2013 - Page 10 of 20 - BusinessWest

Making Change

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Banking and Financial Services Sections

Sosik Succeeds Hogan at the Helm of Easthampton Savings Bank

Matt Sosik says he wasn’t looking for another job, and, in fact, didn’t have an up-to-date copy of his résumé at the ready.
“I didn’t need one — I loved what was I doing,” said Sosik, then CEO of Hometown Bank, formerly Webster Cooperative Bank, which he had guided to exponential growth since arriving in 1997. “We had a great professional family there that was certainly hard to leave, and frankly hard to even think about leaving behind.”
But when Bill Hogan initiated discussions with him several months ago about possibly joining the competition that would identify his successor as president of Easthampton Savings Bank, Sosik’s imagination took him to where he never thought it would.
And the reason was fairly simple, he told BusinessWest just a few weeks after assuming his new post at the institution on Main Street, in the shadow of Mount Tom.
“This particular opportunity caught my attention because I’ve known Bill for many years, and I’ve known others inside the bank for a number of years,” said Sosik, who took the helm on June 17. “And I’ve come to know a lot about Easthampton Savings Bank, and the cultural fit was perfect. Culturally, Hometown and Easthampton are very similar institutions.”
Sosik takes the helm at ESB at an intriguing time for the bank — and the region’s banking sector in general. “Hyper-competitive” was the word he used to describe the financial-services landscape in the region, noting that many communities are saturated with branches, if not oversaturated, and many institutions, including ESB, are flush with capital and looking for opportunities to grow in a region where there has been little economic growth.
Thriving in this climate will require a plan, said Sosik, who said that drafting a strategic initiative, or updating the one already in place, as the case may be, is at or near the top of his to-do list. But it will also require patience, he said, noting that this is one of the lessons he’ll take with him from his time at Hometown, were he shepherded the bank from a mere $33 million in assets to more than $340 million.
“This is a long-term process,” he told BusinessWest. “If you try to do this in six months, you will fail. I spent 17 years at Hometown building that balance sheet, and it’s a pretty attractive balance sheet. It’s going to take awhile, you have to be patient, and we have the business structure to be patient; we have a lot of things going for us.”
At present, Sosik is still in what he called “evaluation mode,” meaning that period when he comes to familiarize himself with the staff and the bank’s immediate goals — and strategies for reaching them.
“The next frontier here is really about leveraging the strengths of the institution,” he said, summing up what he’s learned — or already knew before he arrived. “We’re a well-capitalized bank, and we have plenty of growth opportunities because of that capital. Other banks of similar size in the Pioneer Valley don’t have that luxury.”

Person of Interest
Sosik began his career in financial services as a bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., working in Massachusetts and Northern New England. In 1996, he joined Webster Cooperative, and a year later became its CEO.
Over the next 16 years, he implemented a wide-ranging strategic initiative that included a name change to Hometown Bank, as well as geographic growth (from one branch to six), acquisition of the Athol-Clinton Cooperative Bank in 2011, and more than tenfold growth in total assets.
When asked how all that was accomplished, he said simply, “from grinding it out.” He then elaborated, noting that the bank was very small when he arrived, and needed to grow simply to survive.
“That helps energize the team and yourself every day, knowing that you have to get to a certain place so that you can remain viable,” he said with a laugh. “It allowed the fire to remain well-lit, knowing that you were fighting for your long-term survival.”
The situation is much different at ESB, he acknowledged, adding quickly that there is still a strong need to grow, and the bank has the inclination, capital, and opportunity to do so.
And as he talked about what might come next, he said that, while he’s spent his entire banking career in Central Mass. and, more specifically, the Blackstone Valley (Webster is roughly 20 miles south of Worcester), he is quite familiar with the Western Mass. market, its challenges, and its opportunities.
He told BusinessWest that the Central Mass. and Western Mass. banking markets are similar in many respects — both regions have been experiencing relatively flat economic growth, he explained, while the respective banking sectors have been extremely competitive, with many players and some new arrivals in recent years.
But there are some distinctions, he said, adding that perhaps the most significant is that many of the community banks in this region are quite larger than the ones he encountered in Central Mass., with many at or well above the $1 billion mark in assets, a milestone ESB is now approaching.
And this makes them stronger competitors, he went on. “These larger banks simply have more resources, and they can make longer-term decisions and absorb more risk.”
Summing up the situation, Sosik said that ESB, like other banks in this region, must “manufacture their own market share,” which means, in essence, taking it from rivals.
And this ‘manufacturing’ is not easy, he said, noting both the amount of competition and the fact that many of the large regional and super-regional banks are becoming more effective competitors — a trend he expects to continue and accelerate.
“They got away from some of the things you need to do to be good competitors,” he explained. “And they recognized that, and now they’re seeing some of the value of banking on Main Street again, for a variety of regulatory and financial reasons. That shift has about run its course.”
But growth can be attained, he said, stressing again that whatever takes shape in ESB’s new strategic plan, the overriding philosophy will be slow and steady.
“We have to be the better competitor and the smarter competitor,” he said. “We have to do our job of serving the customers in the community better than the ladies and gentlemen down the street.”
When asked what direction the bank’s growth initiatives will take — meaning both strategically and geographically — Sosik was shy with specifics, as might be expected. He did say, though, that the bank, which has 10 branches stretching from Westfield to Belchertown, Agawam to Northampton, will be “open-minded” when it comes to future expansion, but also smart.
Elaborating, he said that means choosing potential branch locations carefully and, in general, avoiding those communities, or regions, that are already saturated — or worse.
“We’re certainly open-minded to going where we believe there are opportunities to leverage what Easthampton Savings Bank does best,” he said, leaving plenty to the imagination. “We won’t be relying on a strict geographic pattern — I don’t mind skipping over markets to get to a market we think we can find success in — but there are obviously places that are very much overbanked; we’re not going to stick our nose in there, but we go can beyond there and to places where we think we can do well with what we do best.”
And while likely expanding geographically, ESB will also be leveraging its capital to grow its commercial-loan portfolio, said Sosik.
He acknowledged that many other banks in the region, including those highly competitive community banks he mentioned, are looking to the same, but he said this represents one of the more solid growth opportunities at present, and a key element in bringing an effective mix to a balance sheet at a time of narrow margins.

By All Accounts
Summing up the challenge ahead for himself and the institution he now leads, Sosik said simply, “there is no quick fix for the hyper-competitive market, there is no quick fix for the fact that all of these bankers and banks are almost tripping over themselves.
“This is a long-term process to ensure that you stand out, and ensure that you are relevant in the marketplace,” he continued, hinting that his philosophy will be to attempt a slow-and-sure fix.
“Growth is definitely an important factor to running a community bank like Easthampton Savings successfully,” he said in conclusion. “It’s something we’re going to work hard to attain.”

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

Serve and Protect

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Banking and Financial Services Sections

A chart of insurance agencies in Western Mass.

Click here to download the PDF

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

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

CONWAY

1230 Main Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $449,000
Buyer: Anita Elise Rymer TR
Seller: Michael V. Sola
Date: 06/07/13

DEERFIELD

22 Captain Lathrop Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Roel Ebling
Seller: Charlene G. Davey
Date: 06/12/13

110 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Susan Lusardi
Seller: William T. Mono
Date: 06/10/13

GREENFIELD

768 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Pamela J. Vigneault
Seller: Anthony Martino
Date: 06/12/13

40 East Wayland Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $324,900
Buyer: Kathlee McIntyre-Bernier
Seller: Cersosimo Industries Inc.
Date: 06/12/13

259 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Marc Bernier
Seller: Kathlee Mcintyre-Bernier
Date: 06/12/13

367 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: Sander Greenfield LLC
Seller: DNL RT
Date: 06/04/13

43 Grove St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Patricia M. Heminger
Seller: Cara Parchesco
Date: 06/07/13

23 Leonard St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Cynthia M. Mitchell
Seller: Douglas J. Coldwell
Date: 06/03/13

218 Log Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Valerie L. Fontaine
Seller: Barbara E. Cadran
Date: 06/07/13

39 Riddell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Putnam
Seller: Andrew C. Roth
Date: 06/07/13

MONTAGUE

443 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $154,900
Buyer: Juan C. Navarro-Guzman
Seller: Linda J. Courtemanche
Date: 06/03/13

20 West Main St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Jason S. Edson
Seller: Troy M. Santerre
Date: 06/06/13

NORTHFIELD

80 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Alli
Seller: Almon F. Dirth
Date: 06/07/13

ORANGE

426 Walnut Hill Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $261,082
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Richard B. McGarvey
Date: 06/04/13

SHUTESBURY

83 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: John L. Warwick
Seller: Alfred R. Hirschfeld
Date: 06/07/13

WHATELY

216 River Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $231,750
Buyer: Brian C. Fitzgerald
Seller: Pamela A. Stevens
Date: 06/07/13

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

3 Alfred Court
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Barbara M. Brizzolari
Seller: Gisele L. Tatro
Date: 06/04/13

142 Birch Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: James A. Ricco
Seller: Philip J. Magovern
Date: 06/07/13

56 Emerson Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Melinda P. Elwell
Seller: Karen Daniels
Date: 06/03/13

80 Granger Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Sterner
Seller: Therese Prisby
Date: 06/12/13

112 North St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Norman R. Lusignan
Seller: Susan Bonesteel
Date: 06/10/13

319 South West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $278,500
Buyer: Jenine A. Davignon
Seller: Kevin W. Learned
Date: 06/11/13

84 Spencer St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Ronald J. Thibodeau
Date: 06/07/13

BLANDFORD

27 North St.
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: Derek D. Darley
Seller: Gene L. Frogale
Date: 06/10/13

CHICOPEE

113 Carpenter Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Matthew G. Fuller
Seller: Jason Maloney
Date: 06/03/13

49 Cyman Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Christopher S. Grossman
Seller: Dominik, Walter L., (Estate)
Date: 06/04/13

903 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Deutsche Bank National
Seller: Jose Portorreal
Date: 06/11/13

287 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $324,900
Buyer: Arthur C. Potter
Seller: Vicki Garrity
Date: 06/10/13

15 Page Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Evan A. Hebert
Seller: Richard B. Haglund
Date: 06/07/13

33 Sandra Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Nathan D. Shaw
Seller: John M. Gaughan
Date: 06/05/13

51 Silvin Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Zbigniew Lopata
Seller: Deborah A. Bouffard
Date: 06/07/13

153 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Timothy W. Hunter
Seller: Peter A. Meyer
Date: 06/03/13

36 William St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Bobbi G. Mabb
Seller: Legacy Strategic Inv. LP
Date: 06/03/13

EAST LONGMEADOW

9 Harris Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: John Pappas
Seller: Jeremy M. Massimino
Date: 06/10/13

58 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Jay C. Seyler
Seller: Timothy P. Marquis
Date: 06/12/13

15 Wedgewood Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $194,511
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Joseph A. Giuggio
Date: 06/10/13

HOLLAND

15 Kimball Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Klotz
Seller: Paul M. Foley
Date: 06/07/13

HOLYOKE

54 Berkshire St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Thelma I. Ortiz
Seller: Donald Daviau
Date: 06/05/13

783 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Peter A. Magri
Seller: Patricia Judge
Date: 06/12/13

1754 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Grand Poobah Properties LLC
Seller: John A. Lynch
Date: 06/07/13

LONGMEADOW

161 Ardsley Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Paul Friedmann
Seller: Heidi Plotkin
Date: 06/05/13

532 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jared Carr
Seller: Steven C. Berke
Date: 06/07/13

390 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Maria T. Tooley
Seller: Frances M. Vecchiarelli
Date: 06/06/13

133 Wild Grove Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Robert Campbell
Seller: Paul Friedmann
Date: 06/07/13

LUDLOW

330 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Frank Reyes
Seller: James M. Tanner
Date: 06/04/13

91 Heritage Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Paul A. Bouthiller
Seller: Annemarie McCarthy
Date: 06/07/13

165 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $2,597,500
Seller: Elizabeth Crinella
Date: 06/03/13

179 Prospect St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $144,649
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Thomas W. Smyth
Date: 06/07/13

85 Tilley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Arthur C. Potter
Date: 06/06/13

MONSON

47 Zuell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Joseph Robert
Seller: Barbara Robert
Date: 06/06/13

PALMER

3108 Hillside Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Richard S. Martinek
Seller: Robert J. Nowak

93 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Anthony J. Pacensa
Seller: Taylor, Erma J., (Estate)
Date: 06/12/13

75 South High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Timothy A. Langford
Seller: Laplante, Jeanette F., (Estate)
Date: 06/03/13

SPRINGFIELD

302 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: William T. Raleigh
Seller: Allen Street TR LLC
Date: 06/07/13

Annies Way
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Bretta Dev. LLC
Seller: Lamm Dev. LLC
Date: 06/03/13

172 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Darien Bailey
Seller: Kevin T. Magee
Date: 06/07/13

95 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Demusis
Seller: Hampden Bank
Date: 06/07/13

272 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Rolando Torres
Seller: April C. Ramos
Date: 06/11/13

325 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Darlene E. Grimes
Seller: Armand J. Grondin
Date: 06/07/13

147 Fair Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $168,263
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: James C. Parks
Date: 06/07/13

205 Fairlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Sylvia Brice-Blanca
Seller: Catherine B. Moran
Date: 06/03/13

100 Flint St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Minhaj Moushum
Seller: Edmund J. Bartish
Date: 06/12/13

9 Merida St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Liznerdi Rodriguez
Seller: E. F. Ramirez-Lucerness
Date: 06/06/13

392 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $118,500
Buyer: HSBC Bank USA
Seller: Sarinh P. Son
Date: 06/04/13

125 Paridon St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: AKJ Ent. LLC
Seller: Camelback LLC
Date: 06/12/13

2025 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Earskin R. Sloan
Seller: Robert L. Hastings
Date: 06/04/13

19 Perkins St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Terry O. Paine
Seller: Brian J. Harrigan
Date: 06/06/13

