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Month: February 2004

Getting Down to Business

By
Features
As he goes about the task of righting the fiscal ship in Springfield, Mayor Charles Ryan will solicit the help of the city’s business community. Specifically, he wants to tap into the competitive nature of business leaders and their focus on customer service.

Charlie Ryan stressed that the city of Springfield is not Ford Motor Co. "We’re not making cars, or widgets, or anything else," he told BusinessWest. "We’re educating children, we’re providing public safety, and we’re offering basic services. That’s not the same as running a company; some of the rules that apply to business don’t apply to a municipality."

That said, Ryan, the city’s 76-year-old mayor who returned to City Hall in January 36 years after he left it following three terms as Springfield’s top executive, believes his administration can, indeed, borrow lessons from the corporate world.

At the very least, it can benefit from its expertise and competitive nature, said Ryan, who has embarked on an intriguing initiative to involve members of region’s business community in his multi-faceted effort to return the city to sound fiscal health and, in general, enable it to operate more efficiently.

"The business community consists of men and women who are, out of necessity, competitive," he said. "They wouldn’t survive if they weren’t successful in beating the competition. Whatever attributes make them competitive — persistence, tenacity, imagination, and others — are very rare indeed.

"To whatever extent these individuals turn their attention to our problems," he continued, "we’re going to benefit."

Specifics of the plan are still coming together, and ordinances for the program must be drafted and approved by the City Council. But what is known is that Ryan wants to tap the talents of area business leaders to address some of the city’s many ills — and he believes that free assistance is crucial to the city’s efforts to right its financial ship.

For starters, Ryan intends to make use of three individuals from MassMutual in what he calls a "loaned-executive program." These volunteers will be reviewing various city departments with an eye toward creating efficiencies.

Once the 90-day review process is completed, the next, still-evolving stage of the process will take place.

Russell Denver, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, told BusinessWest that Ryan approached the Chamber and the Springfield Business Development Council after last fall’s election and asked about the recruitment of business volunteers to work on projects within City Hall. Denver said that to date, he has enlisted more than 100 such individuals who are willing to offer some form of assistance in project-specific situations.

"This is a great opportunity for the city to take advantage of some free consulting," he said, noting that, while that word consulting is the one being tossed around by those involved with this initiative, he prefers to say that business leaders would be partnering with city department heads and other employees.

But will this work? Can the private sector and public sector come together and achieve progress? Some city councilors have questioned whether department heads will feel threatened by the intrusion of business leaders, while others have expressed concern about chain-of-command and collective-bargaining issues.

But both Ryan and Denver believe there will be collaboration, not intrusion, and that the business community’s help is needed to fix the city’s bottom line and enable departments to provide better service to residents.

"Fundamental things are not being done, or not done as well as they could be," said the mayor of day-to-day activities at City Hall. "And this is everywhere I look."

Executive Decisions

Ryan acknowledged that his plans to enlist the business community are unusual and rather extraordinary — but those are some of the same words he would use to describe the city’s current situation.

Springfield is getting plenty of ink these days, and most of it isn’t good. The headline on the cover of the winter issue of Commonwealth magazine, put out by the Mass. Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassInc.), screams, ’Springfield: Has It Hit Bottom?’

Without directly answering that question, Ryan said the city’s fiscal state is precarious to say the least. He told BusinessWest that the city can generate about $3 million in new tax revenues this year under the guidelines of Proposition 2 1/2, but he’s already looking at an additional $6 million in debt service and $6 million to $7 million in additional health insurance expenses. "We just continue to lose ground."

During last fall’s campaign, Ryan dared to utter the R-word — receivership — and was accused by rival Linda Melconian of trying to scare voters and greatly exaggerating the problem.

He insists that he was doing neither, and a month after taking office, he is using the same language.

"I don’t know if we can head this off," he said, referring to the prospect of receivership. "I’d like to say that we can, but I just don’t know — the news keeps getting worse."

Indeed, in the budget he outlined late last month, Gov. Mitt Romney calls for level funding of aid to cities and towns, this at a time when Ryan is begging for a real increase.

The mayor said some people understand and appreciate the bind Springfield finds itself in, but many don’t. "When we end a contract or don’t fund a certain position, there still seems to be a lack of understanding as to why those things are happening," he said. "The answer is simple; we can’t afford those things anymore."

Using a decidedly somber tone, Ryan described a collective bargaining session that occurred just prior to his meeting with BusinessWest. Most City Hall employees are overdue for raises, said the mayor, noting that the city simply doesn’t have the $4 million needed to pay for contracted pay hikes. "In a few months, we’re going to be starting a new fiscal year," he noted. "And unless a miracle happens, we’re not going to have the $3 million to $4 million to pay for the next round of increases. The IOUs keep piling up."

