Month: September 2010
WNEC, Big Y Create Wellness Center
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. and Western New England College School of Pharmacy have partnered to create a faculty pharmacist-run, patient-centered Consultation and Wellness Center at 300 Cooley St. The facility is one of the largest pharmacy consultation and wellness centers in the region and the first to be located in a supermarket. Patients are able to make an appointment with a pharmacist who will work with the individual and their physician to optimize their care. A grand-opening ceremony was staged Sept. 10. Services offered include education and training programs, blood-glucose evaluations, individualized patient care plans, and medication review. The creators of the center note that the services are needed now more than ever given the aging population and the increasing strain on the state’s health care system. Kam Capoccia, clinical associate professor at the School of Pharmacy, will supervise the center. Capoccia notes that collaborative practice models in other states have already demonstrated the ability to improve the health of their patients and save the health care system millions of dollars. Capoccia added that among the goals of the center’s creators are to decrease visits to the emergency room and the number of hospital readmissions by collaborating with physicians on patient care. For more information on the center, call (413) 782-4606 or (413) 796-2000.
Comcast Donates Supplies to Springfield Students
SPRINGFIELD — Comcast recently donated more than 500 backpacks stuffed with classroom essentials to city students from the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Afterschool Program, in partnership with Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving children in need the basic essentials they need to be ready to learn. Comcast and Cradles to Crayons also presented the site with a playground bag filled with essentials including bats, balls, and Frisbees.
NewAlliance, First Niagara Create Top-25 U.S. Bank
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The boards of directors of First Niagara Financial Group Inc. and New Haven, Conn.-based NewAlliance Bancshares Inc. recently announced that the companies entered into a merger agreement, valued on a fixed exchange ratio of 1.10 shares of First Niagara stock for each NewAlliance share. The merger of NewAlliance into First Niagara will be a cash-and-stock transaction creating a top-25 U.S. bank, by assets. The combined bank will have more than $29 billion in assets, including more than $14 billion in loans, as well as $18 billion in deposits. NewAlliance’s 88 branches serve eight counties from Greenwich, Conn., to Springfield. Currently, First Niagara serves communities across Upstate New York, Western Penn. including Pittsburgh, and Eastern Penn. from the Philadelphia suburbs to Allentown. NewAlliance’s Church Street headquarters in New Haven, Conn., is slated to become First Niagara’s New England Regional Market Center.
Law Firm Receives Award
SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., has been selected for the 2010 Best of Worcester Award in the local business category by the U.S. Commerce Assoc. (USCA). The firm has offices in Springfield, Worcester, and Meriden, Conn. The USCA Best of Local Business award program recognizes local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. Winners are determined based on both the information gathered internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
MMWEC Upgrades Energy Conservation Web Site
LUDLOW — The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) recently introduced a redesigned Web site for its Home Energy Loss Prevention Services (HELPS) program. HELPS provides energy education, home-energy audits, assistance with home-energy improvements, and ENERGY STAR appliance rebates to municipal utility customers. In addition, HELPS provides customers with a gauge of their home’s solar energy potential as a standard part of every audit, with turnkey services for solar-system installation available through the program. HELPS is the residential component of MMWEC’s energy-conservation and efficiency services, which also include programs for commercial, industrial, and institutional customer classes. The redesigned Web site is located at www.munihelps.org.
MassMutual: Plan Participants Stable
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has released data for the quarter ended June 30 indicating that participants in retirement plans administered by MassMutual showed no signs of panic despite the decline in the S&P 500 index, with 96% of participants either maintaining or increasing their savings rates. This behavior helps explain why, despite the stock market’s sharp decline for the second quarter with the S&P 500 index losing 11.4%, MassMutual’s average participant account balance declined by only 3.26%, beating the S&P 500 index by 8.14%, according to E. Heather Smiley, chief marketing officer for MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division. Smiley noted that the “substantially better” performance for participant accounts is primarily attributable to the benefits of continued ongoing deposits by participants and an increased percentage of assets allocated to stable value and bond investments. Male participants fared slightly better than females for the quarter (–2.7% compared to –5.5%) primarily as a result of the impact of higher average deferral rates. The percentage of participant assets in equity investments declined from 41.1% to 38.4% during the quarter, with stable value increasing from 26.3% to 28.4%, and investment in bonds increasing from 7.6% to 8.6%. The percentage in asset-allocation investments (target date and target risk) was relatively unchanged. MassMutual’s data covers approximately 1 million participants across more than 6,000 plans.
TD Charitable Foundation Boosts Museum Programs
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums recently received a $10,000 grant from TD Bank through the TD Charitable Foundation for its Weekend Family Fun series of educational programs. Family programs highlight holidays, special exhibitions, cultures from around the world, and topics including dinosaurs and Dr. Seuss. Each program includes a performance, hands-on demonstrations, science activities, and craft workshops. TD Bank, through its foundation, provides financial assistance for a variety of cultural and community events. Holly Smith-Bové, president of the Springfield Museums, noted that, without support from TD Bank, these popular programs would not be possible.
Bolduc’s Apparel Under New Ownership
AGAWAM — Bolduc’s Apparel, a sports and custom-apparel company, was purchased in August by the firm’s former vice president and general manager, Todd M. Adelson of Longmeadow. The firm specializes in custom business, corporate, and leisure apparel, as well as school-spirit wear and promotional products. Bolduc’s employs more than 20 full-time employees, many of whom have been with the company for 15 or more years. Adelson noted that he is looking forward to continuing the firm’s steady growth through daily attention to customer satisfaction and the quality of the locally produced custom products.
Firm Acquires ADNET Technologies Inc.
SPRINGFIELD — Kostin, Ruffkess and Co., LLC recently acquired ADNET Technologies Inc. of Farmington, Conn., according to Richard V. Kretz, managing member of the local firm. ADNET is an information-technology firm that specializes in developing and implementing IT solutions for its clients, with measurable returns on investment. With the addition of the new members from ADNET, Kretz noted that the firm can better serve clients with an expansive set of resources “unlike any other accounting, business-consulting, or information-technology company in the region.” Kostin, Ruffkess and Co. also has Connecticut offices in Farmington and New London.
Friendly’s Adds Another Express Restaurant
WILBRAHAM — Friendly’s Express, a unit of Friendly’s new fast-casual concept, will open in Methuen on Sept. 28. The newest Friendly’s Express, located at the Loop at 90 Pleasant Valley St., will offer a fast, fun way for people on-the-go to get the food they crave. The short service time will make Friendly’s Express perfect for quick office lunch breaks, and easy for moms running errands with their children. While guests will place orders at the counter, food will be delivered to each guest’s table. When guests are ready for ice cream, they can place a numbered tag on the edge of their table, and a food runner will bring them their desserts. The 2,338-square-foot restaurant seats 60 and includes additional seating on the patio for seasonal outdoor dining. The Friendly’s Express design incorporates the signature Friendly’s red elements throughout, along with bright tiles and custom pop-art of Friendly’s ice-cream creations. The restaurant features a limited menu of Friendly’s favorites, including SuperMelt sandwiches, Friendly’s Big Beef burgers, salads, Fribbles, kids’ meals, and, of course, ice cream desserts.
Six Vie for Project Manager Services for Union Station
SPRINGFIELD — The City of Springfield recently received six responses to the Springfield Redevelopment Authority’s (SRA) request for owners project manager (OPM) services for the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center. The services requested also will apply to the transfer of funds from the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority for a portion of the project. The SRA owns Union Station, including the former terminal and adjacent baggage building and the site of the former Hotel Charles, and is retaining the services of an OPM to represent its interests in the design and construction of the proposed transportation center. The firms interested in the project are Arcadis US Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., with a Springfield office; HEERY International Inc. of Burlington; the Louis Berger Group Inc. of Needham; SKANSKA USA Building Inc. of Boston; URS Corp.-New York of Boston; and Western Mass. OPM Services, LLC of Holyoke. Those that meet the minimum qualifications stated in the request will be evaluated and ranked by a review committee designated by the SRA governing board. Top-ranking firms may be interviewed by the committee, which then will submit its list of the top three firms to the governing board. The process is expected to take four weeks. The fee for services will be negotiated between the SRA and the selected firm. Plans call for restoring the main terminal building and using the adjacent site of the former baggage-handling building for construction of a 23-bay bus terminal with a 400-space public parking garage located on the upper levels.
August Retail Sales Up
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $363.7 billion, an increase of 0.4% from the previous month, and 3.6% above August 2009. Total sales for the June through August 2010 period were up 4.7% from the same period a year ago. The June to July 2010 percent change was revised from +0.4% to +0.3%. Retail trade sales were up 0.5% from July 2010, and 3.7% above last year. Non-store retailers’ sales were up 10.5% from August 2009, and gasoline stations were up 9.6% from last year. The Advance Monthly Retail Sales for Retail and Food Services for September is scheduled to be released Oct. 15.
Energy-efficiency Training Courses Set
BOSTON — The Mass. Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) recently announced the second round of weatherization workshops under the MassGREEN Initiative, which provides energy-efficiency workforce training for individuals and contracting firms throughout the state. Four state community colleges will host the program’s course for people with little or no background in weatherization concepts or practices, including entry-level workers and residential construction trades seeking to expand their knowledge and services in energy efficiency. Upcoming local training sessions are planned at Springfield Technical Community College, One Armory Square, from Sept. 30 to Dec. 16; and at Greenfield Community College, Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls, from Sept. 30 to Nov. 20. Successful graduates of the course will be prepared to take the Building Performance Institute Installer exams for air sealing and dense packing, which are up-to-date insulation techniques. For more information on the class schedule, visit the web sites of the local colleges. For more information on MassCEC, visit www.masscec.com
Get on Board! Event Will Connect Individuals with Area Organizations
Ellen Freyman says the Get on Board! event scheduled for Oct. 28 at the Basketball Hall of Fame is all about making matches between area nonprofits and business groups scouting for board members and individuals looking to make contributions to the community.
And she knows that such matches aren’t made in a few minutes or a few hours. Instead, they may take days, weeks, months, or even years to materialize. But the process starts with introductions, questions, and answers, and generating those is what this unique event is all about.
“We want to introduce organizations to people, and people to organizations,” said Freyman, a partner with the Springfield-based firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin and founder of an organization called On Board, which she started in 1996 as a way to bring more diversity to area boards.
Back then, the primary focus was on women and getting them more seats at the table, Freyman told BusinessWest, but it quickly became clear that there were many other groups, including the Latino and African-American communities, that were not well-represented in the board group.
On Board has been working diligently toward achieving greater diversity on area boards, but the Oct. 28 event represents its most ambitious undertaking to date with respect to that mission.
It will make use of what has come to be called the ‘speed-dating’ method of making introductions. Participants will spend a few moments with the representative or representatives of one organization before moving on to another, and, hopefully several more. Freyman said the event has been put together to help both sides of the ‘match’ equation achieve their goals.
Elaborating, she said that all boards want to achieve greater diversity and add enthusiastic talent, but many need help with the process of identifying individuals who want to serve the community and can help their group met its mission. Meanwhile, many individuals who want to serve the community are looking for ways they can effectively give back. Get on Board! will spotlight a wide array of nonprofits and business groups and hopefully spur some people to get involved, or more involved, in matters impacting the region.
And that is the broader, more far-reaching goal of the event, said V. Van Johnson III, an attorney with Denner Pellegrino, LLP and one of Get on Board! organizers. He said that, when boards become more diverse, more groups and individuals have a stake in the future of the Pioneer Valley. Meanwhile, boards that stress greater diversity can more effectively serve the community because those gathered around the table more accurately reflect the community they represent.
At last count, more than two dozen organizations had signed on to participate. They include the Greater Springfield YMCA, the Dunbar Community Center, the Girl Scouts, the Springfield Public Forum, Greater Springfield Senior Services, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank of Western Mass., the United Way, and the Martin Luther King Community Center, among others. Meanwhile, Freyman and other organizers expect more than 150 individuals, including many from area young professional organizations, to attend.
When asked when and how organizers will be able to gauge the success of Get on Board!, Freyman said it may well take several months or even a year for the results to fully manifest themselves. But there will be some indications of success that night, she continued, adding that individuals and organizations alike will have a good feel about whether their specific goals, whatever they may be, can be realized.
Johnson agreed, but quickly noted that success in this case must be measured in ways that go well beyond effective matches.
“We’ll be providing opportunity that wouldn’t otherwise exist for boards to come into contact with people they may never have any other means to come in contact, and that’s a success in and of itself,” he said. “The other piece that’s a success is to get boards thinking about things that they wouldn’t necessarily have to think about if they were entirely homogeneous. I think that’s an important success.”
The event will take place on Center Court from 5 to 8 p.m. For details or to register, call Elizabeth Taras at (413) 687-3144, Brittany Castonguay at (413) 737-1131, or visit www.diversityonboard.org.
— George O’Brien
This New Event Puts Its Participants in Good Company
Mine Your Business
To simplify that process, at least for a few hours, Campiti, associate publisher and advertising director of BusinessWest, working in collaboration with other area business leaders and chamber officials, has put together a unique new event called Mine Your Business. That name is a play on words, but those behind this sales-building program, slated for Nov. 4, are, well, all business.
More to the point, they’re focused on providing a forum in which companies can not only make introductions, but also tell their story to the people they want to tell it to.
“That’s what separates this event from a typical trade show or business networking event,” said Campiti, noting that BusinessWest is presenting the event, to be staged at the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College. “Business owners and sales representatives are always striving to get in front of people who make decisions. At this event, with its unique format, they can get in front of a few dozen and make meaningful connections.
“People do business with those they know, like, and trust,” she added. “This networking event lends itself to building the relationship phase. Without that fundamental part of the equation, knowing your vendor, success is limited, and sales aren’t made or sustained.”
Here’s how Mine Your Business — which takes the main concept from an event called Speed Sales, staged in previous years, to a new, higher plane — will work:
Participating companies will send two representatives to the event — a decision maker and top sales executive. This team will then meet a series of other teams for eight-minute encounters, during which introductions can be made, products and services can be introduced or re-introduced, and possible relationships can be forged.
“Time is the perhaps the most precious commodity that business owners and managers have,” said Campiti. “This program will enable participants to use their time in a highly effective and potentially quite productive way.”
The two-on-two format effectively doubles the value of the experience provided by Speed Sales, an event conceptualized and staged the past two years by the Chicopee and Greater Holyoke chambers of commerce, said Doris Ransford, president of the Holyoke Chamber.
“It’s a very dynamic format, one in which a lot can be accomplished in eight minutes,” she said. “Companies can make a strong pitch in that time and perhaps generate solid leads that can generate sales.”
Gail Sherman, president of the Chicopee Chamber, agreed, and said that Mine Your Business will be an effective vehicle for helping area companies still trying to climb back from the effects of a deep recession that is in many ways still ongoing.
“These are still challenging times, and in this environment, companies need to remain visible,” she said. “But more than that, they need to be diligent and aggressive in the pusuit of new business. This program and its intriguing format allows them to meet all those goals.”
In addition to the two chambers of commerce, Mine Your Business is being sponsored by First American Insurance, Holyoke Community College, the Log Cabin-Delaney House, Marcotte Ford, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. Each sponsor has seen direct business spring from their participation in the past.
For more information or to reserve space, call the Greater Holyoke Chamber at (413) 534-3376, or the Chicopee Chamber at (413) 594-2101.
WestMass at 50: Still a Regional Asset
For some time now, those round-number anniversaries, especially the ones with names involving precious metals or gems, have become appropriate times to pause and reflect on whatever or whomever is celebrating that anniversary.
And so it is with the WestMass Area Development Corp., which marked 50 years of existence this past spring, and is making note of that milestone at ceremonies in October. Most people in the area and its business community would not have guessed that this organization is that old — it has made most of its headlines and impact in the past 25 to 30 years — but that is the reality.
It started in business as the Springfield Area Development Corp., and most of its early projects involved the City of Homes and bringing new economic-development opportunities to a city that hadn’t seen any in some time. The thought process at the time was that a nonprofit organization was needed to promote development by aggregating land, making it ready for building, and then patiently filling the space created with businesses that were appropriate for the community in question and would bring needed jobs and tax revenue.
The thinking was that a nonprofit group would be more willing to take on projects with certain degrees of risk, and that it would be more patient and prudent with regard to how this space was filled. And a half-century later, one could easily argue that those who conceived of this organization were correct in their thinking. The evidence can be found in Springfield, Agawam, East Longmeadow, Westfield, and other communities, where the landscape has literally been changed because of WestMass.
Nothing has come very easily for WestMass, but over the years, its track record has shown that it has indeed taken on some projects that the private development community would have passed on. In so doing, the region has several industrial parks that might otherwise have become large subdivisions or, worse, still be undeveloped, idle land.
WestMass has drawn some criticism over the years for not being more willing to take on difficult brownfield projects, such as the Uniroyal complex in Chicopee; for the painfully slow rate of progress in the Chicopee River Business Park; and for appropriating large tracts of the region’s precious developable land for massive distribution facilities that provide generally low-paying jobs — and not as many of them as they did in years past. Meanwhile, it’s been argued that too much of this region’s time and energy, economic-development wise, has gone toward filling WestMass and Westover Metropolitan Development Corp. industrial parks, when there are many other priorities in area cities and towns.
