Month: February 2016

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Regional Chamber will hold its monthly Business@Breakfast on Wednesday, March 2 at Chez Josef in Agawam. The keynote address, “The Human Wake-up Call,” will be delivered by 9/11 survivor Mike Jaffe.

Networking begins at 7:15 a.m., and the program begins at 7:55 a.m. The chief greeter will be Ed Nunez of Freedom Credit Union. Business@Breakfast events aim to provide business and community leaders with a morning networking opportunity and educational topic.

Community Art Project Draws Attention to Hydroelectric Facilities

By BusinessWest Staff February 29, 2016

GREENFIELD — The Connecticut River Watershed Council and Art for Water are creating a ‘river of words’ to draw attention to the federal re-licensing of five major hydroelectric facilities from Turners Falls to north of Hanover, N.H. This public-participation, community art project will tell stories to improve the ecological health and recreational opportunities of the Connecticut River. The public is invited to add their voice at Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m.

“We are working together to bring a public-opinion art installation to the state and federal government,” said Andrew Fisk, executive director of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, noting that the government is in the process of making decisions about how these dams will operate over the next 30 to 40 years. “You have a unique opportunity to influence how 200 miles of the Connecticut River and its tributaries … will be managed, restored, and improved.”

At the art installation, he added, “we are building an inspiring and influential art exhibit that is made up of your stories and aspirations for our rivers. It’s called ‘The Power of Water, The Power of Words’ because our voices do have the power to influence positive change.”

To learn more about presentation, call (413) 772-2020, ext. 206.

American International College Names Marian Kent Director of Grants

By BusinessWest Staff February 29, 2016

SPRINGFIELD — Marian Kent has joined American International College (AIC) as director of grants for institutional advancement. Kent is an attorney and professional writer whose career has focused on relationship building and fund-raising in the nonprofit sector.

Kent, who began her career in legal services, has long been committed to work in the social-justice arena. She previously served as executive director of Safe Passage in Northampton. She was a member of the annual fund team at Amherst College and, most recently, worked as grant writer for HAPHousing in Springfield. She earned her undergraduate degree and juris doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.

Of making the transition back to higher education, Kent said, “I love working in the college atmosphere, and I’m behind the mission of AIC. The college has a dynamic student body along with faculty and staff who are both engaged and engaging.”

Link to Libraries to Host ‘A Night of Passion’ on April 5

HOLYOKE — They’re calling the event “A Night of Passion.” That’s a phrase that applies to both support for efforts to promote childhood literacy and a fondness for a particular food or beverage.

These various passions will come together April 5 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke at Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raising event. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go to Link to Libraries.

More than 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will be a celebration of all that Link to Libraries has accomplished since it was created in 2008 — including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations — and how it intends to continually expand its mission in the years to come.

As for those passions for specific foods and drinks, they will be a focus of the night, provided by a host of area celebrities and business leaders, including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and chief operating officer; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean IV, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., and many more.

As for their passions, well, those are carefully guarded secrets at this point.

Those who would like to experience these passions and support Link to Libraries — which supplies books to schools and other organizations across Western Mass. and Northern Conn., and promotes read-alouds that put area business and civic leaders in area classrooms — can buy tickets for $40 each by sending checks to: Link to Libraries, Attn. Karen Blinderman, P.O. Box 958, West Springfield, MA 01090. All beverages are included in the ticket price. Food and beverages are donated by the Log Cabin.

Sponsors for “A Night of Passion” include lead sponsors Health New England and Rediker Software, and event sponsors Bacon Wilson, Bank of America – U.S. Trust, the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, James Vinick, Monson Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, Peoples United Bank, the Springfield Falcons, and United Bank.

Kirsten Barkman Named Assistant VP, Portfolio Manager at bankESB

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that Kirsten Barkman has joined the bank as assistant vice president, portfolio manager.

Barkman most recently served as a portfolio manager at Chicopee Savings Bank, where she had been working since 2012. She has more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University. She has also passed Level 1 and Level 2 of the Chartered Financial Analyst examinations, and she is a Risk Management Assoc. member.

Peter Pan Bus Lines Welcomes Danielle Veronesi as Marketing Director

SPRINGFIELD — Peter Pan Bus Lines welcomes Danielle Veronesi as its new marketing director. She will be responsible for overseeing Peter Pan’s Marketing Department, which includes but is not limited to creating digital advertising in multiple markets through multi-media platforms.

Veronesi brings more than 15 years of experience in the marketing and promotions industry. She previously worked at iHeartMedia, where she served as the company’s Marketing and Promotions director.

Farm Credit Financial Partners Names Howard Bruck President, CEO

AGAWAM — Howard Bruck has been named president and CEO of Farm Credit Financial Partners Inc. (FPI). With 30 years of experience in general business and financial services, Bruck was most recently chief information officer with Sterling National Bank in New York, responsible for information technology and banking operations.

“The breadth and depth of Howard’s business and technology experience and expertise will bolster our collective and individual efforts to better serve our customers and continue to evolve our organizations,” said Bob Bahl, chairman of the board. “His vision builds on FPI’s 21-year history of providing technology to the Farm Credit System.”

Bruck has an MBA in accounting from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Long Island University. He also served as an adjunct professor at Fordham University, teaching technology, information-management systems and security, and project and operations management for the past 10 years. He has also advised major corporations, investment managers, and technology providers in those areas.

“FPI has an impressive history of providing important technologies to the Farm Credit System for over 20 years,” Bruck said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the organization as we embark into an exciting era of business-technology transformation. Realizing the opportunity to strengthen our products and services and support the business objectives of our customers will require us to be innovative, proficient, and competitive. A big part of my job will be to insure that we focus on creating and delivering great solutions and be recognized as thought leaders and valued partners.”

Disabled Veteran and Business Owner Battles for Energy Efficiency

AMHERST — CTI Energy Services, LLC, based in Amherst, was recently certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Craig Meadows, the firm’s CEO and certified energy manager, served in Vietnam, where he sustained his injuries.

For more than 35 years, Meadows has worked hands-on in the energy field. He has been regional vice president and U.S. general manager for international energy-service companies and has been a principal in his own energy-efficiency businesses. In 2009, he, Thomas Timmins, and several local investors teamed up to form CTI Energy Services, LLC, with an eye toward opportunities and future growth in the industry.

This SDVOSB designation opens the way for CTI to take advantage of further federal and state set-aside provisions. The SDVOSB certification expands the scope of CTI’s operations for energy savings and renewable-energy projects as well as more partnerships with national and international energy-services companies.

Since its founding, CTI has earned a reputation for successful management of energy-savings performance contracts (ESPCs), primarily with small to mid-size housing authorities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. Two years ago, the company began working with private schools, not-for-profit human-service organizations, and government agencies to identify opportunities for improved energy efficiency, solar energy, and compliance with the federal and state mandates. CTI is on the Department of Energy’s qualified list of energy-services companies.

As one of only three SDVOSB companies in the DOE’s new ESPC ENABLE program, CTI received a Schedule 84 award from the General Services Administration. CTI’s steady growth now has the potential to take a giant leap forward.

“We may be a small company, but our vision has always been far-reaching,” Meadows said. “Our business is all about bringing together people, technology, financing and other resources to improve — and, in the process, to help make this a healthier planet for everyone.”

Melha Shriners Oriental Band Pasta Supper Slated for Feb. 27

SPRINGFIELD — The annual Melha Shriners Oriental Band Pasta Supper will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Melha Shriners Butterfield Auditorium. The event will include entertainment by the Interlude Duo, prizes, raffles, dancing, a cash bar, and more.

This event is open to the public, with tickets costing $15 per person or $25 per couple. Proceeds support the many works of the Melha Shriners Oriental Band. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Debbie at (413) 736-3647 or visit www.melhashriners.com/events/pastanight.

Website Lists the Fort as Bucket-list Restaurant Destination

SPRINGFIELD — When onlyinyourstate.com, a popular website that lists top attractions in every state in the U.S., ranked its “14 Restaurants to Visit in Massachusetts Before You Die,” the Student Prince Café and Fort restaurant came in near the top of the list.

The article cited “sublime German food,” the ambience of the dining room, and the restaurant’s noted collection of steins among the aspects that make the Fort a must-visit on any restaurant lover’s list.

“It’s great to see a national media outlet highlight what locals have known forever,” said Managing Partner Andy Yee. “This is exactly why we all came together last year to make sure this Springfield institution survived. We hope this article will help a whole new crop of people discover the magic of our restaurant.”

Wolf & Co., P.C. Promotes Ryan Gorman to Member of Firm

SPRINGFIELD — Wolf & Co., P.C. announced the promotion of Ryan Gorman, CPA, to member of the firm. He has 15 years of experience in providing audit, review, and business-advisory services to middle-market businesses within various industries and ownership structures.

A significant focus of Gorman’s practice includes private-equity and family owned manufacturers, distributors, retail, and service organizations. In addition to his private-company practice, he also works with publicly traded companies and performs audits of employee benefit plans.

Gorman, a graduate of Stonehill College, is a founding member of Wolf’s audit quality task force, a committee established to ensure the company is equipped with the appropriate training, tools, and techniques to deliver effective, quality services.

Limited Tickets Remain for Difference Makers

HOLYOKE — Tickets still remain for the eighth annual Difference Makers Gala, to be staged by BusinessWest on Thursday, March 31 at the Log Cabin Banquest & Meeting House in Holyoke, but they are going fast.

Those interested in attending the event — which will honor Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales, philanthropist (1965-2015); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties; Bay Path University President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president, J.E. Robison Service — are urged to order tickets promptly.

Tickets, with tables of 10 still available, cost $60 each. To reserve tickets, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or visit businesswest.com. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class was profiled in the Jan. 25 issue, and their stories can also be read online at businesswest.com.

Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

Survivor Journeys Wine Tasting Event Slated for Feb. 26 at Lattitude

AGAWAM — Survivor Journeys invites the community to the Survivor Journeys Wine Tasting event on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Lattitude Restaurant on Memorial Avenue, West Springfield.

The event includes a sample of six wines (three reds and three whites), plus a food pairing for each wine inspired by the wine selection. Representatives will be available to talk about each wine. There will be a raffle opportunity to win a wine basket that includes each of the wines sampled and a raffle for Red Sox tickets for the upcoming season. A cash bar will also be available.

The cost of the event is $60 per person. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/survivor-journeys-wine-tasting-tickets-20735645875.

Survivor Journeys provides social and emotional support services to cancer survivors, families, and caregivers. Services are built on collaboration with local providers and cancer survivors, along with regional and nationally recognized cancer organizations. The organization was co-founded by Dr. Jay Burton, medical director and founder of the Primary Care Cancer Survivor Program of Western New England.

Survivor Journeys also announced that the organization will benefit from the generosity of the S. Prestley and Helen Blake Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, which has offered a $25,000 matching grant challenge. The S. Prestley and Helen Blake Fund will match all funds raised, up to $25,000, by Survivor Journeys by March 31.

Visit www.survivorjourneys.org for more information about support groups and developing programs.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Partners With Raymond James

GREENFIELD — John Houston, managing director of the Raymond James Financial Institutions Division, announced that the advisors at GCB Financial Services, a division of Greenfield Cooperative Bank, will offer investment and wealth-management services to its clients through Raymond James Financial Services Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

GCB Financial Services includes program manager and financial advisor Michael Johnson and financial advisor Edward Zadworny. The team previously partnered with MML Investors Services for third-party support.

“We chose Raymond James as our new partner because it provides its clients with superior research, technology, and planning tools,” said Michael Tucker, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its parent company, Greenfield Bancorp, MHC. “The breadth of the resources and the type of support available to its financial advisors will allow us to provide more in-depth service to our clients and, ultimately, to help them better achieve their financial goals.”

Added Houston, “we are pleased to welcome the professionals at GCB Financial Services to our Financial Institutions Division. Their decision to partner with us is further proof that Raymond James resources and support continue to attract expanding bank investment programs. We look forward to helping both Michael and Edward grow and expand their investment-services program, while supporting the client-first culture and values established by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.”

Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in the financial-services industry, having begun his career in 1995 with A.G. Edwards and moved to Greenfield in 2003. He is a graduate of UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Zadworny has been in the financial industry since 1988, when he joined Prudential Insurance and Pruco Securities. In 2012, he moved to Greenfield, where he partnered with Johnson as part of the investment program at Greenfield Cooperative Bank. He is a graduate of Westfield State University with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Named National Medal Finalist

AMHERST — The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is among 30 finalists for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. For 22 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service to make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. This will mark the second year that the Carle has been recognized with this honor.

“The 2016 National Medal finalists make lasting differences in their communities by serving and inspiring the public,” said Kathryn Matthew, director of IMLS. “We proudly recognize these museums and libraries for their invaluable work to provide citizens with educational resources, 21st-century skills, and opportunities for lifelong learning. As key stewards of our nation’s future, we salute the 30 finalists for their excellence in engaging our citizenry and expanding learning of all kinds.”

Added Christopher Milne, the Carle’s chairman of the board, “it is hard to believe what the Carle has achieved in just 13 years. The museum’s exhibitions are traveling to major museums in the U.S., while our literacy and art programs are reaching as far as Asia and the Middle East. It just proves that people of all ages and cultures are deeply moved by the artwork and stories of childhood.”

The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored at an award ceremony. Winning institutions also receive a visit from StoryCorps, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs.

IMLS is encouraging community members who have visited these institutions to share their stories on the IMLS Facebook page, www.facebook.com/usimls. The Carle will be featured on Friday, Feb. 26. To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit www.imls.gov/2016-medals.

Mercy Medical Center, SPHS Welcome RiverBend Medical Group

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center and the Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS), members of Trinity Health – New England, have welcomed RiverBend Medical Group into their family of providers and network of services.

This partnership positions Mercy, SPHS, and RiverBend to make significant strides in care delivery while continuing to focus on high quality, efficiency, access to services, and cost containment, said Dr. Scott Wolf, president of Mercy Medical Center. “The joining of these two clinically excellent and financially strong providers – one with expertise in the delivery of outpatient care and the other with expertise in inpatient care and related services – creates a strong clinically integrated network that will better meet the health care needs of the local community.”

The plan is for RiverBend’s physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and staff members to continue practicing at RiverBend’s current locations in Agawam, Chicopee, Springfield, Westfield, and Wilbraham.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Mercy Medical Center because of our shared vision regarding patient care. We remain committed to treating each patient with dignity, compassion, and clinical excellence, and doing so in a manner that will have a positive impact on our community,” said Dr. Richard Shuman, president of RiverBend Medical Group.

This new arrangement also strengthens the longstanding collaboration between Mercy Medical Center and RiverBend Medical Group on patient care and patient-experience improvement. Patients will benefit from enhanced services through Mercy’s continuum of care options that focus on the ‘triple aim’ of better health, better care, and lower costs for the patient population, Wolf said. “This will be a transparent and seamless transition for patients as they maintain access to their physicians and other providers.”

In addition to his role as RiverBend president, Shuman has been named senior vice president of the Mercy Physician Network Organization (PNO). In this position, he will be responsible for strategic and operating plans for RiverBend Medical Group and the managed practices within the PNO. He will also focus on promoting the delivery of quality healthcare services, providing leadership for the effective management of medical resources and staff, and ensuing clinical quality management and improvement activities for RiverBend, the PNO, and Mercy Medical Center.

Commercial Projects Coming to Fruition in Palmer

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

From left, Linda Leduc, John Rahkonen, and Charlie Blanchard say Northern Construction’s new, $1 million office building contains cutting-edge technology that will help the company stay competitive.

The scope of economic development in Palmer is so diverse that Charlie Blanchard had to make a list to ensure he didn’t forget any major projects when he spoke about them with BusinessWest.

“We have a lot of commercial activity taking place. There has also been an increase in high-tech manufacturing; new medical office space is being developed, and we have a new recreational motorsports raceway,” said the town manager. “Progress continues in Three Rivers, and we are working to revitalize the Thorndike Mills.”

Linda Leduc, the town’s planner and economic development director, added that projects that were permitted years ago are coming to fruition, and commercial properties that sat on the market for years are finally being purchased.

“I’ve seen a 180-degree turnaround this year, and it has brought a multitude of new jobs to Palmer,” said Leduc, who attributes recent growth to a resurgence in the economy.

And, as she noted, change and progress is taking place in all parts of the community, including the Palmer Industrial Park in Bondsville.

Blanchard said Detector Technology Inc. needed room to expand and purchased a building from Wayne Buxton, who was using it to house his ShedWorks Inc. business.

“Wayne needed to downsize but wanted to stay in Palmer, so he kept half the lot and built a new, smaller structure on it,” Blanchard noted.

The decision reflects a trend he and Leduc are seeing: businesses are choosing to stay in Palmer, whether they are downsizing or expanding, if they can find appropriate space — a pattern town officials believe is based on the town’s location, competitive tax rate, good school system, and excellent municipal services.

“We’re right on the Mass Pike, which is ideal for businesses and for their customers coming from the east and west,” Blanchard said, adding that interviews with owners and executives of 16 companies showcased in a 2014 promotional video titled “Industry Alive in Palmer: An Inside Look at Local Businesses” showed they are happy with the educated workforce in the area and have dedicated, exemplary employees.

Growth is also occurring in the downtown area known as Depot Village, which is the first commercial district travelers encounter after they exit the Turnpike. It’s a prime commercial area and the place where O’Reilly Auto Parts chose to expand their New England presence.

“They purchased a vacant building on 1569 North Main St. that had been an eyesore for years,” Blanchard said. The old structure was demolished, and a new, state-of-the art distribution center has been built on the lot.

In addition, the American Legion building on 1010 Thorndike St. was purchased by Fire Service Group two days after it went on the market last May; the company was located in a smaller building in town but wanted to expand.

Meanwhile, Michael’s Party Rentals is moving from Ludlow into the former home of Baldyga’s Auto and RV Sales Inc. on 1221 South Main St. Company President Michael Linton said he purchased the 20,000-square-foot building in early January, and it is undergoing a substantial renovation.

“We’re building a showroom and design center so that we have a dedicated space where wedding planners, brides and grooms, and corporate clients can see our inventory and design capabilities,” he noted. “We’re also adding office space, as there wasn’t any in the building, and plan to install a $60,000, state-of-the-art tent-washing machine which will allow us to clean the tents we rent with less labor.”

The cost of the building, renovation, and new machine are expected to total about $712,000, and Linton anticipates moving in May or June when it is complete.

“My entire staff is excited. We are extremely cramped in our current location and looked for a building for two years,” he continued. “A combination of factors led to the decision to relocate in Palmer: the price of the building, its access to the Mass Pike, Palmer’s commercial tax rate, and the proximity to my home in Sturbridge.”

For this, the latest installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest looks at the many reasons why development is occurring in Palmer, and the various forms it is taking.

Progress Report

While Baldyga’s sold its property for the Michael’s relocation, the business didn’t leave Palmer; Blanchard said the owner purchased an empty lot on Park Street and has plans to construct a new, smaller building on the site, which is in the permitting stage.

