BusinessWest Staff, Author at BusinessWest

Editorial

Jay Minkarah got it right.

Far too often, strategic plans, redevelopment plans, master plans, and even business plans usually wind up sitting on a shelf gathering dust — until some agency decides to do another one.

But that didn’t happen with the plan devised to revitalize Springfield’s entertainment district (or what came to be referred to colloquially as the ‘blast zone’) following the November 2012 natural-gas explosion on Worthington Street, noted Minkarah, executive director of DevelopSpringfield.

Instead, that plan was followed, and as a result, there is plenty of momentum in and around Stearns Square (see story, page 6).

The script, or plan, called for transforming that area of Springfield into a vibrant urban district defined by dining, entertainment, innovation, and entrepreneurship, a model, if one wants to call it that, being followed in many cities across the Northeast as young people, especially Millennials, spark renewed interest in urbanization.

This area would become a bridge between MGM Springfield in the city’s South End and Union Station in the North End, but a true destination in its own right. And while there is still a great deal of work to do, this is the picture that is taking shape.

While there are many morals to this still-evolving story, maybe the most compelling is that the time-worn phrase ‘public-private partnership’ is not merely a cliché — it’s how to get things done.

Let’s go back to the plan for a minute. It had a number of components, but at its core, it called for a project that would become a catalyst, one that would draw interest and inspire others to make different kinds of investments.

That project became the new innovation center taking shape on Bridge Street. It will house Valley Venture Mentors and its various programs, including its many accelerator initiatives, but also co-working space and offices — the Women’s Fund of Western Mass. currently resides in one of them.

There would also be public improvements in the area, again to spur interest and create momentum, and these would in turn be followed by private investments — by those already located in the district, and those thinking about joining them.

And that’s exactly what’s happening.

The public investments come in many forms, from planned improvements to Stearns Square and nearby Duryea Way and an aggressive restaurant loan fund, to DevelopSpringfield’s acquisition of the Trinity Block on Bridge Street for the purpose of creating the innovation center, to MassDevelopment’s purchase of the former Skyplex building right on Stearns Square with the intention of making that a potential game changer in this equation.

These investments were designed to capture the imagination of the private sector, and there are signs they are just doing just that. For example, as the Community Foundation of Western Mass. commenced a search for space that would provide more flexibility and visibility, Executive Director Katie Allan Zobel said, it was inspired by what was happening at the innovation center and elsewhere in that district and wanted to be a part of it.

The same can be said of the Women’s Fund and United Personnel, which both now also call Bridge Street home, and also of those expressing real interest in the many vacant storefronts that still dominate that area.

Those storefronts, some bearing the names of nightclubs and retail businesses that closed years ago, provide ample evidence that there is still a lot of work to do in this emerging new urban district.

But there is also excitement, anticipation, and momentum in ample quantities, showing what can happen when a plan is followed, and when that plan comes together.

Navigating Healthcare Price Variations

Opinion

By Brendan Abel

The Mass. Medical Society (MMS) has been closely monitoring developments at the state legislative and regulatory levels related to healthcare costs.

The first issue being debated is provider price variation. This refers to differing levels of reimbursement between providers that are not justified by warranted factors, such as quality, patient acuity, or teaching services. This provider price-variation issue came to the forefront a year ago when a ballot initiative was proposed that would limit hospital contracts above a certain percentage of the median contracting price, with the intended goal of driving high and low variants toward the average price. Those proposing the ballot initiative envisioned this would aid some providers, such as community hospitals, while constraining the growth for those providers who yield the highest relative price.

The proposal never made it to the ballot. Instead, part of the negotiated agreement that removed it from the ballot created a Special Commission on Provider Price Variation. Comprising legislators, health plans, hospitals, and business representatives (though not the MMS), it has taken up the price-variation issue — primarily among hospitals — in part by establishing factors they deem warranted in driving variation. Additionally, it has also discussed how certain health-plan insurance designs can promote care at lower-cost providers. It has also taken up the issue of out-of-network billing.

The MMS has testified to the commission supporting solutions that remove patients from receiving these bills. The MMS has urged them to leave the details of such a proposal for the Legislature, a venue inclusive of all parties affected — including physicians.

The second issue is a series of polices contained in Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposed budget aimed at healthcare cost-containment strategies. The budget included a proposal for a growth cap on physician reimbursement based upon cost tiering, and an overall reimbursement cap tied to 160% of Medicare rates for Group Insurance Commission plans. The MMS wrote a letter in strong opposition to both of these proposals, and will work with both the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees to promote better solutions.

In February, the Health Policy Commission’s (HPC) annual Cost Trends Report publication provided a comprehensive analysis of the state healthcare system’s cost and quality performance.

The HPC noted that overall growth in 2015 exceeded the 3.6% benchmark by 0.5%, at a level of 4.1%. The HPC noted the main contributors to exceeding the benchmark in Massachusetts were prescription-drug costs, hospital spending, health-insurance enrollment changes, and spending on long-term services and supports.

With all of the attention to increased total medical expenditures and increased variation in pricing, the MMS has been engaged in strong advocacy to promote the most evidence-based approaches to cost containment that limit interference in clinical care. Indeed, medical costs must be contained to ensure access and affordability for all patients in Massachusetts.

Brendan Abel is legislative counsel for the Mass. Medical Society. This article first appeared in the MMS publication Vital Signs.

Projects in Belchertown Will Enhance Its Appeal

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

From left, Douglas Albertson, Kyle Thibeault, and Nicolas O’Connor say the disc-golf course that will be built at Piper Farm Recreation Area will benefit residents and help make Belchertown a destination.

Bob Bolduc says Pride purchased a 20-acre parcel of land in Belchertown about eight years ago because it believed this was an area where development was likely to occur.

“We envisioned it as an ideal location for a gas station and other businesses,” said the company’s founder and adviser, referring to a site at the junction where Route 202 and Route 21 intersect.

The prediction proved quite prescient; the Eastern Hampshire District Courthouse was built there shortly after the purchase was made, and a bevy of projects are underway. They include a new, $2 million Pride station; a new financial-services center; the town’s first assisted-living facility, to be built on the grounds of the former Belchertown State School; a new disc-golf course on town-owned land; and infrastructure improvements aimed at improving pedestrian safety, solving traffic problems, and enhancing connectivity with the town center, which is a short walk away.

“After many years of work and planning, there will actually be shovels in the ground on multiple projects this spring,” Selectman Nicolas O’Connor told Business West, noting that the projects align perfectly with goals that include meeting the needs of residents while finding ways to use open space for recreational purposes that will attract visitors, benefit local businesses, and spur additional growth.

Decades ago, Department of Public Works Director Steven Williams noted, economic development was concentrated at the end of the corridor that runs in the opposite direction from the town center, which is also within walking distance, although it is a little farther away.

But that area is almost completely built out, so the new hub has become the mile-long stretch of Route 202 that extends from the center to the courthouse. The Pride property sits on one side of the corridor, while the former Belchertown State School campus is across the street. It is owned by the Belchertown Economic Development Industrial Corp. (EDIC), which entered into an agreement with MassDevelopment five years ago that designated it as the agent for redevelopment.

Since that time, MassDevelopment has worked with the town and EDIC to access funds to demolish 40 dilapidated buildings on the campus. About half of them have been removed, and anticipation has been building over the past 18 months since approval was granted to build the Christopher Heights assisted-living complex on the site. It will contain 83 units, half of which will be affordable, and fill a real need within the community.

“They expect to break ground soon, which is very exciting,” said Claire O’Neil, vice president of planning and development for MassDevelopment.

She added that the town has plans to make significant infrastructure improvements that will restore water to the state school campus, improve sewer lines, and address pedestrian and traffic issues that will help move plans forward for the property to become a mixed-use development that will include manufacturing, commercial enterprises, and space for anyone interested in building in Belchertown.

An abundance of property is also available across from the campus, which is close to Route 21. “The area has enormous potential to generate new construction, businesses, jobs, and resources for the town,” Williams said, explaining that it will be fueled by the aforementioned $4.5 million in infrastructure work that will be composed of upgraded sidewalks and crosswalks, roadwork with new striping, new turning lanes, a new signal at the Stadler Street intersection and perhaps another at the junction of Routes 202 and 21, and new signage.

The plan is still in the design stage, but Williams estimates it will be completed by the beginning of next year. When the work is finished, he added, it will improve pedestrian access and safety, and connect the area to the town center in a way that will allow development to occur without creating traffic problems.

“Some businesses have already been established along the corridor, but compared to the amount of land available, they constitute a drop in the bucket of future potential,” he said.

For this issue, BusinessWest looks at projects in the planning stages or underway that will make a difference in the town’s economy and help make it a destination for recreation while meeting the needs of residents.

Generating Growth

Alden Credit Union recently opened a new, 4,000-square-foot financial center on State Street in an existing building that sits on a 1.4-acre parcel purchased from Pride.

“They did a major renovation of the property,” O’Connor said, explaining that it will become Alden’s headquarters.

Bolduc noted that Pride’s new, 4,500-square-foot store will be built adjacent to the credit union and will focus on food service.

“Most people think of Pride as a place to get gas that also sells food. But we want to reverse that, have them think of this as a food store where they can also get gas,” he said, explaining that the new store will contain a large bakery, full café with specialty drinks, a drive-thru window, a full deli and grill with a breakfast and lunch menu, and an area with tables and chairs where people can eat. “There will also be a fountain area where people can get real fresh-fruit smoothies.”

Although the exterior will have 10 gas-filling stations, including one for diesel fuel, Bolduc emphasized that “this will be a new version of Pride. We are in the permitting stage and are looking forward to working with the town and hiring locally.”

Town Planner Douglas Albertson said Pride designed the building to fit in well with the neighborhood: the exterior will resemble a brick colonial structure with clapboard, and will have real roof shingles.

Other developments in the area include a new garage being built by Belchertown Motors that will allow it to expand the business; and discussions taking place with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to install a turnaround to accommodate bus traffic to the area, which will become especially important when construction on the Christopher Heights assisted-living complex is complete.

In the meantime, the town is doing everything possible to create new recreational opportunities in the area, which is within walking distance of several public schools.

“We recently moved the Belchertown Family Center into the former Belchertown Day School, which is a town-owned property,” O’Connor said, explaining that the move is in line with officials’ vision of developing more recreational resources in and around the schools.

The Recreation Department also conducted a recent online survey to determine what people would like to see built in the future, and the top choices were a new splash park and public recreation area with pavilions.

“It would be really nice if families could go there for the day with their children, play baseball at our mini-Fenway Park, then head to Jessica’s Boundless Playground, which was recently completed,” O’Connor said.

That may happen at some point, but right now a great deal of effort is being focused on creating an 18-hole disc-golf course in the Piper Farm Recreation Area, where 25 of its 68 acres will be used for that purpose.

“We already have a population in town involved with disc golf, and our new course will draw people from other communities,” said Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Thibeault.

“The golf trails could be used for hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing off-season,” he continued, noting that the course could also be used for after-school activities and instructional programs, especially since the middle school is close to the rear of the property.

O’Connor told BusinessWest that disc golf is rapidly gaining popularity, and people who use the free course could park in the town center and visit the Pride station or existing eateries, as well as other restaurants or businesses that could be established in the future.

“Disc-golf courses have become destinations, and our small-business owners are helping us with this project. We plan to be very aggressive with this project, as it requires a small investment but will provide a positive return for the town,” he said as he spoke about fund-raisers being planned to raise money for the course.

The town also recently completed the acquisition of the Patrick Center on the old state school campus. It sits on a 5.5-acre tract of land, and officials are working with state legislators, the Recreation Department, and a local committee to initiate projects to add additional recreation and public-use spaces adjacent to existing fields and the public-school complex.

“We want to bring things here that people in the community can use, but also want to create unique recreational experiences that will attract visitors,” O’Connor said.

Fruitful Endeavors

Town officials helped establish the Quaboag Connector, a shuttle service that provides rides for people in Belchertown, Brookfield, Hardwick, Monson, Palmer, Ware, and West Brookfield. Priority is given to those who need transportation to and from work, job-training programs, and related destinations that include community colleges and educational programs. The shuttle also allows passengers from outlying towns to be taken to Belchertown, where they can board Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses that go to a number of destinations.

Residential construction is also gaining ground; last year 55 new homes were built, and the Bell Property Corp. is building 24 single-family homes on the former Dudek Farm property. “Woodland Lane will be our first new subdivision in 10 years,” Albertson said.

Both he and O’Neil believe the combination of projects that are planned or underway will benefit residents while attracting new people to Belchertown.

“Things have finally converged here,” Albertson said, noting that there is plenty of land available for new businesses and restaurants in a community that offers many benefits and is a great place to live, work, and play.

Belchertown at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1761
Population: 14,838 (2017)
AREA: 52.64 square miles
County: Hampshire
Residential Tax Rate: $18.20
Commercial Tax Rate: $18.20
Median Household Income: $76,968
Family Household Income: $80,038
Type of government: Open Town Meeting; Board of Selectmen
Largest Employers: Hulmes Transportation Services; Town of Belchertown/School Department; Super Stop & Shop
(Latest information available)

Categories Finalized for New Healthcare Recognition Program

Features

The Search for ‘Heroes’ Begins

BusinessWest and HCN have finalized a list of categories for a new and exciting recognition program involving the Western Mass. healthcare sector.

It is called, appropriately enough, Healthcare Heroes, a name known across the country as a means to recognize excellence in healthcare, and one that is now making its introduction in the four western counties of Massachusetts.

healthcareheroeslogo021517-ping Presented by American International College, and supported by Bay Path University, Elms College, and Renew.Calm, with additional sponsorships available, the program was created to shed a bright light on the outstanding work being done across the broad spectrum of health and wellness services, and the institutions and individuals providing that care, said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest and HCN.

The ‘heroes’ will be recognized on Oct. 19 at the Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden. That will be the climax to a lengthy process that will begin with nominations for outstanding achievement in the following categories:

• Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider;

• Innovation in Health/Wellness;

• Community Health;

• Emerging Leader;

• Collaboration in Health/Wellness;

• Health/Wellness Administration/Administrator; and

• Lifetime Achievement.

In subsequent issues of both BusinessWest and HCN, as well as in e-mail blasts and online at businesswest.com and healthcarenews.com, the criteria for these categories will be explained in detail, said Campiti, adding that a formal request for nominations will be issued in the coming weeks. These nominations will be scored by a panel of independent judges, and the winners will be selected this summer, with their stories told in both publications in September.

“We put a tremendous amount of thought into the categories, and sought the help of an advisory committee made up of industry leaders,” said Campiti. “We believe this list crosses the broad realm of health and wellness service providers, as well as the important ways in which service should be recognized.”

She cited, as one example, the ‘Collaboration in Health/Wellness’ category. “Today, collaboration is more than a watchword in healthcare,” she explained. “It’s a means to achieving real progress with health and wellness issues facing our society, because these problems are large in scale, and it often takes collaborating, or partnering, institutions to address them.”

The ‘Innovation in Health/Wellness’ category is another good example, she went on. “Innovation comes in many forms. It could be a new medical procedure or way to treat a specific illness or problem. But is can also be in how an emergency room is designed or redesigned, how a hospital fights infections, how a business is finding new ways to operate more efficiently … the list goes on.”

Given the area healthcare sector’s rich history of cutting-edge work, innovation, collaboration, new-business development, talented workforce, and emerging young leaders across the sector, Campiti said, it should not be difficult to generate several nominations in each category.

“There are countless heroes across this sector,” she noted, and we want to recognize their achievements.”

Commercial Real Estate April 17, 2017

Commercial Real Estate Sections

A listing of available commercial properties for sale, for lease

Go HERE to download the PDF

Several Bills Bear Watching by Business Owners, Managers

Employment Sections

A Legislative Update

By Peter Vickery

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A number of business-related pieces of legislation are in various stages of review on Beacon Hill, covering matters ranging from non-competes to earned sick time to credit reports. The common denominator is that they all deserve the attention of area business owners.

There are a number of bills currently under consideration within the Massachusetts Legislature that impact business owners and managers and how they run their operations. What follows is a quick look at several measures that bear watching.

Non-competes

Among the bills filed in the Massachusetts Legislature at the start of its current two-year session was one already familiar to employers, namely the Act to Protect Trade Secrets and Eliminate Non-Compete Agreements. As its title suggests, this refiled measure (originally championed by former Gov. Deval Patrick) would render null and void non-compete agreements between employers and employees.

In Massachusetts, non-competes are already unenforceable in a range of professions and occupations. In 1977, the Legislature made non-competes unenforceable against physicians; in 1983, it added nurses; in 1998, the broadcast industry; in 2004, psychologists; and most recently, in 2008, social workers.

SEE: Chart of Largest Employers

Lawyers are barred from entering into non-competition agreements under the Rules of Professional Conduct. Similarly, internal rules and regulations prohibit them in the financial-services industry. This bill would ban them across the board.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Another re-filed bill of interest to employers is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and this one seems to be garnering widespread support. After the end of the last session, advocates reached agreement with some employers’ organizations, which suggests that, this time around, the bill will make it over the finish line.

If enacted, the measure would require employers to accommodate pregnancy and baby-related requests for longer breaks, private non-bathroom space to express milk, modified schedules, and time off to recover from childbirth. It is important to note that the time off would be in addition to leave already available under other applicable laws.

Earned Sick Time

On the subject of time off, H. 3155 would re-write significant pieces of the Earned Sick Time Law, which the voters approved in 2014. As well as providing that overtime should not count toward sick-time accumulation and clarifying those workers who should not be included in calculating the total number of employees (e.g. the CEO, CFO, COO, independent contractors, and employees working fewer than 20 hours per week), the bill includes a novel fact-finding provision.

Many employers use credit reports to help gauge a job applicant’s reliability and trustworthiness … But Massachusetts might be poised to join the 11 or so states that ban the practice of looking at credit reports, which advocates refer to as ‘credit discrimination’ because of its alleged disparate impact on people of color.”