By and large, however, WestMass, like Westover, has been, and continues to be, a very valuable asset for the region. It is suffering mightily through this recession, as it has the past several, including the recession of the late ’80s, when it was forced to declare bankruptcy, but when the skies clear and the huge inventory of existing manufacturing and distribution space is depleted, WestMass properties will play a key role in attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones that need space to grow.
Looking down the road, we are reminded of something that Allan Blair, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., has said often — that when it comes to economic development, all the easy projects have been done. Everything now is logistically challenging, and the degree of difficulty will only increase over the coming years and decades.
To thrive in such a challenging environment, this region and its economic-development leaders will have to be bold, imaginative, and persistent. These are the qualities that have marked WestMass since the beginning, and we hope they will see the organization through at least another half-century of service.
MassMutual Executive Is an Expert in Many Fields
By GEORGE O’BRIEN
Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC
She admitted that, more than three decades later, they stay toned through regular and rigorous workouts at the gym, but stressed repeatedly that the foundation was laid from what amounts to bench-pressing 50-pound sacks of potatoes and piling them into pickup trucks, among innumerable other chores.
“I don’t do it anymore, but I used to arm-wrestle boys all the time — and beat them,” joked Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC. “We had five kids in our family, four girls, and we [girls] had to do whatever our brother did. That’s how it was. Farming is hard work, and I became really strong.”
But Sarsynski’s years on the farm would provide her with much more than rock-hard muscles. There would be many lessons in life and in business, she explained, noting, for starters, that her mother was the real entrepreneur in the family and transplanted some of her considerable business energy, acumen, and instincts to her children.
“She would think beyond picking squash and selling it wholesale, and about what she could do on a more retail level,” said Sarsynski. “She went around to local restaurants and supermarkets and said, ‘if I cut up that butternut squash and put it into half-pound bags, do you think that would sell?’ And they said, ‘yes.’
“Lo and behold, we became one of the first farms to pre-package vegetables,” she continued. “I only wish my mother had taken out a patent on it, because everyone does it today.”
There were many other lessons from those days peeling, slicing, and packaging that squash — “there were always eight to 12 bushels of it waiting for us when we got home from school” — or picking cucumbers, stripping tobacco, and countless other duties. They covered everything from work ethic to effective time management; from pulling one’s own weight to the necessity for diversification in the fields — and business in general.
“We had about 10 crops that we produced from spring through fall, and that was a very important lesson,” she said, “because I remember one season there was a flood, and the majority of our cucumber crop was destroyed. But because of our efforts on the other kinds of crops, we were able to pull through that summer. So I learned very early on that you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
Sarsynski applies this lesson and countless others from the farm to her work at MassMutual — where she manages, to one degree or another, more than 2,500 workers and 15,000 agents in Asia — and often touches on them during the many speeches she delivers, including the one she gave at a meeting of the Women’s Partnership just a few hours before she talked with BusinessWest.
She said she spoke on the subject of the glass ceiling and the extent to which she believes it still exists — “if it does, it’s much more subtle than when I started in business 30 years ago” — but also touched on matters ranging from work/life balance to the importance of financial planning, to the need for all those hoping to succeed in business to hone their public-speaking skills.
“It’s important because we must communicate well, in written form, and while speaking in front of audiences,” she explained, adding that time in front of a microphone is a key part of any individual’s brand-building work. “It’s imporant to be able to articulate your position in a calm, thoughtful way, and speaking in front of an audience is one very good way to build that skill.”
For this, the latest installment of its Profiles in Business series, BusinessWest talked with Sarsynski about everything from diversity and inclusion in the workplace to her management style — and most all things in between. And she had much to say on all those topics.
Crop Circles
The Sarsynski farm still exists, but almost all of the 70 acres are now leased out to other parties. There is a large garden at the homestead, however, in which Sarsynski will work during some of her many visits home.
It’s been more than 30 years since she’s actually worked on the farm, but she certainly hasn’t forgotten much from those days. Consider these comments when asked about the crop Hadley is perhaps best known for, asparagus, and why it carries a high price at the grocery store.
“It takes about four years before you can actually start producing a crop,” she explained. “It’s also susceptable to various diseases, so some of it may not make it till the time you harvest it. The thing I like most about asparagus, even though I don’t like picking it, is that in optimal conditions, meaning when it’s warm and moist, it can grow a foot a day. So, frequently, not only would we get up early to pick it, before we went to school, but we would have to pick it again when we came home. I didn’t like days like that.”
But while Sarsynski’s parents contually stressed the importance of meeting one’s responsibilities in the field, they were even more focused on their children’s education. The four girls would all go on to attend Smith College, while their brother would graduate from Amherst College.
“My parents did not have college degrees, but from very early on, they stressed the importance of us going to college,” said Sarsynski, who would also earn an MBA from Columbia University. “They wanted the best for us, and they stressed that a good education was the key to real success.”
Sarsynski has put her education from the farm and the classroom to good use at career stops that include stints with several financial-services giants, work as a consultant to the real-estate industry, and even two elected terms as chief executive officer of the town of Suffield, Conn.
She started out as an analyst at Morgan Stanley Realty in New York, and eventually joined Aetna, where she spent 17 years and held a number of senior management positions, overseeing segments of the company’s Investments Division and leading the Corporate Finance Department. She also served as corporate vice president of real-estate investments, and was responsible for the direction and oversight of Aetna’s $15 billion mortgage-loan and owned-real-estate portfolios.
By 1998 though, Aetna was going through some changes organizationally and philosophically, and Sarsysnki was looking for a new challenge. Actually, upon leaving the company, she took on several.
She taught real-estate finance at Columbia for a semester, for example, and, at about the same time, created the Sun Consulting Group, LLC, offering consulting services to the real-estate industry. The firm was responsible for helping Connecticut Innovations Inc. to develop and implement Connecticut’s multi-million-dollar biotechnology lending and construction-development program.
While these endeavors were demanding, they left her with more time for her family — and her community, Suffield. And during one talk with the town’s first selectman (CEO) about economic-development matters, he convinced her to apply for the soon-to-be-vacated position of economic development director for the community, which she was awarded.
She never intended to stay long, and didn’t, but in her short stint did succeed in advancing a number of projects and helping Suffield win substantial state and federal grant money. Within a year in that post, she was ready to return to the private sector, but was instead talked into running for first selectman by the man who was getting ready to leave that position.
She won the seat handily, and settled in for what would be four years of service that she found fun and rewarding, while also providing more lessons that would help her thrive in a corporate setting.
“I loved it because we had an opportunity to effectuate change,” she explained, noting that, among other things, she led the town through 9/11 and its profound impact on public safety and national security. “And I was able to continually hone my leadership skills.
“In many ways, this was more difficult than being in the corporate sector,” she continued, “because you had to have people endorse your vision, and endorse what you were accomplishing. You can be the best mayor or town selectman in the world, but you still have to be involved in the political process of being elected. So you always had to be sure you could communicate your vision and the vision of the community, articulate the positions you were bringing to town meeting in such a way that people embraced and supported them so you could get re-elected.”
Planting Seeds
Sarsynski would take these and other lessons back to the corporate world and, more specifically, Babson Capital Management LLC, a MassMutual subsidiary, where she was responsible for the Portfolio Consulting Group. In 2005, she joined MassMutual as senior vice president and chief administrative officer, responsible for corporate services, human resource management, corporate communications, community relations, and MassMutual’s strategy implementation.
In 2006, she was appointed chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual International LLC, and became responsible for the company’s international insurance operations, including subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Luxemborg, Chile, and China. She assumed added responsibility for the company’s retirement-services business in 2008, and under her leadership, the division achieved its second consecutive year of at least 20% sales growth and its highest annual sales volume in history.
To hit those numbers — and lay the track for more like them — Sarsynski says she’s been applying the many lessons acquired through business school, the farm, elected office, and from those she’s worked for and with over the years.
She said that success for MassMutual or any other company begins with leadership — “it drives the performance of the entire team, and especially the direct reports” — and when asked about her style, she noted, repeatedly, that it is to lead by example.
“I set high standards, and I expect those standards to be met,” she continued. “I think I’m fair and reasonable, yet I really do demand excellence from my direct reports because this is a very competitive industry that we work within, and it’s important that we have exceptional customer service, product development, and execution. People enjoy working in retirement services because we set those high standards, and we’ve been able to achieve them over the past couple of years.”
Sarsynski said her basic philosophy with regard to professional development is to continually reach higher and set new career goals. She encourages those she directs to do the same, and to help them reach their full potential she becomes the supervisor’s equivalent of a chameleon.
“I try to see what will motivate a person to become the best he or she can be,” she explained. “So my management style, and anyone’s management style, should change depending on the audience that you have, the person that you’re dealing with, and creating that unique environment to help them excel, to help them learn, to drive them to perform to the height of their ability.
“So the way I approach my head of marketing might be different than how I approach my head of distribution,” she continued. “In every case, I give them enough rope so that they can manage their organizations, and as they excel, I give them even more rope, because my ultimate goal is to have succession plans in place for all my businesses so that I become obsolete and my successors are extraordinarily well-prepared to continue to produce the kinds of results the organizations wants.”
As she searched her memory bank for an example of how her leadership style, not to mention her farm-honed life lessons, manifest themselves, she mentioned a recent suggestion (more like an edict) that her staff members with long commutes get satellite radio in their cars so they can stay better-attuned to business news and national and international commentary on current events.
“I told them they could hear the thought leaders of the industry talking about where the markets are going and where the global world is going, what Congress is doing, and what the president is doing,” she said, adding that she considers this a better use of their time than listening to rock music or sports talk. “It’s interesting, because they all went out and got it. I believe it’s very important to use time wisely, because we only have 24 hours in a day; you have to prioritize time.”
The Root to Success
During one recent trip to Hadley, Sarsynski actually took a moment to thank her mother for stressing education early on — and also for farm lifestyle and all that it gave her.
“It was a terrific way to grow up,” she said. “I was very close to my entire family, and we learned lessons in management, in commerce, wholesale, and retail. We learned work ethic that you can only learn in an environment where you get up early and go to bed late and your livelihood depends on the produce of the farm.
“It was a very wholesome way; there was no question of whether you were going to roll out of bed at 5:30 to pick asparagus — you just did it,” she continued, adding that, while she is three decades removed from those experiences, that ‘way,’ as she called it, is still very much with her.
“It’s there in terms of work ethic, frugality, focusing on the value of a dollar, asking if we are efficiently producing work at MassMutual, and focusing on the value of the individual and achieving the mission of the team.”
In other words, Sarsynski still has the muscles she earned on the farm, but she has many other ways to show how strong — mentally and physically — she’s become.
George O’Brien can be reached
at [email protected]
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.
AMHERST
The Sub & Pizza of Amherst Inc., 33 East Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. Roula Davila, 10 South Maple St., Enfield, CT 06082. Restaurant.
TMD Inc., 1-3 Pray St., Amherst, MA 01002. Thomas Murphy, 109 Wagon Wheel Dr., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Operation of a pub/restaurant.
EASTHAMPTON
Wingspan Woodworking Inc., One Cottage St., Room 105, Easthampton, MA 01027. Gregory Dillard, 34 North Main St., Belchertown, MA 01027. Woodworking shop.
FEEDING HILLS
U.S. Furniture Warehouse Inc., 15 Amherst Ave., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Lubna Basher, same. Retail furniture sales.
LENOX
Your Color Connection Inc., 36 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA 01240. Ann Lebier, 80 Navin Ave., Lee MA 01238. Printer, manufacturer, production, and assembly of marketing materials.
SOUTHAMPTON
Western Mass Public Health Association Inc., 146 Valley Road, Southampton, MA 01073. Barry Searles, 73 Russellville Road, Southampton, MA 01073. Organization designed to foster public health by providing service to board of health and related agencies whether public or private by public education, publicity and publication, by advice and appropriate action on legislation and governmental affairs.
SPRINGFIELD
Travis Best Foundation Inc., 55 Maple St., #7, Springfield, MA 01105. Jasmine Turner, 2029 Century Park East, Suite 3000, Los Angeles, CA 90067. To improve the lives of children by character training through sports.
Two Bits Inc., 271 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Stephan Vilot Jr, 68 Ridge Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Full-service barber shop.
United Auto Sales Inc., 874 Berkshire Ave., Springfield, MA 01151. Joseph Nigro, 21 Grove St., Southwick, MA 01077. Auto sales.
Universal Windows Direct Inc., 192 Berkshire Ave., Southwick, MA 01077. Sales and installation of windows, siding, and doors as well as other home improvements.
VG Construction Corp., 1159 Westfield St., Apt. B2, West Springfield, MA 01089. Victor Gavriliuc, same. Construction, remodeling, and improvement of personal property and associated services.
Worthington Management Inc., 254 Worthington St., Springfield, MA 01103. Margarita Monsalve, same. Property management.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Western Mass Dental Hygiene Services Inc., 226 Belmont Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Alice Jalal, same. Dental practice.
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.
Ali, Hassan R.
115 Bellevue Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Alicea, Patricia
10 Willow St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Arbuzov, Tamara L.
21 Nassau St., 2nd Floor
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Bargalla, Thomas M.
21 Cottonwood Lane
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Barrus, Alan
Barrus, Norma
1467 Barre Road
Gilbertville, MA 01031
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Beaudoin Group Ltd.
Beaudoin, Lawrence A.
Beaudoin, Julie C.
P.O. Box 1473
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Beaulieu, Michael G.
217 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Bednarzyk, William
29 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/17/10
Berthiaume, Rita C.
95 North Westfield St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Bissonnette, Jon N.
Bissonnette, Tabitha N.
75 Ashgrove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Boudreau, Edmund A.
Boudreau, Coleen A.
316 White Pond Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Britton, Bruce S.
Britton, Jessica A.
913 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Camilleri, Richard P.
P.O. Box 334
Holyoke, MA 01041
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Carr, Tiffany M.
145 Harvard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Chandler, Robert L.
372 Crescent St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Chartier, Julie
59 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Chilson, Phillip E.
P.O.Box 48
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Christopher, Kathryn A.
a/k/a Wilkens, Kathryn A.
P.O.Box 2752
Amherst, MA 01004-2752
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Claffey, Mary R.
20 Cross St. Unit D
Pepperell, MA 01463
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Clapper, Ann M.
7 Grant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/25/10
Claudio, Dorcas
356 Allenpark Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/17/10
Cone, Kate A.
a/k/a Flanagan, Kate
a/k/a Guthrie, Kate
3 Newton St.
P. O. Box 84
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Cotto, Jaime
a/k/a Cortez-Cotto, Jaime
42 Thames St.
Springfield, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/29/10
Coville, Diana M.
100 Stafford Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Coyer, Nicole L.
a/k/a Charette, Nicole L.
52 Howard St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/25/10
Croteau, Linda Y.
30 Higgins Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/31/10
Davis Construction
Davis, Thomas R.
13 Onondaga St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/23/10
DeJesus, Beverly M.
161 Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Dion, Kathy A.
96 St. James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Dixon, Virginia L.
14 Herbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Dominick, Arthur R.
Dominick, Judith
50 Holy Family Road, Apt. 119E
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/31/10
Dubilo, Adam J.
Dubilo, Jennifer
Gamache Dubilo, Jennifer E.
7 East Circle Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/27/10
Dubuc, David A.
7 Spring St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/29/10
Dyer, Samuel R.
P.O. Box 362
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/21/10
Enright, Robert D.
Enright, Elaine F.
45 Burke Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Erickson, Thomas A.
1343 Riverdale St. #56
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Fontaine, Gary E.
43 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
George, Helen S.
1384 Barre Road
Gilbertville, MA 01031
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Gravel, Richard A.
3 North Hampshire St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Grise, Christina A.
391 Main St., Apt. 301
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/17/10
Hall, John J.
Hall, Linda L.
8 Revere Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/25/10
Hall, Noel E.
299 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Hall-Cotto, Jennifer M.
17 Liswell Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/29/10
Harris, Margaret I.
15 Buel St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/17/10
Hebert, Paul D.
Hebert, Angela M.
120 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Hegy, Michael D.
29 Baltimore Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Helenek, James J.
Helenek, April M.
124 State St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Howard, Dawn I
a/k/a Ford, Dawn I
40 Briarwood Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Hyde, William D.
Hyde, Judith A.
235 Main St.
PO Box 267
Gilbertville, MA 01031
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/23/10
Karlik, Gregory M.
Karlik, Heather J.
340 Broadway
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/28/10
Keenan, James M.
Keenan, Nancy E.
6 Hawthorne Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Knowles, Michael T.
226 Pearl St., 2R
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Kuschka, Aaron T.
Carey, Mary Ellen
212 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Laboy, Juan A.
a/k/a Flores, Juan L.
a/k/a Laboy, Juan A
Laboy, Isabel E.
a/k/a Laboy, Sanchez Isabel
36 Greenleaves Dr. #46
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/16/10
LaPerle, Donna D.
a/k/a Melhorn, Donna D.
79 Dana St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Latour, Stephanie A.
a/k/a Pooler, Stephanie A.
50 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/17/10
Laverty, Jason M.
20 Woronoco Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Lawrence, Beverly A.
PO Box 406
Barre, MA 01074
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/23/10
Lewis, George E.
Lewis, Marilyn E
151 West King St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Lopez, Jose J.
Pinto, Julia
a/k/a Pinto-Lopez, Julia
76 Ardmore St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/25/10
Malvezzi, Gina
20 Hampton Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Manfredi, Theresa H.
a/k/a Goodrow, Theresa
332 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/17/10
Martinez, Julia
31 Emily St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
McNierney, Sandra L.
a/k/a Dupuis, Sandra L.
a/k/a Bushey, Sandra
35 Scenic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/23/10
Mendrala, John M.