Ryan isn’t looking for miracles from the business community. He is, however, looking for some good advice, the kind of consulting that the city couldn’t afford if it had to pay for it.

Denver believes the business community can provide that brand of help, and wants to, because it understands that a healthy Springfield is vital to the prospects of further economic development in the Pioneer Valley.

"They know how important it is for Springfield to turn itself around," he said. "That’s why you’re seeing so many people come forward and volunteer their services."

In Good Company

Ryan told BusinessWest that he had several discussions last fall with MassMutual CEO Robert O’Connell about ways the financial services giant might assist the city. One byproduct of those discussions is the planned loaned-executive program, which could commence over the next several weeks.

Plans — subject to approval by the council — call for MassMutual’s involvement to be led by Theresa H. Forde, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and John F. Abbott, vice president of state government relations and policy holder relations. They will meet with department heads and other employees to review operations and identify areas where changes can be made and improvement realized.

Ryan, who stressed to the City Council that the project was not a witch hunt, said that the MassMutual executives will be working with him in what he called a "dynamic process that will identify better ways for us to carry out our business.

"It’s fundamental that people understand that this is not a study by the MassMutual people that will be presented to me at the end of 90 days," he explained. "They will work, day by day, in concert with me, as together we make this very necessary analysis and identify the strengths and weaknesses of our city operation."

The hope is that the department-by-department review will yield strategies that do not involve additional personnel or other expenditures.

"We want to focus on remedies that are practical and affordable," Ryan said. "I’m sure there will be some where they say, ’you could do a better job if you had 30 more police officers.’ Well, right now, that’s not an option — we don’t have the money to hire 30 more police officers.

"What we have to do is look at what our economic capacity is and, within those significant constraints, try and improve our effectiveness," he continued. "And I’m sure there will be a lot that we can do, even with our empty pocketbook."

Once individual remedies have been identified, the city could call on some of the companies the Chamber has enlisted to take on specific projects. For example, area banks could assist with cash-flow or debt-refinancing issues, said Denver, while property-management companies may be able to identify economies of scale or other means of reducing costs.

Law firms may offer pro-bono services in a number of areas, said Denver, including the collection of overdue property taxes or the taking of properties. Meanwhile, accounting firms, marketing agencies, staffing companies, and the area’s colleges have services they can offer.

Even retail outlets can be of assistance, he explained, noting that such businesses know a lot about inventory control and customer service.

Denver told BusinessWest that, in early discussions with the mayor on the subject of business volunteers, Ryan focused on the broad subject of productivity.

"In our local economy, the numbers are improving, but unemployment is not, because companies are increasing productivity — that’s why they’re calling this a jobless recovery," said Denver. "Companies are doing more with the same number of people, or fewer, and this is what intrigues the mayor."

While he acknowledged that there are vast differences in how a company and a municipality are managed, Denver said he thought area business leaders can make whatever adjustments are necessary and make some solid contributions to the kind of progress the mayor is seeking.

"You’ve already seen a number of companies lend practical assistance to the School Department and to individual schools," said Denver, listing MassMutual, American Saw & Mfg., and other businesses in the same category. "This is the same thing, but on a much larger scale.

"Besides," he continued, "a number of business people have served on boards or commissions in the communities they live in, and some have held elected office; they know how a municipality operates."

When asked to what extent he will utilize the business community, Ryan said, "in whatever legitimate and responsible ways I can."

He told BusinessWest that it is as important for business leaders to help as it is for the city to seek their assistance.

"They have a lot at stake," he said. "It is intolerable that the main city in Western Mass. continues to limp; we need a strong, vital central city."

View Toward Progress

Gesturing to the thick layer of crud on the outside of the windows of his second-floor office in City Wall, one that appeared to be years in the making, Ryan joked that he wouldn’t mind if the Chamber could get a window-cleaning company to do some "consulting" work.

If those business executives who do contribute some time and energy to the city’s management can help devise strategies to improve services and make progress in the quest for better fiscal health, then Ryan might enjoy the view out the windows in both a literal and figurative sense.

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Landmark Decisions

By
Opinion
John Bonavita, restaurateur and developer, says he enjoys the challenge of rehabbing old, historic structures. He spent two years and $1 million to convert an old fire station in Springfield’s South End into the Tavern restaurant. His latest undertaking is the 90-year-old former Post Office building in Westfield, an attractive but challenged site that is now home to his second Tavern.

John Bonavita says he first fell in love with the old Post Office building in Westfield in 1997. That’s when his Tavern Inn restaurant on Columbus Avenue in Springfield was in the process of being taken by eminent domain to make way for the new Basketball Hall of Fame and related riverfront developments, and he was looking for a new home for that venture.

He liked the historical and architectural aspects of the 90-year-old building — more on that later — and he really liked its location in the center of the city, as well as the growth potential of the Westfield market.