In addition, a former Knights of Columbus hall was purchased last fall by Joe Kelley of Angelica Properties. It sits on the corner of Route 32 and River Road and had been for sale for more than a year; it is currently in the permitting stage, and the plan is to renovate it and turn it into state-of-the art medical office space.

Meanwhile, Northern Construction Service Inc. is another company that has chosen to expand in Palmer. About three years ago, owner John Rahkonen purchased a lot adjacent to the business that contained a mini-golf course and batting cages. They were demolished, and a new, state-of-the-art, 7,400-square-foot building, which cost about $1 million, opened in early February.

The company has grown from a $2.5 million operation in 1994 to a $45 million to $50 million business today, and although Rahkonen has two other locations, the new office space, which features skylights and advanced technology, was critical to continued success.

Today, the business occupies about 12 acres, but Rahkonen wishes there were more space available in Palmer so he could continue to expand there.

“I could use another 10 acres,” he told BusinessWest, adding that he agrees with town officials that Palmer’s location is ideal due to its access to key roadways. “We’re in the middle of the state, an hour from Boston and the New York border, and 40 minutes from Hartford. Interstate 91 is around the corner, the Mass Pike is here, and I-84 is 20 minutes down the road.” The company’s work requires moving heavy machinery all over New England, up to the Canadian border, and as far away as White Plains, N.Y., as well as to Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard, so access to a multitude of roadways is helpful.

The town also boasts a new recreational facility called Palmer Motorsports Park. It opened last May on a 500-acre tract of land, and since that time, Road & Track magazine has named it as one of the top 10 racetracks to drive on in North America.

However, it was one of the aforementioned projects that didn’t get off the ground for years due to the flagging economy.

“The Sports Car Club of America permitted the site for a sports motorpark in 2007 because they wanted a track in the Northeast,” Blanchard explained. But the land was not developed until 2012 when club member and private investor Fred Ferguson built the multi-million-dollar recreational facility with its 2.3-mile track, which has since brought new people to Palmer and had a beneficial impact on businesses in the north end of town.

As noted earlier, it is just another of a slew of projects that is expanding and diversifying the economy of a community that just three years ago was pinning its hopes on a resort casino.

New Initiatives

Efforts to revitalize the Thorndike Mills, situated north of Depot Village, are another example of continued progress.

The property consists of seven linked mill buildings that contain 90,000 square feet and sit on 15 acres. They were once home to the thriving Diamond Cascade Manufacturing Co. but have been vacant since 2000, although a hydropower turbine operation has been installed at the site.

“The hydro units are under the floors because the canal runs beneath the buildings,” Leduc said, noting that some units are also located near the dams. But, despite the fact that she has worked with the mill owners for more than a decade to find new uses for the property, they couldn’t seem to make any progress.

However, new hope was generated last fall, thanks to state Sen. Anne Gobi, who was instrumental in introducing them to the Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), whose work includes revitalizing the Warren Mill in West Warren, the Hardwick Knitters Mill in Hardwick, the Holland Road Mill in Sturbridge, and now, Palmer’s Thorndike Mill.

Leduc said a tour of the properties was conducted last fall as part of a larger project that includes the Jefferson Mill in Holden.

“We’re working with the CMRPC, MassDevelopment, and the Mass. Department of Housing and Community Development,” she noted. “It’s an interesting and important collaboration because these mills are significant historic structures. Our mill was once the center of Thorndike Village.”

The Center for Economic Development at UMass Amherst is also involved, and will hold a conference titled “The Future of the Massachusetts Mill Community” on April 12 in the campus center. In addition, UMass Professor of Planning John Mullin and a group of his students are working to identify common themes shared by these mills.

“We were on our own for years, so it’s wonderful to have this support,” Leduc said.

Growth is also occurring in Three Rivers, and collaborative efforts to revitalize Main Street are coming to fruition, thanks to work by the consortium On the Right TRACK (the acronym stands for Three Rivers Arts Community Knowledge).

Partners include North Brookfield Savings Bank, Palmer officials, the Palmer Historical and Cultural Center, the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, the Palmer Redevelopment Authority, and the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp., all of which have been working to build a cultural and creative economy that will attract visitors.

Alice Davey, the town’s community development director, noted that the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. was successful in its bid to win a $13,500 Adams Art Grant for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, and the town completed a market-assessment and business-recruitment tool as well as a feasibility study showing that a building on 2032 Main St. obtained through the tax-title process has potential for redevelopment.

In addition, Davey said, “Palmer also signed a Community Compact agreement with the Commonwealth which will provide us with assistance. We’re taking positive steps forward, and many things are in the planning stages.”

The town also boasts five solar farms, and permits for four new ones have been issued. The newest operations include a five-megawatt farm on the grounds of the former Palmer Metropolitan Airfield that went online last February. It was built by Borrego Solar and is financed, owned, and operated by Syncarpha Capital.

In addition, a 4.8-megawatt operation on Baptist Hill Road, which was developed by Blue Wave Capital and is owned by Sun Edison, went online earlier this month. Blanchard said the town will purchase 2.8 megawatts of the generated electricity, which will meet 100% of its municipal needs and should result in a 20% to 30% savings on its electric bill.

Positive Outlook

Overall, officials expect growth in Palmer to continue. “There is so much going on here, and we are touching so many areas of the economy that are growing,” Blanchard said.

As a result, optimism is running high as new ideas to revitalize the Thorndike Mills are brought forward, and the creative economy in Three Rivers, the new racetrack, and a host of other growing enterprises attract people to “the town of seven railroads” from many different roadways.

Palmer at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1775
Population: 11,049 (2015)
Area: 32.14 square miles
County: Hampden
Tax Rate (Residential and Commercial): Palmer, $21.27; Three Rivers, $22.19; Bondsville, $22.13; Thorndike, $22.30
Median Household Income: $50,050
Family Household Income: $58,110
Type of government: Town Manager; Town Council
Largest Employers: Baystate Wing Hospital; Camp Ramah of New England; Big Y World Class Markets

* Latest information available

Greater Westfield Chamber St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Set for March 18

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast on Friday, March 18 at Westfield State University’s Scanlon Hall, located at 577 Western Ave., Westfield. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m., breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 7:50 a.m.

The guest speaker is Ramon Torrecilha, the new president of Westfield State University. The chief greeter will be Mike Knapik. “We are so pleased and excited to have our business community hear from Dr. Torrecilha regarding his vision and relationship with our great community,” said Kate Phelon, executive director of the chamber.

The chamber will also recognize this year’s Sons of Erin Colleen, Victoria Weltlich, and her court, Samantha Dolan, Anna Grady, Alyssa Manna, and Grace Silva. Other invited guests include parade marshal Jim Madigan, Irishwoman of the Year Lynda Cavanaugh, and Irishman of the Year Dermot Hurley.

This event is sponsored by Westfield Bank, platinum sponsor; Westfield Gas & Electric, gold sponsor; and Prolamina, silver sponsor. Sunshine Village is the coffee bar sponsor. Entertainment will be provided by Cassin Academy of Irish Dance. There will also be a 50/50 raffle to support two Westfield & Southwick Dollars for Scholars scholarship awards.

The cost is $25 for members and $30. for general admission. To purchase tickets or donate a door prize, contact Pam Bussell by March 14 at (413) 568-1618 or [email protected].

The Promise of Rail Service

Opinion

Editorial

As one rides on Amtrak’s Vermonter through Western Mass. and along the Connecticut River, the potential that train service holds for helping to change the local landscape can be seen.

Well, sort of.

Actually, it can’t be seen unless one uses and extends his or her imagination. That’s because there are only two trains coming through that stretch, one southbound and one northbound, and they both hit this region in the middle of the afternoon (see story, page 6).

That makes train service, as currently constituted, ideal for Smith College students going home for Thanksgiving or the holidays; business owners and professionals going to conferences and meetings in New York, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C.; skiiers looking for an affordable option for getting them to the slopes in Vermont; and individuals visiting relatives anywhere along that route.

All that’s fine, but those uses don’t really explain why officials in this region fought so hard to bring rail service back to the so-called Connecticut River Line and three cities — Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield — that hadn’t seen a passenger train stop within their borders in nearly 30 years. They didn’t lobby for the train — and the state didn’t invest in the concept — to create a transportation alternative.

Or just a transportation alternative. Instead, the train was viewed as an economic-development opportunity, a vehicle for bringing people to cities, where they could spend money, support businesses, and, maybe, if they really liked that they saw, decide to live and/or locate a business.

That can’t happen with what amounts to one train a day. It might happen with five or more, and that’s why those same officials are again lobbying state officials to allocate surplus MBTA equipment to run along the Connecticut River Line several times a day.

With such frequency, people could commute to jobs; they could visit Northampton for dinner and a show and return home that same night; they could attend a lecture at Amherst College in the morning and return to their office in the afternoon. And maybe they’d fall in love with one of those stops along the route and decide that, because they can commute from there, they want to live there.

Maybe. What’s more likely is that this last kind of activity — what the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission director and others call ‘transit-oriented development’ — can only happen if reliable, fast train service between Springfield and Boston becomes reality.

And it probably won’t for many years. This would require a huge capital investment and an equally large amount of political goodwill, and we’re not sure if there is enough of either to make this happen.

But we encourage area officials, especially those aforementioned mayors, to keep the state’s feet to the fire on this matter. Indeed, while some have doubts about just how much train service can do for this region — after all, one can already get from Springfield to Boston fairly easily and inexpensively — we believe rail service is one of those ingredients needed for Western Mass. to enjoy some of the success enjoyed by Boston and its suburbs.

With the train, there can be more connections, and connections mean opportunities. It won’t happen overnight, but as this region becomes accessible, good things can happen.

That’s what people can see if they ride the Vermonter — again, if they use their imagination, and if they look far enough down the tracks.

Substance-abuse Issues Pose Stern Challenges for Employers

Employment Sections

Addiction in the Workplace

One of many things the ongoing opioid crisis has brought to light is that addiction, of all kinds, knows no boundaries. It impacts people of all races and income levels, those who live in cities and those residing in the suburbs, the young and the not-so-young. Because of this, it also impacts businesses of every size and across every sector. And, in many cases, it’s a problem employers are not fully aware of and are not adequately equipped to handle. Experts on the subject strongly suggest that they educate themselves on all aspects of this issue, because they could pay a steep price — in many different ways — if they are not properly prepared.

Rene Pinero says antiquated beliefs persist about individuals who become addicted to alcohol or drugs, despite recent headlines and ample evidence to the contrary.

“People think they’re homeless, don’t work, and have a low level of education,” Pinero, clinical director for Outpatient Behavioral Health at the Center for Human Development (CHD), told BusinessWest. “If you ask someone to describe an addict, they may paint that picture, but they don’t realize it can happen to anyone, and they don’t think about professionals such as doctors and lawyers.

“Addiction is a medical condition, like diabetes or hypertension,” he went on. “And well-educated people who have good resources are able to hide their problems better than those who don’t.”

Amy Royal agreed. “There are high-functioning people with addiction problems who are really good at concealing it,” said the founding partner of Royal, P.C. in Northampton, whose law practice deals exclusively with employment law and representing businesses.

But whether addiction is obvious or goes unnoticed for a long period of time, it has a profound effect on the workplace. Studies show addiction costs employers roughly $250 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, attrition, safety issues, worker’s compensation claims, and hidden healthcare expenditures.

The National Business Group on Health reports that employees with substance-abuse issues often fail to fulfill major work obligations at work, home, or school; use substances in situations where it is physically hazardous to do so, which can include operating or working on machinery and driving company vehicles while impaired; and have recurrent legal or financial problems. In addition, they continue to abuse substances in spite of persistent or interpersonal difficulties.

Related statistics are certainly eye-opening. The American Council for Drug Education reports that 70% of substance abusers are employed, and 75% of workers have used drugs within the past year.

Although the belief persists that people are responsible for their addiction and can choose to stop their drug or alcohol use at any time, experts say people with the problem often suffer from a mental illness and initially try to alleviate symptoms with drugs or alcohol. However, as their tolerance to alcohol or the drug rises, they need to use more and more to combat their troubling symptoms, which causes side effects such as hangovers and depression.

“The majority of clients we see with an addiction problem also have a mental-health problem,” said William Davila, vice president of clinical services for CHD, the Springfield-based social-service agency that boasts 70 programs, many of which focus on the broad issue of substance abuse in some manner.

William Davila, left, and Rene Pinero say many people who struggle with addiction also have mental-health issues.

Pinero agreed, telling BusinessWest that, when clients come to CHD’s Pine Street Clinic in Springfield, it’s not uncommon to find that life situations led to their addiction. “Many have a co-occurring disorder and are dealing with anxiety, depression, or a past trauma. It’s rare to see someone who only has a problem with substance addiction.”

For example, someone with post-traumatic stress disorder who suffers from anxiety, depression, frequent nightmares, or disturbing memories may self-medicate so they can stop thinking about these issues, while a person with undiagnosed bipolar disorder may try to cope with the mood swings that accompany it by using alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine purchased on the street, or medications that have been prescribed for them.

“It’s a more severe form of what occurs when someone says they had a bad day at work and need a stiff drink,” Davila said. “These people are looking for a way to alleviate stress, exhaustion, or fatigue, and many times they start with one drink or one pill and it snowballs. The problem is often magnified when someone has a mental-health issue.”

Pinero agreed. “A lot of the clients we see are trying to cope with serious issues and are at the point of desperation,” he told BusinessWest, adding that many fear admitting to the problem due to the stigma associated with substance abuse and fear that they will lose their job if anyone finds out.

But they are often unable to focus while they are work due to their preoccupation about how or when they will be able to use the drug again and whether people will notice their condition. “It adds pressure, and the increase in stress can actually cause the person to use more,” Pinero said.

For this issue and its focus on employment, BusinessWest wades into the tide of addiction, what employers need to know, and how they can equip themselves to cope with this issue.

Dose of Reality

Massachusetts has initiated a so-called State Without Stigma campaign in response to statistics showing that about four people in the Commonwealth die every day as a result of their addiction to opioid painkillers. The goals of the initiative include creating new pathways to treatment, reducing the stigma that prevents people from seeking help, acknowledging addiction as a chronic medical condition, and a host of concrete measures.

“If someone fell and broke their leg on the way to work, they would not be embarrassed to seek medical treatment,” Pinero told BusinessWest. “But people with an addiction problem think they have to keep it under wraps. Eventually, it starts to consume their life.

“And if they don’t get the support they need, they are absent from work more often, late more often, and can engage in unsafe behavior,” he went on. “People with addictions are five times more likely than their co-workers to have an injury at work or injure others.”

Davila said signs that indicate an employee may have an addiction problem are many and are usually recognizable to those who know what to look for. They include unexplained absences, mood swings, changes in attitude, difficulty relating to others, a decrease in productivity, lack of focus or concentration, and work that fails to meet expectations.

On the other hand, there are people who drink excessively during lunch or during the workday and are skilled at hiding it. “By the time it’s discovered, many people have been using for months or years,” he explained.

An Opioid Task Force was created in Greenfield to cope with growing numbers of people in the Franklin County and North Quabbin regions of Massachusetts who are addicted to heroin and opiates, and it’s an example of what’s being done in many regions and cities.

The list of participating agencies and healthcare groups is lengthy, but the mission is clear: to prevent heroin and prescription-drug addiction and help people who are already hooked.

And there are many reasons to help people with addiction issues, starting with the fact that employers care about the people who work for them and value them for what they are — real assets, but also human beings.

“Employers want to do the right thing and support someone who is having a tough time,” Royal said. “There really is a desire to preserve employment, especially if someone has been a good employee and is well-liked.”

There are financial considerations as well, specifically the large investment employers have made in searching for, selecting, and training personnel.

But, since they know being under the influence at work presents liabilities and potential exposure to lawsuits, employers must conduct a delicate balancing act as they attempt to both help their employee and protect themselves from liability.

Amy Royal says employers often want to protect employees, but need to consider liability issues if they let addiction-related problems fester.

Royal cited a case in which a nursing home was sued after something went awry with a resident due to an employee’s irresponsible behavior. After the incident occurred, other employees told the family they had observed the person working in an altered state in the past, and, as a result, management was found negligent because it failed to do something about the problem.

“It can be a dilemma,” Royal explained. “An employer may really like the employee and want to help, but they need to weigh that against the risk of liability.”

She added that, in an office setting, concerns manifest themselves that have less to do with safety and more with the company’s reputation or the way it is perceived. For example, a receptionist who slurs his or her speech and has glassy eyes can be detrimental to interactions with the public or with clients.

However, the main concern for many employers is safety, which can be critical in a factory where machinery is involved, or when the person works for a nonprofit and engages in one-to-one care with a vulnerable population, as in the example of the nursing home.

Addressing the Issue

Royal gets a lot of questions about when, if ever, to insist that an employee undergo drug testing, but she says Massachusetts does not have a drug-testing statue.

“However, there is a privacy statue that is very broad and is utilized in the employment context,” she noted, explaining that mandating a drug test can be considered an invasion of privacy. However, the courts have implemented a balancing test where they weigh privacy against legitimate business interests.

Safety is considered a legitimate reason to test, but Royal noted that any employer who mandates a drug test needs objective criteria it can present to a court if it is challenged.

“I suggest that front-line supervisors document their observations in a concrete way,” she told BusinessWest, adding that evidence cannot be subjective, and she has worked with clients to prepare a checklist of behaviors that include odor, the way someone walks and speaks, erratic behavior, shakiness, and whether the employee’s eyes appear glassy. “But first, I try to find out what an employer’s concerns are and whether or not they want to preserve the employee.”

Regardless of their goal, it’s important to provide supervisors with training regarding the legalities of what constitutes suspicious behavior.

“A supervisor needs to be able to recognize and document it, and a company shouldn’t assume the person is armed with these skills without some type of training,” Royal went on. “The supervisor also needs to understand that their role includes being accessible and present in the workplace.”

If an employer decides to confront an employee, Pinero said, they should be understanding and tell the person they want to do whatever it takes to help them keep their job and address their addiction.

“One of the best things employers can do is to establish a policy and an employee-assistance program to handle these problems,” he told BusinessWest, adding that employers should emphasize that any information shared with employee-assistance counselors is confidential.

Davila has been a manager for many years, and says there have been times when he suspected something was wrong with an employee. But he added that erratic behavior does not always result from addiction.

“The employee may have suffered a loss in their family, have financial problems, or problems with housing that can be as distracting as addiction,” he said. “Employers don’t want to police their staff, but they need to be vigilant and proactive so they can help.”

He suggests explaining to an employee that changes have been observed in their behavior that can include mood, self-care, or asking colleagues for money. “Tell the person you are concerned, there is a program that can help, and you recommend they try it,” he advised. “You should also emphasize that you are happy to talk to them about any of their concerns.”

However, experts admit that addiction can be a lifelong struggle, and in some cases, the person isn’t ready to admit they have a problem.

Bottom Line

Addiction in the workplace is a complex issue, and despite all the media attention focused on it, outdated notions persist.