Mendrala, Donna
603 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Munro, Stephen P.
Munro, Beverly A.
9 Devils Lane
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Must Love Dogs,
Abbruzzese, Cathy A.
338 Mayo Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/20/10
O’Rourke, Shannon L.
83 Bell St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/16/10
Page, Denise M.
30 Higgins Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/31/10
Parks Enterprise
Parks, Doreen M.
7 Chestnut St.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Pate, Susan M.
43 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Peterson, Jean M.
PO Box 1214
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/21/10
Petrizzi, Robert Charles
810 Fairway Ave.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Picard, Kevin E.
Picard, Barbara J.
96 McKinley Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Pilon, Donald
144 Cabot St., Apt. 10
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Profio, Richard A.
507 Sunderland Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Ramos, Sue Ellen
323 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/31/10
Romano, Anthony G.
120 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Roth, Dorothy W.
15C Highland Village
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Santiago, Maritza
102 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Scalise, Joseph P.
32 Charlemont Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/31/10
Schmidt, Mark A.
114 Franklin St
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Schultz, Steven David
1118 St James Ave. G28
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Shattuck, Chester R.
Shattuck, Jean M.
28 Gula Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Sibley, Louis F.
Sibley, Elaine M.
14 Gould Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/25/10
Sierra, Victor Armando
134 Union St. Apt. 49
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Skawski, Thomas P.
Skawski, Kristen M
356 Belmont Ave. Apt. 24
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Skillings, Anne Haskell
84 Cross Brook
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Superior Floor Covering
Wood, Jason P.
2275 Palmer Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Tanguay, Marie A.
172 Colemore St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Threlfall, Robert Jason
28R Fairfield Ave.
Haydenville, MA 01039
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/23/10
Tobin, Kyle E.
Tobin, Shawna E.
a/k/a Diemand, Shawna
247 Ryan Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/18/10
Toczko, Gregory P.
162 Nash Rd
Cummington, MA 01026
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Torres, Adilmar E.
136 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Touponce, Carol E.
44A Russell St.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/30/10
Tramore Chip Shop
Quaglia, Gabriel
Quaglia, Sara K.
13 Harrison Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/20/10
Varady, Kathleen
5 Alice St.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Vardakis, Christopher D.
Vardakis, Karen F.
28 School St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Vega, Wanda L.
69 Longhill St., Apt.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
Walton, Nelson F.
52 Boucher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Warzocha, Robert R.
150 Ashland St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/31/10
Williford, Karen Ann
P.O. Box 103
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/27/10
Witek, Linda J.
27 Meadow Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/24/10
Woolley, Mason K.
18 Main St., Apt. 3C
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/19/10
Wright, Richard T.
Wright, Carol A.
17 Shepard St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/26/10
The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2010.
AGAWAM
Marcell Welton
44 Annable St.
$3,775 — 12’x18’ New England Cape storage building
CHICOPEE
Campanelli Chicopee II, LLC
21 Taxiway Dr.
$1,765,000 — Construct a 31,000-square-foot warehouse
Chicopee Housing Authority
400 Britton St.
$76,000 — Remove old generators and replace with new
GREENFIELD
Gary L. Schaefer
76 School St.
$6,300 — Install new rubber roof
YMCA
451 Main St.
$232,000 — Construction of a spa addition and other renovations
Pushkin, LLC
332 Main St.
$29,000 — Installation of a sprinkler system
United Arc of Franklin & Ham Inc.
111 Summer St.
$2,000 — Install two doors
HADLEY
CBR Realty Corporation
195 Russell St.
$5,000 — Office build out on the second floor
Town of Hadley School Department
131 Russell St.
$11,000 — Replacement of acoustical ceiling tile in cafeteria
HOLYOKE
Holyoke Health Center
230-234 Maple St.
$108,000 — Tenant fit-out of existing space
Holyoke Mall Company, LLP
50 Holyoke St.
$72,000 — Remodel existing Express store
KMART Corporation
2201-2211 Northampton St.
$328,000 — Construction of a new Taco Bell restaurant
O’C Ingleside, LLC
361 Whitney Ave.
$38,000 — Install finishes to existing space
LUDLOW
SMD Properties
90 Center St.
$8,000 — New siding
NORTHAMPTON
Coolidge Northampton, LLC
243 King St.
$9,300 — Construct interior partitions in Suite 239
F. L. Roberts & Company
188 North King St.
$7,500 — New façade
Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine St.
$7,300 — Construct partition wall to create large room
Thornes Marketplace LLC
150 Main St.
$21,000 — Renovate Rao’s Coffee Shop
SOUTH HADLEY
Loomis Community
7 Ivy Lane
$3,500 — Install insulation
SPRINGFIELD
City of Springfield
70 Tapley St.
$96,000 — Renovations on 1st floor
3640 Main St., LLC
3640 Main St.
$188,000 — Office fit up for Valley Medical Associates
3640 Main St., LLC
3640 Main St.
$561,000 — Office fit up for Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
United House of Prayer
339 Wilbraham Road
$141,000 — Replace roofing and general maintenance
WESTFIELD
Mark Armanti
8 Turnpike Industrial Road
$385,000 – Construct new manufacturing building for cold storage
NEHTS
101 Springdale Road
$26,000 — Renovations
Samaritan Inn
7 Free St.
$18,000 — Re-roof
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Houston Enterprise
91 Riverdale St.
$209,000 — Remodel existing KFC restaurant
Oleg Abramettzer
553 Main St.
$5,000 — Renovate existing office space for hair salon
SBA Communications, Inc.
63 Bridge St.
$20,000 — Install three antennas and two communications cabinets
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
n Oct. 1: Hampden/Wilbraham Golf Classic. Hosted by the Country Club of Wilbraham. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Oct. 6: ACCGS October Business@Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Hosted by the Cedars, 419 Island Pond Road, Springfield. Cost: members, $20; non-members, $30. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Oct. 13: ACCGS October After 5, 5 to 7 p.m. ‘Be Your Best Self’ Table Top Expo, the Mind, Body & Spirit Expo. Hosted by MassMutual Center. Cost: members, $10; non-members, $20. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Oct. 23: UMass vs. UNH Bus Trip to Gillette Stadium, 11:00 a.m. bus departure. Cost: ticket to the game, $20; ticket and bus ride, $40; ticket, bus, and food, $50.
n Oct. 29: Super 60 Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hosted by Chez Josef, Agawam. Keynote dpeaker: Steven Little. To register, contact the chamber at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
n Oct. 21: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m. Hosted by the Munich Haus Restaurant, 13 Center St., Chicopee.
n Oct. 23: The Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts ‘Buddy Walk.’ This group provides information about family support, resources, parent training, and social opportunities. Its mission is to discover, encourage, and embrace the potential of all individuals with Down syndrome. Registration for the walk to begin at 10 a.m., with coffee and light refreshments available. Two-mile walk to begin at about 11 a.m., followed by a complimentary lunch and entertainment.
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
Please see chamber’s Web site for news of upcoming events.
Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
n Oct. 4: Checkpoint 2010, 7:30 a.m. Hosted by Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Keynote Speaker: U.S. Sen. Scott Brown. Presented by the Chicopee and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Cost: members, $25; non-members, $30. To reserve tickets, contact the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce at (413) 594-2101 or www.chicopeechamber.org
n Oct. 20: October Salute Breakfast. Hosted by Summit View Banquet & Meeting House, Holyoke. Guest speaker: political consultant Tony Cignoli. To reserve tickets, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or www.chicopeechamber.org
n Oct. 27: After 5 Business Card Swap – Speed Networking, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Limited to 24 people; registration ends on Oct. 25. Cost: members, $25; non-members, $35. To reserve tickets, contact the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or www.chicopeechamber.org
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
Please see chamber’s Web site for news of upcoming events.
Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
n Oct. 1: Casino Night, 7 to 11 p.m., at One Cottage St., Easthampton. Major sponsors: Easthampton Savings Bank and Finck & Perras Insurance Agency. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. See www.easthamptonchamber.org for more information.
n Oct. 13: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m. Co-hosted and co-sponsored by Nashawannuck Gallery and Harry King Rug & Home, 36-40 Cottage St., Easthampton. Hors d’ouevres by Sunshine Bakery, beer and wine, door prizes. Cost: members, $5; non-members, $15.
Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
n Oct. 14: Fall Salute Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., at the Log Cabin, Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center and Comcast. Cost: $18; tables reserved for parties of eight.
n Oct: 20: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by Holyoke Children’s Museum, 444 Dwight St., Holyoke. Sponsored by All Sales Consulting, LLC. Cost: members, $5; non-members, $10 cash.
Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
n Oct. 6: Annual Chamber Open House, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. It’s the don’t-miss chamber event of the year. More than 300 people regularly attend. Food and drink donated by member restaurants. Cost: $10 for members.
Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
n Oct. 14: NAYP Party with a Purpose, 5 to 8 p.m., at KW Home. Cost: members, free; guests, $5.
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
Please see chamber’s Web site for news of upcoming events.
South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
n Oct. 15: Legislative Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott. Sponsored by Western Massachusetts Electric Co.
n Oct. 27: After 5, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by Hickory Ridge Country Club. Sponsorships available.
Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425
n Oct. 4: Chamber Meeting, 7 p.m. Hosted by Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce office, Palmer Technology Park, Springfield St., Palmer.
Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
n Oct 13: WestNet After 5 Networking Octoberfest, 5 to 7 p.m. Hosted by East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield. Cost: members, $10; non-members, 15. Bring plenty of business cards for exchange, and bring a gift to highlight your business. For more information, e-mail [email protected], call (413) 568-1618, or check out www.westfieldbiz.org
n Oct. 16: ‘Bring Back the 80s’ Dance, 7 to 11 p.m. Hosted by Westwood Restaurant and Pub, 94 North Elm St., Westfield. Featuring Orange Crush, the 80s Dance Party Band. Cost: $20. Prizes awarded for most authentic dressers and raffles.
New ‘Green’ Laws May be Considered a Double-edged Sword
Dennis G. Egan
As the green movement continues to grow in both depth and breadth, so too do these laws and regulations.
In May, the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards adopted an amendment to the Massachusetts building code, which has become known as the “Stretch Code.” This allows cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth to adopt stricter energy-savings provisions to their respective residential and commercial building codes. In communities that have adopted the Stretch Code, newly constructed single- and multi-family homes must achieve a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index rating of 60 or less, as certified by a third-party HERS reviewer.
The HERS index is a ratings system introduced by the Residential Energy Services Network in 2006 that is used to calculate a home’s energy efficiency. The index is based on a point scale ranging from 1 to 100. The lower the score, the better. Locally, the Stretch Code has been adopted in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Greenfield, Pittsfield, Palmer, and Easthampton, just to name a few.
As a point of reference, currently a newly constructed home in Massachusetts must achieve a minimum HERS rating of 99 (a rating of 100 represents the American Standard Building.) Consequently, a new single or multi-family home built in a municipality that has adopted the Stretch Code must be almost 40% more energy-efficient than the same home built in a municipality that has not adopted the code. Additionally, major renovations undertaken in cities and towns that have adopted the code must receive a HERS rating of 70 or less. While debate continues regarding the efficacy of the Stretch Code, one thing is certain — the cost of construction and/or major renovation of single- and multi-family homes in Stretch communities has increased, significantly in some cases.
One of the most recognized certifications that can be attained by builders, developers, building owners, and landlords is Leadership in Environment and Energy Design (LEED) standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council, which awards points based on building specifications. LEED certification can be achieved in a number of different areas, including but not limited to existing buildings (operations and maintenance), commercial interiors (leases/tenant improvements), core and shell (design for new core and shell construction), schools (construction of K-12 schools), retail (retail design and construction), and health care (planning, design, and construction for health care facilities).
More important is the fact that these certifications are being recognized and adopted as the benchmark in ever-increasing numbers by federal, state, and local governments. As such, many government entities are requiring that government buildings, new and existing, owned and leased, comply with LEED standards.
In Connecticut, a state law passed in 2006 that requires all new buildings costing more than $5 million dollars and financed with state funds to be constructed and designed in conformance with LEED standards. As a result, contractors who bid on applicable public projects must adhere to the LEED standards.
Likewise, in January of this year, California became the first state to implement a statewide green-building code. Some of the mandates of this new building code are the use of plumbing components designed to reduce water consumption, diversion of construction waste from landfills to recycling centers, and the inspection of mechanical systems and components to ensure that certain efficiency standards are being met. Interestingly, the code allows local municipalities to implement standards that are stricter than the state standards. As a result, a great deal of power will rest with local governments in determining their respective green-building requirements.
More and more companies and government entities are now demanding green lease space. For example, in 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) was enacted, which set forth goals and standards for the reduction of energy use in federal buildings. This includes all buildings in which the federal government leases space. The new standards include the use of energy-efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs and a prohibition against federal agencies leasing space in buildings that do not have an Energy Star rating. Additionally, many companies have enacted sustainability statements that, in addition to other provisions, require that leases entered into by the company contain at least some green language. These mandates, along with a growing and continuing trend toward green building and green initiatives in general, are beginning to force landlords and tenants to rethink lease arrangements in order to meet the goals of both parties.
As you can see, the green movement’s momentum continues, and its reach has grown. As such, you would be wise to understand the related laws and regulations, and the effect they can have on your bottom line, both positive and negative. n
Dennis G. Egan Jr. is an associate with Bacon Wilson, P.C, concentrating in business and corporate law; (413) 781-0560; [email protected]
This New Tool Takes Construction to Another Dimension
Stanley Hunter, project executive of Baystate’s Hospital of the Future.
By GEORGE O’BRIEN
Ed Tobin was talking about the “good old days.”
They weren’t that long ago, he told BusinessWest, and, well, in retrospect, they weren’t that good, at least when compared to the new way of doing business in the construction industry, made possible by something called building information modeling, or BIM for short.
In those old days, builders and architects would have to pore over thousands of two-dimensional drawings to see how a building is supposed to come together, Tobin, general supervisor for Berry Construction, explained. “Now, through BIM, they can use three-dimensional computer models and advanced GPS [global positioning system] to essentially simulate and coordinate a project well before actual work begins. In so doing, they can see potential problems emerging before they happen, saving time, money, and headaches.”
What’s more, various aspects of a construction project can be handled simultaneously, he continued, where before, things were done on much more of a sequential basis, because one subcontractor would have to see how a phase of work was completed before beginning his assignment.
“This is going to change the whole way we do construction — and construction doesn’t change easily,” said Tobin, who spoke to BusinessWest in one of several Berry trailers now parked at Baystate Medical Center for construction of that facility’s $230 million Hospital of the Future.
BIM is playing a huge role in the Baystate undertaking, said Stanley Hunter, ‘project executive for the BMC Hospital of the Future’ (that’s what it says on his business card). He started by saying that the tool takes construction to another dimension, but quickly amended that to note that BIM takes building well beyond 3-D.
Elaborating, he said the key word in the phrase ‘building information modeling’ is the middle one. In addition to providing 3-D models of what buildings and individual components will look like, BIM provides contractors, subcontractors, and architects with more data sharing than they are used to.
Ed Tobin says BIM represents a vast improvement over how projects were coordinated in the “old days.”
“Five, 10, 15 years from now, when our staff has to go back and maintain this building, they can just click on that button and know how to replace something,” he explained. “So BIM goes well beyond the drawing phase.”
While Hunter used words to describe how BIM works, Tom Hill, project engineer for Berry, provided a powerful demonstration that more than backed up the commentary.
He called up a three-dimensional image of the Hospital of the Future, and then used his mouse and a few key strokes to turn it in every direction, so that one could even see the footings underneath the massive structure. Through BIM, he peeled off layers of the building, taking it right down to the structural steel. He took BusinessWest down hallways, inside new operating rooms, and then above the ceiling to show, in great detail, what goes where and how it will all come together.
When asked to quantify how much BIM might save Baystate in this massive project, Hunter said that would be very difficult to do, especially at this stage. But he could qualify it. “As they say in construction and every other business, time is money,” he noted. “And BIM will save us all kinds of time.”
For this issue, BusinessWest takes an indepth look at BIM from the perspective of the Baystate project. Those now working with the tool used various superlatives to describe it, but Tobin might have summed it up best when he said, “this reinvents how everybody works.”
Work in Progress
Both Hunter and Tobin stressed repeatedly that BIM is still very much in its infancy — which is just one of many things to get excited about when it comes to this process.
Indeed, as they looked at the images that Hill put up on the screen and talked about how BIM is changing the face of construction, they allowed themselves to ponder what might happen with this technology over the next decade or two.
“Five or 10 years years ago, GPS couldn’t get you within 100 feet of where you needed to be — it wasn’t applicable,” said Tobin. “Now, it can you within an eighth of an inch. And five years from now … who knows?”
But the present tense is certainly exciting enough, said Tobin, who noted that, while Berry first worked with BIM on a recent project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Hospital of the Future is by far the largest of the company’s projects to make use of the tool.
And he doubts there will be any large-scale projects undertaken without it in the future. That’s because BIM essentially changes the dynamic of a building project.
Hunter agreed, and said, in essence, that BIM will let construction and design teams know if something is buildable, or determine what Hunter called “constructability,” and then it will provide what amounts to high-tech, three-dimensional blueprints to be followed.
Elaborating, he said these blueprints are models of the actual parts and pieces being used to build a building. These models effectively ease the transition from the design phase to the construction phase by greatly improving the communication process between the parties involved.
