rooms This is where this tax crosses the line with property owners. Article I of the States Continuation states,' All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

Partisan Politics:

There is a new question around town. Is Partisan Politics dictating to the Voters here in Yarmouth?

“If we can get in with a home rule petition, there might be more willingness on Beacon Hill to go town-by-town rather than a statewide policy,” agreed Select woman Suzanne McAuliffe.Well Suzanne McAuliffe is a registered Democrat, so is Mr Lewis. So I ask the question, Who is we?

The Democratic Party?

NO New Taxes:

The Taxpayers in Yarmouth do not need any new taxes. This Home Rule petition is just that. We have seen the Selectmen, led by Mrs McAuliffe raise every user fee (TAX) in town. We have seen the Town push for overrides lead by the Chairman of the Board, Suzanne McAuliffe. Jerry Sullivan, a member of the Yarmouth Board of Selectmen recently made the following statement to the Yarmouth Representative to the Barnstable County Assembly Charlotte Striebel,“I'm disappointed that you're not interested in representing the best interest of the Town of Yarmouth,” said Selectman Jerry Sullivan. Well it's time to take a real hard look in the mirror Mr. Sullivan.

Bottom Line:

It's time the Board of Selectmen represent the Taxpayers, the Voters, in the Town of Yarmouth instead of representing the Town. The Yarmouth Board should not put this new tax bill on the Town Meeting Agenda in May. The taxpayers should let the Board of Selectmen know they do not support this bill. Let the Board know they should be working for the taxpayers and not the Town. Just say No to any new Taxes.