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Monson Savings Bank announced the following:
• Michael Rouette has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending;
• Nancy Dahlen has been promoted to Vice President, Residential & Consumer Lending;
• Dan Moriarty has been promoted to Vice President, CFO; and
• Terri Fox has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Administration.

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Springfield Armor has announced that:
• Nicole Hoffman has been named Director of Marketing and Public Relations; and
• Greg Noonan has been promoted to Account Executive.

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Attorney Kristen L. Miller has joined Cooley, Shrair P.C. of Springfield as Associate Legal Counsel. Most recently, Miller served as Clerk in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusetts, Western Division. Her practice areas include bankruptcy law and non-bankruptcy law.

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Ronald Briggs, an experienced financial services expert, has opened the Horizon Investment Management Group in East Longmeadow. The firm provides a full line of financial services and products, personalized to fit the needs of individual investors, corporations, and institutions.

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John Simeone has been promoted to Vice President of Technical Operations for the Western New England Region for Comcast. In his expanded role, Simeone will drive the continued adoption of the new tools, technologies, and practices that are powering Comcast’s proactive approach to customer service. He will oversee field operations for the region, including technical and workforce operations, as well as the company’s service centers. He will also focus on maintaining and developing a skilled, diverse, and motivated workforce.

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Laurette Bishop has been promoted to Manager of the Springfield office of Kostin, Ruffkess & Company, LLC, based in Farmington, Conn.

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Benjamin Fitts has been hired as a Web and Software Engineer at van Schouwen Associates in Longmeadow. He is responsible for developing and managing a range of Web site design projects, including e-commerce, interactive, and social-media applications for clients throughout the U.S.

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Charles Urquhart has been named Associate Director for Museum Advancement at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.

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Sharon Shumway, a Family Nurse Practitioner, has joined Dr. Mark Bigda and Leah Carrasquillo, also a Family Nurse Practitioner, at Nashawannuck Internal Medicine in Southampton.

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Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman, Shareholder of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. of Springfield, has been named to the Editorial Board of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Journal. The NAELA Journal is a peer-reviewed, scholarly publication of articles on elder- and special-needs-law topics, and is published twice a year. Klyman specializes in elder law, estate planning, guardianships, special-needs planning, and probate litigation.

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Jeffrey Siegel has joined the United Wealth Management Group as Vice President of Estate Planning. It is part of United Bank, based in West Springfield.

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The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley announced the following:
• Robert Cohn, Broker-Owner of Cohn & Co. Real Estate Agency in Greenfield, received the 2009 Good Neighbor Award. Cohn was nominated for his commitment to Greenfield Community College as a member of the college’s campaign leadership team and an honorary member of the Greenfield Community College Foundation Board;
• Lisa Kraus of Bank of America Home Loans in West Springfield, received the 2009 Good Neighbor Award. Kraus was recognized for the dedication she has shown in helping the Realtor association achieve its outreach goals in the region;
• Ben Scranton has been named Executive Vice President of the association; and
• Mary-Leah Assad has been named Communications Coordinator.

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The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will recognize the following area residents during its Nov. 12 Annual Meeting:
• Michael Stolpinski of Westfield Electroplating Company will be named Businessman of the Year;
• Dawn Carignan Thomas of Instrument Technology Inc. will be named Businesswoman of the Year; and
• Barbara Braem will receive the Don Blair Community Service Award.

 

Opinion

Question 1 on the election ballot in Springfield this fall asks voters if they want to lengthen the term of the mayor from two to four years. That’s the official wording, more or less.

But the question could very easily be phrased in other ways. Such as ‘do you want to bring more continuity to the management of the largest community in Western Mass.?’ or ‘do you want to facilitate economic-development efforts in the city?’ or ‘do you want to make it easier to recruit top talent to important positions in city government?’

The answer to all those questions is ‘yes, obviously.’ And that should be how people respond to Question 1 as well.

This ballot initiative, which would take effect beginning with the 2011 regular city election, is essentially a no-brainer, and we urge voters to strongly support it. It is simply hard to find a downside to giving future mayors a four-year term in office. In fact, we hope that other communities across the region that have mayors will look to do the same, and soon.

Why? There are several reasons, starting with the fact that cities like Springfield can’t afford to have their mayors running for office every two years. Such frequency means that corner-office holders spend one year governing the city and the next year running for re-election and raising money. It’s hard to govern and run an election campaign at the same time.

In fact, it would be fair to say that two-year office holders are constantly running for re-election, and this certainly impacts the way they govern. If an individual is always staring at another election, he or she is almost certain to be far less willing to take the kinds of risks that are often necessary to achieve real progress, especially in a city like Springfield, an older industrial city that must in many ways reinvent itself.

As for newly elected mayors, two years is simply not enough time to put together an agenda and even begin the process of carrying it out. Before an individual has had a chance to do much of anything regarding economic development, schools, public safety, and other matters, he or she must go back to the stump and get re-elected.

There are other reasons to support Question 1, including the broad subject of continuity when it comes to how a community is governed. Developers look for it when they consider where and what to build, and it’s hard to achieve continuity when mayors — and the professionals they choose to help manage their communities — are constantly changing.

There is also the simple matter of recruitment. Many top office holders in a city, including the director of economic development and, to a lesser extent, the school superintendent, serve at the whim of the mayor. Would talented individuals want to put themselves in the position of taking a job they might be able to keep for only two years? Probably not.

Recognizing all of this, many cities in the Bay State have lengthened the mayor’s term in office from two to four years. That list includes Boston, Lawrence, Lynn, Newton, Malden, Melrose, and others, and Springfield should join it, as soon as possible.

This ballot question isn’t about the current mayor, or who might be mayor in January 2012. Instead, it’s about all future mayors and giving them more of a chance to govern the city effectively. It’s about continuity and stability and time to get things done and done the right way.

Question 1 makes good sense for Springfield, and voters should give it their support.

Opinion
It’s Time for the State to Fund All Hospitals Equitably

There has been a great deal of national debate about health care lately. Here in Massachusetts, many of our hospitals are facing a crisis that is every bit as critical.

Holyoke Medical Center is one of the hospitals that is most affected.

Though Holyoke Medical Center, formerly Holyoke Hospital, has been a vital component in taking care of the region’s most needy patients ever since it opened in 1893, we are witnessing an unparalleled crisis in state funding. For many years millions of dollars in state funding have flowed to facilities such as Boston Medical Center because, like us, they take care of the poor. There is no doubt that they do. And there is also no doubt that, thanks to state funding, Boston Medical Center, a fellow nonprofit facility, finished fiscal year 2008 with a profit of nearly $55 million. During the same period, Holyoke Medical Center, which also treats tens of thousands of poor people each year, lost $951,000. Something is not right with the system.

There are 14 community hospitals in Massachusetts designated as ‘disproportionate-share hospitals,’ each of which serves a large population of the poor and medically needy. A hospital is designated as a disproportionate-share hospital if more than 63% of the care it provides is reimbursable by public payers — Medicaid, Medicare, and Commonwealth Care. It is not just the poor who are served by such hospitals, but also people at risk of being underserved due to age, culture, or disability, or who lack the resources, insurance, education, or ability to travel for care. These hospitals — including Holyoke Medical Center — serve the most needy and vulnerable populations in cities that are struggling to provide services. Others are located in rural areas with challenged economies like the Berkshires and Cape Cod.

Each year, Holyoke Medical Center treats more than 40,000 patients in its Emergency Department alone. Additional services extend its reach to hundreds of thousands of patients. But many of the patients who come to the ER seeking care cannot afford to pay. We’ve never turned anyone away based on their income level, nor would we. The fact that we take care of this population is just one reason we are essential to this community and to this state.

And all we ask is that we are compensated fairly for this invaluable service, on par with hospitals in the Boston area.

It’s quite likely you know someone, a friend or a family member, who works at Holyoke Medical Center. HMC and its affiliates employ more than 1,800 people, and as the largest non-public employer in Holyoke,we pump more than $300 million in direct and indirect spending back into the local economy each year.

Our nurses and other professionals deserve to be compensated on par with those in Boston. Our patients deserve access to the same state-of-the-art medical equipment that Boston patients can access because their hospitals are adequately reimbursed for caring for the poor. The issues facing our hospital are no less pressing than the issues facing Boston Medical Center or Cambridge.

Western Mass. patients deserve better. You deserve better.

There is a growing gap between critical health care dollars being spent in Boston and elsewhere in Massachusetts. Hospitals such as Holyoke Medical Center are severely underfunded, and if the budget shortfalls continue, then the caring that has gone on at this facility and others for generations will be in severe jeopardy.

Supporting our community safety-net hospitals is critical to the health and strength of the towns and cities that depend on them for jobs, to stimulate the economy, and to care for the residents of our communities, including those most in need. In the end, what we ask for is fair and equitable support to fulfill this mission.

Please express your concerns on this issue to the Commonwealth’s administration and legislators.

Hank Porten is president of Holyoke Medical Center.

Features
Qteros, the ‘Microsoft of Energy,’ Lands in Chicopee
Attendees at the groundbreaking ceremonies for Qteros’s plant in Chicopee hailed it as much more than a match of a tenant with available space.

Attendees at the groundbreaking ceremonies for Qteros’s plant in Chicopee hailed it as much more than a match of a tenant with available space.

Several months ago, amid reports that Qteros — a company working to use something called the ‘Q microbe’ to revolutionize ethanol production — would be leaving the Pioneer Valley to continue its progression in Worcester, its CEO, Bill Frey, announced a commitment to maintain a strong presence in the 413 area code.

It has taken some time, and some maneuvering, but he’s now making good on that pledge.

On Oct. 9, Frey and a host of other dignitaries officially broke ground, if you will, on a $3.2 million pilot plant that will be located in a 16,000-square-foot building off Padgett Road in Chicopee that was built on spec by Agawam-based Development Associates.

Qteros, which Frey boldly describes as the “Microsoft of energy,” will soon commence work to ‘scale up’ its production of ethanol from common biomass, rather than corn. “We believe that this technology is transforming the way we produce fuel,” said Frey, “and the work we are doing at this pilot plant is a critical step in scaling up our process.”

The location of the plant in Chicopee was hailed by attendees as not simply matching a company with available square footage, but as part of a commitment on the part of Qteros to have a presence in the region, and for Chicopee officials to continue to bring new jobs — and new technology — to their city.

And for that, Mayor Michael Bissonnette praised all those on hand for the ceremony and, a few days later, someone who wasn’t — Robert Redford.

The Natural

Bissonnette told BusinessWest that, in 2007, he was one of 41 mayors from across the nation invited to the ‘Sundance Summit,’ an annual mayors’ gathering on climate protection, sponsored by Redford, the National Resources Defense Council, and the Clinton Foundation.

While he is unsure of exactly why he was specifically chosen as one of the guests that year, Bissonnette speculates that his commitment to energy conservation within his city brought him to the attention of the actor who played the Sundance Kid.

“We had done some piloting with energy efficiency in Chicopee,” he explained, “and within the school systems, we’ve saved $2 million in three years by going green. We’re saving $40,000 a year with efficient fixtures in municipal buildings.”

At the summit, Bissonnette said, he learned a lot about alternative energy and technologies, and upon returning to the corner office, the wheels were set in motion for those ideas to come to his city, which he calls the ‘crossroads of New England.’

“When I came back, my attention was drawn to an article in Boston magazine about what was then called Sun Ethanol and Dr. Susan Leschine’s work at UMass,” he said, referring to Qteros. “I was fascinated with the process, and I was very intrigued to read that they were looking to establish a pilot plant in Western Mass. So Chris Nolan, my chief of staff, made contact with them to let them know that Chicopee was very interested in this.”

But the path from that article to the groundbreaking was circuitous. As reported in these pages earlier this year, Qteros had plans to lease space within the massive Solutia complex in Indian Orchard. Due to decisions in out-of-state corporate management for the latter company, the deal fell through. What was a loss for that site became good news for the courtiers in Chicopee.

Bissonnette gives a great deal of credit to a development team in city hall for the permitting process for Qteros. From beginning to end, the permits were secured in two weeks. The team is comprised of department heads from infrastructure and zoning to Chicopee Electric Light and municipal utilities. The mayor expressed how committed the city is to fostering new business growth.

“Say you came to me tomorrow,” Bissonnette said, “and told me, ‘mayor, I want to do this in your city.’ Well, it’s not just what I think. Our team knows all that needs to be done, to expedite the process. Let’s sit down, we’ll tell you what might need to be tweaked to make it fit, we’ll tell you what problems might be foreseen, and we’ll go ahead and get those permits to you.”

What led to Qteros coming to Chicopee was a series of right moves, said the mayor. “Ken Vincunas, president of Development Associates, had incredible foresight to build at the location,” he explained, “so the structure was there. And the expedited permits allowed Qteros to secure Department of Energy grants for the project.

“The most important factors,” he continued, “were that we were familiar with the scientific research, and we were prepared to move very quickly when we learned that they wanted to seek an alternative site from Solutia.”

Open Arms

Leschine’s research forms the backbone of Qteros. While the nuts and bolts of the business venture are handled by her associates and partners within the company, she said that driving to the Westover site for the first time, she realized what an ideal location had been found.

Leschine gives credit to Frey, working with the other founders of the company, to achieve a continued presence in this area. She also has high praise for the two Congressmen for the area, calling Richard Neal and John Olver “diehard supporters.” Echoing her colleague’s praise for their host city, Leschine found Chicopee to be a happy end to the search process.

“Chicopee is just such a great place for it,” she told BusinessWest. “It’s already zoned for commercial development, and it’s close to major highways; all the obvious things are there. Also, it was very encouraging to hear from the local people and officials in Chicopee — there was no hesitation, and we were welcomed. The more we go forward, it just becomes more and more clear that it’s the perfect location.”

This pilot plant represents an important step for the company to move from the lab to the market, she said. When the pilot plant is completed in the next several months, the facility will be figuring out such complex functions as transport of the feedstock, the raw materials necessary for the process, to the plant.

Qteros also recently announced a collaboration with Israel-based Applied Clean Tech to utilize its technology dealing with wastewater sludge as a feedstock for the Qteros process. In an interview with an ethanol trade journal, Frey said, “there was not a technology that anyone had available to actually convert that material into ethanol. What we’ve done is develop our process so that it can use this particular source of cellulosic material.”

But while the breaking of ground (in a figurative sense) was considered significant for Qteros, it was also described as another big step forward for Chicopee, a former mill city trying to replace jobs lost decades ago, and, in some ways, reinvent itself.

At the ceremonies, Robert Culver, president and CEO of MassDevelopment, talked about the historic importance of an emerging technology in the 21st century taking place in the city where another generation’s technology took hold. He should know; MassDevelopment signed an agreement earlier this year to manage demolition and development of the old Uniroyal complex off Grove Street, which has been an eyesore for decades.

Bissonnette sees the Qteros pilot plant as a springboard with implications for both his city and beyond. Addressing the age-old topic of jobs and livelihoods for young people in Western Mass, he said, “in my city it used to be tire makers and textile workers that built families and futures along the banks of the Chicopee River. But it’s a new technology, and a new generation. It is absolutely imperative that we keep looking for these opportunities.”

And he said more of them could come via the state university and the research being conducted in Amherst.

“There’s a lot of talent at UMass,” he said. “People are doing a variety of things in the lab, and we’d love to partner with them in creating a campus, as it were, not unlike what Microsoft has done in Redmond, Wash.

“Keeping it here in Western Mass is key,” he continued. “If this is going to continue to be the Knowledge Corridor, you can’t just have academics in an ivory vacuum. There’s got to be real-world meaning. And that’s what these spinoffs are beginning to accomplish, and we are beyond excited to be included.”

Chicopee might well find itself on the cusp of a role in biofuels and the so-called innovation economy. Bissonnette said he’d like to see the future 115-acre Westover West business park turn into a green-technology center. He mentioned that he has been talking to the scientists at UMass behind ‘grassoline,’ another venture currently in the process of commercializing of an alternative fuel, and what he called a hydro plant scheduled to come online for the city in 2011. He said that his hopes are for the eventual larger Qteros plant to be located in his city as well, adding, “that’s when you’re going to see hundreds of jobs created.

“Wind, solar, alternative fuel … we’re open to all the green technologies that are out there to succeed in the new economy,” he continued, noting that the city has seen progress across the board. “We’ve had $80 million in new business growth in the last two years in Chicopee, in probably the worst economy in my lifetime,” Bissonnette said. “And it’s because we know how to be business-friendly.”

Sections Supplements
State, Springfield Officials See 1550 Main as a Catalyst for Further Growth
From left, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Mayor Domenic Sarno, state Sen. Stephen Buoniconti, Robert Culver, and Gregory Bialecki celebrate the rebirth of 1550 Main.

From left, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, Mayor Domenic Sarno, state Sen. Stephen Buoniconti, Robert Culver, and Gregory Bialecki celebrate the rebirth of 1550 Main.

When Springfield and state officials gathered earlier this month at 1550 Main St., they officially announced the partnership that will keep the building occupied. But Mayor Domenic Sarno said it was more than that.

“This is an investment in downtown, but also in the people of Springfield,” Sarno said. “The most important thing is that it stabilizes downtown and lets us continue to build on our momentum.”

MassDevelopment, the Commonwealth’s finance and real-estate development agency, purchased the building for $2.5 million from the federal General Services Administration (GSA). The multi-million-dollar renovation efforts to follow, Sarno said, will boost surrounding property values and bring hundreds of professional people downtown every day, where they’ll no doubt eat and shop. “Downtown is ready to burst,” he said. “The glass is half-full now.”

The building promises to be much fuller than that. Having previously housed federal court workers who have since moved to the new federal courthouse on State Street, 1550 Main will be occupied by three main tenants: the Springfield school department, which will abandon outdated space on State Street; Baystate Health, which will open its first offices downtown; and the GSA, which will keep several federal agencies in the complex.

Already, those lease commitments comprise 124,000 of the building’s 128,000 rentable square feet.

“We did not want to see this building mothballed,” said Robert Culver, president and CEO of MassDevelopment, who characterized his agency’s investment as a show of confidence in the future of downtown Springfield.

“Everything occurring here has been planned and committed to by the mayor, senators, and all the folks downtown,” he said. “This is the new face of Springfield.”

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who also attended the recent announcement, echoed the idea of long-term planning harvesting fruit. “Now we see the results of a carefully laid-out strategy for locating tenants for this building,” he said.

Curb Appeal

As the courthouse project took shape on State Street, MassDevelopment investigated potential uses for the 1550 Main property, put together a development plan, and worked with the GSA to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement, then negotiated with the city, the GSA, and Baystate Health to line up leases. When buildout is complete, the school department will occupy two floors of the building, GSA will retain most of two floors for several federal agencies, and Baystate Health will occupy another floor.

Last year, Gov. Patrick awarded a $3 million Growth Districts Initiative Grant for public improvements to the building’s plaza and atrium to create safer and more attractive indoor and outdoor public spaces and to reopen the pedestrian connection between Main Street and Columbus Center.

Meanwhile, next door, the city plans to undertake major improvements to the former Asylum nightclub building, with the goal of using a portion of the building for a police substation and public offices, while clearing the rear of the site for parking and a farmer’s market.

“I have frequently said that successful economic development takes place one block at a time,” Neal said, anticipating the influx of hundreds of professionals and the project’s long-term impact on Main, Worthington, and Bridge streets. “It also establishes a presence for Baystate Health in the central business district, which has been a goal of mine for many years.”

