Postponed... AGAIN... in Massachusetts :(

Y'know... I'm beginning to see why I have NO competition in my city. I'm going through SUCH an ordeal just getting the CITY permit. First they required the State license (I expected that), then they said I had to pass the CORI check with the Police Dept (remember that thread!).. which I also expected. Then when that came back fine, they said, "OH, I forgot to mention it has to go before the City Council meeting in 2 weeks" (!!!!) which happened 2 days ago... "and then would have to be signed off by the Mayor" (you gotta be kidding me).

So, we get past all of this... and I heard nothing yesterday about the City Council meeting, so I called today to say, "did it get brought up (I wasn't supposed to BE at the meeting)?? They said, "OH, yeah, it did.... but NOW it has to go before the Licensing Committee and they aren't meeting until the 23rd" (you got it... in 2 more weeks!!!!!)

I asked the City Clerk's office, "couldn't you have told me ALL of these steps at the beginning when I started this back on APRIL 1st????? instead of giving me the "Oh by the way... you have something else in 2 more weeks" deal????

I have postponed my start date twice already.... this is the third time. It doesn't look good and I'm just freakin frustrated now.

I asked them AGAIN "WHERE ELSE does it need to go once it goes to the Licensing Committee and the Mayor's office????" I got, "I think that's it"

I'm holding my breath...

The time has come that you may not want to go this on your own.
Enlist some help. Try with the group that is letting you set up on their field first. Call your state reps office, contact the local Chamber of Commerce or SBA and so on. The sqeakey wheel gets the grease.
Most important, attend all future meetings even if your presance is not required. Someone from the local board will approach you as to why you are there, be polite and sell yourself. Good Luck, Chow Jim

Boy, sounds like you are in for a run for the money where you are! Does the licensing committee usually handle these types of things, or is it in the wrong hands? But you are operating on town property right?

Funny thing is... I was JUST checking on the various "committees" here and found the "Licensing Board"... not the committee (which was repeated to me twice... ) and the Board meets to review requests for liquor licenses (!!!) which I'm NOT applying for, so if there IS a "licensing committee" I cannot find it on the city's web site!!!

No, I'm not actually allowed to park on city property (i.e. NOT near the city hall, fire/police depts, library, certainly not the courthouse, etc). I have already obtained permission to have use of the ball fields, which are NOT considered "city" property but are under the management of the city Recreation Commission, which I obtained permission from back in April. Confused yet... I am!

I do already have a letter from the Men's Softball League requesting permission be granted to me to work my cart there on their field... but they don't really have any more pull in city hall than I do. I do also have my permission in writing from the Recreation Commission. I'm hesitant to be "the squeeky wheel" as it may well lead to more delays... not what I'm looking for.

I'm guessing I may have to wait and see what transpires on May 23rd, and if there are further delays at that point, I may have to call the Mayor directly to see what the problem is. I'm just so frustrated.... I've now made 2 payments on my business loan with no income to show for it

Yeah, make sure that your not involved with the licensing board by mistake, it could tie you up for quite some time. Janski, it seems you've got all the permits that you need, I only need the "health permit", and from what I understand you already have a hawkers and peddlers permit?

Delta... your health permit shouldn't be bad if you've done all your checking ahead of time and know what to expect. My Dept of Health was very helpful and I had no problems.

I do already have my hawkers & peddlers license from the State of MA (took a week). I also have my city Business Certificate (got that same day), got my Mobile Food Cart permit from the Dept of Health inspection (took a week for the appointment, got it the same day), got my DOR (state sales tax) certificates on-line (one day), and the IRS EIN on-line (same day). Got the letter of approval from the Recreation Commission to be on any ball fields in the city (2 days after attending their monthly meeting).

The only PITA that I'm struggling with is the City Business license, which first required the State license and the business certificate, then the CORI check with the Police Dept.... then after that came the City Council meeting and the signature from the Mayor... and NOW the Licensing "committee"???
"Board"??? I have to call and see about which...

Anyone looking to start up in Massachusetts... you apparently need at least 2 months to set all this up, maybe 3 months... unless YOUR city/town is less anal about all the committees!!!!

Im just saying that this shouldn't be a licensing committee project, at least it isnt here in my city, thats reserved for liquor licenses, and other business licenses.

I have heard this week that the Licensing Committee approved my license "out of session" last week, and that now I'm just waiting for a final vote (supposedly this Tuesday). I'm not getting my hopes up too high, but I'm hoping this is the final step before I can go pick up my license... maybe working by the end of NEXT WEEK!!!!!