“People with addictions are not held in high esteem,” Royal said. “But it is a disease, not a conscious choice, even though people may perceive it that way.”

And there are definite benefits to helping someone recover.

“It’s a win-win situation for the employer, the person’s family, and the community,” Pinero said. “Some people start with outpatient services or peer-support programs, while others have to go to a detox program to deal with the physical aspects of addiction. But recovery is a process, and they will continue to need treatment.”

Which means employers need to be alert to potential problems and deal with them in a manner that is caring, but also addresses issues of liability.

“Just don’t be judgmental,” Pinero suggested. “Most people with an addiction want treatment, but often feel ashamed, and are waiting for someone to ask them to get help.”

People on the Move

Departments People on the Move

Brandon Mitchell

Chris Marini

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) announced the promotion of Brandon Mitchell, CPA, MSA and Chris Marini, MSA, MOS to Senior Associate positions. Mitchell has been with MBK since 2013 and brings a strong technical skill set to his work, as well as a background in sales. “Brandon has demonstrated a strong understanding of our clients and their industries in his time with our firm,” said MBK partner Howard Cheney. “He is resourceful and often takes the initiative to educate himself on his clients beyond the scope of his technical work, allowing him to enhance his relationship with our client base and deliver an even higher level of client service.” Mitchell earned his MSA from Westfield State University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. For more than two years, Marini has demonstrated a dedicated work ethic to both clients and the firm. He is a team leader within the not-for-profit, HUD, and pension-audit niches. “Since the very beginning, Chris has worked hard and demonstrated a commitment to growth and education,” Cheney said. “He is also an instrumental resource for computer and technology matters here at the firm, helping to spearhead a number of projects and initiatives as we continue to take our cloud-based computer environment to the next level. This has resulted in efficiencies which we are able to pass on to our clients.” Marini holds a BBA with a concentration in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and earned his MSA from the University of Connecticut. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the board of trustees for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and serves as a mentor for the Westfield State University Accounting Club.

•••••

PeoplesBank announced the following:

Beverly Farnham

Amos McLeod III

Nancy Robinson

• Beverly Farnham has been promoted to Loan Service Officer. She possesses close to two decades of financial and banking experience. She first joined the bank in 1996 and previously served as loan service specialist. She has earned diplomas for financial services operations and consumer lending from the Center of Financial Training. She has been volunteering for the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race for more than a decade;
• Amos McLeod III has been appointed Senior Credit Analyst Officer. He brings more than a decade of banking experience to his new position. He will be responsible for understanding and managing the credit risk and loan quality of the bank’s commercial real-estate and loan portfolios. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Springfield College and is a graduate of the School of Commercial Lending Program at Babson College. He serves as treasurer of Friends of the Huntington Public Library and volunteers for the United Way of Pioneer Valley; and
• Nancy Robinson has been promoted to Internal Audit Officer. She possesses more than a decade of banking and financial experience. She first joined the bank in 2012 and previously served as financial analyst. She holds a master’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University. She serves on the board of the Connecticut River Valley Golden Retriever Club. She also volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Children’s Study Home.

•••••

Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso, CFP, from the Connecticut Valley General Office of New York Life, is now authorized to offer AARP-branded life insurance and lifetime-income annuity products to AARP members. It is the first time these group-life-insurance products are offered by authorized-to-offer agents. Deliso is among a select group of New York Life agents who became authorized to offer her clients AARP Guaranteed Acceptance Life, AARP Level Benefit Term, and AARP Permanent Life Insurance, all from New York Life and New York Life’s Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity. She is a licensed insurance agent and passed courses specific to AARP. Deliso has been a New York Life agent since 1995. She serves on many boards in her community, including the Baystate Health Foundation and Pioneer Valley Refrigerated Warehouse, and is chairman of the board of the Community Music School of Springfield. She is past chairman of the board of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, past board member of AAA Pioneer Valley, and past trustee of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the advisory council at Bay Path University. Since 1994, AARP group-life products from New York Life have been available via direct mail to AARP members. The company has also been the provider of group lifetime-income annuities to AARP members since 2006.

•••••

The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts announced that Liz Feeley was named Director of Philanthropy. She brings a wealth of blended experience in education and philanthropy to the organization. Feeley received her bachelor’s degree in English from Lehigh University. After spending 21 years coaching intercollegiate women’s basketball at institutions such as Smith College, Princeton University, the University of Notre Dame, and Holy Cross College, Feeley took her penchant for building relationships into the field of philanthropy. She brings a background in strategic planning, team building, volunteer management, and designing sustainable programs to the Women’s Fund. Feeley’s work at both Smith College and Stoneleigh-Burnham School, a day-boarding school for girls in Greenfield, brought to the forefront of her consciousness issues that girls and women face each day. She looks forward to building relationships around the Women’s Fund’s mission of creating economic and social equality for women and girls in Western Mass. through philanthropy. Prior to arriving at the Women’s Fund, Feeley served as director of Development at Amherst Montessori School. Previously, as director of Development and Alumnae Relations at Stoneleigh-Burnham, she led a team that increased fund-raising by 133% and alumni participation in the annual fund by 50% in three years. As director of Development, she also launched an initiative that increased the number of major-gift donors by 35% in two years. In five years, her team took fund-raising at the school to an unprecedented level by implementing a strategy based on stewardship, cultivating relationships, brand identity, creating sustainable programs, social media, and in-person visits across the country and in Asia. While at Stoneleigh-Burnham, Feeley was instrumental in the planning and implementation of a $1.2 million two-year campaign. Her team coordinated and hosted a Leadership Symposium and Gala to launch the campaign that successfully raised money for a new student-center complex. She partnered with volunteer groups of parents, alumni, faculty, students, trustees, and others in an effort to advance the mission of the institution.

•••••

Keith G. Roy Construction Inc., a construction and contracting company serving Massachusetts and Connecticut since 1946, announced that Joshua David Roy has been appointed Vice President. “Joshua is continuing a legacy of leadership at a local family-owned and -operated company,” said President Keith G. Roy. Joshua developed his expertise by working side-by-side with both his grandfather, David, and his father, Keith, since his teenage years. He oversees and personally works on projects that include roofing; exterior builds, including decks and siding; as well as interior construction, including kitchens and baths. “I take particular pride in training our crew, project supervision, and customer service,” he said. For more information about the company, visit kgroyconstruction.com.

•••••

The Gove Law Office announced that attorney Jaclyn Packard has joined the firm, focusing her practice on civil and criminal litigation and trials, real-estate transactions, and estate planning. “Jaclyn Packard is a wonderful addition to our growing law firm of professionals who represent the diverse practice areas Gove Law offers clients within the firm’s Litigation, Real Estate, and Estate Planning departments,” said Michael Gove, founding partner of Gove Law Office. Having graduated cum laude from the Florida Coastal School of Law, Packard holds a license to practice law in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Florida. In addition to being a practicing attorney, she is an active supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event and a volunteer with the Lawyer for a Day program. The Gove Law Office, with offices in Ludlow and Northampton, is a bilingual firm with attorneys who provide guidance to clients in the areas of business representation, criminal and civil litigation, personal-injury law, commercial lending, residential and commercial real estate, estate planning, immigration, and bankruptcy.

•••••

Rob Poole

Rob Poole has been named Director of Business Programs at American International College. He will oversee the undergraduate and graduate business administration programs. As part of his responsibilities, Poole will lead the faculty in upgrading the curriculum and managing internship opportunities. The internship program will integrate with the business community to create placements that are mutually beneficial to the industry, students, and the college. In addition, he will focus the MBA program for the non-business major. “Acquiring a technical area of knowledge as an undergraduate, while layering and applying business experience, significantly expands career opportunities,” he said. Poole’s areas of expertise include accreditation, assessment, and internship programs. In addition to working as a private consultant, he has served as an assistant professor at Richard Stockton College and Bellarmine University. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in economics, then received his master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and a PhD in production operations management from the University of North Texas.

•••••

Milly Parzychowski

United Bank announced the winners of its 2015 Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) Sales Contest, the bank’s second annual internal awards program that recognizes its bankers for achieving excellence in mortgage production, and a local mortgage loan originator, Milly Parzychowski, is among the honorees. The final standings are based on the number of units and volume closed in 2015. Depending on an MLO’s production for a given year, they can be recognized in three categories: Chairman’s Club (including Chairman’s Club Champion), President’s Club, or Vice President’s Club. Parzychowski was named to the Vice President’s Club. Parzychowski, who joined United Bank in 2011, is based at the Westfield branch and covers Western Mass. Her more than 40 years in banking and mortgage origination included loan officer roles at Mortgage Master Inc. and Family Choice Mortgage Corp. Parzychowski was also a branch manager at American Home Mortgage and at CNI National Mortgage, a loan originator with National City and Source One, and started her banking career as a teller at Valley Bank in Springfield. She is currently an MBA candidate at Bay Path University.

Incorporations

Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Ronak Food Mart Inc., 650 Suffield St., Agawam, MA 01001. Mukesh K. Patel, same. Neighborhood convenience store.

CONWAY

The “V” Project Inc., 1352 Ashfield Road, Conway, MA 01341. David Donald Chevalier Sr., same. Organization for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes to combine veterans and volunteers to fulfill the needs of the less fortunate; reintegrate veterans and their families into civilian life.

EAST LONGMEADOW

MM Acquisition Inc., 35 Industrial Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Steven L. Graham, same. Real estate.

HAMPDEN

North Road consulting Inc., 379 North Road, Hampden, MA 01036. Jeffrey Smith, same. Accounting and bookkeeping consulting.

HOLYOKE

Ministerio Alimentando A Los Necesitados Inc., 156 Allyn St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Elsie Diaz, same. Assist needy, homeless, anyone else in need of support by providing spiritual and material needs; spread the word of Jesus Christ.

LENOX

Silver Sunami Inc., 19 Bolton Dr., Lenox, MA 01240. Kendra Macleod, same. Transitional and liquidation services.

LUDLOW

Shifa Comprehensive Health Center P.C., 185 West Ave., Ludlow, MA 01056. Shaukat Matin, same. To provide quality medical services to the local population.

NORTHAMPTON

Western Massachusetts Directors of Special Education Inc., 240 Main St., second floor, Northampton, MA 01060. Sharon Jones, 556 Mt. Hermon Station, Northfield, MA 01360. Organization for charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes for educational training and professional guidance to providers of special education.

SOUTH HADLEY

Mosier School PTO Inc., 101 Moshier St., South Hadley, MA 01075. Anita Montanez-Barcome, 45 Applewood Lane, South Hadley, MA 01075. Enhance the educational experience for the children who attend the Moshier School.

SPRINGFIELD

Senrab Seven Inc., 63 Orpheum Ave., Springfield, MA 01118. Catherine E. Kagan, same. Distribution of bread and bakery products.

Supreme Autobody and Collision Center Inc., 361 Taylor St., Springfield, MA 01105. Michael E. Freedman, 71 Woodsley Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Collision repair and restoration of vehicles.

Tina M. Chandler, EA Inc., 1205 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Tina M. Chandler, same. Income tax services.

Trinity Auto Carrier Inc., 373 White St., Apt 1, Springfield, MA 01108. Andres Delgado, same. Auto transportation.

Z Ali Inc., 555 State St., Springfield, MA 01109. Zeeshan Ali, 47 Amherst Ave, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Furniture and general merchandise.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Quick Transportation Corp., 284 Main St., First Floor, West Springfield, MA 01089. Ahmed Aljanabi, same.

WESTFIELD

MVK Corporation, 126 Union St., Unit 201, Westfield, MA 01085. Mikhail Kolesnichenko, same. Trucking.

WILLIAMSTOWN

U-A Fine Hair Studio Inc., 173 Water St., Suite 3, Williamstown, MA 01267. Karen Brown, 4 Doanes Lane, North Adams, MA 01247. Hair salon.

Baystate Health to Address Proposed Hospital Changes on March 3

WARE — Baystate Health invites the community to attend a question-and-answer session to address the changes planned to the inpatient unit at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Ware Public School.

Among those participating will be Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO, Baystate Health; Nancy Shendell-Falik, senior vice president of Community Hospitals, Baystate Health; Jennifer Endicott, senior vice president of Strategy and External Relations, Baystate Health; and Michael Moran, interim president and chief administrative officer of the Baystate Health Eastern Region, which includes Baystate Mary Lane and Baystate Wing hospitals.

Baystate Health has filed requests with the state Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission seeking to operate the facilities currently operating as Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware under one hospital license. Pending regulatory approval, this change would lead to the transition of Baystate’s regional inpatient services to Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer. On average, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has fewer than 10 patients a day who remain in the hospital overnight. Baystate Mary Lane will continue to provide a range of medical services on an outpatient basis, and Baystate’s primary-care network is not affected by this change.

“Over the past several years, only about 20% of the care delivered at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has been inpatient care, and that is the portion we seek to consolidate at Baystate Wing Hospital to ensure the highest-quality and most effective care for all our hospitalized patients,” said Moran. “Eighty percent of the care we now provide on the Baystate Mary Lane campus is outpatient care. Services not affected by the proposed change include the care provided in our emergency department, outpatient surgery, cancer services, radiology and lab services, and medical practices.”

The meeting is open to the public, and representatives from Baystate will answer any questions that area residents may have about the proposal and the future of services in the region. For more information, call Michelle Holmgren, Public Affairs and Community Relations manager for Baystate Health’s Eastern Region, at (413) 967-2296.

Court Dockets

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Juan Ortiz v. Campagnari Construction, LLC
Allegation: No handrails on stairway causing fall: $3,793.32
Filed: 12/15/15

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Christy Real Estate, LLC v. YRC Inc.
Allegation: Breach of real-estate purchase and sale agreement: $60,000
Filed: 1/14/16

Concilio International de Iglesias Hora Zero, WLHZ 107.9, and Casa de Esperanza v. Baystate Gas Co. d/b/a Columbia Gas
Allegation: Gas explosion causing property damage: $1,500,000
Filed: 1/12/16

James Bruno v. Toyota Motor Credit Corp.
Allegation: Consumer claim for wrongful repossession: $9,200
Filed: 1/21/16

Kevin Augustino v. Subaru of America
Allegation: Breach of contract: $27,979.63
Filed: 12/30/15

Paul Giza v. Duravent Simpson Manufacturing
Allegation: Product liability causing property damage: $350,000
Filed: 1/6/16

Piano Distributors of Florida Inc. v. Falcetti Music Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered and services rendered: $555,335.71
Filed: 1/7/16

Sage Engineering and Contracting Inc. d/b/a Furrow Engineering v. Athena Healthcare Associates Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of services, labor, and materials: $68,114.83
Filed: 1/11/16

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Alberto Morales and Yaniris Fernandez v. Wyndham Hotel and Resorts, LLC
Allegation: Bedbug bites: $46,000
Filed: 1/6/16

Federated Capital Corp. v. Transmission and Engine Tech and Mark T. MacDonald
Allegation: Complaint to enforce judgment: $108,103
Filed: 12/17/15

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT

Travelers Insurance Co. v. East Baking Co. Inc. and David Serra
Allegation: unjust enrichment and conversion: $18,170.04
Filed: 1-21-16

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Blackwood Associates Inc. v. Five Star Building Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment for recruiting services: $24,222.64
Filed: 1/25/16

Marie Higgins v. Quynh Nguyen and Lien Luong d/b/a Nail Pro
Allegation: Negligent application of material during pedicure causing scarring and nerve damage: $1,620+
Filed: 1/29/16

Rexel Inc. v. Jeff O’Connor Electric
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,416.10
Filed: 1/29/16

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

American Express Bank v. Red Bridge Bait and Richard Rubner
Allegation: Breach of contract: $5,375.60
Filed: 1/4/16

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Century Center, LLC v. Karoun Yoga Inc.
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $7,990.23
Filed: 1/27/16

Picture This

Departments Picture This

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Community Pride

Pride Stores recently donated $25,000 to the Center for Human Development’s (CHD) MaryAnne’s Kids Fund, which was established to provide opportunities for children in foster care that would otherwise be unavailable to them. This donation will help continue to provide these children the means to pursue special interests in music, dance, art, sports, summer camps, and extracurricular education, and an overall positive influence that will remain with them throughout their lives. “Pride does so much for MaryAnne’s Kids, helping foster children have opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them,” said Jim Williams, CHD’s Children and Families Program director. “We are grateful to have such a great partner in the community.” Every year, Pride Stores sells $1 ornaments in each of its 30 locations during the holidays to support MaryAnne’s Kids. “We are grateful to all the Pride customers who support this important fund-raiser,” said Marsha Del Monte, president of Pride Stores. Pictured among CHD staff and volunteers are Karen Nystrom, Pride’s director of marketing (second row, third from left), Del Monte (fourth from left), and Williams (fifth from left).

Briefcase

Briefcase Departments

Demolition of I-91 Viaduct Deck Underway

SPRINGFIELD — MassDOT’s contractor, the joint venture of White-Schiavone, began demolishing the I-91 viaduct’s reinforced concrete bridge deck on Feb. 10. The work will take place in the inner northbound lane of the viaduct along the median, which is currently closed. The contractor will work a day shift (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and a night shift (4 p.m. to midnight) on Mondays through Fridays. Demolition of the inner northbound lane deck is expected to continue through April 2017. Demolition of other portions of the viaduct deck will continue through summer 2017. White-Schiavone will use several noise mitigation techniques during demolition. It has proactively installed noise curtains along the work zone in noise-sensitive areas. Additional curtains may be installed as required once initial noise readings are taken after demolition activities have started. In addition, all heavy trucks and equipment have been retrofitted with self-adjusting backup alarms, which limit the sound to a set volume above the ambient (background) noise. The JV has also taken initial readings of ambient noise in the work zone to establish a baseline for comparison. All equipment has been tested to ensure it is operating within the manufacturer’s specification. Those traveling through the area should follow the reduced speed limits and use caution. MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. For more information about the project, visit www.mass.gov/massdot/i91viaductrehab. To report issues or concerns, or with questions about construction, e-mail [email protected] or call (617) 454-1839.

Ouimet-Rooke Nominated as District Court Judge

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker has nominated Michele Ouimet-Rooke, an attorney with more than 17 years of experience in Western Mass. courts, to serve as a judge in Springfield District Court. “Michele Ouimet-Rooke offers the court a great combination of experience in both civil and criminal legal matters drawn from her career in public service and private practice in Western Massachusetts,” Baker said. “I am pleased to recommend an individual with such broad experience to the Governor’s Council for their consideration.” Added Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “the first two District Court openings our administration has sought to fill are in Hampden County, and we are pleased to make this second nomination to the Springfield District Court. If confirmed, we know that Ms. Ouimet-Rooke will serve her hometown with distinction.” Ouimet-Rooke, a native and resident of Springfield, joined the practice of Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy in 2002 as an associate representing plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of litigations, including employment and discrimination law, premise and product liability, insurance defense, landlord/tenant issues, criminal defense, and business litigation, becoming a partner in 2012. She began her career in the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office as a victim/witness advocate for eight years before becoming an assistant district attorney and chief prosecutor. She obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Springfield College and her juris doctor from Western New England College School of Law in 1999. The Governor’s Council held a hearing on the nomination on Feb. 17, and a confirmation vote is scheduled for Feb. 24. There are 62 district courts throughout the Commonwealth hearing a range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental-health, and other cases, including all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, misdemeanors, and violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. Springfield is located in Region 6, which includes courts in Chicopee, Eastern Hampshire, Greenfield, Holyoke, Northern Berkshire, Northampton, Orange, Palmer, Southern Berkshire, and Westfield.