The many benefits from BIM were generally known when the Hospital of the Future began to take shape on the drawing board, said Hunter, noting that, long before construction commenced in late 2008, Baystate officials had become sold on the technology’s capabilities and wanted to put them to the test.
To make a long story short, they have, and in the process, the Baystate project is providing lessons to both the health care industry and the construction sector about how BIM can be applied to not only large-scale projects, but also those on a much smaller level as well.
“We’re testing the boundaries of what we can do with BIM with this project,” he said, adding that he and others have been giving many demonstrations of how the process works. “There are many people in our industry trying to figure out ways that this can applied, so we’re fortunate to have this large project that we can apply it to.”
Tobin concurred, and before explaining how BIM works and why it is such a vast improvement, he returned to those aforementioned old days, meaning maybe a year ago.
When a project was handed off to a company like Berry, he and those representing the subcontractors would have to look over hundreds, if not thousands, of two-dimensional drawings to determine how floors, walls, and various mechanicals, including electrical systems, plumbing, and ductwork would come together.
“We’d have a series of meetings where we’d actually take a light table and lay these mylar drawings on top of one another and look for conflicts, look for two systems that hit each other and have to be moved,” he said. “It took months and months and months and dozens of these meetings to get the point where you were coordinated.”
BIM takes away all that handwork, he continued, adding that the computer software quickly and efficiently identifies potential hits. “It eliminates a lot of the time and solves potential conflicts.”
Model of Efficiency
To show how BIM accomplishes all this, Hill put his mouse to work.
He showed the Hospital of the Future from a number of angles, and then, after selecting one particular view, showed how the software can strip away layers of the building until only the steel remains.
Later, he focused on one of the operating rooms that will soon take shape and the “very coordinated spaghetti,” as Hunter called it, that represents the various mechanical systems, from plumbing to sprinkler systems, that would be installed in the high-tech ORs.
There is little margin for error when it comes to putting these systems in, Hunter continued, adding that, through the use of BIM, a contractor can greatly simplify and quicken the process known as clash modeling, or identifying where systems may collide and then making adjustments so they don’t.
“By using BIM, you’re essentially building something virtually before you build it in the field,” he explained. “So you can coordinate things so they don’t hit one another once you install them. And since you’re then confident that a system is in the right position, you can prefabricate long runs of that pipe instead of just building it all on site. So that makes the prefabrication process simpler, as well as the installation.
“In the first run-though, when you get everything plugged in, you’ll get hundreds of clashes, and then you sequentially go through them and solve them all,” he continued. “BIM tells them very quickly where the problems are; it takes a process that used to take a month down to a few hours and a few phone calls.”
In those old days, blueprints would simply be redrawn until the conflicts were eliminated, said Tobin, but inevitably, hits would be missed, a unction of human error that BIM eliminates.
“You’ll miss some when you’re hand-drawing things,” he explained. “But the computer doesn’t miss much.”
And because it doesn’t, Hunter and Tobin agree that the Baystate project has been a huge success in demonstrating just how beneficial BIM can be in construction projects of all sizes. Quantifying those benefits is difficult, and it may not be until this project is over before those involved with it can even begin to speculate on how much of a cost savings has been achieved because this process was chosen over traditional methods.
But Hunter believes that several months of time could eventually be taken off the construction process, and, as he said, time is certainly money. Meanwhile, Tobin believes use of BIM could easily take a few percentage points off the cost of a building project.
“As it becomes the standard, and as subcontractors become more comfortable with it, they won’t have to count every light switch; they can just push a button and know that there’s 5,000 light switches in the building,” he explained. “Just think about how much that saves over bringing an estimator out. And their prices go down, too, because they don’t have to spend as much time on coordination.
“There’s a lot of savings in terms of time and money,” he continued, adding that BIM will become even more efficient and cost-effective in the future. “This is what computers were invented to do; now we just have to apply it.”
Building Momentum
As he posed for some pictures on the roof of the parking garage across an entranceway from the construction site, Hunter said the project is on schedule for completion in the fall of 2011, and the facility should be open by early in 2012.
BIM has a lot to do with the pace of construction and scarcity of problems that can often hinder progress with such an undertaking, he continued, indicating that, if Baystate is indeed testing the boundaries of BIM with this project, then its potential may not have boundaries.
So while the name of this project is the Hospital of the Future, it has become a fertile testing ground for the building process of the future, one that, as Tobin said, reinvents how everyone works.
George O’Brien can be reached
at [email protected]
Greenfield Savings Bank Focuses on Economic Development
Rebecca Caplice, president and CEO
Greenfield Savings Bank has been based in the downtown of its namesake community for 141 years. This means the insitution has witnessed a great deal of change in the central business district, and in recent years, most of it hasn’t been for the better.
The area, like many downtowns, has long struggled with vacancies and blighted properties. “Several of the buildings have been vacant for decades,” said Rebecca Caplice, the bank’s president and CEO. “In others, the upper floors were not in use because there were no elevators, or they need upgrades. And there hasn’t been any economic incentive to make the upgrades, because the owners felt they would never get the rents to pay for them.”
So the bank, working with institutions ranging from the Economic Development Council of Western Mass. to Greenfield Community College, spearheaded a unique development model that brought together about six property owners, representing more than a dozen buildings, who are using tax-credit financing, facilitated by GSB, to fund renovations of the vacant sites. “It wouldn’t have been cost-effective to do something like that on their own,” Caplice said.
The project is an ongoing one — scaffolding now covers one building across Main Street, and while some properties have been renovated, others are in flux — but results are already evident; for instance, a string of buildings on nearby Bank Row, all but one of which used to be vacant, are now thriving.
“I don’t know how many meetings we had with this table full of people,” Caplice said, gesturing across a long boardroom table where she spoke with BusinessWest. “Some have money, some don’t. There are different levels of expertise. Nonprofits and for-profit companies. It was exhausting; some days, it felt like herding cats. But when I see things happening, it’s so gratifying.”
That kind of project, said Caplice, is a natural fit for GSB, a bank that has long been involved in the civic and economic health of its communities. Five years ago, the bank launched an initiative called ‘civic action accounts,’ by which GSB donates money to school districts and other organizations based on how often customers use their debit cards.
In some ways, such community support is a reflection of how closely aligned the bank is with Franklin County life, with a 50% market share in savings deposits, as well as its position as the county’s number-one lender. For this issue, BusinessWest sat down with Caplice to talk about the bank’s role in the economic vitality of its region, and how it has succeeded through slow, steady growth and a focus on meeting community needs.
Still Standing
Amid dramatic changes in the financial-services industry that have swept some major names out of the picture, GSB and Greenfield Co-operative Bank are the only two institutions located in Greenfield 20 years ago that are still around today. Other banks have since entered the market, but GSB’s roots still run especially deep.
“We’re still here after 141 years, same name, same place,” said Caplice, who arrived at the bank in 1991 and succeeded Joe Poirier as president and CEO in 2007. “I think we’re the big fish in a small pond, and we continue to have growth.”
The bank has done so partly by differentiating itself with new products, like its trust business, which GSB started to cultivate during the 1990s when other banks with strong trust divisions, particularly Bank of New England and Shawmut Bank, left the Franklin County landscape. It now offers the region’s only in-house trust and investment department — a business most small banks don’t normally delve into.
“The trust business really sets us apart, and having officers who are local is a really unique feature,” Caplice said. “Some larger, more regional banks have trust services, but they don’t have people to deliver them locally. And as the Baby Boomers continue aging, there will be an increased demand for this.”
Joan Cramer, the bank’s vice president and marketing officer, told BusinessWest that offering a full palette of services — from retail checking and savings to commercial lending to investment products — is also critical to its continued growth.
“Our motto is, we want them all,” Cramer said of the constant challenge to add customers and grow market share. She cited efforts like free checking for retail and business customers, which began a few years ago and has proved popular. “That has drawn quite a bit of business to the bank.”
Cramer said GSB has also been boosted by its Employer of Choice designation, saying the bank has drawn a host of talent — some from other banks — who appreciate the culture of service that Greenfield has developed.
“People drawn to service industries are more likely to stay with a company that supports that culture,” Caplice said. “I want to be the best place in America to work.”
All Aboard
As workplaces go, it’s a healthy one, Caplice added. Like other community banks in Western Mass., it has a story to tell of surviving the international banking meltdown of 2008 mainly because it hewed to stricter standards than the large banks that found themselves awash in toxic loans. Or, as she put it, “we didn’t do stupid things.”
As a result, the commercial-lending window is still open to companies that are ready to make new capital investments.
“The idea that credit-worthy borrowers are having difficulty finding a loan — it’s not true here,” she said. “If you’re worthy, we’ll find you a loan.”
She told BusinessWest that people in some regions of the U.S. don’t know what it’s like to have that kind of faith in their local banks. “It’s really unique here,” she explained. “Some people think every area of the country is like us. There are community banks, but not like it is here, with so many banks that don’t lose sight of their local mission. That’s a New England phenomenon.”
Conservative growth is another Yankee hallmark, and GSB has chosen its expansion efforts deliberately. It merged in 1967 with the Crocker Institution for Savings in Turners Falls, making that office its first branch outside of Greenfield, and added another branch in South Deerfield in 1972. More recent additions included branches in Shelburne Falls and Conway, and the opening of what’s called the Amherst Financial Center in 2002 — marking the bank’s first physical presence in Hampshire County.
“We haven’t opened any new branches since, but we’ve done a lot with existing locations,” Caplice said, citing as one example the new building in Turners Falls, which resembles a train station, the former use of its site.
“We wanted to reflect the style of the town, which has many brick buildings, and the architect designed it to look like an old-style train station,” she said. “When a customer said to me, ‘it’s like I’m in a train station!’ I thought, ‘OK, it worked.’”
Other projects include the expansion of the Deerfield branch, doubling its size — “we’ve managed to expand with our growth,” she said — and ongoing renovations at the Greenfield main office, including a new building for drive-up service and a reconfiguring of the parking area to improve flow and landscaping.
Banking on an Idea
But Caplice is more concerned with the economic landscape of Greenfield, which will undoubtedly improve as those upper-floor units in several downtown buildings come to life with office, retail, and living space.
She told BusinessWest she was concerned that the newly available commercial properties would be largely snatched up by business owners already in town, leaving vacancies elsewhere, but she’s been pleased to see most occupied by out-of-towners.
“These are all-new ventures, new to the community. It really has been economic development,” Caplice said. “And I think the model could work in other towns. We’re not the only community facing this problem.”
But by working to develop a solution, Greenfield Savings Bank has set itself apart — as it has for almost a century and a half.
Joseph Bednar can be reached at
[email protected]
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
NES Rental Holdings Inc. v. Alpha & Omega Construction
Allegation: Breach of contract for rental equipment: $2,789.35
Filed: 8/23/10
HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
CIT Technology Financing Services LLC v. Billups World Entertainment Inc.
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $54,598.34
Filed: 7/16/10
Liberty Mutual Insurance A/S/O Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. v. Kennedy, Gustafson, & Cole Inc.
Allegation: Breach of warranty and property damage caused by fire: $1,982,000
Filed: 7/21/10
People’s United Bank v. La Cucina Di Pinocchio Inc.
Allegation: Breach of several promissory notes: $673,140.77
Filed: 8/11/10
Plaza @ Buckland Hills LLC v. Emanuel Rovithis and Demetia Inc.
Allegation: Enforcement of judgment: $274,582.32
Filed: 7/23/10
Pravin Mathur v. Roy’s Towing Co. and John Burdick
Allegation: Negligence in operation of motor vehicle: $1,600,000
Filed: 8/6/10
NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Acadia Insurance Co. v. Bishop Burner Services
Allegation: Balance due for insurance premium: $37,042
Filed: 8/11/10
SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Bradco Supply v. Henderson Roofing Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,174.35
Filed: 7/23/10
Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Brockton Fair
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $11,025.72
Filed: 7/22/10
Consumer Auto Parts v. Fini’s Auto Sales
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,549.60
Filed: 7/22/10
High Priority Associates Inc. v. Ilmondo Pizza
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,298.91
Filed: 7/22/10
Western Massachusetts Electric v. Springfield Bible Institute & Theological Seminary
Allegation: Non-payment of utility services: $10,243.93
Filed: 7/15/10
WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
ServiceMaster Assured Cleaning v. Big Family Adventure
Allegation: Failure to pay for cleaning services and breach of contract: $14,270.78
Filed: 7/26/10
Get the Word Out: This Town Is Open for Business
Granby, Mass.
Emre Evren, who chairs Granby’s Planning Board and Master Plan Committee, said town officials have developed a new master plan that will focus on economic development.
It has been carefully crafted, using data collected from a number of sources. They include a self-assessment, a survey completed by residents of the town, and a list of Granby’s strengths, which were recently outlined in a report compiled by the Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University. The new plan is scheduled to be completed this fall and will be presented to town residents thereafter.
Following one of the master plan’s recommendations, an economic-development committee will be formed, and it will take a proactive approach. “We are eager to send the message out that Granby is a great town for any type of business,” Evren said. “In the past, we haven’t promoted the availability of land and locations that are available and haven’t successfully told people we are open to new business. But the economic-development committee will drive relationships and promote the town to suitable investors.”
Evren cited strengths outlined in the Northeastern report as solid proof that Granby is a town that investors or business owners should consider. An important one is the uniform tax rate. “We were told our average tax rate is lower than most of the communities that participated in Northeastern’s survey. And the average square foot of manufacturing space is much cheaper here than in most other locations in the immediate area,” Evren said. “The report also stated that Granby has great access to a technically skilled and educated labor force. Plus, our housing market is affordable, and our public schools are well-performing, which is a concern for some business owners.”
Granby’s location is also a key to business success. Route 202 passes directly through the town, and the Massachusetts Turnpike and Route 91 are only about seven miles away. “People think we are in a remote location. But we are not,” Evren said. “We believe one advantage we have is that many neighboring residents drive through Granby. We are bordered by South Hadley, Chicopee, Belchertown, Ludlow, and Amherst, and we are only 15 minutes from Amherst Center.”
Cindy Mugnier, left, and Earleen Kenyon, co-owners of the Earlee Mug restaurant/truck stop, say that business owners and residents have been extremely supportive since they purchased the eatery and renamed it a year ago.
Evren said the emerging vision includes a livelier business district, which stretches along Route 202, from the South Hadley town line past the center known as Five Corners. Town officials would like to see more retail shops and restaurants open in that area. “Residents told us they would like to see more places in town where they could shop or eat.”
Food for Thought
Earleen Kenyon and her sister, Cindy Mugnier, have proof that residents will support restaurants. They purchased a truck stop/eatery known as Manny’s Place about a year ago and renamed it the Earlee Mug. Although they had never owned a restaurant before, they have done very well.
“We took a leap of faith when we bought it. But this is a good place to own a business,” Mugnier said. “The community gets behind you, and the town officials are very easy to work with. This is a rural community, and there is a real sense of community here. People have been here for multiple generations.”
The eatery is located between two farms, and both of them have been very helpful, letting Mugnier and Kenyon know when fruits and vegetables are at their peak.
“Pleasantbrook Farm and Feed has gone so far as to help us when we had problems with our cash register and other technology,” said Mugnier. “You get a real sense that everyone is pleased that you are here, that they want you to be successful and will do what they can to help that happen.”
Kenyon agrees. “The townspeople support local businesses,” she said, adding that she and Mugnier benefit from their location, which is directly across from Dufresne Park, which hosts events that range from baseball and soccer games to canine agility and horse shows. “Plus, we are right on Route 202, which is a busy road; everything is just pleasant here.”
Scott Merrill is vice president of Dressell’s Service Station. His family has owned the business since the 1960s, and he says Granby is a small but tightly knit community where people get to know one another.
“It has a nice country feeling and is a nice spot to live in. There is also quite a bit of land available,” he said. “There is room to grow and room to build — plenty of opportunity here. Plus, the taxes are lower than in surrounding communities.”
New Areas of Growth
Granby is home to large expanses of agricultural land and open space, since a portion of the Mount Holyoke Range State Park lies within its borders.
“Part of our endeavor is to keep a lot of open space,” Evren said. “We are trying to balance our agricultural/open space land with other types of economic development. Our premise is that new businesses should be consistent with Granby’s traditional New England town feel and fit in that overall mosaic, because we are a suburban town with a lot of rural characteristics which we don’t want to lose.”
Still, results from the town survey showed that the majority of residents are in favor of commercial and industrial development as long as new businesses don’t pollute the air or water.
To that end, the town is working on a green-communities initiative that could qualify Granby for state grants if it meets a number of requirements, which include designating an area for green-energy research and development or green manufacturing. “This would interest our residents based on our master plan survey results. We would like to see economic development, but it needs to be cognizant of the community’s environmental concerns,” Evren said.
Five Corners, located about a mile from the South Hadley line on Route 202, contains the majority of the town’s businesses. A corridor zoned for business extends several miles down the road, ending about a half-mile before the town common.
“This is the area that will be our primary target for new business,” Evren said. “There is vacant land available in that area.”
Five Corners offers connections to sewer and water hookups, which are not available in all parts of Granby. “But the town may be open to extending those services to new businesses along the corridor,” Evren said. “There is nothing concrete in place, but there has been conversation around it.”
Another area that holds promise for growth is New Ludlow Road. The town is currently working to install a sewer line extension there. “It will require some zoning changes, but there is a lot of possibility in the area,” said Evren, adding, “it could be an ideal location for an industrial or office park or light industrial development.
