Waltham city council approves local meals tax

By Megan McKee
Town Correspondent

Waltham became one of the latest communities to adopt the local-option .75 percent meals tax on Monday.

City Council member Ed Tarallo said Mayor Jeannette McCarthy sent her proposed $202.7 million budget to the council earlier in May with the estimated $900,000 in meals tax revenue factored in, and said the city had to pass the measure by May 30 to avoid missing out on a quarter year’s meal tax revenue.

Tarallo voted in favor of the increase and said a number of factors played into his decision: the fact that about 100 communities have approved it including most surrounding communities; hearing from constituents who are tired of paying greater taxes while getting fewer services; and the desire to avoid further property tax increases.

The biggest factor influencing his decision, he said, was the prospect of finding $900,000 worth of services or personnel to cut from the budget. “The choices are not easy in these tough times,” said Tarallo.

Waltham didn’t pursue the meals tax increase last year, but diners in the city will now pay a 7 percent tax on meals instead of the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax.

Megan McKee can be reached at megan.mckee@gmail.com.