251 Redlands St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Jorge Rivera
Seller: William F. O’Connell
Date: 06/06/13

735 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: John H. Fortune
Seller: Kenneth L. Fitzgibbon
Date: 06/07/13

473 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,050,000
Buyer: Northamptonboys 2 LLC
Seller: Goodwill Industries
Date: 06/05/13

45 Westbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Anitra M. Ruth
Seller: Patricia A. Murray
Date: 06/11/13

WALES

3 Laurel Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Earl J. Dessert
Seller: Courtney A. Grimes
Date: 06/04/13

15 Lynch Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Jonathan Meacham
Seller: Marguerite Moy
Date: 06/07/13

WESTFIELD

41 Colony Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Mary E. Leavy
Seller: Patrick G. Renna
Date: 06/07/13

239 Honey Pot Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Jon B. Lambert
Seller: Michael A. Webster
Date: 06/07/13

60 Kane Brothers Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Keith C. Holmes
Seller: Susan C. Cameron
Date: 06/06/13

80 Northridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Zachary M. Wright
Seller: Paul M. Mancino
Date: 06/03/13

8 Oakdale Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: William H. Maxwell
Seller: Gillian Marrotte
Date: 06/07/13

135 Old Stage Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Buyer: George D. Scheibel
Seller: Jane A. Benard
Date: 06/04/13

75 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Marc A. Taddia
Seller: Jeanne E. Bovinett
Date: 06/07/13

86 Pine St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Kylie C. Burns
Seller: Kyle A. Chapman
Date: 06/05/13

45 Southview Terrace
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Robert P. Leavy
Seller: Jon B. Lambert
Date: 06/07/13

97 Sunset Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Christopher Malinowski
Seller: Michele A. Fortier
Date: 06/06/13

70 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Ghenadie Gheorghita
Seller: UB Props LLC
Date: 06/11/13

29 Woodmont St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Mariana L. Albert
Seller: Theresa A. Larose
Date: 06/06/13

99 Woodmont St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Timothy A. Souza
Seller: Susan A. Leblanc
Date: 06/10/13

WILBRAHAM

7 Drumlin Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $386,000
Buyer: Jon G. Feeney
Seller: Gregg R. Johnson
Date: 06/12/13

11 Highmoor Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Kevin T. Magee
Seller: Michael V. Tirabassi
Date: 06/07/13

9 Hunting Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kevin T. Burke
Seller: Sandi M. Scott
Date: 06/06/13

20 Longview Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Laidir RT
Seller: Leonard D. Hickey
Date: 06/12/13

200 Manchonis Road Ext
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Matthew M. Bailey
Seller: Orluk, Adolph F., (Estate)
Date: 06/07/13

WEST SPRINGFIELD

26 Alexander Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Todd A. Thibodeau
Seller: West Meadow Homes Inc.
Date: 06/05/13

1193 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $317,500
Buyer: Elm St. Invst. Partners LLC
Seller: John Foster
Date: 06/10/13

52 Guy Place
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jason D. Hanscom
Seller: Francis J. Pokigo Jr. LT
Date: 06/12/13

50 Hathorne Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Paier
Seller: Patricia A. Winchester
Date: 06/10/13

487 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Debra A. Zides
Seller: Kevin P. Chapman
Date: 06/03/13

931 Memorial Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Baja Realty LLC
Seller: KGRE LLC
Date: 06/03/13

70 Nonotuck Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Ryan M. Holloway
Seller: Quan Chen
Date: 06/06/13

323 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Emil E. Farjo
Seller: Kathleen A. Ginn
Date: 06/04/13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

30 Bridle Path
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Shaheen Pasha
Seller: Luca Grillo
Date: 06/07/13

21 Hop Brook Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $529,000
Buyer: James A. Larimore
Seller: Jerry Rybczynski
Date: 06/03/13

64 Hop Brook Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $745,000
Buyer: Mark Hankowski
Seller: Anne M. Hansen
Date: 06/03/13

17 Kestrel Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $604,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Cohen
Seller: David B. Hammond
Date: 06/07/13

65 Mechanic St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Gorman
Seller: Elizabeth J. Perry
Date: 06/10/13

1139 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: John J. O’Connell
Seller: 1139 North Pleasant St IRT
Date: 06/04/13

South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Robert A. Lowry
Seller: William C. Degwin
Date: 06/05/13

610 South Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jeffrey S. Parker
Seller: Noel Gorman
Date: 06/04/13

57 Woodside Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $435,900
Buyer: Alexander W. Hiam
Seller: Carleen R. Basler
Date: 06/05/13

BELCHERTOWN

417 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $174,750
Buyer: Emily M. Wilson
Seller: Christina J. Brownell
Date: 06/04/13

91 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $228,500
Buyer: David J. Wolan-Jedziniak
Seller: Kenneth L. Fitzgibbon
Date: 06/10/13

111 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Vision Inv. Props. LLC
Seller: Edward L. Fuller
Date: 06/06/13

11 Newton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Raj K. Shahi
Seller: Michael Whalen
Date: 06/05/13

32 Pondview Circle
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jason R. Couse
Seller: Norma J. Carpin
Date: 06/04/13

51 Warner St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Eric J. Adams
Seller: Cheryl L. Hislop
Date: 06/10/13

EASTHAMPTON

Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Joshua C. White
Seller: Gail Paddock
Date: 06/05/13

211 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Joseph S. Stanganelli
Seller: Andrea R. Cadieux
Date: 06/07/13

12 McKinley Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Hillary T. Osgood
Seller: David R. Smiard
Date: 06/07/13

57 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Dunn
Seller: Marc A. Gauvin RET
Date: 06/07/13

6 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $138,500
Buyer: City Of Easthampton
Seller: Ronald H. Laurin
Date: 06/05/13

GRANBY

188 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Pamela C. Green
Seller: CR Dreamz LLC
Date: 06/05/13

7 Country View Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: John M. Gaughan
Seller: Hwa B. Choe
Date: 06/05/13

7 Grandview Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $249,672
Buyer: USA HUD
Seller: Dina K. Brunetti
Date: 06/07/13

HADLEY

Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Gwen A. Quinian
Seller: David P. Pira
Date: 06/12/13

9 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Alan P. Hilaire
Date: 06/04/13

HUNTINGTON

62 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Citibank NA
Seller: Clifford E. Rapisarda
Date: 06/04/13

Pond Brook Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $526,147
Buyer: Patrick Props. LLC
Seller: Blueberry Hills LLC
Date: 06/10/13

8 Rockybrook Dr.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Kenneth G. Dulude
Seller: Mary L. Gerken
Date: 06/10/13

NORTHAMPTON

280 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Amanda K. Anderson
Seller: William A. Underhill
Date: 06/11/13

62 Forbes Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Andres Tamayo
Seller: Eileen M. Sullivan
Date: 06/04/13

31 Loudville Road
Northampton, MA 01027
Amount: $416,200
Buyer: Julie E. Steiner
Seller: DML Dev. Corp.
Date: 06/06/13

52 Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: 52 Maple Street Place LLC
Seller: Seawink Ltd
Date: 06/07/13

41 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Brooke G. Schnabel
Seller: Elsa C. Vitols
Date: 06/07/13

2 Shepherds Hollow Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Joseph T. Smith
Seller: Karthik Raghunathan
Date: 06/03/13

8 Strong Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Strong Ave. LLC
Seller: Kathleen B. Brodeur
Date: 06/12/13

SOUTH HADLEY

59 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Ying Wang
Seller: Andrew L. Lortie
Date: 06/12/13

30 Fairview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: John W. Sinnet
Seller: Xiancao Mei
Date: 06/12/13

130 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: William P. Just
Seller: Robert C. Cameron
Date: 06/12/13

311 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Morris W. Baldwin
Seller: Thomas A. Spring
Date: 06/07/13

3 Hollywood St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $145,400
Buyer: Vivian A. Ostrowski
Seller: Friel, John W., (Estate)
Date: 06/11/13

17 Kimberly Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Heather E. Kammins
Seller: Paul A. Bouthiller
Date: 06/07/13

1 Lynch Place
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Imad S. Zubi
Seller: Lorrie A. Runnals
Date: 06/11/13

SOUTHAMPTON

14 Bissonnette Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: F&G Dev. Corp
Seller: JS Sampson Dev. Inc.
Date: 06/05/13

102 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Graham
Seller: James F. Boyle
Date: 06/11/13

WARE

13 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,800
Buyer: Country Bank
Seller: Rodger W. Tracy
Date: 06/10/13

16 Eagle St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Jason I. Burnett
Seller: Paul J. Demers
Date: 06/03/13

101 Malboeuf Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Martin J. Sweeney
Seller: Donald H. Johnson Jr. TR
Date: 06/12/13

6 Pleasant Terrace
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Austin B. Hatch
Seller: Moriarty, Thomas D., (Estate)
Date: 06/06/13

WESTHAMPTON

52 Pine Island Lake
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Morrigan RET
Seller: Gerald L. Ruel
Date: 06/06/13

WORTHINGTON

168 Kinnebrook Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Steven J. King
Seller: John P. Zmud RET
Date: 06/04/13

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2013.

AGAWAM

Geissler’s Supermarket
830 Suffield St.
$3,500 — Exterior renovations

CHICOPEE

Chick Fil A
501 Memorial Dr.
$574,000 — Construct restaurant with drive-thru and play area

GREENFIELD

60 Wells St., LLC
60 Wells St.
$342,000 — Renovate first floor

Antebellum Beauty, LLC
473 Main St.
$15,000 — New asphalt shingles

Baystate Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$25,000 — Interior renovations

Bete, Inc.
50 Greenfield St.
$16,200 — Install clean agent fire systems into server and telecom rooms

Connecticut River Watershed Company
15 Bank Row
$35,000 — Exterior renovations to building

LUDLOW

Pioneer Valley Hotel
321 Center St.
$5,300 — Install new fence

PALMER

CB Richard Ellis
1010 Park St.
$38,000 — Accessibility upgrades to BOA branch office

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$148,000 — Remodel of Pearson

SOUTHWICK

Truck Kane Service Inc.
83 College Hwy.
$3,000 — Upgrade antenna

SPRINGFIELD

Jenny Golemba
892 Main St.
$253,000 — Remodel second-floor office

Kevin Lebo
2840 Main St.
$5,000 — Add two 12-x-10 offices

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Century Center
235 B Memorial Road
$55,000 — Renovate 1,418 square feet of space for a dental office

Grace Lutheran Church
1552 Westfield St.
$1,480 — Erect an accessory structure

Mike Stevens
393 Elm St.
$10,000 — Exterior renovations

The Power of Peers

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Sections Women in Businesss

WPO Provides a Unique Support System for Women in Business

Cathy Crosky says WPO helps second-stage companies — those with more than 10 employees and $1 million in annual revenues — address their specific needs.

Laura Wright calls it her “sounding board.”
That’s one of the many descriptive words and phrases that she and other members applied to the Women Presidents Organization, or WPO, and its Springfield chapter. And they hint broadly at a specific, and distinctive, form of support provided to those who have found it.
Created for women who own or manage what are known as second-stage companies — those with more than 10 employees and $1 million in annual revenues — or direct large nonprofit agencies, WPO is unique in that regard, and also in the way it helps members address their specific problems and issues, said Wright, president of CSW Inc. in Ludlow.
She told BusinessWest that the monthly meetings put her in a room with successful individuals facing similar challenges — and possessing a common desire to help such peers. And this is just the environment she needs at this stage of her life and career.
“I’m in a male-dominated industry,” said Wright, whose company manufactures printing plates and cutting dies for the packaging industry and also offers brand-management services to consumer product companies. “But I found results-oriented women in the group who were focused on their businesses and very successful. And they’ve helped me grow my business.”
Meghan Sullivan concurred.
“It’s very refreshing to be in a room of people that have very similar experiences,” said Sullivan, managing partner of the Springfield-based law firm Sullivan Hayes & Quinn. “Whether it’s being a leader and shouldering that burden or balancing the obligations of work and the joys and obligations of family — we’re all going through the same kinds of things.”
Cathy Crosky, chair of the Springfield chapter of WPO, said the group now boasts 10 members (most chapters have no more than 20) who meet monthly for three hours. They represent a number of business sectors — from manufacturing to professional services to the nonprofit realm — but share common challenges inside and outside the workplace.
“Once you get your business over a million, it requires a different kind of leadership than when you started the business,” said Crosky, an executive coach and organizational transformation consultant with Charter Oak Consulting Group in Williamstown. “You need different things at a different stages, and women don’t have many role models or mothers that did what we do, but they still have the same challenges.”
The organization’s website announces that it provides “a professionally facilitated, non-judgmental forum for second-stage peers to bring the ‘genius out of the group,’ accelerate the growth of their businesses, and to promote the acceptance and advancement of women entrepreneurs in all industries.”
Translating, and elaborating, Crosky said the group makes extensive use of a roundtable process called Peerspectives, developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation (named after the entrepreneur who, among other things, gave the world cat litter) to drill down on an issue and help the individual presenting a dilemma or goal benefit from collective peer wisdom.
“We ask questions, and that requires the person who is looking for feedback to talk through their issue based on the questions,” she said, adding that the group doesn’t provide answers, but rather helps members forge their own. “So, rather than being told, ‘this is what you should do,’ there is a series of questions that brings problem solving to a deeper level — for them and for us.”
For this issue and its focus on women in business, we spoke with a number of members of the Springfield chapter of WPO to find out how this organization benefits its members, and why its roundtable format is successful in generating results for all those involved in the discussions.

Accountability Now
Shalu Arora, president of Skylightsys Strategic Staffing, an information-technology staffing agency in East Hartford, Conn., started her company eight years ago, and is known in entrepreneurial circles as a ‘gazelle’ because of the speed with which her company grew; she hit $1 million in sales in her second year.
And as a gazelle, she has different needs — and conversations — than those who are just getting a business off the ground. Being in a room full of people who understand her situation, mostly because they’ve been there themselves, is one of the biggest benefits from being a WPO member, she said.
“A startup doesn’t need any processes,” Arora told BusinessWest. “Second-stage business owners need the right advice in terms of legal, compliance, staff management, employee handbooks … the list goes on. You go from managing yourself and a few others to having a large group, and there’s a lot that goes with that.”