To Steve Bradley, Baystate’s vice president of Government & Community Relations and Public Affairs, relocating hospital employees downtown serves a purpose beyond simply establishing a presence there.

“We’re moving up to 150 employees out of hospital space that we can then use for clinical services,” he said, a need that takes on special significance as the facility continues to provide care while undergoing a $239 million expansion and renovation project.

“We are jammed to capacity, and we need the flexibility as the new hospital is built,” Bradley said. “This is a critical opportunity to relieve some of that pressure.”

Mark Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health, added that Baystate’s commitment to economic development as a tenant in 1550 Main is linked to its charitable mission, accomplished through strong partnerships in the region. “The economic health of Springfield is closely linked to the health of the community,” he said. “By helping the city, we are helping our patients and their families, and our own employees and their families, who live and work in and around Springfield.”

Gregory Bialecki, the state’s Housing and Economic Development secretary, said the partnership between the GSA, MassDevelopment, and the building’s tenants will be an asset to Springfield’s central business district and key to sustaining momentum for long-term economic development and job opportunities downtown — and is just one of many such efforts his office promotes in Massachusetts.

“Our strategy,” he explained, “is to identify communities and understand what’s necessary for them to compete in a very competitive corporate world to promote economic development — to have a plan and be committed to that plan, to find partners and make investments with them.”

Many Miles to Go

Renovations will take place throughout the fall, with the School Department scheduled to move into its new digs in January.

“This announcement is another piece of the puzzle in helping to rejuvenate our downtown corridor,” Sarno said. “Allowing the lights to go out at 1550 Main would have had a negative domino effect along the Main Street corridor and this is something my administration has been working hard to change.”

Of course, the success of this project means other challenges await, including the potential redevelopment of the former School Department offices on State Street. Sarno said a request for proposals will be issued soon after the school system’s move is completed.

“Those at MassDevelopment are real believers in Springfield,” Culver said, summing up the 1550 Main efforts to date. “In fact, Springfield is a place on the move, and we’re making this a place that everyone who lives here and works here can be proud of.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached

at[email protected]

Sections Supplements
Wire and Harness Maker MicroTek Has Found a Niche in the Nonprofit Industry

MicroTek’s innovative employment model came first, its product second.

MicroTek’s innovative employment model came first, its product second.

MicroTek CEO Anne Paradis is holding up a plywood board. It’s got markings on it every few inches and simple diagrams that show one where to tie and cut wires and add connectors. The straightforward visual system makes it easy for almost anyone to assemble a wire harness — even someone who is learning-disabled.

Fifteen of MicroTek’s 110 employees have disabilities, and the board is one of the many techniques the company uses to train and integrate those employees into its work environment.

Based in Chicopee, MicroTek, which makes custom cable and harnesses, is part of the changing manufacturing sector in the Pioneer Valley. The company was founded 26 years ago with the sole purpose of providing a meaningful workplace for people with disabilities.

“I wish I could tell you it was a story about market research, but it wasn’t,” said Paradis about how the company got its start in the cable business.

Indeed, it was really by chance that MicroTek ended up making wires instead of, say, protein bars or women’s clothing.

It all started in 1983 when about a dozen human services advocates got together. They were working in conjunction with the University of Oregon, which was researching models for employing people who were difficult to employ.

One model was to start a company where one controls the environment, provides the training, and brings in the work. It seemed like a good idea. The group just needed something to produce.

“Someone at the University of Oregon happened to have a connection to Hewlett-Packard,” said Paradis. “That person approached the company and said, ‘we want to start up this company. Can you help us?’”

Hewlett-Packard agreed and, to get things rolling, gave the young company its first commercial contracts for wire harnesses. With the business elements in place, the founders went to the Department of Developmental Services to secure additional funding.

Once out of the gates, MicroTek ran into rough seas. While the company originally hoped to hire more disabled people, it quickly realized that if it wanted commercial success, it needed a broader skill set — people who could solder, read blueprints, and so on — and additional customers.

For this issue, BusinessWest looks at how it all came together.

Current Events

‘Make this company viable.’

That was the assignment given to Paradis when she was first brought on board in 1987.

She started off working for MicroTek as a marketing consultant for a year, but when it was discovered that the company’s problems were worse than anybody realized, the board of directors took her on as general manager.

“I had a background in human services and a master’s in business administration,” Paradis explained. “I didn’t know anything about cabling.”

She was about to learn.

“When you are the general manager of a small business, you are doing everything,” she said. “I was doing the sales, the quoting. I was covering for other managers when they weren’t there. I worked long hours.”

Getting new business wasn’t easy. Paradis had to prove to potential customers that MicroTek wasn’t simply a sheltered workshop and that it was capable of producing advanced assemblies to a consistent level of quality. A helping hand came again from its number-one customer.

“Hewlett-Packard lent out engineering support to get us to the next level,” Paradis said. “Literally, engineers would come and spend the day with us troubleshooting problems, or we would go to their facility, and they would provide training. It was a real investment in our success.”

In the 22 years that Paradis has been with MicroTek, she has helped grow the company from 30 to 110 employees and from $1 million in sales to $6 million. In 2001, after outgrowing the space it occupied in an old mill building in Chicopee Falls, MicroTek moved to its current location: a $1 million, 22,000-square-foot factory at 36 Justin Dr. in Chicopee.

MicroTek makes wire harnessing, cables, and, more recently, control panels for mainly security and medical companies. It’s sweet spot is low- to medium-volume assemblies, meaning anywhere from five to 25,000 of a particular item.

“Our costs are competitive,” said Paradis. “Some people would say our nonprofit status gives us an edge, but we actually have to work harder to stay competitive, because a learning-disabled person is only 40% to 60% as productive as someone who is not.”

Working with people with disabilities has additional challenges as well, such as training. One has to be able to teach skills that a disabled person can generalize over a broad range of products.

“It’s easy to teach someone a specific job they can do over and over again, but it’s harder to teach them how to use one termination machine and then do that same operation on different types of terminals,” said Paradis, referring to the machines that add connectors to the end of the wires once they’ve been clipped. “Another terminal might look or even feel different.”

The other challenge is integrating disabled people with the rest of a company. Managers want them to work as productive members of teams and remove the stigma of being disabled, explained Paradis.

That’s where the layout boards come in. A disabled worker can lay the cables out on the board and follow visual cues to know where to cut without having to continually pull out a ruler to take measurements.

“We made the layout boards for people with disabilities, but then started using them for everyone,” said Paradis. “Because whether you have a disability or not, the board lets you work with greater efficiency and fewer errors.”

Slump and Rebound

Earlier this year, MicroTek began to feel the effects of the sluggish economy, albeit a little later than most manufacturers. It cut capacity and saw sales fall by 20%, and took a temporary workforce reduction in which staff was cut back to four days a week for two months and collected unemployment for the fifth day. Ten workers also volunteered to be laid off.

But all that has changed, with the company rebounding “like gangbusters,” Paradis said.

“We experienced a sharp decline in spring, but sales picked right back up in July and August, and we rolled back all of the cost reductions,” she noted. “Now we’re ahead of budget projections for this year” — a turnaround that has her feeling more confident about the health of manufacturing in general.

Meanwhile, Paradis has taken on a new mission. “Our focus has shifted outward,” she said. Last year, the company launched an employment-demonstration project. It’s now working with several local companies to help them train people with disabilities in-house using all-natural supports.

Paradis believes that bringing in outside trainers sets up artificial barriers between the disabled person and other people in the company, which keep them from forming relationships and integrating successfully.

If there is one lesson that MicroTek has to teach, it’s that diversity in the workforce is what makes companies stronger.

Sections Supplements
Know the Difference Between a Residence and a Domicile

There are many reasons to consider a move to Florida, particularly later in life, the most obvious being the significant difference in winter weather between Boca Raton and the Pioneer Valley. A less obvious reason that could rival the weather in importance is tax planning — in particular, income- and estate-tax planning. Indeed, if done properly, tax planning could provide that last extra bit of incentive an individual or couple needs to start spending winters in the sun.

What are the tax benefits of a move to Florida, and how are those benefits realized? Must a taxpayer sever all ties with Massachusetts, or can a taxpayer maintain homes in both Massachusetts and Florida while still reaping the tax benefits Florida offers? This article will discuss these and surrounding issues.

Why should taxes enter into the equation of whether to live in Florida for part or all of the year? The basic tax incentive is that Florida does not have an income tax or an estate tax. Also, the Florida Homestead limits the amount of real-estate tax on a primary residence in Florida and provides for much greater protection from creditors than the Massachusetts homestead exemption.

A taxpayer who is ‘domiciled’ in Massachusetts (that is, whose legal residence is in Massachusetts) will pay Massachusetts income tax on his or her ‘worldwide income.’ Taxation of this worldwide income may be partially or wholly avoided by a change in domicile to Florida, since Florida does not have an income tax. It must be noted, however, that even those properly domiciled in Florida will pay Massachusetts income tax on Massachusetts source income — essentially, any income tied to a business or employment carried on in Massachusetts, or derived from Massachusetts real-estate rents and capital gains.

With regard to estate taxes, Massachusetts remains an expensive place to die even for the moderately wealthy. The Massachusetts estate tax filing requirement is $1 million. Estates of less than $1 million are not required to file a return or pay a tax; however, estates over $1 million will pay a tax on the entire estate, not just the amount exceeding $1 million. (For comparison purposes, the federal estate-tax shelter for 2009 is $3.5 million, and Connecticut’s shelter is slated to rise to $3.5 million in 2010). Florida has no state estate tax. For example, a $1.2 million Massachusetts estate will incur an estate tax of $45,200, while the same estate in Florida will incur no estate tax. Taxpayers properly domiciled in Florida, however, will pay Massachusetts estate tax on real estate and tangible personal property located in Massachusetts. Careful planning for those domiciled out of state is necessary to avoid a backdoor Massachusetts estate tax on those assets. Thus, a change in domicile from Massachusetts to Florida (or a similarly tax advantaged state) could result in significant tax savings.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) will look at each particular case to determine if the taxpayer at issue is domiciled within or outside of Massachusetts for tax purposes. The analysis is fact-based and undertaken without regard to federal law or the law of any other state.

Before proceeding, however, some basic definitions are in order. At issue in the DOR’s analysis is the legal status of a taxpayer’s domicile, as distinguished from his residence. A taxpayer may have many residences — homes in Massachusetts and Florida, for example — but has only one domicile. A taxpayer’s domicile is the residence the taxpayer regards as his or her true home or principal residence. As reiterated in numerous cases decided by the Massachusetts courts, domicile is “the place of actual residence with the intention to remain permanently or for an indefinite time and without any certain purpose to return to a former place of abode.”

So how does a taxpayer convince an auditor, the DOR, and, if necessary, the Appellate Tax Board that the taxpayer has relocated his or her domicile outside of Massachusetts? There are some hard and fast rules that provide a starting point for the analysis. The first and most important rule is to have an actual home — either rented or (preferably) owned — in the state where the taxpayer is attempting to prove domicile (in this case, Florida). Domicile requires, at minimum, an actual residence, and Massachusetts courts have stated that a person can have a home in a place where he is not domiciled, but he cannot be domiciled in a place where he has no home. While this seems obvious, a taxpayer recently lost a case before the Appellate Tax Board partly on the basis of a Florida lease that lapsed while the taxpayer paid an extended visit to Massachusetts.

The fact of having a home in the place of domicile must concur with the intent to make that home the taxpayer’s domicile as opposed to a mere residence. This is where the DOR’s inquiry will become highly fact-intensive, and where careful planning becomes essential. As the DOR has stated, “the most persuasive indicators of domicile are the physical, business, social and civic activities of the taxpayer.” Taxpayers must demonstrate that the center of these activities occurs at their new domicile. The level of steps that must be taken varies based on whether or not the taxpayer will maintain a home in Massachusetts. How is this accomplished?

Regardless of whether the taxpayer will continue to maintain a home, business, or social contacts in Massachusetts, the following steps should be taken to demonstrate intent to change domicile to a different state:

  • registering to vote and actively voting in the new state, and simultaneously terminating Massachusetts voting registration;
  • changing vehicle registrations to the new state;
  • obtaining a driver’s license in the new state and terminating the Massachusetts license;
  • keeping all primary bank accounts in the new state and maintaining as few ties to Massachusetts banks as possible;
  • changing addresses for bills, including credit-card bills;
  • changing addresses for magazines;
  • changing the address on one’s passport; and
  • joining clubs and undertaking other social activities in the new domicile and resigning or changing Massachusetts memberships to non-resident status.
  • The taxpayer should also file a declaration of domicile and citizenship, in duplicate, with the clerk of the circuit court in the county of residence of the new domicile.

    Finally, the taxpayer should release any homestead exemption applicable to his or her real property in Massachusetts and file for homestead protection in Florida. Note, however, that the taxpayer must own Florida real estate on Jan. 1 of the year in question and make that property his or her principal residence in order to qualify for the Florida homestead protection.

    There are several additional considerations if the taxpayer is maintaining a residence in Massachusetts. Massachusetts considers that a taxpayer’s legal residence for tax purposes will be Massachusetts, even if the taxpayer is domiciled in another state, if the taxpayer maintains a permanent place of abode in Massachusetts and spends more than 183 days (including partial days) in the aggregate in Massachusetts during the year. If both of these criteria apply, the taxpayer’s efforts in establishing domicile outside of Massachusetts will be for naught.

    The surest way of avoiding the application of these rules is to spend 183 days or less in the aggregate in Massachusetts during each tax year in question. The Department of Revenue, however, will not simply take the taxpayer’s word on whether he or she spent more or less than 183 days in Massachusetts. The taxpayer should maintain detailed records to prove the amount of time spent within or outside of Massachusetts.

    In an audit, the Department of Revenue will demand copies of all monthly credit-card statements, phone bills, and bank-account statements for the year(s) in question as evidence of location during the tax year(s). Consequently, the taxpayer should use a credit card regularly while outside Massachusetts and keep copies of all credit-card bills and bank-account statements.

    The taxpayer should keep receipts indicating where items were purchased for non-credit-card transactions. If the taxpayer spends considerable time outside of Florida, the taxpayer can use evidence of credit-card charges or similar means to explain the taxpayer’s location and rebut the Department of Revenue’s assumption that the taxpayer was in Massachusetts. The taxpayer should keep all airline tickets, indicating dates of stay within and outside Massachusetts, and should keep a journal of all dates spent in Massachusetts.

    If the taxpayer is unable to limit his or her time to 183 days in Massachusetts, then the taxpayer will need to establish that he or she maintains no ‘permanent place of abode’ in Massachusetts. A permanent place of abode is a dwelling continually maintained by a person, whether or not owned by the person, and includes a dwelling owned or leased by the person’s spouse. This definition will encompass most homes maintained in Massachusetts by those domiciled elsewhere.

    The Department of Revenue does maintain a list of very narrow specifically delineated exceptions to the definition of a permanent place of abode. Under these exceptions it is very difficult for the owner of a home in Massachusetts to avoid that home being treated as a permanent place of abode. Having children or grandchildren move into the home will not suffice; nor will renting out the property for less than a term of one year. The only rental exception that the Department of Revenue recognizes with regard to the ‘permanent place of abode’ definition is a full rental of the property at issue to a non-related individual, for a period of at least one year, where the taxpayer has no right to occupy any portion of the premises during the lease period.

    As a practical matter, therefore, taxpayers who wish to maintain a home in Massachusetts yet receive the tax benefits of having a domicile outside of Massachusetts will need to prove that they have spent more than 183 days outside of Massachusetts and that they have established a domicile outside the Bay State.

    For taxpayers who maintain homes in Massachusetts, there are often continuing ties to Massachusetts beyond the maintenance of real estate. These may include, for example, visits to children and grandchildren living in Massachusetts and continuing social, legal, financial, and business relationships with friends and advisors in Massachusetts, as well as receiving specialized medical treatments in Massachusetts. The Appellate Tax Board has recognized that such ties may exist, and that they do not defeat a change in domicile. As the Board has stated, “continuing ties to [Massachusetts] do not foreclose a finding of change of domicile: such change does not require that a taxpayer divest himself of all remaining links to the former place of abode, or stay away from that place entirely.”

    The taxpayer should apply common sense in such situations. Items near and dear to the heart of the taxpayer should, to the extent possible, be located at the new domicile. Department of Revenue auditors will look to determine where the taxpayer centers his or her life in determining the taxpayer’s intent.

    In a recent case, the Appellate Tax Board overruled the Department of Revenue and held for a taxpayer who had maintained social ties to Massachusetts. The Board noted the taxpayer couple’s joining a church in Florida, becoming members and eventually directors of their neighborhood housing association, their development of a large circle of friends in Florida, and their attendance at local Elks and Moose lodges in Florida in rebutting the DOR’s argument that the taxpayer’s social ties to Massachusetts prevented a change in domicile. When combining these facts with the necessary changes in the taxpayers’ drivers’ licenses, voter registrations, and similar items, the Appellate Tax Board concluded the taxpayers had indeed changed their domicile to Florida.

    This article is not meant to provide a full guide to a successful, tax-advantaged change of domicile outside of Massachusetts. As discussed above, even those who successfully change their domicile will still face tax issues in Massachusetts, many of which can be minimized or perhaps eliminated with proper planning. It is therefore essential for any taxpayer seeking to realize tax benefits in conjunction with a change of domicile to consult with his or her advisors to determine the feasibility of such a move, its chance of success, and the methods of maximizing the potential benefits to the taxpayer.

    Michael Simolo is an associate with the law firm of Robinson Donovan, P.C., specializing in estate planning, estate and trust administration, fiduciary litigation, and business law; (413) 732-2301.

    Sections Supplements
    Area Builders Face Dwindling Job Opportunities, Stiffer Competition
    A.J. Crane says building opportunities still exist right now, but contractors must stay flexible.

    A.J. Crane says building opportunities still exist right now, but contractors must stay flexible.

    When David Fontaine surveys the construction landscape in Western Mass., he doesn’t like the little that he sees.

    “Unfortunately, this is the slowest we’ve been in at least 30 years,” said Fontaine, president of Fontaine Brothers in Springfield. “And it’s not for a lack of effort; we just can’t seem to get the low bid.”

    Part of that is the intense competition that has arisen to procure a dwindling number of available projects as the recession lingers. “In the most recent project we bid for, there were 18 bids. It’s just something we’ve never encountered as long as we’ve been here.”

    Richard Aquadro, president of Aquadro & Cerruti in Northampton, has witnessed the same phenomenon.

    “It’s brutally competitive, a very tough environment,” he said. “Last year wasn’t bad, even though the economy wasn’t great then, either. We did more volume last year than we had the previous two years. We lucked out, hit some good jobs, and did a fair amount of volume. But 2009 has been tough.

    “There are fewer jobs in what I call my market,” Aquadro added, noting that he typically tackles projects between $5 million and $30 million. “I see the bigger players chasing them and, surprisingly, getting some of them. They generally have more overhead, but they’re taking the jobs for nothing.”

    It’s a common refrain these days, as builders across the Pioneer Valley struggle to keep their machines moving and income flowing — and no one has a clear idea of when opportunities will pick up again.

    One Job at a Time

    A.J. Crane, operations manager for A. Crane Construction in Chicopee, said his small firm is weathering the storm, thanks to an effective network of relationship marketing that relies on repeat business and word of mouth.

    “It reflects the time we’ve put in, not with just cold calls or advertising, but more personally reaching out to people. It’s tougher now. You’ve got to sharpen your pencil.”