“The right new business could thrive in this town, because people are receptive and committed to local businesses,” he said. “Granby is a small town in terms of population. But we have a lot of land that would be suitable for businesses. We want people to come and take a look at what we have to offer. We believe they will like what they find here.”
Don’t Put the Brakes on Science, Progress
In light of the latest developments of the on-again, off-again, on-again government funding of human embryonic stem-cell research, it is time to consider the devastating implications of this chaotic funding environment. And to do that, one needs to understand how a modern research lab operates.
A typical lab has 20 to 40 people, led by a senior researcher (the ‘principal investigator’). Most people in a lab are doctoral students or postdoctoral students who are pursuing careers in science.
Labs have many different projects under investigation simultaneously. Most labs have annual budgets of $1 million to $5 million, with most of that money coming from grants from institutions like the National Institutes of Health.
The NIH allocates money to researchers whose proposals are reviewed by a panel of scientists knowledgeable in the field. A typical grant proposal is 25 single-spaced pages and takes months to prepare. The NIH responds in approximately 9 months.
Because the demand for money exceeds the supply, only 20% of the proposals get NIH funding. A researcher receiving his or her first major NIH grant is more than 40 years old, on average.
Lab leaders spend a great deal of their energy recruiting the right people for their lab, nurturing a portfolio of interesting projects, and raising money. Most principal investigators, even the most successful ones in the world, spend at least 25% of their time trying to get money. If they can’t get money, they lay off people and cancel projects.
Now imagine you are a post-doc in a lab and are working on a project to use human embryonic stem cells to cure diabetes by creating new beta cells in the pancreas.
This is difficult work that is high-risk, but high-reward. You have come to grips with the many ethical considerations in working with stem cells derived from embryos that were created during IVF procedures and were destined to be destroyed before the donors agreed they could be used for research. You have begun to get traction in your career, and have been a prominent co-author on several articles in well-respected journals.
When you read the news that your research is now illegal, you are horrified. You are back at square one. Years of research are potentially wasted.
You have no viable research projects underway. It will take well over a year to begin a new research stream, and there is a low probability you will get funded in a new area. You may be fired. In short, your career is in danger of total meltdown.
That is the real cost of our randomized model of research support in the U.S., in which a change in administration or a court ruling can outlaw work that was previously supported by the government. Funding can be canceled with the stroke of a pen.
The projects are less important than the people, particularly people who have invested years in developing their careers and selecting an area on which to focus. People need predictability — not in the research ideas they pursue, but in basic human issues like pay and employment.
It may be possible to restart projects with private funds, but that is by no means certain. Raising philanthropic dollars can be as hard and time-consuming as raising money from the NIH. And these projects will have to be set up with duplicate equipment in geographically separate areas.
Sadly, great people will abandon promising projects. Great people will leave basic research and move to more predictable pastures. And some great young people will decide not to go into research careers at all. The precipitous shift in the legal and regulatory environment for human embryonic stem-cell work will have adverse implications for years to come.
Unpredictability inflicts a heavy cost on scientific progress, whether in domains like stem-cell research or in searching for safe alternative fuels. It damages the country’s competitive position because great projects won’t be completed in the U.S., and, more importantly, great people won’t do the kind of work that is necessary to make progress on our most intractable challenges.
Society pays a high price for randomization of research support — a fact that, sadly, is not recognized by the public, the media, or politicians.
William A. Sahlman is senior associate dean for external relations at Harvard Business School.
A list of available commercial properties
CommRealEstate BW9.10b
The Bottom Line Is That Each Product Serves a Different Need
James Krupienski
There are three different levels of engagements that can be performed by your CPA when reporting on your financial statements: compilations, reviews, and audits. Deciding which you need should be based on an understanding of each level, your needs, and the needs of those with whom you will be sharing these statements. This article will help equip you to make this decision.
Compilations
Compilation engagements are the most basic type to be performed and offer no assurance regarding the overall financial activity being reported on. Your CPA will gather financial records that you provide and will assist in compiling them into a set of financial statements that are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). While your CPA will look for obvious errors and misstatements, no testing of balances or activity will be performed. In order to make the conclusion that there are no obvious errors or misstatements, an understanding of your business and industry are required.
There are two advantages to compilation engagements, as compared to reviews and audits. First, compilation reports are allowed to omit footnote disclosures. This can save time and money, by not including disclosures that are required in standard GAAP reports, but may not be relevant to your needs or the needs of those reading the financials. Second, while your CPA generally must be independent, a compilation does not require that. The benefit of this is that, for small companies, it allows for your CPA to also assist in bookkeeping throughout the year.
These types of engagements are most beneficial for small, privately held businesses, where financials are sometimes required for equipment financing and insurance purposes.
Reviews
Review engagements are the middle level of service and provide limited assurance that the financial statements and related activity are free of error or misstatement. As with a compilation, specific testing of balances and activity are not required.
Through an understanding of your business and industry, your CPA will perform a series of analytical procedures and discuss a number of inquiries with you. These will include, but not be limited to, discussions of activity during the year, development of expectations, trending analysis and the review of various financial and industry-specific ratios. It should be noted that no audit procedures are performed during a review and that review engagements are substantially smaller in scope than an audit.
Reviews are typically best-suited for financial statements that are required by third parties, such as when applying for bank debt. Additionally, they are also common in situations with non-active owners who want greater assurance that there are no financial-statement errors.
Audits
Audit engagements are the highest level of assurance. Accordingly, they can be very expensive, depending on the size of the entity being audited. Audits provide the users with reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of error or misstatement.
In order to complete an audit engagement, your CPA will be required to gain an understanding of your internal control environment, as well as to perform tests over account balances and activity. These tests include, but are not limited to, confirmations, observations, and review of other third-party evidence. Additionally, while audits are not designed to detect all instances of fraud or illegal acts, your CPA must consider these in audit planning.
Audit engagements are performed for many reasons. In some instances, such as not-for-profit entities, publicly traded companies, and certain employee benefit plans, audits are required by various regulations. In other instances, based on the size of the company and the nature of the business, third parties such as banks, insurance companies, or large customers may require an audit report.
Final Considerations
There are a few exceptions to the rules above that everyone should be aware of. First, even though you may engage your CPA to perform a review or compilation engagement, they can be contracted by you to perform special procedures related to certain account balances or activities. This can be particularly helpful to clients who have large inventory or accounts-receivable balances, but do not want to ultimately pay for a full audit.
Additionally, banks and other third parties are oftentimes willing to accept a compilation or review engagement, with additional procedures performed over certain areas. This provides them with added comfort over their areas of exposure, while helping to reduce your overall accounting fees.
Additionally, there are instances where you may be able to report your financial statements on a basis other than GAAP, otherwise known as an other comprehensive basis of accounting (OCBOA). The most common form of OCBOA financial statements include tax basis, cash basis, or modified accrual basis. There are two key benefits to such reporting. The first is that, depending on how information is displayed in your internal accounting records, such reporting may require fewer adjustments as compared to adjusting to GAAP. Second, there are certain disclosures, such as the consolidation of variable interest entities, which can be avoided by reporting on OCBOA as opposed to GAAP. This can be beneficial, and cost-effective, in cases where there may be two companies under common ownership, as well as in the case of real-estate holding companies.
Overall, the third parties that you deal with tend to have the final decision in directing the level of financial statement that you are required to produce in order to provide for their needs and concerns. However, being knowledgeable about the different options that are available may allow you to discuss with them their needs and concerns with an end result of saving real dollars and a lot of valuable time. Additionally, it will allow you to have a better appreciation for the services that are being performed by your CPA, as well as a better understanding of what you are receiving from them in the end.
Jim Krupienski, CPA, is an audit manager for Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., a certified public accounting firm based in Holyoke. He provides accounting and audit services to for-profit businesses, as well as employee-benefit audit services to for-profit and not-for profit organizations. He is also part of MBK’s Health Care Services Division, providing niche accounting services to medical and dental practices in Western Mass. and Connecticut.
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.
| BELCHERTOWN Kac’s Corp., 67 Russell Ave., Belchertown, MA 01007. Katherine Currier, 67 Dressel Ave., Belchertwon, MA 01007. Travel writing. BRIMFIELD M.K. Fuel Inc., 4 Sturbridge Route 20 and Route 19. Brimfield, MA 01010. Anwar Afrede, 286 Middle Haddam Road, Portland, CT 06480. Gas station and convenience store. CHICOPEE Mick Euclid Corp., 27 Washington St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Michael Methe, same. Transportation services. DEERFIELD S.R. Marketing Services Inc., 81 Old Main St., Deerfield, MA 01342. William Moncrief, 2310 Central Ave., North Wildwood, N.J. 08260. Marketing and promotional services. Organic Change Inc., 368 North St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Josephine Ann Smith, 346 Rowley St., Agawam, MA 01001. Non-profit organization established exclusively for educational purposes. FLORENCE Michael Kayne’s Family Restaurant, LTD, 176 Pine St., Florence, MA 01062. Kerry Ann Avezzie, 32 Berkshire Ave, Southwick, MA 01077. Family restaurant. Ken’s Auto Sales Inc., 921 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Michael Cashman, 36 Indian Ridge Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Auto sales. Pilson Communications Inc., 25-B Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. Neal Pilson, same. Consultation services. NORTHAMPTON Pioneer Ecovalley Inc., 42 Day Ave., Northampton, MA 01060. Danielle McKahn, same. Organization established to promote environmental sustainability in the Pioneer Valley region. | Primary Care Foundation Inc., 378 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060. Joyce Miga, same. Primary health care private practice. SPRINGFIELD Ianello & Brittain, P.C., 55 State St., Suite 201, Springfield, MA 01103. Richard Ianello, 17 Woodside Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Law practice. Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steak House Inc., 1380 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Wai Tin Cheng, same. Restaurant. Project Progress Inc., 137 Barre St., Springfield, MA 01119. Nadhir Abdul-Wadud, same. Non-profit youth mentoring organization. Shephard Security Corp., 191 Chestnut St., Suite 2C, Springfield, MA 01103. Dennis Cote, 55 Dearborn St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Commercial security. Sr. Williams Resource and Development Center Inc., 132 Florence St., Springfield, MA 01105. Steven Williams Sr., 141 Florence St., Springfield, MA 01105. Non-profit organization for the purpose of making distributions to organizations that qualify as tax- exempt organizations. St. Germain Securities Inc., 1500 Main St., Springfield, MA 01115. Michael Matty, same. Broker-dealer transactions. Sun Air Transport Inc., 57 Amherst St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Sergey Poddubchak, same. Transportation services. |
Something’s A foot
Downtown Springfield is quite a bit more colorful these days, thanks to the five-foot sneakers that have been on display since early August and the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The 19 sneakers, created by area artists tasked with capturing what makes Springfield great, will remain in their various locations in downtown and other parts of the city until October, when they will be taken down and auctioned off on Oct. 23, with the proceeds going to a fund to promote additional public art programs in the city. This sampling of the pieces of art includes (clockwise, from bottom right): a sneaker that recognizes the presence of Peter Pan Bus Lines and includes a likeness of its former CEO, Peter C. Picknelly; a colorful sneaker parked in front of the TD Bank Building; a sneaker called ‘Flower Power’; footwear that pays tributes to the city’s many libraries; a sneaker that pays homage to the city’s nickname, the City of Homes; and another that spotlights the Zoo at Forest Park and some of its tenants, past and present.
Why Alternative Dispute Resolution Is Growing in Popularity
Dispute Resolution
A judgment of the court — whether on a divorce settlement, child custody, breach of contract, or ownership of a business — is final. And that can be a frightening thought for parties on both sides of a dispute.
“You’re handing these issues over to a third party who, in the best of circumstances, is going to have a day or two in trial to understand all the aspects of a business that may have been going on for 100 years or a marriage that has gone on for 30 years,” said Carla Newton, an attorney with Robinson Donovan, P.C. in Springfield.
“No matter how studious or attentive or learned the judge may be,” she added, “he doesn’t understand as much as the parties themselves about all the details and nuances of the needs of a child or the management of a business. When you use alternative dispute resolution, you’re making your own determination how the issues are going to be resolved.”
Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, is a growing niche in the legal world that bypasses litigation before a judge and instead encourages parties to work out issues themselves, typically with the help of one or more neutral parties.
“In the past few years, it’s grown tremendously,” said Michael Grilli, an attorney with Springfield-based Bacon Wilson, P.C. “It first gained acceptance because of the potential cost savings, as opposed to having to litigate things in a traditional sense. And it’s a cleaner way to do things, especially with issues involving children. People acknowledge that, although their relationship is broken, they still need to maintain some sort of civility to parent their children together to some extent.”
But Grilli also echoed Newton’s point about the desire for control on both sides of the table.
“When you take things in front of a judge, the judge is going to make a lifetime, life-altering decision for you and your children,” he said. “In alternative dispute resolution, you own the outcome because it’s something you arrive at.”
In this issue, BusinessWest examines the various types of ADR and the benefits they provide to opposing parties who, in many cases, just want to stop fighting and work it out.
Common Goals
Alternative dispute resolution can take several forms. In mediation, a neutral professional guides the discussion, with or without counsel present, and helps the parties reach consensus on all issues. However, they cannot force any resolution; the opposite is true if the parties choose arbitration, in which a mutually agreed-upon third party is authorized to make binding decisions.
Meanwhile, collaborative law involves both parties, their attorneys, and one or more experts in various fields, from finance to behavioral health, in a group effort to reach consensus.
“The attorneys are still advocating for their clients, but also working as a team to resolve the issue in a way that involves the expertise of everyone at the table,” Newton said, adding that this is a particularly beneficial model for dealing with issues of business law. “You have more time to explore all the issues, and there’s a transparency of information that’s crucial. All the information is on the table and shared in a way that people can make thoughtful and meaningful decisions about resources, income, and property distribution.”
Neutral experts weighing in on, say, the value of a business or piece of real estate “reduces the cost of having my expert go up against your expert,” she added. “It doesn’t mean that everyone always agrees on the valuation, but it does provide a more open forum to explore these questions and come to a resolution in terms of how that asset is going to be valued.”
A fourth model of ADR, conciliation, is similar to mediation but focuses on compromise and concessions to reach resolutions with a minimum of rancor. Grilli has been on both sides of ADR cases, as an attorney representing one of the parties, and as a conciliator working for both.
“We can’t force the outcome on anyone,” he said of his role as a conciliator. “They don’t have to trust us with their stories, and they don’t have to litigate their case with us. It’s more of a dialogue than a litigation.
“I encourage people to use it,” he continued. “Very often, in cases I have of a contentious nature, I’ll ask judges to make referrals to use alternative dispute resolution. I think the people appreciate it and get the sense that I’m pursuing all avenues to solve their case. And the other attorneys like it; at least in the family-law field, they’re getting very experienced mediators and conciliators who know what they’re doing. I’ve had a lot of good experiences with it.”
A good conciliator, he explained, can examine a case and tell both parties how a judge would likely rule on certain matters. “It opens their eyes. They think, ‘well, doesn’t it make more sense to see if we can reach some sort of settlement that mirrors that, with less money, time, and pain?’”
Cut to the Chase
An aversion to spending years in legal proceedings, with steadily escalating bills, is, in fact, one of the driving factors in the increasing popularity of ADR, Grilli noted. Take, for example, a damage claim in a personal-injury case — say, an automobile rear-ending accident — in which liability is not an issue.
“Instead of a long, drawn-out process for damages, you can submit the medical bills to an arbitrator or mediator, and the case expenses are significantly less, and cases are resolved more quickly,” he said.
“It’s all about cost and time. You could be looking at a couple of years after filing a case to get before a judge, as opposed to a couple of months, not to mention that much more money spent litigating. Claimants think, ‘I don’t want to wait two years to have my case resolved.’”
Overloaded dockets have lent a new appeal to ADR, Newton said.
“Our courts are very crowded, and there are limitations on the amount of personnel and resources available to move cases through the court process,” she told BusinessWest. But other factors take into account the long-term emotional health of the parties, especially in divorce and custody disputes.
“People are becoming more sensitive to the fact that there is a benefit to being able to resolve family matters in a way that preserves what can be preserved of these family relationships, especially in families with children, where the parties are going to be connected for the rest of their lives through the children,” Newton said.
“They want to maintain a respectful communication with the other party,” she added. “They want to sustain that after the proceeding is over, and many people feel they have a better chance of doing that through an alternative dispute process as opposed to a situation where they’re resolving arguments by testifying against the other person.”
Grilli agreed. “I’ve heard a lot of judges say they consider it a more child-centered way to handle things, as long as you can get everybody on the same page,” he said. “If we want the end result that is best for the child, then people should be able to put their own selfish solutions aside and work for the best interest of the child.”
Not for Everyone?
Brad Spangler, a former research assistant at the University of Colorado Conflict Research Consortium, notes, in an online article for the university’s Beyond Intractability Project, that ADR has some potential drawbacks if used inappropriately.
“Some critics have concerns about the legitimacy of ADR outcomes, charging that ADR provides ‘second-class justice,’” he writes. “It is argued that people who cannot afford to go to court are those most likely to use ADR procedures. As a result, these people are less likely to truly ‘win’ a case because of the cooperative nature of ADR.
In addition, Spangler notes, “compromise can be a good way to settle some disputes, but it is not appropriate for others. In serious justice conflicts and cases of intolerable moral difference, compromise is simply not an option because the issues mean too much to the disputants.”