From left, Shalu Arora, Meghan Sullivan, Pattie Hallberg, and Laura Wright say WPO members are held accountable for taking the steps necessary to solve their issues.

She said she joined WPO to increase her network of business leaders, but also to help build and hone her leadership skills — and the roundtable discussions have certainly helped her do that. “You’re not here to sell yourself or your company, and in every other organization, you have to put your game face on,” she explained. “This is not about a sales opportunity; it’s about a true way to build your leadership skills.”
Arora’s situation, and outlook, are typical of those who have joined the Springfield chapter, one of 105 around the world. Their individual stories vary, but their motivations for joining the organization are essentially the same: they want to grow their businesses or nonprofits, and they want to grow professionally.
And they’ve come to understand that the best way to do that is to be around people who understand what it takes to do both, and can, as the WPO website suggests, pull the collective genius out of the group.
People like Pattie Hallberg.
The CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, based in Holyoke, Hallberg is a member of WPO and also involved with the Longmeadow Business Group, which is comprised mostly of men, and said there really is no other women’s group that maintains the continual focus on education and business development that WPO does.
A year ago, Hallberg was looking for opportunities to explore different aspects of business and management, and WPO came into a conversation with a friend. She joined, and helps brings the nonprofit perspective into the group’s discussions, with the understanding that it’s the same perspective of those in business.
“There’s a place for nonprofit conversation that people may think is a little bit different than a business conversation, but there’s really not that much difference — we just have different products,” Hallberg said, adding that she’s intrigued by the breadth and depth of issues put on the table for discussion.
Some of them are strictly business- and bottom-line-oriented, she went on, while others involve the overriding assignment of balancing work and life — and finding a formula for succeeding at both.
Wright noted that many discussions involve how to take a business to the next level, and these conversations are multi-faceted, involving more than spread sheets, sales projections, and marketing strategies.
“Those are the most interesting conversations; it’s a great forum for making a change and making a business what you want it to be,” she explained. “And that all goes back to the members treating each other as the whole person, not just as a businessperson.”
Perhaps the one word that came up most often in commentary about WPO and how it benefits members was accountability. If women want to grow professionally and personally, they have to put plans in place and affect change where it’s needed, said Sullivan, adding that the group works diligently to keep members’ feet to the fire.
Indeed, if the previous month’s meeting spent a good deal of time on one of the member’s concerns, that member should expect to report what’s happened since in the very next meeting, said Sullivan, who, when asked how accountability is achieved, was quick to respond.
“They ask you,” she said, laughing. “They ask, ‘did you do it?’ And they ask why you did or didn’t do it; they put you right on the spot, and it forces you to face that you’re procrastinating, or it forces you to have a perspective that you didn’t have, but you should have had.”
In addition to the Peerspectives roundtable, there are other methods of learning through WPO, including articles and books, business-planning methods, self-assessment tools, and presenting and discussing various leadership topics, said Crosky. But the group has attended some retreats staged by the Edward Lowe Foundation, and a recent addition to the schedule is a new annual conference in Rhode Island with the WPO chapters from Boston and Rhode Island, which allows the Springfield chapter to expand its network and collectively learn from others facing similar challenges.

Tapping into Wisdom
Arora told BusinessWest that it’s hard to look at the bottom line and say her company’s continued growth is due to WPO, but she can state with confidence that it has definitely helped.
“If you help the leader, you help the company,” she said. “I’ve made bolder, better, and swifter decisions than before I was part of this group.”
Enabling its members to say such things is among the many goals of the WPO organization, which acts as a sounding board, as Wright described, or as a board of directors, as others have noted — or as a tough, yet compassionate, group of peers, which is perhaps the most accurate description.
And one can’t underestimate the power of peers.

Elizabeth Taras can be reached at [email protected]

People On the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Departments People on the Move

Eric Gouvin

University President Anthony Caprio recently announced the appointment of Eric Gouvin as the Dean of the Western New England University School of Law, effective July 1. Caprio praised Gouvin for having excelled as a faculty member and administrator at the law school since 1991. “Dean Gouvin brings a wealth of experience to the position — not only in the classroom, but also in the Springfield-area community, having worked in partnership with area entrepreneurs and small businesses as director of the University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” he said. The appointment from within helps assure a smooth transition from the leadership of Arthur Gaudio, who returned to the faculty after 12 years of service as Dean of the School of Law, said Caprio. Over the past two decades, Gouvin has served as Associate Dean for External Affairs and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Most recently, he served as Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which serves as a catalyst for small-business development in the region, drawing on resources from across the university to provide assistance to entrepreneurs. Gouvin’s scholarly writings cover a range of financial topics, including entrepreneurial policy, corporate law, banking, and international issues. He has taught internationally at the Universite Paris La Defense, Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, and the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongquing, China as a Fulbright Specialist. As the practice of law is changing, Gouvin said his mission as Dean is to put even more focus on the students. “Western New England University School of Law has always had a student focus, and I want to redouble that. I want us to be always reminding ourselves that what we’re offering, what we’re teaching, and how we’re teaching it is geared toward the students, and geared toward the students becoming not just scholars but legal professionals.” Gouvin earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and J.D. and LL.M. degrees from the Boston University School of Law.
•••••

Monica Curhan

Monica Curhan has been named Senior Vice President and Marketing Director for Florence Savings Bank (FSB). Curhan joined FSB in June, having worked previously at Citizens-Union Savings Bank in Fall River. She attended Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English, and holds the Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the American Bankers Assoc. in Washington, D.C. She is also a member of the New England Financial Marketing Assoc. and the Harland North East Users Group.

•••••

Jeffrey Vocatura

United Fresh Foundation’s Center for Leadership Excellence recently chose Jeffrey Vocatura, Big Y World Class Market Produce and Floral Sales Manager in Stratford, Conn., as one of five top grand prize winners for its 2013 awards. Vocatura accepted the honor in San Diego, among 25 outstanding produce managers representing 21 different supermarket chains, commissaries, and independent retail stores within the U.S. and Canada. Vocatura, who has almost 16 years of supermarket experience, the past nine with Springfield-based Big Y, was the only United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Award winner from New England. In addition to several chain-wide sales and merchandising awards, he was also chosen to attend Driscolls University’s whole berry operation in California.
•••••
The Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) recently elected Francis Hoey, senior vice president at Tighe & Bond, to the organization’s Board of Directors. Hoey leads Tighe & Bond’s efforts in the renewable-energy, real-estate-development, education, and healthcare markets. Already active in EBC, he is a member of the EBC Renewable Energy Committee Leadership Team, as well as a member of the EBC Connecticut Chapter Leadership Team. Hoey holds professional registrations in both civil and structural engineering, and has more than 20 years experience in the industry. The EBC is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1990, the first in the U.S., by environmental and energy-company executives who began meeting on a regular basis to exchange ideas and share experiences.
•••••

Kirk Smith

Kirk Smith, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, has joined the Board of Directors for Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV). Formed in 2010 to build a network of emerging and existing leaders to address the challenges and opportunities of the entire Pioneer Valley, the LPV program is designed to raise awareness of the needs and challenges that affect the region, and enhance individual leadership skills. Smith took on his leadership role at the YMCA of Greater Springfield in 2011, and since then, he has committed himself to providing greater opportunities for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility for youth, teens, families, and seniors throughout the Greater Springfield region. Smith also serves on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Committee for the Alliance of YMCAs of Massachusetts, and serves as head coach for the YMCA of Greater Springfield Buckeyes, a U16 AAU basketball team.

PictureThis

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
or to [email protected]

Camp Hard Rock
Representatives of Hard Rock New England, a local subsidiary of Hard Rock International, the global company vying to build a destination casino resort on the grounds of the Big E in West Springfield, recently announced plans for a first-ever two-day summer music camp. The event, in partnership with the Fender Music Foundation, is limited to the first 150 participants, ages 9 to 16, with intermediate to advanced musical interest. The camp will take place on Aug. 14 and 15 at West Springfield High School. Pictured amid guitars and drum sets are Annie Balliro, senior director of brand philanthropy, and Tim Maland, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England. Maland explained that the two days will offer music classes, workshops, jam sessions, and a special open-to-the-public performance on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m., directed by Dan Lavery, a two-time Grammy nominee and a past performer with the bands Tonic and The Fray. Proceeds from the $20 tuition will support music-education initiatives in West Springfield and Western Mass.

Big Relief
In response to the massive destruction from recent tornadoes in parts of Oklahoma, Big Y World Class Markets hosted a special in-store customer and employee donation program in all Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. Including additional support from Big Y, a total of $40,000 was raised, which will be utilized by American Red Cross chapters in both Massachusetts and Connecticut in support of ongoing relief efforts in those devastated Midwest communities. Pictured at the formal check presentation on June 26 are, from left, Rick Lee, director of the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter; Donald D’Amour, CEO of Big Y Foods; and Mark Brinkerhoff, director of Community Support for the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter.

Total Transformations

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Sections Women in Businesss

Women Mentors Help Peers Realize Their Potential

Mo McGuinness, center, has been a mentor to Karah Douglass, left, and Jillian Duclos since she hired them to work in Sylvester’s and Roberto’s restaurants.

Karah Douglass hasn’t forgotten the day she had to fire an employee at Sylvester’s restaurant. “I was so scared, I panicked,” said the eatery’s operations manager.
So she called Maureen “Mo” McGuinness, who owns Sylvester’s and Roberto’s Restaurant in Northampton, asking for advice.
McGuinness has not only been her employer, she has also been a mentor to Douglass since they met six years ago. She told Douglass not to apologize when she let the person go and to keep the conversation brief.
“I always say ‘I’m sorry’ to everyone,” Douglass said, adding that, in this instance, she refrained from doing so. “And after I called the employee, I felt very empowered, strong, and confident.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Mo,” she continued. “She pushes me every day to be a better manager and leader, and whenever I talk to her, she reminds me that I am amazing. Before I met her, I had never made decisions on my own, but she taught me to follow my instincts, that I know what I am doing.”
Sue Rondeau, vice president of Operations for Weed Man in West Springfield, has also relied on mentors to keep her confident about her ability to succeed. She was studying to earn her master’s degree in business administration at Bay Path College when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to stop taking classes to get treatment.
She was also working full-time, and when the treatment ended, she didn’t think she had the strength to continue in the MBA program.
But encouragement from mentor Laurie Rosner, an adjunct professor at Bay Path who has spent years in the banking industry, inspired Rondeau to return to school. She also received support from other women she had met at the college and says the mentoring she received has changed her leadership style at work and caused her to become more compassionate.
“I used to think, when you went to school or work, you needed to leave your troubles at the door. Now, as a manager, I realize that things don’t just happen before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.,” she said. “I have learned flexibility through example in the last five years and have had a paradigm shift.”
Rondeau is one of many women who have been mentored by Rosner, who summed up her mentoring approach this way: “my purpose in life is to push others to become uncomfortable so they can become the person they were meant to be. I tell my students they are meant to achieve greatness, and if they are not uncomfortable, they are not growing.
“It takes courage to do new things, but the women I network with are usually on a path; we all need to push beyond our fears because women deserve to be in boardrooms,” she went on, adding that experience provides women with perspective and builds up their bank of knowledge. “I tell women it’s about making mistakes and failing forward.”
Studies have shown that mentoring is powerful, and most women with a record of significant accomplishments can point to a number of supportive people during their careers. A recent study conducted by Susan Schor, a management professor at Pace University, showed that female corporate presidents and vice presidents have had up to four strong mentoring relationships that lasted two to five years, while only half of their male counterparts have ever had a mentor.
Many female executives are becoming advocates for other women, whom they meet in women’s organizations, during educational classes, or within their own workplace.
They say they get as much from the women they mentor as they give them. But unlike males, women turn to their mentors for the emotional support they need to succeed, which can happen when they are faced with a challenging situation or when they find it difficult to balance responsibilities in the workplace with their home lives, especially if they are caring for children or aging parents.
In fact, research shows what they do for each other is different from what occurs in most male mentoring relationships. A 2010 study by the nonprofit organization Catalyst, which promotes inclusive workplaces for women, found male mentors tend to sponsor each other rather than just provide advice and support, while women say gender differences make the emotional boost they give to each other critical.
“We need to continue to mentor other women so we can continue to build each other up,” Rosner said. “Women are so hard on themselves. They need to tell themselves they are smart and say, ‘I believe in me’ even if no one else does. If you accept yourself, the struggle goes away. It’s freedom to say, ‘I can be who I am because I am smart and I believe in myself.’”

Battling Barriers
Beth Lorenz owns the Vehicle Inspection Center Inc. in Greenfield and has been in the automotive industry for 27 years. “In 2010, I downsized my business life as an auto dealer and automotive partner so I could upsize my personal life,” she told BusinessWest. “It has been a journey that included selling a dealership, closing a dealership, separating from a family enterprise, divorcing, and re-establishing myself in a smaller business.”
Lorenz said she could not have achieved her goals without a few individuals who believed in her. She has had male and female mentors who have been younger and older than she is, but turned to the females when she was feeling unsure of herself.
One of them is retired Franklin County Clerk of Courts Eve Blakeslee. “She taught me how to be confident and strong and believe in myself,” Lorenz said.

Laurie Rosner, left, has been a mentor to Sue Rondeau, and was instrumental in her decision to return to the MBA program at Bay Path College after cancer treatment.