"I like old buildings," said Bonavita, with a classic bit of understatement. "And I really like bringing them back to life. I enjoy blending the past with the present, and with this building I saw nothing but great potential."

But he couldn’t make the parking — or lack thereof — work, and so he turned his attention elsewhere, specifically the long-vacant fire station on Mill Street in Springfield’s South End, which became home to the Tavern in 2000 after a year-long, $1 million renovation effort.

Bonavita didn’t forget about Westfield’s old Post Office, however, and after concluding that he wanted to build a second Tavern, his thoughts returned to the building on Broad and Main streets.

And this time, he made the parking work.

Indeed, Bonavita struck a deal with the city in late 2002 to lease him 37 spaces in a parking lot across the street from the structure and adjacent to the city’s green. Fourteen months and more than $1 million in renovations later, the Tavern-Westfield is nearly ready to open.

The facility housed a reception prior to Mayor Richard K. Sullivan’s inaugural ball in mid-January and is slated to open its doors later this month. When it does, it will become part of a growing arts and entertainment district in Westfield and a revitalization of its downtown.

It will also usher in a new era for the Post Office building, one of the city’s more enduring landmarks, which has been the site of several mostly unsuccessful ventures since the Post Office moved out in 1980, and has been vacant for the past several years.

Meanwhile, it will be an important entrepreneurial stepping stone for Bonavita, who now has a restaurant group, if you will, and is currently putting together a management team to run the enterprise. When asked if there might be a third or fourth Tavern, he said, "I never thought there would be a second — when I see an opportunity develop, I move on it."

Stamp of Approval

As he offered BusinessWest a tour of his Westfield Tavern, Bonavita, speaking over the constant roar of an electrical sander trying to bring new life to an old hardwood floor, pointed to teller windows with signs above them reading ’money orders’ and ’registry.’

"Back at the turn of the century, people did a lot more of their banking work at the Post Office," he explained, adding that he has kept the windows in their original state to provide part of the atmosphere for the restaurant.

Bonavita has learned quite a bit about old post offices (and this one in particular) in the past 15 months. He said renovating the landmark has been an extreme challenge, but he enjoys such assignments. "There are a lot of easier sites I could have chosen, believe me," he acknowledged. "But none of them had this location or this kind of history."

Bonavita first gravitated to the restaurant business 25 years ago, while working in the family’s used car dealership in Springfield. "I bought and sold cars for 11 years," he said, adding that when auto sales, and the economy in general, suffered in the late ’70s, he looked for a new business opportunity.

He opened Pub 91 in Springfield’s South End, and later opened the Tavern Inn on West Columbus Avenue, which thrived for nearly 15 years thanks to a loyal clientele.

But Bonavita was sent looking for a new home when the city took the property and several others to make way for the Hall of Fame project. And while Bonavita desired a location in Springfield’s South End, from which he drew many of his customers, his search took him to Agawam, West Springfield, Enfield, Conn., and Westfield, where the old Post Office was his first preference.

At the time, the site was vacant, but the subject of much speculation because it was adjacent to the former H.B. Smith boiler complex, which was soon to be demolished to make for a Stop & Shop. Andrew Crystal, vice president of O’Connell Development in Holyoke, which had acquired both the H.B. Smith complex and the Post Office site, told BusinessWest that there was a great deal of interest in the latter, especially from national restaurant chains.

"They all saw what John (Bonavita) saw," said Crystal, "an incredible structure with a lot of potential. But there wasn’t any parking, and there was no real way to acquire any." Bonavita had a purchase-and-sale agreement on the Post Office, but could not resolve the parking issue.

So he reset his sights on the South End of Springfield, and the block at the top of Mill Street, which consisted of a vacant fire station and an adjoining manufacturing facility — in rather poor condition — that housed a company which made motorcycle chains.

"The city really wanted something to happen with that block … the fire station had been vacant for nearly 30 years, and the building next door was in disrepair," said Bonavita, who told BusinessWest that he acquired the fire station from the city for a dollar and relocated the manufacturer into a building he purchased in East Springfield.

He then spent the next year rehabbing the station, built in 1894, which at that time was in horrendous condition.

"There was no heating and no plumbing," he recalled. "About 600 square feet of roof decking was completely rotted and missing, which rotted about 1,000 square feet of the second floor decking; so we had a skylight in the building — pigeons were roaming free and flying in and out."

Bonavita eventually invested more than $1 million in the building, which is now home to four offices as well as the restaurant. He acknowledged that most developers would have passed on the adventure, but he enjoys a good challenge.

Food for Thought

And he found another one in Westfield’s old Post Office, which he acquired from O’Connell in 2002 for $300,000.