Governor Signs Bill to Reduce Minors’ Risk for Skin Cancer

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation last week to reduce the risk of skin cancer among minors by increasing the minimum age for the use of tanning facilities to 18 years old. During consideration of the bill, medical associations including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Melanoma Foundation of New England, the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, and the families of skin-cancer victims Glenna Kohl and Jay Farley testified in support of its passage. “With the number of minors diagnosed with skin cancer on the rise across Massachusetts and the nation, this legislation takes a critical step towards increasing awareness and protecting our most vulnerable,” Baker said. Added state Rep. Marjorie Decker, “this legislation is about protecting young people from carcinogenic UV rays that we know cause cancer. I am proud to have worked on legislation that will help save lives and want to thank Gov. Baker for signing this into law.”

Cutting Off the Opioid Crisis at the Root

Opinion

By Maura Healey

It’s been nearly two years since the state declared prescription-drug and heroin addiction a public-health emergency. Since then, we’ve had an all-hands-on-deck approach from lawmakers, police and fire chiefs, health professionals, and community groups.

But our collective efforts haven’t been enough. Until we change the culture around how opioids are prescribed and dramatically reduce the number of pills available, people will continue to die.

Since 1999, the number of prescription painkillers sold in the U.S. has nearly quad-rupled. In 2014, there were 4.6 million opioid prescriptions written in Massachusetts alone — enough for nearly every adult in this state to have a bottle of pills. Meanwhile, overdose deaths have risen by more than 300%.

We won’t solve this crisis until we cut it off at its root, by reducing the use of prescription opioid painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet. Cheap heroin is not a new problem; it’s been around for decades. What is new is that four out of five heroin users report having previously used a prescription opioid. These powerful drugs are a synthetic version of opium. They’re heroin in a pill.

The opioid epidemic is the direct result of years of overprescribing painkillers to everyday people, who get hooked on an extremely addictive substance, then turn to heroin when they can no longer afford to sustain an expensive pill habit.

While heroin is certainly a problem, three times as many Americans are hooked on opioids. Pharmaceutical companies told us for years that they weren’t addictive, but we know better now. Medical studies have shown that up to a third of long-term opioid users meet criteria for addiction, and that physical dependence can happen in as few as five days.

While the vast majority of prescribers are trying to do the right thing, we must end the illegal prescribing we know is taking place. My office has formed an investigative group to identify practitioners who are illegally prescribing opioids to people who shouldn’t have them. This partnership will allow state and federal law-enforcement agencies to share information about individuals who run ‘pill mills’ or prescribe to people with a history of substance abuse.

But to combat the opioid crisis more fully, we need societal change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proposed nationwide guidelines to help medical professionals across the country understand when and how opioids should be used, particularly for chronic pain. The pharmaceutical lobby and some sectors of the medical community have pushed back against these guidelines, calling them too restrictive. But here’s my view: thousands are dying, and something desperately has to change. Thirty-six other state attorneys general share that view and recently wrote a similar letter in support of the guidelines.

There’s another simple solution that can be put in place immediately. We need prescribers to check the state’s prescription-monitoring program every time they write a prescription for highly addictive drugs. The program can flag when a patient is receiving multiple prescriptions, doctor shopping, or showing signs of addiction. Right now, only one in four doctors checks. Gov. Baker has proposed that all prescribers check the prescription-monitoring program every time they write one of these prescriptions. When New York State passed a similar mandate in 2012, it saw a 75% drop in doctor shopping. This modest step can save lives and is time well-spent.

Those who continue to push back against safeguards like these should spend time with any of the thousands of parents across this state who have lost a child to opiate addiction. All too often, theirs are stories of high-school athletes and honor-roll students who became hooked on opioids after an injury. Others began by experimenting at a party — but if our medicine cabinets weren’t full of prescription painkillers, our kids wouldn’t have such easy access to them.

We can’t hear those stories any longer and fail to act. Other countries have figured out how to manage pain without releasing a flood of dangerous drugs into their communities. We need to do the same. If we don’t, the deaths will continue.

Maura Healey is the attorney general of Massachusetts.

MassMutual Laying Off 5% of Area Workforce

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual Financial Group is in the process of laying off 5% of its 7,200-employee workforce in Springfield and Enfield, or about 360 lost jobs, the Republican reported today.

The jobs cuts are across the board, company spokesman James Lacey said in a statement.

“MassMutual routinely and carefully examines all of its operations to ensure we are focused on activities that effectively and efficiently deliver the greatest value to our policyowners and customers,” he noted. “At times, this means making decisions that impact our staffing levels, and when they do, we are committed to a thoughtful and respectful process.”

Formal-shop Owner Tailors an Expansion Plan

Features

An Opportunity That Suits Him

Kevin Kousch says there’s still demand for formal business attire, and he believes he can meet that need.

Kevin Kousch believes the reports concerning the death of the suit have been, as Mark Twain famously said, greatly exaggerated.

And he’s willing to bet what he described as “a decent chunk of my retirement savings” that he’s right with that assessment relating to what men are wearing to work — and will wear in the years to come.

Kousch, the former manager of the formal-attire department at Yale Genton, went into business for himself with a tuxudo-rental business after that Springfield-area landmark closed at the beginning of 2008. Over the past eight years since opening Formal Affair Tuxedos in West Springfield, he’s done fairly well, with lots of ups and downs, in his estimation. But he concluded late last year, after considerable reflection, that it was time to make a change and expand both his horizons and product offerings.

Thus, beginning sometime next month, he’ll be selling suits, sport jackets, and pants from his location on Route 20 in West Springfield — and, in so doing, fill a void he believes has gone largely unfilled since Yale Genton closed its doors.

“There are some stores that provide higher-end products, and there are others that cover the lower end,” he explained without naming names. “But there’s really nothing in the middle, and that’s where I’m going to be.”

By ‘middle,’ he meant suits and jackets in the $299 to $499 range, price tags he feels are appropriate for this market and that reflect what most men want to spend to dress professionally.

Kousch acknowledged that this business-expansion effort is somewhat of a risk — there is still competition in the market, and he’s observed that casual Friday has given way to ‘casual Monday through Friday’ in many settings, even banks and law offices. But he believes it’s a calculated risk worth taking.

“The young people today are dressing up — they want to wear those slim-fit suits,” he explained, adding that there were other factors involved with his decision, including a decline in the tuxedo-rental business — weddings are smaller, among other things — and a trend toward suits rather than tuxes for weddings and even proms.

Meanwhile, and perhaps more importantly, this gambit is a test drive of sorts for what could be a much larger undertaking at the planned MGM Springfield casino in the city’s South End. Indeed, Kousch said he has a memorandum of understanding with the casino giant that he will be an on-site vendor of tuxedos for the gaming complex.

If his current foray into retail, selling suits and jackets, establishes that there is a viable market for such products and he can command a good share of that market, then his facility in the casino, if it in fact becomes reality, may offer similar product lines.

“What we’ve decided to do is start here small and see if there’s a need,” he explained. “This is the preliminary for the bigger store and MGM.”

As he talked about his latest entrepreneurial foray, Kousch said it’s one he’s thought long about, and regrets not undertaking when he initially went into business for himself.

“I should have done it at the start,” he explained. “There was a need for it, and over the years, people have constantly asked me if I sold suits.”

Upon hearing that he didn’t — actually, the answer was usually that he could order something out of a catalog if a customer wanted to go that route — many encouraged him to do so.

It was those forms of affirmation, along with his own reading of the local market and what it needed, that prompted Kousch to branch out into a market segment he knows well.

Extensive renovations are currently underway at the West Springfield location, which, while not large, provides ample room to display several different brands and styles. Those brands will include Bertolini Mantoni, Enzo, and London Fog, which recently ventured into suits, among others.

The operation will also employ an in-house tailor, Zeza Santos, who has built a steady portfolio of clients since she started leasing space in Kousch’s shop several years ago.

If all goes well, and Kousch expects that it will, his expanded operation will prove to be a good fit for the region — in more ways than one.

— George O’Brien

Real Estate Transactions

Departments Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

91 West Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $260,831
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Mark Healy
Date: 01/04/16

BUCKLAND

4 Clement St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jesus Salgado
Seller: Patricia A. Donohue
Date: 01/06/16

27 Orcutt Hill Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: John R. Holden
Seller: Ruth M. Bosch
Date: 01/07/16

CONWAY

500 Graves Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: William J. O’Neil
Seller: Pamela M. Fisk
Date: 01/11/16

59 Shelburne Falls Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Gregory D. Smith
Seller: James Boehmer
Date: 01/08/16

DEERFIELD

16 Crestview Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Jocelin Cesar
Seller: Shaohua Chen
Date: 01/11/16

10 Jones Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $235,900
Buyer: David B. Grace
Seller: Phillip W. Cole
Date: 01/12/16

ERVING

8 Union St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Chase
Seller: Jason T. Liimatainen
Date: 01/05/16

GILL

89 Franklin Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Dominic A. Pugliese
Seller: Edwin W. Niedbala
Date: 01/14/16

33 French King Hwy.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Joseph C. Yukl
Seller: John E. Doleva
Date: 01/15/16

GREENFIELD

16 Peabody Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $258,500
Buyer: Christopher H. Klosson
Seller: Julie C. Beaudoin
Date: 01/13/16

30-32 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Grinnell Properties LLC
Seller: Greenfield Savings
Date: 01/06/16

52 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Joseph P. Klepadlo
Seller: Greenfield KMW LLC
Date: 01/12/16

55 White Birch Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $131,500
Buyer: Darlene A. Holland
Seller: US Bank
Date: 01/04/16

35 Wildwood Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $159,050
Buyer: Laura Luker
Seller: Michel W. Lafantano
Date: 01/15/16

LEVERETT

79 Hemenway Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Patrick R. Jernigan
Seller: Roberts, Doris H., (Estate)
Date: 01/08/16

ORANGE

124 Drew Blvd.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $187,145
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Joanne Rancourt
Date: 01/15/16

SHUTESBURY

21 Sand Hill Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Edward P. Mikalunas
Seller: Deborah J. Campbell
Date: 01/14/16

SUNDERLAND

346 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Martin Nystrom
Seller: Shirley P. Tower
Date: 01/14/16

WHATELY

223 River Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Timothy Viens
Seller: Mindy T. Thach
Date: 01/04/16

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

138 Elmar Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gina G. Daniele
Seller: Eric J. Vieu
Date: 01/06/16

71 Garden St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: ASDA LLC
Seller: Rosemarie E. Kieffer
Date: 01/13/16

69 Randall St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Robert H. Greany
Seller: Thelma U. Troie
Date: 01/08/16

216 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Wehr
Seller: Marlene Lovely
Date: 01/13/16

1004 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: 1004 Springfield St. LLC
Seller: Ellsworth W. Smith
Date: 01/08/16

31 Strawberry Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $317,581
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Richard J. Santore
Date: 01/15/16

124 Witheridge St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Beth J. Kanjau
Seller: Joseph Kot
Date: 01/15/16

BLANDFORD

43 Otis Tolland Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $365,000
Seller: James W. Lafleur
Date: 01/15/16

CHESTER

74 Kinnebrook Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Schwartz
Seller: Douglas L. Rockwell
Date: 01/15/16

CHICOPEE

311 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gabriel Martinez
Seller: Costas D. Anamisis
Date: 01/13/16

88 Edmund St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Casey J. Roginski
Seller: James M. Szczur
Date: 01/15/16

342 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: NAP Properties LLC
Seller: K&A LLC
Date: 01/05/16

101 Holyoke Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Sydney J. Roy
Seller: Nathan T. Baker
Date: 01/08/16

55 Julia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $157,782
Buyer: Karen Ayers
Seller: William J. Ayers
Date: 01/15/16

18 Nash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $173,500
Buyer: Ramon Alvarez
Seller: Brett A. Civetti
Date: 01/15/16

65 Pondview Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $139,500
Buyer: Maura M. Livingstone
Seller: Mary L. Coalson
Date: 01/06/16

74 Saint Jacques Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ronald J. Pete
Seller: Anthony A. Grasso
Date: 01/14/16

24 Wilfred St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Matthew Turner
Seller: Vladimir Romanchenko
Date: 01/13/16

EAST LONGMEADOW

76 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Melanie Bliss
Seller: Antonio Truoiolo
Date: 01/08/16

61 Evergreen Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $371,500
Buyer: Michael J. Carney
Seller: Chaula K. Vora
Date: 01/15/16

Glynn Farms Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Sugar Magnolia RT
Seller: David R. Baker
Date: 01/12/16

94 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,750,000
Buyer: Oh Hey Beth LLC
Seller: 94 Maple Street LLC
Date: 01/11/16

186 Mapleshade Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Beth E. Fratini
Seller: Judith L. Kelliher
Date: 01/15/16

520 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Cafe CT LLC
Seller: Antonio Coelho
Date: 01/06/16

7 Odion St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $218,900
Buyer: German Garcia
Seller: Kevin M. Reed
Date: 01/06/16

21 Oxford Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Antonio Truoiolo
Seller: Thomas P. Hanifan
Date: 01/08/16

Pondview Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Custom Homes Development Group
Seller: Joseph Chapdelaine & Sons
Date: 01/07/16

235 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Reid Hunter
Seller: Debra J. Hunter
Date: 01/14/16

518 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Dennis A. Chaffee
Seller: JP Rentals Inc.
Date: 01/15/16

GRANVILLE

272 Silver St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: John P. Yeakley
Seller: Travis A. Gaffey
Date: 01/08/16

25 Sodom St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Alexander N. Bineault
Seller: Gail P. Fitzgerald
Date: 01/11/16

HAMPDEN

77 Carmody Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Marth-E LLC
Date: 01/13/16

11 Maple Grove Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $378,500
Buyer: Mark Tobias
Seller: Jerry Ago
Date: 01/04/16

365 South Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $338,900
Buyer: Robert Vanwart
Seller: James K. Quackenbush
Date: 01/07/16

198 Stafford Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Johnny J. Johnson
Seller: Jeffrey N. Schneider
Date: 01/11/16

66 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Mary Persaud
Seller: O’Donnell, William J., (Estate)

HOLLAND

242 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Scott Alexander
Seller: Daniel J. Shea
Date: 01/11/16

HOLYOKE

8 Bayberry Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $223,500
Buyer: Kenneth R. Allen
Seller: Phillip A. Lees
Date: 01/15/16

173-175 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Angel L. Rodriguez
Seller: Raymond F. Turgeon
Date: 01/04/16

17 Holly Meadow Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Ryan Hamel
Seller: Adele M. Stiles
Date: 01/15/16

7 Thorpe Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Yarland Properties LLC
Seller: Hilltop Garden Apartments
Date: 01/08/16

222 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Marisol Figueroa
Seller: Elizabeth Rivera
Date: 01/06/16

330 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $128,284
Buyer: Miriam Villa-Ayala
Seller: Jeffrey Ocampo
Date: 01/07/16

LONGMEADOW

275 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $268,250
Buyer: Brendan Fitzgerald
Seller: David Trenkner
Date: 01/05/16

429 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Yisroel Gesin
Seller: Joseph A. Garofalo
Date: 01/04/16

1069 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Douglas Ferro
Seller: Ira Smolowitz
Date: 01/08/16

119 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Kylee C. Granfield
Seller: Erin E. Carney
Date: 01/15/16

57 Maplewood St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Esther M. Kim
Seller: Carl W. Janovsky
Date: 01/05/16

227 Sheffield Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $344,500
Buyer: David F. Czaporowski
Seller: Matthew C. Szostkiewicz
Date: 01/15/16

97 Tecumseh Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Buyer: Shambhu Rana
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 01/04/16

LUDLOW

68 Amherst St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Stanley P. Ryczek
Seller: Catherine L. Benoit
Date: 01/15/16

163 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Fernando L. Ribeiro
Seller: Arthur A. Flanagan
Date: 01/08/16

8 Daisy Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Susan A. Theriault
Seller: Carlos Genovevo
Date: 01/11/16

105 Kirkland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Manuel Palatino
Seller: David A. Fontaine
Date: 01/13/16

653 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Tarpon Towers 2 LLC
Seller: Charter Communications
Date: 01/13/16

MONSON

East Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Craig Levesque
Seller: Heriberto Flores
Date: 01/15/16

35 Elm St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Erica M. Brunell
Seller: Bayview Loan Servicing
Date: 01/06/16

24 Old Wales Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Keith M. Ostrander
Seller: William J. O’Neil
Date: 01/05/16

MONTGOMERY

244 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $120,900
Buyer: Geoffrey J. Boisjolie
Seller: Alan L. Blair
Date: 01/15/16

PALMER

251 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Adam L. Norton
Seller: James J. Mooney
Date: 01/14/16

24 Breton St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $170,300
Buyer: Jessy I. Salsbury
Seller: Barnes, Joyce M., (Estate)
Date: 01/06/16

37 Ford St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Stacey Gould
Seller: Wilga, Mary A., (Estate)
Date: 01/15/16

1060 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Kimberly Bailey
Seller: Ryan M. McMullen
Date: 01/06/16

2118-2120 Palmer Road
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Alyson Hann
Seller: James F. Shea
Date: 01/04/16

RUSSELL

368 Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $181,600
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Diane Raczkowski
Date: 01/14/16

SOUTHWICK

300 College Highway
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: TSC Enterprises LLC
Seller: David B. Spillane
Date: 01/08/16

194 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Dale T. Lafayette
Seller: Lynn K. Mcmullin
Date: 01/08/16

15 Overlook Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Alla Burkovskiy
Seller: Pinnacle Estates At Ranch
Date: 01/12/16

4 Pearl Brook Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $356,000
Buyer: Gary R. Allen
Seller: Thomas A. Wood
Date: 01/15/16

285 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Rebecca M. Joslin
Seller: Dale T. Lafayette
Date: 01/08/16

24 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Robert Dale-Brodhagen
Seller: Stephen H. Couture
Date: 01/15/16

28 Woodside Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: James W. Lafleur
Seller: Francisco J. Sole
Date: 01/15/16

SPRINGFIELD

68 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Debra A. Gomes
Seller: Penniman, Mildred M., (Estate)
Date: 01/08/16

26 Burnside Terrace
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Jolene Alexander
Seller: Jackson H. Williams
Date: 01/07/16

169 Cambria St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Joseph F. Marrin
Seller: Patricia Fahey
Date: 01/11/16

13 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Robert J. Gronstalski
Seller: Bryce G. Menninga
Date: 01/15/16

19 Chalfonte Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $169,500
Buyer: Lauren Dembek
Seller: Robert M. Wood
Date: 01/06/16