When she had difficulty making a decision, Blakeslee would have her voice her thoughts out loud. “I needed someone to say, ‘you are thinking the right way,’” Lorenz said, adding that she feels calm whenever she is around Blakeslee.
Other mentors have taught her different lessons, and she was proud to name them. Susan McDonald from Smith College, who is her healthcare proxy, “challenges me to be the best woman I can be in all phases of my life — at home, at work, and in play.” Meanwhile, Becky Caplice, president and CEO of Greenfield Savings Bank, “demonstrates true love of community and possibilities through hard work, integrity and honesty.”
Then there’s Regina Curtis, executive director of Resource Development at the Greenfield Community College Foundation, who made Lorenz understand the value of networking, while the late Nancie Chamberlin “believed in me when I did not, was a fierce advocate of truth and justice, and was full of love …lots and lots of love. She encouraged me to open myself up to the heart of others.”
While some might wonder what love has to do with business, many of the women BusinessWest interviewed talked about being “compassionate leaders” and how women have changed the culture of the workplace, and will continue to do so as their numbers grow.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Labor Women project that women will account for 51% of the increase in total labor force growth between 2008 and 2018. And women say their expectations have had an impact on employers. “If employees are happy, a company does well,” Rondeau said. “The focus has shifted from the top down to the bottom up.”
McGuinness talked about the importance of keeping everyone happy, from customers to employees, which requires a woman to be compassionate, yet strong. “We have to prove we are solid and can play our game right, but also have compassion when people have challenges,” she said.
The mentoring Jillian Duclos received from McGuinness has allowed her to grow and inspired her to pursue her interest in politics. Since they met, Duclos has not only been a rising star in McGuinness’ restaurant businesses, she has also been a volunteer coordinator for State Rep. Aaron Vega, communications director for Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, and campaign manager for Holyoke City Councilor Jason Ferreira, which was her first venture into the political arena.
“I had never done it before,” she said, adding that McGuinness taught her what she knew about fund-raising, and she recently landed an internship with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Duclos met McGuinness when she was 18, and said her mentoring began after she was hired at Sylvester’s. The 24-year-old explained that, as time went on, McGuinness expected more and more of her. She met those demands and said she hopes to pay forward what she has received.
“You want to give back what people have given to you. Mo encouraged me to return to school and helped me to go on and do bigger and better things,” Duclos said, adding they attended the Women’s Fund of Western Mass. Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact together.

Shining Examples
Many women, including McGuinness, Lorenz, and Rondeau, have been successful in male-dominated industries. They were among a small group of female pioneers in Western Mass., and others look up to them today as their role models.
But these women say their journey was made easier due to their own mentors. Auto-dealer owner Lorenz was featured in Time magazine in 2009 when she was chosen to receive the Time Dealer of the Year Award for outstanding performance and being a valued member of the community. She called McDonald when she was in the airport on her way to speak to a crowd of 22,000 people at the National Automobile Dealers Assoc. Convention and had a case of the jitters.
“She has shown me how to be a very strong person,” Lorenz said, adding that the support she received was reassuring, even though they were in different industries.
Since that time, other women have sought her advice. “Women need to see other women who are confident and capable in their industry because they don’t have that opportunity very often. It gives them someone to talk to when they are not feeling that way and allows them to move forward,” Lorenz told BusinessWest.
McGuinness said it is still a struggle for women to rise to the top, especially if they are in male-dominated industries. In fact, people sometimes assume she is an employee of her two restaurants, while that never happens to her male co-owner. “It’s still a male-dominated world, and even though we have made it, young women struggle with the same issues that we did,” she said. “But today I won’t do business with someone if they don’t treat me the same way they would treat a man.”
Rosner concurred. “It’s about respect. We have had to fight the fight to stay on top internally within our organizations,” she said, adding that she started her banking career as a receptionist in 1984. “But you can do anything you believe you can do, and leading with compassion is what makes us amazing women as we help and mentor one another.”

Path to Success
Rosner continuously prods her students to realize their potential. At the end of every class she teaches and in e-mails, her message is the same. “I tell them, ‘now go and be great.’”
So, as more women step up to the plate to help themselves and others, their belief in what is possible continues to grow.
Rosner encourages all women to ask questions and do things even when they feel fearful. “The world is limitless, but you are only as good as the questions,” she said. “So, if you see a woman you admire, ask her, ‘Will you be my mentor?’”

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Departments Incorporations

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

CHICOPEE

Almonte Mini Market Inc., 47 Meetinghouse Road, Chicopee, MA 01013. Jose Almonte, 193 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Retail store market and sales.

Church of God Restored of Man Inc., 10 Center St., Suite 207, Chicopee, MA 01013. William Javier Santiago, 708 Main St., Springfield, MA 01105. Preach, and teach the word of God.

Diecast Tool & Die Company, 896 Sheridan St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Beth Zastawny, 91 Irla Dr., Ludlow, MA 01056. Manufacturing of aluminum components and molds.

FEEDING HILLS

ATZ Payroll Solutions Inc., 525 Springfield St., Suite M, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. James Shea, same. Payroll services.

GREENFIELD

Dat Group Inc., 53 Silvio O. Conte Dr., Greenfield, MA 01301. J. Nicholas Filler, same. Manufacturing and distribution.

HOLYOKE

Cindy M. Bigras Inc., 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Cindy Bigras, same. Financial planning and investment management.

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Mountain Lodge Owners Association Inc, 8 Dan Fox Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Brian Heller, 901 La Tierra Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078. Association in connection with the timeshare plan for Berkshire Mountain Lodge.

SPRINGFIELD

Chak’s Peacock Inc., 338 Cooley St., Springfield, MA 01128. Kam Chak, 17 Cluster Circle, Springfield, MA 01128. Restaurant.

Chieftan Inc., 38 Brighton St., Springfield, MA 01118. Joseph Salvatore Tavella III, same. Estimating and sales.

Creative Minds Early Learning Program and School Age Inc., 322 Commonwealth Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. Saida David, same. Daycare program.

Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Centers Inc., 11-13 Hampden St., Springfield, MA 01103. Herberto Flores, 833 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01107. To promote and support activities for the treatment of debilitating medical conditions.

Eli Serrano Ministries Inc., 30 Bowdoin St., Springfield, MA 01109. Eli Serrano, 20 Windermere Dr., Feeding Hills, MA 01109.

WESTFIELD

Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts Inc., 24 North Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085. Xiaoke Duan, 51 Laurel Lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. To preserve Chinese culture and heritage, celebrate Chinese cultural events, and assist and connect its members in order to: organize culturally related social and recreational activities; promote a broader and deeper understanding of Chinese culture; offer advisory and education to enable members to become better citizens; provide information for academic, career, and business opportunities; and advocate for the rights of ethnic minorities and assist Chinese newcomers in Western Mass.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Chamber Corners Departments

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700
• July 15: Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Golf Tournament, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Pomeroy Lane, Amherst.
Registration and lunch: 10:30 a.m. to noon; shotgun start: noon; reception and dinner: 5 p.m. Cost: $125 per player. Presented by the Hampshire Hospitality Group.

CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• August 1: Part 3 of a five-seminar series: “Conquering the Challenge of Employment Law Compliance for Small Businesses: What You Need to Know and How to Stay in Compliance,” from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the PeoplesBank Conference Room, 330 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke. Presenter will be Layla Taylor, Esq. This program will focus on:
• Identifying worker-classification issues (independent contractor versus employee);
• Wage-and-hour basics (minimum wage, overtime, exemptions, and child-labor laws);
• Immigration (I-9 compliance);
• Discrimination laws (federal and state, reasonable accommodation issues);
• Benefits (leave laws and health insurance);
• Communicating with employees without creating a contract; and
• How to stay in compliance (free resources and when to contact a professional).
• August 22: Part 4 of a five-seminar series: ‘Marketing Strategies that Lead to Growth,’ from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at PeoplesBank Conference Room, 330 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke. Presenter will be Mary McCarthy. Concerned about delivering your profit? Unsure how to reach your target audience? Overwhelmed with all the media options available? Smaller businesses often lack the time to execute their marketing tasks, and are challenged with budgetary constraints. This workshop is designed for businesses seeking cost-efficient and effective marketing strategies that lead to growth and seamless communication with their customers. Attendees will learn:
• Branding strategies that will effectively convey your marketing messages;
• How to distinguish your marketing plan from your competition;
• Effective ways to reach your target audience and foster loyal relationships;
• How to connect with today’s tech-savvy customers through social media; and
• Networking essentials that will help you get more business.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• July 26: The 29th Annual Golf Tournament, starting at 9 a.m. at Southampton Country Club. Reserve now before it sells out. Team fee: $400. Tee sponsorships available for $75/$125. Would you like to donate a raffle prize and/or to the golfer’s gift bag? Contact the chamber to sign up a team, arrange a tee sponsor, or with your raffle prize or gift donation.

HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• July 17: Chamber Business Connections, 5-7 p.m. at the Volleyball Hall of Fame, 444 Dwight St., Holyoke. Networking, refreshments, door prizes, and 50/50 raffle.
• Sept. 18: Save the date! Chamber Annual Clambake, 5-7:30 p.m. Plan now to make the clambake your employee picnic or employee-appreciation event. Watch for more details.

MASSACHUSETTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(413) 525-2506
• July 22: Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Tekoa Country Club, Westfield. Shotgun start at 11 a.m. Cost: $100 per golfer. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, call (413) 525-2506 or e-mail [email protected]
• Nov. 12: Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon, 9 a.m., at the DoubleTree, Westborough. For more information on ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities, call the chamber office at (413) 525-2506 or e-mail [email protected]

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
413-426-3880
• August 19: West of the River Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Golf Tournament, Springfield Country Club, West Springfield. Cost: $125 per golfer. Presenting Sponsor: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino of New England. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, call the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• Sept. 4: Wicked Wednesday, hosted By E.B’s, 5-7 p.m. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants. These events bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. Cost: free for chamber members, $10 for non-members (event is open to the public; you must pay at the door if you’re a non-member). For more information, call the chamber office at (413) 426-3880, or e-mail [email protected].

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• Sept. 11: September WestNet, 5-7 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Come and meet chamber members and bring your business cards for a great networking opportunity. Cost: $10 cash for chamber members, $15 cash for non-members. Walk-ins are welcome. Call the chamber at (413) 568-1618, or e-mail Pam Bussell at [email protected]. Your first WestNet is always free.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.springfieldyps.com
• July 18: July Third Thursday, 5-7 p.m. at the Sheraton Springfield, 1 Monarch Place, Springfield. Cost: Free for members, $10 non-members.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Agenda Departments

Yidstock 2013
July 18-21: Yidstock 2013: The Festival of New Yiddish Music will bring the top names in klezmer to the stage at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. The Klezmer Conservatory Band will kick off Yidstock on July 18, and the festival will continue with Klezperanto and Margot Leverett & the Klezmer Mountain Boys; Brass Khazones: Steven Bernstein and Frank London; the Wholesale Klezmer Band; Golem; and the Yidstock All-Stars. The weekend will conclude with a massive jam, featuring a Yidstock All-Stars band with players from the weekend’s bands, under the musical directorship of Frank London. Among those all-stars are two of the greatest clarinetists in klezmer, Ilene Stahl of Klezperanto and Margot Leverett of the Klezmer Mountain Boys. A series of workshops and talks is also on the schedule, including a Yiddish folk-dance workshop led by internationally renowned Steve Weintraub; a lecture by Hankus Netsky, a founder of the Klezmer Conservatory Band; an instrumental klezmer workshop; and a talk by author and music critic Seth Rogovoy. Back by popular demand, Yosi’s Kosher Falafel Tent will once again be serving an assortment of great food. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit yiddishbookcenter.org/yidstock or call (413) 256-4900.

Golf Tournament
July 22: The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts will hold its Annual Golf Classic at Crestview Country Club in Agawam. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. with a noon shotgun start for an 18-hole scramble. The cost is $140 per person, which includes golf and cart, lunch and tournament banquet, and team and skill prize eligibility. New this year is the Tee & Tan Golf Option, a nine-hole golf scramble followed by relaxation on a chaise at Crestview’s scenic pool area. The cost for the banquet only is $30. For registration and details, visit www.womensfund.net.

‘Second Chances’ Exhibit
Through July 25: Springfield Pulse Artspace presents a unique exhibition featuring innovative and colorful local artist Whitney Wood Rahm. “Second Chances: Balancing Passion, Purpose, and Obligation” features an eclectic range of original works by Rahm, including her whimsical and popular “Friendly Monsters,” made from barn board, scrap lumber, and found parts. Also on exhibit are Rahm’s highly inventive rescued and revived furniture, contemporary paintings, and unique photography. In addition, the exhibition will include a participatory art experience, where viewers will have a part in providing input for an upcoming piece to be created by Rahm. The exhibit is on display at 11 Pearl Street, Suite 235, Springfield, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Cars for a Cause
July 28: Berkshire Bank will sponsor Cars for a Cause, a community car-show event, in downtown Westfield from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at the bank’s Court Street branch. In addition to showcasing hundreds of classic and modern cars from across the region, the event will feature live music, food, and vendors along with hundreds of cars. Berkshire Bank’s Court Street parking lot will be closed to the public to allow for cars and vendors. Car enthusiasts interested in exhibiting their cars at the show should arrive between 10 and 11 a.m. the day of the event. There is no pre-event registration, and cars will be admitted until space runs out. Cars in the show are asked to enter the bank parking lot from Court Street, where volunteers will assist with parking. Cars for a Cause costs $3 per person to attend, and there is a $10 entry fee for car exhibitors; all funds raised will be donated to the One Fund Boston to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings in April. Awards will be distributed to the top cars. For more information on exhibiting a car, call Kyle Rosa at Berkshire Bank at (413) 564-6219.

Wistariahurst Exhibition
Through August: Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke has unveiled its Summer Gallery Exhibition, “Behind the Scenery: Sketches to Cityscapes.” Local artist Caleb Colon gives an intimate look at the artist’s process of selection, direction, and creation, featuring displays of the works as paintings begin, progress, and finally reach completion. Works shown in the exhibition are inspired by local scenes and sites along the Connecticut River. Studies, sketches, and photos are also on view, showing another layer of the process. Gallery admission is $3.