He said the building lends itself well to a tavern/restaurant with its high ceilings and numerous rooms, but it needed a good deal of work to meet all of today’s codes and accessibility standards.

For example, one work area at the former Post Office — behind those teller windows Bonavita pointed out — had to be gutted to make way for a new entrance that was handicapped-accessible.

Working with the Chicopee-based architectural firm Caolo & Bienek Associates, Bonavita says he has kept as much of the original post office intact as possible, including the marble and hardwood floors, as well as the mahogany front entrance (now an emergency exit).

"They’ve really helped me tame this old building," he said of the architects, noting that the bar area maintains the arches and curved windows of the original lobby area of the post office. "We took some things and moved them or used them for different things; what we disassembled, we reassembled in other places."

The Tavern-Westfield will have a main dining room that will sit about 80, as well as a private dining room — the old postmaster’s office — that will seat another dozen. Meanwhile, as with the fire station in Springfield, Bonavita will create some office space to lease out. He said he’s already had inquiries from an engineering firm and a financial services company.

The old Post Office was adapted for several different uses after its closure. In the early ’80s, it housed a variety of small shops in an indoor-mall format. Later, a restaurant was opened in the basement area. It enjoyed initial success, but closed only a few years after opening.

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, the site became an antiques center, with dozens of individual vendors leasing pockets of space. The lack of parking eventually doomed that venture as well, and the building sat vacant for a number of years.

With the parking problem solved, Bonavita expects his new venture to become one of the cornerstones — figuratively speaking — of Westfield’s emerging entertainment district. Several restaurants have opened in the past few years, and Bonavita expects that in time (and not much time), the city’s depth of offerings will draw people from across the region, as Northampton currently does.

"I think Westfield can make something happen," he said. "Springfield has made its entertainment district work, and it can happen here, too."

Pushing the Envelope

As he showed BusinessWest the view from the balcony above the main lobby, Bonavita reiterated why he took on the many challenges posed by the old Post Office. "This building makes a statement," he said.

The same might be said of Bonavita’s developments, which have enabled two communities to take underutilized properties and put them back on the tax rolls and into productive use.

"I get a lot of satisfaction from doing this," he said. "It’s a labor of love."

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

By
Departments

Acevedo, R. Antonio
Acevedo, P. Idairis
144 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/07/04

Alexander, Margaret Gertrude
414 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/07/04

Amaral, Jose
Amaral, Rosa
58 Cross St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/04/04

Atheneos, J. Kristi
96 Twin Hills Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Azhar, Syeda Nadia
14 Arnold St., Apt. 4
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Barros, A. Fernando
25 Joy St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Bass, R. Patrick
137 Cloran St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Beach, S. Robert
Beach, J. Paulette
31 East School St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/28/03

Belkin, Kim Mary
98 Longview Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Benmosche, L. Sari
87 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Bergeron, E. Beth
414 Chestnut St.
Apt. 1229
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Betances, E. Louis
42 N. Southpoint Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Bliss, E. Timothy
Bliss, M. Kim
123 Williams St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/06/04

Bowens, A. Frederick
Bowens, M. Shelly
1535 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Brown, E. Jeanette
101 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Brown, W. Shevington
50 Southampton Road
Apt. 10B
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Cabrera, M. Ann
458 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Campurciani, L. Elana
67 Chapin St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Cannamela, Michael David
Cannamela, Ann Maureen
91 Bretton Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/05/04

Chmielewski, Michael
512 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Cloutier, M. Ethel
400 Britton St.
Apt. 409
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/15/04

Cobb, T. Robert
6 High St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/06/04

Colbert, E. Thomas
127 Thompson St.
2nd FL Rear
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Combs, R. Gregory
220 East St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Contrino-Guilbault, JoAnne
76 Old Barn Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Cooney, A. Kevin
42 Stratford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01106
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/09/04

Coulopoulos, A. Margaret
1 Springfield St., Apt. 416
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/15/04

Crabtree, Lisa
67 Windmere St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Creswell, A. Lloyd
19 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/07/04

Crochiere, Louise Gayle
245 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Crosby, R. David
Crosby, A. Cathleen
125 Old Lyman Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Cruz, Esther Nilsa
1175 Worcester St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Cummings, Peter John
Cummings, Dorothy Gail
48 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Cushing, L. Debra
645 James St
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/13/04

Dermott, Rosetta
87-89 Monrovia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Deshaies, D. James
Deshaies, K. Amy
17 Kenneth Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Dixon, L. Mia
23 Cortland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Dominguez, A. Ricardo
Dominguez, L. Debra
90 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/30/03

Driscoll, Alfred Michael
200 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Dumaine, Pierre Adelard
Dumaine, Jean Darcy
79 Woodsong Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Dyer, Sarah
8 Campus Place
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Erickson, A. Ronald
Erickson, G. Marie
41 Drumlin Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/19/03