88-90 Cherrelyn St.
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Corey A. Elias
Seller: City Joe LLC
Date: 01/15/16

14 Chesterfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Denault
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 01/07/16

7 Dana St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Sergul Durdu
Seller: George S. Elias
Date: 01/07/16

43 Dana St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Rafael Carrasquillo
Seller: Timothy P. Dunn
Date: 01/14/16

26 Delano Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Christina Dacruz
Seller: Timothy Clark
Date: 01/08/16

95 Fenimore Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $169,500
Buyer: Tyrus T. Ferguson
Seller: Wendy M. Crews
Date: 01/11/16

Florence St. #26
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Bennie E. Nieves
Seller: Viva Development LLC
Date: 01/12/16

42 Francis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Andrew P. Condino
Seller: Helen Banas
Date: 01/15/16

37 Grenada Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Octavio Mendez
Seller: Matthew J. Turner
Date: 01/13/16

217 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Lee Dutil
Seller: Deborah Tracy
Date: 01/06/16

12 Jimmy Court
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Jose Colon
Seller: Henry P. Garcia
Date: 01/15/16

67 Jordan St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Aaron R. Goncalves
Seller: Pszczyna RT
Date: 01/07/16

64 Joseph St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $290,679
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Regina Torres
Date: 01/12/16

16 Kay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Maurice P. Tillman
Date: 01/11/16

36 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Duc T. Le
Seller: Le T. Le
Date: 01/14/16

53 Murray Hill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $147,300
Buyer: Richard R. Wilkins
Seller: Robert J. Smith
Date: 01/05/16

11 Newhall St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Deborah J. Hawley
Date: 01/11/16

271 Newton Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Murphy
Seller: Timothy J. O’Brien
Date: 01/12/16

2015 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Marianna S. Stack
Seller: Walter A. Kraftchick
Date: 01/11/16

59 Pinevale St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Raddy O. Nunez
Seller: KEM Management LLC
Date: 01/07/16

15 Pocantico Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Paul Nganga
Seller: Daniel R. Flexer
Date: 01/14/16

117 Portulaca Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Tamari J. Martinez
Seller: Nathaniel M. Murray
Date: 01/05/16

79 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Michelle D. Dechristopher
Seller: Tyrus T. Ferguson
Date: 01/11/16

163-165 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Yeison Ramirez
Seller: Begaina Lopez
Date: 01/08/16

15 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $142,383
Buyer: Sergey Savonin
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 01/05/16

50 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Cassandra Martinez
Seller: Jonathan K. Willoughby
Date: 01/05/16

378 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Mark Szydlowski
Seller: John E. Moore
Date: 01/14/16

1385 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: James L. Lobik
Seller: Martin J. Lobik
Date: 01/15/16

6 Talcott St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Iglesia Bethsaida Inc.
Seller: Iglesia Pentecostal Fuent
Date: 01/12/16

100 Tallyho Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Sheena M. Zerfas
Seller: John J. Lyons
Date: 01/11/16

58-60 Wilmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $122,900
Buyer: Luz M. Cartagena
Seller: Izzo, Filomena, (Estate)
Date: 01/14/16

24-26 Wolcott St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $128,200
Buyer: Tiffany S. Williams
Seller: Patrick M. Shea
Date: 01/15/16

WALES

14 Shaw Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Taylor D. Kibbe
Seller: Gary S. Pfisterer
Date: 01/12/16

WEST SPRINGFIELD

103 Herrman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Stephanie R. Dowers
Seller: Freshour, John H., (Estate)
Date: 01/04/16

39 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: John R. Bowers
Seller: Ann E. Phaneuf
Date: 01/08/16

30 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,500
Buyer: Oliva V. Ricks
Seller: Camilo M. Cunha
Date: 01/15/16

111 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $218,500
Buyer: William J. Behler
Seller: Keith A. Supinski
Date: 01/15/16

44 Morningside Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mandy C. Chan
Seller: Donald Pomeroy
Date: 01/08/16

39 Mulcahy Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $424,900
Buyer: Hassen M. Borhot
Seller: Francis Wheeler Constr
Date: 01/07/16

Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $331,000
Buyer: Country Club Partners LLC
Seller: Entrust New England LLC
Date: 01/12/16

294 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $189,900
Seller: Raymond M. Dutkiewicz
Date: 01/07/16

885 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $2,050,000
Buyer: 66 West Springfield Realty
Seller: Veerji LLC
Date: 01/07/16

75 Sagamore Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $205,500
Buyer: Gary P. Acebuche
Seller: Terence J. Hurlbut
Date: 01/06/16

WESTFIELD

56 Airport Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jarvis Surgical Inc.
Seller: Lawry Realty LLC
Date: 01/15/16

39 Crane Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Nadezhda Shlykova
Seller: Ruth M. Minkus
Date: 01/07/16

53 Day Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kelli A. McLean
Seller: Antoinette M. McLean
Date: 01/13/16

78 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $357,920
Buyer: Jeffrey V. Cormier
Seller: Granville Road LLC
Date: 01/08/16

46 Holland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Roberto F. Deza
Date: 01/14/16

113 Lindbergh Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Michael P. Daly
Seller: Robert K. Walker
Date: 01/05/16

24 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Johnny D. Hor
Seller: Robert R. Lees
Date: 01/15/16

69 Michael Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Keith A. Supinski
Seller: Debra A. Post
Date: 01/15/16

35 Northwest Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: Amanda M. Leclair
Seller: Wanda L. Lafogg
Date: 01/04/16

74 Old Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: John E. Prenosil
Seller: Westfield Meadow Corp.
Date: 01/11/16

77 Ridgecrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Thomas E. McMahon
Seller: Steven Webersen
Date: 01/14/16

58 Ridgeway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $153,729
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Raymond Brouillette
Date: 01/13/16

46 Vadnais St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $126,500
Buyer: Aaron M. Kline
Seller: Steve N. Spelman
Date: 01/05/16

86 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Stuart B. Markey
Seller: Marsha A. Hubbs
Date: 01/11/16

WILBRAHAM

464 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Pelletier
Seller: David P. Brooks
Date: 01/12/16

40 Dumaine St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Kids Dentist Realty LLC
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 01/12/16
Stonington Dr. #14
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Peter D. Martins
Seller: Silo Farm Associates LLC
Date: 01/08/16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

415 Shays St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $161,500
Buyer: John G. Gummere
Seller: Kennick, William E., (Estate)
Date: 01/13/16

BELCHERTOWN

28 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: Rebecca L. Flores
Seller: Ronald J. Chiasson
Date: 01/15/16

66 Chadbourne Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Carleen S. Sullivan
Seller: Deborah L. Dunbar
Date: 01/04/16

29 Emily Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $393,700
Buyer: David P. Krause
Seller: JP Builders Inc.
Date: 01/14/16

205 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Sara B. Trowbridge
Seller: L. P. Audette Builders Inc.
Date: 01/05/16

131 Warner St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Loretta W. Lyons
Seller: Michele F. Critelli
Date: 01/04/16

CUMMINGTON

16 Jordan Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $246,500
Buyer: Nathan Buckhout
Seller: Gregory A. Jordan
Date: 01/04/16

EASTHAMPTON

10 Alden St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $208,500
Buyer: Jacqueline B. Siller
Seller: Brousseau, Barbara A., (Estate)
Date: 01/04/16

7 Allen St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ruth A. Barrett IRT
Seller: Rita L. Bartlett
Date: 01/08/16

418 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: Timothy J. Senecal
Seller: Julie K. Albetski
Date: 01/15/16

6 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Rambo Financial RET
Seller: Bernard W. Bostick
Date: 01/12/16

65 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: David P. Lang
Seller: Richard W. Koloszyc
Date: 01/08/16

22 Matthew Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ryan W. Gaw
Seller: Edward A. Zmuda
Date: 01/15/16

171 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: James M. Hewitt
Seller: Rabideau, Julia S., (Estate)
Date: 01/14/16

30 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Michael J. O’Connor
Seller: Herbert A. Peterson
Date: 01/08/16

119 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: John A. Deiling
Seller: Nancy F. Macdonald RET
Date: 01/05/16

HADLEY

65 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Ellen T. Miller-Mack
Seller: Robert J. Caporale
Date: 01/12/16

121 Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Earle Shumway
Seller: Gerard P. Goodsell
Date: 01/06/16

75 River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Charlene L. Patenaude
Seller: Andre R. Laflamme
Date: 01/13/16

51 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: David Lavalle
Seller: C. V. Jr. & M. A. Wilda RET
Date: 01/12/16

36 Stockbridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Joan Zaskey
Seller: Zaskey, Frank, (Estate)
Date: 01/04/16

93 Stockbridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Servicenet Inc.
Seller: Eileen M. Reopel
Date: 01/12/16

28 Stockwell Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $348,500
Buyer: Andre R. Laflamme
Seller: William J. Kennedy
Date: 01/15/16

HUNTINGTON

10 Harlow Clark Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Carbone
Seller: Henry H. Wortis
Date: 01/15/16

29 Harlow Clark Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: James Waters
Seller: Wayne V. Brown
Date: 01/11/16

218 Norwich Lake
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Prince
Seller: Albert K. Whitaker
Date: 01/15/16

99 Searle Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Kellie E. Riel
Seller: Stephan W. Manley
Date: 01/08/16

NORTHAMPTON

1135 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Hector L. Rivera-Delbusto
Seller: Powers, Sophie H., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/16

97 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Jaynjane LLC
Seller: 97 Locust Street RT
Date: 01/06/16

370 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $599,000
Buyer: Scott W. Remick
Seller: Robert G. Haxby
Date: 01/15/16

239 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: Mary J. Price
Seller: Evelyn S. Berman
Date: 01/08/16

181 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: David I. Rosenfield
Seller: Charles T. Canalizo
Date: 01/08/16

850 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $191,250
Buyer: TNOP Inc.
Seller: William E. Groot
Date: 01/13/16

130 Woods Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $393,000
Buyer: Sarah H. Pacheco
Seller: Kari M. Nykorchuk
Date: 01/14/16

SOUTH HADLEY

119 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: Aaron B. Sabbs
Seller: Jerold S. Laguilles
Date: 01/15/16

27 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Steve Aube
Seller: Fred W. Sroka
Date: 01/14/16

137 Old Lyman Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $149,688
Buyer: USA VA
Seller: Tracey A. Ryan
Date: 01/11/16

10 Spring Meadows
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Erin K. Regan
Seller: Joseph R. Marchetti
Date: 01/06/16

12 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Jerold S. Laguilles
Seller: Lisa C. Gebhardt
Date: 01/15/16

SOUTHAMPTON

40 Coleman Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Michelle L. Swift
Seller: Kelly Cline
Date: 01/08/16

WARE

4 Gwen Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Robert L. Gould
Seller: David Sammataro
Date: 01/12/16

14 Laurel Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Clayton F. Jedziniak
Seller: Angela J. Lawrence
Date: 01/04/16

110 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Laura E. Gilmore
Seller: Scott Fershleiser
Date: 01/08/16

WESTHAMPTON

111 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $498,000
Buyer: Anthony A. Mone
Seller: Eric J. Potorski
Date: 01/15/16

WILLIAMSBURG

1 Kellogg Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Poverty Mountain LLP
Seller: Charles H. Edwards
Date: 01/07/16

142 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: American Dream Realty LLC
Seller: Berkshire Bank
Date: 01/07/16

10 Mountain St.
Williamsburg, MA 01062
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Michael Whalen
Seller: Pandora C. Redwin
Date: 01/05/16

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Ayers, John A.
Ayers, Kristen Lee
a/k/a Ormsby, Kristen
34 High Meadow Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/16

Bergman, Avraham
a/k/a Bergman, Avi
1 Northwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/20/16

Boland, Dianne C.
395 Porter Lake Dr., #303
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/16

Capitanio, Matthew D.
30 Melrose Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/18/16

Colon, Alfredo
7 Grove St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/16

Cripps, Tina D.
77C Highview Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/18/16

Drake, Jason Eric
65R West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/28/16

Dutton, Darrin M.
115 Farnum St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/16

Egleston, Lisa J.
9 Ridgeway Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/29/16

Greeno, Michiko Elaine
4008 South Athol Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/28/16

Griswold, Penny L.
239 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/25/16

Hartshorn, William Wayne
5 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/21/16

Holt, Tifani Lea
a/k/a Quinones, Tifani Lea
55 N. Loudville Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/29/16

Horn, Alfred
323 Houghton St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/28/16

Hurley, Terri-Lynn
a/k/a Lamarre, Terrilynn
a/k/a Superneau, Terri-Lynn
1 Conrad St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/28/16

Jones, Lakeisha Ann
122 Chestnut St., Apt. B
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/29/16

Jordan, Pamela A.
P.O. Box 586
West Springfield, MA 01090
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/16

Jusino, Elvis E.
567 Pleasant St., Apt. 2R
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/16

Kearns, Suzanne M.
103 West Calvin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/16

Labrecque, Holly A.
554 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/20/16

Lanfair, David Wesley
Lanfair, Donna Fay
116 Columbian Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/31/16

Lavo, Katherine Jean
855 Main St., Apt. 1L
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/29/16

Ljubicic, Paul M.
30 Mystery Lane
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/16

McDermott, Kyle J.
10 Sumner Ave., Apt. 25
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/16

McKeithen, Lisa
a/k/a Liborio, Lisa M.
36 North Main St., Apt. 1
Sherborn, MA 01770
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/16

Medina, James A.
147 Line St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/26/16

Milsap, Andre M.
75 Avon Place, Apt. 201
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/25/16

Montana, Brian P.
11 Colonial Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/16

Morin, Raymond E.
Morin, Ruth E.
11 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/16

Mroz, June E.
85 Tilda Hill Road
Florida, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/25/16

Murphy, Erin E.
107 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/27/16

Phan, Vuong
102 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/27/16

Quink, Christine
42d Pheasant Hill Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/20/16

Raviele, Anita
21 Church St.
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/28/16

Rivera, Felicia L.
64 Kane Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/16

Rivera, Jason Michael
24 Clark St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/16

Rivera, Magleny
53 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/21/16

Rumore, Gino J.
33 Homer Ave., Apt. 3
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/28/16

Santos, Michael A.
19 Cherry St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/16

Skwira, Therese B.
16 Randall St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/16

Slocik-McLaughlin, Erin Elaine
36 Crocker Ave.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/26/16

Sumner, Mary A.
174 Houghton St., Apt. 1
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/22/16

Thomas, Kona M.
17 Ballard St., Apt. O
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/29/16

Tremblay, Donald J.
Tremblay, Grisel M.
13 Smith St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/30/16

Vermette, Joshua P.
172 Ludlow St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/20/16

Wilson, Dede A.
a/k/a Wilson, Andrea Acosta
a/k/a Acosta, Andrea
128 January Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/16

Wolf, Deborah S.
14 Gibson Dr.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/18/16

Agenda

Agenda Departments

Academy of Music Historic Tour

Feb. 24: The Academy of Music will offer a free tour of the historic theater at 5:15 p.m. Led by Academy of Music Development Coordinator Kathryn Slater, the tour will provide insight into the history behind this Northampton mainstay, including details about the organization’s founder and interesting notes about the many revitalizations. Built in 1891, the Academy of Music was the first municipally owned theater in the U.S., and home to the first stock theater company in the nation, the Northampton Players, formed in 1912. For nearly 125 years, the Academy has hosted an impressive array of performers, and the building holds the tales. See for yourself the century-old hole cut in the stage floor for Houdini’s disappearing act; Cole Porter’s grandfather clock; dressing rooms used by Sarah Bernhardt, Boris Karloff, Ethel Barrymore; and more. Step on the stage and see the Academy of Music from a whole new perspective, and take in the results of the 2014 restoration that refurbished the 800-seat auditorium, which earned a Mass. Historical Commission Preservation Award. This walking-and-talking tour begins promptly at 5:15 p.m. in the main lobby and is expected to run approximately 45 minutes. Admission is free, but reservations are required, as attendance is limited to 20. Reservations may be made through the Academy of Music Box Office by calling (413) 584-9032, ext. 105, Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., or by e-mailing [email protected].

Management Conference

March 10: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) announced its 12th annual Management Conference will be held at the Springfield Marriott, with a focus on driving business performance. The full-day conference will address how managers and supervisors can create a culture of alignment, agility, and engagement to improve organizational performance. “Research shows that 60% of highly engaged employees report that their work is not aligned with company goals,” said Meredith Wise, EANE president. “By aligning employees to business priorities and equipping them with skills to quickly sense and lead change, companies can improve their organizational performance. Our conference is about managers and supervisors learning how alignment, agility, and engagement contribute to corporate performance.” The program will feature Bruce Tulgan, an expert on leadership and management. He is the bestselling author of It’s Okay to Be the Boss, Managing Generation X, and his newest book, Bridging the Soft Skills Gap. The conference also includes breakout sessions, a presentation on “Building a Leadership Culture of Innovation and Energy” with Rich Trombetta of Innovation Is Easy, and an improv workshop by ConnectAnd about connecting your leadership to your team. The cost for the program is $325 per person, with discounts for three or more. Register and learn more at eane.org/12th-annual-management-conference or call (877) 662-6444. The program will offer 6.75 credits from the HR Certification Institute. Sponsoring the program are Johnson and Hill Staffing and the Human Resource Certification Institute.

Celebrate Springfield Dinner

March 10: DevelopSpringfield will host its fifth annual Celebrate Springfield dinner event in celebration of the many accomplishments the community has achieved over the past year along with exciting new initiatives underway. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Festivities will include a reception with live music by the Eric Bascom Trio, auction activities, a cash bar, and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner, a brief program, and award presentations. The platinum sponsor this year is MassMutual Financial Group. Many other local businesses and organizations are also supporting the event as sponsors and participants. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. DevelopSpringfield will once again present its Partner in Progress Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of three individuals toward revitalization in Springfield. Honorees are selected for their leadership and ability to motivate and inspire others. This year’s honorees are Brian Connors, Springfield’s deputy director of Economic Development; Maureen Hayes, president of Hayes Development Services; and Ira Rubenzahl, president of Springfield Technical Community College. In addition to the program and award presentations, greetings will be provided by Mayor Domenic Sarno followed by Jay Ash, secretary of the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Jill Monson-Bishop of Inspired Marketing will serve as mistress of ceremonies. The celebration is a benefit event; all proceeds will support DevelopSpringfield’s redevelopment initiatives, projects, and programs. More than 500 attendees, including state and city officials, leaders from the business and nonprofit communities, and local residents, are expected to come together in support of ongoing efforts to advance development and redevelopment projects, to stimulate and support economic growth, and to expedite the revitalization process within the city. Tickets are $100 per person. Registration and sponsorship information is available at www.developspringfield.com or by contacting Paige Thayer at (413) 209-8808 or [email protected]. RSVP by Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Springfield Falcons Dr. Seuss Night

March 12: The Springfield Falcons, in partnership with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, announced Dr. Seuss Night, to be held during a game against the Portland Pirates starting at 7 p.m. Dr. Seuss Night and the game will be sponsored by Berkshire Bank. For the first time ever, Dr. Seuss Enterprises has partnered with the Falcons and the Springfield Museums in presenting this special night to honor Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, who was born and raised in Springfield. The Springfield Museums are preparing to open the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in 2016, an exhibit featuring interactive activities for children and a one-of-a-kind experience that will provide a look at the man behind the drawing board. “We are excited to partner with the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss Enterprises in presenting this special night to honor one of Springfield’s most famous native sons,” Falcons President Sarah Pompea said. The night will include appearances by the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumed characters. In addition, specialty jerseys will be worn by Falcons players and auctioned off, with proceeds donated to the Springfield Museums to help support the creation of the new museum. “We are thrilled that the Falcons are stepping up in support of our fund-raising campaign,” said Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums. “It’s wonderful to have the support of one our best downtown neighbors.”