Because of the effect of sick time on the bottom line, the bill would require the secretary of Labor and Workforce Development to conduct an annual survey asking employers whether the law has led them to change staffing levels, or to move their operations out of state. The bill does not say what the secretary should do with the survey results. But knowledge is power, as the saying goes.

Credit-report Ban

Some knowledge gives too much power, apparently, so efforts are under way to put it behind a statutory veil. Many employers use credit reports to help gauge a job applicant’s reliability and trustworthiness. This is perfectly legal under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (for now, at least), so long as the employer obtains the applicant’s permission.

But Massachusetts might be poised to join the 11 or so states that ban the practice of looking at credit reports, which advocates refer to as ‘credit discrimination’ because of its alleged disparate impact on people of color. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are pushing for a nationwide ban via their bill called the Equal Employment for All Act. In the meantime, a state-level measure sponsored by State Rep. Elizabeth Malia would prohibit Massachusetts employers from using credit reports in their hiring decisions and even from asking applicants for permission to do so.

Although it would exempt certain categories of jobs from the ban (e.g. law enforcement, executive/managerial positions in financial institutions, and positions requiring national-security clearance) the proposal would strip most employers of the ability to lawfully review a would-be employee’s credit report. Violating the statute would constitute an unfair practice under Chapter 93A, the Consumer Protection Act, which generally does not apply to employment disputes, and thereby allow plaintiffs to seek multiple damages and attorney’s fees.

EEOC Transgender Enforcement

At the federal level, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued guidelines stating that sex-based harassment includes harassment based on “transgender status” and the “intent to transition.” Examples of such harassment include “using a name or pronoun inconsistent with the individual’s gender identity in a persistent and offensive manner.”

The new guidelines purport to apply Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination in employment and contains this definition:

“The terms ‘because of sex’ or ‘on the basis of sex’ include, but are not limited to, because of or on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all employment-related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs, as other persons not so affected but similar in their ability or inability to work, and nothing in section 2000e-2(h) of this title shall be interpreted to permit otherwise.”

This definition does not, on the face of it, include transgender status, and the equivalent provision in Title IX (regarding education) is the subject of ongoing litigation. Nevertheless, the EEOC has made gender-identity enforcement a priority in its Strategic Enforcement Plan for 2017-21.

The federal guidelines and enforcement plans will not change customs and practices for employers in Massachusetts, where — long before Gov. Baker signed the 2016 Act Relative to Transgender Discrimination — the MCAD had treated discrimination on the basis of transgender status as a violation of Chapter 151B, the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination statute.

For example, in 2016, the MCAD issued its decision in Tinker v. Securitas Security Services USA and Najeeb Hussain. In October 2009, the complainant, at that point Rebecca (Becky) Tinker, started work as a part-time security officer reporting to Najeeb Hussain. About two years later, during Tinker’s gender transition, Tinker informed Hussain that he wished to be known as Alyx and that Hussain should refer to him with male pronouns. Hussain seems to have not complied.

The MCAD found that Hussain continued to refer to Tinker as Becky and with female pronouns, and to include Tinker in statements that he directed to female employees, e.g. “you girls.” Hussain also informed Tinker of the Koran’s pronouncements regarding homosexuality. Including annual statutory interest of 12% interest, the total award for emotional distress came to approximately $86,000.

Peter Vickery is an employment-law attorney with offices in Amherst; (413) 230-3323.

This Insurance Product Can Help Businesses Find Peace of Mind

Employment Sections

Understanding EPLI

By Timothy M. Netkovick, Esq.

Timothy Netkovick

A primary reason people (and businesses) buy insurance is peace of mind — to have protection from financial loss due to something bad. Most businesses buy insurance to protect themselves from a variety of potential disputes. Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) covers certain types of disputes arising out of employment.

How do you know if an EPLI policy is right for your business? While the answer is “it depends,” there are several factors to consider when deciding to purchase EPLI or not.

What Does EPLI Cover?

EPLI provides insurance coverage for discrimination, wrongful termination, and other workplace issues. EPLI is different than traditional liability insurance, and is being purchased by more and more companies due to an increasing amount of discrimination claims filed by job applicants and employees.

EPLI typically covers discrimination claims based upon sex, race, national origin, age, and all other characteristics prohibited by law. This includes claims made under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act, among other federal laws, as well as associated state discrimination statutes. EPLI policies usually provide coverage to the company, management, supervisors, and employees from claims that arise under the policy.

EPLI typically does not cover wage-and-hour law violations, unemployment issues, or ERISA and COBRA matters. In fact, some claims that you think are covered may not be covered by your EPLI insurance. For instance, in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. v. Cincinnati Insurance Company, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee agreed with the insurance company’s position when it declined to cover a claim against Cracker Barrel because it was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The terms of Cracker Barrel’s EPLI policy said that claims by “employees” were covered. The insurance carrier argued that the EEOC was not an employee, and therefore declined to provide coverage under the policy.

Cracker Barrel appealed the decision, and the decision was overturned on appeal. While coverage was ultimately provided to Cracker Barrel under the policy, the case demonstrates that not all scenarios will qualify as a claim under an EPLI policy.

What Time Period Is Covered?

EPLI can be either a ‘claims-made’ or an ‘occurrence’ policy. It is important to understand the difference between the two types of policies so that you do not have an unintended lapse in coverage. In a claims-made policy, the policy must be in effect when the allegation took place and when the claim was filed. In an occurrence policy, claims that are made during the policy period are covered, regardless of when they arose.

Costs and Benefits of EPLI

The costs and benefits of an EPLI policy will vary from business to business. The first obvious cost is the cost of purchasing the policy. In addition, businesses will also need to factor in the cost of retention, which is similar to a deductible in other insurance policies, and is the amount of expenses the business is responsible for before the insurer will begin paying for the cost of defense.

Insurers use retention as a way to avoid incurring the expense of defending against nominal or frivolous claims by passing on that expense to the business. Conversely, the business will also want to evaluate the amount of their retention prior to obtaining EPLI. A business will need to evaluate its options if it is faced with high retention and a small amount of discrimination claims that are usually resolved at the administrative level.

Has your business had EPLI for several years and never exhausted its retention? Or does your business have a high volume of discrimination cases at the administrative level and also never exhausted your retention? If so, your business could also evaluate the option of self-insuring.

What Is Your Approach to Employment Lawsuits?

Businesses will need to have a consistent strategy when it comes to employment lawsuits. The business should have a clear plan ahead of time as to whether it will report all claims to its EPLI carrier, no matter how nominal they may appear on their face. The more claims are reported, the more the business’ retention amount will increase.

The increased retention will have an impact on the business’ budget for the next policy period. If a business is going to vigorously defend against apparent small claims on its own, it will need to budget for legal fees and possible settlement amounts. A business will therefore need to make a strategic decision when faced with a seemingly small claim as to how it will proceed.

Who Controls the Claim?

EPLI policies typically require the insured’s consent to settle a claim. EPLI policies also typically include a ‘hammer clause.’ This serves to transfer the burden of paying legal fees and any potential judgment from the insurer to the employer in the event the employer does not agree with the insurer’s decision to settle the matter.

For instance, let’s assume an employer believes that a claim is meritless, and the employer does not want to settle the matter. The insurer has assigned a settlement value to the claim, which is calculated based upon its legal fees and expenses that will be incurred in continuing the defense of the matter. If the employer refuses to settle, the insurer can invoke the hammer clause, and the employer would be responsible for legal fees associated with continuing the defense of the matter.

The employer would also be responsible for any judgment that may be entered against it over and above the insurer’s approved settlement figure. The hammer clause gives an insurer significant leverage in negotiating settlement with its insured.

If the employer agrees to settle a claim against an EPLI policy, the settlement would bring an end to that particular claim. However, any settlement can have long-lasting repercussions for the employer. Similar to auto insurance, any amount the insurer pays out under an EPLI policy will impact your rates for the next policy. Even if an employer switches insurance carriers, a new insurance carrier could view the employer as an increased risk and increase the employer’s rates and the cost of the premium of their next EPLI policy.

Another common feature of EPLI is that it is a ‘wasting policy,’ meaning that, in the event a claim is filed and legal fees are incurred in defending the claim, the amount of the available insurance coverage is decreased by the amount of legal fees incurred by the insurer.

The longer a claim goes on, and the more legal fees are incurred, the less insurance coverage you will have available to settle the claim. This situation becomes even more complicated in the event there are multiple discrimination claims filed against the same policy. The employer will need to be aware of the legal fees incurred in each case, and the amount of settlement, as the policy limits will decrease.

Can I Have My Own Counsel?

Oftentimes, insurance companies want to use their attorneys to defend against a claim. The insurance-company attorneys usually have no familiarity with the business and no knowledge of its business practices. However, the business may have been represented by its own counsel for a prolonged period of time and prefers to use its own counsel due to ease of communication and familiarity with its business practices.

A proactive employer may be able to have their choice of counsel entered as an endorsement to the EPLI policy at the time the policy is purchased. This preventive measure would alleviate the employer’s potential future headache over choice of counsel.

EPLI is not a panacea; as an employer, it is important to understand what you are purchasing when you purchase insurance coverage. Failing to understand the coverage you are purchasing could leave your company out in the cold when you need coverage the most. Irrespective of EPLI, prevention is your best defense against a lawsuit.

There are several steps you can take to insulate yourself from liability, including ensuring that your employee handbook is current, having written policies that are consistently enforced, imposing consistent discipline, and making sure your managers and supervisors have periodic training to ensure they are aware of all employment laws. These are all ways to minimize your exposure if you face a lawsuit.

Timothy M. Netkovick, Esq. specializes exclusively in management-side labor and employment law at Royal, P.C., a woman-owned, boutique, management-side labor and employment law firm, which is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office and the National Assoc. of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms; (413) 586-2288; [email protected]

How Can Employers Fight Addiction While Limiting Liability?

Employment Sections

Questions of Substance

By John Gannon, Esq.

John Gannon

Can a job applicant be rejected because of medical-marijuana use? Can employees be let go for lawfully using narcotic pain medications, such as prescription opioids? These are questions without easy answers.

Medical-marijuana dispensaries are opening throughout the Commonwealth. Meanwhile, prescription opioids are wreaking havoc across the country. With medical marijuana use on the rise, and prescription-medication dependence becoming increasingly common, employers are left in the precarious position of trying to help their employees while ensuring workplace safety and employee productivity. Now more than ever, employers need to be aware of the legal pitfalls associated with disciplining or firing employees who rely on these substances for palliative care.

Medical-marijuana Use

In November 2012, Massachusetts residents voted to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. Despite marijuana being classified as an illegal Schedule I drug by the federal government, state law does not punish marijuana use by qualifying patients.

Approved patients can obtain a medical-marijuana identification card and purchase marijuana at various licensed dispensaries. There are approximately 10 dispensaries currently approved to sell marijuana in Massachusetts, but that number could soon increase because nearly 100 additional dispensaries are close to final approval.

Use by Employees

The Massachusetts medical-marijuana statute explains that employers do not have to allow on-site medical marijuana usage, but does not address off-site use. So can employers take action against employees for their off-site medical-marijuana use? This has been litigated in Massachusetts and other states. Most courts, including a Massachusetts Superior Court, have confirmed that employers can reject applicants and terminate employees who fail drug tests due to medical-marijuana usage.

The common rationale is that marijuana remains illegal under federal law, so employers can refuse to accommodate illegal activity. However, that rationale should be taken with a grain of salt.

Last month, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments in a case about the rights of employees who use medical marijuana off-site. The plaintiff in that case was disabled and using medical marijuana for her condition. She was rejected for employment after failing a drug test. She claimed this was disability discrimination because medical marijuana did not impact her ability to do the job.

The court’s decision, which should be issued in the coming months, could change the rights of employers relative to medical-marijuana users. Employers should monitor the status of this case carefully.

What about Use of Prescription Drugs?

If an employer suspects an employee is taking a prescribed opioid — or any other medication that could compromise their ability to perform their duties — can the employer ask the employee about it? As a general rule, the answer is no.

Asking an employee about their prescription medications is a ‘disability-related’ inquiry that could run afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employers from asking disability-related questions unless there is good reason to believe the employee cannot effectively or safely do the job. This might include a visual observation or reliable information from a credible co-worker about safety concerns.

Even if an employer has a valid reason to believe the employee is unfit because of prescription-drug use, termination of employment is not the next step. Employers have an obligation to engage employees in an interactive dialogue to determine whether it can accommodate their medication use.

This might involve offering a temporary ‘light-duty’ assignment until the employee is off the medication, or giving a job-protected leave of absence until the employee is fit to return. Terminating an employee without engaging in this interactive dialogue could trigger costly damages under the ADA. Employers concerned about an employee’s prescription-drug use should consult with an employment attorney before taking action.

What If an Employee Is Acting Oddly?

Employers may also encounter a situation where an employee is acting oddly, and the employer suspects that drugs might be involved. Can an employer ask the employee to take a drug test?

Generally, it is acceptable to ask employees to take a drug test when the employer has an objective, reasonable suspicion that drugs are involved. To ensure legal compliance, employers should have a drug-testing policy and provide training to all frontline managers about how to spot drug use. Employers should consult with employment counsel when establishing and enforcing any reasonable-suspicion drug testing program or policy.

Bottom Line

Medical-marijuana laws and employee prescription-drug use put businesses in a tough position. Employers attempting to protect the safety of their workers and others could inadvertently violate an employee’s rights under the ADA. But if an employer merely ignores the problem, they could face financial consequences stemming from an employee’s use of illegal or prescription drugs.

So what should an employer do? The single best thing an employer can do to prevent exposing themselves to legal risk is to consult with an attorney before taking any action. Doing so will only take a few minutes in the short term, but could save the business tons of time and money in the long run.

John Gannon is an attorney with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.

Building Permits

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the months of March and April 2017.

CHICOPEE

Chunida Inc.
450 Memorial Dr.
$150,000 — Demolition of former Days Inn

Standex International Corp.
939 Chicopee St., Bldg. 929
$10,000 — Finish floor overlay, add new women’s restroom, renovate men’s restroom, other improvements

EASTHAMPTON

1 Cottage St.
Riverside Industries Inc.
$25,000 — Remove one bathroom, replace with two ADA-compliant bathrooms

Williston Northampton School
Taft Ave.
$10,000 — Construct four mezzanines for storage use

Williston Northampton School
81 Park St.
$7,500 — Install passage door, replace barn door, install vinyl siding and soffits

EAST LONGMEADOW

National Grid
49 Callender Ave.
$10,000 — Demo control house at substation

Westfield Bank
382 North Main St.
$41,995 — Commercial renovation

GREENFIELD

Haddleton Associates
37 Butternut St.
$21,830 — Exchange existing Verizon antennas on tower with new antennas in same location

Joseph Pellegrino
298 Federal St.
$10,000 — Demolish interior non-load-bearing walls

Nikki Stafford
335 Federal St.
$18,175 — Strip roof and install new asphalt shingle system

Third Congregational Society
399 Main St.
$1,135 — Install handical ramp

HADLEY

Pet Hotel
155 Russell St.
$140,000 — Interior renovations

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$302,000 — Remodel existing space in mall for Giftology

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$6,000 — Install supply and return duct into new hallway for Planet Fitness

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Medical Center
575 Beech St.
New emergency room, installation of new UDS

LUDLOW

Taxiway, LLC
84 Westover Road
$225,000 — Commercial alterations

Wing Memorial Hospital
34 Hubbard St.
$70,000 — Commercial alterations

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$15,000 — Insulation at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$3,500 — Repurpose former compressor room at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$45,000 — Roofing at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$228,100 — Demo interior wall of old computer shop at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and reconfigure walls for student service suite

Norma Lee Realty Trust
90 King St.
$2,300 — Install illuminated wall sign

Norma Lee Realty Trust
90 King St.
$600 — Replace existing wall sign with illuminated sign

PALMER

Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum
4080 Main St.
$15,000 — Renovate church into a single-family home with an in-home business

Town of Palmer
4417 Main St.
$11,000 — Demo duct, fabricate and install duct, furnish and install RGDs and fans

SOUTHWICK

Kostyantyn Alforov
11 Jeffrey Circle
Parking area improvement

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Health
759 Chestnut St.
$3,347,000 — Interior fit-out of shell space for pediatric procedure and infusion spaces, patient rooms, toilets, nurse stations, waiting rooms

Baystate Medical Center
3300 Main St.
$160,000 — Interior renovation of existing pharmacy

Century Investment Co.
1985 Main St., Suite E
$3,500 — Wire new fire-alarm devices to existing fire-alarm panel

Gulmohar Hospitality, LLC
711 Dwight St.
Install eight roof-mounted cellular antennas on La Quinta Inn & Suites

James Krobath
135 State St.
$7,860 — Interior renovation to convert former restaurant space to game room

Mercy Medical Center
299 Carew St.
$213,700 — Remove section of suite for thoracic offices and complete cosmetic changes

South Canpus Group
140 High St.
$125,000 — Interior renovation of second floor

Springfield Redevelopment Authority
55 Frank B. Murray St., Second Floor
$355,518 — Tenant fit-out space in Union Station building, including new partitions, doors, HVAC, electrical, and adjustents to existing fire-protection systems

WARE

Country Bank
79 Main St.
$785 — Sign

G & G Medical Products, LLC
6 East Main St.
$7,865 — Selective demolition of door jamb to increase width and height, new steel lintel to support block construction above new door height

Global Signal Acquisitions IV, LLC
82 Coffey Hill Road
$20,000 — Add three T-Mobile antennas and related equipment

WESTFIELD

Engineers Realty Corp.
53 Southampton Road
$100,000 — Renovate existing office space

First Methodist Society of Westfield
16 Court St.
$65,756 — Kitchen renovations

Little River Plaza, LLC
587 East Main St.
$40,000 — Frame partition wall, interior remodeling