    Indeed, Crane said nailing down commitments has become more difficult as customers increasingly realize that they’re in the driver’s seat.

    “We never had to quote much,” he said, but people know the way things are now, and they know that contractors are hurting.”

    Some builders, Crane said, are cutting corners by not carrying insurance, which makes it more difficult for those who do.

    “I think people realize the value of being covered,” he said. “Someone who doesn’t do that can fly under the radar. But we spend $2,000 a week on insurance, and there are still customers out there that appreciate that.”

    In these times, Crane said, it helps to be willing to take jobs of any size. The company is building a 5,200-square-foot home in Sturbridge and undertaking a $70,000 kitchen remodel in Ludlow, but is also taking on much smaller-scale work as opportunities arise.

    “We don’t limit ourselves,” he said. “We’re not above doing storm doors. And I think it hurts a lot of guys when they don’t want to take small jobs.”

    Flexibility has long been a plus in construction, to insulate builders from slowdowns in particular industries, said Aquadro, who has tackled major jobs ranging from hospitals and schools to parking garages and athletic fields, and everything in between. But diversity has its limits, he said.

    “What has happened in the industry is that some jobs are being handled differently,” Aquadro said, explaining that, “as opposed to the hard, competitive bids of the past, they’re now being handled through an RFP [request for proposal] process, where you submit qualifications, fees, things like that. And you have to have a certain number of jobs similar to the one they’re proposing to do. So as opposed to being diversified and being able to do a lot of different things, it’s almost becoming a specialized market.”

    Colleges have always pumped a steady stream of jobs to area builders; Fontaine recently began work on Western New England College’s new School of Pharmacy, for one, and noted that WNEC has always been willing to take advantage of a down market.

    On the other hand, outside of education, “it does seem like the private sector is pretty quiet,” he said. “The public sector is quiet, too, although bridges and roads seem a bit busier. Driving down the Mass Pike or the 91 corridor, there’s a lot of activity.”

    Uncertain Outlook

    Overall, however, the picture remains cloudy for area contractors. Some ongoing work for Aquadro & Cerruti at Amherst College was recently put on the back burner — not an uncommon story for builders during uncertain economic times.

    “In some respects, there’s not enough work on the ground for everyone,” Aquadro said. “Competition has always been keen in the Valley.”

    The difference now is that larger contractors are moving aggressively to pick up mid-range jobs, which has forced the company to adjust its strategy. “We’re forced to bid in smaller projects against smaller companies that have less overhead and may not have the labor-union agreements we have, which makes it even more difficult to bid.”

    “I see us just trying to get through 2010,” said Fontaine, who doesn’t foresee a huge upswing in businesses undertaking new construction projects for the time being. “There are a lot of studies out there, but it takes a good year before a study gets turned into work for a tradesperson.”

    In other words, there’s not much to build on right now.

    Joseph Bednar can be reached

    at[email protected]

    Sections Supplements
    Knowing the Rules Can Help Ensure That You Get Paid for Your Work

    While receiving payment for a project has always been a challenge, in today’s economic environment, it is getting even more difficult. In order for a contractor (whether a general contractor or a subcontractor) to ensure payment, he must move quickly to perfect his mechanic’s lien rights. Just like the old saying goes, if you snooze, you lose.

    Mechanics’ liens in Massachusetts are governed by M.G.L. c.254, which covers liens by contractors and subcontractors. Strict adherence to the statutory requirements is essential, and all too often, mechanics’ lien rights are lost to minor deviations.

    A contractor must record a notice of contract in the Registry of Deeds for the county in which the property is located in a timely fashion in order to assert his statutory right to a mechanic’s lien. The notice of contract must be recorded within a certain period of time, beginning any time after execution of the written contract and ending at the earliest of (1) within 60 days after filing a notice of substantial completion; (2) within 90 days after the filing of a notice of termination; or (3) within 90 days after the contractor last performed or furnished labor and/or materials to the property.

    The enforcement of the lien requires additional actions. First, a statement of account must be recorded in the Registry of Deeds. This must be filed the earliest of (1) 90 days after filing the Notice of Substantial Completion; (2) 120 days after the filing of the notice of termination; or (3) 120 days after the last day labor was performed or material was delivered to the site. For a contractor, it is the last day he performed services or delivered material. For a subcontractor, it is the last day he performed services or delivered material, or the last day the general contractor did the same.

    After recording the statement of account, a civil action must be filed in Superior Court (the county where the land lies) or District Court (the district where the land lies) within 90 days of filing the statement of account.

    Once the complaint is filed, there is a final step that must be taken to execute the lien. The contractor or subcontractor must record in the Registry of Deeds an attested copy of the complaint within 30 days of filing it.

    The theory of equity is not used in mechanic’s lien cases. The timelines stated in M.G.L. c. 254 are absolute and cannot be extended by the court, and there is no exemption for oversight or neglect.

    In order to establish a lien under as a general contractor or subcontractor, there must be a written contract. In the case of a contractor, the written contract must exist with the project owner. In the case of a subcontractor, a written contract must exist between the subcontractor and the general contractor. If there is no written contract, the lien is invalid. M.G.L. c.254 defines what constitutes a written contract as “any contract in writing enforceable under the laws of the Commonwealth.”

    One loophole allows a lien without a contract, but it is applicable only to a person who actually performs services, not one who supplies material. This type of lien usually arises on small, informal projects where there are no written contracts. A statement of account must be filed within 90 days of filing the lien, and that lien covers only up to 30 days of work performed prior to the recording of the statement of account.

    In Massachusetts, it is illegal for a project owner to require a contractor or subcontractor to execute a blanket lien waiver prior to performing their services. This means that a project owner cannot require a contractor or subcontractor to agree that they will not file a lien upon the property. However, they can require such a waiver at the time of payment.

    In short, M.G.L. c 254 can be a powerful tool in collecting payments. However, like any tool, it must be used by an experienced operator. Just like when you’re on the job site, a seemingly minor mistake can have catastrophic consequences. n

    Adam J. Basch, Esq. is an associate with Bacon Wilson, P.C. He is a member of the litigation department with expertise in the areas of construction litigation, personal injury, general litigation, and creditor representation; (413) 781-0560;[email protected]

    Departments

    Ten Points About : Cobra Insurance

    By KRISTINA DRZAL HOUGHTON, CPA, MST

    1. Effective March 1, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 changed the COBRA provisions.


    2. Employees who lose coverage due to involuntary loss of employment from 9/01/08 to 12/31/09 are eligible for a 65% subsidy of their COBRA premiums under the act. This percentage applies whether or not the employer pays for a lesser portion of the costs for active employees.
    3. The subsidy for COBRA continuation premiums applies for up to nine months for workers who have involuntarily terminated, and for their families. This period terminates sooner should the former employee become eligible for other group coverage.
    4. The employer recovers the cost of the subsidy on their quarterly Form 941 filings.

    5. The subsidy applies to group health plans that are subject to the federal COBRA continuation rules.

    6. Typically, the amount of the subsidy is excluded from the recipient’s gross income. However, for individuals with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $125,000 or $250,000 for married filed jointly, amounts will be includable in income based upon a phase-in calculation. Regardless, the individual is still eligible for the subsidy.
    7. COBRA subsidy applies to continuation coverage of any group health plan except a flexible spending arrangement. This includes vision-only or dental-only plans and ‘mini-med plans,’ whether or not the employer pays for a portion of the costs for active employees.
    8. Individuals who became eligible for COBRA between 2/17/09 and 12/31/09 must be notified of the new subsidy in the normal course of their COBRA notification. Special provisions applied to individuals who became eligible between 9/01/08 and 2/16/09.
    9. Notice must be given to each qualified terminated employee, not just covered employees, who experience a qualifying event during the covered period.

    10 The IRS published Notice 2009-27 covers many examples of specific situations. This notice is available at www.irs.gov . The full version of Model Notices are available at www.dol.gov/ ebsa/cobramodelnotice.html.

    Kristina Drzal Houghton, CPA, MST is the partner in charge of Taxation at Meyers Brothers Kalicka in Holyoke; (413) 536-8510.

    Departments

    Nazi Propaganda Discussion

    Oct. 28: Ann Millin, Ph.D., special assistant to the director of leadership programs and historian in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s National Institute for Holocaust Education, will present a free lecture titled “State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” at 7 p.m. in Breck Suite, Wright Hall, Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The museum’s new exhibition, State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, reveals how over two decades Nazi leaders showed the world new ways of using this weapon. Millin’s presentation will examine how the Nazis employed propaganda to acquire power and create a climate of hatred, suspicion, and indifference. The event is part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

    ‘Women and American Politics’ Discussion

    Oct. 29: Robin Leeds, senior political strategist, organizer, and advocate with more than 30 years of work in the government, labor, business, and nonprofit sectors, will lead a discussion titled “Where Are We Now? Women and American Politics” at 5 p.m. at the Five College Women’s Research Center, 83 College St., South Hadley. As the Obama Administration pushes for women’s rights internationally under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Leeds will assess the situation for women in the U.S. and present her assessment of the current administration’s actions. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 538-2275 or visit www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/fcwsrc.

    Dance and Brunch

    Nov. 1: The Over the Top Ballroom Dance Project, hosted by Bay Path College in Longmeadow, will host a South American Dance and Brunch beginning at 11 a.m. in the Blake Dining Commons, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The event is part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. Brunch begins at 11, with the dance performance and lessons starting at noon. Tickets for the brunch cost $6.50 each for adults and children. The performance and lessons are free and open to the public. Brunch reservations are required before Oct. 27. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

    ‘Economics of Peace’ Talk

    Nov. 2: Mary Ellen Cohane, Five College Women’s Studies Research Associate from the Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts, will give a talk titled “Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Economics of Peace” at 3:30 p.m. at the Five College Women’s Studies Research Center, 83 College St., South Hadley. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 538-2275 or visit www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/fcwsrc.  

    Sustainability Seminars

    Nov. 4, 10: Whalley Computer Associates, based in Southwick, will team up with EMC, HP, Xerox, and Synnex to host free sustainability seminars for businesses in the Springfield area. The seminars will offer actionable ideas that will help lower business IT costs, improve the performance of networks, and reduce the impact on the environment. Seminars are slated Nov. 4 and 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at 1 Whalley Way, Southwick. Xerox and EMC will co-host the Nov. 4 session, while Synnex and HP will co-host the Nov. 10 session. A filet steak luncheon is also planned during the Nov. 10 event. For more information, visit www.wca.com    

    WNEC Speaker Series

    Nov. 5: David Bullock, co-author of Barack 2.0, will present “Effectively Leveraging New Media For Profitable Business Development” at noon as part of the Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship’s speaker series. Bullock, of the White Bullock Group, helps businesses drive sales, and his method is to view social media as tools that can bring measurable results. He is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer and provides coaching and consulting services to businesses. Bullock’s presentation, slated at the Law School Commons, is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. The center is located at 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. For more information, call (413) 796-2030.

    ‘Phantom of the Country Opera’

    Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15: The Bay Path College Performing Arts Department will present Phantom of the Country Opera in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. The production promises irreverent wit, painful punning, sly contemporary references, and more than a touch of the absurd. Bay Path College is located at 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. For more information on showtimes and tickets, call (413) 565-1307 or visit www.baypath.edu.

    World Affairs Council Lecture

    Dec. 2: International consultant Jonathan Sperling will present “A View from Khyber Pass: Conflict Origins, Observations, and Expectations for the Border Region of Pakistan and Afghanistan” as part of the World Affairs Council’s Fall Instant Issues series. Sperling has 28 years experience in the planning, design, evaluation, and negotiation of development programs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union for the U.S. Agency for International Development. He was in Islamabad, Pakistan in May during the Swat attacks. The lecture begins at noon in the third floor Community Room of One Financial Plaza (Sovereign Bank building), 1350 Main St., Springfield. The cost is $5 for council members without lunch, $15 with a lunch provided, $10 for non-members without a lunch, and $20 with a lunch provided. To make reservations, call (413) 733-0110.

    Book, Print Signing

    Dec. 3: For the past 32 years, Easthampton resident Ruth Sanderson has illustrated 75 books for children of all ages and retold and illustrated many fairytales, including her latest project, Mother Goose and Friends. Sanderson will present a free lecture titled “The Story of a Book” at 7 p.m. in Breck Suite, Wright Hall, at Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. Slides and examples of her detailed sketches and paintings from her award-winning books will be shown. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

    Bay Path Winterfest

    Dec. 9: The Bay Path College Performing Arts Department will celebrate the themes of light, hope, goodwill, and peace for all people during its annual Winterfest program as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, on the Bay Path campus, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

    YPS New Year’s Celebration

    Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has once again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

    Women’s Professional Development Conference

    April 30, 2010: Bay Path College will host its 15th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (413) 565-1000 or visit www.baypath.edu.

    Departments

    The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

    Aiken, Adam H.
    Moriarty, Dawn P.
    81 Emerson St.
    Springfield, MA 01118
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Alici, Abdurrahman
    251 Cady St.
    Ludlow, MA 01056
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Alvord, George Browning
    25 Maryland St.
    Springfield, MA 01108
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Armata, Chantelle Lynn
    a/k/a Larmata, Chantelle L.
    27 Dartmouth St.
    Chicopee, MA 01020
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Augello, Nicholas V.
    30 Meadow St.
    Pittsfield, MA 01201
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Bachelder, Stephanie L.
    958 South Main St., Apt. 4
    Athol, MA 01331
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Balsamo, Tanya Ann
    8 Hawk St.
    Pittsfield, MA 01201
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Barnes, Joseph C.
    Barnes, Anita J.
    9 Leonard Ave., 1st Fl.
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Bass-Miller, Yolanda R.
    15 Hadley Court
    Springfield, MA 01119
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 09/15/09

    Bellarosa, John D.
    Bellarosa, Amanda L.
    11 Columbia Ave.
    Orange, MA 01364
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Berube, Paul M.
    Berube, Janet L.
    a/k/a Torres, Janet L.
    18 County Road
    Holyoke, MA 01040
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Bradley, Stephen J.
    15 South Main St.
    Haydenville, MA 01039
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Bronson, Robert E.
    Bronson, Phyllis J.
    33 Meadow St.
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Burggren, Kevin F.
    Burggren, Penny K.
    86 West Main St.
    Ware, MA 01082
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/04/09

    Carpino, Raymond F.
    16 Maple Heights
    West Springfield, MA 01089
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/09/09

    Colon, Manuel Jose
    Colon, Mery Esther
    a/k/a Vazquez, Mery
    a/k/a Sanchez, Mery
    13 Algonquin Place
    Springfield, MA 01104
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/01/09

    Colon-Cunha, Victoria L.
    29 Briarcliff Dr.
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Croteau, Molly K.
    a/k/a Burke, Molly K.
    88 Highlandview St.
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/12/09

    Dahlgren, Debra Lee
    12 Beaver Dr.
    South Deerfield, MA 01373
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/14/09

    Dang, Minh Kim
    51 South Blvd.
    Springfield, MA 01089
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Devens, Sean M.
    Devens, Tina M.
    48 Taft St.
    North Adams, MA 01247
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/07/09

    Dodson, Mildred Viola
    106 Elmore Ave.
    Springfield, MA 01119
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/10/09

    Eddington, Joseph Anthony
    60 Wing St.
    Indian Orchard, MA 01151
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/07/09

    Egan, Diane M.
    90 Harris St.
    Granby, MA 01033
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Elgendy, Hazem Moustafa
    60 Riveria Dr.
    Agawam, MA 01001
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/15/09

    Elliott-Curtin, Margaret R.
    a/k/a Curtin, Margaret R.
    115 Park Dr.
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Elsafti, Mohamed Mahmoud
    78 Riviera Dr.
    Agawam, MA 01001
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/15/09

    Feliciano, Nelvin G.
    19 North Branch Pkwy.
    Springfield, MA 01119
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Gagne, Alan A.
    80 East Longmeadow Road
    Hampden, MA 01036
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/01/09

    Garcia, Miguel Angel
    286 Lexington St.
    Springfield, MA 01104
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Gardner, Ronald D.
    223 Elm St.
    Holyoke, MA 01040
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Guyer-Joyce, Rebecca L.
    452 Cold Spring Ave.
    West Springfield, MA 01089
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Hawley, Donald R.
    16 Carriage Lane
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Hess, Daniel J.
    Lewis-Hess, Nancy J.
    14 Greenleaf St.
    Springfield, MA 01108
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/09/09

    Hess, Ralph F.
    46 Wayside St.
    Springfield, MA 01118
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/01/09

    Hitchcock, David Edward
    41 Marian Ave.
    Pittsfield, MA 01201
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Hollingworth, Lynn A.
    1154 Main St.
    Warren, MA 01083
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 09/02/09

    Hotte, Michael J.
    Hotte, Denise P.
    70 Paderewski St.
    Chicopee, MA 01013
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Hull, Lori Jean
    123 Boston Road, Rt. 67
    Palmer, MA 01069
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/04/09

     

    Jackson, Sherann Kamilah
    36 Lynebrook Road
    Springfield, MA 01118
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 09/09/09

    Jefferson, Linda J.
    50 Grove St.
    Chicopee, MA 01020
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Jillson, Jr., Erwin L.
    Jillson, Julie A.
    176 Wilson Ave.
    Chicopee, MA 01013
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 09/04/09

    Johnson, Terrance
    330 Cold Spring Road
    Belchertown, MA 01007
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/03/09

    Jones, Steven Andrew
    Jones, Laurel Aislinn
    a/k/a Heron, Laurel Aislinn
    Jones, Laurel A.
    82 Lincoln Park
    Longmeadow, MA 01106
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Liebert, Eric Gregory
    51 Village Hill Road #206
    Northampton, MA 01060
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Lisee, Christopher A.
    Lisee, Michele L.
    530 Lane Road South
    Barre, MA 01005
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Lloyd, Jerome C.
    Lloyd, Denise C.
    56 Shepard Road
    Sturbridge, MA 01566
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Longan, William M.
    157 Carver St.
    Springfield, MA 01108
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/09/09

    Lord, Errol
    7 Pomona St.
    Springfield, MA 01108
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/02/09

    Martin, Garnett
    87 Stony Hill Road
    Wilbraham, MA 01095
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/04/09

    Mayfield, Jeffrey N.
    56 New Boston Road
    Sturbridge, MA 01566
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/14/09

    Melbourne, Daniel F.
    109 Sheri Lane
    Agawam, MA 01001
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Meuse, Aaron C.
    46 Clark St.
    Easthampton, MA 01027
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/14/09

    Minto, John J.
    534 Southwest St.
    Feeding Hills, MA 01030
    Chapter: 13
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Morrissette, Rhea
    176 Prospect St.
    Chicopee, MA 01013
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/01/09

    Murray, Susan M.
    342 Southwick Road, Apt. C9
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/01/09

    Negron, Felix A.
    Agron, Daisy
    65 Broadway St., Apt 6
    Chicopee, MA 01020
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/02/09

    O’Donnell, Richard F.
    O’Donnell, Pauline M.
    32 Granville Road
    Southwick, MA 01077
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Oakes, George C.
    Oakes, Dina L.
    20 Nancy Ave.
    Pittsfield, MA 01201
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    O’Brien, Daniel W.
    17 Gold St.
    Westfield, MA 01085
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Padua, Yolanda
    220 Norfolk St., 2nd Fl.
    Springfield, MA 01109
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/15/09

    Paquette, Kathleen M.
    58 Line St.
    Easthampton, MA 01027
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/03/09

