Town Hopes to Work With Sierra's Restaurant on Tax Delinquency

Sudbury officials are hoping to find a win-win situation that would allow the town capture back taxes from Sierra's Restaurant, while also allowing the restaurant to get back on its feet while business picks up.

During Tuesday night's meeting, Finance Director Andrea Terkelsen updated the Board of Selectmen on the Sierra's situation. The restaurant previously agreed to a payment plan with the town, but has only made two payments out of an 11-month schedule.

The owners of the restaurant, which is located at 470 North Road, are in default of payment against a preexisting tax title balance that is more than $14,000, according to Terkelsen, and also owe an additional $12,000 in taxes and interest for Fiscal Year 2014.

As a result, Terkelsen laid out three options for action selectmen can take. During a public hearing, board members could meet with the business owners and opt to take no action, revoke Sierra's liquor license, or suspend the license for a designated period of time.

Selectmen called a public hearing for their meeting one month from Tuesday, hoping that would give Sierra's the opportunity to continue trending in the correct direction before a decision was made.

"If business has been picking up, maybe they could be a little closer to catching up (on payments)," said selectman Larry O'Brien. "If we will their license, it doesn't make it any easier for him to pay his taxes back."

Board members agreed that they are looking for a scenario where the business can continue to run successfully while the town can also retrieve the money owed.

"The decision we need to make is where we draw the line, and when we stop giving them more and more rope," said selectman Bob Haarde.