Noble Hospital
115 West Silver St.
$1,339,831 — Create new pharmacy space on third floor

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Agrimark
958 Riverdale St.
$14,000 — Erect wall

Doty River, LLC
500 Riverdale St.
$10,000 — Set up temporary trailer during construction

Home Depot
179 Daggett Dr.
$40,000 — Replace tile, drywall, toilets, urinals, partitions, and light fixtures in men’s and women’s bathrooms

Bill Keavany
76 Century Way
$2,500 — Construct interior partition walls for Metro PCS

WILBRAHAM

Wing Memorial Hospital Corp.
2344 Boston Road
$11,550 — Renovate fire-sprinkler system

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

379 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $359,315
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Barbara J. Wiemers
Date: 03/06/17

BUCKLAND

27 Williams St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jayne Webb
Seller: Rebecca Byram-Wigfield
Date: 03/16/17

COLRAIN

129 North Green River Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Green River Properties
Seller: Cersosimo Industries Inc.
Date: 03/06/17

CONWAY

641 North Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Douglas Blowers
Seller: Robert Stack RET
Date: 03/13/17

DEERFIELD

3 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Angel Properties LLC
Seller: Kenneth Schoen
Date: 03/10/17

27 West St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $166,900
Buyer: Robert B. Lowney
Seller: Frank P. Marchand
Date: 03/17/17

30 West St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Theresa M. Boron
Seller: Viola M. Batrano
Date: 03/16/17

ERVING

16 West High St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Max A. Paronich
Seller: Cody Sisson
Date: 03/08/17

GREENFIELD

64 Adams Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $1,513,640
Buyer: Store Master Funding 9
Seller: Store Master Funding 7
Date: 03/10/17

7 Alden St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Raymond J. Deluca
Seller: Paul Viens
Date: 03/10/17

23 Brookside Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Gershman
Seller: Bartlett, Douglas R., (Estate)
Date: 03/17/17

15 Farren St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Levi T. Johnson
Seller: Margaret E. Lauder
Date: 03/08/17

49 Greenfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $2,019,277
Buyer: Store Master Funding 9
Seller: Store Master Funding 7
Date: 03/10/17

10 Kent Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Colby J. Kimball
Seller: Madeline R. Maxam
Date: 03/17/17

402 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Bruml
Seller: Charles N. Moore
Date: 03/15/17

113 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: James M. Elwell
Seller: Greenfield Paper Box Co.
Date: 03/13/17

53 Silvio O. Conte Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $5,830,379
Buyer: Store Master Funding 9
Seller: Store Master Funding 7
Date: 03/10/17

MONTAGUE

43 Hillside Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $136,900
Buyer: PDV Inc.
Seller: Milton A. Rivera
Date: 03/17/17

83 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: June Blaise
Seller: Janice M. Fuller
Date: 03/10/17

NORTHFIELD

837 Old Wendell Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Frank D. Peterson
Seller: Nathaniel D. Senser
Date: 03/10/17

ORANGE

112 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Kevin M. Houle
Date: 03/17/17

581 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $128,500
Buyer: James R. Aldrich
Seller: D. Lawrence Fisher
Date: 03/10/17

SHUTESBURY

91 Baker Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Reagan
Seller: B&E Capital LLC
Date: 03/16/17

SHELBURNE

21 Church St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Holly Sonntag
Seller: Carolyn Bailey
Date: 03/07/17

SUNDERLAND

223 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Diana Berry
Seller: Nathan R. Santerre
Date: 03/10/17

172 Russell St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Franklin Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Janet T. Callahan RET
Date: 03/10/17

262 South Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $130,625
Buyer: Mark Fabry
Seller: Fabry 2008 RET
Date: 03/06/17

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

28 Autumn St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $216,900
Buyer: Lynn M. Otero
Seller: Christopher A. Peluso
Date: 03/17/17

40 Cardinal Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Alfred Pajer
Seller: Flynn, James E., (Estate)
Date: 03/17/17

4-6 Church St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Alexander Orlov
Seller: Peter Novik
Date: 03/13/17

6 Fenton St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Ronald C. Redmond
Seller: Theresa A. Losito
Date: 03/06/17

25 Harvey Johnson Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Hichborn
Seller: Jennifer A. Dickinson
Date: 03/15/17

89 Harvey Johnson Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $137,631
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Barbara A. Young
Date: 03/15/17

26 Hearthstone Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Peluso
Seller: David Bolio
Date: 03/17/17

583 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $293,500
Buyer: Michael P. Ritucci
Seller: Zahoor Haq
Date: 03/13/17

76 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $233,500
Buyer: Gary Fields
Seller: Stratton Renovation LLC
Date: 03/17/17

271 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: William W. Beauregard
Seller: William Monty
Date: 03/17/17

30 Vadnais St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Klaudia Wiktorska
Seller: Sandra L. Jones
Date: 03/15/17

BRIMFIELD

75 7th St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Steven P. Lemay
Seller: Michael G. Robie
Date: 03/10/17

61 Hollow Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Timothy Clark
Date: 03/16/17

CHESTER

27 Soisalo Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Brian Klein
Seller: Susan L. Bishop
Date: 03/13/17

CHICOPEE

521 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $181,796
Buyer: R2R LLC
Seller: JJS Capital Investment
Date: 03/13/17

243 Carew St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Cheryl Hortie
Seller: Carl D. Roy
Date: 03/06/17

40 Chapel St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $161,250
Buyer: David A. Tisdell
Seller: Tisdell, Wilfred L., (Estate)
Date: 03/09/17

131 Davenport St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Lourdes Gonzalez
Seller: James R. Lindsay
Date: 03/08/17

241 Fletcher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Nicholas Lawless
Seller: Perry R. Dulude
Date: 03/16/17

124 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Maryam Tamimi
Seller: Annmarie Rice
Date: 03/07/17

608 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $131,250
Buyer: Michael L. Tisdell
Seller: Tisdell, Wilfred L., (Estate)
Date: 03/09/17

44 Grise Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Ronald R. Heroux
Seller: Erica A. Galuszka
Date: 03/17/17

48 James St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Butler
Seller: Robert Nicasio
Date: 03/07/17

68 Lariviere Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Murat Polat
Seller: Loon Hill Plaza LLC
Date: 03/08/17

New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $985,175
Buyer: 755 New Ludlow Road LLC
Seller: SDK Realty Corp.
Date: 03/17/17

63 Olea St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Riley
Seller: Michael W. Taft
Date: 03/17/17

49 Pajak St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Andrew Scotton
Seller: Kristen L. Maloney
Date: 03/10/17

32 Pearl St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $173,400
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Donna M. Heap
Date: 03/16/17

21 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Michael J. Velez
Seller: Jeremy Sawyer
Date: 03/10/17

793 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Suzanne Papianou
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/13/17

150 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,200
Buyer: Samantha L. Hessling
Seller: Theodore R. Slenzak
Date: 03/15/17

EAST LONGMEADOW

140 Canterbury Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Bryan C. Forbes
Seller: Dan Roulier & Assocs. Inc.
Date: 03/13/17

375 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: David E. Bolio
Seller: John Hasley
Date: 03/17/17

8 Edgewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Mehrdad Khabir
Seller: Hugh K. Martin
Date: 03/15/17

181 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Michael Tranghese
Seller: Matthew C. Trinceri
Date: 03/06/17

164 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Audrey G. Psaltis
Seller: Denise L. Robinson
Date: 03/06/17

432 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $131,596
Buyer: Kevin A. Trigo
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 03/15/17

198 Tanglewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $360,500
Buyer: David Deniger
Seller: Steven Vigneault
Date: 03/06/17

GRANVILLE

439 South Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Michael A. Duris
Seller: Mary E. Brockmeyer
Date: 03/06/17

HOLLAND

9 Dug Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Gloria V. Peck
Date: 03/06/17

HOLYOKE

30 Amherst St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Tiffany K. Espinosa
Seller: Michael G. Corduff
Date: 03/15/17

41 Argyle Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Murphy
Seller: Timothy J. Murphy
Date: 03/17/17

73-75 Belvidere Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Manuel Henriques
Seller: JJS Capital Investment
Date: 03/10/17

451 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Jane Dolinski
Seller: Matthew Reynolds
Date: 03/17/17

LONGMEADOW

385 Green Hill Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Riffat Sabir
Seller: Mark B. Ackerman
Date: 03/15/17

61 Longfellow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $294,000
Buyer: Deanna L. Blazejowski
Seller: Elias Family LP
Date: 03/17/17

154 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Edward C. Hough
Seller: Jodi Polep-Mines
Date: 03/06/17

29 Ridgeway Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Anne C. Wheeler
Seller: David B. Kane
Date: 03/10/17

90 Wimbleton Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: William Searles
Seller: Richard Longo
Date: 03/10/17

LUDLOW

334 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Krista M. Mitchell
Seller: Derek J. Chadonnet
Date: 03/17/17

607 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Francisco Leitao RET
Seller: Vivian E. Caron
Date: 03/13/17

190-194 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Basics Plus LLC
Seller: Englewood Properties LLC
Date: 03/08/17

33 Haswell Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Michael J. Rowe
Seller: Domingos Alves
Date: 03/10/17

735 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Alexander Binczyk
Seller: William Papko
Date: 03/16/17

76 Overlook Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: John Giasullo
Seller: Antonio J. Martins
Date: 03/06/17

MONSON

492 Boston Road West
Monson, MA 01069
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Domingos G. Alves
Seller: Michael E. Pelland
Date: 03/16/17

44 May Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $152,827
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Lori A. Campbell
Date: 03/10/17

122 May Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: NSP Residential LLC
Seller: FHLM
Date: 03/13/17

PALMER

Breckenridge St. #12
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: JJC Materials Inc.
Seller: GM&M RT
Date: 03/08/17

35 Burlingame Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: David V. Upton
Seller: Patrick J. Austin
Date: 03/10/17

21 Commercial St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Toelken
Seller: Bennett Properties LLC
Date: 03/10/17

110-112 Springfield St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: George T. Morgado
Seller: Gary R. Bergeron
Date: 03/07/17

RUSSELL

1167 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Peter J. Consolini
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/10/17

SOUTHWICK

192 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: A. Karathanasopoulos
Seller: Kathleen A. Shields
Date: 03/16/17

8 Country Club Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Paul A. Laquerre
Seller: Amanda J. Poules
Date: 03/13/17

11 Jeffrey Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Kostyantyn Alforov
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 03/09/17

143 Point Grove Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Gail A. Chekovsky
Date: 03/15/17

17 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Jaan Development Corp
Seller: Vining Hill Partners LLC
Date: 03/16/17

SPRINGFIELD

575-577 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Rachel Thomas
Seller: Robert A. Schultz
Date: 03/06/17

20-24 Baldwin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Rachel Thomas
Seller: Michael J. Bailey
Date: 03/06/17

75 Bexhill St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $151,450
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Phyllis Alston
Date: 03/15/17

107 Blaine St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $148,500
Buyer: Nicole Scott
Seller: Global Homes Properties
Date: 03/15/17

21 Campus Place
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $144,900
Buyer: Luis C. Cruz
Seller: Onota Rental LLC
Date: 03/17/17

27 Candice Circle
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Betsy B. Rosado
Seller: Amand, Sylvia A. S., (Estate)
Date: 03/13/17

14 Canton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Krista Surprenant
Seller: Marc A. Mailhott
Date: 03/10/17

722-724 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Rendy Cruz
Seller: Louis I. Shelton
Date: 03/09/17

157 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Mizraim Rodriguez
Seller: Natasha M. Quiles
Date: 03/15/17

51 Cheyenne Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Colon
Seller: Neil J. Grenier
Date: 03/15/17

16 Clifford St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Gardner Memorial African
Seller: Mount Zion Baptist Church
Date: 03/10/17

118-120 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $128,178
Buyer: R2R LLC
Seller: JJS Capital Investment
Date: 03/13/17

49 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: David Oquendo
Seller: Michael D. Dombrowski
Date: 03/17/17

29 East Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $193,500
Buyer: Brian A. Welch
Seller: Sapphire Property Dev. LLC
Date: 03/17/17

20-24 Fernwold St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Rachel Thomas
Seller: Michael J. Bailey
Date: 03/06/17

78 Fresno St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Melissa Pierce
Seller: London Realty LLC
Date: 03/10/17

24 Frontenac St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $131,500
Buyer: Michele A. Testa
Seller: Gregory Wurszt
Date: 03/08/17

51 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Smith
Seller: Raphael A. Perez
Date: 03/06/17

122 Hartford Terrace
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Timothy O’Keefe
Seller: Krystal Briggs
Date: 03/17/17

51-53 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Samuel Vega
Seller: Gary L. Ramos
Date: 03/16/17

158 Jamaica St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Joshua D. Bernacchia
Seller: Estelle Castaneda
Date: 03/13/17

71 Jordan St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Darrick S. Blackburn
Date: 03/07/17

129 Kane St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Saroeun Soeng
Seller: Lisa Santaniello
Date: 03/06/17

234 Mallowhill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $141,749
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Future M. Cheeks
Date: 03/16/17

95 Maplewood Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Robert J. Donovan
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/10/17

243 Marine St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Charles Wilhite
Seller: Donna M. Rambo
Date: 03/09/17

231 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Craig Mulvey
Seller: Pipares, Mary, (Estate)
Date: 03/15/17

113 Mill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Orange Park Management
Seller: Orange Park Management
Date: 03/09/17

40 Montgomery St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Denis M. Semiryazhko
Seller: Anne E. Kibbe
Date: 03/17/17

324 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $182,400
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Celena Daniels
Date: 03/07/17

101 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Kayla Kallaugher
Seller: James Niedbala
Date: 03/13/17

20 Old Lane Road #B1
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $299,987
Buyer: Stephen McGibbon
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 03/13/17

681 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Douglas Pierce
Seller: Karen P. Goncalves
Date: 03/13/17

37 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Courtney Beauregard
Seller: Kelly L. Morris
Date: 03/10/17

121 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Vincenzo Montefusco
Seller: Barbara A. Spear
Date: 03/17/17

183 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Michael Barwick
Seller: Lucas A. Rosa
Date: 03/10/17

83 Pennsylvania Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Beth A. Nolan
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 03/17/17

45 Pidgeon Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $146,450
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Nancy Ellard
Date: 03/10/17

34 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $154,900
Buyer: Modesto A. Montero
Seller: Leon A. Shatkin
Date: 03/13/17

77 Primrose St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Armindo M. Carvalho
Seller: Bogdan A. Mastalerz
Date: 03/13/17

109 Prouty St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Alex Adorno
Seller: Tricia Tarrant
Date: 03/17/17

39 Rachael St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Zollette Hooks
Seller: Greater Springfield Habitat
Date: 03/10/17

118 Redlands St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Charles M. Vilakis
Seller: Rosann Glidden
Date: 03/16/17

2-4 Scott St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Frankin N. Rodriguez
Seller: Anthony W. Deming
Date: 03/10/17

66 Spear Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Ronald S. Burelle
Seller: Sabrina Y. Tsim
Date: 03/15/17

124 Spikenard Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Jessica Delrio
Seller: Dennis A. Delorge
Date: 03/17/17

6 Springfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jahaira Beltran
Seller: Juanita M. Davila
Date: 03/08/17

187 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Jacqueline E. Hanko
Seller: Jonathan P. Young
Date: 03/10/17

122 Sterling St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $127,100
Buyer: Pennymac Loan Services LLC
Seller: Maria Suarez
Date: 03/13/17

397 Sunrise Terrace
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Louise P. Halle
Seller: Todd D. Cagwin
Date: 03/17/17

91 Tioga St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $145,500
Buyer: Rebecca A. Pennington
Seller: James M. Wegiel
Date: 03/17/17

27 Warrenton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Yvonne Lefkowitz
Seller: Mark A. Wedderburn
Date: 03/08/17

103 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $166,454
Buyer: Yuliya Saykina
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/16/17

182 Wrentham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $129,562
Buyer: James W. Fiore
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 03/13/17

WALES

35 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Andrea L. White
Seller: Jeffrey S. MacPhee
Date: 03/17/17

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1256 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Mardan Bayramov
Seller: Eliza A. Dacruz
Date: 03/13/17

192 Bear Hole Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,730
Buyer: Citizens Bank
Seller: Terrence P. Brassil
Date: 03/08/17

686 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Rhianna M. Krug
Seller: Richard S. Thomas
Date: 03/10/17

175 East Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $317,500
Buyer: Nicholas L. Marsh
Seller: Florian R. Neveu
Date: 03/17/17

1375 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,985,000
Buyer: Springfield CC LLC
Seller: Springfield Country Club
Date: 03/17/17

21 Elmdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Cumberland Farms Inc.
Seller: Ann M. Theriaque
Date: 03/08/17

58 Meadowbrook Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Kathleen A. Cassidy
Seller: Nicholas L. Marsh
Date: 03/17/17

167 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Martin
Seller: West Co. Investments LLC
Date: 03/10/17

32 Worthen St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Natalya Vasilchenko
Date: 03/10/17

WESTFIELD

17 Bailey Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Paul J. Eggleston
Seller: Beth Nolan
Date: 03/17/17

37 Cedar Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Timothy F. Cain
Seller: Laureen Clauson
Date: 03/10/17

34 Country Club Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Hillary A. Gietek
Seller: Christopher W. Nagle
Date: 03/08/17

9 East Bartlett St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Vitaliy Kazimirov
Seller: Vitaliy Anisimov
Date: 03/17/17

7 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Mark R. Chagnon
Date: 03/15/17

135 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Daniel Peirce
Seller: Elizabeth Fortier-Lyman
Date: 03/06/17

2-1/2 Harrison Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Hutchinson
Seller: Vincent S. Corbett
Date: 03/15/17

35 Joyce Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Benjamin C. Gillespie
Seller: Kathryn A. Felsentreger
Date: 03/08/17

66 Mainline Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Yaralto LLC
Seller: Savant Realty LLC
Date: 03/07/17

65 Massey St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $130,898
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Kenneth W. Johnson
Date: 03/08/17