Fair, C. Jeffrey
20 Orchard St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/07/04

Ferreira, C. Manuel
Ferreira, M. Cynthia
73 Spikenard Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/09/04

Fielder, B. Suzanne
23 Walnut Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/07/04

Fijal, M. Tadd
Fijal, A. Laurie
11 Clark St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Flascher, A. Lorraine
31 Ozark St.
1st Floor
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Flynn, T. Gary
Flynn, M. Mary
188 Lower Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Fotiathis, K. Steve
8 Emmet St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/05/04

Gachim, M. Heather
607 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/28/03

Gesuelle, John Thomas
PO Box 60375
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Ginopoulos, Michael James
Ginopoulos, Marie Ann
18 South Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Goncalves, R. Michael
20 Riverview Place
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/16/03

Grady, P. Sean
346 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Grasso, A. Gerald
30 Shaw St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/19/03

Haverbuilt Cabinet Distributors
1702 Riverdale St.
W. Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Hayes, P. Stephen
27 Elm Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Hess, B. Stephanie
35 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Hubbard, W. Robert
38 Asinof Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Hunter, Mark John
56 Maple St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Italien, M. Kevin
94 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/15/04

Jackson, M. Shawna
551-A Main St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Johanson, James Robert
37 George St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Jones, E. James
185 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/11/04

Jones, Ives Julie
175 Village Park Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Jordan, A. William
Jordan, D. Christine
91 Westport Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Kecki, F. Jane
19 Haig Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Kellogg, P. Ronald
72 Austin Circle
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Kelly, S. Holly
54 Althea St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/19/03

Khanna, Prasad Ravi
40 Pomeroy Court
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/16/03

Kiely, J. Donald
Kiely, M. Jean
44 Fredette St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Kirby, Paul
171 Dunmoreland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Kofroth, J. Robert
Kofroth, D. Carol
42 Parkwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/19/03

Kozikis, James
Kozikis, Jennifer
90 Teakwood Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Lamere, A. Michelle
237 Main St.
Leeds, MA 01053
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/05/04

LaPlante, S. Leisa
12 B North Farms Road
Haydenville, MA 01039
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

LaRose, D. Joanne
148 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Lee, Yia
99 Ashley Ave. Apt. F
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Leger, Jennifer
387 Allen Park Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Leonard, J. Thomas
61 Ingham St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Liese, J. Rosemary
578 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Lucas, A. Kimberly
157 Lockland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Luvera, M. Stephen
Luvera, A. Kathryn
244 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Mailloux, Edna
44 Craig Dr., Apt. M3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Mason, F. Dennis
Mason, Rosemary
11 Center St., Apt. B
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Matthews, R. Yvonne
59 Edendale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/30/03

Maziarz, A. Mary
96 Cyran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/15/04

Mazza, Dominic
Mazza, Marie
18 Mosher St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/19/03

McClain, E. Michael
McClain, H. Christine
255 Old Lyman Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

McDonnell, M. Shirley
950 North St., Ext.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

McDonough, G. John
McDonough, I. Renee
48 Wexford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

McNulty, A. Nancy
33 Piper Cross Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

McNulty, E Robert
69 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Meuse, Shauna
66 1/2 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Mills, M. Lulu
180 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Morales, A. Alexis
33 Nokomis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Moreno, Carlos
17 High St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Morin, J. Paul
Morin, Ann Lisa
107 Normon St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/09/04

Morse, I. Tammy
65 East Longmeadow Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/09/04

Murdock, L. Daniel
Murdock, A. Melanie
51 1/2 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Murray, V. James
31 Wilson Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/30/03

Neill, C. Maura
1 Portland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Ordine, T. Joseph
72 Sheehan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Pace, A. Elizabeth
161 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Paquette, A. Lynn
146 Lockhouse Road, Unit
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Pasini, A. Eugene
691 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/19/03

Peloquin, Raymond
49 Gates St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Perez, J. Felix
Perez, M. Hilda
1846 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/24/03

Pettazzoni, L. Stephanie
116 Granger Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Pluta, M. Richard
553 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Pozo, E. Jeimy
Pozo, O. Edenia
99 Prospect St.
2nd Floor
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Puryear, Otis
101 Mulberry St., G-12
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/30/03

Raco, S. Dean
Raco, T. Marlee
303 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Ramos, S. Nicandro
636 Shaker Raod
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Raneses, A. Almina
636 Shaker Raod
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Reese, A. Tracy
1 Belden Court, Apt. N2
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Ribeiro, Francisco
Ribeiro, Carmela
111 Clydesdale Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Rivard, Paul Benjamin
70 Redden St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/02/04

Rivas, M. Miguelina
82B Ebert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/05/04

