<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Going to throw myself into the wayback machine. In about 1984 we were working with the Town of Exeter NH on a “user side subsidy” for in-town taxi service. The project was co-funded by the Federal Transit Administration, Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) and the Town of Exeter. As the taxi services redeemed the coupons, not the individual person, it got around the “no direct payment of money to people” issues that usually arise when local funds are involved. We were paying for the (transit) service just like subsidizing the buses we were running on the street.</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While you should seek counsel advice, I think your proposal would overcome the direct cash payment to people issues that are imbedded in MA law, as your coupons would seem to be targeted to supporting your downtown economic initiatives. </p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan Fortier</p><p class=MsoNormal>Retired</p><p class=MsoNormal>Interim Dennis Planner</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from <a href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986">Mail</a> for Windows</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><b>From: </b><a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">Ken Buckland via MassPlanners</a><br><b>Sent: </b>Wednesday, July 27, 2022 1:25 PM<br><b>To: </b><a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a><br><b>Subject: </b>[Massplanners] giving money to local businesses</p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>We are considering a program where we hand out coupons to spend at local businesses that, in turn, the businesses redeem from the redevelopment authority for cash.reimbursement. Is there any legal issue with this? Doesn't seem to be money laundering but I need confirmation.</p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Ken Buckland</p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Town of Wareham</p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>508.291.3100 ext 6501</p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>