Board scolds store

Levon Kinney, Correspondent

WILBRAHAM A local drug store faces 10-day tobacco sale suspension during the month of June for its fourth violation of selling cigarettes to a minor. On April 17, Tobacco Control Agent Sarah McColgan sent a 16 year old child into the Lewis and Clark drug store on Main St.

"I gave the child a $20 bill and his legal identification that proved he was not able to buy tobacco," McColgan told the Board of Selectmen at the June 4 meeting. "The child came out with a pack of Marlboro cigarettes that he paid $5.35 for and was never asked to show identification."

McColgan explained that the state requires three compliance checks after a stores previous violation and the Lewis and Clark store made the violation during one compliance check.

"I think we have taken a very consistent stand on this issue acting as the Board of Health," Selectman James Thompson told Skip Mathews who was representing the store. "We are not here to damage the business of your store, we need to work together to stop the sale of tobacco to minors."

Mathews said little during the hearing but assured the selectmen that this was the last time the store would be in violation.

Lewis and Clark will have a 10-day suspension on selling tobacco products from June 15-24.

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McColgan stayed with the selectmen to officially step down as tobacco control agent for the town of Wilbraham. She has also been working in Longmeadow, Monson, Ludlow, and other towns in the area controlling the sale of tobacco.

"I've been doing this for 11 years now and I really enjoy tobacco regulation," McColgan said.

McColgan will now work with the state training different companies and teaching classes dealing with tobacco regulation.

Greg Boyce was introduced by McColgan to the selectmen as her replacement. Boyce explained that he has eight years of experience working as a part-time police officer everywhere, "from Amherst to Wilbraham." He is currently enrolled as a student at Westfield State College.

Selectmen Thompson, Patrick Brady and David Barry welcomed Boyce to the town and accepted the resignation of McColgan.

"If we stop anyone from starting smoking tobacco," Thompson said. "Than we can say we have done our duty to follow the tobacco regulations set forth by the state."