Another concern is the private nature of ADR settlements, which are off the public record and not exposed to public scrutiny. “This could be cause for concern in some cases. For example, using ADR to settle out of court could allow a company to resolve many instances of a defective product harming consumers, without the issue getting any public exposure. On the other hand, a court ruling could force the company to fix all problems associated with the bad product or even to remove it from the market.”
On the other hand, that privacy aspect is an attractive quality of ADR when dealing with a family matter or a business issue that affects only the individuals in dispute, Newton said.
“It’s starting to gain more acceptance in the areas of business disputes, home repairs, and contract litigation,” Grilli added. “I think what makes it attractive to people are the time savings, the cost savings, and the sense that you’re a little more actively involved in the process than you would be with traditional litigation.”
As for those family-law matters often marked by bitterness and resentment, Newton stressed that no alternative to litigation can totally suppress the bad feelings that led the parties to court. But maintaining a sense of control over the proceedings, she noted, can significantly reduce their level of anxiety.
“The process itself is innately difficult,” she said. “But in the case of a custody dispute, it’s a given that both parents love the child dearly, and you’re asking someone who doesn’t know them at all to make a decision that is going to impact them for the rest of their lives. That’s an overwhelming responsibility for any judge.”
Individuals who opt instead for alternative dispute resolution, on the other hand, maintain more control over the situation even as they trust the other party with an equal measure of control, she noted. “They’re acknowledging that they, who love this child dearly, can make this decision. And the vast majority of people do have the ability to reach these agreements and, with the right guidance, understand that not every divorce resolution has to be one where someone wins and someone loses.”
At what is often the most difficult point in two people’s lives, that’s a goal worth fighting for.
Joseph Bednar can be reached at
[email protected]
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
Debra A. Wajda v. Price Rite
Allegation: Negligence, causing slip and fall: $20,194.55
Filed: 8/25/10
FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Mandy Boutell v. The Maple Valley School Inc. and Windwood Meadow Inc.
Allegation: Employment discrimination by failing to accommodate a disabled person and handicap discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 8/20/10
HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Caroline Dauplaise v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Allegation: Wrongful discharge of employment with Mass Turnpike Authority and breach of contract: $100,000
Filed: 7/27/10
Farm Credit East v. Rocky Mountain Wood Co. Inc.
Allegation: Action to recover on promissory note by sale of collateral: $894,254.26
Filed: 7/26/10
Immi Turbines Inc. v. LDH Inc.
Allegation: Texas court default judgment on underlying claims: $596,918.48
Filed: 7/22/10
John’s Trucking of Agawam v. Shawn’s Lawn Inc., RIV Construction Group Inc., and HD Westfield, MA Landlord Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay under the terms of a construction agreement: $561,827.23
Filed: 7/26/10
Lizbeth Rosario, administratrix of the estate of Carmen Velazquez v. Mercy Hospital
Allegation: Negligence and failure to properly diagnose, causing death: $2 million
Filed: 7/27/10
HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Galex Inc. v. Precision Metal Goods
Allegation: Non-payment on aluminum purchased and received: $1,113,286
Filed: 8/20/10
Jack Ernst v. Berkshire Electric Cable Co.
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment on two promissory notes: $136,346.07
Filed: 8/16/10
Sona Dolan v. Holyoke Community College
Allegation: Employment discrimination and civil-rights violation based on national origin: $150,000
Filed: 8/2/10
TR’s Excavating and Landscaping Construction v. Landmark Health Solutions, LLC and Northampton Care Center, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of services, labor, and materials: $43,700
Filed: 7/23/10
SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Bradco Supply v. Edward M. Casti Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,653.97
Filed: 7/22/10
Bradco Supply v. RPE Contracting Corp. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $12,473.69
Filed: 7/28/10
Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Beverly Golf & Tennis Club
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $2,234.45
Filed: 7/28/10
O’Connell & Plumb, P.C. v. Kushner Realty Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of attorney fees and services: $33,598.03
Filed: 7/20/10
WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Mountainview Concrete Foundations, LLC v. W & I Construction Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay for services on construction project: $4,942
Filed: 8/23/10
UMass Amherst Sees Largest First-year Class
AMHERST — An academically outstanding group of first-year students and the largest-ever class to enter the UMass Amherst has been welcomed to the campus, according to Chancellor Robert C. Holub. The Class of 2014, numbering approximately 4,500 students, was selected from a record 31,000 applicants. Maintaining its commitment to state residents, the university expects total enrollment of in-state students to increase slightly, totaling more than 16,000. Meanwhile, a larger number of out-of-state students, which has gone from 800 to 1,150, constitutes about one-fourth of the entering class. The academic profile of the incoming class is strong, about the same as last year with SAT scores of 1167 and a high school GPA of 3.61, added Holub. The demographic characteristics of the entering class are similar to last year. The percentage of African, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American students is 21%, and women make up slightly more than half of the class.
AIC Sees Growth Spurt
SPRINGFIELD — The first decade of the new millennium was a period of growth at American International College, and with the arrival of the Class of 2014, it looks like the growth spurt is continuing into the new decade, according to AIC President Vince M. Maniaci. He noted that, for the fifth consecutive year, overall undergraduate enrollment is at an all-time high for the institution. Since 2001, undergraduate enrollment has nearly doubled, and under Maniaci, the graduate enrollment figures have increased from fewer than 300 students to more than 1,600. Peter J. Miller, vice president of admission services, added that the Class of 2014 will come from 24 states and 10 countries including Canada, China, Afghanistan, England, Nigeria, Ghana, St. Lucia, Bermuda, Sweden, Japan, and Vietnam. Miller noted that nursing is the most popular major among the incoming freshmen.
Laboratory Receives Accreditation
WARE — Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, a member of Baystate Health, has been awarded reaccreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care. The stringent inspection program is designed to ensure the highest standard of care for the laboratory’s patients, according to John Olinski, laboratory supervisor. Mary Lane’s lab currently processes more than 240,000 tests per year.
Balise Supports Glendi Festival Raffle
SPRINGFIELD — Balise Motor Sales contimued its strong support of the Glendi festival this year, sponsoring the grand prize of the event’s raffle, a vintage 1968 red Chevy Impala convertible. Proceeds from the raffle benefit scholarships and church programs of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Western Massachusetts. The Glendi Festival was staged September 10-12 on the church grounds on Main Street in Springfield.
Realtor Receives Green Designation
LONGMEADOW — Brenda Flower, a sales associate in the local Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office, has been awarded the National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) Green Designation, the only green professional real-estate designation recognized by NAR. The designation provides Realtors with comprehensive knowledge about green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate. As part of the course, Flower was trained in understanding what makes a property green, how to help clients evaluate the costs and benefits of green-building features and practices, and how to distinguish between industry rating and classification systems. Additionally, Flower received training on financial grants and incentives that are available to homeowners seeking an eco-friendly living environment.
Games2U Entertainment Franchise Enters Area
SPRINGFIELD — Games2U Entertainment, a state-of-the-art game theater and entertainment franchise, is bringing futuristic parties to homes, companies, and schools, according to Paul Jenney, who has launched a franchise in New England. Games2U features video games, laser tag, hamster balls, and more, delivered to the door of the party location. Jenney noted the franchise offers everyone the chance to have a “rock-star” party at an affordable price. Trained game coaches oversee the entire experience and manage each Games2U party throughout the event, allowing parents and event coordinators the chance to relax and enjoy the party, added Jenney. For more information, visit www.g2u.com.
$1M Grant to Enhance History Education
WESTFIELD — A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will help area school districts improve history teaching in grades 7 through 12 with innovative programs and new technology. The Center for Teacher Education and Research at Westfield State University collaborated with the Gateway Regional School District, the lead school district, to acquire the grant. The other participating public school districts are Chicopee, Hampshire Regional, Pittsfield, Westfield, and West Springfield. Also included in the grant program are the Amherst-based Veteran’s Education Project, the Westfield Athenaeum, and the History Department at Westfield State, along with the Historical Journal of Massachusetts, which is published by the university. The grant, titled “Memorializing Promise and Conflict: A Monumental History of American Democracy,” is part of the federal Teaching American History (TAH) program. The TAH grants program seeks to increase teacher content knowledge in American history, develop historical thinking skills, and develop strategies and skills in implementing content into the classroom. Funded projects for the teachers will include travel, book discussions, and work with the Historical Journal of Massachusetts.
MassMutual Earns Top Rating from Research Group
SPRINGFIELD — In Boston Research Group’s recently released 2010 DCP Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division ranked first overall among all providers in eight key categories important to adviser satisfaction. Advisers rated MassMutual number one in “offers competitive advantages,” scoring 21 points higher than the industry average and seven points higher than the nearest competitor. Notably, compared to the norm, advisers who work with MassMutual have 42% more plans in force, have 54% more defined-contribution-plan assets under management, and have sold more than twice as many plans in the past two years, indicating that advisers who are heavily focused on the institutional retirement-plan market have identified MassMutual as a provider of choice. The nationwide survey of 649 retirement advisers was conducted from February to April 2010 and represents 20 defined-contribution retirement-plan providers. MassMutual was also ranked first by advisers among all providers surveyed for: wholesaler partners for success, participant education program, Internet capabilities for plan sponsors, Internet capabilities for participants, participant statement, seminar assistance, and product education for the adviser. Boston Research Group is a strategic market-research and consulting firm that specializes in the financial-services industry.
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
Sept. 15: ACCGS After 5, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by the Springfield Marriott. Cost for members is $10, non-members, $20.
Sept. 23: Feast in the East-ERC, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by: Elmcrest Country Club. Cost: $25 per person. Call the chamber for more information.
Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
Sept. 15: 17th Annual United Way Day of Caring. This event pairs volunteers with agency service providers to accomplish a variety of projects. YPS will again pair up with the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity and work on one of the homes currently under construction in Springfield. If interested in joining, e-mail Maureen Picknally at [email protected]
Sept. 16: Third Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hosted by Springfield Country Club, 1375 Elm St., West Springfield. This event is free for YPS members, and $5 for non-members.
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
Sept. 21: 13th Annual Table Top Showcase and business networking event, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Call the chambers for more information.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
Sept. 24: Breakfast Series – United Way Program, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Hosted by Franklin County Technical School, Turners Falls. Call the chamber for more information.
Sept. 25 and 26: Fiber Twist, an Annual Celebration of All Things Fiber in Franklin County,
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No admission charge. For details, visit www.fibertwist.com
Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
Sept. 8: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by the Apollo Grill. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
Oct. 1: Casino Night, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m, at One Cottage St., Easthampton. Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org
Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
Sept. 15: Holyoke Chamber Clambake, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Holyoke Country Club. Tickets are $26. Call the chamber to reserve tickets.
Sept. 21: The 13th Annual Table Top Showcase, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hosted by the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Call the chamber for more information or to reserve tickets.
Sept. 22: 2010 Pacesetter Awards Recognition Breakfast, starting at 7:30 a.m. Hosted by the Delaney House. The Pacesetter Awards go to exceptional small businesses and nonprofit agencies, entrepreneurs, and those advocates who make other businesses successful. Tickets are $18. Please call the chamber for more information or to reserve tickets.
Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
Sept. 17: NAYP Dynamics of Fleet Safety Seminar, 8 to 10 a.m., Union Station. Safety supervisors and fleet managers from all industries will benefit from this important presentation, led by Gerry Sousa, executive director of the National Safety Council’s Western New England Chapter. Participants will identify the daily challenges of running an effective fleet and learn the essential elements of a fleet safety program. Best practices for motor-vehicle safety, collision prevention, and asset use will be discussed.
Sept. 21: Meet & Eat, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for guests.
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425
Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
Sept. 21: “Rake in The Business” TableTop Expo, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Castle of Knights, Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Chicopee, Holyoke, and Westfield chambers of commerce. Call the chambers for more information.
Sept. 24: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce 104th Air Fighter Annual Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Hosted by the 104th Air Fighter, Barnes Airport, 175 Falcon Dr., Westfield. Guest Speaker: Ira Bryck, director of UMass Family Business Center. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Call the chamber for more information.
This Time-tested Vehicle Remains a Solid Estate-planning Tool
Kevin Hines
The answer remains a strong ‘yes,’ and there are many reasons for this. What follows is a basic primer on the FLP and as well as some of the best practices that should be followed so that your partnership will be recognized as an entity and not considered a sham.
Family Limited Partnership
First, what is a partnership? A partnership is a joint venture between at least two investors or owners to manage and operate a business or investments. Generally, there is a written plan (operating agreement) that lays out various terms of the agreement such as, but not limited to, who and how will the partnership be managed, who are eligible partners, if and when earnings and profits will be paid, and how and when the relationship will end. A partnership is a ‘flow-through entity’ for income-tax purposes. This means that the individual partner will be responsible for payment of the taxes rather than the partnership.
A limited partnership is a similar entity but will have two classes of investors, general partners and limited partners. As the name implies, the limited partners have limited powers in the management of the partnership. This can be good and bad. You may not have a say in the management, but you also have a limited liability based on those decisions (your loss is limited to your investments into the partnership). Family limited partnerships will usually be formed as a limited partnership. The managing partner determines in accordance with the operating agreement if and when distributions will be made and when to terminate the partnership, thus controlling the management of the assets.
How It Works
The family limited partnership is formed by the senior generation. Oftentimes, a second-generation family member will manage the partnership (general partner). Assets of the senior generation will be transferred into the FLP in exchange for limited partner interests. These limited partner interests are then gifted to family members either at one time or through a systematic annual gifting program. The managing partner can then determine the level of distributions from the partnership.
Should limited distributions be made to cover income taxes of the partners, since this is a pass-through tax entity? Or should the distributions be higher to help pay for college education or another life event? The options are numerous but at the discretion of the manager.
Purpose of the FLP
Although the primary reason for using a FLP might be the possible reduction of the estate and gift transfer tax due the IRS (through the use of valuation discounts), there continues to be other non-tax purposes to validate the formation of the family limited partnership. Additionally, there is a requirement that one or more of these other purposes be met so that the partnership is recognized as a business entity for legal reasons. These purposes and benefits should include one or more of the following:
• Transfer of the family business or investments for succession planning (ease of transferring FLP interest);
• Centralized management of investments or other family assets such as a second home or other assets that you would rather not have to liquidate;
• Diversification of investments;
• Management during the senior generation’s lifetime and thereafter; and
• Credit protection and spendthrift protection.
Remember, when forming the FLP, think long-term. What will your situation be in 10 years or 15 years?
Dos and Don’ts of an FLP
Operation of the FLP is key (in addition to the business purpose of the entity) in order to withstand a challenge to the entity recognition. Here are some of the dos and don’ts to formation and operation of the FLP.
• Provide for a succession plan from the senior generation;
• Limited partners should contribute assets to the partnership at start-up. Consider using prior gifts from the senior generation;
• The senior generation should retain other liquid assets in their name to cover living costs. Don’t transfer all of senior-generation assets nor the primary residence;
• Do not commingle personal assets and FLP assets;
• Ensure that distributions follow the operating agreement and are in proportion to ownership;
• Prepare management reports on a regular basis and distribute to all partners; and
• Do not terminate FLP shortly after the passing of senior members.
As we all wait to see how the debate regarding the federal estate-tax law plays out in Congress, recognize that there are other non-estate-tax reasons for having your own family limited partnership. But the most important point is that once you set up your FLP, it is of the utmost importance to follow good business practices in managing it. You want your state and the federal government to recognize it as a separate entity so that you will be able to achieve your goals that were set out when the FLP was formed. Always consult with your accountant and attorney when setting up these entities.
Kevin E. Hines, CPA, MST, CVA, CSEP, is a partner with Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., with specialties in business valuations, estate planning, and taxes; (413) 536-8510.
A Recent SJC Decision Clarifies Their Status Under Massachusetts Law
Carla Newton
Massachusetts has long recognized (since 1981) the rights of parties to enter into premarital or antenuptial agreements before marriage and to enter into separation agreements (since 1976) when they are approaching divorce. Prior to Ansin, however, the issue of postnuptial or marital agreements, which are entered into after marriage and alter marital rights or distribute marital assets between parties not contemplating divorce, had not been decided in Massachusetts.
The use of postnuptial/marital agreements has been determined in other states with mixed results. Courts in Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, for example, have allowed such agreements under certain circumstances while Ohio, by statute, specifically prohibits them no matter when or where signed.
With the decision in the Ansin case, the SJC has now established criteria for the enforcement of what will be known as ‘marital’ agreements, which differ from the criteria for enforcement of prenuptial agreements or separation agreements. The SJC’s rationale for the difference in criteria rests on the leverage that a party has during the negotiation of the agreement. In the case of prenuptial agreements, if a party is not in agreement with the terms that have been proposed, then the party is free not to marry. When negotiating separation agreements, the parties have acknowledged that their marriage has failed, and each is negotiating for their own independent interests, and if they cannot agree, they are free to proceed to a determination of their rights by the courts. Once parties are already married, the scrutiny applied to the terms of a marital agreement should be more strenuous.
There are specific criteria set forth in the Ansin case that provide guidance as to factors by which future cases will be determined as follows: (1) each party must have had an opportunity to obtain separate legal counsel of his or her own choosing; (2) the marital agreement must have been signed freely and voluntarily without any fraud or coercion; (3) the marital agreement must contain a full disclosure of all assets with their approximate market value, a statement of each party’s approximate annual income, and, equally as important, disclosure of any significant future acquisitions or changes in income which are reasonably anticipated; (4) the marital agreement must also contain a clear and explicit waiver of the right to a judicial determination of marital rights and asset distribution in the event that a divorce does take place at some point in the future; and (5) the martial agreement must be evaluated to determine if the terms were fair and reasonable at the time of the execution of the agreement and are still fair and reasonable at the time of the divorce.
