MONTAGUE — Town policies on outdoor businesses are expected to be revamped next week to suit the needs of restaurants and retailers that want to operate in a coronavirus-safe manner.
The Selectboard has been looking at the issue since last week, when owners of The Rendezvous restaurant on Third Street asked to set up dining tables in the parking lot next to their building, so as to comply with the state’s social distancing rules for restaurants.
On Tuesday, Rendezvous co-owner Chris Janke spoke with the Selectboard again to emphasize the urgency of his business’ financial situation.
“We considered putting plywood over the windows. That still may happen,” he said. “We’re trying not to do that.”
Board members acknowledged that businesses are losing money by not being able to fully operate, but noted again that there are issues in outdoor business operations that the town needs to address before giving permits — particularly regarding insurance liabilities, public health concerns and compliance with accessibility codes.
Last week, the town Planning Department sent a survey to local business owners, asking what their plans and priorities for reopening are. But so far there have been only five responses, said Town Planner Walter Ramsey.
Most likely, he said, most businesses don’t yet have clear plans or expectations on reopening, making it difficult for the town to develop a blanket policy on outdoor businesses.
Those that do want to open — like The Rendezvous, which was one of the five that responded to the survey — urgently want to do so.
Janke, speaking two days after the Selectboard meeting, estimated that it costs $2,000 to $10,000 a month for a typical small business to be closed. While some operational costs no longer apply, any company still has costs that have to be paid no matter what — like insurance, utilities and mortgage payments.
The Rendezvous has a loan from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which allows the company to keep its employees on payroll, and pay its rent and utilities. But it doesn’t cover insurance or product costs, Janke said. The restaurant has a rebate on its insurance costs set up, but it doesn’t pay out until October, he said.
“That’s the pressure we’re under,” he noted.
There’s also an issue of re-orienting the company’s operations to work outdoors. Because restaurants across the country are all trying to do this at the same time, demand is higher than usual for outdoor tables and chairs, Janke said.
Given the urgency, Ramsey said Montague will expedite and modify its existing procedures for permitting outdoor restaurant tables, and will expand the rules to encompass retail as well. The Selectboard plans to review a policy proposal from the Planning Department at its meeting on Monday.
Reach Max Marcus at
mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.