    Phelps, Christine T.
    36 Monrovia St.
    Springfield, MA 01104
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Pond, Arthur N.
    16 Robert St.
    Southbridge, MA 01550
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Preye, William A.
    Preye, Kristin T.
    a/k/a Fearn, Kristin T.
    66 Lasalle St.
    East Longmeadow, MA 01028-1927
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/01/09

    Santos, Eric Scott
    27 Dartmouth St.
    Chicopee, MA 01020
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Scott, Randy J.
    65 Pitroff Ave.
    South Hadley, MA 01075
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/03/09

    Shaw, Glen A.
    Shaw, Cheryl J.
    837 State St. #435
    Springfield, MA 01109
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/14/09

    Sinopoli, Kristen Elise
    47 Oak Hill Road
    Pittsfield, MA 01201
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/03/09

    Solzak, Jody K.
    Solzak, Merlita B.
    38 Westbook Road
    South Hadley, MA 01075
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/08/09

    Starrett, Mark Harold
    Starrett, Sherry Ann
    a/k/a Mlynarski, Sherry A.
    412 Main St.
    Hampden, MA 01036
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 08/31/09

    Three Men & A Machine
    Barsalou, Gregg Peter
    Barsalou, Tammy Jean
    a/k/a Gray, Tammy
    89 Woodcrest Circle
    Chicopee, MA 01020
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/11/09

    Treadwell, Courtney A.
    7 Wallace Road
    Sturbridge, MA 01566
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/04/09

    Tymkowiche, Catherine Ann
    12B Phins Hill Manor
    Granby, MA 01033
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/04/09

    Walsh, Jeffrey D.
    30 School St.
    Agawam, MA 01001-3207
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/09/09

    Ward, William P.
    Ward, Mary E.
    63 Spring Hill Road
    Barre, MA 01005
    Chapter: 7
    Filing Date: 09/13/09

    Departments

    UMass May Again Pursue Law School

    BOSTON — Saying that it seeks to preserve its “historic mission” and its commitment to legal education excellence and diversity, Southern New England School of Law has offered to enter into discussions that could lead to the donation of its assets to UMass Dartmouth. The donation offer was conveyed in an Oct. 5, 2009 letter from Southern New England School of Law Board of Trustees Chair Margaret D. Xifaras to UMass President Jack M. Wilson. Under the terms of the possible donation, UMass would receive cash assets and the campus that now houses the 235-student Southern New England School of Law in Dartmouth — with the total value of the offer estimated at $22.6 million. Wilson thanked officials at Southern New England School of Law for making “a very generous offer” and said UMass would launch a comprehensive review process. UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack described the potential donation offer as “extraordinarily generous,” noting that “we have a wonderful chance to expand higher-education opportunity in Massachusetts by accepting this historic donation and building an innovative public law school that offers an excellent and affordable education for students.” President Wilson said he has asked officials at UMass Dartmouth to review the relevant academic, financial, and legal issues and to put forward a proposal based on Southern New England School of Law’s donation letter. President Wilson said UMass system officials would then engage in an extensive due-diligence review process. In her letter, Xifaras wrote that “our aspiration and objective is to resource and empower the university to carry forward with our historic mission and commitment to provide affordable, accessible, and excellent legal education to a diverse group of students who might not otherwise have this opportunity.” Four years ago, UMass had pushed for a public law school, but its efforts were rejected by the state Board of Higher Education. As part of the new proposal, the school would return a portion of tuition to the state and would add an elective curriculum that could bolster the state’s southern economy by creating programs in maritime and environmental law.

    Jobless Claims Drop

    WASHINGTON — In the week ending Oct. 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 514,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 524,000. The four-week moving average was 531,500, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week’s revised average of 540,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.5% for the week ending Oct. 3, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week’s revised rate of 4.6%. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending Oct. 3 was 5,992,000, a decrease of 75,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 6,067,000. The four-week moving average was 6,082,750, a decrease of 68,250 from the preceding week’s revised average of 6,151,000. The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 503,973 in the week ending Oct. 10, an increase of 51,919 from the previous week. There were 454,065 initial claims in the comparable week in 2008. Extended benefits were available in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin during the week ending Sept. 26. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending Sept. 26 were in Puerto Rico (7.1%), Oregon (5.3%), Nevada (5.2%), Pennsylvania (5.0%), California (4.7%), Michigan (4.6%), North Carolina (4.6%), Wisconsin (4.6%), Arkansas (4.5%), and South Carolina (4.5%). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending Oct. 3 were in Pennsylvania (+3,618), Washington (+1,857), Wisconsin (+1,629), Missouri (+1,441), and Texas (+1,291), while the largest decreases were in Florida (-5,178), California (-3,911), Tennessee (-683), Illinois (-682), and Arkansas (-589).

    Retail Stores See Small Spending Increase

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Census Bureau recently released retail sales for September, noting that they fell 1.5%, primarily reflecting a 10.4% decline in motor-vehicle sales. The drop in total sales was smaller than the decrease of 2.1% expected by private analysts. Gasoline sales rose 1.1%, and sales excluding motor vehicles and gasoline increased 0.4%. In the third quarter as a whole, total retail sales rose 6.4% at an annual rate, and sales excluding the volatile motor-vehicle and gasoline components rose 0.6%. “Retail sales in the third quarter saw its strongest gain in almost two years, due to the successful Cash for Clunkers program,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “The healthy increase in sales excluding motor vehicles and gasoline over the past two months indicates that consumers are gaining confidence and spending.”

    Foreclosures Hit Record High

    NEW YORK — RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed homes, recently released statistics that show the number of foreclosure filings hit a record high in the third quarter. Rick Sharga, spokesperson for RealtyTrac, noted “they were the worst three months of all time.” According to RealtyTrac, 937,840 homes received a foreclosure letter — whether a default notice, auction notice, or bank repossession — during that time. Nevada continued to be the worst-hit state, with one filing for every 23 households. Also striking, Vermonters saw foreclosure filings jump nearly 170% compared with the third quarter of 2008.

    Departments

    The following building permits were issued during the month of October 2009.

    AGAWAM

    HP Hood, LLC
    233 Main St.
    $100,000 — Installation of a 25,000-gallon milk storage silo on existing pad

    HP Hood, LLC
    233 Main St
    $170,000 — Replacement of a 25,000-gallon milk storage silo with a 40,000-gallon milk storage silo on existing pad

    AMHERST

    Clark House Associates
    22 Lessey St.
    $38,000 — Addition of cell phone antenna on roof

    Hampshire College
    Women’s Center
    $8,000 — Construction of a handicap ramp

    Paul C. Jones
    23 Montague Road
    $89,500 — Relocate transaction counter and reconfigure sales floor area

    CHICOPEE

    Pioneer Valley Church of Christ
    85 Montcalm St.
    $2,500 — Interior renovations

    Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
    7 Belcher St.
    $167,500 — Strip and re-roof

    EAST LONGMEADOW

    Faith Tabernacle Church
    15 Kibbe Road
    $37,000 — Interior renovations

    G-Laz Realty, LLC
    138 Denslow Road
    $118,000 — Office build-out

    GREENFIELD

    Hobo Enterprise, LLC
    8-16 Federal St.
    $16,000 — Renovate second floor for Yoga studio

    Rosenberg Property, LLC
    311 Wells St.
    $67,000 — Interior renovations

    Quality Realty Partners II, LLP
    55 Federal St.
    $6,000 — Interior renovations for two offices

    HOLYOKE

    New England Etching and Plating
    23 Spring St.
    $18,000 — Roof repair

    Peoples Savings Bank
    314 High St.
    $49,000 — Third-floor interior build out

    Sisters of St. Joseph
    34 Lower Westfield Road
    $5,575,000 — Construction of a new residential facility with 31 units

    LUDLOW

    Our Lady of Fatima Church
    450 Windsor St.
    $718,000 — Alterations

    NORTHAMPTON

    CFP Properties, LLC
    320 Riverside Dr.
    $49,000 — Renovate interior for Amedisys Home Health

     

    Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
    30 Locust St.
    $1,295,000 — Renovate woodchip plant

    Hampshire Regional Young Men’s Christian Association
    286 Prospect St.
    $200,000 — Interior demolition from fire

    Nonotuck Mills LLC
    296 Nonotuck St.
    $95,000 — Renovate portion of first floor for DAX transportation office

    Pride Convenience Inc.
    375 King St.
    $10,000 — Replace acoustical ceiling

    Smith College Office of the Treasurer
    42 West St.
    $25,000 — Strip & shingle roof

    PALMER

    Pathfinder Regional
    240 Sykes St.
    $368,000 — Addition of horticulture classroom

    Town of Palmer
    1029 Central St.
    $615,000 — Renovations to Memorial Hall

    SOUTH HADLEY

    SH limited Partnership
    493 Newton St.
    $18,000 — Renovations

    SPRINGFIELD

    Atlas Property Management
    107 Kensington St.
    $12,000 — Exterior renovations

    City of Springfield
    474 Armory St.
    $216,000 — Remove old roof and install new

    Costa Dourountoudakis
    248 Dickinson St.
    $80,000 — Addition of new cooler for store

    Mercy Medical Center
    271 Carew St.
    $410,000 — Construction of an addition to install MRI machine

    Springfield Diocese
    37 Alderman St.
    $126,000 – Construction of addition and handicap lift

    WESTFIELD

    Domus Inc.
    180 Main St.
    $1,008,000 — New construction

    Ghanskyam N. Patel
    39 Southampton Road
    $7,000 — New roof

    Plumrose Realty Trust
    93 White St.
    $20,000 — Interior renovations

    WEST SPRINGFIELD

    George Martin
    57 Norman St.
    $250,000 — Construction of a 4,134-square-foot commercial building

    Departments

    Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
    (413) 787-1555
    www.myonlinechamber.com

    Nov. 4: ACCGS Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Cedars, Island Pond Road, Springfield. Tickets: $30, general admission; $20 for members.
    Nov. 4: ACCGS After 5, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield. Tickets: $20, general admission; $10 for members.
    Nov. 5: WRC 3rd Annual Food Fest West, 5 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by the Clarion Hotel, West Springfield. Tickets: $25, general admission; $20 for members.
    Nov. 19: ACCGS Government Reception, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield. Tickets: $55, general admission; $45 for members.

    Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
    www.springfieldyps.com

    Nov. 6: November’s installment of the CEO Luncheon Series, hosted by Health New England. Guest speaker: Peter Straley, president and CEO of Health New England.
    Nov. 19: YPS Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by the Museum of Springfield History, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. View museum exhibits that describe Springfield’s development as a manufacturing center, the city’s role in transportation history, the many inventions and firsts that were generated here, the growth of downtown as the region’s commercial center, the effects of urbanization and suburbanization, and the stories of Springfield’s diverse populations. Corporate sponsor: Baystate Medical Practices, part of Baystate Health. Sound and entertainment provided by Jx2 Productions.

    Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
    www.amherstarea.com

    Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

    Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 594-2101
    www.chicopeechamber.org

    Nov. 18: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Tickets: $18 for members; $25 for non-members. Register online at www.chicopeechamber.org.

    Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 773-5463; www.franklincc.org

    Nov. 7-8: Cider Days. Marketplace and workshops in Shelburne Falls and specific locations on Saturday; Cider salon and harvest dinner in Old Deerfield on Saturday; tasting and pairings at Deerfield Inn on Sunday; orchard tours in Deerfield, Colrain, and New Salem both days. Some activities require tickets. Information and tickets available at www.ciderdays.com .
    Nov. 20: FCCC Breakfast Series, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by Bella Notte, Huckle Hill Road, Bernardston. Program: Engaging an Audience and the Community in New Media. Guest speaker: Jon Abbott, president and CED of WGBH in Boston, a broadcaster with multiple TV and radio services, known for its iconic programming (Nova, Masterpiece, Frontline, Antiques Roadshow, Curious George, The World, etc.). Sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank. Tickets: $12 for members; $14 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 773-5463 or e-mail
    [email protected]  by Nov. 13.

    Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 527-9414
    www.easthamptonchamber.org

    Nov. 7: Holiday Lights Bowl-a-thon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., hosted by Canal Bowling Lanes, 74 College Highway, Route 10, Southampton. Two sessions of candlepin bowling to raise funds for the chamber’s downtown holiday lighting program. Sponsored by Greater Easthampton Chamber holiday spirit committee. Entry fee: $100 per five-member team. Prizes, raffles, free pizza for bowlers. For more information or to enter, call (413) 527-9414.
    Nov. 12: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Northeast Center for Youth & Families, 203 East St., Easthampton. Door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Tickets: $5 for members; $15 for non-members.

    Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 534-3376; www.holycham.com

    Nov. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Eighty Jarvis Restaurant, 80 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke. Tickets: $5 for members; $10 cash for non-members.

    Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 584-1900
    www.explorenorthampton.com
    Nov. 4: Arrive@5, 5 to 7 p.m., the United Way of Hampshire County, hosted by Danish Inspirations, sponsored by Dietz & Company Architects Inc. and Applied Mortgage Services Corp. Tickets: $10 for members; $15 for guests.
    Nov. 12: Northampton Area Young Professionals Party with a Purpose, 5 to 8 p.m., hosted by Mama Iguana’s. Free for members; $5 for guests.
    Nov. 13: Northampton Chamber Information Session, 8 to 9:30 a.m., hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Free for those considering membership in the chamber.

    Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 283-2418; www.qvcc.biz

    Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

    South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 532-6451; www.shchamber.com

    Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

    Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
    413-283-6425
    www.threeriverschamber.org

    Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

    Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
    (413) 568-1618; www.westfieldbiz.org

    Nov. 12: 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards, 6 to 9 p.m., location and cost TBA. For more details, call (413) 568-1618 or e-mail [email protected] .

    Departments

    The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of October 2009.

    AGAWAM

    Anderson Contractors
    325 Adams St.
    Trina Gomes

    A. P. Rogers Associates
    24 Eastview Dr.
    Alan Rogers

    Lana Stationery
    56 Corey Colonial
    Lana Casiello-Boyle

    Northeast Training and Consulting
    456 North Westfield St.
    Dorothy Circosta

    T. C. Captioning Services
    114 Valley Brook Road
    Thomas Costa

    Wright’s Cleaning
    24 Dwight St.
    Willie Wright

    AMHERST

    Localocracy
    553 Main St.
    Conor White-Sullivan

    Rock Mongrel Designs
    23 Lessey St.
    Richard Raymond

    The Cajun Queen
    233 North Pleasant St.
    Gwendolyn Swan

    The Loose Goose Café
    233 North Pleasant St.
    J.L. Gourmet Inc.

    CHICOPEE

    Matroni’s
    140 Exchange St.
    Corina Frocier

    Royal Real Estate Service
    31 Devlin Dr.
    Gerard Roy

    Sweetheart Home Care
    30 Melvin St.
    Natalia Vasilenko

    EAST LONGMEADOW

    Charli’s Country
    275 Kibbe Road
    Charlene Miller

    Colorful Creations
    128 Shaker Road
    Deanna Hanson

    Fitzgerald Burglary
    50 Gerard Ave.
    Michael Fitzgerald

    Martin Appraisal Co.
    192 North Main St.
    Martin Grudgen

    Wheelhouse Strategy
    83 Hanward Hill
    James T. Fitzgerald

    GREENFIELD

    Days Inn
    21 Colrain Road
    Vidhyadhar Mitta

    Franklin Adult Day Health Center
    60 Wells St.
    William C. Jones

    KT’s Lawncare
    126 Oakland St.
    Thomas Newcomb

    Lit’l Bears Den
    200 Main St.
    Susan Maloney

    Synergy Transportation Services
    25 Park Ave.
    Jason Markwell

    Vehicle Inspection Center
    188 Federal St.
    Nell Lorenz

    HADLEY

    Candy Stand
    367 Russell St.
    Syed Javed Ali

    Center for Retirement Planning
    245 Russell St.
    Robert Burke

    Trans World Food Mart
    50 Russell St.
    Johnny Binh Tran

    HOLYOKE

    Contractor Computer Services
    323 Walnut St.
    Mabeline Arzola

    Farms Auto
    200 Whiting Farms Road
    James Lavelle

    Fashion Club
    348 High St.
    Yu Sun Sim

    Grandma’s Attic Thrift Store
    1976 Northampton St.
    Sharyna Kazunas

    Los Master Social Club
    65 Commercial St.
    Crispin Matos

    Marinello & McKenna
    1500 Northampton St.
    Marita Marinello

    Project 13 Inc.
    50 Holyoke St.
    John Foley

    LONGMEADOW

    Highland Medical Transcription
    26 Homecrest St.
    Donna Ingalls

    Longmeadow Healing Arts
    167 Dwight Road
    Maureen Quinn

    Pollack Playhouse
    P.O. Box 60812
    Jay Pollack

    Students Helping Students
    60 Tecumseh Dr.
    Michael Fein

    NORTHAMPTON

    21st Century Etiquette
    88 Hockanum Road
    Amelia Mosley

    Barton’s Angels Inc.
    15 Conz St.
    Nancy B. Whittey

    Burgundy Rose Salon
    21 Locust St.
    Virginia L. Chaffee-Deiling

    Finding Earth Works
    29 Columbus Ave.
    Alezandra Schroeder

    Hampshire Dermatology & Skin Health Center
    39A Carlon Dr.
    Katherine L. White, M.D.

    Pelorian Digital
    1 Front St.
    Richard Rasa

    PALMER

    Burgandy Brook Farms
    3090 Palmer Road
    MaryAnn & Thomas Roberts

    Kopec’s Auto & Truck Service
    1219 Thorndike St.
    Christopher Kopec

    Quabbin Real Estate Solutions
    82 Ware St.
    Andrew Willis

    Tadpoles
    1371 Main St.
    Sherry Kennedy

    Vinny’s Pizza
    1112 Park St.
    Vincenzo Manzi

     

    SOUTHWICK

    JEP Distribution
    71 Berkshire Ave.
    James Phelps

    Pathways to Healing by Aimee
    627 College Highway
    Aimee Sawyer

    Right Way Repair, LLC
    168 South Longyard Road
    Richard Mannion

    SPRINGFIELD

    Acupuncture and Chinese
    1502 Allen St.
    Stanley Baker

    Alan Epstein Photography
    50 Ingersoll Grove
    Alan Epstein

    Angie and Blanca Ceramic
    36 Winnipeg St.
    Angela Rodriguez

    Asher’s Trucking Service
    195 Hickory St.
    Katrika Joseph-James

    Bell Bros Sneaker Plus
    80 State St.
    George A. Bell, Jr.

    Bert Hills Express Inc.
    225 Orange St.
    Kenneth G. Dulude, Jr.