The SCJ has established that the spouse who seeks to enforce a marital agreement is the one who has the burden to prove that the other spouse’s consent was not obtained through coercion or fraud. In the Ansin case, Cheryl argued that Kenneth had committed fraud by misrepresenting his intention to remain in the marriage in his effort to convince her to execute the marital agreement. Kenneth presented evidence that he had made significant efforts to improve the marriage, that they had purchased and renovated at great expense a new home after the signing of the agreement, and that he did not file for divorce until Cheryl had asked him to leave the home and was involved with another man. It should be expected that, in any review of a marital agreement, a court will closely examine whether or not a spouse has been misled regarding the other party’s commitment to the marriage.
The decision in the Ansin case includes detail for the evaluation of whether or not there has been a valid waiver by a party of his or her right to have a judge determine his or her marital rights and asset distribution at the time of the divorce. The criteria for a valid waiver include whether or not a party has been represented by independent counsel, whether they had sufficient time to review the terms of the agreement, whether they understood the terms of the agreement and their impact, and whether or not they understood what their rights would have been absent the agreement.
The standard for evaluation of a marital agreement will differ from that of a prenuptial agreement because of the context in which the marital agreement takes place. There will be heightened scrutiny in the evaluation of marital agreements. Massachusetts has already described the contractual obligations between spouses in the matter of Krapf vs. Krapf in 2003 by stating that spouses “stand as fiduciaries to each other and will be held to the highest standards of good faith and fair dealing in the performance of their contractual obligations.”
When reviewing whether or not the marital agreement was fair and reasonable at the time of its execution, there are standards a judge ‘should’ consider and standards which a judge ‘may’ consider. The SJC has stated that a judge should consider the entire context in which the agreement arose, including a consideration of whether or not each party was represented by independent counsel. While the failure of independent representation will not be fatal to an agreement, it is likely to impact the scrutiny which is applied. A judge may consider: (1) the difference in the outcome under the marital agreement from the outcome under current law, (2) whether the purpose was to benefit the interests of third parties such as children from a prior relationship, (3) the impact of the agreement on the children of the parties, (4) the length of the marriage, (5) the motives of the parties, (6) the bargaining positions of the parties, (7) the circumstances which gave rise to the agreement, (8) the degree of pressure experienced by the spouse who is contesting enforcement of the marital agreement; and (9) other circumstances that the judge may want to consider.
When reviewing whether or not the marital agreement is fair and reasonable at the time of a divorce, the SJC requires that the same criteria be used that is utilized to evaluate a separation agreement. A judge may consider: (1) the nature and substance of the objecting party’s complaint, (2) the financial and property provisions of the agreement as a whole, (3) the context in which the negotiations took place, (4) the complexity of the issues involved, (5) the background and knowledge of the parties, (6) the experience and ability of counsel, (7) the need for and availability of experts to assist the parties and counsel, and (8) the mandatory and, if the judge deems it appropriate, discretionary factors set forth in G. L. c. 208 § 34.
Marital agreements will likely find a variety of uses as a method to protect third parties such as children from a prior marriage or to strengthen a relationship by providing assurances of asset distribution should there be a divorce in the future. Marital agreements also have significant estate planning consequences for married couples. Similar to those couples who enter into prenuptial agreements, a marital agreement will need to be reviewed by the attorney doing one or both parties’ estate plan.
Ideally, a marital agreement should be drafted in consultation with both parties’ estate-planning attorney(s). The document may set forth parameters within which the estate planning attorney must work to effectuate the individual or couple’s estate planning goals while ensuring that those goals will not interfere with the mandates of the new marital agreement.
Marital agreements, like pre-nuptial agreements, will often contain guidelines concerning gifts between the spouses as well as benefits to a surviving spouse upon the death of the other. All of these provisions, as well as others, can have a significant impact on a client’s overall estate plan. Further, marital agreements may well impact certain spousal rights and/or obligations with regard to Medicaid or MassHealth planning for either or both spouses.
In any contemplation of the use of marital agreements, it is clear that great care must be taken so that the intentions of the parties will not be undermined by the failure to follow the clear criteria that have been established.
This article is a general summary only and does not constitute legal advice.
Carla Newton is a partner at Robinson Donovan, P.C.; (413) 732-2301.
Health Care Hiring Is Sluggish — for Now
Mike Foss calls the health care job market “cool,” but sees plenty of positive signs for current students.
Health care, an industry that accounts for about one in every six jobs in Massachusetts, has long been seen as recession-proof in the Bay State.
The extended economic downturn has tested that, with once-brisk hiring turning stagnant and hospitals across the Commonwealth resorting to freezes and layoffs. Yet, most industry-watchers see the current sluggishness as a temporary swing, if only because people will always need health care.
“Hiring has to pick up,” said Kelly Aiken, director of Health Care Initiatives for the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. “The economy can’t change how much care people need.”
In fact, despite pockets of layoffs, employment in health fields has ticked up slightly since it essentially ground to a halt last year.
That’s good news to students studying in health programs at area colleges. The robust job market over the past decade has drawn increasing numbers of applicants to those programs, but recent graduates have been navigating scarcer prospects than those who entered the workforce several years ago. Still, there’s reason for optimism.
“Last year, there was definitely a reduction in job availability, and this was pretty much across a dozen fields of health,” said Michael Foss, dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation at Springfield Technical Community College. “One department chair told me that, since January of this year, there has been an upward swing in job openings, and others were beginning to see that as well.”
That perception is borne out statewide. According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, 486,000 people were employed in health care in January 2009, and the number rose to more than 494,000 in January 2010 before essentially plateauing there.
But as the Great Recession fades, optimists say, certain demographic truths will take hold — specifically, mass retirements by the Baby Boom generation, coupled with an overall aging of the population.
“This whole issue with the Baby Boomers retiring — that’s national, and it’s not industry-specific. But the opportunities to replace those retirees might be greater in health care,” said Jean Jackson, vice president for Workforce Planning at Baystate Health, the region’s top employer.
“People are living longer, and they’re going to need care,” she continued. “So you have a combination of people retiring and living longer, and they’re going to need more people to care for them.”
That adds up to what should be increasing opportunities for health care careers, but job seekers may face a far different landscape when it comes to how and where care is delivered. For this issue, BusinessWest examines some of those trends, and why many observers see the current slow job market as a curable condition.
Day by Day
Foss has observed the cycle of medical hiring long enough to recognize a downturn. “It’s not hot; it’s a cool employment environment,” he conceded.
Meanwhile, many of the available openings, in a number of fields, are for per-diem work, essentially part-time jobs without benefits, he explained. Yet, that’s not necessarily a negative trend.
“I know that in some fields, per-diem is actually highly desirable, especially for individuals with families, or they’re the second person working. They kind of like the idea of not being tied down to a rigid work schedule.”
In addition, “I think a lot of people see that as one way they can prove to an employer that they should be full-time,” he said. “And it’s an opportunity for them to see if this is the environment they want to be in, if it’s the right institution, right office, wherever. It almost gives you an automatic job interview because, when there’s a full-time opening, they see the good work you’re doing and that you’re the person they need to hire.”
But the full-time job openings are slowly increasing, Foss noted. “And Baystate, a very large system with multiple locations, is building a brand-new facility. So we know those jobs will be available in the future.”
Indeed, Baystate’s Hospital of the Future project, set to be completed in 2012, is only the largest of a flood of hospital expansions across the Pioneer Valley over the past decade. From Jackson’s perspective, Foss’ assessment of what that means for hiring is right on.
“You have to look at all the factors — turnover, what the retirement plans look like, what the potential growth will be,” Jackson said. “And when you factor it all in over the next 10 years, we are looking at a projection to hire 15,000 employees.”
However, she added, “many of these jobs in health care require specialized skills and training beyond high school, and that’s another trend: concerns about the availability of workers. At Baystate, part of our mission is to recruit from the local labor market, and our work with education, employers, and workforce-development organizations to find solutions has been absolutely critical.”
Economic development leaders have long been concerned about a ‘skills gap’ in certain career fields — health care and precision manufacturing are two often mentioned in those discussions — that leave available jobs unfilled, and potentially create a deterrent for new employers to locate in Western Mass.
The collaborative workforce projects Jackson alluded to range from the Community Based Job Training Grant, a $1.65 million grant from the U.S. Labor Department that will create awareness of and training opportunities in health fields, to Collaborating for the Advancement of Nursing: Developing Opportunities (CAN DO), a grant program aimed at creating career ladders in nursing. Numerous other regional programs have similar goals.
“Everyone is struggling with the economic environment now,” Jackson said. “Health reimbursements are down, patients are choosing not to do elective surgery, putting things off, and people are delaying retirement. But eventually, they’re going to retire.” And sooner than many realize, she continued, the region will need a strong pipeline of qualified workers to take their place.
Care Where It’s Needed
That future workforce will need to be flexible as well as skilled, Foss said.
“Where they work is going to be different. We’re already seeing a shift from always thinking they’ll work at a hospital. Look at all the long-term care facilities out there now. And the outpatient clinics — in my lifetime, I’d never heard of outpatient surgical centers. No way; you had to go to the hospital. But that’s another place where people will work outside of hospitals.”
Home care is expanding rapidly as well, he noted, again, a reflection of that growing senior population that wants to maintain as much independence as possible. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for personal and home care aides will increase by 50% between 2006 and 2016.
“I do think that jobs are going to be located in different places,” Aiken said. “When the recession ends and the economy bounces back, coupled with health care reform, the trend across the continuum will be to deliver patient-centered care, and much of that care will be occurring in many, many different places outside of the hospital setting.
“People who go into nursing thinking their first job will definitely be in a hospital need to look beyond that. They need to look where care is being provided and where the need is.”
Foss said he’s encouraged by this changing face of health care.
“There are niches being filled that never used to be there, and all these wonderful things happening with new technology,” he told BusinessWest. “Even with the cool market, I think it’s an exciting time for health care.”
Aiken agreed. “I think there are going to be changes, new health care occupations that may evolve, that we don’t even know about right now.”
One thing is certain, though, Foss said: no one’s going to work forever, and opportunities will be abundant again.
“The Department of Labor and other pundits, they always come back to health care,” he said. “A lot of people in my age group will be retiring in three or four years, and those who have planned their retirement well — especially now, with health care reform — are going to be using the health care system.
“So while things may be a little cool at the moment,” he concluded, “there are still opportunities out there, and those opportunities are going to increase every single year for the foreseeable future.”
Joseph Bednar can be reached at
[email protected]
Take Some Precautions So These Pests Don’t Get Under Your Skin
Bed Bug
While performing your morning ritual, you look in the mirror and notice a line of red spots along your waist. They begin to itch, so you scratch. They get redder as you scratch and itch, and you begin to wonder … what could this be?
This scenario is becoming more and more prevalent for business and family travelers. Also, don’t rule it out after a visit from family or friends.
We’re talking about the unwanted, mysterious, hitchhiking, blood-sucking parasite called the bedbug. These are flat, reddish-brown, oval insects about the size of an apple seed, and they thrive on human blood.
The reason they are called bedbugs is because, like people, they do not want to work any harder than necessary to survive and thrive. They camp out as close as possible to their blood meal (you) and feed when they are least likely to be swatted or crushed (while you are in bed, asleep).
Bedbugs acquired a taste for people way back when man first sought shelter in caves. Scientists believe that they were already present surviving and thriving on bats and other mammals living there. Today they are comfortable resting and feeding on us in our homes. As stated, they prefer to be close, so … our bed frames, headboards, adjoining furniture, couches, and, yes, our beloved recliners are all fair game.
The good news is that, even though they are piercing our skin and violating our blood vessels, they do not transmit diseases. Some people can have a severe reaction to the bites but no disease transmission.
The bad news is that they are extremely difficult to eradicate, so travelers beware. The cost can run into the thousands of dollars. The reason for this is that an effective treatment requires a minimum of two people to disassemble bed frames, move and flip mattresses, box springs, dressers, couches, etc. Additionally, it usually takes a minimum of three treatments over three months. Extreme cases require even more.
So, what can we do as world travelers do to prevent the possibility of bringing bedbugs home with us? The extermination industry offers the following travel tips:
• When you first arrive at your hotel, pull back the sheets and check the mattress seams, particularly at the top corners. If you see insects, small dark spots (digested, dried blood), or anything suspect, change rooms and/or hotels.
• Check around the room before unpacking. Inspect the headboard, couches, chairs, etc. for the telltale signs.
• Upon returning home, check your suitcases before bringing them into the house. Vacuum them thoroughly and wash your clothes.
With regard to family and friends, these bugs do not reflect an unclean home or, for that matter, hotel. All bedbugs need is a blood meal and proper temperature to survive (incidentally, they can go months without a meal). They are equally happy living with Martha Stewart or your kid’s college roommate. They are hitchhikers and can be brought into your home on luggage or on your child’s boomeranging sleepover pack.
If you suspect something, check your home as described above and call a professional pest-management company. These bugs cannot be abated with do-it-yourself products.
Business travel is necessary, and enjoying family, friends, and traveling is one of the great pleasures in life. Nocturnal pests are no reason to change your plans, so … travel a little wiser, sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite!
Glenn Olesuk is the owner of Graduate Pest Solutions in Hampden. He is a degreed entomologist from the Syracuse School of Forestry and has 30 years experience in residential and commercial pest control; (413) 566-8222;
www.graduatepestsolutions.com
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
Debra A. Wajda v. Price Rite
Allegation: Negligence, causing slip and fall: $20,194.55
Filed: 8/25/10
FRANKLIN
SUPERIOR COURT
Mandy Boutell v. The Maple Valley School Inc. and Windwood Meadow Inc.
Allegation: Employment discrimination by failing to accommodate a disabled person and handicap discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 8/20/10
HAMPDEN
SUPERIOR COURT
Caroline Dauplaise v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Allegation: Wrongful discharge of employment with Mass Turnpike Authority and breach of contract: $100,000
Filed: 7/27/10
Farm Credit East v. Rocky Mountain Wood Co. Inc.
Allegation: Action to recover on promissory note by sale of collateral: $894,254.26
Filed: 7/26/10
Immi Turbines Inc. v. LDH Inc.
Allegation: Texas court default judgment on underlying claims: $596,918.48
Filed: 7/22/10
John’s Trucking of Agawam v. Shawn’s Lawn Inc., RIV Construction Group Inc., and HD Westfield, MA Landlord Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay under the terms of a construction agreement: $561,827.23
Filed: 7/26/10
Lizbeth Rosario, administratrix of the estate of Carmen Velazquez v. Mercy Hospital
Allegation: Negligence and failure to properly diagnose, causing death: $2 million
Filed: 7/27/10
HAMPSHIRE
SUPERIOR COURT
Galex Inc. v. Precision Metal Goods
Allegation: Non-payment on aluminum purchased and received: $1,113,286
Filed: 8/20/10
Jack Ernst v. Berkshire Electric Cable Co.
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment on two promissory notes: $136,346.07
Filed: 8/16/10
Sona Dolan v. Holyoke Community College
Allegation: Employment discrimination and civil-rights violation based on national origin: $150,000
Filed: 8/2/10
TR’s Excavating and Landscaping Construction v. Landmark Health Solutions, LLC and Northampton Care Center, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of services, labor, and materials: $43,700
Filed: 7/23/10
SPRINGFIELD
DISTRICT COURT
Bradco Supply v. Edward M. Casti Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,653.97
Filed: 7/22/10
Bradco Supply v. RPE Contracting Corp. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $12,473.69
Filed: 7/28/10
Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Beverly Golf & Tennis Club
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $2,234.45
Filed: 7/28/10
O’Connell & Plumb, P.C. v. Kushner Realty Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of attorney fees and services: $33,598.03
Filed: 7/20/10
WESTFIELD
DISTRICT COURT
Mountainview Concrete Foundations, LLC v. W & I Construction Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay for services on construction project: $4,942
Filed: 8/23/10
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
n Sept. 15: ACCGS After 5, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by the Springfield Marriott. Cost for members is $10, non-members, $20.
n Sept. 23: Feast in the East-ERC, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by: Elmcrest Country Club. Cost: $25 per person. Call the chamber for more information.
Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
n Sept. 15: 17th Annual United Way Day of Caring. This event pairs volunteers with agency service providers to accomplish a variety of projects. YPS will again pair up with the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity and work on one of the homes currently under construction in Springfield. If interested in joining, e-mail Maureen Picknally at [email protected]
n Sept. 16: Third Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hosted by Springfield Country Club, 1375 Elm St., West Springfield. This event is free for YPS members, and $5 for non-members.
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
n Sept. 21: 13th Annual Table Top Showcase and business networking event, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Call the chambers for more information.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
n Sept. 24: Breakfast Series – United Way Program, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Hosted by Franklin County Technical School, Turners Falls. Call the chamber for more information.
n Sept. 25 and 26: Fiber Twist, an Annual Celebration of All Things Fiber in Franklin County,
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No admission charge. For details, visit www.fibertwist.com
Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
n Sept. 8: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by the Apollo Grill. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
n Oct. 1: Casino Night, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m, at One Cottage St., Easthampton. Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org
Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
n Sept. 15: Holyoke Chamber Clambake, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Holyoke Country Club. Tickets are $26. Call the chamber to reserve tickets.
n Sept. 21: The 13th Annual Table Top Showcase, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hosted by the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Call the chamber for more information or to reserve tickets.
n Sept. 22: 2010 Pacesetter Awards Recognition Breakfast, starting at 7:30 a.m. Hosted by the Delaney House. The Pacesetter Awards go to exceptional small businesses and nonprofit agencies, entrepreneurs, and those advocates who make other businesses successful. Tickets are $18. Please call the chamber for more information or to reserve tickets.
Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
n Sept. 17: NAYP Dynamics of Fleet Safety Seminar, 8 to 10 a.m., Union Station. Safety supervisors and fleet managers from all industries will benefit from this important presentation, led by Gerry Sousa, executive director of the National Safety Council’s Western New England Chapter. Participants will identify the daily challenges of running an effective fleet and learn the essential elements of a fleet safety program. Best practices for motor-vehicle safety, collision prevention, and asset use will be discussed.
n Sept. 21: Meet & Eat, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for guests.
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425
Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
n Sept. 21: “Rake in The Business” TableTop Expo, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Castle of Knights, Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Chicopee, Holyoke, and Westfield chambers of commerce. Call the chambers for more information.
n Sept. 24: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce 104th Air Fighter Annual Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Hosted by the 104th Air Fighter, Barnes Airport, 175 Falcon Dr., Westfield. Guest Speaker: Ira Bryck, director of UMass Family Business Center. Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Call the chamber for more information.
Workers Paying 14% More for Health Insurance
WASHINGTON — American workers will pay about $4,000 to get health insurance for their families through work this year, 14% more than in 2009, according to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Employees’ average share of the premium costs for family coverage is $482 more than last year as economic conditions continue to push companies to pay less of the bill, the report said. Total premiums for family policies, including both worker and employer contributions, increased 3% to $13,770. “Businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing,” said Drew Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation chief executive. “From a consumer perspective, the cost of health insurance just keeps going up faster than wages.”
Executives Plan Moderate Hike in Professional Hiring
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Looking toward the final months of the year, 11% of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report said they expect to increase the number of full-time staff they employ in professional occupations in the fourth quarter. Another 5% anticipate declines, resulting in a net 6% increase in hiring activity, up three points from the third-quarter forecast. Executives’ business optimism level remains high: 86% of respondents expressed at least some confidence in the growth prospects for their companies, rising slightly from 85% reported in the third-quarter survey. The number of executives citing recruiting challenges also rose, climbing from 42% in the third quarter to 47%. The Robert Half Professional Employment Report is the first quarterly executive survey of its size and scope to focus exclusively on professional-level hiring. The survey is based on telephone interviews with more than 4,000 executives from a variety of fields throughout the U.S. about their hiring plans and general level of optimism regarding the upcoming quarter. “Companies that overextended their teams are now selectively adding full-time employees,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Businesses are hiring to keep service levels high and boost morale among team members who have taken on extra work in the past few years.”
Economy Needs More Than Modest Spending
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released personal income and outlays for July. Personal income increased 0.2% in July, similar to private-sector expectations, while real disposable income decreased 0.1%. Real personal consumption expenditures increased 0.2% in July and at a 1.3% annual rate from their second-quarter average. Consumer spending adjusted for inflation continues to increase at a moderate pace, according to U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank. She noted that data suggests the economy continues to grow, as consumer spending accounts for 70% of GDP, although the economy is growing at a slower pace than the Obama administration would like. On a related note, many economists, including those at PNC Financial Services Group, say a boost in salaries and jobs will help grow the economy.
Businesses Offered Customer-service Training
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Business Assoc. (GBA) and the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Workforce Development Office are coordinating customer-service trainings for local business owners and their staff members this fall. The cost is free to GBA-member owners/managers and is on a scale for the number of staff per business attending. For businesses with one to five staff members participating in training, the cost is $10 each; for six to 11 staff, $7.50 each; and for 12 or more employees, the cost is $5 each. For non-member pricing, call (413) 774-2791. The owner/manager training is slated for Sept. 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. The frontline staff training is planned for Oct. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. Business owners can reserve space by e-mailing [email protected] with the names of the person(s) attending and the business they are representing.
UMass Amherst Sees Largest First-year Class
AMHERST — An academically outstanding group of first-year students and the largest-ever class to enter the UMass Amherst has been welcomed to the campus, according to Chancellor Robert C. Holub. The Class of 2014, numbering approximately 4,500 students, was selected from a record 31,000 applicants. Maintaining its commitment to state residents, the university expects total enrollment of in-state students to increase slightly, totaling more than 16,000. Meanwhile, a larger number of out-of-state students, which has gone from 800 to 1,150, constitutes about one-fourth of the entering class. The academic profile of the incoming class is strong, about the same as last year with SAT scores of 1167 and a high school GPA of 3.61, added Holub. The demographic characteristics of the entering class are similar to last year. The percentage of African, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American students is 21%, and women make up slightly more than half of the class.
AIC Sees Growth Spurt
SPRINGFIELD — The first decade of the new millennium was a period of growth at American International College, and with the arrival of the Class of 2014, it looks like the growth spurt is continuing into the new decade, according to AIC President Vince M. Maniaci. He noted that, for the fifth consecutive year, overall undergraduate enrollment is at an all-time high for the institution. Since 2001, undergraduate enrollment has nearly doubled, and under Maniaci, the graduate enrollment figures have increased from fewer than 300 students to more than 1,600. Peter J. Miller, vice president of admission services, added that the Class of 2014 will come from 24 states and 10 countries including Canada, China, Afghanistan, England, Nigeria, Ghana, St. Lucia, Bermuda, Sweden, Japan, and Vietnam. Miller noted that nursing is the most popular major among the incoming freshmen.
Laboratory Receives Accreditation
WARE — Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, a member of Baystate Health, has been awarded reaccreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care. The stringent inspection program is designed to ensure the highest standard of care for the laboratory’s patients, according to John Olinski, laboratory supervisor. Mary Lane’s lab currently processes more than 240,000 tests per year.
Balise Supports Glendi Festival Raffle
SPRINGFIELD — Balise Motor Sales contimued its strong support of the Glendi festival this year, sponsoring the grand prize of the event’s raffle, a vintage 1968 red Chevy Impala convertible. Proceeds from the raffle benefit scholarships and church programs of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Western Massachusetts. The Glendi Festival was staged September 10-12 on the church grounds on Main Street in Springfield.
Realtor Receives Green Designation
LONGMEADOW — Brenda Flower, a sales associate in the local Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office, has been awarded the National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) Green Designation, the only green professional real-estate designation recognized by NAR. The designation provides Realtors with comprehensive knowledge about green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate. As part of the course, Flower was trained in understanding what makes a property green, how to help clients evaluate the costs and benefits of green-building features and practices, and how to distinguish between industry rating and classification systems. Additionally, Flower received training on financial grants and incentives that are available to homeowners seeking an eco-friendly living environment.
Games2U Entertainment Franchise Enters Area
SPRINGFIELD — Games2U Entertainment, a state-of-the-art game theater and entertainment franchise, is bringing futuristic parties to homes, companies, and schools, according to Paul Jenney, who has launched a franchise in New England. Games2U features video games, laser tag, hamster balls, and more, delivered to the door of the party location. Jenney noted the franchise offers everyone the chance to have a “rock-star” party at an affordable price. Trained game coaches oversee the entire experience and manage each Games2U party throughout the event, allowing parents and event coordinators the chance to relax and enjoy the party, added Jenney. For more information, visit www.g2u.com.
$1M Grant to Enhance History Education
WESTFIELD — A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will help area school districts improve history teaching in grades 7 through 12 with innovative programs and new technology. The Center for Teacher Education and Research at Westfield State University collaborated with the Gateway Regional School District, the lead school district, to acquire the grant. The other participating public school districts are Chicopee, Hampshire Regional, Pittsfield, Westfield, and West Springfield. Also included in the grant program are the Amherst-based Veteran’s Education Project, the Westfield Athenaeum, and the History Department at Westfield State, along with the Historical Journal of Massachusetts, which is published by the university. The grant, titled “Memorializing Promise and Conflict: A Monumental History of American Democracy,” is part of the federal Teaching American History (TAH) program. The TAH grants program seeks to increase teacher content knowledge in American history, develop historical thinking skills, and develop strategies and skills in implementing content into the classroom. Funded projects for the teachers will include travel, book discussions, and work with the Historical Journal of Massachusetts.
MassMutual Earns Top Rating from Research Group
SPRINGFIELD — In Boston Research Group’s recently released 2010 DCP Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division ranked first overall among all providers in eight key categories important to adviser satisfaction. Advisers rated MassMutual number one in “offers competitive advantages,” scoring 21 points higher than the industry average and seven points higher than the nearest competitor. Notably, compared to the norm, advisers who work with MassMutual have 42% more plans in force, have 54% more defined-contribution-plan assets under management, and have sold more than twice as many plans in the past two years, indicating that advisers who are heavily focused on the institutional retirement-plan market have identified MassMutual as a provider of choice. The nationwide survey of 649 retirement advisers was conducted from February to April 2010 and represents 20 defined-contribution retirement-plan providers. MassMutual was also ranked first by advisers among all providers surveyed for: wholesaler partners for success, participant education program, Internet capabilities for plan sponsors, Internet capabilities for participants, participant statement, seminar assistance, and product education for the adviser. Boston Research Group is a strategic market-research and consulting firm that specializes in the financial-services industry.
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.
| Alvarez, Marta Armstrong, Shirley A. Atkins, Ruth E. Barriga, Tamia C. Beausoleil, Maurice J. Beebe, Paul Richard Benton, Benjamin J. Bidwell, Marlene J. Bilodeau, Stacy M. Blanchard, Allan W. Blaser, Donn L. Boothby, Randolph D. Brisebois, Robert T. Bristol, John David Brodeur, Judith S. Brodeur, Robert W. C.M. Designs Cabana, Sandra Margaret Caron, Luanne M. Carrier, Brenda Caruso, Anthony Patrick Chauvin, Lisa A. Chu, Norman Coache, Heidi K. Collura, John A. Colon, Ricardo Corbin, Robert A. Covey, Kelly Suzanne Dargie, Gregory J. Davis, Amy Beatrice Decker, Juanita L. DeJesus, Mayra L. Delgado, Sally Desrosiers, Christopher G. Dimino, Julie Kim DL Painting Service Drummey, Brian F. Duda, John J. Dulude, Thomas Eric England-Horsfall, William Leon Fadel, Youssef G. Figuereo, Solkeren Florek, Jeffrey D. Ford, Maria A. Fowles, Jeffrey A. Frappier, Steven L. Funk, Lindsay Carin Gallant, Lori Ann Garcia, Agustin D. Giunta, Anthony Goodwin, Mary C. Groom, George Harold Guernsey, Joan Hall, Michael T. Hammon, Scott A. Hansen, Kim L. Harrison, Yolanda Hawkes, Donald E. Hearthside Elderhomes, LLC Hensel, Melanie R. Herbert, Constance E. Herrick, Guilia Katherine Holbrook, Beverly J. Horsler, Michael G. Janocha, Celly Kearney, Kimberly J. Kennedy, Charles C. Kennedy, Thomas Kleer Choice Windshield Repair Labucki, Tara A. LaForest, Bernice J. Langaigne, Frances Ann Lashway, Earl Joseph Le, Phung M. Leavitt, Sandra K. LeGrand, Dennis Neal Longey, Graydon M. Lopez, Armando L. Lord, Elise M. Lucia, Andrew A. | MacDonald, Shirley A. Mackenchnie, Jeff A. MacMillan, Alan J. Maher, Donald R. Mason, Norman J. Mastalerz, Stacey A. May, Karen J. McDaniel, Crystal R. McFarland, Harriett B. McLaughlin, Irene McLean, Michael D. McManus, Anne B. Medina, Yulissi D. Melbourne, Todd Sydney Mertzic, David Paul Metzger, Joseph Michael Miller, Richard Bernard Millette, William Joseph Monteiro, Karl A. Morgan, Ruth Elizabeth Morrison, Jason M. Motyka, Thomas Edward Nason, Rebecca L. Nault, Steven A. Northeast Metal Company Ocasio, Roberto Odette, Rodney W. Paquette, Debra G. Placanico, Vincent M. Podolak, Nancy J. Popec, Darlene A. Preston, Alice Kate Ramos, Marisol Ramos, Virgen Rankell, Martin S. Rivera, Carlos M. Rivera, Carmen Maria Rivera, Maria M. Rivest, Jeremy Michael Rodriguez, Luis A. Rodriguez, Sonia I. Romanovicz, Walter J. Rosa, Elizabeth S. Rose Cottage Antiques Roussell, Mathew T. Ruiz, Teresa Russo, Thomas Ryan, Alyssa Anne Ryans, Crystal M. Salmond, Charles D. Santaniello, Teresa Santiago, Angel A. Santiago, Pablo Schoenfeld, Jerome D. Scibelli, Judith A. Shyer, Robert F. Slysz, Catherine E. Smigel, Ronald G. Solek, Justin R. Stanavage, Robert Allen Stewart, Renee M. Street, Victor L. Stromwall, Steven Edward Sweeney, James Dennis Swenson, Anthony E. Tanguay, Denise A. Taylor, Jennifer The Griswold Corp. Topulos, Timothy A. Treanor, Neal J. Trierweiler, Bonnie S. Uschmann, Edward J. Vaudreuil, Cynthia Vedder Vives, Carmen Wagher, Adam John Watkins, Connie S. Webster, Alan T. Wheelock, Marilyn E. Whitman, Mary N. Wiesenfeld, Audrey L. Young, Ralph Russell |
Workers Paying 14% More for Health Insurance
WASHINGTON — American workers will pay about $4,000 to get health insurance for their families through work this year, 14% more than in 2009, according to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Employees’ average share of the premium costs for family coverage is $482 more than last year as economic conditions continue to push companies to pay less of the bill, the report said. Total premiums for family policies, including both worker and employer contributions, increased 3% to $13,770. “Businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing,” said Drew Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation chief executive. “From a consumer perspective, the cost of health insurance just keeps going up faster than wages.”
Executives Plan Moderate Hike in Professional Hiring
MENLO PARK, Calif. — Looking toward the final months of the year, 11% of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report said they expect to increase the number of full-time staff they employ in professional occupations in the fourth quarter. Another 5% anticipate declines, resulting in a net 6% increase in hiring activity, up three points from the third-quarter forecast. Executives’ business optimism level remains high: 86% of respondents expressed at least some confidence in the growth prospects for their companies, rising slightly from 85% reported in the third-quarter survey. The number of executives citing recruiting challenges also rose, climbing from 42% in the third quarter to 47%. The Robert Half Professional Employment Report is the first quarterly executive survey of its size and scope to focus exclusively on professional-level hiring. The survey is based on telephone interviews with more than 4,000 executives from a variety of fields throughout the U.S. about their hiring plans and general level of optimism regarding the upcoming quarter. “Companies that overextended their teams are now selectively adding full-time employees,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. “Businesses are hiring to keep service levels high and boost morale among team members who have taken on extra work in the past few years.”
Economy Needs More Than Modest Spending
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released personal income and outlays for July. Personal income increased 0.2% in July, similar to private-sector expectations, while real disposable income decreased 0.1%. Real personal consumption expenditures increased 0.2% in July and at a 1.3% annual rate from their second-quarter average. Consumer spending adjusted for inflation continues to increase at a moderate pace, according to U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca Blank. She noted that data suggests the economy continues to grow, as consumer spending accounts for 70% of GDP, although the economy is growing at a slower pace than the Obama administration would like. On a related note, many economists, including those at PNC Financial Services Group, say a boost in salaries and jobs will help grow the economy.
Businesses Offered Customer-service Training
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Business Assoc. (GBA) and the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Workforce Development Office are coordinating customer-service trainings for local business owners and their staff members this fall. The cost is free to GBA-member owners/managers and is on a scale for the number of staff per business attending. For businesses with one to five staff members participating in training, the cost is $10 each; for six to 11 staff, $7.50 each; and for 12 or more employees, the cost is $5 each. For non-member pricing, call (413) 774-2791. The owner/manager training is slated for Sept. 27 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. The frontline staff training is planned for Oct. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the GCC Downtown Center, room 121. Business owners can reserve space by e-mailing [email protected] with the names of the person(s) attending and the business they are representing.
The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2010.
| AGAWAM Shoemaker Self-Storage CHICOPEE Leclerc Properties GREENFIELD Fenwick, LLP Girl’s Club of Greenfield, MA Greenfield Corporate Center, LL Greenfield Farmer’s Cooperative Exchange Northeast Biodiesel Company, LLC HADLEY Pyramid Mall of Hadley, LLC Vertical Assets, LLC HOLYOKE Cabot Mill Realty, LLC Open Square Properties, LLC Valley Opportunity Council Yvon Laduc LUDLOW Verizon NORTHAMPTON Blue Sky Real Estate, LLC | Clarke School for the Deaf Joseph Edward Welch Paul E. Brown PALMER Robert J. Larose SOUTH HADLEY Second Baptist Church SOUTHWICK College Associates Inc. SPRINGFIELD 1350 Main St., LLC Springfield College Titeflex Corporation WESTFIELD Governor’s Nursing Home Little River Crossing WEST SPRINGFIELD ATC Audio H&P Realty United Bank Wingate Healthcare |
