Community Helps Bounti-Fare During Storm
ADAMS, Mass. — The storm that barreled through North County on Saturday night did more than snap a few trees and drop some powerlines.
It peeled a roof of the Bounti-Fare Restaurant clear off the building.
"I was sitting in my living room ... and I heard the wind all of the sudden whip up, it sounded like a freight train," owner David Nicholas, who lives in the apartment above the restaurant, said. "All of the sudden the entire building shook and I knew it was either an earthquake or a tornado."
Nicholas looked out the window and noticed his eight-foot sign was wobbling back and forth and a portion of his roof was laying on some parked cars. He said he suspects a microburst ripped through his lounge.
The unusual February thunderstorm brought high winds and rain to the area about 7 p.m. and later an F1 tornado hit parts of Conway and Goshen, damaging numerous buildings and cutting power.
Nicholas said water began to flow into his apartment as the storm continued to rage outside and what was sure to be a long night was eased when community support showed up to support the popular eatery.
"Even though we were closed, this place literally filled up with people asking how they could help," he said. "I love this little town of Adams I'll tell you they were all very supportive. This town is like no other."
Nicholas said he called his local insurance representative David Bissaillon that night to go over some of the damage. He said Bissaillon was there in 20 minutes ready to help.
"He stayed until midnight helping us put the tarp up," he said. "The wind was still whipping 40 mph and it was sleeting out."
He said Selectman Jeffrey Snoonian also showed up and climbed right up on the roof to help.
Nicholas said the very next day he met with the Building Department, Fire Department and health inspector to inspect the damage.
"They were nothing but helpful and they told me good luck and said let them know if I need any help," he said.
Nicholas' apartment was hit the hardest and he is still unsure how bad the water damage is that soaked drywall and insulation.
As for the restaurant, there was only minor ceiling and rug damage in the lounge area so he can still operate.
"I have a spaghetti dinner fundraiser coming in tonight {Monday] for 200 people and we are ready to go," he said. "My apartment took the brunt of the damage ... this place had been built on so many time that there are roofs all over, only one was really taken off."
Nicholas said even though his restaurant and apartment specifically were damaged he still thinks the story has a happy ending.
"This really is a good town of Adams story," he said. "Family, friends and even selectmen showed up wanting to help. This town is really something special."
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