    Better Air Quality
    175 Oak Grove Ave.
    Ralph McKinley Ward

    Bliss Graphics
    29 Leitch St.
    Trevis M. Wray

    Bryan’s Roofing
    39 Gardens Dr.
    Bryan Trombley

    Bryant’s Auto Solutions
    87 Washburn St.
    Bryant James

    Builders Home Remodelers
    185 Mill St.
    Vincent Guiel

    Comfort Zone Heating
    180 Laurelton St.
    Richard Charles Barry

    Concentra Medical Centers
    140 Carando Dr.
    Eleanor J. Thompson

    Curves
    1916 Wilbraham Road
    Linda L. Scott

    Deal Man Dave
    76 Palo Alto Road
    Dave Behnk

    Design Plus Simulation
    1140 Main St.
    Yergeniy Norkin

    Diamond Cut Barber Shop
    616 Belmont Ave.
    Osagie Ekhorytomwen

    Dwight Convenience Store
    135 Dwight St.
    Lack Shah

    The Firm
    450 Main St.
    William McCarthy

    Future Comp
    2077 Roosevelt Ave.
    Joseph Fico

    Impressions
    35 Braywood Circle
    Nina Marie Olmeda

    J & G Transportation Service
    304 Belmont Ave.
    John J. Rajab

    JC Variety
    190 Orange St.
    William M. McCarthy

    Jefferson Management
    1418 Berkshire Ave.
    Michael Jefferson

    Jose Stripping and Transportation
    927 Worthington St.
    Jose A. Santiago

    WESTFIELD

    B’s Gym
    76 Elm St.
    Brian Cook

    BJS Associate
    55 Arnold St.
    Francis Janisieski

    Bluesky Information Systems
    48 Blue Sky Dr.
    Nicholas B. Meszaros

    EB Surf and Ski
    86 Hawks Circle
    Eric Blackwelder

    Nails 2000
    275 Elm St.
    Tam Thanh Huynh

    Northeast Valve & Actuation
    170 Lockhouse Road
    Brian Howard

    Tatro’s Mobile Mechanic Services Inc.
    16 George St.
    Gregg Tatro

    Union Mart
    420 Union St.
    Kimat G. Khatak

    Westfield State College Bookstore
    577 Western Ave.
    Barnes & Noble College

    WEST SPRINGFIELD

    Bob’s Auto
    622 Union St.
    Philip Auto LLC

    Comfort Inn and Suites
    106 Capital Dr.
    Nataver Inc.

    Demoracski Painting
    76 Partridge Lane
    Mark A. Demorcaski

    Edwin Quality Services
    18 Kings Highway
    Edwin R. Colon

    Hair Cuttery
    343 Memorial Ave.
    Hair Cuttery of Greater Boston, LLC

    Hunter’s Computer Services
    283 Elm St.
    Deborah M. Burt

    Painting Unlimited
    38 West School St.
    Adam Farnum

    Performance Rehabilitation
    124 Myron St.
    Performance Rehabilitation of Western New England

    Rescore America
    134 Main St.
    GSC Credit Service Inc.

    Roche-Realty & Associates
    425 Union St.
    Cassie Roche

    Scheer Construction
    14 Colony Road
    Arthur Barry Scheer

    Springfield Country Club
    1375 Elm St.
    Denis Lucy

    St. Joseph’s Family Dental, LLC
    258 Main St.
    Susana R. Aguero

    Tri County Contractors Supply Inc.
    154 Wayside Ave.
    Robert H. Clark Jr.

    Your Hearts Content
    900 Riverdale St.
    Deborah-Ann Geng

    Departments

    Speed Sales

    On Oct. 1, the Holyoke and Chicopee chambers of commerce staged their second annual Speed Sales event, which this year was sponsored by BusinessWest. Twenty-five companies sent both a salesperson and a decision-maker for five-minute one-to-one sessions designed to generate leads, build awareness of area businesses, and, hopefully grow sales. Clockwise from above, Brenda Olesuk, decision-maker for Graduate Pest Solutions, a Hampden-based company owned by her husband, Glenn, talks with Iraida Delgado, business account representative for Holyoke Community College, who served as that institution’s salesperson for Speed Sales; BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien, the company’s decision-maker for the afternoon, chats with Jenny McNulty, independent executive senior sales director for Mary Kay Cosmetics; Bruce Westcott, left, the decision-maker for Peter Pan Bus Lines, greets Jeffrey Sullivan, executive vice president and chief lending officer for United Bank and the company’s salesperson for the event; Paul DiGrigoli, left, owner of DiGrigoli Salons, who delivered a motivational talk before the event kicked off, talks with Steve Cosenke, district sales manager with YellowBook USA, and that company’s decision-maker for the day.


    Literacy Summit

    On Oct. 4, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, in conjunction with several other organizations, including the Springfield Public School System and the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, staged a Literacy Summit at the Basketball Hall of Fame to draw attention to the broad issues of literacy and education. The keynote speaker was Chris Matthews (top left), host of MSNBC’s Hardball, but there were many who shared the stage and the spotlight. Among them were Congressman Richard Neal (center) and several young students (above) who offered their “hopes and dreams” for the future. Among them was Destiny Baker, at left. The event drew more than 400 people, many of whom addressed questions and comments to Matthews and Springfield School Superintendent Alan Ingram, and implored those in the audience to get involved with a host of area literacy programs.

    Opinion

    History museums have many functions, from educating visitors to holding up a mirror to society. But mostly, they explain to us how things once were.

    The new Museum of Springfield History does just that, but we hope that it can also inspire us with regard to the way things can be — again.

    The new facility, which opened its doors this past weekend, is a real gem. It is a sparkling addition to the collection of museums and attractions at the Quadrangle, and it holds considerable promise as a drawing card for visitors from across the region and perhaps well beyond.

    But the museum, with its collections of Indian Motocycles, two Rolls Royces built right here in Springfield, Gee-Bee airplanes (one real, one a replica), and countless other symbols of the region’s proud industrial past, can potentially do much more than be a mere tourist attraction.

    Indeed, the displays on the walls and in the cases reflect a time when Springfield was thriving, when its streets were teeming with activity, when its factories were employing tens of thousands, and when the community was known across the country as a center of innovation.

    It can be all of that again. At least, that’s what we hope visitors come away thinking.

    There is much to inspire people at the new history museum, starting with the products that were once produced here. The list includes automobiles, motorcycles (or motocycles, as they were then called), trolley cars, guns (starting at the Springfield Armory and then at Smith & Wesson and other shops), wrenches, toys, and the first practical ice skate, among many others.

    With each display of a product there is usually a corresponding photo of the plant at which it was produced. There’s Everett Barney’s ice-skate-making facility in Springfield’s South End, the massive Indian Motocycle plant in what is now Mason Square, and a complex of buildings along the river in the North End where trolley cars were made and shipped to every corner of the country.

    But what might also inspire people are some of the other pictures on the walls. Two, for example, show a similar scene — the corner of Main and Bridge streets in Springfield — a quarter-century apart, 1916 and 1940.

    They show changed styles in clothing and hats, dramatic evolution in both the automobile and the trolley, and brave police officers directing traffic from the middle of a busy intersection. But they show something else: sidewalks clogged with pedestrians, more women than men, making their way to and from a collection of fine department stores, theaters, restaurants, and other destinations.

    If one didn’t know this was Springfield, they might have guessed it was a section of New York City.

    It would easy to say that things can never again be the way they were in these photos, because that is the logical way of looking at the short- and long-term future not only in Springfield but in other former industrial centers.

    The manufacturing sector in this region will likely never thrive as it did 100 or 200 years ago. Competition is now global, and it simply doesn’t make much economic sense to build large plants in the Northeast sector of the U.S. Meanwhile, retail remains sparse in the nation’s urban centers, having moved years or decades ago to suburban malls, located right off the highways, where parking is plentiful. Now, the sidewalks of Springfield are all but empty. Downtown just isn’t the place to be anymore.

    We can’t turn back the clock and make Springfield and other area cities thrive as they did a century or more ago. But we can, and must, gain inspiration from the past and work to make Springfield and this region more like it was then.

    Downtown in the City of Homes will never look like it did in 1916, but it can, once again, be a place for more people to live, work, and play. As for industry, well, the landscape won’t look like it did in those pictures, but this can once again be a center for innovation in everything from renewable energy to medical device making.

    As we said, the new history museum will likely provide a real spark for the region’s tourism business. But it can, and hopefully will, do much more.

    It could inspire progress for the future with a stunning look at the past.

    Opinion
    How We Can Fix Beacon Hill

    In the past several months Massachusetts citizens have witnessed the indictment of their third consecutive speaker of the House, learned of decades of pension system abuse, observed numerous lobbying scandals, and watched a senator allegedly stuff a bribe into her bra. It doesn’t take much digging to discover that issues such as these are not unique to this legislative session, but are merely symptoms of the broader disease — the absence of deliberative, representative democracy in the Legislature.

    How did it get this way? Sixty years of single-party domination has allowed a slow, steady, incremental accumulation of power within the office of the House speaker and Senate president. Today, these two people control all leadership and committee chair appointments, thereby controlling the extra pay these positions receive.

    They also control all committee appointments, drafting of their chamber’s rules, the daily schedule, when (and if) bills come out of committee, and whether a bill ever sees a vote on the floor. When a bill does make it to the floor for a vote, it often happens within hours after it is reported out of committee.

    As a result, no legislators, regardless of their work ethic or staff size, can possibly review what’s in the legislation upon which they are being asked to vote.

    As if all this were not enough, the speaker and president control members’ office assignments, budgets and staff size, where members sit in the chamber, where they park, how much party PAC money they receive, and so on. If legislators do not ‘go along to get along,’ they find themselves, quite literally, in the basement, enduring the retribution that comes with failing to follow their chamber’s leader.

    Over the past five decades there have been several attempts to change the way the Legislature operates, including the efforts of Gov. Dukakis and Rep. Barney Frank in the 1960s, and Rep. George Kevarian’s floor revolt in 1983 when Speaker Tom McGee was overthrown. These efforts had a minor impact for a short period. Ultimately, though, the Legislature writes its rules, waives them as it sees fit, and exempts itself from the laws that would make members act otherwise.

    So how do we restore the Legislature to the deliberative, representative, democratic institution that the framers of the world’s oldest continuously functioning constitution intended?

    Last month, a citizen-driven petition for a constitutional amendment was certified by the Massachusetts attorney general, and a gras-roots signature drive, organized by FixBeaconHill.com, is now underway.

    The proposed amendment seeks to reform the Legislature by requiring the speaker of the House and Senate president to be elected by secret ballot, just as all legislators are elected by us; allowing the speaker and the Senate president to each appoint four leadership positions; requiring both bodies to elect, by secret ballot, a Committee on Committees, which serves to assign committee membership, establish rules for the chamber, establish a consistent formula for members’ budgets, and assign members’ offices; requiring all committees to elect their own chairman, keep minutes, record all votes, and make such records available to the public; precluding the Legislature from exempting itself from the Massachusetts Open Meeting Laws; and requiring the House and Senate to produce and publish line-item budgets for the operation of their respective chambers.

    Too often, hardworking and committed lawmakers are unable to effect change because of the concentration of power at the top. This amendment would allow all 200 legislators to speak their minds in the best interest of their constituents and the entire Commonwealth, without fear of retribution.

    Isn’t it time to fix Beacon Hill?

    Chris McKeown is founder ofFixBeaconHill.com

    Sections Supplements
    These Five Steps Will Have Recruiters Thinking Like Salespeople

    A great recruiter should have the same skill sets and qualifications of a great salesperson. All of the great sales visionaries, including Zig Ziglar and Tom Hopkins, have taught these steps to sales professionals around the world, yet few recruiters today understand or use any of these available resources.

    So much emphasis has been placed on prospecting or sourcing potential candidates that recruiters are not taught the basics of the sales process that follows the sourcing function. Having listened to thousands of third-party and corporate recruiters over the past 15 years, my sense is that fewer than 10% of recruiters understand basic sales principles.

    Although the terminology may differ, the following are the critical steps to every successful sales professional or recruiting professional.

    1. Developing the Relationship

    This is the time that the warming-up events occur, before the serious selling begins. This includes how you introduce yourself and how you begin the conversation. Candidates have stated that it’s during the first two minutes of the call that they form crucial initial impressions that influence the rest of the recruiting process.

    2. Creating/Identifying the Need

    Every sale involves asking questions to identify a need of which the candidate is often unaware. This is much more than a simple collection of data. Identifying or creating the need is the most important of all selling and recruiting skills. Recruiters who are the most effective during this investigative stage are most likely to be the highest performers. Recruiters with poor investigative skills generally create candidates who ultimately do not accept the position once it’s offered.

    3. Preventing/Overcoming Objections

    Although objections are inevitable in any sales process, the key for successful sales professionals and recruiters is actually preventing objections. By asking the right types of questions in step 2, many objections that would have arisen in the process are addressed before the candidate has an opportunity to bring them forth. Keep in mind that some objections are inevitable, that they are often training responses, and that most are emotional and not practical.

    4. Filling the Need/Providing Benefits

    Identifying the need is considered the most crucial skill in sales or recruiting; filling the need is the second-most critical step to ensuring success. Often recruiters and sales professionals alike pay little attention to step 2 and focus solely on step 4.

    Like many sales professionals, recruiters often focus on what is commonly known in sales language as their ‘product knowledge.’ They have an in-depth understanding of the organization they are recruiting for, they understand every detail of the position and its function, and they completely understand the requirements of the role. Armed with all of this product knowledge, these untrained recruiters contact potential candidates and attempt to tell them about every benefit of the position and company they represent, never addressing the real needs of the candidate. This is a common mistake made by most sales professionals.

    5. Advance/Close the Sale

    In recruiting and sales, advancing the sale is the final objective throughout every step of the process. By filling the need in Step 4, you are in a position to advance the sale to the next step. In recruiting, closing is most commonly compared to presenting the offer and gaining acceptance from the candidate. At this stage recruiters often focus on the practical aspects of the offer being made: compensation, benefits, perks, etc. Effective recruiters and sales professionals alike understand the importance of re-emphasizing the emotional drivers identified in Step 2 of the sales process prior to presenting the practical aspects of the solution.

    Bottom Line

    Although these five steps are critical to the success of every recruiter, most focus and are trained only on steps 1, 4, and 5, skipping the most important step: identifying the need. Recruiters like to tell about the great position, company, and opportunity that they currently have without having asked any questions to identify the needs of the potential candidate. This ‘telling, not selling’ approach continues to be prevalent among the majority of recruiting organizations, minimizing the benefits of sourcing tools, branding, and recruiting technology available today.

    The profile of today’s recruiter must also change. An effective recruiter should be seen as a sales professional who exemplifies the ability to develop candidate relationships, identify candidate needs, overcome or prevent objections, fill the candidate’s needs, and advance the sales process. Recruiters need to be given the appropriate training to move from telling about their opportunity to actively selling it. n

    Stephen A. Lowisz is president and CEO of Qualigence, the recruitment research firm he founded in 1999. His career encompasses the recruiting industry, specifically passive candidates. An industry expert, he is a highly-rated speaker for leading HR industry events and conferences, an educator/trainer of the Answer Passive Candidate Recruitment Training, and a speaker/consultant for several Fortune 500 organizations each year;www.qualigence.com

    Sections Supplements
    How to Battle Corporate Fraud and Balance Employer Security with Employee Privacy

    Combating corporate fraud and striking a balance between employer security and employee privacy is no easy task, but it can be accomplished when an employer communicates its corporate culture through specific policies and procedures. That being said, these policies must clearly convey the expected behavior of employees. In short, the purpose of all company policies is to protect both the company and its employees in situations where it appears that something may have gone wrong.

    Policies can address a variety of areas, including company property, data security, expectation of privacy, and even an employee’s responsibilities for reporting to management known violations of the employer’s policies and/or illegal acts. They can range from a general code of conduct or code of ethics policy to certain general personnel policies, addressing issues such as basic travel reimbursement or the employer’s position on fraud and use of the company’s IT resources.

    Battling fraud and balancing employer security with employee privacy are key areas that warrant specific policies. Every employer should consider establishing and implementing these policies to strengthen its company culture, set the tone from the top, and ensure that employees are acting in ways that do not put the company at risk.

    Create a Fraud Policy

    Although a significant number of employers have a code of ethics or code of conduct, these policies rarely address fraud specifically or in adequate detail. Therefore, every employer should have a separate fraud policy. This policy details clearly the employer’s position regarding fraudulent activity, defines what is considered to be fraudulent activity, and communicates the consequences to the employee if they are found to have engaged in any fraudulent activity.

    A fraud policy also speaks to employees about their responsibility to identify and communicate to the appropriate level of management if they suspect or are aware of fraudulent activity. The policy is not meant to list all possible examples of occupational fraud, but to provide information to employees that will clarify activities that may not always be viewed as fraud. Examples of these activities include such things as:

    • Putting time on a timesheet/card that the employee did not work;
    • Putting expenses on expense and travel reimbursements that are not for the proper amount or for company business; and
    • Personal use of company equipment and office supplies.
    • In addition, the policy should communicate zero tolerance for fraudulent activity along with the possible consequences, including immediate termination.

      Finally, a fraud policy should be included in or with the employee personnel polices provided to a new employee. As with all personnel-related policies, the company should have a signed document from the employee stating they have received and read the company policies.

      In general, employees have a duty to cooperate during an internal or other investigation as long as what is requested from them is reasonable. This duty varies state to state and is affected by statutory and common law.

      Employer Security vs. Employee Privacy

      There are other employer policies that collectively are critical to avoid potential problems in the event of internal investigation or workplace search. All these policies have one thing in common, in that they reduce the employee’s expectation of privacy.

      The expectation-of-privacy issue relates primarily to workplace searches. These expectations cannot be lowered to zero by policies but can be reduced to a significant degree. There is no bright light or safe harbor to determine if an employee has a reasonable expectation of privacy for a particular area. Some of the policies that will lower the expectation include the following:

      • Information system security guidelines (computer use policy);

      • Internal and e-mail use policy (including employer monitoring); and
      • Personal communication devices (company cell phones and PDAs) and voice-mail policy.
      • Personnel policies should be adopted to provide that, in order to maintain the security of its operations, the employer retains the right to access and search all work areas and personal belongings, including desks, file drawers, briefcases, handbags, pockets, and other personal effects.

        In addition, the expectation of privacy is lowered when the employee is not granted exclusive control over an area. By eliminating the control, the expectation of privacy is diminished. In addition to the policy addressing the employer’s right to access these areas, the employer should have keys to the office, cabinets, desk, etc. The employer should require employees to provide keys to personal locks. Again, this clearly demonstrates that the employee does not have exclusive control.

        These policies should also address the fact that workplace areas are subject to surveillance and that business calls may be monitored. As indicated above, the company policies should state that the employer can monitor all electronic communications, including which sites are visited over the Internet.

        It is also important that the employer enforce these policies when violations are noted and enforce consistently for all known violations.

        The issue of reasonable expectation of privacy is a complicated one with many variables and situations. It is strongly recommended that, before an employer conducts a search or surveillance, the employer consult legal counsel to ensure they are not violating an employee’s privacy. It is also recommended that, when an employer develops and implements the policies recommended here, they have legal counsel review them in advance of implementation.

        Issues regarding employer/employee rights in the workplace are certainly a complex area. By combining clear employer policies and appropriate consultation with legal counsel when issues arise, an employer can protect its ability to maintain the security of its operations. n

        Joseph Centofanti is a member of the firm and the leader of the Government Services Group at Kostin, Ruffkess & Co., LLC, a certified public accounting and business advisory firm with offices in Springfield, and also Farmington and New London, Conn.;www.kostin.com

        Cover Story
        Friendly’s Is Focused on Branding, Execution
        Cover

        Cover

        Friendly’s President and CEO Ned Lidvall says the current recession is unlike anything that has hit the restaurant industry in recent memory. It has created casualties — individual restaurants and entire chains have failed — and forced all players to examine what they do and how they do it. Friendly’s is responding with some new concepts, including an ‘Express’ model restaurant and a renewed focus on the fundamentals, or what Lidvall calls “blocking and tackling.”

        Ned Lidvall says that, based on their experiences during the two previous economic downturns — the one in the early ’90s and the other one, which came after 9/11 — most in the restaurant industry entered the current slide thinking their sector was all but recession-proof.

        They’ve learned, the hard way, that they were dead wrong.