Ross, M. Josie
151 Fargo St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Roy, E. Robert
7 Oakdale Place
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Roy, F. David
Roy, G. Kristen
75 Fox Run Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Russell, Marx William
84 Shepherd St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Ryan, A. Gene
61 Sprague St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Sanchez, J. Carmen
141 Moxon St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Sapira, Peter
51 Maple St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/14/04

Saport, A. Lee
342 Soutwick Road, Apt. A
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/23/03

Scibelli, A. Josie
15 Pinecrest Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/13/04

Smith, M. Diane
166 East Hadley Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Steele, N. Brian
Steele, M. June
27 Joseph St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/13/04

Stephenson, M. Catherine
334 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Stepno, Ann Barbara
118 Valier Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Suburban Products Inc.
672 Fuller Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/04/04

Sullivan, J. Daniel
27 Westbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Swearingen, W. David
Swearingen, M. Katherine
54 Loomis Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/19/03

Sweet, L. Jennifer
27 Royal Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Szostkiewicz, J. Daniel
148 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/22/03

Talbot, J. Richard
712 Beacon Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/28/03

Tally, M. Dawn
63 George St., 3rd FL.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/08/04

Tauscher, Robert
220 Ontario Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Taylor, M. Carmen
223 Winterset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/04/04

Teti, A. Colleen
343 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/17/03

Theriault, A. Nancy
88 Debra Dr. 2B
Chicopee, MA 010
0
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Therrien, W. Andrew
413 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/12/04

Thomas, L. Jesse
820 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/30/03

Velis, A James
Velis, M Susan
10 Woodland Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/15/04

Waggener, K. Sarah
30 West St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/18/03

Wanzo, A. Lori
32 Tumbleweed Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Wanzo, M. Tasheen
32 Tumbleweed Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/29/03

Wener, Joy Darlene
215 Ft. Pleasant Ave., Apt. E-5
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/07/04

Wild, Ann Margaret
3 Dewey St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/31/03

Incorporations

By
Departments

AMHERST

High Quality Teaching Institute Inc., 24 Tamarack Dr., Amherst 01002. Farideh Seihoun, Ed.D., same. (Nonprofit) To provide in-service education to pre K-12 teachers, etc.

John F. Edwards, Attorney at Law, P.C., 437 Main St., Amherst 01002. John F. Edwards, 20 Mt. Holyoke Dr., Amherst 01002. The general practice of law.

Professional Marketing Associates Inc., 37 South Pleasant St., Suite 3, Amherst 01002. Joseph R. Arak, 60 Maplewood Dr., Amherst 01002. To provide marketing services to businesses.

RC One Inc., 17 Kellogg Ave., Amherst 01002. Jeffrey Waskiewicz, same. Retail food and beverage sales.

BELCHERTOWN

Avery Renovations Inc., 40 Aldrich St., Belchertown 01007. Terry Avery, same. Home improvement, renovations, etc.

Perkins Stone Inc., 53 Oakridge Dr., Belchertown 01007. Timothy Paul Perkins, same. To quarry and deliver fieldstone and gravel.

Tilton Automotive Inc., 3 Amherst Road, Belchertown 01007. Frederick E. Tilton, 52 Daniel Shaw Hwy., Belchertown 01007. Automobile repair, etc.

EASTHAMPTON

Hogan Communications Inc., 81 East St., Easthampton 01027. Sean M. Hogan, 110 Devon Terrace, Westfield 01085. To deal in communication systems and networks.

Masscat Inc., 1 Cottage St., Suite 1-01, Easthampton 01027. William C. Murchison, same. (Nonprofit) To provide educational resources and training in computers, aerospace, and technology, etc.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Maniti Enterprises Inc., 448 North Main St., East Longmeadow 01028. Veena K. Kantesaria, 18 Apple Hill Road, Wilbraham 01095. To operate a retail nutrition, health, and/or fitness business.

Yummydough Inc., 53 North Main St., East Longmeadow 01028. Mike Chang, 30 McCusker Dr., #7, Braintree 02184. To operate one or more restaurants, etc.

FEEDING HILLS

James P. Shea, 525 Springfield St., Suite M-N, Feeding Hills 01030. James P. Shea, 52 Bridge St., Wilbraham 01095. Certified public accounting services.

FLORENCE

Medalco Metals Inc., One Corticelli St., Florence 01062. Dwight J. Klepacki, 30 Ashton Lane, South Hadley 01075. To design and provide products for use by building product stores.

Study Abroad Hawaii Inc., 448 Bridge St., Florence 01062. Jeffrey Palm, same. To develop educational courses for students going to Hawaii for further courses toward their graduation requirements.

GRANBY

Bill Herlihy Barrel Company Inc., 6 Carver St., Granby 01033. William Herlihy Jr., same. To deal in fiber, plastic, and steel drum barrels.