Western Mass. Business Expo 2013
Nov. 6: Planning is underway for the Western Mass. Business Expo 2013, a day-long business-to-business event to take place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. This fall’s show, the third edition of the Expo, which is again being produced by BusinessWest, will feature more than 150 exhibitors, seminars on timely issues of the day, special Show Floor Theater presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and the wrap-up Expo social, which has become a not-to-be-missed networking event. Details will be printed in upcoming editions of BusinessWest and can also be seen online at www.wmbexpo.com or www.businesswest.com. For more information on the event or to reserve booth space, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Alves, James
106 Genovevo Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Ayala, Victor A.
32 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Ballard, James
123 Maplewood Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/13

Bernard, Dawn M.
102 Celebration Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/13

Botto, Vincenzo
133 Braeburn Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/13

Burelle, Don Roger
66 1/2 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/13

Chimi, Joseph Anthony
Chimi, Tammy Marie
107L Ferry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/13

Clark, Roberta L.
139 Union St., Unit 22
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/13

Coelho, Nancy M.
130 Loopley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Colon, Maritza A.
a/k/a Rivera, Maritza A.
87 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/13

Colon, Mildred
37 Lynebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/13

Constantilos, Adam D.
137 Main St.
Haydenville, MA 01039
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Corby, David A.
107 Hardwick Pond Road
Hardwick, MA 01037
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/13

Cote, Renee J.
Patterson, Erik W.
7 Water St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Cote, Wayne S.
Cote, Elise A.
64 Maple St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/13

Cundiff, Roy E.
17 Crossways Place
Osterville, MA 02655
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Czelusniak, Ronald M.
22 Brooks Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Czerniak, Matthew H.
Czerniak, Jessica A.
44 Markham Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/13

Czupryna, Sandra M.
PO Box 48
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/13

Davis, Elizabeth A.
549 Russell Road, Apt. 4C
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/13

Dearman, Gary A.
Dearman, Mary A.
28 Sherwood Terrace
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/13

Deso, Henry L.
Deso, Anita A.
10 Congress St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Desorcy, Michael P.
190 Daviston St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Dragan, Donna S.
414 Pine St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Dubuque, Douglas Raymond
Dubuque, Heather L.
815 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/13

Engel-Dragon, Dianne Marie
30 King Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Family Transport
Cormier, Ora C.
33 Old New England Path
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Farina, Kimberly
20 Beechwood Dr.
Rutland, MA 01543
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Ferranti, Michael Andrew
147 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Flowers, Patricia
52 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/13

Flynn, Michael J.
Flynn, Tammy A.
43 Birch St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/13

Foerster, Richard A.
141 Applewood Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/13

G&B Construction
Brutskiy, Gennadiy
58 Worcester St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Gallant, Tanya
35 Orlando St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/13

Giordano, Mary E.
151 Old Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/13

Gray-Lewis, Jenifer Lynn
113 Market St. Apt. 2
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/13

Grimaldi, Albert J.
84 Falmouth Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/13

Hart, John P.
Hart, Rosemary J.
249 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Heller, Jeffrey W.
73 Hall Road, Apt. #2
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/13

Jarrett, Theodore C.
87 School St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Krause-LLoyd, Sara A.
297 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Kusnick, Eric S.
15 Woronoco Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/03/13

Latulippe, Yvan L.
Latulippe, Carrie A.
110 Griffin St.
Bondsville, MA 01009
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Lavalley, Tracy J.
a/k/a Bennett, Tracy Jean
24 Sandra Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Lazzari, Law Office of Jay
Lazzari, Jay Victor
84 Briar Cliff St
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Lunghi, Elizabeth Ann
a/k/a Romito, Elizabeth
a/k/a Turner, Elizabeth
90 Lovefield St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Makrianis, Sue Ellen
68 Edbert St., Apt. J
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/13

Maldonado, Angela
a/k/a Cruz, Angela Maldonado
175 Farnum Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040-2808
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/13

Marrero, Carmelo R.
Marrero, Glenda I.
46 Sumner Terrace #2
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/13

Menard, Holly A.
34 Wright St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

McCullough, Thomas E.
329 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/13

McGee, Laurie J.
182 Morton St
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/13

Michaels, George T.
125 Country Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/13

Miller, Robert M.
Miller, Deborah A.
a/k/a Miller, Deborah O’Donnell
181 Salisbury Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/13

Mock, Lawrence I.
53 Meadowlark Lane
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Molleur, Brian B.
101 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/13

Mountain’s Brook Hideaway
Twin Brook Farm
Wide Range Inv.
Giard, Paul A.
42 Purington Lane
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/13

Murray, Colleen A.
7 Worthy Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/13

Mylonakis, Niki K.
34 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Nedeoglo, Alla
a/k/a Chepurenko, Alla
500 Westfield Road
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Ocasio, Andy
P.O. Box 30082
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Rees, Rebecca H.
44 Lorenzo St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/13

Rivera, Lydia E.
27 Boyer St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/13

Riverstone Plumbing and Heating
Szentmiklosy, Shawn
Szentmiklosy, Tonya Beth
P.O. Box 616
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/13

Rivet, Cathy S.
a/k/a Corrales, Cathy S.
32 Szlosek Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Roman, Elias
48 Roberto Clemente
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/13

Rooney, Michael Francis
95 Sterling St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Ross, Amy E.
a/k/a Jacob, Amy
85 Sturbridge Hills Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/13

Ryan, Matthew J.
294 Sumner Ave., Apt. 8
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Santiago, Ricardo
316 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/13

Scherer, Melissa L.
176 West St.
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/13

The Mountain Goat – North
LaFleur, Arthur John
Colwell, Mary Patricia
50 Union St. #5
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/13

Tinney, Lisa M.
848 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Tranghese, Christopher
113 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Tucker, Scott Joseph
Tucker, Kathleen Ellyn
67 Royalton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Uschmann, Aaron Joseph
170 East Hadley Road #10
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/13

West, William James
West, Gail M.
12 Dug Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/13

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of and July 2013.

AGAWAM

Elite Transport
7 Mansion Woods
Dmitriy Patsera

Mariah’s Closet
417 Springfield St.
Robert Torte

Moon & Stars Daycare
148 Anvil St.
Michelle Moon-Smart

CHICOPEE

Avia Whole Body Center
309 Front St.
David Silva

D & C Granite & Marble
100 State St.
Luis Serrazina

Generations
233 Grattan St.
Lisa Carlson

Houle Property Services
42 Silivin Road
David Houle

Lemelin Photography
86 Lawrence Road
Ronald Lemelin

Lori L’s
1263 Granby Road
Loreen Lundrigan

Volcomm Corporation
176 Center St.
Mustafa Sayici

GREENFIELD

Container Gardens & Flora Designs
54 Congress St.
Martina Merrigan

The Stock Pot
22 Federal St.
Nathaniel Dillenback

HOLYOKE

Bamboo House
2223 Northampton St.
Neil Wong

Game Depot
1375 Dwight St.
Anthony Caldalda

Hollister
50 Holyoke St.
Robert Brown

PALMER

A-1 Custom Cleaners
34 North St.
Larry Hogan

Bob’s Small Engine Repair
106 Belchertown St.
Joyce Cain

Nightmare Engineering
17 Cleveland St.
Jeremy Griswold

Palmer Package Store
1615 North Main St.
Jorge Martins

SJB Stone Repair
34 Laurel Road
Adam Brewer

Steaming Tender Restaurant
28 Depot St.
Robin Lamothe

SOUTHWICK

Candlewood Inn
739 College Highway
William Najam

Lakewood Village, LLC
160 Point Grove Road
Mary Thayer

SPRINGFIELD

American Traditional
54 Lucerne Road
Thomas Edens

Andujar Maintenance
3 Glendell Terrace
Rafael B. Andujar

Axiom Insurance Agency
251 Boston Road
Lance D. Letourneau

Baker’s Landscaping
288 Centre St.
Kevin E. Baker

Baron Capital, LLC
1375 Carew St.
Patrick Charles

Borgatti’s Foreclosure
88 Tamarack Dr.
Justin Matthew

Browz Studio
520 Main St.
Mongali Gurung

Tascon & Company
219 Seymour Ave.
Mario J. Tascon

WESTFIELD

Backyard Bobcat Service
14 Mather St.
Michael Shaker

Great White Cleaning Company
10 Day Ave.
Scott Texeira

Mike’s Barber Shop
148 Elm St.
Mohamad Saleh

Swords Home Improvement
173 Highland Ave.
Keith Swords

TLC Insurance & Investments
156 Elm St.
Anthony L. Campbell

Westfield Equipment Services
11 Airport Dr.
Josh Toomey

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Fat Boyz Kustoms
168 Norman St.
Eric J. Cross

Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria
60 Park St.
Maria Alfarone

Northeast Laser Center
1132 Westfield St.
John P. Frangie

Spirit Halloween Superstore
935 Riverdale St.
Barry Susson

St. Ann’s Society
110 Winona Dr.
Nancy Tessier

Elegant Nail
632 Kings Highway
Lien Tran

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Briefcase Departments

Holyoke Medical Center Taps New Jersey’s Hatiras as New President, CEO
HOLYOKE — The board of directors of Valley Health Systems and Holyoke Medical Center have announced that Spiros Hatiras will become the next president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and its affiliates. Hatiras will succeed Hank Porten, who is stepping down after nearly 28 years in that role. “We are absolutely delighted to bring such an accomplished and passionate leader to our hospital and community,” said Priscilla Mandrachia, chairwoman of the board of directors of Valley Health Systems, the parent company of Holyoke Medical Center and its affiliates. “The search committee, after an exhaustive process, was particularly impressed with Mr. Hatiras’ understanding of our culture and love of community healthcare. He has expertise in reform initiatives and a deep commitment to physicians, staff, and quality services. Valley Health Systems and Holyoke Medical Center have been fortunate to have had the leadership of our present CEO, Hank Porten, for 28 years. We expect Mr. Hatiras to build on Mr. Porten’s accomplishments and lead our healthcare system successfully into the future.” Hatiras previously served as president and CEO of Hoboken University Medical Center in New Jersey, a 333-bed facility with nearly 500 physicians and nurses offering a full range of medical services. During his tenure there, Hatiras cut operating losses in half over two consecutive fiscal years without reducing staff, and oversaw the implementation of electronic medical records. “We all know healthcare is going through some very complicated changes, and Mr. Hatiras has demonstrated the knowledge and ability to meet these challenges head on,” said Peter Connor, chairman of the board of directors at Holyoke Medical Center. “He is a proven leader who understands our mission as a community hospital and will help guide us through the complexities of healthcare reform while maintaining a focus on quality care and patient satisfaction.” Currently serving as chief operating officer of NIT Health in New York, specializing in the implementation of electronic medical records for hospitals and health care systems, Hatiras has had a distinguished healthcare career in New Jersey. In addition to his work at Hoboken University Medical Center amid a complicated transition to private ownership, he has also served as vice president of post-acute, ancillary, and support services for Bon Secours Health System and corporate director of rehabilitation services for Franciscan Health System of New Jersey. “I am extremely excited to join Valley Health Systems and Holyoke Medical Center,” Hatiras said. “It’s the best fit for both of us. I’m returning to do what I love the best, working in a community hospital and helping it succeed. And the hospital’s commitment to community health is exactly what healthcare reform should be embracing. I look forward to working with the entire organization to build upon the solid foundation that Hank has left for us. The hospital is positioned well for the future. I’m ready to go.” Hatiras is certified in healthcare management by the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has a master’s degree in health care management from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the Athens Institute of Technology in Athens, Greece. He currently lives with his wife, Gwen, and two children, Ava and Zach, in New Jersey. “My wife and I are very excited about moving our family to Massachusetts,” Hatiras said. “It’s the perfect location for us.” He will assume leadership of Holyoke Medical Center in early September, at which time he will also move to the area. Hatiras’ wife and children will relocate after his daughter Ava’s graduation from high school next year. Holyoke Medical Center is a 198-bed facility with 1,200 employees, including more than 260 physicians and consulting staff.

Obama Administration Delays Healthcare Law’s Insurance Mandate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this month, President Obama’s administration announced a one-year delay in his healthcare law’s mandate that larger employers provide coverage for their workers or pay penalties. The decision postpones the effective date beyond next year’s midterm elections into 2015. Employer groups welcomed the news of the concession, while Republicans made it clear that they would not cease to make the law a key campaign issue for the third straight election cycle. While the postponement does not affect other central provisions of the law, including those establishing health-insurance marketplaces in the states, known as exchanges, it throws into disarray the administration’s effort to put those provisions into effect by Jan. 1. Under the law, most Americans will be required to have insurance in January 2014, or they will be subject to tax penalties. The administration’s announcement did not address delaying that requirement or those penalties. Administration officials sought to put the action in a positive light. “We have heard concerns about the complexity of the requirements and the need for more time to implement them effectively,” Mark Mazur, assistant Treasury secretary, wrote on his department’s website. “We recognize that the vast majority of businesses that will need to do this reporting already provide health insurance to their workers, and we want to make sure it is easy for others to do so.” The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, originally required employers with more than 50 full-time workers to offer them affordable health insurance starting in 2014 or face fines. Some companies with payrolls just above that threshold said they would cut jobs or switch some full-time workers to part-time employment so that they could avoid providing coverage. Under the provisions to set up state-based marketplaces for coverage for uninsured Americans, subsidies are supposed to be available for lower- and middle-income people who qualify and are not insured through their employers. By delaying the mandate for businesses and its reporting requirements, the government may be unable to confirm before 2015 whether employers are offering insurance to their employees, making it difficult for the exchanges to know who is entitled to subsidies to help pay for policies. Enrollment in the exchanges is to begin Oct. 1, with insurance coverage taking effect Jan. 1. “We are on target to open the health-insurance marketplace on Oct. 1, where small businesses and ordinary Americans will be able to go to one place to learn about their coverage options and make side-by-side comparisons of each plan’s price and benefits before they make their decision,” Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s senior adviser and liaison to the business community, wrote on the White House website.

