Board moves Nathan Reardon’s 117 Somerset Ave barber shop and laundromat to public hearing

Applicant Nathan Reardon described plans to convert the first-floor storefront at 117 Somerset Avenue to an upscale barbershop with a laundromat in the rear and to keep an existing second-floor apartment. Reardon said he has experience developing local properties and is eager to start construction: "We're excited to get some stuff going in the town of Pittsfield," he said.

Board members and staff identified multiple contingencies before final approval: confirmation of water and sewer capacity, electrical service amperage or an alternative propane plan for dryers, fire marshal sign-off including a two-hour fire separation between retail and the upstairs apartment, and ADA access and parking. The board agreed the appropriate procedural step was a public hearing and voted to set the application for public hearing, with staff to compile a checklist of required items for the applicant to address before the final decision.