Difference Makers

March 31: The eighth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Tickets cost $60, and tables of 10 are available. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or visit businesswest.com. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class was profiled in the Jan. 25 issue, and their stories can also be read online HERE. They include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales, philanthropist (1965-2015); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties; Bay Path University President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president, J.E. Robison Service. Difference Makers is sponsored by EMA Dental, First American Insurance Agency, Health New England, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Northwestern Mutual, PeoplesBank, Royal LLP, and Sunshine Village.

‘A Night of Passion’ for Link to Libraries

April 5: They’re calling the event “A Night of Passion.” That’s a phrase that applies to both support for efforts to promote childhood literacy and a fondness for a particular food or beverage. These various passions will come together at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke at Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raising event. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will be a celebration of all that Link to Libraries has accomplished since it was created in 2008 — including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations — and how it intends to continually expand its mission in the years to come. As for those passions for specific foods and drinks, they will be a focus of the night, provided by a host of area celebrities and business leaders, including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and chief operating officer; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean IV, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., and many more. As for their passions, well, those are carefully guarded secrets at this point. Those who would like to experience these passions and support Link to Libraries — which supplies books to schools and other organizations across Western Mass. and Northern Conn., and promotes read-alouds that put area business and civic leaders in area classrooms — can buy tickets for $40 each by sending checks to: Link to Libraries, Attn. Karen Blinderman, P.O. Box 958, West Springfield, MA 01090. Sponsors for “A Night of Passion” include lead sponsors Health New England and Rediker Software, and event sponsors Bacon Wilson, Bank of America – U.S. Trust, the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, James Vinick and Moors & Cabot Investments, Monson Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, Peoples United Bank, the Springfield Falcons, and United Bank.

Not Just Business as Usual

April 14: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual (NJBAU) event, a networking event for business leaders in Western Mass., will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of innovative thinking giving participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. A cocktail and networking reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speakers to follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This year, NJBAU will host a discussion of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with panelists Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs; Laurie Leshin, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health and Community Relations for Baystate Health. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Tickets are $175 each, and sponsorships begin at $2,500 for a table for 10. For additional information or to become a sponsor, contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.

5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause

April 30: Registration is now open for Baystate Noble Hospital’s 32nd annual 5K Run & Walk for a Noble Cause, being held at Stanley Park in Westfield. The race begins at 9 a.m., with registration from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. near the Children’s Pavilion. The Baystate Noble 5K is a competitive road race for all levels of runners, from the novice to the serious athlete. The 3.1-mile course is flat out and back through Stanley Park and the surrounding residential area. A family-friendly, non-competitive walk follows the same route as the road race. Individuals, teams, wheelchair racers, and school groups are all encouraged to participate. After the race, refreshments, activities, and vendor tables will be located near registration, and awards will be given out. Early registration is encouraged. The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $35 through April 29 (seniors 60 and older are $25). The registration fee for ages 13-59 is $40 on April 30 ($30 for seniors). Children 12 and under participate free when accompanied by a paying adult. T-shirts in various sizes are available to registrants on a first-come, first-served basis while inventory is available. To register online, download registration materials, and read general information, visit baystatenoblehospital.org/5k.

40 Under Forty

June 16: The 10th annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. Nominations are now closed, and an independent panel of judges will choose the winners; their stories will be told in the April 18 issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual and Paragus Strategic IT (presenting sponsors), EMA Dental, Health New England, Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Moriarty & Primack, and United Bank. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues.

Region States Its Case for Expanded Rail

Cover Story

Progressive Platforms?

WMass asks for expanded rail service

Since Amtrak’s Vermonter returned to the so-called Connecticut River Line just over a year ago, bringing back passenger rail service to Northampton, Holyoke, and Greenfield after a nearly 30-year hiatus, officials in those cities say the train has done what they hoped it would — enable people to make connections. But the single train per day has certainly limited the number of those connections, they note, which is why they’re calling for additional north-south service while also pressing the state to make long-dreamed-of plans for an east-west line that would connect Springfield with Worcester and Boston a reality.

Dave Almacy was in a really good mood.

And why not? Ohio Gov. John Kasich, for whom he was doing volunteer work leading up to, and then the day of, the New Hampshire primary, finished second in that closely watched contest, surprising pundits and energizing his candidacy while doing so.

“A definitive second,” offered Almacy, putting heavy stress on that adjective as he typed correspondences on his laptop while riding Amtrak’s Vermonter back to his home in Alexandria, Va. the day after the Granite State voted.

Almacy, a principal with Alexandria-based Engage, a Republican digital-strategy company, has mixed politics with technology for some time now — he was White House Internet director for George W. Bush from 2005 to 2007— and regularly takes the train north out of Washington, D.C.

Dave Almacy passed through Western Mass. on the Vermonter. Area officials want to attract riders who will get on and off in this region.

“I like the comfort. It’s a nice ride; I can be online and do my work, and you don’t have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel,” he joked, adding that he usually doesn’t get past Philadelphia or New York, cities where he has many clients. But his service to Kasich — “we were part of the ground game, going door to door, making phone calls, town halls, you name it” — took him to the northern stretches of the Vermonter and, for these particular remarks, the stretch between Springfield and Greenfield.

Indeed, the train was just south of Northampton, gliding on rails seemingly a few yards from the Connecticut River’s west bank, when he became one of several riders who spoke with BusinessWest about this Amtrak service and why they were using it.

That Northampton train platform became a line on the Vermonter schedule just over a year ago, joining Greenfield and (several months later) Holyoke as new stops for this service amid considerable fanfare from those communities’ elected officials and area economic-development leaders.

Actually, these are new/old stops for the Vermonter, which used to run along what’s known as the Connecticut River Line, or Conn River Line, until 1989, when the deteriorated condition of the track forced the service to move east and run from Springfield to Palmer to Amherst and then Vermont, a far more rural trek that bypassed several of the region’s most populous cities.

With seemingly one voice, area officials say the restored, now-quicker route — coupled with the new stops — is prompting more people like Almacy to grab a seat on the Vermonter, and adding new potency to comments about the seemingly vast potential of the train to bring people, vibrancy, and economic-development opportunities to those four cities and the region as a whole.

But those comments almost always come with, well, a ‘but.’ It’s usually followed by a reminder, twinged with lament, that the Vermonter — which connects Vermont with Washington, D.C. — runs but once a day; the southbound train passes through Springfield at 2:35 p.m., while the northbound version stops there at 3:15.

This schedule certainly limits the train’s potential when it comes to everything from economic-development potential to taking cars off the roads, said Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, noting that anyone getting on the train in his city, and there are many who do just that, can’t return to it on a train for at least 24 hours — unless they get off in Springfield and take the northbound train a half-hour later.

“If you want to go to New York City and come back the same day, you can’t really do that,” he noted, adding that, while the train has in many ways energized his city, the current service is certainly limited in its impact.

Tim Brennan, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and perhaps the greatest champion of rail service in the region, agreed. He and the region’s mayors have taken their case to the state — more specifically, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack. In a letter sent a few weeks ago, they seek help in two specific areas: first, with creation of a pilot program that would expand the north-south service to at least five trips a day, through the use of surplus, reconditioned MBTA locomotives and coaches, and second, with development of a business plan for the ongoing operation of the service beyond the initial pilot phase.

Rail proponents want to see more trains on the schedule at Springfield’s Union Station — and all the other stops in this region.

But as they pursue that option, officials are looking at another one. Indeed, as Connecticut invests heavily in the expansion of rail service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, area officials have begun talks with officials in the Nutmeg State about a partnership that might see some of those trains continue past Springfield and on to Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield.

And, while maintaining a focus on the north-south aspect of rail service, area officials continue to press the case for an east-west route that would connect Springfield, Worcester, and Boston. That’s an expensive proposition, and it may not become reality for a decade or more, but proponents say it will be well worth the wait.

In general, those officials are hoping that rail service as a whole can do what the Vermonter does as it chugs north out of the Northampton station — pick up considerable speed.

Train of Thought

As she stood on the platform just outside the John W. Olver Transit Center in Greenfield, braving a stiff wind and passing snow squall, Carolynne O’Connell found a few people who could do what she couldn’t — speak from experience about riding the Vermonter.

And she had seemingly as many queries as BusinessWest did. ‘Which direction does the train come from?’ ‘How fast does it go?’ ‘How long are the stops?’ ‘How many people get on and off?’ — these were just some of the questions she was asked in rapid succession in the moments before the southbound train arrived, right on time, at 1:35 p.m.

Soon, O’Connell, an environmental health and safety specialist with Turners Falls-based Judd Wire, would be able to answer those questions herself. She and her husband were on their way to an annual conference of safety officials, this time in the Big Apple.

She’s been to similar gatherings in recent years, in Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Boston, and other cities where the method of transportation was seemingly obvious. Not so with Manhattan, she explained, adding that several options were considered and mostly discounted for one reason or another.

Flying was deemed rather expensive, while driving seemed impractical given traffic and the cost of parking, she said, adding that some research introduced her to the Vermonter, which was now quite accessible from her home in Orange, roughly 15 miles east of Greenfield, and affordable — $126 per person for a round-trip ticket.

Thus, she became one of a growing number of individuals choosing that train and, in many ways, providing additional motivation for that letter from area mayors to Secretary Pollack.

Indeed, O’Connell is the kind of passenger area officials had in mind when they pressed for the new/old stops for the Vermonter. Or one of the kinds of passengers, to be more precise — individuals across several categories who get on or off the train in Western Mass.instead of merely traveling through it on their way to somewhere else, like Almacy and many others BusinessWest encountered on this Wednesday afternoon.

Other categories include area college students commuting between home and their chosen campus; professionals with clients in Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, or any of the other stops the Vermonter makes; individuals seeking another option for getting to a ski resort; and people visiting friends and relatives north and south of the Pioneer Valley.

And then, there are potential new categories of riders — including those who might choose to live in a particular area because it’s near a convenient rail line, and also those who might want to visit Northampton for dinner and a show and then head back home.

In each case, the categories — real and potential — are limited by that aforementioned ‘but,’ the one train a day. That’s why Brennan and the area’s mayors, while happy for that one train, are making their case for expanded service loud and clear.

The new rail platform in Greenfield is one of several built with the anticipation that train service will be a game-changer in the region.

Narkewicz noted that Northampton has easily seen the most ridership among the cities that have again become lines on the Vermonter schedule. He’s ridden the train many times himself, and has encountered area college students heading north and south, as well as students from this area returning to various campuses; musicians traveling to New York for performances; and residents heading to various stops along the line for business or pleasure.

“It’s really a broad mix, and it’s very encouraging to see all these people taking the train,” he told BusinessWest, adding quickly that there would be far more potential for people to get both on and off the train in Paradise City if it came through more often.

“You could have people looking to see someone playing at the Calvin Theatre, or take in a play at the Academy of Music, or see an exhibit at the Smith College art gallery — and take the train to do that,” he explained. “We already are a destination for tourism, and this could be another access mode for people.”

And if the service were regular enough, there might be a much different train of thought — literally, said the mayor.

“If there is enough frequency of trains, you may have people getting off in Northampton and saying, ‘this is a really beautiful city … this would be a great place to live — it’s on a train route, and I can get to Springfield, Hartford, New Haven, or wherever by train; I can live here,’” he said.

Connecting the Dots

Marcos Marrero, director of Planning & Economic Development in Holyoke, said the city built its $3.2 million Depot Square Railroad Station with what he called realistic expectations for its use.

For the most part, he added, they are being realized, with fewer than a dozen people, on average, getting on or off the Vermonter each day in the Paper City.

“We projected that there would not be a lot of riders starting out, which is why we didn’t build a huge parking lot for it,” he explained, adding that the unwritten ambition is to have to construct a bigger one someday, preferably soon.

Marrero said he’s witnessed people getting on the train to go skiing, travel to business appointments, or visit relatives in Connecticut and New York — something they could do previously by train, but only by getting to Springfield first — with more usage on or just before a weekend.

But Holyoke didn’t build that train platform — nor do its officials continue to talk glowingly about its potential to help the city attract residents and businesses — with one train a day in mind.

The focus, as it is in other communities, is on the bigger picture, said Marrero, noting that this means both more north-south travel and, eventually, hopefully, an east-west route.

“The promise of rail is attractive,” he explained. “Having the train station is akin to building an airport … that’s the start, and then you work to populate it with more air service. The train service is similar to that — now we have to work on expanding it.”

Like Brennan and others, Marrero said the train — even one that goes through once a day — allows people to make connections in other Western Mass. communities as well as other cities and towns on the route, especially those to the south. More trains equates to more connections, which is why, throughout history, communities with rail stops have generally fared better than those that lack them, when it comes to being both a destination and a place where people want to live and conduct business.

“For our strategy in the downtown of creating new businesses, homegrown businesses, people from the outside who want to start new ventures, while also creating more opportunities for living here, it’s important to have those connections,” he explained. “They can be with businesses in Springfield or job opportunities in Hartford.”

Narkewicz agreed. “Any time you can make the world a little bit smaller in terms of connecting us to the Valley and the rest of the north-south corridor, that’s important.”

It is the desire to create such connections that prompted a return to the Conn River Line for the Vermonter and, only a few months after it was back in service, a call for more trains.

Just when, and even if, Holyoke will need to build a bigger parking lot is hard to gauge, but Brennan believes there could be some progress by the end of this year or early next. Indeed, expansion of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield service, which will bring another 12 trains a day into the City of Homes, should be completed by year’s end.

Talks are underway with the Connecticut Department of Transportation about taking some of those trains farther north, and the matter is being taken under advisement, he noted.
“They’re interested in doing that. They would want us to pay our fair share, but they are keeping that option open.”

The other option for expanding north-south service — deploying surplus MBTA equipment on that route — was promoted in a Jan. 29 letter to Pollack, which seeks creation of a pilot program that will reveal potential usage.

Obtaining that MBTA equipment is the key, Brennan told BusinessWest, adding that, if and when it can be earmarked and refurbished, a request for proposals will be submitted for those seeking to operate a service several times a day — preferably two runs in the morning and two more in the evening, on top of the Vermonter.

He expects there will be response to such an RFP.

“There would likely be a half-dozen or so operators that would bid on it,” he projected, adding that Amtrak and Pan Am Railways, which moves freight along the Connecticut River Line, could be among those bidders.

Track Meets

Such expansion of rail service, both north-south and (hopefully) east-west, will enable the train to become more than what it is now — essentially another means of getting from here to there, said Brennan.

As he elaborated, he summoned the phrase “transit-oriented development,” terminology that essentially speaks for itself — although Brennan did offer an explanation.

“When you’re able to offer passenger rail service, the places where the train stops tend to become catalysts for economic development within a quarter-mile to a half-mile of the station,” he noted. “It’s like you create a hot spot for development in that area where you can walk to the station — for example, if you get out of Springfield’s Union Station and walk to your office, or get off the platform in Northampton and walk to Smith College.”

Creating such hot spots is really what the push for rail service is all about, he went on.

“We’re trying to get the level of service up so that those communities where the train is going can generate the full rate of return on investment,” he told BusinessWest, referring to both the costs the communities have incurred and the money pumped into rail by the state.

Hopefully, there will be additional investments, in the north-south line, but especially east-west service farther down the line, as they say in this business.

Indeed, it is the potential to connect Springfield with Worcester and Boston via rail that has Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno particularly intrigued about transit-oriented development.

Carolynne O’Connell, who took the train from Greenfield to the Big Apple for a conference, represents the type of rider area officials had in mind when they lobbied for an extension of north-south rail service.

He noted that the potential for people to be able to work in Boston, Cambridge, or Worcester and live in Springfield — something that would become much more feasible with fast, reliable, east-west train service — could be one of many sources of economic development in the future.

“An east-west service makes sense with everything we’re doing here in the city, including Union Station, MGM, efforts to generate entrepreneurship, creating market-rate housing such as Silverbrook Lofts, and more,” he explained. “The cost of living out here, whether it’s for residential or running a business, is much more palatable than it is in the eastern part of the state.

“It will take a huge investment, and for that reason some people say this is all pie in the sky,” the mayor went on. “But to have an east-west service that would run all the way to the Berkshires makes a lot of sense.”

Brennan agreed, noting that, if expanded rail service becomes reality, this region, and especially cities like Springfield, Northampton, and Holyoke, could benefit from what he called “re-urbanizing,” a reverse of what occurred 40 years ago, when people and businesses moved out of cities.

“There are two segments of the population that are increasingly interested in living in denser urban centers where they don’t need a car,” he explained. “These are seniors, retirees, and also young workers.

“Young people often don’t have a car and don’t want a car,” he went on. “But they want mobility, so the train is very attractive to them; they’ll live and work in an area if you offer them some type of rail alternative. Conversely, seniors, while they’re healthier, aren’t as interested in maintaining a big home and a lawn, and they’re finding cities more attractive.”

The region can be part of this movement, which is national in scope, said Brennan, but not if there’s only one train a day going in both directions, and not without east-west service.

The Last Stop

Sarah Beers is a costume designer from Queens. As she rode the Vermonter back home from Marlboro College — a liberal-arts school located in a town of that same name just west of Brattleboro, where she teaches three times a semester — she talked of this train service in mostly glowing terms.

“But it could be a little quieter … and definitely faster,” she told BusinessWest, adding that she wishes Amtrak could somehow slice at least an hour off the five-and-a-half-hour trek to Penn Station.

Western Mass. officials have another wish when it comes to the train — they just want more of it.

Getting those additional runs, they say, will take rail service from being a convenient transportation option to being a platform for growth and progress — both literally and figuratively.

Meanwhile, such an expansion will allow them to stop talking about what rail service could be and start discussing what it is.

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

As Dementia Population Rises, Memory-care Facilities Hone Their Mission

Business of Aging Sections

Peace of Mind

Anne Thomas (left) and Joelle Tedeschi say it’s critical that the Garden at Ruth’s House tailors programs to the individual interests and abilities of residents.

While researchers have hope, so far there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s and many other forms of dementia — conditions that currently affect some 5.3 million Americans but could soar in frequency as the massive Baby Boom generation heads into the golden years. That trend places greater importance than ever before on memory-care units, specialized neighborhoods in assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities that seek not only to care for residents with dementia, but strive to give them back as much of their old lives as possible.