        Indeed, across the many categories within this broad industry — including fine dining, casual dining, mid-scale family, as it’s called, and even fast food — the numbers are down, said Lidvall, president and CEO of Wilbraham-based Friendly’s. And the reason is quite simple: people are eating at home more and eating out less.

        “Everything that drove this industry over the past few decades, from the two-wage-earner households to people being compressed for time and needing quick food, to the affluence of Baby Boomers — all of those things have been reversed with the recession,” said Lidvall. “We’ve seen people change lifestyle habits and behaviors that we believed were entrenched.”

        This phenomenon has resulted in more intense competition for fewer restaurant visits, said Lidvall, who arrived at Friendly’s roughly a year ago. That means it has also prompted a good deal of introspection and detailed review of how business should be conducted — not merely for the present with the goal of surviving the Great Recession (many restaurants and some chains have not), but also for the future and life after the downturn is over.

        That’s because Lidvall, for one, is rather confident that when better times return, things will not simply go back to the way they were before. Instead, consumers will likely continue to put a strong emphasis on value, meaning not simply the food on the plate, but the overall experience.

        To compete — and potentially thrive — in this environment, restaurants like Friendly’s, founded nearly 75 years ago by Curtis and S. Prestley Blake, must find ways to differentiate themselves, and then continually drive home to the consuming public what makes them different, said Lidvall, adding that, with Friendly’s, that differentiator is ice cream.

        “The family meal occasion, while declining due to the economic conditions, is still a very relevant occasion in America,” he explained. “And we have the benefit of what I call a glaring point of difference, and that’s one of the things we really search for in our business today.

        “As the industry has continued to segment, the lines and the definitions of brands have blurred somewhat, I believe,” he continued. “The fact that the Blakes built this company, and subsequent owners continued operating, around the notion of ice cream as a hero product is a point of difference. There’s not many companies you can point to that have that.”

        To fully leverage that advantage, Friendly’s is focusing on the guest experience, meaning the basics, or what Lidvall, who played football at the University of Kentucky, calls “blocking and tackling,” gridiron fundamentals and terms that many in business have applied to what they do. Elaborating, Lidvall said it’s incumbent upon his company to simply execute better.

        “This is an execution-based business,” he said of food service. “It’s not so much what you do, but how well you do it, because there are so many touch points when you go through a restaurant experience. It’s a matter of being competitive or slightly better with as many of those as you can, and that’s what we have to do to win.”

        As part of this focus on execution, the company has created a new concept, called Friendly’s Express, its first foray into the relatively new food-service realm known as “fast casual.”

        The first of these smaller restaurants opened two months ago in Mansfield, Mass., southwest of Boston. It offers a more condensed menu, with patrons ordering their meals at a window and then waiting, on average, about six minutes for their orders. Some eat on the premesis, but many take their items out.

        In the first few weeks the first ‘Express’ was open, before school started, the venue saw a good number of visits from families, which was encouraging, said Lidvall, but more promising was the business from workers looking for a fast lunch — and finding it at a new face on the block.

        Moving forward, the company plans to chart activity at the Friendly’s Express, refine the concept, and expand it (there are no immediate plans to place any in the 413 area code), said Lidvall, adding that the broader assignment is simply for more of that aforementioned blocking and tacking, and positioning the company for the day when the economy improves — and whatever it might bring.

        Here’s the Scoop

        Lidvall categorizes himself simply as a “career restaurant guy.”

        He told BusinessWest that he got “the bug” soon after graduating from college as a biology major. Not knowing what to do with himself, he took a job at a Steak and Ale restaurant, and has been in food service ever since.

        “Steak and Ale was one of the seminal breeding grounds for restaurant people back then — it sort of invented casual-theme dining,” he said, noting that it gave a solid education to those, like himself, who entered its management program. “In the realm of casual dining and full-service dining, [founder] Norman Brinker is considered one of the real innovators and one of the real creators, with both Steak and Ale and another chain called Bennigan’s.

        “I was lucky to get started in a culture that was very educational,” Lidvall continued, adding that there have been a number of stops during his 35-year career, the last of which was a 12-year stint running the Colorado-based chain Rock Bottom Restaurants, which has locations in 14 states, including a few in Massachusetts.

        He was in the process of leaving that corporation and beginning the search for a new opportunity in the industry when he interviewed with Sun Capital Partners, which acquired Friendly’s in 2007, for the opportunity to succeed George Condos as president and CEO.

        “I guess the stars kind of aligned,” he explained. “I had spent my entire career in casual dining, and thought it would be fun and interesting to join a complex, vertically integrated family-dining, mid-scale chain.

        Explaining that word ‘complex,’ he said it refers to the number of business units at Friendly’s. There are five: manufacturing and distribution, which are both profit centers, as well as a retail component, a franchise division, and 300 company-owned restaurants.

        This complexity appealed to him, as did the company’s life-cycle status, which he said academics would call a realignment.

        “The company’s financially healthy, but there’s work to do and wood to chop around improving the base business, and I wanted to do that,” he explained, adding that word on the street, meaning industry circles, concerning Friendly’s was that it was a strong brand that had let its value proposition weaken somewhat.

        Since arriving, Lidvall and his team have been developing a strategic plan to regain some of that lost ground.

        Perhaps the most noise is being made with the Friendly’s Express, which has earned solid reviews since it opened, and gives the company another way to compete for what Lidvall called “share of stomach.”

        And it provides entry into an emerging segment in the industry known as ‘fast casual,’ or ‘quick casual,’ a progression that makes sense given the direction in which society is moving.

        “It’s a natural development,” Lidvall explained, noting that it blends speed with more high-quality food than what one might encounter at fast-food establishments. “It’s a blend of limited service with better food, and it’s the one segment in the industry that’s been flat or has actually seen some growth over the past 12 months.”

        The current leaders in the fast-casual segment are Panera Bread and Chipotle, and Lidvall expects to soon have Friendly’s on that short list, based on what he’s seeing in Mansfield.

        There, at a 2,200-square-foot facility (just over half the size of a standard Friendly’s restaurant), the company is offering what Lidvall said is the best of its lunch and dinner menus — burgers, salads, and SuperMelt sandwiches — along with a vibrant selection of ice cream and sweet-treat offerings.

        “What we like about the position of the Friendly’s Express is that we think we can play in the premium convenience or quick-casual food occasion,” he explained, “and we also think we can get the sweet-treat occasions, whether it’s sundaes, ice cream cones, or ice cream beverages that the Cold Stones and the Ben & Jerrys are currently getting.”

        Any Given Sundae

        The plan moving forward is to add four or five new ‘express’ locations in the near term, said Lidvall, adding that the company hasn’t yet opened up the concept to franchisees, although he expects this to be its biggest opportunity because of the lower cost of opening and operating such a facility. “It will be a significant piece of a our future growth.”

        But it will be just a part of the equation, he continued, noting that Friendly’s is still in the traditional full-service food business, and will remain there. And as with the ‘express’ model, the assignment with the larger restaurants is to continue refining, improving, and growing that segment.

        Which brings Lidvall back to the recession and how it has prompted all players in this industry to look hard at what they do and how they do it, with an eye toward not simply surviving — although for some, especially those not in Friendly’s strong financial position, that’s a real challenge — but positioning themselves for what happens next.

        Overall, it’s been a long year for most independents and chains, said Lidvall, noting that ice-cream-focused outfits have been hit not only by the downturn, but Mother Nature as well. “To not have a 90-degree day in June or July was certainly tough for us,” he said.

        Friendly’s has seen its revenues decline, but it is running better than most other players, again because of its diversity, said Lidvall, noting quickly that the current conditions are forcing everyone to ramp up their games.

        “There’s been a marketplace retreat in terms of food eaten away from home since the Great Recession began,” he explained. “People are simply eating out less. But there’s also been a trade-down effect, where people have traded down from full service to quick service. All of that means that you have to become more competitive.

        “As a result, we’re doing a lot of innovation around the menu — that’s going to be a big part of our strategy for next year,” he continued. “There will be significant menu work, largely improving the value proposition. People will also see a lot of work on how we execute, meaning speed of service, the cleanliness of our restaurants. And we’re going to continue to go to market aggressively from an advertising and promotional standpoint; we’re fighting for market share.”

        And the fight will go on, in earnest, even when it is clear to all that the recession is over, he continued, reiterating his comments about how consumers will not simply open their wallets again.

        “The rebound will come, but people are spending a lot of time talking about how the marketplace is going to be different, because the rebound will not, in my opinion, mean that things will go back to the way they were,” he said. “I really think that the consumer, in general, will be a lot more value-conscious, and that, in our industry, doesn’t just mean price, because we essentially market and sell experiences.

        “The product is experiential, and for us that involves not only the tangible product,” he continued, “but the emotional product of service, hospitality, and atmospherics — those things that go into the purchase decision other than what I eat and drink.”

        Just Desserts

        As he talked about competition in his chosen industry, for today and the foreseeable future, Lidvall used the words ‘keen’ and ‘intense.’ And then summoned one more: ‘Darwinian.’

        His intent was clear. While success in any business has always been about survival of the fittest, that phrase applies especially to the food-service industry, where, by some accounts, 4% to 5% of the nation’s nearly 1 million restaurants have closed in the past 18 months, with more failures projected.

        Friendly’s is still among those standing, but the goal is not merely survival; instead it’s about fully leveraging a brand and a differentiator — and gaining a bigger share of the stomach.

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

        Sections Supplements
        Depth and Diversity of the 2009 Winners Offer Some Things to Celebrate

        The Affiliated Chambers’ Super 60 lists have consistently reflected the strength and diversity of the region’s economy, and the Class of 2009 is no exception. The ‘Total Revenue’ and ‘Revenue Growth’ compilations both display well-performing companies in sectors ranging from health care to manufacturing; service to education; retail to technology.

        COMPANIES BY TOTAL REVENUE OMPANIES BY REVENUE GROWTH
        Whalley Computer Associates Inc. R & R Industries Inc.
        Savage Sports Corporation Western New England College
        Springfield College Spectrum Analytical Inc.
        Associated Electro-Mechanics Inc. American Pest Solutions Inc.
        Braman Termite & Pest Elimination Axia Insurance Services Inc.
        Center for Human Development Bern Optics Inc.
        City Tire Co. Inc. Communication Solutions Partners Inc.
        Court Square Group Inc. Custom Carbide Corp.
        The Dennis Group, LLC The Delaney House
        Disability Management Services Inc. Dimauro Carpet & Tile Inc.
        Environmental Compliance Services Inc. Edizen
        Insurance Center of New England Inc. Emergency Medicine Solutions LLC
        Joseph Freedman Co. Inc. FieldEddy Insurance
        Kittredge Equipment Company Footit Surgical Supplies Inc.
        Kleer Lumber, LLC Gandara Center
        The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House The Gaudreau Group
        Marcotte Ford Sales Inc. Haluch Water Contracting Inc.
        Maybury Material Handling Innovative Business Systems Inc.
        Mental Health Association Inc. Jet Industries Inc.
        Parts Tool & Die Inc. McGill Hose & Coupling Inc.
        Rediker Software Inc. Millrite Machine Inc.
        Rocky’s Hardware Inc. Moriarty & Primack P.C.
        Tighe & Bond Inc. Proshred Security International Inc.
        United Personnel Robert F. Scott Co. Inc.
        University Products Inc. Savage Sports Corporation
        Valley Communications Systems Inc. Sullivan & Associates Inc.
        W.F. Young Inc. Tech Roofing Service Inc.
        West Springfield Auto Parts Wegrzyn Dental Group
        YMCA of Greater Springfield Whalley Computer Associates Inc.

        YWCA of Western Massachusetts

        Whalley Precision Inc.

        Russ Denver says the Super 60 recognition program has never been about five dozen companies celebrating their individual success in a given year.

        OK, it’s not just about that, said Denver, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, which oversees the program. He noted that some firms — or the accounting firms that nominate them — want to tout their accomplishments and solid growth rates. From a big-picture perspective, the program, now 20 years old and expanded from what used to be called the Fabulous 50, is a celebration of what the 60 firms collectively represent.

        Specifically, they connote strength and diversity, said Denver, and plenty of that will be on display at the annual Super 60 luncheon and Recognition Program on Oct. 23 at Chez Josef in Agawam.

        Virtually every sector of the economy is represented on this year’s list, from manufacturing to service; financial services to health care; technology to education. A quick look at the list shows companies and institutions ranging from Springfield College to the Rocky’s Hardware Chain; from McGill Hose & Coupling Co. to the YWCA of Western Massachusetts.

        “There’s an old saying about there being strength in numbers,” said Denver. “There’s certainly strength in these numbers — from the list of business sectors represented to the totals for revenue to the average growth rates for the winners in that category.”

        That revenue figure exceeds $1 billion again this year, said Teddy Woeppel, communications director for the AGGCS, noting that average revenues for all applicants was $19 million, while for the top 30, they exceeded $32 million. As for growth, the numbers were again solid, especially given the economic conditions, she said, adding that the average for all participants was 25%, while for the winners, it was more than 40%.

        Breaking down the lists further, Woeppel said two companies, Whalley Computer Associates Inc. in Southwick and Savage Sports Corp. in Westfield, qualified in both categories. Meanwhile, 65% of the winners were ACCGS members, with 22 belonging to the Springfield Chamber, nine to the West of the River Chamber, and eight to the East of the River 5 Town Chamber.

        The top three finishers in the ‘Total Revenue’ category were Whalley Computer Associates, Savage Sports, and Springfield College. On the ‘Growth’ side of the ledger, the top three finishers were R & R Industries, Western New England College, and Spectrum Analytical. Beginning on page 16, BusinessWest offers brief snapshots of each of the 60 companies on this year’s lists.

        The Oct. 23 luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. It is being sponsored by Health New England, Hampden Bank, Sullivan Hayes & Quinn, Nuvo Bank & Trust Company, and Zasco Productions. The keynote speaker will be author and customer-service expert Dennis Snow, who spent more than 20 years working for the Walt Disney Company in customer service and is now a full-time motivational speaker, trainer, and consultant.

        Sections Supplements
        The Return of the Holiday Get-together
        Peter Rosskothen

        Peter Rosskothen says the key to a good party is to add something unique, a personal touch.

        With economic stability slowly returning to the marketplace, an excellent way for businesses to express that optimism lies in staging an annual holiday party. Banquet facility owners report that, after a down year in 2008, many companies are ready to party again — but while still keeping a keen eye on the bottom line.

        Peter Rosskothen said that he’s a “bit of a radical” when it comes to making a good party.

        Co-owner of the Log Cabin and Delaney House in Holyoke, Rosskothen said that “a good party is one that adds a personal touch to it, something unique. Just saying, ‘I’m going to serve you dinner, bring in a DJ,’ that makes it a nice party, but I don’t think it makes it a special party. Something a little more is required.”

        This season, a little more might have to be budgeted for a little less. Like most businesses, Rosskothen said that the special-event industry took a hit last season, adding that “most people in the industry will tell you that they were very scared last September.”

        The lights dimmed across the nation on the party season last year. Forbes reported that the number of businesses holding holiday parties dropped to a 20-year low last winter, with only 81% of the nation’s businesses partying on. When the economy went into a skid — some saw it as a free fall — the idea of wining and dining employees in the wake of massive layoffs just didn’t feel right.

        The story is different this year. Signs of an economic recovery are tentative, and analysts are presently predicting flat holiday sales, but area event professionals are reporting that confidence is returning to their holiday schedules. And that in itself is cause for some celebration.

        Companies want to thank their employees after a tough year in business, but there is still an eye to that celebration’s spread sheet. “We’re seeing a lot of our repeat customers now asking to do a little less,” said Ralph Santaniello, owner of the Federal in Agawam. “People still want to do something fun and keep it festive,” he added, “but they’re obviously trying to keep the budget low. The trend thus is a bit more for the cocktail parties, hors d’oeuvres, and less for sit-down-type dinners with lots of food and multiple courses.”

        With tight times still a reality, most event professionals said they have been devising creative ways over the past year to keep enthusiasm high. In Springfield, Pazzo head chef Byron White said his goal has been to provide good value for his clientele, but not at the cost of a memorable occasion. “Keep them satiated, keep them happy,” he said, “because we want them to take that experience to heart so that they want to keep coming back.”

        ’Tis the season for holiday parties. In this issue of BusinessWest, we take our annual look at the holiday event market, what venues are doing to keep the party rolling, and how the season’s tidings can spread beyond one night to remember.

        Make It Special, Make It Different

        When it comes to talking about all things party-related, Rosskothen is the perfect man for the job.

        On a tour of the picture-perfect Log Cabin property, he brimmed with ideas as he walked from room to room. “What makes a party unique?” he asked, before answering his own question. “Something personal about your co-workers, or your employees. Something personal about the business, or about your results from the past year. Something that will become memorable. Something where the client says, ‘wow, we want to come back here next year.’ Those are the touches that make a party great.”

        He pointed to a brochure advertising a promotion which joins his two properties with an off-site catering wing called Log Rolling. Rosskothen has organized a variety of holiday event options designed to appeal to a wide array of tastes. From formal dinners at the historic Delaney House to holiday-themed events with kids, to meals at one’s own location, the idea was to create packaged possibilities which he calls “products,” all with attractive price points.

        “We try to come up with things that are unique and yet still come under budget for our clients,” he explained. “Come to comedy night, for instance. It’s not something that you normally would think of for holiday parties, but you don’t always have to go dancing or do elaborate sit-down dinners. This is bringing in differing ingredients, as it were, coming up with creative solutions for people to stretch their dollars and make it something different.

        “Over the last two years, we have broken out of the element of just offering the basics,” he continued. “We want to be known as a group that can do those basics, but we want to offer you a bit more. Games, dancing, trivia, we have products for that. We’re giving you the idea, then you, the customer, can say that this fits me by the nature of this product, and it fits me by price, also.”

        The competition for holiday events is keen, and while most people agree that the market has not reached saturation point yet, everyone strives to offer that “bit more.”

        “What we do at the Federal is to cater to each individual customer’s tastes and budget, because the perfect party is different for everyone,” said Santaniello. Meeting with the client and finding what ideas they might have are the launching pad for his team to create the perfect event. Last year a customer wanted to do something with an Italian theme, and the Federal created a Tuscan Christmas party.

        While people are ready to celebrate, expectations are kept in check with an eye toward a tough year, he said, and that means fewer tabled affairs on tap. But that suits him fine. “One of our signatures is passed hors d’oeuvres,” he said, giving high praise to his partner and chef, Michael Presnal, for his vision and creativity.

        “He’ll do things you might not expect, or present them in ways you might not normally see them,” he explained. “We’re known for passing hors d’oeuvres on spoons, with different flavors and textures. Grilled, breaded shrimp with a gazpacho shooter, served in a shot glass. It’s a different take on the traditional shrimp cocktail.”

        Even in a tough year, Chez Josef in Agawam offers flexibility for companies of all sizes that want to have parties. As in past years, groups of eight or more are welcome to participate in the facility’s group company holiday parties, which allow multiple organizations to celebrate with music and dancing, circulating hors d’oeuvres, and a multi-course dinner — to enjoy the trappings of a big event, in other words, while cutting down on planning time.

        “Groups of 10 to 20 can enjoy a big party atmosphere, where it would be unaffordable for them to do that on their own. Those remain very popular and are a great value for the guests,” said Linda Skole, president of Chez Josef. She noted that sit-down dinners remain the most popular style of company party at her facility, and businesses are not cutting back on frills — but the bookings this year are smaller than in the past.