Drapeau & Patla Home Improvement Inc., 156 Kendall St., Granby 01033. Steven Drapeau, same. Installation of siding and windows, home remodeling, etc.

Sirius Center Dog Training Inc., 122 Amherst St., Granby 01033. Herbert A. Everett, same. To operate a dog training center.

V.C. More Investments Inc., 231 Amherst St., Granby 01003. Chad O’Rourke, same. Real estate investments.

HADLEY

Parmar and Sons Inc., 239 Russell St., Hadley 01035. Laxman S. Parmar, same. To own and operate a motel.

HATFIELD

Abacus Associates Inc., 52 School St., Hatfield 01038. Janet Grenzk, same. A strategic research firm.

HOLYOKE

BMT Development Corp., 26 Westfield Road, Holyoke 1040. Bryan J. Dec, same. To develop real estate.

Cellular World Inc., 50 Holyoke St., Holyoke 01049. Firuz Mammadov, same. Cellular phones sales.

HOLLAND

CYD Inc., 25 Williams Road, Holland 01521. Charles Houston Taylor, same. Distribution of food and grocery products.

INDIAN ORCHARD

A. Martins & Son Construction Inc., 28 Goodwin St., Indian Orchard 01151. Antonio M. Martins, 43 Lawrence St., Ludlow 01056. Construction.

LONGMEADOW

The Cup Inc., 70 Brooks Road, Longmeadow 01006. Michael Sullivan-Calvanese, same. To deal in restaurants, inns, etc.

LUDLOW

Apex Construction Inc., 14 Birch St., Ludlow 01056. Jeremy Duchesne, same. To operate a general construction company.

Flooring Services Unlimited Inc., 196 Irla Dr., Ludlow 01056. Ray St. Marie, same. To clean, repair, and install floors.

Matlasz Realty Inc., 318 Colonial Dr., Ludlow 01056. Matthew M. Matlasz, same. To deal in real estate.

Flooring Services Unlimited Inc., 196 Irla Dr., Ludlow 01056. Ray St. Marie, same. To clean, repair, and install floors.

Pioneer Valley Hotel Group Inc., 321 Center St., Ludlow 01056. Shardool S. Parmar, 239 Russell St., Hadley 01035. To provide management and consulting services in motel, hotel, and other hospitality operations.

River Shore Real Estate Inc., 165 Moore St., Ludlow 01056. David Coppolo, same. Real estate development.

Varandas & Sons Construction Inc., 69 Pine St., Ludlow 01056. Ricardo Varandas, same. Construction of roads, piping, concrete and asphalt work, etc.

NORTH AMHERST

Watroba’s Liquors Inc., 79 Sunderland Road, North Amherst 01059. Matthew W. Corcoran, 417 Long Plain Road, Leverett 01054. To deal in liquor and related products.

NORTHAMPTON

Haymarket Cafe Inc., 12 Crafts Ave., Northampton 01060. David Simpson, 20 Jennie Lane, Edgartown 02539. To own and operate Haymarket Cafe in Northampton.

Northampton Reach Out and Read Inc., 193 Locust St., Northampton 01060, Jonathan S. Schwab, 575 Coles Meadow Road, Northampton 01060. (Nonprofit) To assist and encourage children to begin reading at an early age, etc.

Northampton Rotary Foundation Inc., c/o Morse & Sacks, P.C., 31 Trumbull Road, Northampton 01060. Julee Clement, 152 Legate Hill, Charlemont 01339. (Non-profit) To serve the youth of Northampton through coaching, tutoring, mentoring, etc.

Thomas Douglas Architects Inc., 138 West St., Northampton 01060. Thomas Douglas, 204 Crescent St., Northampton 01060. Architectural and related services.

PALMER

J C K Marketing Inc., 1020 Central St., Palmer 01069. Joseph C. Knight, 35 Upper Palmer Road, Monson 01057. To conduct a store dealing in vacuum cleaners.

SOUTH HADLEY

Interstate Towing Inc., 180 Willimansett St., South Hadley 01075. Jeremy J. Procon, 97 Allison Lane, Ludlow 01056. To tow and deal in automobiles, motorcycles, etc.

Jorma Inc., 80 Granby Road, South Hadley 01075. Jason R. Houle, 89 Granby Road, South Hadley 01075. To own and operate a restaurant.

SOUTHAMPTON

Andre Senecal & Sons Inc., 138 D Fomer Road, Southampton 01073. Andre Senecal, same. General contractors and builders.

SPRINGFIELD

Commercial Insurance Associates Inc., 17 Fenimore St., Springfield 01108. Bonnie Smith, same, president, treasurer, and clerk. To act exclusively as an insurance producer.