42 Mechanic St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Mann Khokhar
Seller: Vitaliy Dukan
Date: 03/09/17

27 Oakcrest Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Vincent S. Corbett
Seller: Frances A. Gorman
Date: 03/15/17

77 Old Farm Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Sean C. Shelander
Seller: Christopher F. Debidart
Date: 03/15/17

7 Phelps Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Yuriy A. Kripakov
Seller: Francisco G. Cuadrado
Date: 03/06/17

25 Rita Mary Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Simoneau
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/15/17

1340 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Novik FT
Seller: Brian J. Baird
Date: 03/16/17

204 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: 204 Springdale Road LLC
Seller: Justin P. Cotter
Date: 03/15/17

19 Sunbriar Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jose J. Bermejo
Seller: Robin Johnson
Date: 03/15/17

722 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Reynaldo S. Hazle
Seller: Joseph R. Gellock
Date: 03/16/17

WILBRAHAM

1 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Jeremy Potts
Seller: Constance J. O’Brien
Date: 03/09/17

3185 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Janice A. Belmore
Seller: Helene T. Curto
Date: 03/10/17

22 Fernwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Michael F. Egan
Seller: Matthew D. Pierce
Date: 03/16/17

1138 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Dorothy Frederick
Seller: Donna H. Ketschek
Date: 03/13/17

945 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Dineen
Seller: Richard A. Erickson
Date: 03/17/17

773 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Marisol Rivas-Nunez
Seller: Barbara A. Driscoll
Date: 03/17/17

13 Stirling Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Stratton Renovation LLC
Seller: David F. Reed
Date: 03/17/17

28 Whippletree Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Robert D. Uldall
Seller: Donald G. St.John
Date: 03/13/17

11 Woodland Dell Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Derek J. Chandonnet
Seller: Thomas M. Dineen
Date: 03/17/17

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

Concord Way #9
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Bercume Construction LLC
Seller: Tofino Associates LLC
Date: 03/16/17

Lindenridge Road #62
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Bercume Construction LLC
Seller: Tofino Associates LLC
Date: 03/16/17

1427 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Steven Ozcelik
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/07/17

BELCHERTOWN

99 Granby Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $417,000
Buyer: Anthony L. Stevens
Seller: Alan P. Cuipenski
Date: 03/17/17

265 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $378,561
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Angelina H. Dubovik
Date: 03/08/17

28 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Patrick McCann
Seller: Judith A. Gilman
Date: 03/10/17

7 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $273,500
Buyer: Andrew M. Martin
Seller: Maple Ledge Assocs. Inc.
Date: 03/10/17

24 Rockrimmon St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Odom
Seller: Brian A. Labrecque
Date: 03/17/17

EASTHAMPTON

20 East Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Garceau
Seller: Brian C. Franetovich
Date: 03/09/17

128 Ferry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Deborah A. Buckley
Seller: Foxy Properties LLC
Date: 03/09/17

19 Holly Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: J&C Dechristopher LT
Seller: Sharon J. Szostkiewicz
Date: 03/10/17

65 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $271,700
Buyer: Benito Cobian
Seller: 65 Holyoke Street RT
Date: 03/15/17

50 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Mark S. Dupuis
Seller: Timothy J. Seney
Date: 03/16/17

17 Truehart Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Grace
Seller: Susan M. Rogozinski
Date: 03/06/17

GRANBY

72 Chicopee St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Molly A. Bragiel
Seller: David R. Kotfila
Date: 03/10/17

81 East St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $352,500
Buyer: Bethany Ferry
Seller: Jonathan W. Brook
Date: 03/07/17

114 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Joshua L. Robinson
Seller: Carrie A. Naatz
Date: 03/10/17

HATFIELD

31 King St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Elizabeth P. Hoffman
Seller: Mariel J. St.George
Date: 03/15/17

NORTHAMPTON

30 Audubon Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: David D. King
Seller: Edith L. Dundon
Date: 03/16/17

Baker Hill Road #3
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Daniel Feldman
Seller: James D. O’Grady
Date: 03/16/17

Baker Hill Road #4
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Daniel Feldman
Seller: James D. O’Grady
Date: 03/16/17

89 Bliss St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Daniel Coyle
Seller: James F. Svoboda
Date: 03/08/17

77 Henshaw Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $741,000
Buyer: Ashique Mostafa
Seller: Kerry W. Buckley
Date: 03/17/17

14 Hubbard Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: David Armstrong-Abrami
Seller: Karen A. Normand
Date: 03/10/17

7 Lexington Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Brian E. Subocz
Seller: Subocz, Peter H., (Estate)
Date: 03/06/17

114 South Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $659,000
Buyer: Alexandra S. Porter
Seller: Charlene E. Choi
Date: 03/10/17

PLAINFIELD

27 Broom St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $372,750
Buyer: 27 Broom Street LLC
Seller: Greenfield Savings Bank
Date: 03/15/17

129 North Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Daniel V. Smith
Seller: Kevin McMillan
Date: 03/16/17

257 South Central St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Kevin M. McMillan
Seller: Cummings, William E., (Estate)
Date: 03/16/17

SOUTH HADLEY

79 Charon Terrace
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Timothy H. Lawler
Seller: Danielle N. Gionet
Date: 03/08/17

9 Landers St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Joel Willemain
Seller: Edythe A. McGinnes
Date: 03/06/17

18 Maria Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Price V. Ray
Date: 03/17/17

755 New Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $985,175
Buyer: 755 New Ludlow Road LLC
Seller: SDK Realty Corp.
Date: 03/17/17

14 Saybrook Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Brian R. Stoffer
Seller: Christopher Roy
Date: 03/15/17

154 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew R. Mcginnes
Seller: Frances Rita Barsalou NT
Date: 03/06/17

SOUTHAMPTON

14 Crooked Ledge Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Willis M. Underwood
Seller: Joseph W. Marcoux
Date: 03/16/17

WARE

39 Beaver Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Mark A. Cote
Seller: Carla Lafleur RET
Date: 03/17/17

13 Belmont St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $173,500
Buyer: Todd M. Prescott
Seller: Cynthia A. Hunter
Date: 03/13/17

142 Gilbertville Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Gregory S. Wills
Seller: King, Roger E., (Estate)
Date: 03/07/17

10 Longview Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Janet Bryant
Seller: Leo J. Flamand
Date: 03/17/17

180 Old Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Michael Gaudet
Date: 03/15/17

WESTHAMPTON

170 Laurel Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Moore
Seller: Bruce H. Geisler
Date: 03/10/17

229 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Chase Ladue
Seller: Brandon E. Kevins
Date: 03/15/17

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Askew, Alison Rae
a/k/a Lamontagne, Alison
27 Merriam St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/10/17

Barnes, Walter R.
19 Britton St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/17

Beaudoin, Michele M.
10 Wilson Graves Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Bergman, Daniel R.
Bergman, Dina M.
6 Stoney Brook Dr.
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/13/17

Callahan, Maureen A.
2 Highland Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Cameron, Lucretia D.
1259 Plum Tree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/17

CIVIPRESS.COM
Aguiar, George R.
150 Three Rivers Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/13/17

Claude Laprade Plumbing
Laprade, Claude Andre
4 Taylor St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/13/17

Cormier, Kurt J.
Cormier, Denise R.
69 Peros Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/05/17

Craig, Jessica Lynn
a/k/a Abida, Jessica Lynn
a/k/a Mavis, Jessica Lynn
17 Stratfield Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/07/17

Doris Hair Cosmetology
Hair, Doris J.
185 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/09/17

Early, Kimberley A.
25 Nevada St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/15/17

Garde, Jeffery Scott
48 North St., Unit #1
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/17

Gutierrez, Carlos G.
Wasik-Gutierrez, Erin K.
6 Warwick Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Hayes, Shalene M.
37 Westwood Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/02/17

Henry, Vincent C.
63 Colony Road, Apt. 2B
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/12/17

Keefe, Colin
29 Princeton Terrace
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/06/17

Labato, Barbara Santina
a/k/a Kremensky, Barbara S.
a/k/a Kellogg, Barbara S.
College Highway Apts.
391 Main St., Apt 111
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/13/17

Lafreniere, William M.
80 Forris St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/09/17

Lape, Adam D.
Lape, Sharlene M.
122 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/10/17

LaPointe, Suzanne R.
87 Searles Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/06/17

Laprade, Amy
7 Park St., Unit 3
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/09/17

Levesque, Paul A.
204 Carol Ann St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/09/17

Meagher, Michael R.
Meagher, Christy A.
41 Tracy Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/02/17

Melendez, Armando
381 Tokeneke Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/06/17

Mitchell, Dewey A.
967 Tyler St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Pelter, Gary S.
Pelter, Susan J.
65 Clayton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/10/17

Pena Martinez, Victor J.
a/k/a Pena, Victor J.
Pena, Charlene I.
31 Leland Dr., Apt. 12
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/02/17

Penalbert, Carlos S.
132 East Main St., Apt 109
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/15/17

Pikula, Michael
85 Eagle St., #412
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/15/17

Quinones, Sonia Noemi
a/k/a Lopez, Sonia Noemi
139 Jackson St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/08/17

Sage, Ronald P.
Sage, Betsy A.
406 East Main St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/10/17

Santos-Martinez, Wanda I.
303 Tokeneke Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/06/17

Schempp, Fred Arthur
137 Damon Road, Apt. L
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Schrieber, Kenneth
8 Bonnetta Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/08/17

Smith, Geralyn M.
41 Pioneer Knolls
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/06/17

Spring, Carla J.
2 Old State Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/09/17

Stephen-Podolski, Donna M.
70 Rochester St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/17

Szpila, Veronica Mary
40 Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Umezuruike, Justina N.
a/k/a Umezuruike, Nwanyinna Justina
221 Poplar St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Walker, William O.
Walker, Jessica A.
67 Belanger St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/07/17

Whitman, Claude
23 McBride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/17

Zabek, Kimberly J.
Zabek, Jennifer M.
219 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/15/17

Doing Business As Certificates

DBA Certificates Departments

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the months of March and April 2017.

AMHERST

Casimir Kocot Salon
196 North Pleasant St.
Terri Kocot

Fox & Lantern
264 North Pleasant St., Apt. 3
Cara Lampe

Jacqueline Wallace, MSW, LICSW
447 West St., Suite 3
Jacqueline Wallace

Jeffrey Fishman, PhD
48 North Pleasant St., #303
Jeffrey Fishman

Whirlwind Fine Garden Design
29 Hartman Road
Christopher Baxter

CHICOPEE

Blended
155 Holyoke Ave.
Carl Tillona

Forest Hills Properties Inc.
49 Springfield St.
Eugeniusz Wargulewski

Kelly’s Cuts
12 Sheridan St.
Kelly Mailloux

Miguel’s Towing, LLC
241 East St.
Miguel Santiago

Salter College
645 Shawinigan Dr.
Premier Education Group, LP

Santana’s HVAC/R Services
34 Blanche St.
Jacob Santana

Tina Nails
347 Chicopee St.
Trinh Pham

DEERFIELD

Lamore Lumber Co.
724 Greenfield Road
William Lamore

EASTHAMPTON

Heather Beck Designs
116 Pleasant St., Suite 47
Heather Beck

I Do Flowers
32 Cottage St.
Kerry McLaughlin

Sharp
121 Main St.
Rachael Boido

Welch Home Improvement
108 Park St.
Michael Welch

YoYoExpert
116 Pleasant St., Suite 201
Andre Boulay, Devon Boulay

EAST LONGMEADOW

C & C Landscaping & Snow Removal
11 Merriam St.
Christopher Rawson

Coughlin’s Place
182 North Main St.
Gary Veratti Jr.

Hashtag Positivity
280 Allen St.
Jason Dimitropolis

Tomorrow’s Tech Now
199 Allen St.
Timothy Taylor

Wodblaster
280 Allen St.
Jason Dimitropolis

GREENFIELD

Cube HHF Northeast Venture, LLC
1135 Bernardston Road
Douglas Tyrell

The Home Depot #2619
264 Mohawk Trail
The Home Depot USA Inc.

Leiding Global
11 Park St., Apt. 1R
Elijah Pell

HAMPDEN

Sweet Sass Boutique
31 Crestwood Lane
Rebecca Tarsi

HOLYOKE

AS Roofing
21 Glen St.
John Pretcrotti

Francesca’s Collections
50 Holyoke St.
Steven Lawrence, Kal Malik, Kelly Dilts

Gifts and Grabs
50 Holyoke St.
Keith Wilson

Hobby Lobby Creative Center #527
50 Holyoke St.
Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.

Pottery Barn #642
50 Holyoke St.
Williams-Sonoma Stores Inc.

LONGMEADOW

Caprice Creative Salon
151 Longmeadow St.
Lynn Baker

Creative Edge Hair and Nails
7 Edgewood Ave.
Ann Marie Barbuti

The Longmeadow Salon
42 Primrose Dr.
Lan Thi Lai

Prime Real Estate
11 Warren Terrace
David Roffo

LUDLOW

Ludlow Excavating Service
368 Lyon St.
Donald Roberts

P R Remodeling
122 Old West St.
Pedro Ribeiro

The Yogurt Mill
120 East St.
Nicholas Linna, Christopher Dias

NORTHAMPTON

Anderson Hardwood Floors
477 Burts Pit Road
David Anderson

Beth A. Senecal
219 Prospect St.
Beth Senecal

Boy Harsher
94 Laurel Park
Jessica Matthews, Augustus Muller

Cantina Hospitality, LLC
203 King St.
Cantina Hospitality, LLC

Dr. Kate Klemer Inc.
376 Pleasant St.
Katherine Pastrich-Klemer

Golden Nozzle
480-492 Pleasant St.
Richard Smith

Halcyon Homesteads Garden Services
61 Clark Ave.
Alisa Kowal, Adam Kozak

Iconica Social Club
1 Amber Lane
Emily Withenbury, Sean Mulvaney

JJ’s Tavern
99 Main St., Unit B
Jonathan Neumann

Northampton Transmission
245 North King St.
John Hunter

Petals and Clay
719 Pack Hill Road
Priscilla Touhey

Spunky Buttons
72 Barrett St., Unit 109
Joseph Carlino

UC Cleaning Co.
80 Damon Road, #5101
Silvian Brasil

PALMER

Aerus Electrolux
1501 North Main St.
Joseph Knight

Champney Associates
15 Coache St.
Michael Champney

The Gin Mill
3095 Main St.
Linda and Paul Benard

HBA Building
35 Cabot St.
Kevin Armitage

Little Rest Remodeling
60 Randall St.
Eric and Paula Haley

Positronicseo
3161 Main St.
Christopher Lees

SOUTHWICK

Bearhill Accounting
9R Rising Corner Road
Norman Mogul

Cloud 9 Body Therapy
627 College Highway
Samantha Baenziger

Lularoe
215 Vining Hill Road
Mindy Morin

Stan C Consulting
13 Partridge Lane
Stanley Choiniere

SPRINGFIELD

AB Nails Supply
14 Scarsdale Road
Anh Tran

Belmont Human Resources
465 Belmont Ave.
Subash Majhi

Blessed Cuts
83 Mill St.
Richard Martinez

The Corner Store
414 Chestnut St.
Marc Brown

CR Wards
289 Tremont St.
Elliott Fredrick

Dumb Cute
1295 South Branch Parkway
Jennifer Battles

Ed’s Custom Muffler Shop
100 Verge St.
Edwin Garcia

Escudadron Delimpiezos
971 East Columbus Ave.
Betty Marquez

The Girdle Girl
837 State St., #338
Sheron Henningham

Gugie’s Trucking
36 Beauregard St.
Steven Gugenberger

Helados Mi Abuelita
121 Spring St.
Felix Lopez

J&J Drywall & Carpentry
59 Olney Ave.
Jason Carrero

Jace Media
414 Chestnut St.
James Lauzon

K and K Distribution, LLC
585 Wilbraham Road
Mohammed Tanvir

Karoun Charkoudian Photography
122 Chestnut St., #111
Karoun Charkoudian

Katie Defoe-Raymond
2 Medical Center Dr.
Katie Defoe-Raymond

Meme’s Patisserie
96 Gary Road
Michelle Kennedy

Mike’s Auto Repair Shop
136 Nursery St.
Michael Candelaria

Mill Work Carpentry
125 Oakland St.
Jorge Gomez

NY Views
148 Denver St.
Marisa McKenzie

The Pleasant Snackbar
174 Main St.
Avon Porfirio

Santiago Market
546 Worthington St.
Luis Martinez

WARE

B & B Services
61 Old Poor Farm Road
Michael Rebeiro

Growing Together Bookkeeping
134 Church St.
Shelley Boudreau

Lazer’s Pizza & Roast Beef
41 Main St.
Aleksander Cotaj

WEST SPRINGFIELD

The A.B. Sabourin Studio
51 Ridgeview Road
Andrew Sabourin

Absolute Fire Protection
87 Lowell St.
E. David Knapik

Balise Lexus
1385 Riverdale St.
Bill Peffer

Balise Toyota
1399 Riverdale St.
Bill Peffer

Collectibles & Things
745 Memorial Ave.
Jared Hamre

Dad Transportation Inc.
46 Elmdale St.
David Gavel

J & L Medical Services
201 Park Ave.
John Loyer

Landry Lock and Alarm
33 Sylvan St.
George Condon III

Moderate De-Leading
86 Forest Ridge Road
Demetrios Panteleakis

The Original Gent Barber
409 Main St.
Jose Cintron

R.A. Foresi Associates
1111 Elm St.
Robert Foresi

Royal Home Construction
758 Union St.
Vladimir Kozlov

Tanya Stylist
242 Westfield St.
Tatiana Iodlowskaya

Tip Top Nails
239 Memorial Ave.
Hoa Thach

Twins II Hair Designs
1421 Westfield St.
Elaine Stanek

Vista Home Improvement
2003 Riverdale St.
Brian Rudd

Westfield Bank
206 Park St.
Gerald Ciejka

WILBRAHAM

Stebbins Plumbing Service
26 Bittersweet Lane
Paul Stebbins

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.