Economic Growth Remains Sluggish in Massachusetts
BOSTON — Even as the Massachusetts economy shows some genuine signs of strength, contractionary federal government fiscal policy is slowing economic growth in Massachusetts, according to a recent report by regional economists for MassBenchmarks. In the coming months, assuming these policies stay in place, a further retarding of economic growth can be expected. At the same time, the state’s labor market continues to be under considerable stress and faces profound challenges that are not fully reflected in the state’s headline unemployment rate. The strengthening of the state housing market is the most prominent sign of strength in the state economy. Residential house prices, sales, and building permits are all on the rise. As a result, employment in the construction sector is increasing, but it remains well below its pre-recession levels. The unemployment rate, despite a recent uptick, remains one percentage point below the national level. Strong state sales-tax collections reflect the willingness of households to spend, especially for new automobiles. But these signs of life are being undermined by federal tax and budget policies that have been implemented since the first of the year. On the tax side, income-tax rates were increased for upper-income households on Jan. 1. In addition, the temporary payroll tax cut, which had been implemented during the recession, was not extended. This has a more widespread impact, with a disproportionate burden being placed on low-income households. Had these tax increases been offset by increased federal investment, their impact would have been modest, but instead the federal government elected to adopt significant spending cuts. Federal budget sequestration, implemented in March, has an obvious impact on the state’s research-intensive enterprises and government contractors. But its impact also extends to Head Start and other educational programs, career centers, job-training services, and Community Development Block Grant funds, all of which have experienced significant cuts in recent months. The impact of these federal policies can be seen in the state’s recent economic performance. According to the MassBenchmarks Current Economic Index, growth in state gross domestic product slowed to a 1% annualized rate of growth in April and May. Employment growth in the state has virtually stalled, and state withholding tax growth reflects this. And growing international competition and the economic challenges facing the state’s major trading partners, including Canada, the European Union, and Asia, appear to be taking their toll on the Commonwealth’s export activity, which declined by 11.1% between April 2012 and April 2013. While labor conditions in Massachusetts appear to be better than those nationally, there are signs of considerable stress in the state labor market. Underemployment (those working part-time but wanting full-time work) has risen during the first five months of the year, and hidden unemployment (those who are out of work, have not looked for a job in the last four weeks, and would take a job if offered) is also on the rise. The plight of younger and less skilled workers is of particular concern, the report notes, as the extent of their disconnection from the labor market is troublingly high, and the longer it lasts, the more difficult it will be to remedy. For these workers, the improvement in headline unemployment is of little consolation, as their prospects for employment are being limited by a recovery that is being undermined by counterproductive federal policy choices.

Construction Industry Adds 13,000 Jobs in June
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In June, the nation’s construction industry unemployment rate fell to 9.8% for the first time since September 2007 with the addition of 13,000 jobs, according the July 5 report by the Department of Labor. Since June 2012, the industry has added 190,000 jobs, a 3.4% increase. Every major category of construction experienced gains in employment for the month. Non-residential building construction employment increased by 700 jobs for the month and has added 16,400 jobs, or 2.5%, during the last 12 months. Residential building construction employment inched up by 100 jobs in June and is up by 13,100 jobs, or 2.3%, compared to the same time last year. Non-residential specialty trade contractors gained 2,100 jobs for the month and have added 47,100 jobs, or 2.3%, during the last 12 months. Residential specialty trade contractors have added 5,100 jobs since May and gained 77,100 jobs, or 5.2%, since June 2012. Heavy and civil-engineering construction employment increased by 5,600 jobs last month, and the sector has added 36,300 jobs, or 4.2%, from one year ago. Across all industries, the nation added 195,000 jobs as the private sector expanded by 202,000 jobs and the public sector shrunk by 7,000 jobs. However, the nation’s unemployment rate was unchanged from the previous month at 7.6% and remains lower than the 8.2% registered in June 2012. “Today’s employment report is positive news for the nation’s construction industry,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “While the economy continues to face a number of headwinds, including most recently in the form of higher interest rates, the wealth effect associated with rising equity markets and home prices dominates the recovery. The result has been steady expansion in consumer spending, which is associated with expanding job creation in closely aligned sectors of the economy. For construction contractors, the implication is that the volume of work associated with lodging and shopping-center construction will continue to march higher.” Basu noted that one-third of the construction jobs added last month were added by specialty trade contractors. “There was also evidence of more people falling into part-time work, and the broadest measure of unemployment, which includes discouraged workers and people working part-time for economic reasons, rose to 14.3% in June. Despite this increase, the construction industry’s diminishing unemployment rate shows that societal income tied to wages and salaries continues to expand slowly, which suggests the economy will only grow at a moderate pace. That should be enough to help drive nonresidential construction spending higher, but progress will remain gradual.”

Horace Smith Fund Awards $276,000 to Area Students
SPRINGFIELD — On June 13, The Horace Smith Fund staged its 114th corporators’ meeting and scholarship awards ceremony at Elms College. Samalid Hogan, chair of the board of trustees, announced 24 scholarship and three fellowship recipients this year. “Providing that students maintain at least a B average in college, each scholarship provides a total of $10,000 over four years, and each fellowship provides $12,000 over three years,” she told the audience comprised of the students, parents, trustees, and corporators. “Therefore, The Horace Smith Fund is happy to be able to grant a total award of $276,000 to area students this year.” The Horace Smith Fund was established in 1899 by a successful and generous philanthropist named Horace Smith, according to James Broderick, chair of the scholarship committee. “He and Daniel Wesson were the founders of Smith & Wesson, located in Springfield. Mr. Smith’s will provided that the residual of his estate, after several bequests to relatives and institutions, was to be used for public purposes at the discretion of his executors. They decided that it should be used to help deserving students finance their education.” The scholarships and fellowships are named for Walter F. Barr, a West Springfield businessman, whose widow left the bulk of the family estate to the Horace Smith Fund in 1950. Recipients must be residents of Hampden County. The keynote speaker at the awards ceremony, attorney Michael Gove, was a past recipient of the Walter S. Barr Scholarship and Fellowship.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

Curry Printing Moves to Union Street
WEST SPRINGFIELD — After 37 years in the same location at 191 Elm St., Curry Printing has moved to 91 Union St. in West Springfield. Curry’s new location is larger and will offer better parking for its customers. Curry has continued to stay on top of the ever-changing world of digital printing. It offers full-color, on-demand printing of brochures, envelopes, posters, carbonless forms, booklets, manuals, and other time-sensitive projects. The shop also prints large-format display items such as banners, posters, and outdoor signs. An overhead door at the new location will enable indoor installation of vehicle graphics. Curry can still be reached at (413) 785-1363. The website is www.curry-printing.com.

AIC to Offer Program in Public Health
SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to address continuing and emerging health challenges, American International College has established a new undergraduate major in Public Health. Cesarina Thompson, dean of the AIC School of Health Sciences, said the program, which begins in the fall, builds on the school’s other successful health programs of Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. “The new Public Health major will prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings and engage in a wide range of health promotion, health protection, and disease-prevention activities,” said Thompson. “Even though the U.S. spends far more on medical care than any other nation, we rank well below many of its global counterparts and competitors on a number of health outcomes, including overall life expectancy and the incidence of preventable diseases and injuries.” At the completion of the program, Thompson said, it is expected that graduates will have the necessary knowledge of methods to assess population-wide health concerns and understanding related to the U.S. and other selected healthcare and healthcare-delivery systems. Students will also learn structures for and approaches to developing health policies and health-policy analysis. Other areas of study will include population health perspectives and the needs of vulnerable populations, social and behavioral theories applicable to health behavior and how these theories may be applied to address a variety of public health issues, and principles of epidemiology necessary to understand health and illness.

HVAC Supplier SpacePak Introduces AirCell
WESTFIELD — Leading HVAC systems supplier SpacePak recently announced the introduction of AirCell, a new hydronic product for commercial and residential applications. AirCell is a modular, compact, high-efficiency air handler that uses 30% less energy than traditional fan-based HVAC systems, the company said. SpacePak’s hydronic technology, the most efficient way to transfer energy for both heating and cooling, offers an environmentally friendly system that reduces the amount of CFCs used. Additionally, micro-zone design creates multiple precise, self-controlled areas to reduce energy and fuel usage. The systems were designed by Mestek Inc., a family of manufacturers of HVAC equipment and automated manufacturing machinery based in Westfield. John Baldasaro, director of Sales for the Residential Comfort Group at Mestek, explained that the SpacePak and AirCell systems offer an alternative to traditional systems that carry chemical refrigerants into the home. “Hydronic systems are more environmentally friendly because water is a better conductor of energy than air, and AirCell allows for refrigerants to remain outside of the building, cooling or heating the water that ultimately travels through the system,” he said, noting that AirCell uses variable-speed fans and an integrated control system that automatically slows fan speeds during off-peak times, reducing overall energy usage.

Mercy Again Recognized as Top 100 Value Hospital
SPRINGFIELD — For the fourth consecutive year, Mercy Medical Center has been recognized as a Top 100 Community Value hospital by Cleverley + Associates, a leading healthcare financial consulting firm. Mercy’s designation is noted in the independent organization’s recent publication State of the Hospital Industry – 2013 Edition. “Mercy Medical Center’s longstanding reputation for delivering high-quality care at a reasonable cost has once again been independently confirmed with the presentation of both the Community Value 100 and Community Value Five Star Awards,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO for the Sisters of Providence Health System. “We are proud to be identified among the nation’s highest-scoring facilities in measures of quality of care and costs for the fourth year in a row. With an increasing focus on healthcare value and value-based purchasing of healthcare services driven by healthcare reform, providers are challenged to maximize their productivity and efficiency without sacrificing quality. These awards are further validation that Mercy Medical Center successfully meets those challenges.” The State of the Hospital Industry reports selected measures of hospital financial performance and discusses the critical factors that lie behind them.

Big Y Donates $40,000 to Red Cross Oklahoma Tornado Disaster Relief
SPRINGFIELD — In response to tornadoes that touched down recently and caused massive destruction throughout parts of Oklahoma, Big Y World Class Markets responded by hosting a donation program in all Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customer and employees for the American Red Cross disaster relief. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program. The community and employee donations, along with additional support from Big Y, resulted in a donation of $40,000, which will be utilized by both Massachusetts and Connecticut American Red Cross chapters in support of the ongoing relief efforts in the devastated communities and for the many people affected by the natural disaster. A formal check presentation to the Massachusetts American Red Cross was held on June 26. Donald D’Amour, CEO of Big Y Foods, presented the contribution to Rick Lee, Pioneer Valley Chapter director, and Mark Brinkerhoff, Pioneer Valley director of Community Support. “Time and time again, Big Y, its employees, and customers have shown incredible compassion and generosity toward people in need,” said Lee. “This customer donation program is one of many that Big Y has run for the Red Cross in recent years, and we are more than grateful for their continued support.”

Easthampton Savings to Build New Office in Belchertown
EASTHAMPTON — William Hogan Jr., president of Easthampton Savings Bank, recently announced the bank’s plans to build a new office in Belchertown. The bank purchased a piece of property and will be constructing a 2,500-square-foot, full-service office, with a drive-up ATM and safe-deposit boxes. It will be located less than a mile from the bank’s current location at 175 State St. The bank has leased space in Belchertown for almost 10 years. The decision to build was based on Easthampton Savings Bank’s long-term commitment to the town of Belchertown. The bank plans to have the new office open by the end of 2013.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff July 16, 2013

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Trustees of the Yorktown Condominium Trust v. US Bank National Assoc. Trustee RASC 2007 EMX1
Allegation: Claim to enforce a condominium lien for non-payment of common charges and for order of foreclosure of lien for non-payment: $5,000
Filed: 6/11/13

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Edwin C. Gray and Daniel Gray v. Feed Commodities International Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and breach of implied warranty pertaining to the sale of bird feed resulting in damaged game birds and eggs, lost profits, and physical and emotional harm: $532,511.55
Filed: 5/31/13

Lane Construction Corp. v. Northern Land Clearing Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of materials and services rendered and breach of contract: $59,573.90
Filed: 5/24/13

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Donna Berry v. NiSource/Columbia Gas of MA
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 5/17/13

Joan and Robert Blakeslee v. Main Street America Assurance Co.
Allegation: Insurer has failed to pay for losses under insurance policy: $106,000
Filed: 5/29/13

The Dollfus Mieg Co. Inc. v. The JannLynn Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $27,746.67
Filed: 5/17/13

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. v. Competitive Edge Ski & Bike Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $14,014.43
Filed: 5/6/13

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
City Electric Supply Co. v. Steven Soby, d/b/a Soby Electric
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $17,645.98
Filed: 4/17/13

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Adelphia Graphic Systems Inc. v. W.S. Sign Design Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $9,939.56
Filed: 5/8/13

Maria Tirado v. SJA Real Estate Investing, LLC
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property causing injury: $5,774.32
Filed: 6/10/13

Nurses on Demand, LLC v. The Northeast Health Group Inc. d/b/a Chapin Center, Governors Center, Willimansett Center East, and Willimansett Center West
Allegation: Failure to pay for nursing services provided by plaintiff: $24,419.13
Filed: 6/3/13

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Martin Topor Oil Co. Inc. d/b/a Central Oil v. W & I Construction Inc.
Allegation: Suit on an unsatisfied judgment: $13,660.03
Filed: 6/5/13

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Chamber Corners Departments

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700

• July 15: Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Golf Tournament, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Pomeroy Lane, Amherst. Presented by Hampshire Hospitality Group. Registration and Lunch 10:30 a.m. to noon; shotgun start at 12 noon; reception and dinner at 5 p.m. Cost: $125 per player.

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

• July 11: See the Seminar Series listing above.

