John Sheerin explains his plans for a cigar lounge to the Board of Health.
ADAMS, Mass. — The former Rascal’s Lounge is being eyed for a cigar lounge and humidor.
John Sheerin introduced himself to the Board of Health last week to present his plans for the North Summer Street building that he hopes will be a destination for cigar enthusiasts.
"For hundreds of years, local cigar lounges have served as a meeting place and common ground for both white-collar and blue-collar people to come together and spend a few hours together engaging in conversations and taking part in the time-honored tradition of smoking a fine cigar," Sheerin said told the board on Wednesday.
Sheerin said cigar smokers are often banished to basements or back porches and there are no local establishments where enthusiasts can enjoy their hobby.
"Unfortunately if I want to partake in my hobby, I have to go as far as Albany or Hudson and there are few places locally where you can purchase cigars but they are not really cigar shops," he said.
Sheerin said the lounge would only allow access to those age 21 and older. He said they will not serve alcohol.
The board asked Sheerin if people would be able to smoke marijuana in the lounge and Sheerin responded no. He said the lounge is purely for cigar and pipe smokers. He said it is a place for premium tobacco and not even cigarettes will be allowed.
He plans to install plenty of ventilation in the lounge and have a clear separation between the shop and the lounge so those who may want to purchase a cigar do not have to walk through a smoke-filled room.
Sheerin said he plans to stock newspapers from around the country as well as televise various sporting events in the lounge.
"Cigars and boxing actually go together quite well," he said.
Sheerin said there are many enthusiasts and if there is a cigar lounge in Adams, people will come and hopefully spend money in town.
"The camaraderie among cigar smokers is something that I can comfortably refer to as a sacred thing. Many of us travel great distances ... just to spend time with other enthusiasts," he said. "I'm not only looking to serve the needs of the cigar-smoking population of Adams but also establish a destination for enthusiasts from outside of our community."
The Board of Health was Sheerin’s first stop and being so early in the process, board members had few comments but said they will help guide him through various town protocols.
"We will look at the concept and see what else we need to know, what we need to know more of, and see what other agencies within the town government may need to be included," Board member Bruce Shepley said. "We will get back to you."
In other business, Building Inspector Gerald Garner informed the board that he plans to increase the standards for securing condemned buildings to arson standards.
"People can still get in there because all they are doing is putting plywood in the windows and doors," he said. "They can just pull back and get in and they have a place to stay for the night."
He said arson standards would mandate the used of 16-inch bolts, two-by-fours, and plywood that would shore up structures the town wants secured.
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Adams Review Library, COA and Education Budgets
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed the public services, Hoosac Valley Regional School District and McCann Technical School budgets on Tuesday.
The workshop at the Adams Free Library was the third of four joint sessions to review the proposed $19 million fiscal 2025 budget. The first workshop covered general government, executive, finance and technology budgets; the second public works, community development and the Greylock Glen.
The Council on Aging and library budgets have increases for wages, equipment, postage and software. The Memorial Day budget is level-funded at $1,450 for flags and for additional expenses the American Legion might have; it had been used to hire bagpipers who are no longer available.
The COA's budget is up 6.76 percent at $241,166. This covers three full-time positions including the director and five regular per diem van drivers and three backup drivers. Savoy also contracts with the town at a cost of $10,000 a year based on the number of residents using its services.
Director Sarah Fontaine said the governor's budget has increased the amount of funding through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs from $12 to $14 per resident age 60 or older.
"So for Adams, based on the 2020 Census data, says we have 2,442 people 60 and older in town," she said. "So that translates to $34,188 from the state to help manage Council on Aging programs and services."
The COA hired a part-time meal site coordinator using the state funds because it was getting difficult to manage the weekday lunches for several dozen attendees, said Fontaine. "And then as we need program supplies or to pay for certain services, we tap into this grant."
Desroches graduated from the Police Academy on March 22 in the top tier in his class. He's currently in the field training program and assigned to Sgt. Curtis Crane.
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Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
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The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
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The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
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Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more