BRIMFIELD

Auction Barn Innovations, 33 6th St., Brimfield, MA 01010. Rusty J. Corriveau, same. Antique show and promotions.

CHICOPEE

CF & B Cleaning Inc., 43 Dickinson St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Flava Borges, same. Commercial and residential cleaning services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Heart Mantra Foundation Inc., 20 Powder Hill Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Cheri Brady, same. Organization designed to provide medical, cultural, educational and infrastructure report for the citizens of impoverished nations throughout the world.

FEEDING HILLS

Between Bridges Ministry Inc., 50 Liswell Dr., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Lawrence E. Freeman, same. Christian outreach organization that partners with Jesus Christ to provide spiritual and physical aid to the homeless community.

PITTSFIELD

Correct Energy Construction Group Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Raymond W. Milnark, Jr., PO Box 934, Latham, NY 12110. Insulation contractor.

SPRINGFIELD

Bible Sprouts Inc., 880 Grayson Dr., Springfield, MA 01119. Adriana Nicole Brooks, same. A youth initiative for children ages 5 through 12 created to provide an alternative approach for young people learning about the word of God.

D&B Carpet Inc., 72 Rittenhouse Terrace, Springfield, MA 01108. Belkis Alvarado Sanmartin, same. Flooring contractor.

Global Cell Corp., 1655 Boston Road, Unit 3, Springfield, MA 01129. Kyarisha Rana Magar Rai, 332 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Sale and service of cellular phones and accessories.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Gogri N. Patel Inc., 3 Central St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Hasmukh Gogri, 3 Robin Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Retail variety store.

WESTFIELD

Greater Westfield Choral Association Inc., 155 Franklin St., Westfield, MA 01085. Jay Ducharme, 265 Western Ave., Westfield, MA 01085. Organization formed to cultivate the enjoyment of and the participation in choral music.

Hangar of Pittsfield Incorporated Enterprise, 29 School St., Westfield, MA 01085. Harold Tramazzo, same. Restaurant.

WILBRAHAAM

Ange Gardien Inc., 2 Country Lane, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Thomas R. Emery, same. Internet publishing of website and technology consulting.

Goliath Tech of MA-CT Inc., 2341 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Todd Thibodeau, same. Construction.

Briefcase

Briefcase Departments

Leadership Pioneer Valley Campaign Kicks Off

SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley’s leadership campaign committee gathered last week to announce outreach efforts for LPV’s class of 2018. The committee includes emerging leaders in education, banking, insurance, healthcare, local government, and nonprofit management. In small teams, they plan to connect with employers, community leaders, and prospective class participants throughout the region. They’ll work through June to identify the most promising applicants. Only 40 spots are available for the class of 2018, which begins in September. LPV’s 10-month regional leadership-development program engages the Pioneer Valley’s up-and-coming emerging leaders through learning and exploration. Participants are trained in leadership skills by experts in a classroom setting. They also attend in-depth field experiences across the region, where they meet with local leaders and explore the region’s economy and culture. Applied leadership experience is developed through work on projects for local nonprofits and government agencies. To date, more than 200 individuals representing more than 90 companies, organizations, and municipalities have participated. “Leadership Pioneer Valley made me a better collaborator, and it’s exciting to revisit that skill in partnership with other alums as we seek out new LPV participants who can help the Pioneer Valley succeed,” said Pat Gagnon of Baystate Health and LPV’s class of 2015. The campaign committee will seek out individuals in all sectors and focus on recruiting those committed to growing their personal, professional, and civic leadership. Applicants will be considered in a competitive application process that prioritizes diversity by employment sector, geography, race, gender, and sexual orientation. Emerging leaders, mid-career professionals with leadership potential, and those looking to better the Pioneer Valley should consider applying. Now entering its seventh class cycle, LPV alumni are leading in many ways throughout the region. Graduates are receiving promotions, growing businesses, running for elected office, and governing nonprofit boards. Together, the group represents a regionally unique leadership network reaching into every community. The deadline for LPV class of 2018 applications is July 3. Applications and further information can be found at www.leadershippv.org.

Unemployment Up in February

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in 22 labor-market areas, remained the same in one area, and dropped in one area in the state during the month of February, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to February 2016, the rates were down in 23 areas and remained the same in one area. Six of the 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains in February. Gains occurred in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Springfield, Worcester, Peabody-Salem-Beverly, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, and New Bedford areas. From February 2016 to February 2017, 13 of the 15 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the New Bedford, Barnstable, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Taunton-Middleborough-Norton, and Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford areas. In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for February was 4.2%. Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.4% in the month of February. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 10,100-job gain in February, and an over-the-year gain of 57,700 jobs.

Speaker Sisterhood Adds Two Public-speaking Clubs

NORTHAMPTON — The Speaker Sisterhood, a network of public-speaking clubs for women with clubs in Springfield, Amherst, Northampton, and South Hadley, is adding two new clubs, one in Greenfield and a second Northampton club, for women who want to become more confident speakers. Both new clubs scheduled open houses. The Northampton open house was held on April 6 at Click Workspace at 9 1/2 Market St., and was be led by Cathy McNally, a corporate communication trainer with a background in stand-up and improv comedy. The Greenfield open house will take place on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 170 Main St., and will be led by documentarian and communication coach Carlyn Saltman, innovator of the coaching method known as Video Mirror Feedback. Angela Lussier, CEO of Speaker Sisterhood, says that the mission of the clubs is to provide a community for “women who want to increase confidence, boost public-speaking skills, have fun, and maybe even change the world.” Lussier, a well-known public speaker and author of three books, added that “each Speaker Sisterhood club is more than just a place to practice speaking in front of a group. It’s a tribe of women who are supporting and empowering each other to follow their dreams by building confidence in their voice.” According to McNally, who is also the Speaker Sisterhood program development director, the program uses interactive activities, humor, and other tools that engage women at all skill levels. “We draw on fun exercises from the comedy world to make sure women have a blast at our meetings. At our open houses, guests can get a sense right away of the lively and supportive atmosphere we create together.” According to Saltman, women can attend two club meetings for free before deciding to join. “We want to give every woman who visits a chance to see if the club is a good match for them.” Saltman said the group covers the topics that meet the needs of most public speakers: storytelling, persuasion, humor, body language, and thinking on one’s feet. “Women are a powerful force in our world, and we want to bring them together to help them better articulate their ideas, stories, and views. We believe that is exactly what the world needs right now,” said Lussier of the Speaker Sisterhood, which formed in 2016, has several clubs in Western Mass., and is expected to expand nationwide in 2017.

Single-family Home Sales Down in February

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were down 23.3% in the Pioneer Valley in February compared to the same time last year, while the median price was up 3.2% to $180,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. In Franklin County, sales were down 31.3%, while the median price fell 25.4% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were down 21.9%, while the median price was up 3.8%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 13.0% from February 2016, while the median price was down 4.7%.

Company Notebook

Company Notebook Departments

HAPHousing Is Now Way Finders

SPRINGFIELD — HAPHousing announced it has changed its name to Way Finders. But more than a name change, Way Finders expresses the organization’s expanded purpose: to find a way to build healthy, sustainable communities. Through the formation of two strategic partnerships and the organization’s ongoing work with a host of community collaborators and neighborhood residents, Way Finders addresses the fundamentals necessary for families and their neighborhoods to thrive. These include access to training, jobs, small-business financing, healthy food, safe streets, and engaged citizens in addition to safe, affordable housing. Strategic partnerships with two long-standing organizations will expand Way Finders’ capacity. MBL Housing and Development, LLC is a real-estate development/consulting firm. For more than 20 years, many real-estate developers, including Way Finders, have relied on MBL to create workable financing solutions for beneficial community projects. Common Capital Inc. (CCI) brings its experience as a community-development financial institution to Way Finders. With roots in micro-enterprise lending, CCI has grown to become a multi-million-dollar lender. The people Way Finders serves will now have greater access to home-financing options and small-business lending, and more jobs and more homeowners will lead to greater economic and social vitality. Way Finders, formerly HAPHousing, began as Housing Allowance Project Inc. more than 40 years ago. Over the years, the organization has evolved to become a go-to provider for a full range of housing services as well as a developer and manager of high-quality, affordable housing throughout the region. The organization has now expanded its purpose to deliver comprehensive solutions for the region’s families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Berkshire Bank Named Finalist for Halo Award

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2017 Halo Award, the winner of which will be announced in Chicago on June 1. The Halo Awards recognize corporate social-responsibility initiatives and are presented annually at the Engage for Good conference in Chicago. These prestigious awards look at social campaigns that take innovative and impactful approaches to supporting causes, targeting both consumers and employees. Past recipients of the awards include many of the most globally recognized brands. Berkshire Bank was named a finalist in the Employee Engagement category, which highlights programs focused on meaningfully and measurably engaging a company’s employees in a cause-focused initiative to achieve both a social and a business impact. Berkshire is being recognized for its Xtraordinary Day of Service, which occurred in June 2016, through which it mobilized 95% of the workforce to directly impact more than 100,000 individuals, as well as with its broader XTEAM corporate employee volunteer program. The other finalists for the award include Viacom, Kohl’s, and Xylem Watermark. The XTEAM program provides every employee with paid time off to volunteer during regular business hours at a series of company-supported projects. The company’s entire workforce participated in the program last year, donating more than 40,000 hours of service. The volunteer program complements the company’s commitment to the communities it serves, along with more than $2 million provided annually through grants and sponsorships.

Women’s Fund Announces Executive Transition

EASTHAMPTON — After nearly three years at the helm of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, Elizabeth Barajas-Román will step down as CEO at the end of March in order to take an appointment as the new CEO of the Solidago Foundation, a Northampton-based national organization. The Women’s Fund board of directors has appointed long-time supporter and strategy consultant Irma González, to serve as interim CEO. González was a member of the Women’s Fund’s most recent strategic planning committee, and is principal of Zoen Resources, where she specializes in change and transition management in support of social justice and human-rights advocacy. Barajas-Román will support the transition through ongoing consultation for the organization’s strategic initiatives. Springfield-based United Personnel will lead the search process for the permanent CEO, which will open in early April. During her tenure, Barajas-Román played a critical role in the development and continued success of the Women’s Fund. In partnership with the board leadership and staff, she led the organization to three consecutive years of fund-raising growth, a 300% increase in social-media visibility, a new three-year strategic plan, and a move of the organization’s headquarters to the renovated Innovation Center in downtown Springfield. The Women’s Fund also worked with the Obama Administration as part of the national Prosperity Together coalition. More recently, the Women’s Fund launched two groundbreaking partnerships: one with Bay Path University to offer academic credit to the Women’s Fund leadership program (LIPPI) participants, and the other with the Partnership for Young Women’s Progress, a multi-sector initiative that, with lead support from the MassMutual Foundation, will help create an economic-prosperity blueprint for young women in Springfield.

Curry Printing, FASTSIGNS to Operate Under One Roof

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Curry Printing announced the addition of FASTSIGNS to its business location. Curry Printing and FASTSIGNS will operate together, under one roof, at 91 Union St. in West Springfield, with the same staff and the same owner. FASTSIGNS has more than 650 centers operating in the U.S., U.K., and beyond, specializing in all types of visual communications. Curry Printing opened in 1976 and has been serving the West Springfield and Greater Springfield area ever since. “We will continue to offer the best in printing and duplicating services while opening up all kinds of sign services for our customers,” owner Stephen Lang said, “including vehicle graphics, directional signs, dimensional signs, and even digital signs.”

Elms Adds DNP Track in Health Systems Innovation and Leadership

CHICOPEE — To help master’s-level nurse leaders reach the pinnacle of their careers, the School of Nursing at Elms College has announced a new doctor of nursing practice (DNP) curriculum in health systems innovation and leadership (HSIL). “Graduates of this program will be awarded a clinical practice doctorate and will be educated at the highest level of nursing,” said Teresa Kuta Reske, director of the DNP program for the Elms College School of Nursing. “The new track will increase the number of advanced-practice nurses who are highly educated, prepared to work within collaborative interprofessional teams, and who can lead changes that improve the outcomes of patient and health systems. We are excited to offer this new track in response to nurse practitioners’ and nurse leaders’ requests to acquire a higher level of knowledge and skills in order to lead effective change of healthcare. Additionally, each student will be assigned a faculty mentor to enhance their professional growth and development throughout the program.” The doctor of nursing practice degree is a terminal degree that prepares expert advanced-practice clinical nurse practitioners, nurse leaders, and nurse educators for the highest level of nursing practice. A DNP-prepared nurse has practice expertise and works to improve the delivery of care to all patients within the micro and macro healthcare systems. The DNP curriculum emphasizes implementing or applying new original research to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of care, and reduce costs. The curriculum is delivered using a hybrid format — with both on-campus and web-based instruction — and offers courses in systems leadership, evidence-based practice, population health, finance, quality improvement, informatics, and other key areas of study that will build on a scholarly final capstone project. This is a two-year program, designed for nurses who want to continue working while they pursue the DNP degree. The students’ scholarly capstone projects will be related to the areas of nursing where they currently work, or areas in which they have an interest. After earning the DNP degree, graduates can remain in practice, leading in formal and informal leadership roles on cross-professional and interdisciplinary teams to improve and provide quality healthcare. The college will enroll the program’s first students in August to begin studies in September. Ideal candidates include nurse practitioners, midwives, clinical specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse leaders, and nurse educators who currently hold master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees.

Monson Savings Bank Announces Grant Recipients

MONSON — For the seventh year in a row, Monson Savings Bank asked the community to help plan the bank’s community-giving activities by inviting people to vote for the organizations they would like the bank to support during 2017. The top vote getters are Wilbraham United Players, Shriners Hospitals for Children, River East School-to-Career, Rick’s Place, Boy Scouts of Western Mass., Monson Bellmen Inc., Link to Libraries, Nomads of Hope, the Center for Human Development, and Monson Free Library. Customers voted for more than 200 organizations this year.

Three County Fair Radio Campaign Earns Awards

NORTHAMPTON — The Three County Fair’s 2016 radio advertising campaign won two first-place advertising awards. The Massachusetts Broadcasters Assoc. awarded the fair’s radio campaign first place in the annual Sound Bites Awards competition, while the Massachusetts Fairs Assoc. awarded the campaign first place in its annual Media Awards competition. The campaign was created by Pat Kelly and Joe O’Rourke of Saga Communications, a broadcast company that owns and operates seven radio stations in Western Mass., including Rock 102, the River 93.9, Lazer 99.3, and Bear Country 95.3. The Three County Fair is the oldest continuous agricultural fair in the U.S and will celebrate its 200th year Labor Day weekend of 2017.

People on the Move

Departments People on the Move

Tim Ashe

Robert Fazzi, founder and managing partner of Fazzi Associates, has announced that Tim Ashe has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and is now responsible for the firm’s day-to-day leadership. Ashe joined Fazzi in 2006 and became a partner in 2007. Since that time, he has led the firm’s Operational Consulting division to provide organizational, operational, turnaround, and change-management services to home-care and hospice agencies across the country. Under his leadership, Fazzi has helped hundreds of agencies improve outcomes and profitability through best practices in organizational structure, clinical and operational processes, and new models for staffing, supervision, and care management. More recently, Ashe also assumed responsibility for the company’s Outsourced Billing, Finance, and Information Technology divisions. A long-time leader in the field of home care and hospice, Ashe’s career has included a blend of clinical, operational, fiscal, and academic roles. He is a frequent presenter at national and state conferences and is often asked to contribute to industry forums. He is also the co-director of the 2016-17 National Home Care and Hospice State of the Industry Study. Fazzi will continue as the firm’s managing partner. But in transferring the leadership of the firm’s daily operations to Ashe, he will devote more time to the company’s future investments as well as to national and international community-based care issues that are close to his heart. “I want to say, at this milestone in Fazzi’s history, that I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and contributed to our industry thus far, and I’m also incredibly excited about what the future holds,” Fazzi said. “Tim is an incredible leader. I am looking forward to working closely with him as we expand our national and international efforts.”

•••••

Regina Alexander

Spiros Hatiras, President and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) and Valley Health Systems, announced the appointment of Regina Alexander as Director of Health Information Management at Holyoke Medical Center. An accomplished revenue-cycle and healthcare-operations leader, Alexander previously served as associate director of Health Information Management at Yale New Haven Health System in New Haven, Conn., as manager of Health Information at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vt., and most recently as senior product manager of Medicare Advantage for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Wellesley Hills. “Now that I’ve settled into my role here as director, I can take the experience of working both in a large tertiary facility along with running an operation of a similar size to HMC [at Rutland] and apply lessons learned — successful and less-successful approaches — to come up with the approach that will work best for the resources we have and the scale that we are,” she said. “Knowing what’s possible equips me to think creatively and come up with the best solutions.” Alexander is a board-certified fellow in healthcare management through the American College of Healthcare Executives, holds a master’s of business administration in healthcare from George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in health administration and long-term care from the University of Phoenix. With an affinity for science from a young age, Alexander began her career as a laboratory technician in her native Baltimore. She then served as phlebotomy supervisor at George Washington University and as laboratory technician at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. “Having a clinical background enables me to speak the language of patient care and continuity of care that is so valuable when working directly with physicians, even if what we’re talking about is revenue-related,” said Alexander, who is looking forward to managing her three areas of expertise: medical coding, HIM operations, and clinical documentation improvements. She also serves as the HIPAA privacy officer for HMC.