It’s not always easy to walk in someone else’s shoes, especially when that person suffers from dementia. But at Loomis House in Holyoke, they’re trying.

The training program for Loomis employees who work in the memory-care unit includes a mandatory activity called a ‘virtual dementia tour.’ They’re put through a sensory simulation including shoe inserts to make their feet uncomfortable, hazy goggles that mimic macular degeneration, headphones pumping in white noise like a ringing phone and an ambulance siren, and gloves to impair sense of touch.

“Then we ask them to do tasks. They quickly understand the frustration,” said Lori Todd, Loomis House administrator. “What we try to teach them is, you’re experiencing this for 10 minutes; imagine this all day long. Some people call it sundowning, but after eight hours, I’d be frustrated.”

A perceived need for better training led to the adoption two years ago of new regulations for Massachusetts nursing homes. Specifically, workers in specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia-care units are now required to undergo at least eight hours of initial training to care for such residents, and four additional hours annually. Proponents noted at the time that increased training is critical because roughly 60% of nursing-home residents have some form of dementia.

Lori Todd says Loomis House works to counsel and reassure families, who are often dealing with wrenching emotions around their loved ones’ dementia.

At Loomis House, which maintains two separate memory-care units totaling 41 residents — there’s always a waiting list — administrators have taken staff training seriously for much longer than that, Todd said. In fact, the way staff assesses and engages its Alzheimer’s and dementia population is indicative of a wider trend in senior care, one that acknowledges that dementia is not going away as the Baby Boom generation continues to stream into its retirement years.

For example, while many facilities place residents with dementia into one of three categories of memory function, Loomis uses seven, in order to develop as individualized and specialized a care plan as possible. “If you’re stage three, you may be able to do a 100-piece puzzle for an activity,” Todd said. “In further stages, you may still be able to do a puzzle, but it may be a four-piece puzzle so you’re not frustrated.”

That said, the goal is to maintain as much independence as possible for residents through an individualized plan that determines what activities will keep them active and engaged. “We have to get an understanding of who they were and what made them tick — basically utilize that information to develop a plan that will be of interest to them.”

Similar strategies are put into play at Ruth’s House in Longmeadow, an assisted-living residence operated by JGS Lifecare. It features the Garden, a 30-bed memory-impaired unit with a central kitchen and living area and an enclosed, secured outdoor courtyard.

“It’s very home-like, which is really important,” said Anne Thomas, vice president of residential health. “But the one thing that distinguishes us from others is our exceptional programming structure, which is really important to people with dementia. If they’re not given some structure, they don’t do well. They need that schedule, that routine.”

Joelle Tedeschi, executive director of Ruth’s House, explained that every new resident is evaluated by the resident care director to determine how they fit into the site’s programming, which includes sensory activities, art and cooking groups, cultural-enrichment programs, and much more.

“We try to find out as much as we can about each person and craft programs based on that,” Thomas added. “It’s about engagement, but also creating an environment as much like their real home as possible. All the things a person enjoyed before should continue here — it shouldn’t change.”

Like Todd, Thomas noted that the population is aging, and the number of Americans living with some form of dementia — currently 5.3 million — is only expected to rise, meaning more nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are making a commitment to taking care of this population.

“With dementia, unfortunately, there’s no cure in sight; we don’t see the disease going away,” Thomas said. “Our responsibility is to create a wonderful program. Boomers are very discerning; they have disposable income, and they expect a lot, and they should. We’re designing things that we as Boomers would want for ourselves and our parents.”

Individual Focus

That begins with meeting each resident where they are, Todd said.

“There’s a lot of emphasis on understanding that we are guests in the home of the people who move in here. When people come to the dementia unit, they stay here; this is their home,” she said, explaining Loomis’ long-time philosophy of person-centered care. “So, if they want to get up at a certain hour, they can have their medicine when they wake up, rather than right at 8 in the morning. The satellite kitchen is open 24 hours a day, and they can eat when they want.”

Tedeschi said the Garden provides a similar sense of autonomy, including no set times for going to bed or waking up, and a kitchen where eggs can be cooked to order at any time. “Some folks don’t want to be up early for breakfast, so we’ll make them breakfast right before lunch if that’s their preferred time.”

The touches of home — and even pampering — continue with amenities like a full-service salon, live entertainers who get residents singing and dancing, and rules that allow residents to bring their pets with them. In addition, family members often volunteer to lead enrichment programs.

“Just today, one of the resident’s families brought in some old tools, and the residents sat around and reminisced about their lives. There were tools there I couldn’t identify, but some of our residents worked on farms as children and worked all day with these tools, and they talked about it. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

The Garden also recently introduced holistic-wellness activities including Reiki, aromatherapy, and reflexology, all conducted by student volunteers, said Mary-Anne DiBlasio, sales manager at JGS Lifecare, who has a background in alternative health. Meanwhile, a small activity room is being converted to a sensory meditation room.

In addition, JGS Lifecare takes part in the Music and Memory program, which works with residents’ families to develop a personalized playlist of meaningful songs, which they can play on donated iPods.

“We’ve seen some remarkable success stories with it,” said Alta Stark, director of marketing and public relations. “One woman’s daughter said she could tell immediately if her mother had her music therapy that day because she could have regular conversations with her. She said that had not happened for such a long time — it was like getting her mother back.”

Thomas is equally effusive. “I witnessed something walking through one day on the weekend — a resident in memory care was weepy, crying, and she wanted to go home. A life-enrichment person came over and consoled her, reassured her, got her iPod and earphones … and it calmed her down immediately.”

Tedeschi said it’s always a challenge to customize individualized programs when dementia has such a wide range of stages. Some residents can live relatively independently but need to be in a secure environment, she noted, while others wouldn’t even know how to press an alert pendant if they need help. “We need to anticipate what their needs would be. We have to customize a program for everyone and continue to add services according to their care needs.”

The complexity of caring for this population is why the Department of Public Health pushed for the new mandatory-training rules two years ago. In order to comply, staff members must be trained in the foundations of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, communication and connecting with these residents, techniques and approaches to care for this population, the components of person-centered care, working with families, the dietary needs of residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, social needs and appropriate activities in the care of such residents, recognizing and responding to caregiver stress, and preventing, recognizing, and responding to abuse and neglect of residents.

“Everyone who works here — even maintenance and housekeeping — has to have 12 hours of training,” Todd said. “And I’ve seen the benefits in training, retraining, and sensitizing. The regulations are strict, but it benefits the residents; it really does.”

Family Burdens

No one wants to admit their parent has dementia, Todd said, but the services provided in a specialized memory-care unit are critical when that decision looms.

“Most people who live here are a little more advanced than you see at home, and they’re at risk being in the community. Really, it’s a safety issue, and the caregiver can’t do it anymore,” she explained, noting that Loomis House provides a continuum of care that includes hospice services near the end of life.

It’s emotionally wrenching, she added, when someone understands that their loved one doesn’t recognize them in the same way anymore, but noted that Loomis provides a social worker to help families process that experience, and family support groups that help each other through the transition.

“At first, there’s a lot of fear, guilt, and anxiety,” she went on. “Then they begin to trust us. They see they can go home at night and their parents will be cared for. They have to trust that our people are caring for their parents because their parents can’t always tell them.”

Thomas agreed. “Sometimes it’s harder on the family than on the person who has this illness, to see that person changing before their eyes. That’s why we offer support groups for families.”

In addition, as part of the admissions process, Tedeschi said, families help residents assemble a shadowbox of photos and memories, to hang outside their room. Not only do the boxes help residents identify where their rooms are, they give the staff a better idea of what that person is all about. Families also fill out a profile about their loved one’s likes and dislikes, interests and hobbies, to help the staff build a satisfying daily routine.

Once they’re comfortable in their new home, DiBlasio said, “family members don’t have to be full-time caregivers anymore. We let sons be sons, daughters be daughters, and we become the caregivers. If we know the idiosyncrasies of the person, we can become part of the family, and they look at us as part of the team.”

The worst feeling a loved one can have, Thomas said, is the idea that “‘this is my mother; there’s nothing left to her.’ We want to demonstrate that this person has a lot left, and we want to bring that out in them. That’s our job, to bring out the best in the person so the family can experience that as well. The employees that work here find it gratifying that they can make a difference in many small ways, just by getting to know the person.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Ruling Sets a Tome on Tape-recording Workplace Conversations

Employment Sections

For the Record

By STEFANIE RENAUD, Esq.

Stefanie Renaud

In December, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) struck down a Whole Foods policy banning employees from secretly recording conversations in the workplace as an unfair labor practice (ULP).

The NLRB concluded that the policy violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) because it infringed on employees’ right to engage in concerted activity, which is protected by Section 7 of the NLRA. Concerted activity includes the ability to form, join, or assist a union; choose representatives to bargain with the company on employees’ behalf; and act together with other employees for mutual benefit and protection.

The NLRA applies to all employers, unionized or not, and all employees have the right to file a ULP charge with the NLRB if they believe a company policy interferes with their protected rights.

Whole Foods’ challenged policy was designed to foster open communication between employees and management by ensuring that conversations, phone calls, images, and company meetings were not recorded without prior authorization by management or consent of all recorded parties. Whole Foods’ goal was to “eliminate [the] chilling effect on the expression of views that may exist when one person is concerned that his or her conversation with another is being secretly recorded.”

Despite noble intentions, the NLRB concluded the policy was overbroad and had to be struck, because an employee could reasonably conclude that it infringed on his or her Section 7 rights. Under Section 7, photography, audio and video recording, as well as posting photographs and recordings on social media, are considered protected activity if employees are acting in concert for their mutual aid and protection, and there is no overriding employer interest. An employee acting alone may be engaged in protected activity if he or she makes the recording to further a group action, is attempting to enforce the terms of a collective-bargaining agreement, or is attempting to initiate or induce group action.

While the Whole Foods policy did not explicitly restrict or chill protected activity by prohibiting employees from engaging in protected activities, the NLRB nonetheless concluded that an employee could reasonably understand the policy to prohibit Section 7 activity. Aiding this conclusion, Whole Foods’ sole witness admitted that the policy would apply even if an employee were engaged in protected activity. Whole Foods’ policy also required employees to seek management permission to make recordings on non-working time, another infringement on employees’ Section 7 rights.

The NLRB distinguished this case from those where an employer had a compelling privacy interest that merited upholding a recording ban. For example, in Flagstaff Medical Center, 357 NLRB No. 65 (2011), enfd. in relevant part, 715 F.3d 928 (D.C. Cir. 2013), the NLRB upheld a hospital policy banning secret recordings because it protected patients’ health and privacy information. Outside of patient care, however, it is unclear what employer interest would be compelling enough for the NLRB to uphold a ban on secret recordings.

The consequences of a ULP finding are serious. The NLRB ordered Whole Foods to print and supply an insert regarding the illegality of the policy to every employee, at significant cost. The NLRB also ordered Whole Foods to post a notice in all facilities nationwide stating that “the [NLRB] has found that we violated federal labor law” and that employees have the right to “form, join or assist a union; choose representatives to bargain with us on your behalf; and act together with other employees for your benefit and protection.”

Clearly, even a small mistake can have huge consequences for the employer.

Massachusetts employers should also be aware that a recording that may deserve protection under the NLRA could still be illegal in the Bay State. Massachusetts is an ‘all party consent’ state, meaning that audio recordings (video recording and photography are not covered) made without the knowledge or consent of all parties involved violate the wiretap law. A violation of the wiretap law is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or two and a half years in jail, fines up to $10,000, or a combination of fines and imprisonment.

The statute also provides a civil cause of action for any person ‘aggrieved’ by illegal wiretapping, but an employer cannot be considered an ‘aggrieved person.’ Only the individual whose voice was recorded could bring a lawsuit against the employee who made the unauthorized recording, even if the recordings were made at work. So there are few remedies available to employers when a worker secretly records a conversation.

To comply with the NLRA, the NLRB recommends that any policy against secret recordings specifically reference the applicable state wiretap laws. In Massachusetts, employers may want to include a provision that states that the policy applies only to those recordings that do not comply with Massachusetts law. In addition, the NLRB suggests that any recording policy explicitly state that it does not apply to recordings made as part of protected activity or to recordings made on non-working time.

Because a mistake in this area can create huge liability, Massachusetts employers should revisit their policies and handbooks with their labor and employment counsel to ensure compliance with both Massachusetts and federal law.

This column is not intended as legal advice related to individual situations. If your business is facing a specific legal problem, consult your labor and employment counsel for legal advice and planning.

Stefanie Renaud, Esq. is an associate with the law firm Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., which exclusively represents management in labor and employment matters. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts; (413) 737-4753; [email protected]

Soaring Drug Prices Continue to Burden Consumers

Insurance Sections

No End in Sight

Maura McCaffrey says health plans work with drug companies to negotiate prices and with community physicians to assess patient needs, but rising costs continue to be a concern.

It’s a well-publicized issue in an election year, so it’s no surprise that lawmakers — including several presidential candidates — have been teeing off on soaring drug prices.

“Americans pay, by far, the highest prices for prescription drugs in the entire world,” Bernie Sanders recently noted. “A life-saving drug does no good if the people who need it cannot afford that drug.”

He pointed out that nearly one in five Americans between ages 19 and 64 did not get at least one prescription filled last year because they did not have enough money.

“There is no question that medicines help millions of people live healthier and longer lives, and can also prevent more expensive illnesses and treatments,” Sanders continued. “However, it is unacceptable that the United States now spends more than $370 billion on prescription drugs, and spending is rising faster than at any point in the last decade.”

Rising drug prices are having tangible effects on consumers, including those in Massachusetts. Among 16 carriers that recently testified before the state Division of Insurance, the first quarter of 2016 saw an average rate increase of 6.3%. They were asked to present the data used in determining their proposed rate filings for small-group plans in the second quarter of 2016. There are other reasons behind the increases, including the cost of expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act, but drug prices are universally cited as a driving factor.

Meanwhile, even amid ever-louder complaints from lawmakers and the media, Pfizer, Amgen, Allergan, Horizon Pharma, and other manufacturers have raised U.S. prices for dozens of branded drugs since late December, with many of the increases between 9% and 10%, according to the Wall Street Journal. Overall, prescription-drug spending rose 12.2% in 2014, after just 2.4% growth in 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported.

What’s Happening?

There are a number of factors at play, ranging from the fact that the U.S. government doesn’t regulate drug prices to rising development and production costs; it can take more a decade and more than $1 billion to get a new drug approved. Still, there’s plenty of opportunity, industry critics say, to bring relief to patients.

“Their argument is we can — we can raise prices on this, the market will bear it, people like this drug, they rely on it, their physician will write it,” Marco Rubio recently told an audience on a campaign stop, blasting drug companies. “And so, because we can, we do. And it’s just pure profiteering.”

Insurance companies are feeling the pressure, Maura McCaffrey, president of Health New England (HNE), told BusinessWest. “Health plans have a responsibility to manage the pricing of these pharmaceuticals.”

They do this in two major ways, she explained. The first is to work with a pharmacy benefit manager, a third-party liaison between drug companies and insurers, to negotiate the drug prices. “Over the past year, Health New England did a very large renegotiation with its pharmacy contracts, and that has been very beneficial to members in Western Massachusetts.”

The second strategy is HNE’s clinical care assessment committee, which includes both primary-care and specialty physicians and meets eight times a year to discuss new medications — how they compare with current offerings and who the most appropriate patients would be.

“We come up with clinical criteria to make sure the right people have access to the right medications,” McCaffrey said, adding that, if the drug in question treats an uncommon condition, the committee will go into the local medical community to find additional specialists who can speak to that topic.

Difficult Spot

At the gathering before the Division of Insurance, Elin Gaynor, HNE’s assistant general counsel, cited several recent examples of unsustainable drug prices, including $259,000 per year for a drug treating cystic fibrosis, $118,200 per year for a breast-cancer medication, and more than $100,000 annually for a new hepatitis C treatment.

“As a community, we must be willing to tackle some very tough questions,” added Michael Caljouw, vice president of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “What is the right price for new drugs and therapies? What is the appropriate use of them? Who decides? How can we achieve a better balance between medical advances and affordability?”

In making coverage decisions, McCaffrey told BusinessWest, safety and effectiveness always trump cost. “Then, if it looks to be a safe and efficacious medication, we look at what else is on the market and compare the safety profiles and efficacy profiles. The last thing we do is compare the cost profiles. We do this every time.”

Dr. Peter Bach, a physician and director of the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, recently explained in the New York Times that drug manufacturers are hamstrung by the complexity of biology, government regulations, and shareholder expectations for high profit margins.

What they’re not saying, he went on, is that they take advantage of laws that force insurers to include virtually all expensive drugs in their policies, and an industry philosophy that demands that every new healthcare product be available to everyone — no matter its cost or how little it actually helps.

In late 2014, the New England Journal of Medicine detailed a number of ways drug companies take advantage of this system. For instance, they buy up the rights to inexpensive generic drugs, lock out competitors, and raise prices. In one example, albendazole, a drug used to treat certain kinds of parasitic infection, was approved 20 years ago and, as recently as 2010, had a wholesale cost of $5.92 per day. Three years later, it was $119.58.

“Many of these drugs remain key therapeutic tools. The number of prescriptions for albendazole has increased dramatically in part because the drug has increasingly been used to treat parasitic infections in refugees,” explained the report’s authors, Drs. Jonathan Alpern, William Stauffer, and Aaron Kesselheim.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends presumptive treatment of refugees arriving in the U.S. if they have not had prior treatment,” they went on. “Because the people who need albendazole are generally disadvantaged, the costs resulting from the enhanced demand and associated price increases are largely borne by the patients themselves through substantial out-of-pocket payments or by taxpayers through public insurers such as Medicaid and the Refugee Medical Assistance program.”

The albendazole situation is hardly unique, they added. “It is well-known that new, brand-name drugs are often expensive, but U.S. healthcare is also witnessing a lesser-known but growing and seemingly paradoxical phenomenon: certain older drugs, many of which are generic and not protected by patents or market exclusivity, are now also extremely expensive.”

For example, the price of captopril, which is used for hypertension and heart failure, increased by more than 2,800% between November 2012 and November 2013, from 1.4 cents to 39.9 cents per pill. Similarly, the price of clomipramine, an antidepressant also used for obsessive-compulsive disorder, increased from 22 cents to $8.32 per pill, and the price of doxycycline hyclate, a broad-spectrum antibiotic introduced in 1967, increased from 6.3 cents to $3.36 per pill.

The practice infuriated a number of U.S. lawmakers, who teed off on drug companies last month during a session of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

“I find it so disturbing and unconscionable that a company would buy up a decades-old drug that it had no role in developing … and then would hike up the price to such egregious levels that it’s having an impact on patient care,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who chairs the committee.

Beyond the Status Quo

Solutions have been difficult to come by, but Bach suggests one: what if insurance companies weren’t required to cover all drugs? He explained that, in Europe, many countries reject a handful of drugs each year based on their high cost and relatively low effectiveness — so companies are forced to offer their products at attractice prices.