Hartley Botanic Inc., 1380 Main St., Suite 202, Springfield 01103. Gordon Walker Carruthers, Hill Top, Goldford Lane, Bickerton, Cheshire, SY14 8LN, GBR. Arthur W. Price, Esq., 1380 Main St., Suite 202, Springfield 01103, resident agent. To deal in glasshouses and conservatories, etc.

Main Fashions Inc., 2469 Main St., Springfield 01107. Carmen N. Rosario, 50 Old Lane Road, Springfield 01129. To sell clothing, souvenirs, general merchandise, food, etc.

Steckley Studios Inc., 45 Willow St., Apt. 427, Springfield 01103. Edwin Steckley, same. Commercial artist, custom caricatures, etc.

Twenty First Association Properties Inc., 995 Worthington St., Springfield 01109. Kelly Rapp, 78 Starling Road, Springfield 01119. (Nonprofit) To provide elderly and handicapped persons with housing facilities and services, etc.

Urban League of Springfield Camp Atwater Foundation Inc., 765 State St., Springfield 01109. Cynthia A. Tucker, 35 Riverview Terrace, Springfield 01108. (Nonprofit) To be involved in the operation of the Urban League of Springfield Inc., etc.

Victor Apartments Inc., 2469 Main St., Springfield 01107. Victor M. Rosario Jr., 50 Old Lane Road, Springfield 01129. To deal in, improve, and rehabilitate real estate, etc.

Wolverines Baseball Inc., 244 Bridge St., Springfield 01003. James Blain, 102 Primrose Dr., Longmeadow 01106. (Nonprofit) To assist the interest of players who will participate in Wolverines Baseball Inc., help develop qualities of citizenship, etc.

THREE RIVERS

PAR Packaging Inc., 6 Springfield St., P.O. Box 82, Three Rivers 01080. David Jagodowski, 45 West St., Belchertown 01007. To deal in packaging and packaged paper products, metals, fabrics, etc.

WALES

Island Ink of Massachusetts Inc., 3 Shore Dr., Wales 01081. Serges LaRiviere, 421 State St., Belchertown 01007. To deal in products and services for refilling and replacing of inkjet cartridges, toners, etc.

Primo Enterprises Inc., 3 Shore Dr., Wales 01081. Serges LaRiviere, 421 State St., Belchertown 01007. To sell products and services in the refilling and replacement of ink-jet cartridges, etc.

WESTFIELD

Amelia Park Figure Skating Club Inc., 21 South Broad St., Westfield 01085. Stephen Blanchard, 40 Highland Ave., Easthampton 01027. (Nonprofit) To encourage the members in all the disciplines of figure skating, etc.

Baby Wink Inc., 501A Southampton Road, Westfield 01085. Joseph C. Dunlap, 31 Mathers Road, Westfield 01085. To deal in maternity products.

Daris Cutter Grinding Company Inc., 26 Airport Dr., Westfield 01085. Gerard J. Daris, 562 Birnie Ave., West Springfield 01089. To operate a machine shop to include Bridgeport grinding, millwork, etc.

I Will I Do …. Inc., 45 Cardinal Lane, Westfield 01085. Melissa M. Schechterle, 5 Mulberry Lane, Somers, CT 06071. Alice E. Zaft, 46 Cardinal Lane, Westfield, clerk. To consult and assist in the planning of wedding services.

Law Offices of Kathryn M. Parakilas, P.C., 10 School St., Westfield 01085. Kathryn M. Parakilas, 24 Plantation Circle, Westfield 01085. The practice of law.

Sign Shop Inc., 215 East Main St., Westfield 01085. Monica Sobczyk, 7 Belleview Dr., Westfield 01085. To deal in residential and commercial signs.

St Pierre & Sons Drywall Inc., 244 Montgomery Road, Westfield 01085. Chad E. St. Pierre, same. Drywall work and related services.

WILBRAHAM

Apothecary Center Inc., 16 Primrose Lane, Wilbraham 01095. Philip O. Goncalves, same. Retail druggists, pharmacists, and chemists, etc.

Just Building Inc., 106 Faculty St., Wilbraham 01095. Cameron M. Belcastro, same. General construction and remodeling contracting.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Beauty Gate Salon & Day Spa Inc., 1646 Riverdale St., West Springfield 01089. Eizbieta Chmiel, 89 Lincoln St., Feeding Hills 01030. Hairstyling, coloring, etc., and spa.

Professional Evaluation Network Inc., 22 Boulevard Place, West Springfield 01089. Laura K. Cascella, same. To accept and review medical files from insurance carriers, legal groups, etc.

West Springfield Rotary Foundation Inc., 75 Pease Ave., West Springfield 01069. Theodore Hebert, same. (Nonprofit) To promote and carry out the efforts of the Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace, etc.

Windpath Corp., 14 Windpath West, West Springfield 01089. Howard H. Hanson, same. To operate a liquor store.

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