••••••

Pamela Sanborn

James Kelly, president of Polish National Credit Union, announced that Pamela Sanborn has joined the credit union as Assistant Manager of the Westfield branch. Sanborn has almost 20 years of financial-services experience, most recently as retirement service specialist with Westfield Bank. She has also held branch officer positions with Berkshire Bank, Legacy Banks, and the Bank of Western Massachusetts. She holds N.M.L.S. certification, studied at Saint John’s School of Business, and completed training with the Center for Financial Training and Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers. During her professional career, Sanborn has been the recipient of Employee of the Month and President’s Club awards. She has also received recognition for outstanding customer service. Active in charitable and civic causes, Sanborn is a volunteer and team captain for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and a volunteer with Aplastic Anemia and PNH support and awareness initiatives. She also devotes time to the Westfield Food Pantry Community Garden. Her other involvements include the Chamber of Commerce and Rebuilding Springfield. “Pamela is an outstanding addition to our Westfield team,” said Kelly. “Her strong financial-services background, leadership skills, and focus on exceptional customer service are all desirable qualities that will transfer well to her new position with Polish National Credit Union.”

•••••

Amelia Holstrom

Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that attorney Amelia Holstrom will be honored as one of the Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyers” at its Excellence in the Law event at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston on April 27. The publication describes Up & Coming Lawyers as “rising stars of the legal community — Massachusetts attorneys who have been members of the bar for 10 years or less, but who have already distinguished themselves despite their relatively junior status.” Holstrom joined Skoler, Abbott & Presser in 2012 after serving as a judicial law clerk to the judges of the Connecticut Superior Court, where she assisted with complex matters at all stages of litigation. Her practice focuses on labor law and employment litigation. “I am truly humbled to be recognized as one of this year’s Up & Coming Lawyers among so many talented attorneys,” she said. Since joining the firm, Holstrom has assisted clients in remaining union-free; represented clients at arbitrations; and defended employers against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wrongful-termination claims, as well as actions arising under the Family Medical Leave Act and wage-and-hour law. Additionally, she frequently provides counsel to management regarding litigation-avoidance strategies. In addition to her legal résumé, Holstrom is active in the local community. She is an ad hoc member of the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, a member of the board and executive committee for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and a member of the board for Clinical & Support Options Inc. Additionally, she formerly served as clerk on the board of Friends of the Homeless. Holstrom is a 2011 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, where she was the managing editor of the Western New England Law Review. In 2015, she was named one of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty honorees, and in 2016, she received the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Community Service Award.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

Chamber Corners Departments

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• April 19: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Willits-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• May 11: Networking by Night, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Amy’s Place Bar & Grill, 80 Cottage St., Easthampton. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank.

• June 6: Networking by Night, 5-7 p.m. “Move the Mountain” with the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, hosted by New City Brewery, 180 Pleasant St., Easthampton. Sponsored by Finck & Perras Insurance Agency Inc. and Westfield Bank.

• June 28: Speaker Breakfast: “Why Ping-pong Tables Do Not Define Your Business Culture,” 7:30-9 a.m., hosted by Williston Northampton School, 19 Payson Ave., Easthampton. Featured guest speaker: Tim Retting of Cincinnati-based InTrust. Sponsored by BusinessWest, Easthampton Savings Bank, Finck & Perras Insurance Agency Inc., Innovative Business Systems Inc., United Personnel, and Williston Northampton School.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holyokechamber.com
(413) 534-3376

• April 19: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Holyoke Hummus Cafe, 285 High St., Holyoke. Meet up with your business associates for networking, food, and a 50/50 raffle. Stop in and check out Holyoke’s newest café. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Feel free to bring a door prize. Sign up online at holyokechamber.com.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• May 5: Spring Swizzle Auction, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Hosted by Eastside Grill, Strong Ave., Northampton. Cost: $75. Purchase tickets at www.chamberspringswizzle.com.

• May 10: May Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., at Goggins Real Estate, 79 King St., Northampton. Sponsors: Applied Mortgage, Greenfield Community College Foundation, MassDevelopment, and Northeast Solar. Networking event. Cost: $10 for members.

• May 11: “Google Analytics,” 9-11 a.m., at the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Presented by SCORE of Western Mass. What is Google Analytics? A free, powerful analytics tool that provides reports showing how visitors found your website and what they did when they got there. It measures the effectiveness of your online and offline marketing campaigns. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Cost: free.

• May 18: “Intro To QuickBooks,” 9-11 a.m., at the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Presented by Pioneer Training. This session will cover setting up a new company, invoicing and receiving payments, writing checks, and paying bills. The session will end with a brief introduction to and overview of reports. It is suitable for those who have recently started using QuickBooks and those planning to use it. This session is taught on the PC desktop version, but the basic principles of QuickBooks remain the same for the Windows, Macintosh, and online versions of the program. Be aware that specific details of how to accomplish a task or available features may differ on the different versions, and these differences will not be covered. It is not required, but if you have a laptop or tablet and have QuickBooks installed, you may bring it and follow along. Note: this workshop is designed for training on the basics of QuickBooks and is not intended to troubleshoot problems individuals may currently be experiencing. Those types of questions are better suited to a one-on-one consulting session. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members.

• June 7: June Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., at ConVino, 101 Armory St, Northampton. Sponsors: Keiter Builders and MassDevelopment. Networking event. Cost: $10 for members.

• June 23: “Microsoft Excel: Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts,” 9-11 a.m., at the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Presented by Pioneer Training. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. To register, visit [email protected]. Cost: $35 for members, $45 for non-members.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• April 21: Employment Law Workshop, “A Transition in the Law: Transgender Discrimination,” 8:30-10 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Discrimination based on transgender status or gender identity is a developing area of the law. There has been a lot of debate on the local, state, and national levels over access to bathrooms for transgender individuals. As the public debates this issue, legislators, administrative agencies, and courts are shaping the law that prohibits gender discrimination, including discrimination against transgender individuals. Join Attorney Timothy Netkovick of Royal, P.C. for a roundtable-style seminar to discuss how to navigate the legal landscape of an evolving and challenging area of discrimination law. Cost: free to chamber members, $30 for general admission (cash or credit paid at the door or in advance). Online registration is available at www.westfieldbiz.org. For more information, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

• April 25: Seventh annual Home & Business Show, 4:30-7 p.m., at Tucker’s Restaurant, 625 College Highway, Southwick. Join us for this annual tabletop event in partnership with the Southwick Economic Development Commission. The event is free to the public. Southwick business owners can have a tabletop for $25 per business — one six-foot table with a tablecloth (you are free to bring your own table covering) and a listing in the show program provided you register by the deadline, April 7. For information and an application, visit southwickma.info or call (413) 304-6100.

• May 1: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, May Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Amelia Park Ice Arena, 21 South Broad St., Westfield. Join us for our monthly Coffee Hour with Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan. This event is free and open to the public. Call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 to register for this event so we may give our host a head count.

• May 5: “What to Expect at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination,” 8:30-10 a.m., hosted by Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Imagine one afternoon an envelope from the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) arrives in the mail. You are filled with dread as you discover that a former employee has filed a complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Now what? Join Attorney Timothy Netkovick of Royal, P.C. for a workshop to discuss what to expect at the MCAD. Cost: free for members, $30 for non-members (cash or credit paid at the door or in advance). Light refreshments will be served. Online registration is available at www.westfieldbiz.org. For more information, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

• May 10: May After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Armbrook Village, 551 North Road, Westfield. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members (cash or credit paid at the door). Refreshments will be served, and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the chamber’s CSF – Dollars for Scholars fund. Online registration is available at www.westfieldbiz.org. For more information, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

• May 22: The chamber’s 56th annual golf tournament, 10 a.m., the Ranch Golf Club, Southwick. Sponsors: Whip City Fiber, SealRyt Corp., Westfield Bank, Baystate Noble Hospital. Along with a round of golf, bid at the live auction to benefit three $500 student scholarships and win some raffles. Online registration, along with information on sponsorships and foursomes, are available at www.westfieldbiz.org. For more information, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• April 22: Professional Women’s Chamber, Headline Luncheon Series, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Storrowton Tavern Carriage House, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. “Maintaining Sanity: The Journey Toward Work-life Balance” is a panel discussion featuring Patricia Fay, an assistant vice president and actuary of strategic planning and analysis at MassMutual and the insurer’s 2015 Working Mother of the Year.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER
www.springfieldregionalchamber.com
(413) 755-1310

• April 19: After 5, in partnership with the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, 5-7 p.m., at BMW of West Springfield, 1712 Riverdale St., West Springfield.

• April 20: Leadership Institute Graduation, 6-9 p.m., at the Springfield Sheraton, One Monarch Place, Springfield.

• April 26: Beacon Hill Summit, noon to 1 p.m., hosted by the Massachusetts State House, co-hosted by state Sen. James Welch and state Rep. Aaron Vega. Sponsorship opportunities are available. E-mail [email protected] for information.

• May 3: Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. Featuring Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large, who will speak about trending words, Merriam-Webster’s sassy tweets, and some of the 1,000 new words recently added to the dictionary. Cost: $22.50 for members in advance ($25 at the door), $30 for non-members in advance ($35 at the door).

• May 10: Lunch ‘n’ Learn, “The Trump Effect: Potential Impact on Employer Mandates,” 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Presented by attorney Amelia Holstrom of Skoler, Abbott & Presser. Cost: $25 for members in advance ($30 at the door), $35 for non-members ($40 at the door).

• May 17: Speed Networking, 3:30-5 p.m., hosted by Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Cost: $20 for members in advance ($25 at the door), $30 for non-members in advance ($35 at the door).

• May 23: Professional Women’s Chamber Woman of the Year Celebration, 5:30 p.m., hosted by Storrowton Tavern Carriage House, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

• May 30: Pastries, Politics, and Policy, 8-9 a.m., hosted by TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Cost: $15 for members ($20 at the door), $25 for non-members in advance ($30 at the door). Sponsorship opportunities are available. Register online for events at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• April 19:A Multi-chamber Wicked Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., hosted by BMW of West Springfield. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events, hosted by various businesses and restaurants, that bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. For more information about this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or register at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

• April 25: Lunch N Learn Seminar, “Emerging Workforce Study,” noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield. Enjoy lunch while learning about our economy’s emerging workforce. This study was done over a three-year time frame. Join us to hear all of the results. Cost: $30 per member or guest. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For for more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].

• May 3: Wicked Wednesday and grand re-opening, 5:30-7:30 p.m., hosted by Curry Printing/Fast Signs, West Springfield. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events, hosted by various businesses and restaurants, that bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. For more information about this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or register at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

• May 10: Job Fair 2017, 3-7 p.m., hosted by Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. The town of Agawam and the West of the River Chamber will be hosting a local job fair. West Springfield and Agawam businesses, along with other employment opportunities, will be showcased. This event is free and open to the public. To be a participating vendor, register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

• May 18: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Lattitude in West Springfield. Members or guests of members may attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. We cannot invoice you for these events. For more information or to register, visit www.westoftheriverchamber.com or contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].

Agenda

Agenda Departments

Economic Outlook Luncheon

April 20: The stock market is up, and soon, so might be interest rates. The Trump administration wants to make historic budget cuts, and unemployment rates are at historic lows. While these are much better than the worst of times for local businesses, are they going to turn into the best of times? Business leaders, who do not like uncertainty, will get some insights into the economic future at the PeoplesBank Economic Outlook, a free luncheon featuring James Hartley, professor of Economics at Mount Holyoke College. The luncheon will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Willits-Hallowell Conference Center, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College St., South Hadley. It is open to the public, but space is limited, and registration is required. “The economy is improving, and business owners want to know where it is going,” said David Thibault, first vice president, Cash Management at PeoplesBank, who will introduce Hartley. “At this luncheon, we hope to give them some of the data necessary to help with business planning for this year and next.” Registration information can be found at bit.ly/pb-register.

Planned-giving Seminar

April 20: Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires invite nonprofit executive directors, development staff, and board members to attend “Planned Giving Basics: What Every Nonprofit Should Know.” Led by planned-giving consultant Ellen Estes of Estes Associates and attorney Virginia Stanton Smith of Smith Green & Gold, LLP, the workshop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass. This training will explore the various elements of planned giving, including how to launch a planned-giving program, identify prospects for planned giving, discuss giving options, and build personal relationships with donors and prospects. This event is part of Berkshire Taconic’s popular annual “Seminars in Nonprofit Excellence” series. Tickets cost $40 per person, and light food and beverages will be provided. To register, visit www.berkshiretaconic.org/pgbasics.

Trump’s First 100 Days

April 21: Glenmeadow will present a panel of political analysts who will lead a discussion about President Trump’s actions in office thus far. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Sleith Hall’s Wood Auditorium at Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. The election of Trump as the 45th president of the U.S. polarized the country. In Glenmeadow’s program, called “The First 100 Days: Governing Across the Great Divide,” the panel will look at Trump’s first 100 days in office and discuss his performance on topics including domestic and foreign policy, healthcare, immigration, polling, and media coverage. Political analyst Bill Scher, a contributing editor to Politico and the founder of the blog liberaloasis.com, will serve as moderator. Other panelists will include Tim Vercellotti, professor of Political Science at Western New England University and director of the New England Polling Institute; political consultant Tony Cignoli; Ron Chimelis, a columnist for the Republican; and Marie Angelides, an immigration attorney with her own firm and chair of the Longmeadow Select Board. The program is free, but seating is limited, and registration is required. To register, call (413) 567-7800 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit glenmeadow.org/learning for more information. Glenmeadow Learning is one of many free programs Glenmeadow offers to members of the wider community. These programs represent one facet of the life-plan community’s mission to serve seniors across the region and to operate as a socially accountable organization.

Real-estate Sales Licensing Course

May 1: Beginning Monday, May 1, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on June 1. Tuition is $359 and includes the book and materials. The course curriculum includes property rights, ownership, condos, land use, contracts, deeds, financing, mortgages, real-estate brokerage, appraisal, fair housing, consumer protection, Massachusetts license law, and more. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at the association office, 221 Industry Ave., Springfield. For an application, contact Joanne Leblond at (413) 785-1328 or [email protected], or visit www.rapv.com.

Forum for Stroke Survivors, Caregivers

May 3: May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the American Stroke Assoc., a division of the American Heart Assoc., will once again host a forum open to stroke survivors and their caregivers. The 2017 Pioneer Valley Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Forum, “The Future Belongs to Those Who Dream,” will take place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Close to 300 people are expected to attend the event, which is designed to bring together stroke survivors and caregivers so they may become better connected with the network of resources available. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the day will include exhibitors, local healthcare providers, and stroke survivors who will educate and share information. The forum will once again be hosted by Boston comedian and American Stroke Assoc. supporter Chris Tabb, whose family has been personally touched by stroke. The Pioneer Valley Stroke Forum is open to the public, and admission is $5, which will include a light breakfast and heart-healthy lunch. For tickets, call the American Heart Assoc. local office at (203) 303-3373.

‘Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage’

May 10: As part of the ongoing BusinessWest and HCN Lecture Series, Comcast Business will host an informative program titled “Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage.” The event is part of a series of lectures, panel discussions, and presentations that address timely and important business information. This is an opportunity to meet industry leaders and network with area business professionals. “Big Data … Your Strategic Advantage” will be presented by Dennis Perlot, vice President, Enterprise Architecture at CleanSlate Centers, and former ‘technology evangelist’ at Microsoft and BI specialist master at Deloitte. It will take place at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Perlot will address how other organizations are using their data to provide them with a competitive advantage. Attendees will learn how data can be analyzed for insights that lead to better decisions and strategic business moves. On-site parking is available. Registration is scheduled for 7:15 to 7:30 a.m., followed by breakfast and Perlot’s presentation from 7:30 to 9 p.m. RSVP by Tuesday, May 2 at businesswest.com/lecture-series.

Run for River Valley

May 20: River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), an affiliate of Holyoke Medical Center and member of Valley Health Systems, will hold its sixth annual Run for River Valley fund-raiser on Saturday, May 20. Funds raised will support RVCC in providing critical behavioral-health and other supportive services to individuals, families, and groups throughout the Pioneer Valley. The 5K run and 1.5-mile walk will take place at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Elks Lodge 902, 250 Whitney Ave., and the race begins at 9:30 a.m. An awards ceremony will be held at the Elks Lodge following the race. The registration fee is $25 ($10 for children 12 and under). Adults who pre-register will save $5, and the first 100 registrants will receive a free race T-shirt. To register online, visit accuspec-racing.com or download a registration form at rvcc-inc.org. The deadline for mail-in registration is Saturday, May 13, with online registration accepted until Wednesday, May 17. Sponsors of the 2017 Run for River Valley include PeoplesBank, Palmer Paving Corp., Holyoke Gas and Electric, Hamel’s Catering, Laurel Pure, and Gallagher Real Estate. For additional information, visit www.rvcc-inc.org or contact Angela Callahan at (413) 841-3546 or [email protected].

40 Under Forty

June 22: The 11th 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. An independent panel of judges has chosen the winners, and their stories are told in the pages of this issue. The event is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual (presenting sponsor), PeoplesBank (presenting sponsor), Moriarty & Primack, Health New England, the Gaudreau Group, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Six-Point Creative Works, Renew.Calm, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. Tickets cost $75. A limited number of tables are available, and some individual and standing-room-only tickets are also available, but are expected to sell out quickly. To purchase tickets, call (413) 781-8600 or go HERE.