        “Groups are still having holiday parties, and they’re not scaling back, but the counts may be a little bit lower due to economic conditions,” she told BusinessWest, adding that parties remain an important way for companies to motivate and reward employees. “Things are a little soft as everyone’s feeling the pinch, but we’re looking forward to a stronger next year.”

        Coming Back for More

        Growing up in a family of 12, Byron White knows a thing or two about hosting large groups of people.

        In the fourth year of holiday events at Pazzo, his popular restaurant connected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, he said that this year, prices and value play an important role in creating some of the finest Italian food in the region. Winner of numerous accolades for his culinary skills, including a prestigious nomination from the James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Chef of the Year, White said he strives to make a holiday event that will remind people that good food at good prices is available to them all year long.

        “When we book our holiday functions, whether it be for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or beyond,” he said, “we are always looking to have ways to attract them not only for those events, but for all the other times of the year beyond that. Something where people will say, ‘I want to eat here again, I want to bring my family,’ whether it be for another event or simply lunch.”

        So far, those holiday bookings are coming in fast. Like Rosskothen and Santaniello, White noted that, despite the downturn, dates are filling up, and business projections are good for the holidays.

        White says his goal for the season, what he calls “synergy” — that which makes an event truly special — is a relationship with his clientele. From his open kitchen, he likes to see first-hand the role his food plays for what he calls his “extended family.”

        “This open kitchen is not just so that people can see what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s also that we can see out there, and get that instant gratification of seeing people enjoying what we’ve made.

        “Pazzo is the place where they can have a relationship with the owner, with the chef, the staff,” he continued. “To be a successful place, it’s got to have good ambience, good energy, a soul that will make you feel like this is above and beyond as an experience. The holidays are a good time of year for people to be reminded of the larger community they’re in, but we want to remind them of those other times of the year when that doesn’t change for us.”

        White said that every night of the week, the restaurant offers some form of promotion, from half-priced appetizers on up to half-priced entrées. He’s heard that people want value for the holiday season and beyond, and he wants to show how much he wants the restaurant to be an intrinsic part of the community.

        The Show Must Go On

        The holidays are a time for people to join in celebration, and this year the reasons for holding a party might be more important than ever. In Rosskothen’s opinion, a company celebration transcends mere food and drink. “I think it’s a great way to motivate the people who work with you, especially during tough times,” he said, echoing Skole’s similar notion.

        “Throwing a party during the holiday is as important as advertising in this economy,” he continued. “Morale is something that cannot be played with. Holiday parties are a great way to say, ‘we’re here, we made it, and we did it because we have a great team.’”

        This year, the life of the party is the very company that made it through the recession intact. And that’s certainly something to celebrate.

        Departments

        Concert at Bay Path

        Oct. 22: Pianist Wendy Chen and cellist Andrés Díaz will present an evening of music to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Bay Path College’s One-Day-A-Week Saturday program and celebrate the women who have transformed their lives through education in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The event, slated to begin at 8 p.m., is part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. Attendance to the concert is free, however, attendees will be welcome to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund for Bay Path’s One-Day-A-Week Saturday students. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

        Ghost Hunter Lecture

        Oct. 23: Ghost hunter John Zaffis will present a lecture on his more than 30 years of experience studying and investigating the paranormal at 8 p.m. at Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The free event is part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. At press time, the lecture location was undetermined. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu

        ‘Restoring Prosperity’ Talk

        Oct. 26: HAPHousing in Springfield will sponsor a half-day conference titled “Restoring Prosperity: Housing’s Role in a Western Massachusetts Economic Recovery” from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton St., Holyoke. Congressman John Olver will present the opening remarks, and the keynote speaker will be Bruce Katz of the Brookings Institution. Given the critical role housing played in the current recession, this informative conference will examine the housing market’s vital importance in the economic recovery and revitalization of the Pioneer Valley. For more information, call (413) 233-1727 or visit www.haphousing.org.

        Valuing Your Employees Lecture

        Oct. 28: Learn how to find, hire, and retain workers during a lecture titled “Maximizing Your Most Valuable Business Asset: Employees” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is sponsoring the training program, which will be led by Angela Lussier of 365 Degrees Consulting, and Steve Cosenke, canvass manager, Yellowbook, and founder, Border Busters. The fee is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712, or visit www.msbdc.org.

        Nazi Propaganda Discussion

        Oct. 28: Ann Millin, Ph.D., special assistant to the director of leadership programs and historian in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s National Institute for Holocaust Education, will present a free lecture titled “State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” at 7 p.m. in Breck Suite, Wright Hall, Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The museum’s new exhibition, State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, reveals how over two decades Nazi leaders showed the world new ways of using this weapon. Millin’s presentation will examine how the Nazis employed propaganda to acquire power and create a climate of hatred, suspicion, and indifference. The event is part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

        ‘Women and American Politics’ Discussion

        Oct. 29: Robin Leeds, senior political strategist, organizer, and advocate with more than 30 years of work in the government, labor, business, and nonprofit sectors, will lead a discussion titled “Where Are We Now? Women and American Politics” at 5 p.m. at the Five College Women’s Research Center, 83 College St., South Hadley. As the Obama Administration pushes for women’s rights internationally under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Leeds will assess the situation for women in the U.S. and present her assessment of the current administration’s actions. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 538-2275 or visit www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/fcwsrc.

        Dance and Brunch

        Nov. 1: The Over the Top Ballroom Dance Project, hosted by Bay Path College in Longmeadow, will host a South American Dance and Brunch beginning at 11 a.m. in the Blake Dining Commons, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The event is part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. Brunch begins at 11, with the dance performance and lessons starting at noon. Tickets for the brunch cost $6.50 each for adults and children. The performance and lessons are free and open to the public. Brunch reservations are required before Oct. 27. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu.

        A New Economics of Peace
        Nov. 2: Mary Ellen Cohane, Five College Women’s Studies Research Associate from the Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts, will give a talk titled “Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Economics of Peace” at 3:30 p.m. at the Five College Women’s Studies Research Center, 83 College St., South Hadley. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 538-2275 or visit www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/fcwsrc .

        Marketing Strategies Workshop

        Nov. 4: Ravi Kulkarni and Lynn Whitney Turner of Clear Vision Alliance LLC will present a workshop titled “Marketing Strategies for Sustainability & Growth in the World of Constant Disruptions” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. The interactive workshop will focus on factors that are changing one’s business, how to see what is not yet visible, and how to develop marketing strategies for growth and sustainability into the future. The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is sponsoring the event. The cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org.

        WMEF Annual Meeting

        Nov. 5: “A Catalyst for Economic Development” will be the theme of the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund Inc., of Holyoke, from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. at the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton St., Holyoke. Several awards will also be given during the event, including: Micro Enterprise of the Year Award, Small Business of the Year Award, Community Partner of the Year Award, and Local Business Product and Service Displays. For more information on the event, contact Laurie Arruda at (413) 420-0183, ext. 100. RSVP must be made by Oct. 23.

        Employment Law and HR Practices Conference

        Nov. 5: Managing employees and doing business in today’s world is becoming increasingly complex, as employers face economic hard times, legislative and administrative changes to employment law, layoffs, and more. To assist employers and managers, the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) will stage its annual Employment Law and HY Practices Conference, during which it will present practical solutions and valuable information. The event will be conducted at the Holiday Inn in Holyoke from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to register, call the EANE at (877) 662-6444.

        Phantom of the Country Opera

        Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15: The Bay Path College Performing Arts Department will present Phantom of the Country Opera in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. The production promises irreverent wit, painful punning, sly contemporary references, and more than a touch of the absurd. Bay Path College is located at 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. For more information on show times and tickets, call (413) 565-1307 or visit www.baypath.edu.

        ‘Cash Flow Lecture

        Nov. 12: Robb Morton of Boisselle, Morton & Associates, LLP will present a program titled “Cash Flow” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Morton will cover the basics of cash flow, the timing of cash inflows and outflows, how to determine your company’s cash flow, how to improve cash flow, and how cash flow is different from profit. The Mass. Small Business Development Center Network is sponsoring the event. The cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org .

        Book, Print Signing

        Dec. 3: For the past 32 years, Easthampton resident Ruth Sanderson has illustrated 75 books for children of all ages and retold and illustrated many fairytales, including her latest project, Mother Goose and Friends. Sanderson will present a free lecture titled “The Story of a Book” at 7 p.m. in Breck Suite, Wright Hall, at Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, as part of the fall Kaleidoscope Series. Slides and examples of her detailed sketches and paintings from her award-winning books will be shown. For more information, call (413) 565-1066 or visit www.baypath.edu .

        YPS New Year’s Celebration

        Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

        Women’s Professional Development Conference

        April 30, 2010: Bay Path College will host its 15th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (413) 565-1000 or visit www.baypath.edu.  

        Departments

        The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2009.

        AGAWAM

        Dunkin Donuts
        12 Springfield St.
        $50,000 — Interior cosmetic remodel

        Frank Pignatore’s Auto Service Center
        395 Main St.
        $10,000 — Exterior renovations

        AMHERST

        Alpha Tau Gamma Inc.
        118 Sunset Ave.
        $6,000 — Install new bathroom in existing space

        Cumberland Farms Inc.
        33 Belchertown Road
        $89,500 — Interior alterations

        Immanuel Lutheran Church
        867 North Pleasant St.
        $100,000 — Replace roof and skylights

        CHICOPEE

        Main Street Property Management, LLC
        340 McKinstry Ave.
        $9,500 — Create new tenant space

        Westover Metropolitan Airport
        227 Lonczak St.
        $86,500 — Alterations at Hanger II

        EAST LONGMEADOW

        American Legion
        3 Legion Court
        $1,000 — Alterations

        Aspen Dental
        434 North Main St.
        $25,000 — Alterations

        KSK Properties
        382 N. Main St.
        $329,000 — Alteration of office

        GREENFIELD

        Edgar W. Martin
        6 Arch St.
        $28,000 — Replacement of four HVAC units

        Franklin County Dial Self Inc.
        196 Federal St.
        $27,000 — Installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system

        Greenfield Health Camp, Inc.
        Leyden Road
        $2,500 — Installation of a fire alarm system

        HOLYOKE

        Holyoke Health Center
        230-234 Maple St.
        $30,000 — Alterations to pediatric unit, second floor

        Holyoke Mall Company, LP
        50 Holyoke St.
        $245,000 — Remodel existing Deichmann store

        Mitul Coporation
        671 Northampton St.
        $18,500 — Install new roof at hotel

        LUDLOW

        Big Y Trust
        433 Center St.
        $72,500 — Commercial alterations

        NORTHAMPTON

        Village at Hospital Hill II, LLC
        Village Hill Road
        $178,000 — Strip and re-shingle roof

         

        Equity Builders Realty Trust
        225 Nonotuck St.
        $440,000 — Construction of new multi-family housing

        Hampshire Regional Young Men’s Christian Association
        286 Prospect St.
        $2,500 — Construct two-hour fire partition for new electrical service room

        M & S Holdings Limited Partnership
        8 Easthampton Road
        $124,000 — Rebuild 1,996-square-foot building

        Maplewood Shops Inc.
        2 Conz St.
        $6,500 — Replace rear rotted stairs and front porch

        The Brush Works, LLC
        221 Pine St.
        $3,000 — Construct partition walls in studio

        PALMER

        Raymond Roy
        7 Third St.
        $450,000 — Addition to industrial building

        Town of Palmer
        3 Walnut St.
        $15,000 — Expansion of out building

        SOUTH HADLEY

        Beers & Story
        646 Newton St.
        $50,000 — Demolition & Repairs

        The Consortium
        79 Granby Road
        $16,000 — Remodel

        SPRINGFIELD

        Arch Properties, LLC
        144 White St.
        $18,500 — Remodel kitchens

        Beacon Communities, LLC
        401 North Branch Pkwy
        $60,800 — Fire damage repair at Colonial Estates

        Bharat Patel
        668 Liberty St.
        $100,000 — Interior renovations

        Mass Convention Center Authority
        1277 Main St.
        $25,000 — Façade repairs at seven locations

        Mercy Medical Center
        271 Carew St.
        $70,445 — Erection of partitions to create new offices

        WESTFIELD

        Larolo Realty
        100 Servicestar Way
        $26,000 — Re-roof

        Neil Phillips
        45 Washington St.
        $85,000 — Commercial alterations

        Westfield Athenaeum
        6 Elm St.
        $15,000 — Renovations

        WEST SPRINGFIELD

        Pearson Limited Partners
        61 Century Way
        $10,000 — Remodel existing bathrooms

        Departments

        Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
        (413) 787-1555
        www.myonlinechamber.com

        Oct. 14: ACCGS After 5 Table Top Exhibit, hosted by the MassMutual Center in Springfield, 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets: $125 for members, $175 for non-members.

        Oct. 15: West of the River Legislative Breakfast, hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Guest speaker is Dolores Mitchell, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

        Oct. 23: Super 60, hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $45 for members, $65 for non-members.

        Oct. 27: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, hosted by Captain Charles Leonard House, 7:30 to 9 a.m.

        Oct. 28:  Executive Power Networking, hosted by TD Banknorth Conference Center,7:30 to 9 a.m. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

        Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
        www.springfieldyps.com  

        Oct. 15: Third Thursday, hosted by Hofbrauhaus restaurant in West Springfield.

        Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
        www.amherstarea.com

        Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

        Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 594-2101
        www.chicopeechamber.org

        Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Exhibitor tables cost $90; reserve online at www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101. Admission; $5 for members, $10 non-members

        Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 773-5463
        www.franklincc.org

        Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

        Greater Easthampton Chamber Of Commerce
        (413) 527-9414
        www.easthamptonchamber.org

        Oct. 14: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange , hosted by Nini’s Ristorante, 124 Cottage St., Easthampton, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Greater Easthampton Jr. Miss Program. Event will include door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and a cash bar. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.

        Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 534-3376
        www.holycham.com

        Oct. 14: Fall Salute Breakfast, hosted by the Delaney House, Country Club Road, Holyoke, 7:45 a.m. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center. Tickets are $18. Tables reserved for parties of eight.

        Oct. 21: Chamber After Hours, hosted by Holiday Inn, 245 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Yellowbook. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members. 

        Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 584-1900
        www.explorenorthampton.com  

        Oct. 16: Chamber Information Session, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 12 noon to 1 p.m. Considering membership? Come to an information session.

        Northampton Area Young Professionals
        www.thenayp.com

        Oct. 8: October’s Party with a Purpose, hosted by dani. fine photography in the Eastworks building in Easthampton.

        Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 283-2418
        www.qvcc.biz

        Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

        South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 532-6451
        www.shchamber.com

        Oct. 20: Beyond Business, hosted and sponsored by Olde Hadleigh House & Patio, 5 to 7 p.m. No guest speaker. Cost: $5 members, $10 for general public, who are welcome. RSVP at (413) 532 6451 by Oct. 16.

        Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Cost: $5. To reserve a table, call (413) 532-6451.

        Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 283-6425
        www.threeriverschamber.org

        Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

        Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
        (413) 568-1618
        www.westfieldbiz.org

        Oct. 21: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce WestNet After Hours Networking, hosted by East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield, sponsored by Sovereign Bank. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected], or register at www.westfieldbiz.org.

        Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Display tables cost $90 for members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected] , or register at www.westfieldbiz.org.

        Departments

        MassMutual Honored for Benefits to Working Moms

        SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has been named one of the 2009 Working Mother 100 Best Companies, a recognition of its commitment to provide programs and services to help ensure the retention and advancement of working mothers. The Working Mother 100 Best Companies is a 24-year-old research initiative by Working Mother Media that has become one of the most important benchmarks for work-life practices in corporate America. Profiles of the 100 Best Companies are in the October issue of Working Mother magazine and will be available at workingmother.com. Companies were selected based on an extensive application with more than 500 questions on workforce, compensation, child care, flexibility programs, leave policies, and more. For this year’s 100 Best, particular weight was given to benefits, flexibility, and parental leave. According to Working Mother Media, MassMutual and the other companies on the list are leading the way in pioneering programs that support families, with 100% of the companies on the list offering flex time, on-site lactation areas, and telecommuting; and 98% offering job-sharing and wellness programs. Financial programs — including tuition reimbursement, retirement planning, and pre-tax flexible spending accounts for child care — available to employees of the 100 Best are on the rise, a much-needed boost for families in today’s economy, according to Working Mother Media.

        Atlantic Fasteners Receives STAR Award

        WEST SPRINGFIELD — Lockheed Martin-Electronic Systems formally presented the STAR Supplier Award recently to officials at Atlantic Fasteners. The award recognizes high-performing suppliers of electronic systems and Lockheed’s other three business areas. Atlantic Fasteners met the quality, delivery, and other business requirements set and evaluated by Electronic Systems for at least 12 months. Of the Lockheed division’s 4,625 vendors, only 36 received the award, placing Atlantic Fasteners in the top 1% of suppliers. Companies are re-evaluated annually to ensure they remain worthy of keeping the STAR Supplier status. Marc Dionne, military-aerospace division leader at Atlantic Fasteners, noted that the award is an honor and a great motivator for all employees in the aerospace division. Atlantic Fasteners is a worldwide, ISO 9001:2000-certified supplier of commercial and military-aerospace fasteners.

        Foundation Awards $80,000

        WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $79,535 to a variety of initiatives designed to enrich life in communities served by the bank. Several of the awards were directed to education-related endeavors, including a $5,000 grant to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts to fund economic education and financial literacy programs for youngsters in East Longmeadow, Agawam, and Northampton; and $5,000 to the Science, Math and Reading Tutoring (SMART) program offered by the Springfield School Volunteers. Holyoke Community College received $10,000 for its ENLACE program, which promotes the increase of high-school-graduation and college-enrollment rates among Latino students in Holyoke. Also, education services provided by the Gray House Inc. in Springfield for adults living in poverty will benefit from a $7,500 grant. The Foundation awarded $2,000 to Westfield High School for the high school and middle school science fair, and $1,000 to Homework House Inc. for tutoring low-income families in Holyoke. The Foundation also supported efforts underway to improve the physical infrastructure of organizations that deliver vital services in the community. A $10,000 grant was made to American International College for capital improvements to the Schwartz Campus Center and renovation of the school’s athletic stadium and fields. Forum House, Human Resources Unlimited Inc.’s Westfield-based program for adults with mental illness, will use its $5,000 award to install new, energy-efficient windows and lighting. A $15,000 award to support renovations in the Emergency Department of Noble Hospital will be made over the course of two years.

        Bay Path Ranks in Top Tier of Report

        LONGMEADOW — Bay Path College earned the #31 spot among Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. This is the sixth year in a row that Bay Path has been included in the top tier. The exclusive rankings were published in the magazine’s September issue. The annual rankings represent the most comprehensive look at how schools stack up based on a set of 15 indicators, and help consumers evaluate and compare data compiled from more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools. For more information on the magazine’s rankings, visit www.usnews.com/sections/rankings..