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

• July 26: The 29th Annual Golf Tournament, 9 a.m., Southampton Country Club. Team fee: $400. Tee sponsorships available for $75-$125. Would you like to donate a raffle prize and/or something to the golfer’s gift bag? Contact the chamber to sign up a team, arrange a tee sponsor, or make a raffle prize or gift donation.

MASSACHUSETTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
massachusettschamberofcommerce.com
(413) 525-2506

• July 22: Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, Tekoa Country Club, Westfield. Shotgun start: 11 a.m. Cost: $100 per golfer. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, contact the chamber office at (413) 525-2506 or e-mail [email protected].

NORTHAMPTON AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

• July 10: Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. Arrive when you can, stay as long as you can. A casual mix and mingle with colleagues and friends. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

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

• Aug. 19: West of the River Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Golf Tournament, Springfield Country Club, West Springfield. Presenting sponsor: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino of New England. Cost: $125 per golfer. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.springfieldyps.com

• July 18: July Third Thursday, 5-7 p.m., Sheraton Springfield, 1 Monarch Place, Springfield. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members.

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Aldrich, Lisa M.
156 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Anthony, Tony
62 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Arroyo, Ricardo
Arroyo, Milagros
5 Deveau St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/13

AZPCO of Hadley Inc.
Arizona Pizza
AZPCO of Clifton Park Inc.
Montra, Inc.
Trask, Robert W.
Trask, Erin M.
3 Silvermine Lane
West Stockbridge, MA 01266
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Ball, Charles M.
Ball, Dawn Y.
1286 North St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Barton, Kimberle P.
a/k/a Schneewind, Kimberle P.
4 Mount Vernon Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/13

Boisvere, Michael S.
31 Sunset Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Boyd, Michael A
Boyd, Tammy L.
82 Strong Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/13

Bozyk, Christopher
Bozyk, Francisca
a/k/a Navarro, Francisca
2452 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/13

Brownson, Shannon
434 Stockbridge Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/22/13

Casterella, John
23 Westminister St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/13

Conrad, Richard
P.O. Box 811
Goshen, MA 01032
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Cote, Kelsey L.
a/k/a Dixon, Kelsey
100 Pequot Point Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Cote, Raymond W.
a/k/a Dukette, Raymond M.
100 Pequot Point Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Crapps, Ronnie E.
Barber-Crapps, Sarah A.
133 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/13

Czuchra, Kenneth J.
a/k/a Zukes Mac Shack
25 Rita Mary Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/13

D & D Remodeling
Beach, David J.
121 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Dallmeyer, Mark E.
Dallmeyer, Marcia M.
75 Shaker Lane
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Davis, Donald V.
263 Grove St.
Apartment 1B
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/21/13

DeCaro, Elvia Giovanna
137 Nonotuck St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

DeChristopher, Donna C.
a/k/a Jorgensen, Donna C.
26 Old Mill Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Dufresne Entertainment
Dufresne, Dusti V.
85 Lincoln St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Echard, Jason B.
Echard, Lisa A.
76 Highland Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Fatima, Bilqis
32 Charbonneau Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/13

Ferguson, Sean A.
14 Royal Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Glenowicz, John J.
Glenowicz, Louise M.
405 Ryan Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Graham, James F.
63 Harvard St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/13

Graves, Ashley W.
a/k/a Reopell, Robin M.
Graves, Robin M.
P.O. Box 297
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/13

Gwozdzik, Katherine Ellen
a/k/a Marinello, Katherine Ellen
27 Labrie Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Herr, Traci D.
a/k/a Czelusniak, Traci Donna
955 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/13

JLEM Landscaping Co.
Hulland, Robert L.
a/k/a Hulland, Larry
Hulland, Jill M.
12 Kathy Way
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Kelly, Richard F
Kelly, Debra A.
34 Meadowbrook Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/13

King, Raymond J.
229 Cadwell Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Kirby, Tara L.
92 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/13

Krstyen, Daniel
16 Sargent St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/13

Le, Bong
P.O. Box 81412
Springfield, MA 01138
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Ledoux, Verna
5 Ronald Cir.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/13

Leone, Ann Marie
85 Euclid Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Lovely, Michael Arnold
Lovely, Allison Marie
854 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/13

Lyne, William R
Lyne, Dina M.
a/k/a Peters, Dina M.
54 Kensington St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Mann, Holly Marie
4B Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Manning, Susan
9 Grant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Meeker, Harold A.
119 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Moreno, Lawrence A.
55 6th St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/13

Muzzy, William
Muzzy, Adrianne
43 Noblehurst Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Orange Blossom
Royal, David W.
Royal, Leanne
85 Lincoln Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Pavlakos, Antonios
Pavlakos, Jacqueline Ann
11B Sunnyside Ave.
Rutland, MA 01543
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Pelletier, Maria S.
149 Fernbank Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/13

Poreda, Michael J.
125 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/13

Rand, Jill A.
75 Commercial St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/13

Rent to Own Autos
Gaynor, Brian David
127 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Rogers, William I.
P.O. Box 609
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/13

Savage, Katherine M.
47 Mountainview Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/13

Shamleffer, William Paul
Shamleffer, Noel Alwood
18 Wesson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Sherokow, Dana G.
Sherokow, Candace L.
a/k/a Thibodeau, Candace L.
101 Regal St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/13

St. Pierre, Kathrine J.
30 Tom St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/13

Subocz, Jason E.
12 Harvey St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Swanson, Philip L.
303 Fairview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/13

Torres, Janessa M.
98 Brandon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Vail, Michael Kane
Vail, Jennifer Marie
73 Hall Road
Apt No. 10
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Vescovi, Paul A.
Vescovi, Domenica A.
46 Arthur Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

Vickery, David R.
18 Kent Ave., Apt. 1A
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/13

Waters, Kristopher Alan
178 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/13

White, Darnelle
65 Broadway St., Apt. 10
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/13

Wolons, Martin D.
23 Mt. Jefferson Road
Hubbardston, MA 01452
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/13

Woods, Kelly
77 Laurel St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/13

Wright, Bruce G.
38 Jasper St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/13

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Opinion

Education Reform at 20; There’s Work to Do

By Tom Birmingham
If you had told me on that hot day in Malden 20 years ago when Gov. Bill Weld signed the Education Reform Act that over 90% of Massachusetts students would pass MCAS, or that the Commonwealth’s SAT scores would rise for 13 consecutive years, or that our students would become the first in every category in every grade on national testing known as “the Nation’s Report Card,” or that Massachusetts would rank at or near the top in international science tests, I would have thought you wildly optimistic.
Massachusetts public schools have achieved all these results and more since 1993, but there is still more to do. I am troubled, for instance, by race- and class-based achievement gaps. Nonetheless, two decades after the passage of education reform, we have much to celebrate.
Hardworking students and committed teachers deserve the lion’s share of credit for our success, but policy makers established a structure that enabled educational progress. The Education Reform Act is a complicated piece of legislation containing many innovative initiatives, including the creation of charter schools.
But for all its complexity, the Education Reform Act can be reduced, in essence, to two propositions: We will make a massive infusion of progressively distributed dollars into our public schools, and in return, we demand high standards and accountability from all education stakeholders. This grand bargain is the cornerstone of education reform.
Our fidelity to these two core principles helps explain our extraordinary achievements. Throughout the 1990s and in the first years of this century, support for public education was the top priority of state government, and our budgets reflected this. From 1993 to 2002, state spending on public schools increased 8% per year, for a total of more than $2 billion. Our success correlated with the adoption and application of the criterion-based MCAS testing, with state leaders (notably including Paul Cellucci) united in support despite repeated requests to retreat.
Today, I fear we may be veering away from the act’s two core values — adequate funding and rigorous standards. If we abandon the bedrock principles that have proven to be historically successful, we imperil the progress we have made. In the last decade, support for public schools lost its primacy on Beacon Hill and state budgets reflect that. Today our inflation-adjusted education appropriation is the same as it was in 2002.
In contrast to the generous expansion of the 1990s, education funding for the last decade has remained flat. As a result, according to the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, many (mostly low-income) school districts simply do not have the resources needed to provide the caliber of education envisioned in the reform act’s foundation budget.
I also fear that universal high standards and objective assessments are being jettisoned in favor of a return to vague expectations and fuzzy standards. The Patrick administration’s embrace of so-called “21st-century skills” elevates concepts like “global awareness” and “systems thinking” to new prominence in the public-school curriculum. I’m all for higher-order thinking, but students must accumulate the background knowledge that gives them something to think about.
As education theorist E.D. Hirsch Jr. has demonstrated, achievement gaps are really knowledge gaps. Poor kids tend to have access to less background knowledge outside school than privileged kids. Unless poor kids are exposed to the same academically rich content in school that more affluent kids can get at home, we consign these students to second-class citizenship.
I’m also troubled by the Commonwealth’s willingness to replace our tried-and-true standards and MCAS with totally unproven national standards and testing. This conversion will come at an estimated cost of $360 million for new textbooks, professional development, and technology, according to the Pioneer Institute.
I am not suggesting that we adorn our public schools with “Mission Accomplished” banners. Indeed, we must always strive to improve K-12 public education. But education reform has worked far better than we could have reasonably hoped. Given our incontrovertible educational successes, those seeking changes should bear in mind the admonition of the Hippocratic oath: “First, do no harm.”

Tom Birmingham, former president of the Massachusetts Senate, is senior counsel at Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP. He coauthored the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Arnold’s & Eddie’s Foods Inc. v. Nora’s Restaurant Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,198.32
Filed: 5/2/13

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Pagonis Live Bait, LTD v. Pioneer Valley Wholesale Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $29,275.35
Filed: 5/9/13

Sebastian Gledocki v. Associated Building Wreckers Inc. and Billy Kane
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 5/2/13

Stephanie Villineuve v. DeRenzy Document Solutions Inc., Mary DeRenzy and John Daigle
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 5/2/13

Trialco Inc. v. Diecast Connections Company Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $208,723.39
Filed: 4/29/13

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Matthew Boudreau and Shaylene Greenwood v. Affiliated Construction Services, Craig Orn and Ernie Austin
Allegation: Breach of construction contract: $25,000+
Filed: 3/21/13

Raymond A. Garrigle, executor of the estates of Maurice H. Pease and Nancy C. Pease v. Moors & Cabot Inc. and First Clearing, LLC
Allegation: Failure to remit invested funds on account upon request of duly appointed executor: $350,000
Filed: 4/18/13

Raymond Smith Jr. v. John’s Collision Inc. and John Oichiuzzo
Allegation: Breach of written agreement: $225,000
Filed: 5/31/13

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Adelphia Graphic Systems Inc. v. W.S. Sign Design Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $9,939.56
Filed: 5/8/13

Northern Tree Service Inc. v. Chapman Waterproofing Company
Allegation: Non-payment of tree removal services: $12,000
Filed: 4/25/13

Terracon Consultants Inc. v. Opportunity Development Group Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $10,971.22
Filed: 5/8/13

People On the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Departments People on the Move

Steven Mitus

Steven Mitus, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Balise Motor Sales Co., was recently honored as the 2013 Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year at the ACCGS annual meeting. The award is given annually to honor the memory of Richard J. Moriarty, a long-time active participant in the ACCGS and individual who gave of his time, talent, and personal and professional resources to the local community. Currently, Mitus serves as a trustee of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and chairs its audit and finance committees; a trustee of Baystate Health and a member of its compensation and audit committees; a trustee of Willie Ross School for the Deaf and member of its executive committee and former Chair of its audit committee; a trustee of the National Conference for Community and Justice; a director of Health New England; and a corporator of PeoplesBank. Formerly, Mitus served as a trustee of the Springfield Technical Community College Foundation and served as its treasurer and chair of the investment committee; a trustee for the Mass.State Automobile Dealers Association; a trustee of Sisters of Providence Health System and a member of its finance committee; a trustee and vice chair of Brightside for Families and Children; and a director of New England Public Radio and Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. Mitus has served in his present capacity with Balise since 1986 and is a certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant.
•••••

Lauren Pellegrino

Berkshire Community College (BCC) recently named Lauren Pellegrino Director of Recreational Services for the college’s Paterson Field House. She is responsible for overseeing the facilities, including the pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, fitness center, and gymnasium. She also is involved with fitness and wellness programming for students, faculty, and staff. Pellegrino formerly served the Berkshire South Regional Community Center in Great Barrington as Fitness And Wellness Manager and previously served as assistant to the Director of Athletics & Wellness Center at The College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, N.Y. Pellegrino holds a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., is currently working toward a master’s degree at Bay Path College, and is a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
•••••

Mark Teed

Mark Teed, principal of Teed Capital Management recently joined Raymond James as senior vice president for investments. With more than 30 years of financial services experience, Teed is an investment advisor with more than $225 million in client assets under management and a registered broker in 23 states and territories. He is a regular commentator for local TV news on market and investment trends.
•••••
The Springfield law firm of Weiner & Lange announced the addition of Jennifer Butler as an Associate. She will concentrate her practice in the areas of bankruptcy and commercial litigation.
•••••
Dr. Robert Campbell, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, adult spine surgeon, and orthopedic trauma surgeon, recently joined the medical staff Cooley Dickinson Hospital and sees patients at Hampshire Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Campbell received his medical degree with honors from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and completed his orthopedic surgery at Brown University-Rhode Island Hospital, where he also completed fellowships in spine surgery and orthopedic trauma. Campbell earned board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is dual fellowship-trained in spine care and orthopedic trauma. In addition, Campbell served four years as an active duty orthopedic surgeon in U.S. Army and completed a tour in Afghanistan.
•••••
Consolidated Health Plans Inc. (CHP), a Berkshire Hathaway Company, recently announced the appointment of Drew DiGiorgio as President. He will oversee management of sales and marketing, claims operations, customer service, audit, special risk and human resources. DiGiorgio has been an integral part of Consolidated Health Plans over the past 18 years, and through his involvement in sales, marketing, carrier and client relations, product development, account management, and provider relations, has allowed CHP to grow into one of the most successful businesses in Western Mass. DiGiorgio holds a BA in Business from Framingham State University.
•••••
Diane Kieras-Ciolkos, owner of Escapes For Everyone in Hadley, has been named as one of 96 Travel Impression Ambassadors fro a newly launched program, www.travimp.com/ambassadorprogram, and will act as a brand advocate for Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas through September Kieras-Ciolkos was selected by Travel Impressions and Atlantis based on her booking history, her personal experience and knowledge, and communication skills through social media.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Agenda Departments

‘Second Chances’ Exhibit
Through July 25: Springfield Pulse Artspace presents a unique exhibition featuring innovative and colorful local artist Whitney Wood Rahm. “Second Chances: Balancing Passion, Purpose, and Obligation” features an eclectic range of original works by Rahm, including her whimsical and popular “Friendly Monsters,” made from barn board, scrap lumber, and found parts. Also on exhibit are Rahm’s highly inventive rescued and revived furniture, contemporary paintings, and unique photography. In addition, the exhibition will include a participatory art experience, where viewers will have a part in providing input for an upcoming piece to be created by Rahm. The exhibit is on display at 11 Pearl Street, Suite 235, Springfield, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Wistariahurst Exhibition
Through August: Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke has unveiled its Summer Gallery Exhibition, “Behind the Scenery: Sketches to Cityscapes.” Local artist Caleb Colon gives an intimate look at the artist’s process of selection, direction, and creation, featuring displays of the works as paintings begin, progress, and finally reach completion. Works shown in the exhibition are inspired by local scenes and sites along the Connecticut River. Studies, sketches, and photos are also on view, showing another layer of the process. Works are on view through August. Gallery admission is $3.

