Adams Restaurant Owners Wary Of Possible Meal Tax

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Bar and tavern owners told the Selectmen on Wednesday about their concerns in adding more taxes on their businesses.

ADAMS, Mass. — Local bar and restaurant owners aired their concerns Wednesday about enacting new local meals tax.

"This is targeting a real fragile industry, and I don't know if it is strong enough if this town supports something like this," Nathan Girard of the Adams Ale House told Selectmen.

He estimated the tax could take away 25 percent of his profits.

Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said the local tax would add three quarters of a percentage to the current state meals tax of 6.25 percent. For example, on a $25 bill, the tax would be $1.75, up from $1.56.

According to the Department of Revenue, adopting the local tax would return a projected $80,000 to the town.

Williamstown, North Adams, Lanesborough, Dalton and Pittsfield have adopted the local tax. The Selectmen are considering asking town meeting to adopt the municipal tax.

"It will make sure we have permanent economic development funds in town that is not subject to the same adding and cutting in the budget every year," Mazzucco said. "As well as not just letting that revenue get lost as another strain into the general fund."

Mazzucco also advocated for adding a local lodging tax that would bring it to 11.7 percent total. He said this is more of a no-brainer because people from Adams rarely use the lodging services.

But Chick's owner Dennis Knapp said he didn't think the town would ever be able to raise $80,000. Restaurants would have to make at least $10 million a year in sales and it would only make things more difficult for restaurant owners, he said.

"I think you guys are way overestimating what you guys are going to bring in," Knapp said. "You are taxing a people who can't afford any more taxes. You guys have taxed us to death right now."

Mazzucco said the number is based on what the town already submits to the state, and the majority of it will come from fast-food establishments.

Knapp said the increase, despite how small it is, will deter people from going out to eat.

"We have a very loyal following for restaurants in town, and I would hope that less then a cent on the dollar wouldn't result in someone saying ‘I am not going out to eat anymore,'" Selectman Jeffrey Snoonian responded. He added that adopting the tax is "going to be difficult, it's going to be a divisive, and that's my guess."

Girard and Ale House co-owner Erik Pizani said they rather the increase be spread across all businesses in Adams and not just targeting restaurants and bars.

Girard said if the tax goes through they do not want to pass the tax onto the consumer. Most bars do not include the small taxes on their beverages because it would be too difficult to make combinations of change, especially on busy nights.

"It's much easier for me to make change for $3 with a $5 and give two dollars back then do $1.62 every single time," Girard said.  

Pizani said the only option would be to raise the price of a drink to a nickel or quarter, which would deter business.

"There is one thing I know about the trade, anytime you change the price of a beer or a burger even a nickle, people will complain on the Internet most of the time," he said. "It is going to affect the bottom line of the business."

Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington said it is the bar owners' choice to not include the tax on their beverages because they do not want to make all of the change.

Girard, however, said groups have formed against the tax in other towns because it has hurt business.

Selectman John Duval said he supports the tax because it would be for the greater good of the community, and the money would be reinvested into local businesses to help them thrive.

"If we don't do anything we are going to continue down the same road we are going … but there is going be less and less business," Duval said. "Not doing this is doing nothing."

Girard questioned whether the money would actually help existing businesses. He said it was difficult for the Adams Ale House to get its permitting and has had little luck with Community Development on getting signage on Summer Street.

Duval suggested the money could be used to hire someone who advocates and works directly for business in Adams. The position could act as sort of a chamber of commerce.

Girard said that sort of person would be helpful, and he would be more comfortable knowing exactly where the money would go if the meal tax passes.

Tony Scieszka, manager of Turn Hall, said he felt taxes in Adams were already too much for everyone. He said people are being charged more for fewer town services.

"We are struggling and the buck needs to stop here," Scieszka said. "If the highest taxes in the state is the goal we are striving for, you are leading us into deeper waters without life jackets."

Selectman Joseph Nowak said people need to realize that many small towns throughout New England are struggling and Adams is doing what it can. He added he, too, gets frustrated, but being cynical does not help matters.

"It's this kind of cynicism that is in this community that is really hurting it," Nowak said. "I understand what people are saying because I am not a man of wealth myself, and I struggle paying my taxes, too, but … Adams is livable, safe to raise a family, and we need to come together to try to make things better."

Daniel Paciorek, owner of The Grille on Summer Street, was the only tavern owner in favor of the tax. He said it will ultimately benefit the town and it is better for the town to get the tax than the state.

"The state is killing us," Paciorek said. "This is not going to hurt us, and it is going to keep it right in town."

He said throughout the years there has been many new taxes and the really good businesses will survive.

"If people feel comfortable in your place they are going to come," he said. "I don't care if you go up in price … people are going to be there if you treat them good."


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Adams Sees No Races So Far

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — With less than a week left before nomination papers are due, there are currently no contested seats.
 
Only selectman incumbent John Duval has returned papers. Selectman Howard Rosenberg has decided not to seek re-election. 
 
Rosenberg, who was elected in 2021, said he has chosen not to run again to make room for younger candidates.
 
"I feel strongly, we need younger people running for public office,  as the future of our town lies within the younger  generation. The world is so fundamentally different today and rapidly changing to become even more so. I believe we need people who are less interested in trying to bring back the past, then in paving the way for a promising future. The younger generation can know that they can stay here and have a voice without having to leave for opportunities elsewhere," he said.
 
The only person to return papers so far is former member the board Donald Sommer. Sommer served as a selectman from 2007 to 2010 and before that was a member of the School Committee and the Redevelopment Authority. He ran unsuccessfully for selectman in 2019 and again in 2021 but dropped out of before the election.
 
Incumbent Moderator Myra Wilk and Town Clerk Haley Meczywor have returned papers for their respective positions.
 
Assessor Paula Wheeler has returned papers and incumbents James Loughman and Eugene Michalenko have returned papers for library trustees.
 
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