        Departments

        The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

        CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

        New Horizon Communication v. Suffield Oxygen Supply
        Allegation: Failure to pay for services rendered: $7,909.78
        Filed: 8/25/09

        Perry Auto Parts v. Kustom Performanz
        Allegation: Non- payment of goods received: $21,898
        Filed: 9/15/09

        GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

        FM Kusmekus Inc. v. American Defenders of Pittsfield Inc.
        Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay for use of services: $7,898.79
        Filed: 8/27/09

        HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

        Cost Recovery Associates Inc. v. Catuogno Court Reporting and Sten-Tel Transcription Inc.
        Allegation: Breach of contract: $169,200
        Filed: 9/01/09

        Lindsay Wieland v. Baystate Medical Center
        Allegation: Negligent administration of an epidural injection: $22,000
        Filed: 8/28/09

        Nancy Drury v. Lowe’s Home Center Inc. and High Tech Laboratories Inc.
        Allegation: Product liability and negligence causing severe and disabling personal injuries: $1,200,000
        Filed: 8/28/09

        Peter Kantos v. Sunnyside Corporation
        Allegation: Oil spill clean up costs: $41,000
        Filed: 8/28/09

        HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

        Albert R. Santopietro v. Robert I. White, M.D. and Pioneer Valley Urology, P.C.
        Allegation: Metastasis of cancer due to negligent failure to diagnose: $226,701.29
        Filed: 9/2/09

        Morse & Erin Bradford v. D.D.P.S.R. Inc. & David Parker
        Allegation: Negligence in construction project: $200,000
        Filed: 8/27/09

        NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

        Carol Ryan v. Northampton Ford Inc.
        Allegation: Breach of Lemon Law and breach of warranty: $22,500
        Filed: 9/2/09

        Marmot Mountain v. Mass Outfitters Inc.
        Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,030.95
        Filed: 9/18/09

        PALMER DISTRICT COURT

        Howlett Lumber, LLC v. Pheasant Hills Estates, LLC and Donald Zucco
        Allegation: Breach of contract and statement on account for supply of materials to defendant in construction project: $20,624.81
        Filed: 9/4/09

        Killingly Building Products Inc. v. Lee Margadonna Plastering and Ann Marie & Charles T. Kuss
        Allegation: Non-payment of materials supplied: $5,194.72
        Filed: 8/21/09

        SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

        Affordable Property Services, LLC v. Boston Billiards Club Inc.
        Allegation: Non-payment of landscaping services rendered: $3,520
        Filed: 9/10/09

        Andree Michelle Petigny v. J.E. Robison Service Company Inc.
        Allegation: Breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices: $9,000
        Filed: 9/11/09

        Gilbert & Sons Insulation Inc. v. The Auction House
        Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $3,400.85
        Filed: 9/11/09

        United Rentals v. JVO Corporation
        Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services for a construction project: $20,612.98
        Filed: 9/08/09

        WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

        Capital One Bank, N.A. v. The Clip Shop
        Allegation: Non-payment of goods and services charged on a credit card: $7,137.92
        Filed: 7/28/09

        Jennifer M. Cook Company v. A.J. Virgilio Construction Inc.
        Allegation: Breach of agreement and non-payment of land clearing services rendered: $13,903.31
        Filed: 8/6/09

        Departments

        The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of September 2009.

        AGAWAM

        APEX Energy Efficiency Consultants Inc.
        157 Cambridge St.
        Jonathan Wollmerhauser

        Norm’s Courier Business
        238 River Road
        Norman Gaboury

        Specialized Reo Services LLC
        229 Pineview Circle
        Sean Walsh

        The Cookieman
        42 Stony Hill Road
        William Faust

        The Pink Elephant LLC
        981 River Road
        Robert G. Webb

        U.S. Energy
        316 Regency Park Dr.
        Todd Joseph Bard

        AMHERST

        A Personal Touch Painting & Landscaping
        10 Gatehouse Road
        Shawn Rivard

        Citadel Studios
        161 Thatcher Way
        Thomas Quinn

        Persona
        236 North Pleasant St.
        Doreen St. John

        Salon Divine
        189 North Pleasant St.
        Kelli Richardson

        CHICOPEE

        GB Cleaning Service
        36 St. James Ave.
        Geraldo Borges

        Oquendo Driving School
        527 Grattan St.
        Jorge Oquendo

        Source Diamonds
        15 Carriage Road
        Christopher Plewa

        EAST LONGMEADOW

        American Martial Arts Academy
        15 Benton Dr.
        Nathan Nadeau

        Carlson Roofing Company
        176 Porter Road
        Robert Carlson Jr.

        Impressions
        43 Maple St.
        Richard Remillard

        Martin Roofing, LLC
        85 Lee St.
        Robert Martin

        Pioneer Valley Painting
        149 Braeburn Road
        Vincent Settembre

        GREENFIELD

        Albee Hearing Services
        489 Bernardston Road
        Lisa Alber

        Alotta Hoopla
        30 Robbins Road
        Shenandoah Sluter

        C.A.B. Transportation
        76 Vernon St.
        Cynthia Aldrich

        House of Lawrence
        20 Mohawk Trail
        Loreen Flockerzie

        Pizza is a Grillin
        18 Princeton Terrace
        Lori Seymour

        The Monkey Tree
        250 Main St.
        Carrie Timberlake

        HADLEY

        Barnes & Noble
        335 Russell St.
        Leonard Riggio

        Ecuador Andino
        206 Russell St.
        Antolin Garay

        Full of Grace Farm
        105 Stockbridge Road
        JoAnne Huff

        HOLYOKE

        Chamberlain Consulting
        50 Holy Family Road
        Susan Chamberlain

        Hartig Associates
        11 Grant St.
        Carl F. Hartig

        Main Street Subway
        636 Main St.
        Taha Kidwai

        Master Heo’s Tae Kwon Do
        225 South St.
        Hoon Heo

        Perennial Solutions
        145 Brown Ave.
        Eric Toensmier

        Pops Café
        191 High St.
        Elysia Pete

        LONGMEADOW

        Balanced Books
        435 Converse St.
        Virginia McCabe

        Comprehensive Consulting
        144 Cooley Dr.
        Joseph Zimakas

        Computer Tech
        153 Inverness Lane
        Zeev Dragon

        Homestead Realty
        149 Homestead Blvd.
        Tzupin Shih

        Ishops
        145 Kenmore Dr.
        Stephanie Neveu

        NORTHAMPTON

        All Cordless
        43 Murphy Ter.
        Francis St. Germain II

        Banana Watercolor
        87 Water St.
        Christopher Gentes

        Manna Yoga & Creative Arts
        58 Belmont Ave.
        Malia C. Werle

        Mill River Films
        8 Nonotuck St.
        O. Stan Freeman

        Village Antiques
        7 Main St.
        Gordon Murphy

        Zoe Designs
        181 Main St.
        Zoe Pappenheimer

        PALMER

        A+Coach
        3205 Main St.
        Abigail Dudda

        AAAA Snow Removal
        120 River St.
        Mark Newhouse

        ESDA, LLC
        2 Wilbraham St.
        Eric Sanderson

        Oakridge Building & Remodeling
        4 Laurel Road
        Justin Kania

        On 3 Photography
        9 Carriage Dr.
        Mary Ellyn Roche

        Outpost Psychotheraphy
        1622 North Main St.
        Michael Ramone Devine

         

        SOUTHWICK

        Environment 1st Pest Management
        174 South Loomis St.
        Brian Morrissey

        Jericho Builders
        6 Hidden Place
        Bernard Berard

        Vintage Finds
        691 College Highway
        MaryBeth Sherbo

        SPRINGFIELD

        KDM Accessories
        1535 Wilbraham Road
        Kridtoffer Manalokon

        Kinder Rides Transportation
        65 Morgan St.
        Deona L. Rivera

        Kostin Ruffkess Themistos
        1 Monarch Place
        Richard Y. Kretz

        Latin Mark
        1655 Main St.
        Rene Romero

        Lids
        1655 Boston Road
        Robert Dennis

        M & MB Express
        164 Jeffrey Road
        Edwin Milton McCray

        Malone-Howard Cleaning Service
        67 Suffolk St.
        Erica Frances Howard

        Metindu
        225 Rosewell St.
        Bryan D. St. Amand

        Navarro Enterprises
        1655 Boston Road
        Alberto Navarro

        New Faith Convenience
        115 Chestnut St.
        Umar F. Bhatti

        NLB Appraisal Services
        36 Sunapee St.
        Christopher Bertelli

        No. 1 Chinese Restaurant
        2946 Main St.
        Yong Kang Lui

        Photo Technique
        30 Montgomery St.
        Marek Tracz

        Precious Commodity Transport
        480 Hancock St.
        Dorothy E. Jacobs

        Project 100 Youth at Home
        29 Anawon St.
        Desilynn Gladden

        R & B Auto Service
        380 Bay St.
        Richard L. Ricketts

        Scope Spot 2
        451 State St.
        Francis K. Okyere

        Smoothie Delight
        1535 Wilbraham Road
        Kristoffer Manalokon

        Stan’s and Fran’s Flooring
        5 Paramount St.
        Michael Burelle

        Stevenson Electric
        53 Wilbraham Road
        Charles Stevenson

        Stunin Records
        1655 Main St.
        Virgen Lopez

        Tony’s Place
        739 Liberty St.
        Hector H. Diaz

        Victor Figueroa Communications
        145 Nassau Dr.
        Victor Figueroa

        Walnut Soda and More
        136 Walnut St.
        Maxwell Phan

        Wilson’s Leather
        1655 Boston Road
        Stacy Kruse

        WESTFIELD

        Cadence Creations
        53 Bristol St.
        Evelyn Dean Casey

        European Headlines
        420 Union St.
        Tatiana Lazareva

        David E. Kingsley Electric
        168 Root Road
        David E. Kingsley

        Edge Restoration
        8 Sunrise Ter.
        John J. Cepiel

        European Fashion
        264 Elm St.
        Sergio Paliy

        Heaven Scent Cleaning
        126 City View Road
        Carisa Beauregard

        Here to There Photography
        3 Logan Ave.
        David Owen Burgess

        Pauline’s
        45 Meadow St.
        Pauline Thomas-Wright

        WEST SPRINGFIELD

        Absolute Clean Sweep
        164 Windsor St.
        Leilah Cortis

        Brothers Covers
        239 Western Ave.
        Kenneth LaBelle

        Carrabba’s Italian Grill
        955 Riverdale St.
        Carrabba’s Ltd.

        Distinctive Works
        31 Lowell St.
        Realm Mercier

        Expo Liquors
        1122 Memorial Ave.
        Dadson Inc.

        Grosso Chiropractic P.C.
        615 Westfield St.
        Cynthia R. Grosso

        Hair By Claire
        1027 Westfield St.
        Claire D. Charland

        Mass Veterinary Cardiology Service
        148 River St.
        Nancy Morris

        Panera Bread
        935 Riverdale St.
        PR Restaurants, LLC

        Photo-A-Gogo
        65 Clyde Ave.
        Nicholas Bissette

        RG Management
        425 Union St.
        Robert H. Guarente

        Salamon Flooring Inc.
        103 Myron St.
        Mitchell Salamon

        TBR Auto Reconditioning
        21 Sumner St.
        Anthony P. Cecchetelli

        Twins II Hairstyling Salon
        1421 Westfield St.
        Lois M. Olearcek

        Unique Landscaping
        10 Sheridan Ave.
        Carlos E. Santiago

        Venetian Bakery
        90 Baldwin St.
        Mark Maniscalchi

        Departments

        The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

        CHICOPEE

        D-N-D Construction Inc., 299 Columbia St., Chicopee, MA 01020. George E. Doup, same. Construction.

        HOLYOKE

        Rogers Fuel Inc, 181 West Franklin St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Roger Harfoush, 288 West Franklin St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Gas mini mart.

        LUDLOW

        NANAMARK TEK INC, 787 East St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Grace E. Queros, same. Asbestos abatement and removal.

        SOUTHAMPTON

        Passion For Snacks Vending Inc., 25 Noreen Dr. Southampton, MA 01073. Teresa L. Harwood, same. Vending services.

        TLC Trucking Inc., 10 Gunn Road, Southampton, MA 01073. Jonathan J. Levin, same. Providing trucking services to businesses and members of the general public.

        SPRINGFIELD

        1700 Main Street Inc., 1694 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Steven C. Stein, 359 Pease Road, East Longmeadow, MA. Theater-function facility-bar-restaurant.

        ARGO Express Inc, 419 Taylor St., Springfield, MA 01105. Vadim Romanchenko, 14 Leyfred Terrace, Springfield, MA 01108. To engage in the business of operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, general freight and other commodities

         

        Ava’s Construction Inc, 59 Fox Hill Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Linda Fieldhouse, same. Construction.

        Blessed Travel Plus Inc., 29 Rush St., Springfield, MA 01109. Diane G Johnson, Same. Transportation services.

        Capture The Moment Studios Inc., 1655 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Danny Rosa, 66 Norman St., Springfield, MA 01104. Photography services and sales.

        SOUTHWICK

        Campari’s Inc, 784 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. Tracy V. Mountain, 35 Woodland Way, Russell, MA 01071. Restaurant.

        WESTFIELD

        Compusultts Inc, 12 Winding Ridge Lane, Westfield, MA 01085. Norman Wroblewski, Same. Database consulting, maintenance and management.

        WEST SPRINGFIELD

        General Contracting Solutions Inc, 61 Forris St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Thomas E. Beaulieu, 50 Labelle St., West Springfield, MA 01089. General contracting and home improvements.

        Lynch Flooring Inc, 115 Frederick St.,West Springfield, MA 01089. Peter Lynch, same. Carpentry and floor installations.

        Departments

        Juliet Locke of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. has earned her professional Traffic Operations Engineer Certification. Locke is a Transportation Engineer in the firm’s Springfield office. The certification demonstrates knowledge, skill, and ability in the specialized application of traffic operations engineering.

        •••••

        Westfield State College recently welcomed three new members of its Board of Trustees. They are:
        • Judge Terry M. Craven of Milford. An associate justice for the Suffolk County Juvenile Court, she is a 1973 graduate from Westfield State with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She also received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the college in 2008 for her service in juvenile justice. She received her juris doctor degree from New England School of Law in 1987. She is known as an expert in juvenile and family law. Besides being founding director and co-clerk of the Juvenile Bar Assoc., she has served on its board of directors for more than a decade. She designed and implemented the first diversion program for female offenders at Boston Juvenile Court. Other honors she has received include citations from both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate for her work with delinquent children and their families, and she was the 2006 recipient of the Juvenile Bar Association’s Judge Leo Lydon Award.
        • Christel Ford Berry of Hartford, who has been the head of Ford Berry Associates in Hartford for more than 25 years as part of her successful career as an attorney and financial planner. She previously was an associate attorney with the Hartford law firms Hebb & Gitlin and Shipman & Goodwin. She has also been active in professional and civic organizations. She is a board member of the Hartford Courant Foundation, treasurer and board member of Connecticut Landmarks, and a member of the Hartford Assoc. for Women Attorneys. She is also on the Board of Trustees of Friends of Elizabeth Park, a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum, and an incorporator of the Hartford Seminary in Hartford and the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. She has a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and a juris doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
        • Berry Meersman, a sophomore at Westfield State majoring in History and Secondary Education. A 2008 graduate of Shepherd Hill Regional High School, he became active in college life as a freshman, being selected as all-college representative for the Student Government Assoc. He was elected by the student body last spring to represent them on the Board of Trustees. “I hope I will be a good voice on the board for the students and hope to bring the student voice to any decision that has to be made for the school,” he said. Meersman praised his high-school history teachers for inspiring him to study history in college, and said he is happy with his decision to come to Westfield State.

        •••••

        Dr. Gargi Kundu has joined Hampden County Physician Associates’ new Springfield office at 300 Stafford St. on the Mercy Medical Center campus. She will establish her primary care practice in internal medicine. Kundu earned her medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India, and completed her internship in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pa., and her fellowship in hematology and oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

        •••••

        Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas in Springfield announced the following:
        • Mary Jo Kennedy will serve as a Regional Delegate in the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. House of Delegates for the next year, representing Hampden County; and
        • Attorney David R. Roulston will serve as a Regional Delegate in the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. House of Delegates for the next year, representing Franklin, Hampshire, and Berkshire counties.

        •••••

        The National Priorities Project of Northampton has hired Christopher Hellman as its Director of Research.

        •••••

        Richard S. Keating has been named Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the Centers for Internationalization and Academic Initiatives at Western New England College in Springfield. In his new position, Keating will improve the ability of WNEC to anticipate and respond quickly to emerging opportunities, particularly in the areas of developing undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as non-credit and certificate programs, and the international recruitment of students.

        •••••

        Dr. Lanceford M. Chong has joined the staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Chong received his medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco Board of Medicine. He joins the cancer care-radiation oncology program as a Radiation Oncologist.

        •••••

        Michael J. Akey has joined Berkshire Bank as a Mortgage Loan Originator in the Pioneer Valley. He will concentrate his efforts on home loans in Franklin and Hampshire counties from his office at MassOne Insurance Agency, a Berkshire Bank affiliate, 117 Main St., Greenfield.

        •••••

        Samuel Johansson has joined the firm of Aaron Smith, P.C., public accountants, in East Longmeadow. He is a recent graduate of Western New England College in Springfield with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He worked as an intern with Aaron Smith in the spring.

        •••••

        Jim Kervick, an employee of United Personnel, was recently awarded the Massachusetts Staffing Assoc. Employee of the Year Award for 2009. The prestigious honor, awarded to one staffing employee in the state of Massachusetts, is given to an employee who exemplifies the five main reasons to consider temporary staffing as an employment option: jobs, flexibility, bridge, choice, and training. Kervick was selected as the winner over 14 other finalists from across the state. In his role as an on-site manager at two of United’s larger-volume clients, Kervick is responsible for the day-to-day communication with the on-site temporary staff and for assuring that United’s (and the client’s) performance standards, policies, and procedures are being met. United Personnel has offices in Springfield and Easthampton.

        •••••

        Emma R. Dias has been hired at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton as an Interpreter to provide on-site services for non-English-speaking patients.

        •••••

        Attorney Lori Rittman Clark has been named to the SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center Board of Directors. The arts facility is a 5,000-seat outdoor performing center in Windsor, Conn. Clark is a Partner in the Hartford office of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, where her practice is in the area of employment law.

        •••••

        Ellen Hatzakis has been named Chief Operating Officer for HAP Housing in Springfield. She has been with HAP Housing for 30 years, most recently as Associate Executive Director for Finance and Administration. She started her career as a Housing Counselor.

        •••••

        Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., of Springfield announced that the following attorneys had been named to the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers:
        • Stephen A. Shatz, specializing in banking law, corporate law, and real estate law;
        • Timothy P. Mulhern, specializing in corporate law and tax law;
        • Steven Weiss, specializing in bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law;
        • Ann I. Weber, specializing in elder law; and
        • Carol Cioe Klyman, specializing in elder law.

        •••••

        Gordon G. Dinsmore Jr. has been appointed President of Berkshire Life Insurance Co. in Pittsfield. He will be responsible for managing the risk and product portfolio for the two product lines Berkshire issues on behalf of the Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America — disability insurance and long-term care insurance. Berkshire Life Insurance Co. is a wholly owned stock subsidiary of the Guardian Life Insurance Co. of New York.

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        Attorney Franklin L. Baxley has joined the Springfield law firm Robinson Donovan. Baxley specializes in employment law counseling and litigation.

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        Drs. Richard Moser, Frederik Pennings, and Julie Pilitsis have joined the medical staff at Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Palmer. The three board-certified Neurosurgeons are from the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. The physicians conduct neurosurgical evaluations for pediatric and adult patients with spinal disorders, cerebrovascular disease, movement disorders, brain tumors, and other disorders of the spine and brain. Moser earned his medical degree from Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at the University of Minnesota. Pennings is a graduate of the University of Leyden Medical School in the Netherlands, and completed his surgical residency at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam. Pilitsis earned her medical degree from Albany Medical School and completed her surgical residency from Wayne State University in Michigan.