Court Dockets

Court Dockets Departments

A summary of recent court filings in Western Massachusetts April 17, 2017

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT

Fisher Auto Parts Inc. v. Brakes Plus Inc. and Linda Ronen
Allegation: Monies owed for goods and services rendered pursuant to written contract: $7,100.96
Filed: 2/17/17

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Doris Baggige v. RRI II LLC d/b/a Red Roof Inn a/k/a Red Roof Plus Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury
Filed: 3/8/17

J. Peter Bouvier v. John J. Papale
Allegation: Breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and accounting: $200,000+
Filed: 3/8/17

Lovelle Thomas v. Shree Ram Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $31,669.62
Filed: 3/9/17

George Ouellette v. Linda M. Trolio and Baystate Noble Hospital Corp.
Allegation: Malpractice: $115,000
Filed: 3/10/17

Michael Emerson v. Asphalt Paving & Maintenance Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $70,442.38
Filed: 3/16/17

Ryder Truck Rental Inc. v. d/b/a Ryder Transportation Services v. DGM & GMP Inc. f/k/a Martin White Glove Delivery Inc. and HMS Van Lines Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $191,626.47
Filed: 3/16/17

Alton E. Gleason Co. Inc. v. Rabecki Excavating and 66 Holyoke LLC
Allegation: Monies owed for services, labor, and materials: $41,068.05
Filed: 3/20/17

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Michael Aquadro d/b/a Aquadro Farms, LLC v. Louthier Routhier
Allegation: Negligent repair of two hydraulic cylinders: $3,490
Filed: 3/8/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Michael Adair v. Birch Hill, LLC
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $35,701
Filed: 3/8/17

Pioneer Valley Concrete Services Inc. v. Berkshire Hills Music Academy
Allegation: Monies owed for services, labor, and materials: $47,701
Filed: 3/17/17

Phillip Hurteau and Cinda Hurteau v. Alfred M. Roy & Sons Construction Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in stairway construction causing injury: $172,339
Filed: 3/23/17

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Michael A. Ward as personal representative for the estate of Marion E. Ward v. Berkshire Healthcare Systems Inc. d/b/a Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, Jody Rattigan d/b/a Serenity Homecare and Terry Eaklor
Allegation: Wrongful death
Filed: 3/16/17

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Industrial Handling Systems Inc. v. Raynor Door Sales and People’s United Bank
Allegation: Monies owed for goods and services sold and delivered: $13,500
Filed: 3/9/17

Picture This

Departments Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]
A photo essay of recent business events in Western Massachusetts April 17, 2017

Celebrating Women

Bay Path University held its 22nd annual Women’s Leadership Conference on March 31 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, with the theme of empathy. Keynote speakers included bestselling author Nicholas Sparks, media mogul Nely Galan, and Shiza Shahid, social entrepreneur and co-founder of the Malala Fund. Pictured, top to bottom: Bay Path President Carol Leary takes the stage; Mary Lynn Ostrowski, executive director of the Aetna Foundation, is inducted into Bay Path’s 21st Century Women Business Leaders Hall of Fame; Sara Gladu of MassMutual Financial Group heads to one of the sessions; employees from PeoplesBank, conference sponsor, gather for a group photo; attendees enjoy Link to VR’s virtual-reality demonstrations.
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They Will Soar

Girls Inc. of Holyoke held its annual Spirit of Girls Breakfast on April 4 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The theme of this year’s fund-raiser event was “With You in Her Corner, She Will Soar,” showcasing how Girls Inc. builds healthy, confident, and resilient girls. Top to bottom: Girls Inc. alumna speaker Cynthia Medina Carson, Girls Inc. of Holyoke Executive Director Suzanne Parker, and Bay Path University President Carol Leary with Girls Inc. girls Jaylyn, Nayshkaliz, and Stella. Carson (third from left) with CareerPoint’s April Pike, Liz Sotomayor, Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Xandria Sotomayor, and President and CEO David Gadaire.
(Photos by JeffreyB. Photography)
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Learning Across Cultures

Holyoke Community College recently welcomed its fourth and final cohort of educators from Pakistan as part of the Community College Administrator Pakistan project. The group is visiting HCC for six weeks, learning about the U.S. higher-education system with a focus on Massachusetts’ community colleges. They will meet with HCC staff mentors, attend classes and workshops, engage with students and faculty, and develop personal projects and bring those lessons home with the goals of promoting higher education in Pakistan and fostering sustained engagement with their U.S. counterparts and institutions. Top to bottom: Brynn Nowell, HCC senior admissions counselor (right), takes a group of educators from Pakistan on a tour of the HCC campus. Three members of the Pakistani delegation.
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Splash Marketing and Creative Names New Web Designer

WESTFIELD — Splash Marketing and Creative, a full-service marketing agency located in Westfield, announced the recent hiring of Amanda Myers, a 2016 graduate of Roger Williams University.

Myers joins Splash Marketing and Creative as its newest web designer. In this role, Myers will combine creativity and technical savvy to build or redesign websites for clients, improving the aesthetic, functionality and overall usability of a brand or company’s web presence.

Myers graduated with a B.S. in Web Development with a minor in both Marketing and Graphic Design. She has experience building websites for several different industries, including non-profit, manufacturing and higher education. Myers also has significant experience in customer service.

Mary Ann’s Dance and More to Relocate

EASTHAMPTON — Mary Ann’s Dance and More, a local dance apparel store, announced that it will be moving to its new home on Route 10 in Easthampton, July 1.

The company will move to 396 Main St., the former home of Fit Body. The location offers easier parking, a more friendly shopping experience, great accessibility and the ability to host more in-store events.

In January, the company launched its app on Google Play and the App Store. It will also be celebrating its 10^th anniversary in August.

Mary Ann’s Dance and More offers customers dance supplies, including apparel and accessories, as well as novelty and gift items that all customers can enjoy. An active business in the community, the company is recognized as a consistent sponsor of various local organizations.

4th Western Mass. Film and Media Exchange Slated

SPRINGFIELD — Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) will partner with Vitec Videocom to bring their nationally touring ‘Roadshow’ to the Sheraton Springfield on May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This will be BFMC’s 4th Film and Media Exchange — a ‘Day 2 Play’ — with workshops and an exhibit hall showcasing the latest in production equipment. The event will focus on cost-effective production techniques designed for anyone in broadcasting, filmmaking, photography, communications, and marketing. The exchange also includes lunch, keynote speech, and networking opportunities with others in the industry.

According to Diane Pearlman, executive director of BFMC, “Vitec Videocom produces the Roadshow all across the country — we’re thrilled they’re bringing this high-end conference to Western Mass.”

Seminars at the Exchange include:

Litepanel’s co-founder, Pat Grosswendt, revealing some of the subtleties of LED lighting;
20-year Anton/Bauer veteran Joe Teodosio explaining the importance of a complete system of batteries and chargers — with new updates from NAB 2017;
The latest options for adding teleprompting to your production to keep your cast on script. Find out how using portable tablets such as the iPad, can move teleprompting from the studio into the field;
As production moves beyond 4K to 8K and HDR, which tools and technologies should you be focusing your production future on? Join Vitec’s resident technologist, Gary Adcock, for a lively discussion on filmmaking’s constantly evolving future.

There will be a product demo area where attendees can get hands-on time with several Vitec brands such as Sachtler, Vinten and OConnor supports, Litepanels lighting and Anton/Bauer batteries. Talamas will also be there with the latest camera equipment. The Exchange is a unique opportunity for Vitec to educate attendees around workflow solutions and how be most effective with even a small amount of gear.

Sponsors of the Exchange (to date) include: the Community Foundation of Western Mass., the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, Mass. Cultural Council, New England Public Radio, Take Magazine, Vitec Videocom, The Westfield News Group, WGBY Public Television for Western New England, WRSI/The River, and Northampton Radio Group and Talamas.

For more info on programs and tickets contact: BFMC at berkshirefilm.org or call (413) 528-4223.

Lunch ‘n’ Learn Focuses on the ‘Trump Effect’

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser will present a talk on how the Trump Administration mandates could potentially affect employers at the Springfield Regional Chamber Lunch ‘n Learn on May 10, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lattitude restaurant, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

Attorney Amelia Holstrom will discuss recent developments and her predictions about what may happen at both the state and federal levels under the new Administration and what it could mean for employers.

Holstrom will talk about what is happening with the Affordable Care Act and steps Massachusetts may be taking while the issue is sorted out at the federal level; the potential for paid family leave both at the state and federal levels; and her predictions regarding trends in the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requirements, including the new EEO-1 requirements.

She will also address what employers should be watching for relative to medical marijuana and what an employer’s current legal rights are, and her predictions for labor relations developments under the new National Labor Relations Board.

Reservations for the Lunch ‘n Learn are $25 for members ($30 at the door) and $35 for general admission ($40 at the door) and include networking, lunch, presentation and question and answer session.

Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or by contacting Jessica Hill at [email protected].

Daniel Morrissey

Associate Attorney, Bacon Wilson; Age 36

Daniel Morrissey

As a child growing up in Springfield, Daniel Morrissey was influenced in countless ways by a Norman Rockwell illustration, a copy of which hung in the family’s kitchen.

This was the iconic “Golden Rule,” which depicts a large group of people representing different ages, faiths, and races coming together, with the words ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’

“That picture represents how I try to conduct my personal and professional life,” said Morrissey, an attorney with the Springfield-based firm Bacon Wilson specializing in immigration law but also litigation, personal injury, and other work. Because his mother certainly wasn’t about to part with her copy of “Golden Rule,” he bought one for his office, so it would be there for him to see every day in that setting, and plans on getting another for his kitchen, so that his four young children might become similarly inspired.

Fluent in Spanish after studying it at Cathedral High School, UMass Amherst, and then abroad in Oviedo, Spain, Morrissey said he was encouraged to pursue a career in law by his parents. While a full-time teacher, he studied at Western New England University School of Law at night, spending his summers at Middlebury College and in Guadalajara, Mexico, obtaining a master’s degree in Spanish. Often asked to help people with issues related to immigration law, he said he wanted to assist them, and relished the day when he had his J.D. and could really make a difference.

That explains why he loves going to work every day — because this kind of work is often life-changing.

“We help people get their citizenship; we help people bring their families over for permanent residency or a visit,” he said of immigration law. “There’s also tons of work on the employment side of things, and we also help people who are persecuted in their home countries and are coming here for asylum.

“It’s extremely rewarding work because the same people who were asking me questions when I was in law school and I didn’t know what answers to give them … now I can help those people,” said Morrissey, who is also active in the community, as incoming president of the Springfield Kiwanis Club, a member of the Forest Park Civic Assoc., and chairman of the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals. He has continued to ply his love of teaching as an adjunct professor of Spanish and immigration law at Elms College.

Summing up what he has done with his 36 years, one could say it’s a textbook case of life imitating art.

—George O’Brien

Kevin Murray

Owner, Murray Tax Services/Murray Financial Group; Age 38

Kevin Murray

Kevin Murray says he’s always been entrepreneurial, starting with a paper route when he was a kid. Today, he’s charting his own route, establishing and running two successful businesses simultaneously, while also finding time for family, fun, and his community.

Murray was working for a Fortune 500 financial corporation during a transitional time for the company. “A lot of my colleagues who had been there for years were being let go, and it made me realize I wanted to work for myself and my own bottom line, and not be at the mercy of someone else’s.”

He went back to school while he was still working, and got a master’s degree in taxation and accounting. He also scored a part-time job for a tax firm to learn the ropes, and got married. With a son on the way, he realized he didn’t want to lose precious time running on a corporate treadmill, and he launched Murray Tax Services, starting with about 35 clients.

By the time he cut the corporate cord for good and went out on his own, he had about 230 clients, but was just getting started.

“The financial-planning side is what I always really wanted to do,” said Murray. “The tax business is an asset that pays year-round, and that set the base for the financial-planning piece.”

Murray says being a business owner is a completely family-driven proposition. “I put my kids on the bus every day and get them off every day,” he explained, adding that he enjoys the flexibility that comes with being the owner. “I go to every hockey practice, and I try not to miss things; I work around their schedules.”

Of course, tax season takes a toll. “Right now [late March], I’m working 20-hour days, but my wife, Christa, and I work it out. I couldn’t do any of this without her. To us, it’s all about family, and we always make time for them.”

Murray also makes time for his community, serving on Wilbraham’s Finance Committee and as treasurer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County. He also coaches hockey for his daughter, Adalyn, and his son, Jameson.

Murray also likes to brew craft beer as a hobby. “I’m really passionate about it,” he noted.

But home brews don’t compare to the home life he cherishes with his wife and kids, he said. “They’re what it’s all about.”

—Alta Stark

Ted Noonan

President, Noonan Energy Corp.; Age 37

Ted Noonan

Ted Noonan says he’s extremely proud of his family history and the company that was started by his great-great-grandfather in 1890, and is doing his part to add to that legacy.

His father, Ed, introduced him to Noonan Energy at age 7 and served as a role model who inspired him to become active in the industry. Noonan pumped diesel fuel in his youth, drove an oil truck in high school, joined the company as a full-time employee in 1998, and worked his way up to the role of president.

Under his leadership, the company has acquired several oil companies, started a plumbing division, and further diversified into home-energy audits and providing lighting improvements and air sealing through the Mass Save program.

Noonan overhauled the company’s service department, streamlined the dispatch system and fleet, and spearheaded the company’s transition to Bioheat fuel, advocating for its use, he says, because it is better for the environment.

He has been interviewed by trade publications regarding the proposed natural-gas pipeline expansion in New England, is immediate past chairman of the board and current board member of the Mass. Energy Marketers Assoc. (MEMA), is an executive committee board member and vice chair of the New England Fuel Institute, and advocates for his industry in Washington, D.C.

“The industry has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, but everyone wants to be comfortable, either warm or cool depending on the season, so we focus on being able to offer those services,” Noonan said. “And the more I get involved, the more I realize the value of giving our employees a future they can feel good about.”

In 2013, the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce named Noonan Energy a Super 60 company, and Noonan and his father were feted with the Industry Leadership Award by MEMA. He served as corporator for Country Bank from 2013 to 2016 and is on its board of trustees.

Noonan Energy supports many charitable organizations, including the Gray House in Springfield and others that provide discounts for fuel deliveries. The company also supports local sports teams and has donated four $250 gift certificates as part of the Noonan Warm Wishes contest on 94.7 WMAS.

“My family has always been very giving,” said Noonan, who has three sons — Brady, 9, Dillon, 6, and Ethan, 3 — with his wife, Jessica, “and that will continue under my leadership.”

—Kathleen Mitchell

Kristopher Pacunas

CEO, GigXero Inc.; Age 37

Kristopher Pacunas

Kristopher Pacunas may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but this superman of the Internet is using his amazing powers in a never-ending battle for the ultimate online experience — one high-density building at a time.

Pacunas is the founder and CEO of GigXero, which installs and services high-speed (gigabit and above) Internet connections nationwide, with large-scale commercial and mixed-use residential buildings already under contract in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois. GigXero access is 20 to 100 times faster than incumbent cable companies.

“I think the Internet is as important as electricity — you can’t go without it,” said Pacunas. “But if you’re always experiencing slow downloads or constant buffering, it can cost businesses a lot of money. My goal is to create a superior Internet experience that will make a big difference in everyday life.”

He launched GigXero in 2015, starting with an apartment building in Amherst. Residents list the high-speed service as their favorite amenity. He also completed a $200 million development in Newark, N.J., providing high-speed, low-cost Internet access for buildings and their tenants, including at least one Internet-dependent business that brought in 1,000 jobs simply because of the extremely fast, reliable, and secure service.

“We’re focusing on where we can make the most difference,” Pacunas said.

He has been achieving goals through technology since attending Springfield Technical Community College. He left before graduating, he explained, because he became distracted by job opportunities, including his position as IT director for Belchertown, which he started while still at STCC. In 2001, at the age of 22, he aced five interviews to become Amherst’s IT director.

“The fourth and fifth interviews were basically just exercises for the town to find reasons not to hire me,” said Pacunas, who now lives in Belchertown with his wife, Courtney, and their six children. “They wanted to be sure my age wouldn’t be an issue.”

One of his proudest Amherst achievements is a mile-long, contiguous, and completely free public outdoor wi-fi network, enabling seamless connectivity throughout the town. “You could eat, shop, or walk without skipping a beat, a big plus to economic development,” he noted.

The secret to his success? Pacunas says it’s simply his passion for what he does. “I’m a highly driven geek who thinks he can make the Internet better.”

—Alta Stark

Gillian Palmer

Business Development Coordinator, Eastern States Exposition; Age 39

Gillian Palmer

Gillian Palmer worked in the insurance field for MassMutual for a decade before one aspect of her job piqued her interest … in a career change.

“My last position at MassMutual was in the concierge program for top producers, and that gave me a lot of different hats, like business consulting and event coordinating, which I found I loved,” she said.

That led her to the Eastern States Exposition, where she’s wearing at least as many hats these days, and loving the look of all of them. As business development coordinator, Palmer travels the country, meeting with tour operators and other groups, looking for new events to bring to the fairgrounds in West Springfield, and keeping its always-busy schedule stocked throughout the year.

She also serves as food and beverage manager during the 17-day Big E each fall, which means coordinating that critical element during the fair itself, but also lining up offerings well in advance. “I travel around the country to different fairs and find out what’s going on in food, who’s frying what, and what the latest creations are.”

While area venues do compete for events year-round, Palmer described her industry as much more collegial than, say, insurance. “That’s what makes my job fun. The challenge for me is I’m always trying to find something new and cutting-edge.”

At the same time, Eastern States is known for its annual traditions, including car shows, gun shows, home and garden events, equestrian competitions, and agricultural and livestock shows — not to mention the really big event each September and October.

“Coming to the fair since I was a little girl, and now being behind the scenes and working at the company, it’s humbling and super satisfying,” she said. “To be a part of the last couple years, with the 100th anniversary, was amazing.”

It’s a feeling of connection with the community that Palmer seeks in other ways as well; she’s on the Bay Path University Alumni Council, special events chair of the Springfield Rotary Club, board director of the Professional Women’s Chamber board, vice president of marketing and communications for Meeting Professionals International’s Connecticut River Valley chapter, and volunteering for the American Heart Assoc., the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“It has always been important for me to give back,” Palmer said. “I feel this world is so much bigger than me, and I’ve always wanted to do my little part to make a difference.”

—Joseph Bednar

Jenny Papageorge

Director of Development, Community Foundation of Western Masssachusetts; Age 34

Jenny Papageorge

When Jenny Papageorge was in college, she interned at the Eric Carle Musuem in Amherst and solicited donations for a fund-raiser there. The art history major found the experience gratifying, and it morphed into a passion for community philanthropy.

