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Meals excise tax to be raised in North Adams this July
Effect on citizens will be minimal, Alcombright says
By Michael Barricelli
Staff Writer
North Adams City Council voted last Tuesday for a 0.75 percent increase in the meals excise tax, raising the tax from 6.25 percent to 7 percent, effective July 1.
“We always try to think through impact on citizens,” Mayor Richard Alcombright said. “The reality is that this will be very minimal.”This tax increase means one extra penny will be charged for every $2 spent on a meal.
Alcombright said the money would come directly back to the city in quarterly payments — about $150 to $160 thousand each year in revenue for the city.He said he hopes some of the money will go back into a fund that will increase tourism in North Adams and bring more customers to local businesses.
Many North Adams restaurant owners believe the tax is a good thing, and they don’t think it will affect the amount of regular customers.
“I’m not too worried about it,” said Kate Schilling, an owner of The Hub. “I don’t think it would cause people to not eat in North Adams.”She said she doubts people will stop eating at The Hub because of the tax.“If you like a restaurant enough, the raise won’t make you go somewhere else,” Shilling said.
“It will cost just as much to drive somewhere else.”Seven Blakeman, Elf Parlor owner, feels the same way as Schilling.“I’m all for taxes as long as it’s helping the city,” she said. “The tax really doesn’t affect us [Elf Parlor]. It’s more on the customer, and I don’t think it will affect customers too much.”
Not everyone thinks the increase is good. Mark Petrino, owner of the newly-opened Petrino’s Café, said he thinks Alcombright has done a good job on the city so far, but this is something he does not agree with.“This [food business] is probably the most difficult business to get into,” Petrino said. “It’s unfair to put another tax on top of the already high tax to generate revenue for the city.”
Though he does not agree, Petrino said the tax increase should have no effect on regular customers.
“It’s not like anyone will go down to Cheshire to avoid the tax,” he said.
Dance Company dazzles
Photo contributed by Kat Sanford
Students turned out in high numbers to support the biggest club on campus, Dance Company, during their performance at MASS MoCA last weekend.
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Video by Brian Hubert and Kim Pincus
MCLA closes up shop to 2010 season
Photo courtesy of Ian Grey
MCLA shortstop Jon Repepi tagging out a Lancer baserunner. MCLA finishes off its 2010 season with a 8–22 record.
North Adams, Mass. — Jeff Borges pitched a complete-game with 10 strikeouts to cap Salem State College’s 4–0, 3–1 season finale double-header sweep of the Trailblazers Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
The Viking’s finish their season 18–18 with a 5–9 Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference record. The Trailblazers ended their regular season with an 8–22 overall record and a 1–13 conference record. Three Salem State pitchers combined for a shutout in game one. Ryan Sharp’s two-inning relief effort resulted in his second win of the season.
MCLA starter James Greeley was marked for the loss. Greeley allowed four runs, three earned on seven hits in six innings of work. Chris Cocci's third inning single that drove in Guery Alonzo from second base proved to be the game-winner. Cocci was productive for his squad going 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the final doubleheader of the year.
Borges pitched a gem in game two. He allowed only one earned run on three hits with ten strikeouts and one walk. Borges ends his season with a 2–3 record. Andrew Kelly received the loss. Kelly was marked for three runs, two earned while striking out six and walking one batsman in six innings. Osiris Mendez had three hits on the day for the Trailblazers.Devon Davis finished 2-for-2 and scored one run for MCLA.