As a result, prices in Europe for prescription drugs are typically 50% below what U.S. consumers pay. The pharmaceutical industry might argue, he went on, that drug spending accounts for just 10% of all healthcare spending, but that equals around $300 billion per year — no small number.

And those costs are being passed on to patients. The Wall Street Journal noted that Lilly’s drug Cyramza will cost the average Medicare patient $2,600 per month without supplemental insurance — more than most Medicare-age people earn each month, before taxes.

It would make sense, Bach argued, to do one of two things: free insurers and government programs from the requirement to include all expensive drugs in their plans, or demand that policymakers set drug prices in the U.S. equal to those seen in Europe. “Either approach would be vastly superior to the situation we have today.”

The New England Journal of Medicine report offered another strategy for bringing prices under control. The authors suggest that substantial increases in the price of an unpatented drug could trigger the FDA to issue a public announcement seeking other manufacturers for generic versions of the product. Companies responding to such a request could receive expedited reviews of their manufacturing processes, and generic-drug user fees could be waived to further increase incentives for potential competitors.

Meanwhile, they concede, there is little that consumers can do.

“Some patients seek to acquire these drugs in other countries, since many of them are widely and inexpensively available outside the U.S., but such foreign sources may be of variable quality. Until regulatory and market solutions are implemented to reduce prices for these older drugs, patients requiring such drugs and the physicians treating them will continue to be faced with difficult choices.”

McCaffrey said Health New England is trying to maintain as much consumer choice as possible, but not at the expense of ballooning rates.

“Going into 2016, one of our top priorities is to make sure people have access to the medications they need,” she noted, “but at the same time make sure we can control premiums for them so they can afford the health insurance that gives them access to the medications they need.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Access to Clinical Trials Expanding in Western Mass.

Business of Aging Sections

New Frontiers

Dr. Matthew Richardson (left) and Dr. John McCann say Baystate’s clinical-trials program both helps current patients and advances research down the road.

When Linda Tedone was diagnosed in September with multiple myeloma, it wasn’t long before her oncologist at Baystate Medical Center, Dr. Syed Ali, came across an opportunity not available to many patients — yet.

It was a national clinical trial, one of dozens in which Baystate patients are enrolled at any given time. In Tedone’s case, her chemotherapy includes a drug, carfilzomib, that was FDA-approved in 2012, but only for relapsed patients who had undergone other therapies. Now, researchers are studying its effectiveness for first-time diagnoses.

“They explained it to me and my family, and we talked about it and were very interested,” Tedone told BusinessWest. “I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ali. Being in a clinical trial, not only do I have him and his expertise, but lots of other great minds are involved in this, all watching my progress. And I’m reacting well to the medication; the chemotherapy is doing exactly what Dr. Ali wanted it to do.”

A robust clinical-trials program at Baystate — patients are currently participating in about 60 different ones — is available for both adult and pediatric patients, depending on need and what’s available, said Dr. John McCann, a medical oncologist at Baystate who works with adult cancer patients.

“Basically, we’re an academic medical center, so we’ve had a clinical-trials program here for quite a few years,” he explained. “The newer clinical trials are focusing on the specific molecular features of patients’ individual cancers and bringing new treatments to the cancer center that we can use. Because we have an entire team of clinical researchers working with us, we’re able to do sophisticated clinical trials right here at home, so patients don’t have to travel to go to another academic medical center.”

He cited, as one example, a new trial that seeks to evaluate three immunotherapy drugs given simultaneously for patients with advanced melanoma. “It’s very important that patients get really leading-edge clinical trials right here in Western Mass.,” he added, noting that Baystate’s clinical-trials division accesses national trials through organizations like the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and pharmaceutical companies.

And Baystate isn’t alone. When Cooley Dickinson Hospital merged with Mass General Hospital in 2014, it opened up a referral pipeline for oncology patients being treated at CDH to enroll in the kind of clinical trials Mass General has been involved in for decades.

“We joke that doctors frequently have hallway conversations, and we have the same thing, except the hallway is Route 90,” said Avital Carlis, administrative director of the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, which opened last fall. “And these relationships are where our connections to clinical trials emanate from.

“I’m very excited that the Mass General Cancer Center will be integrated with the clinical trials available there,” she went on. “Our doctors constantly review cases, and if a patient has unique circumstances, they’ll reach out to their colleagues in Boston, and the doctors in Boston might say, ‘great trial available,’ or ‘perfect match’ or ‘we really should get them in this,’ and we can get our patients involved in these clinical trials. There is a huge spectrum of trials open to us.”

Mercy Medical Center, like Cooley Dickinson, will soon be able to access trials through a new affiliation — in its case, with Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital, with which is has signed a letter of intent to pursue a relationship that will enhance cancer care at Mercy.

The partnership with Smilow will create new opportunities for patients in Western Mass. to enroll in clinical trials for a wide variety of cancers, said Dr. Philip Glynn, director of medical oncology at the recently expanded Sr. Caritas Cancer Center on the Mercy campus.

Dr. Philip Glynn

“Trials are really important because people get a chance to see if a new treatment can help them — or help a population of patients in general,” he explained. “It’s almost like having a built-in insurance policy; you know you’re getting the most recent treatment. It’s been reviewed by experts, and you’re being very carefully monitored by your doctor.”

The downside, of course, is that previously unknown side effects may arise, and the treatment simply may not work.

“Ideally, you’re being carefully monitored so you can be taken off if it becomes clear it’s not working and there are another alternatives,” Glynn said. “Another downside is that some of these trials have placebos, and people don’t necessarily get the treatment they hoped they’d get.”

With more hospitals joining Baystate locally in providing access to clinical trials available nationwide, it’s a decision patients will increasingly have to answer.

Put to the Test

Simply put, Glynn said, a clinical trial is a research study, and patients participate to answer a question or help improve or advance treatment of a disease.

“In my field, oncology, patients volunteer for clinical trials that test new treatments, to see how they compare with current treatment standards. Sometimes they test lifestyle changes to see if it lowers the chances of getting cancer. Sometimes they test new ways of finding out if people have cancer — diagnostic studies.”

Typically, trials are divided into three types, he explained. Phase 1 trials, which are most commonly conducted in a university setting, aim to answer questions about safety in terms of timing, dosage, and side effects. Phase 2 — the type of trial most-often available locally — delves further into safety but focuses more on effectiveness. Phase 3 trials compare the new treatment with the current standard, by placing patients randomly (and blindly) into one group or the other.

Not everyone who wants to take part in a trial may do so, Glynn noted, due to any number of contraindication factors. “There are times people may want to be in a study but are excluded based on pre-existing conditions.”

But plenty are able to enroll, McCann said, noting that some patients inquire about what opportunities are available to try new therapies, while others are steered toward trials by their doctor.

“If a patient is eligible for a trial, we go through the process in detail and talk about risks and potential benefits,” he explained. “Then the patient makes the decision whether or not they wish to participate in the trial.”

Which means they’re well-informed of all known risk factors, he went on. “Every clinical trial has risks associated with it. We are committed to the highest standards in terms of minimizing risk and also explaining very clearly to patients what risks are associated with the treatment.”

In many cases, however, patients have reached a point of desperation, said Dr. Matthew Richardson, a pediatric oncologist with Baystate Children’s Hospital.

“For some conditions, where the prognosis with traditional medicine is poor or at least not optimistic, I think people are motivated to try new things,” he told BusinessWest. “They also realize it may help other children in the future. I think that appeals to many patients — that ability to help other families and other people’s children in the future.”

The goal of any clinical trial, particularly in phase 3, is to compare new treatments or tests to standard tests, and that can’t be done with just one or two patients; researchers need hundreds — and because certain pediatric cancers are so uncommon, no single center will be able to provide that, he explained. That’s why Baystate is part of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), which gives patients there access to the same trials offered at other children’s hospitals across the country.

Richardson is one of several doctors — as well as pharmacists and people not directly involved in the medical community — who sit on an institutional review board (IRB) that evaluates clinical-trial opportunities to make sure they’re appropriate for Baystate, that the science is sound, and that potential risks are not worse than the standard treatment — or, if the risks are high, that the potential benefit outweights the risk.

“We conduct a very thoughtful analysis, through very extensive discussions, before a clinical trial even begins at the hospital,” he said. “And if a member of the IRB is involved in the clinical research, they’re not allowed to weigh in on approval.”

Expanding the Pipeline

An added benefit to clinical trials, Glynn noted, is that people feel gratified to be able to help advance new types of research.

“That’s absolutely true,” said Tedone, the Baystate patient. “I mean, this is definitely my journey, and I want to have success, but at the same time, I also know that, if this is going to work for me, it will work for other people and make their journey easier, too. I’m all about research, and we need to get rid of this horrible disease — get rid of all these cancers.”

Patients intrigued by opportunities to participate in this type of research have to be gratified by the new opportunities cropping up in Western Mass., from Mercy to CDH to, yes, a widening pipeline at Baystate.

We’re referring to UMMS-Baystate Health, a campus of UMass Medical School expected to open in Springfield in the fall of 2017. The project — a collaboration between the medical school, UMass Amherst, and Baystate Health — is intended to meet three goals: increasing access to students in Massachusetts seeking an affordable medical education, responding to the healthcare needs of the Commonwealth by increasing the number of Massachusetts physicians trained in urban and rural primary care, and applying academic research to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and make healthcare better integrated, more efficient, and more effective.

“It’s really a game changer for the region,” said Dr. John Schreiber, chief physician executive for Baystate Health, and one of the reasons is access to new avenues for clinical trials through UMass Medical School. “We’ll be able to offer patients in the Pioneer Valley much more than we have previously.”

And one of the goals for physicians coming out of the program is that they understand how to be part of a clinical trial and how to connect patients with experimental therapies. “We want to be able to access that across the Baystate system, not just in Springfield. The outlook is bright.”

With all the optimism over clinical trials, CDH’s Carlis stressed that eligibility criteria can be narrow. “What’s nice about our relationship with our colleagues in Boston is, many of these physicians are world-renowned experts in their field; they know these criteria backward and forward. So, if we think a patient might be eligible, there’s no assumption made until they speak with the people in Boston for a full criteria check.”

That said, the big picture is important. “Through clinical trials, we’re trying to identify where care is going in the future, what are the best combinations of drugs. It opens opportunities for patients they would not otherwise have access to.”

Glynn agreed. “Clinical trials are designed by experts to answer specific questions about therapies,” he explained. “It’s very important, especially today, because there are so many new therapies available for patients in oncology. We want to be able to offer patients as broad a spectrum of potential treatment options as we can.”

Seeking Answers

After all, Richardson concluded, these are matters of life and death.

“We’ve gone from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children being a uniformly fatal disease to having some types of leukemia with a 90% cure rate,” he said. “And that’s only been through cooperative clinical trials.”

Tedone, who has been active in her trial for more than four months, tracks other cancer research as well.

“In the past few months, three new medications came out for my specific cancer; the FDA has approved them,” she told BusinessWest. “They’re making progress on my specific cancer by leaps and bounds, which is good news for me, that’s for sure.”

In the meantime, she said, “I’m being positive. I feel like I’m getting great care, and if I have lots of scientists watching me, that just more people on my side.” n

Joseph Bednar can be reached at

[email protected]

Drafting a Road Map for Defeating Cancer

Business of Aging Sections

Emperor of All Maladies Author Says the Pieces Are in Place

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee says the so-called ‘cancer moonshot’ will provide a road map for advancing the fight against the ‘emperor of all maladies.’

As he delivered his talk, “The Changing Landscape of Cancer,” to a large audience at CityStage earlier this month, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee had a PowerPoint presentation running on a large screen behind him.

In a way, it represented a seriously condensed but still highly informative version of his book, The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, for which he won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction, and it led with what amounted to a trailer for the Ken Burns-produced PBS film documentary based on the book.

One of the slides, kept on the screen for several minutes, depicted one of the now-famous full-page ads that ran in newspapers across the country in December 1969 with the screaming headline: “Mr. Nixon: You Can Cure Cancer.”

While one might debate whether those spots legally constituted false advertising, Mukherjee implied, they certainly amounted to wishful thinking — very wishful thinking.

Indeed, neither the nation’s president nor anyone else could cure cancer 47 years ago, he explained, because the scientific community simply didn’t know enough about the disease to remotely approach that ambitious goal.

Mukherjee said those ads, inspired by and paid for by Mary Lasker, the noted health activist, philanthropist, and champion of medical research, were a prime catalyst for what he called “the war on cancer 1.0” — a war declared far too early to result in even partial victory, but one that set the stage for later triumphs.

“We had no understanding of the physiology of a cancer cell, let alone what caused it to turn cancerous, and yet a war on cancer was launched without that understanding,” he told his audience, there, as he was, to celebrate the expansion of the Sr. Mary Caritas Cancer Center. “People have often said that this is like saying, ‘we’re going to the moon’ without having seen a jet engine; that’s what the situation was like.”

Nearly a half-century and seven U.S. presidents later (many of whom have declared what amounted to their own versions of a war on cancer), the situation is much different, said Mukherjee, because the world knows exponentially more about the physiology of a cancer cell and why a cell becomes cancerous.

And this new landscape certainly provides more optimism for the latest declared war on this disease — the so-called ‘cancer moonshot’ (a term that only reinforces Mukherjee’s analogy) — that was announced in January.

“We understand cancer at a cellular and molecular level that we didn’t understand before,” Mukherjee told BusinessWest prior to his talk. “We understand what causes cancer, we understand its progression, we understand some, but not all, of its risk factors, and we have not one, not two, but really several dozen important breakthrough therapies for several forms of cancer.

“The question now is how to deliver those therapies carefully, how to deliver them to the right people, how to pay for them, and much more,” he went on. “Meanwhile, there are many cancers that are difficult to cure and difficult to treat, and they will remain frontiers.”

In essence, the cancer moonshot is expected to yield a road map (a term Mukherjee would use early and often) — actually, several of them — for crossing those frontiers and answering all those questions, he went on, adding that this initiative will bring new layers of progress to what he called a “transformative impact” on understanding and treating the many cancers seen over the past half-century.

For this issue and its focus on the business of aging, BusinessWest took the opportunity to talk with one of the world’s leading cancer physicians about the stunning progress achieved to date and how the next chapter in cancer’s biography will unfold.

A Hard Cell

Reducing a few thousand years of conflict between humans and cancer down to a 55-minute presentation wasn’t easy, but Mukherjee, an assistant professor of Medicine at Columbia University and staff physician at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, managed by focusing on basic science, the milestones in the history of cancer treatment, and the people who made them possible.

Thus, his powerpoint featured slides on everything from surgeon William Halsted’s 19th-century “radical mastectomy” to Mary Lasker’s newspaper ads, and on everyone from Rudolph Virchow, often called the father of modern pathology and noted for his early work on leukemia, to Sidney Farber, considered the father of modern chemotherapy, to Barbara Bradfield, a pioneer (she was patient zero) in the development of Herceptin, a treatment for breast cancer.

His lecture on the history of the disease and mankind’s attempts to cure it focused on several stages he detailed in his 594-page book. They include, more recently, ‘cancer as a disease of cells’ — the period roughly from 1860 to 1960; ‘cancer as a disease of genes’ (1970-1990); ‘cancer as a disease of genomes’ (1990-2010); and the current stage, ‘cancer as a pathway disease.’

He brought his audience from the first identification of cancer some 4,600 years ago by the Egyptian physician Imhotep to current events, including groundbreaking initiatives to rapidly determine the sequencing of genes in tumor cells, leading to new treatment platforms.

Describing what’s been accomplished to date, he used words such as “remarkable” and “unprecedented,” words he says are fitting given the resilience, complexity, and sheer uniqueness of the disease and each case of it.

“Every single cancer, at the genetic level and the genomic level, is its own cancer, and every single patient is its own patient,” he explained. “We knew this 100 years ago, but we really learned this 100 years later.

“There is no disease — and I will argue that there are few problems in human history — where the level of diversity of the problem, the level of complexity of the problem, is equal to the number of people who have the problem,” he went on, urging his audience to consider the magnitude of what he just said. “Cancer is that problem … and that makes it different than any other disease, and that’s what makes it the emperor of all maladies.”

But while his book, and his lecture, amounted to history lessons, Mukherjee said his current focus is obviously on what comes next, and this brings him back to the cancer moonshot.

“This is an incredibly important effort,” he told BusinessWest before his talk. “It clarifies what the goals are, and that is to have a transformative effect on cancer care over the next 100 years.”

When asked what the initiative, officially named Cancer Moonshot 2020, might accomplish by that date, he said simply, “a line in the sand,” before elaborating and returning to that analogy of drawing a road map.

“What will happen over the next four years is that we will clarify that road map, which will hopefully stay with us for the next 80 to 100 years to remind us what the big goals are and whether we met the goals or didn’t meet the goals,” he explained. “We may at times go off the road because we don’t understand something, but as long as we have a sense of what that landscape is like, we can stay on track.”

Again, there will likely be several road maps drawn, he went on, adding that there are, indeed, several fronts in any war on cancer.

One is obviously treatment, he said, noting that considerable progress has been made with some cancers, including blood cancers — leukemia and lymphomas — as well as lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

Another front is prevention, which of course plays a huge role in the larger effort to stem the tide of the disease and greatly reduce the numbers of individuals who will die from it. And within the discussion concerning prevention lies the overarching question concerning whether cancer — or specific cancers — can indeed be prevented.

Some carcinogens, such as smoking, have been identified, said Mukherjee, adding that great uncertainty remains about how many more are still to be recognized. And this is a huge issue moving forward.

“That’s an open question on the table and a very important question: are there still out there major preventable chemical carcinogens — have we missed some?” he asked rhetorically.

“And if we haven’t missed some, what do we do about the fact that the rest of it is spontaneous errors, accidents when cells divide?” he went on. “That has many, many, many consequences, and there have been four or five highly controversial papers back to back in major scientific journals, one claiming the former, the second claiming the latter, one saying it has to do with cells making errors when they divide, the other making the claim that the environmental impact has been underappreciated, and there may be some hidden, unknown carcinogenic input.

“We need to sort that answer out,” he continued, “because it’s a fork in the road, whether we move in one direction or the other.”

There will be several similar forks to confront in the years to come, he said, adding that, beyond treatment and prevention, there are other large issues to be addressed, such as handling the cost of this battle, deciding how resources are to be committed, and drafting a plan for making this a truly international moonshot, not a solely American initiative.

Prescription for Progress

Almost immediately after Cancer Moonshot 2020 was announced, skeptics said it is as unlikely to achieve its stated goals as the initiative launched by President Nixon nearly five decades ago.

Mukherjee is far more optimistic. He notes that the pace of progress has greatly accelerated in recent years as more becomes known about the disease, and that enough will soon be known to not only draw a map, but enable society to reach its destination, one where cancer is far less the killer that it is now.

And he should know. After all, he wrote the book on the subject — a biography for which there are many chapters still to write.

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

Doing Business As Certificates