Today she is director of Development for the Community Foundation of Western Mass. and helps generate $8 million to $10 million in annual gifts.

But her professional success is matched by her volunteerism. “My great-grandparents emigrated here and became civically involved,” she told BusinessWest. “It set the bar for civic engagement and is an example I want to set for my daughter.”

She ran two half-marathons on her own to raise money for Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, and serves on its Patient and Family Advisory Council and Development Committee. That’s important to Papageorge because a family member has received cancer treatments there for 20 years, and she is grateful for the program.

“I was already working in philanthropy and knew the value of bringing supporters to an organization, so I rallied others around a cause that impacts so many people,” she said.

Papageorge’s career began at Historic Deerfield, where a mentor encouraged her to get involved in Women in Philanthropy. She is a member and was president and chair of co-programming from 2009 to 2015, during which she oversaw the board and an operating budget of $25,000, and developed programming for monthly breakfasts. She organized and hosted its Growing Philanthropy Conference at the MassMutual Center and appreciates being part of that community.

Papageorge also helped develop the one-day Valley Gives program, which has raised $5.9 million from donors in four years, and is on the membership committee for the Springfield Regional Chamber and the board of Northampton Young Professionals. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Pioneer Valley and co-chaired the Spirit of Girls Breakfast for Girls Inc. of Holyoke in 2012. She has also been on the grants committee of the Easthampton Learning Foundation for three years.

“I was born and raised in the Pioneer Valley and have met a lot of people who really care,” said Papageorge, whose family includes her husband, Sean, and daughter Charlotte, 4. “I find what I do incredibly rewarding, and I want to encourage others to give back to causes they believe in.”

—Kathleen Mitchell

Candace Pereira

Assistant Vice President, Commercial Portfolio Loan Officer, Farmington Bank; Age 37

Candace Pereira

Candace Pereira maintains a true work-life balance while continually setting new goals. The single mother of Hailey, 8, has always enjoyed being busy, and worked her way up the stepping stones of the banking world.

She began work as a teller almost two decades ago and earned an associate’s degree from Springfield Technical Community College in 2001. But at age 25, her love for learning and desire to advance in her career led Pereira back to school, and she graduated from the UMass Isenberg School of Management in 2007.

Two and a half years ago, when mentor Mike Moriarty at United Bank moved to Farmington Bank, she moved with him. But a month after she started her new job, her brother, Bob Driscoll, was involved in a serious motorcycle accident.

He spent a month in intensive care, and when he was released, she moved him into her home. It required ongoing remodeling and adjustments, but they have always been close and share the same friends.

Pereira said Farmington Bank’s attitude of “family first” helped her to achieve a realistic work-life balance. She took over her brother’s finances and learned to structure her day so she can fit everything in that is meaningful.

That includes her role as board member and treasurer of the Gray House in Springfield. “They serve the working poor who don’t qualify for services,” she said of the organization, adding that she brings her daughter to help out at its food pantry so she learns the value of community service.

“It only takes a few people to make something happen,” she told BusinessWest. “Once you begin volunteering, it has a snowball effect because you see how much it does for others.”

Pereira is a member of the grant committee at the Farmington Bank Community Foundation and board member of the East Longmeadow Educational Endowment Fund. She is active in several chambers of commerce and young professional societies, where she has assisted with fund-raising.

She also has a number of professional certifications and enjoys helping business owners achieve their goals with the help of bank loans.

But she schedules everything down to the hour on her Outlook calendar to ensure she has time to spend with family. “You need to be grateful for it,” she said, “because you may not get another chance.”

—Kathleen Mitchell

Shawn Robinson

Director of Franklin/Hampshire Vocational Services, ServiceNet; Age 34

Shawn Robinson

Shawn Robinson was 12 years old when he walked by a music festival in a park and was recruited into the Berkshire Coalition to Prevent Pregnancy.

At age 15, he wrote an application for and won a grant from the United Way to launch a free Culture Camp for kids that he ran with his peers, and a year later he was named to the Berkshire Coalition board of directors.

Robinson was exposed to people with diverse abilities throughout his youth because his parents worked for the Department of Developmental Services, and clients shared Thanksgiving and overnight stays with them. Those experiences, combined with parental values and his involvement in church, Boy Scouts, youth groups, and two missionary trips to Haiti during high school and college, fueled his passion to help others.

“I’ve always had a deep sense of wanting to make a difference,” he told BusinessWest. “I want to do anything I can to help the community, and often find myself getting involved in things without thinking, although I try to serve on only three boards at a time.”

Robinson and his wife, Jill, are parents to Sofia, 6, and Jake, 3, and he has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County since 2008. He co-founded the Pioneer Valley chapter of Young Democrats, and served as president and was named Massachusetts Young Democrat of the Year in 2010.

In 2011, ServiceNet asked him to develop a program to improve client health outcomes through fresh-air and outdoor work. He spent a year working with a disabled man who lived in a house in Hatfield with plenty of acreage, and they converted the property into Prospect Meadow Farm.

Today, it employs 70 people with developmental disabilities, autism, or brain injuries who raise chickens, sell eggs, manage one of the state’s largest log-grown shiitake-mushroom operations, build and sell wood products, and operate catering and community landscaping services.

Robinson is president of the board of Highland Valley Elder Services and serves on the Ethics Committee at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the town of Hatfield Finance Committee, the town’s Mental Health Awareness Committee and Council on Aging, and ServiceNet’s Diversity Committee. He has received awards from United Way of Hampshire County and the Mass. Department of Developmental Services. And he’s not slowing down.

“In the next few years,” he said, “I will look at new ways of engaging in the community.”

—Kathleen Mitchell

Nelson Roman

Executive Director, Palante Theater Co.; Holyoke City Councilor; Age 29

Nelson Roman

Nelson Roman loves the theater and played many roles in well-known productions during his youth. But his life story is more compelling and inspirational than any script.

“I’ve gone from hopeless to hopeful through the things I’ve done and am making my dream become a reality,” said the Puerto Rican, bilingual founder of the black-box-style Palante Theater Co. in Holyoke, whose first production will be a Puerto Rican/Latino play.

A decade ago, after learning he was HIV positive, Roman became homeless and spent two years on the streets of Holyoke before a state program changed his life.

Today, he has secured the initial investment for his theater, plans to launch a capital campaign to fund it, and has support from the Urban Theater Co. in Chicago and the Mass. International Festival of the Arts Victory Theatre in Holyoke.

His goal is to give local people an inexpensive venue to see live productions and showcase young talent via plays and films that raise awareness about social issues and celebrate the Puerto Rican and Latino cultures.

Roman is also working to help revitalize South Holyoke. The Ward 2 city councilor was first elected in 2015 and views himself as a connector between government and the neighborhood. He started three neighborhood associations, helped create Taste of South Holyoke and the Holyoke World AIDS City Event, chairs the Joint Committee of the City Council and the School Committee, and serves on the council’s Development and Government Relations Committee.

In 2012, he founded the Imperial Court of Western Mass. Inc., a nonprofit that raises money to provide services to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and people who have HIV or AIDS.

“Five years later, we were able to give out $65,000 in grants to organizations that include the AIDS Foundation of Western Mass. [he served on that board from 2013 to 2015], the Holyoke House of Color, Springfield Pride, and Northampton Pride,” he said.

Roman served on the board of the Springfield Puerto Rican Cultural Council from 2014 to 2016, and has been feted with the Audre Lordes Founder Award and an International Court System Commendation.

“Every day when I wake up,” he said of his approach to life, “I think, ‘what if I am not here tomorrow? Have I done everything I can to make a positive difference in my community?’”

—Kathleen Mitchell

Megan Holl Shaw

Owner and Instructor, MEGAdance; Age 32

Megan Shaw

Megan Shaw has been passionate about dance and fitness all her life, so, about eight years ago, she started teaching Zumba.

Noticing that her classes at the YMCA were always packed, she took a leap in 2012 and launched her own fitness business, MEGAdance — which she characterizes as a “high-energy dance party workout” — from a small church basement, starting with only eight students. But it grew quickly by word of mouth, and today, she’s moved to much larger facilities in Greenfield, where her classes typically draw 40 to 50 people.

“MEGAdance is a place where people of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, and fitness abilities work out, dance, and have fun without fear of judgment,” she told BusinessWest. “I strive to create a positive environment where everyone is celebrated, supported, and encouraged to be themselves and express their own rhythm in class and in life.”

Shaw said her classes are a judgment-free zone for women and men of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. “I love that women in their 70s come to my class; it’s very inspiring. And I strive to create a positive environment where everyone is supported and encouraged to be themselves. We are a fit family.”

It’s also a business that gives back to the community, offering free classes in low-income communities, schools, nursing homes, and at the Center for Human Development, and holding fund-raisers to support the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Community Action, and most recently, the Peruvian Red Cross to help flood victims.

Shaw, who speaks Spanish fluently, is especially fond of Peru after spending the past two summers there, participating in internships that promote sustainable agriculture and working with indigenous communities.

“Because I come from a humble background and understand the struggle to live with few resources, I feel strongly about supporting the community,” she said, both in Peru and in her own backyard. To be able to do that while sharing her passion for dance, well, that’s just gravy.

“The goal in my professional life is nothing short of breaking the status quo and transforming my community through dance fitness, community building, and radical self-acceptance,” she noted, adding that seeing lives change for the better is only half the story.

“It’s reciprocal,” she said. “They change my life, too.”

—Joseph Bednar

Jack Toner

Principal, Customer Relationship Development, Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency Inc.; Age 36

Jack Toner

Jack Toner is a third-generation business owner who you might say is going the distance. He’s an insurance agent by trade, and a marathoner for fun.

“The insurance business is always evolving and changing; on any given day you might come across a new risk that you need to manage,” he explained. “Running is a mental and physical recharge for me.”

He’s also on the run for his clients, some who’ve been with Sumner & Toner for more than 40 years.

Toner said the insurance industry is all about partnerships, bringing agents and customers together to tailor policies to meet each of their specific needs. “I like meeting people and figuring out not only how to help them prepare for the unexpected, but also make a positive difference in their lives.”

He got a jump start on changing lives for the better two years out of Georgetown University, when he taught English as a second language in China. “I was working in D.C. and decided I wanted to see the world and do something different,” Toner said. “It was amazing to experience their culture, and share ours.”

When he returned, he worked as a leasing agent for just over a year. He decided to come home to work at his family’s agency because it was an opportunity to not only carry on a family legacy, but build on a solid foundation of success.

“In 1967, our family became involved in a local independent insurance agency that was founded in 1933 in Springfield,” he noted. “The agency took its present form in 1998, when my father, Bill, and Warren Sumner III merged their two agencies. Today, Warren’s son Bud is my partner in the agency.”

Toner, who lives with wife, Elizabeth, in Longmeadow, is also involved in the community, serving as a leader for the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, Habitat for Humanity, and the Springfield Rotary Club. He also serves on St. Mary’s Parish Council in Longmeadow, and is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus.

“I truly believe in the Rotary’s mission, ‘service above self,’ and serving humanity, whether it’s in our own backyard or across the world,” he said.

He added that he’s blessed to have loving parents who taught him that the world was bigger than him. “They told me to be patient, humble, and considerate, and that would lead to success.”

—Alta Stark

Jennifer Turner

Management Consultant, Jen D. Turner, MBA; Age 39

Jen Turner

Jen Turner calls herself “a beyond-the-box business-performance advisor,” helping small businesses throughout the Pioneer Valley grow and succeed.

“I like working with smaller companies and helping them through transitions,” she explained, adding that she’s been partnering with business owners for six years. Before that, she held traditional jobs in the sales, finance, retail, medical, and software industries. They provided typical benefits, but not a lot of work/life flexibility or job security.

“In my last full-time salaried position, I could see the writing on the wall,” she said. “The company was not really doing well, and I was laid off.”

She seized the opportunity and struck out on her own. “It was a natural progression for me. I had my MBA, and knew I could apply the same analyzing, optimizing, and collaborative skills I’d honed for 17 years without being tied to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule; I wanted the freedom and flexibility to create my own schedule and release my creative spirit.”

So she did, finding her out-of-the-box niche by splitting her time as a financial analyst with the Delta Group and working with more than 30 area companies in industries like agriculture, restaurants, manufacturing, fitness, advertising, nonprofits, and even her own.

“I just went through rebranding myself,” said Turner, “and I worked really hard to find the right look and feel for what I do. I’ve tried to be fun without losing sight of the hard work, skill, and determination it takes to help businesses grow and thrive.”

She also has a successful track record working with businesses at the brink of failing, helping them make a comeback and thrive. “It’s been really rewarding to do this work,” she said.

And it’s given her the flexibility she needs to not only volunteer in her community, but also find time to stretch creatively. “I wear many hats,” said Turner, who lives with husband Brad, son Gaius, and daughter Althea. “I’m a wife, a mom, a money manager, and an artist who’s discovered life really is about balance.”

Turner also serves as co-chair of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School Family Assoc., treasurer of the Belchertown Cultural Council, volunteer for Leadership Pioneer Valley, and vice president of the Quabbin Art Assoc., which she founded.

“Everything I do is for my family,” she said, “and I couldn’t do it without their support.”

—Alta Stark

Sedale Williams

Doctoral Student, Springfield College; Project Coordinator, ParaDYM Inc.; Age 30

Sedale Williams

When he was young, Sedale Williams never dreamed he would be able to attend college. But today, he is finishing his doctorate and has dedicated his life to helping young and underprivileged individuals realize their potential.

“An adolescent’s confidence is fragile, and they need to know they are capable, can set goals, and can realize their dreams,” said Williams, who grew up in several neighborhoods in Springfield and didn’t get the encouragement he needed in school, but set his sights on a doctorate in psychology after taking a course in the subject at Central High School.

Several months ago, Williams left his job as a clinician at BHN Carson Center for Human Services in Westfield to finish the doctoral program at Springfield College. He will return to Carson in August and is currently project coordinator for ParaDYM Inc. in New Britain, Conn., which serves at-risk youth.

Williams worked with the homeless in San Diego from 2010 to 2012 and saw a high incidence of underlying mental-health issues, which he said are often repressed in the African-American community. He served in AmeriCorps to support the Springfield College School Turnaround Initiative, was a peer advisor at Westfield State University, and has volunteered and worked on special projects at UConn, University of Hartford, United Way of Pioneer Valley, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Carl Robinson Correctional Institute, Springfield Academy for Excellence, and Veritas Prep Academy.

He is on the board and steering committee for Brothers United to Inspire Lifestyle Development, helps facilitate the annual Constructing Kings Male Youth Summit, and collaborates with Springfield youths and the community to lower the dropout rate. “I like working with middle-school students because that’s when you see a dropoff in interest in schooling,” he said.

In 2015, Williams was a speaker at the United Way of Pioneer Valley’s 93rd annual celebration and feted with its Youth Generate Presidential Service Award, presented at the 15th annual Boston College Diversity Challenge, was awarded the Key Program’s Deborah Feldstein-Bartfield Memorial Scholarship, and will speak at the 125th national conference of the American Psychological Assoc. in August.

Williams’ family has always supported him, and Springfield College advisor Peiwei Li has helped him stay motivated.

“I take on a lot that’s challenging,” he said, “but I want to pay it all forward.”

—Kathleen Mitchell

Johnson & Hill joins as strategic partner of Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley.

The Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley has been helping family owned and closely held companies from around Western Mass since 1994, through a series of educational dinner forums and morning workshops, roundtables and customized consults.
The center’s strategic partners contribute to that professional development in the areas of accounting, banking, leadership, insurance, wealth management, staffing, and law; and BusinessWest is the media partner for the center. Now the staffing firm, Johnson & Hill Staffing will be taking on the role of the FBC’s staffing sponsor-partner.
“As a longtime member of the FBC, we are excited to move into the role of sponsor/partner in our continued support of family business across the Pioneer Valley,” said Andrea Hill-Cataldo, president. “As specialists who staff anything from short-term needs to key direct hire roles in administrative, accounting and finance, legal, and professional settings, the Johnson & Hill team collectively brings decades of staffing insight to the table. Our goal is to provide members of the FBC with that insight to help them evaluate new and innovative ways of acquiring the talent that will drive their business forward.”
The schedule of educational events for the Family Business Center is at fambizpv.com.

Businesses invited to Workforce Training Fund Info Session

SPRINGFIELD —Training & Workforce Options (TWO), the collaboration between Springfield Technical Community College, Holyoke Community College, and Commonwealth Corp., invite area businesses to a free information session on April 26 to hear an overview of all of the Workforce Training Fund Programs (WTFP).

Registration is required to attend the session, scheduled for 8:30-11:30 a.m., at Scibelli Hall (Building 2), Café Rooms, at STCC. Seating is limited. To register online, click on this Eventbrite link.

Workforce Training Fund, a program of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, is administered by Commonwealth Corp.

The Workforce Training Fund offers several types of grants to support training needs of business across the state. The fund is available for business of all sizes, but its major focus is small- to medium-sized businesses. Government agencies are not eligible to apply.

The Workforce Training Fund helps address productivity and competitiveness by providing resources to Massachusetts businesses to fund training for current and newly hired employees. It’s designed to help businesses make an investment in their future and in their employees’ skills.

Topics covered at the info session will include the features and requirements of each Workforce Training Fund Program, funding availability, and the application process.

The session covers the following Workforce Training Fund grant programs:

General Program;
Express Program;
Direct Access Program (formerly Regional Training Capacity Pilot Program); and
Technical Assistance Grant

For more information about the WTFP, please visit www.workforcetrainingfund.org.

MassDevelopment, the state’s economic development and finance agency, will attend the session to share its funding options.

Businesses can apply for grants up to $250,000. After the information session, participants should be able to determine which grants are best suited for their business’s needs and how to start the application process.

For more information, contact Tracye Whitfield, Director of Manufacturing and Corporate Training

Freedom Credit Union Announces Promotion, Addition