Town, Andros Diner Agrees To Debt Repayment Plan

In a deal that will keep the family-owned diner alive, Belmont's agreed last night, Feb. 28, to a plan where the owners of will begin paying off their $74,000 bill to Belmont one payment every week for years to come.

But as the owners of the long-standing diner on Trapelo Road adjacent to the Beaver Brook Reservation near the Waltham line appeared to put out one financial fire, another flared up last month as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shuttered the restaurants doors in mid-February due to nearly $100,000 in back state taxes.

“They will need to come in to the Treasurer’s Office by 3:30 p.m. every Friday with a weekly minimum payment of $250 that will be paid,” said , who was sitting next to owner Annette Manetas and her attorney, Vin Pepi of Arlington.

Carmen agreed with Selectmen Mark Paolillo that the repayment play – which will pay back $16,000 in property taxes and $60,000 in missed water, sewer and electric payment – that it will take seven years if the minimum payments are made.

But Carmen said that he “feels better with a cash flow” from Manetas and about 200 homeowners and commercial businesses that town has similar payment plans with then taking over the property.

As part of the agreement, the Selectmen will issue a Common Victualler, or business, license until June 30. By June 30, a financial review of the payment plan will be conducted and then the license could be extended to Dec. 31, 2011.

Carmen told the Selectmen that if she misses a payment, the town will terminate the business license that allows the diner to serve customers.

Seeking bank loans

Pepi told the board that Manetas was seeking to secure a bank loan “as our major effort” to place the business on solid financial ground. He also said they would also look to a partnership with another food-related business to obtain funding.

When asked by Selectmen Angelo Firenze if the business was for sale, Manetas and Pepi both said no.

Carman said if Manetas does secure financing by a third party, the town will see that its unpaid debt is settled under any agreement.

When asked if the recent action by the state affects the town’s plan, Carman bluntly said, “I don’t care if (the diner) opens or stays closed. They need to come to the Treasurer’s office by the close of the day on Friday with $250.”

Outside the Board of Selectmen’s Room on the second floor of Town Hall, Manetas, the owner of the financially troubled restaurant, was receiving hugs and kisses from whom she said were “co-workers, my family and even some customers.”

“I am happy we have a plan,” she told reporters after the meeting.

Yet she or her attorney would not say when the diner would open or how they would deal being in the red to the tune of $96,000 to the state.

According to the state’s Department of Revenue website, arrangements to settle outstanding debt is similar to the town’s agreement, with an established plan that both parties would agree to follow.