Yidstock 2013
July 18-21: Yidstock 2013: The Festival of New Yiddish Music will bring the top names in klezmer to the stage at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. The Klezmer Conservatory Band will kick off Yidstock on July 18, and the festival will continue with Klezperanto and Margot Leverett & the Klezmer Mountain Boys; Brass Khazones: Steven Bernstein and Frank London; the Wholesale Klezmer Band; Golem; and the Yidstock All-Stars. The weekend will conclude with a massive jam, featuring a Yidstock All-Stars band with players from the weekend’s bands, under the musical directorship of Frank London. Among those all-stars are two of the greatest clarinetists in klezmer, Ilene Stahl of Klezperanto and Margot Leverett of the Klezmer Mountain Boys. A series of workshops and talks is also on the schedule, including a Yiddish folk-dance workshop led by internationally renowned Steve Weintraub; a lecture by Hankus Netsky, a founder of the Klezmer Conservatory Band; an instrumental klezmer workshop; and a talk by author and music critic Seth Rogovoy. Back by popular demand, Yosi’s Kosher Falafel Tent will once again be serving an assortment of great food. For more information and to purchase tickets and festival passes (a limited number of passes are available and sell out quickly), visit yiddishbookcenter.org/yidstock or call (413) 256-4900.

Golf Tournament
July 22: The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts will hold its Annual Golf Classic at Crestview Country Club in Agawam. Registration opens at 10:30 a.m. with a noon shotgun start for an 18-hole scramble. The cost is $140 per person, which includes golf and cart, lunch and tournament banquet, and team and skill prize eligibility. New this year is the Tee & Tan Golf Option, a nine-hole golf scramble followed by relaxation on a chaise at Crestview’s scenic pool area. The cost for the banquet only is $30. For registration and details, visit www.womensfund.net.

Western Mass. Business Expo 2013
Nov. 6: Planning is underway for the Western Mass. Business Expo 2013, a day-long business-to-business event to take place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. This fall’s show, the third edition of the Expo, which is again being produced by BusinessWest, will feature more than 150 exhibitors, seminars on timely issues of the day, special Show Floor Theater presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and the wrap-up Expo social, which has become a not-to-be-missed networking event. Details of the specific programming will be printed in upcoming editions of BusinessWest and can also be seen online at www.wmbexpo.com or www.businesswest.com. For more information on the event or to reserve booth space, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

VizConnect Opens Headquarters in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Mobile marketing technology and communications firm VizConnect Inc. recently announced the opening of its headquarters in Springfield, and the official launch of its North American operations. Recently named one of the five top technology start-ups to watch by the Boston Business Journal (June 4, 2013), VizConnect was founded in 2011 by a team of partners, including 20-year media veteran and Associated Press and Emmy award winning on-air personality Edward Carroll. VizConnect is a video-management service that will allow businesses of all sizes to easily incorporate high-definition video into print advertising and their existing social media. Businesses of all size can use VizConnect’s platform to easily leverage the power of video and a call-to-action screen to market their products and services while also interacting and engaging their target customers. “We’re thrilled to call Springfield our home,” said Carroll of the decision to keep the business in Western Mass. “We could have launched this effort from Cambridge or even Los Angeles, but it’s important to us to be part of building this community that has been so instrumental in our development.” The team of founding partners includes Paul Cooleen, president of VizConnect, a former bond trader with deep ties to Wall Street; Jim Henderson, chief information officer, chief counsel and Boston-based attorney; and Brian Dee, director of Business Development. With subscribers located around the country, VizConnect currently serves a diverse group of businesses in a wide variety of industries, including real estate, restaurants, automobile sales, sports franchises and general contracting vendors. VizConnect also counts several non-profit organizations as customers. VizConnect’s online tools are sold through a network marketing structure, further offering immense opportunities to business people interested in building their own companies. The company offers its distributors — independent business associates — an opportunity to sell and distribute this web-based program as the foundation for their own independent businesses.

Big Y Debuts Solar Array
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. recently announced the completion of its new solar array at 151 Cottage St. at its Store Support Center in Springfield. This new array spreads across three acres and includes 2,178 solar panels with a 643kw DC array. Annual electrical production yield is expected to be 750,000 kilowatt hours, which will offset the company’s electrical consumption by 15% or 1 ½ months at Big Y’s corporate offices and distribution center. Real Goods Solar Energy, Western Mass Electric Company, and local contractors such as Cotton Tree Service and L&D Construction, installed the panels over the past five months. Employees and visitors can view the array’s electrical generation via a monitor in the company’s café. It is Big Y’s third solar installation in Massachusetts; at the Big Y World Class Markets in Lee and Franklin, rooftop solar arrays have been helping to offset electrical consumption since June 2012. An opening event was staged June 27 at Big Y’s headquarters, at which state and local representatives helped inaugurate the new panels. State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Center for Eco-Technology executive director John Majercak and their Green Business Services director Lorenzo Macaluso shared the podium in recognition of Big Y. The company has long been recognized as a leader in innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. In collaboration with the Center for EcoTechnology (CET), a non-profit environmental organization that helps businesses improve environmental performance, Big Y began diverting food waste from landfills across the state. It began diverting food waste from disposal in the mid 1990s and today, all 61 stores recycle cardboard, paper and film plastics. More than 80% of its Massachusetts markets utilize active composting programs. In 2011, Big Y diverted more than 16,000 tons of materials from landfills. Last year, Big Y was recognized by the state for its significant accomplishments. In addition, it passed the 80% certification rate statewide to earn regulatory relief from the MassDEP Waste Ban Enforcement and earned Supermarket Recycling Program Certification. Big Y is also an inaugural participant in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Other renewable-energy solutions implemented by Big Y include full building- management systems in each store to control lighting, refrigeration, and other HVAC units to insure optimal performance. This system also reduces lighting and temperatures at nighttime when the stores are closed. Other initiatives include the installation of glass doors in all dairy and frozen food cases along with electronically commutated motors to lower energy consumption. Variable speed drives on rooftop air handling units and cooking exhaust hoods, advanced refrigeration systems with reduced refrigerant charges, rooftop dehumidification units, and highly energy efficient case motors all contribute to reducing Big Y’s energy footprint. Additionally, LED lighting with occupancy sensors, pull down covers for open multideck cases and efficient lighting design continue to help the chain save over 800,000 kwh per year in energy consumption. Before the installation of their new solar array, these savings are equivalent to 1283 barrels of oil, 61,844 gallons of gasoline or 108 cars being taken off of the road. Big Y is also one of the first retailers to install electric-car-charging stations, which are currently active at four of their Massachusetts locations — Northampton, Lee, Franklin, and Walpole. Customers can conveniently use the chargers for free while they shop. Since installation, 482 cars have charged more than 461 hours saving more than 1,879 (kg) of greenhouse gases and 223 gallons of gasoline. According to Gary Kuchyt, Big Y’s manager of energy and sustainability, “Saving resources is important to us as a company — not only is it good business, but it’s simply the right thing to do. I am proud to say that Big Y has been committed to conserving energy and reducing waste for over 40 years.”

ESB to Receive ‘Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’ Award
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank announced that on July 9, it will receive the ‘Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve” award. The presentation will take place at the bank’s main office at 36 Main St. in Easthampton. The nomination was made by Darci Furr, assistant manager at the bank’s Westfield Office. Furr is a master sergeant in the Mass. Air National Guard, and has been deployed to Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2002, and to Qatar in 2005 and 2010. Furr, whose current unit of assignment is the Force Support Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, has served for 15 years. In her nomination Furr called Easthampton Savings Bank a “pillar of the Pioneer Valley business community, that is fully deserving of recognition due to exceptional support of military service members.” She talked about the Veteran’s Day drives that the bank has done for the past six years to collect items from employees to send to a military unit who has a member with a direct relationship to the bank. Furr also talked about her personal experience with the bank’s support of military service members. She commented that during the entire 15 years as an employee of ESB and as a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard her managers have been very accommodating to her military duty needs; including last-minute scheduling changes, extended temporary duty periods, and monthly drill weekends. In addition, the bank voluntarily provides a pay differential for service members whose military salaries are less than that of their bank income. Furr also commented that her direct supervisor also took the time to keep in touch with Furr’s husband, who remained state side. She also added that the bank’s culture is a direct reflection of the leadership and caring guidance of Bill Hogan, the long-time president and CEO of ESB; a former Guardsman himself. Furr concluded her nomination by saying “ESB is a model employer in many ways, not the least of which is its exceptional support of military service members. Selection for the Above and Beyond Award would recognize ESB publicly for something I have known for my 15 years of employment there.”

Polish National Credit Union pledges $50,000 for new Chicopee Senior Center
CHICOPEE — In a check presentation ceremony recently at The Polish National Credit Union’s Main Street, Chicopee headquarters, PNCU pledged the second of two $25,000 donations to support the construction of the new Chicopee Senior Center on Main Street. PNCU previously donated $25,000 in 2012 for the Senior Center. PNCU President and CEO James P. Kelly made the presentation to Richard J. Kos and Ernest N. Laflamme, Jr., co-chairs of the senior center fund raising committee, and Marie Laflamme, a member of the capital campaign. “This is an effort that goes right to the heart of what the Polish National Credit Union is all about,” said Kelly. “These are our members, and this is our community, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Nejaime’s Wine Cellar Unveils Renovated Stores in Lenox, Stockbridge
LENOX/ STOCKBRIDGE — Nejaime’s Wine Cellars recently completed extensive expansion-and-remodeling projects at its Lenox and Stockbridge locations. Owner Joe Nejaime said ongoing grand reopenings are an opportunity for patrons to see and taste new selections the stores can now offer. “Our goal in both stores was to create a brighter and more spacious shopping experience,” he said. “The Lenox store has expanded by approximately 1,900 square feet, nearly doubling its size, and the Stockbridge store has been remodeled and rearranged to make better use of the space.” Both stores received new deli cases, freezers, and flooring, and the Lenox location will also benefit from a rehabbed parking lot. Nejaime noted that the stores’ selection of picnic items and accessories — popular among Tanglewood attendees — have been expanded as a result, as have their beer selection, high-end wines, fine whiskey, prepared foods, and specialty groceries including cheese, crackers, gluten-free items, gourmet chocolates, cookies, and other snacks, as well as gifts and accessories.

Swinging for the Fences

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Entrepreneurship Sections

Former Ballplayer Shifts to Another Field — Entrepreneurship

Peter Fatse says his entrepreneurial venture is focused on all aspects of the development of student athletes.

Peter Fatse remembers having an interesting mix of emotions as he officially ended his professional baseball career several months ago.
An undersized utility player who could handle several positions on the diamond, Fatse, who starred at Minnechaug High School and later the University of Connecticut before being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009, spent a few seasons shifting between the lower minor leagues and Independent League rosters. He did, however, get one at-bat in the majors.
That was during spring training in 2010, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has the baseball commemorating that event, and the ability, as most athletes do, to recall all the details. “I was the last out of spring training, I went up in the ninth inning and struck out,” he told BusinessWest. “It was against Chad Qualls; I started fouling pitches off, and then he threw me a breaking ball and it was over.”
Fatse would later be signed by the Baltimore Orioles, and continued to work out last fall and early this year in anticipation of maybe getting another phone call from a team looking to see what he could do. Such a call never came, however, and Fatse decided to call an end to his baseball career and launch another one in business.
“You sign these retirement papers to make it official, and it’s kind of depressing” he recalled. “You sit back and think of all the times when all you ever wanted to do was play, and it’s like, ‘wow, you’re not playing anymore.’ But I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t comfortable with the decision.”
And that comfort level was created, in large part, by the realization that he could now devote all or most of his energy (he’s also a hitting coach for the Holyoke Blue Sox) to a potential-laden entrepreneurial venture he’s been developing over the past few years.
It’s called Advanced Performance Player Development, and while those first two words are in all caps and a larger type size on Fatse’s business card and signage, and form the company’s acronym (AP), emphasis is on the terms ‘performance’ and ‘development.’ The former speaks for itself, mostly, but the later needs some clarification.
Indeed, with this venture it refers to everything from help with hitting a curveball off a lefthander, as dialed up by the operator of the company’s new, state-of-the-art pitching machine, to making the transition from little leagues to high school ball; from help with deciding which college might make the best fit for a player weighing several scholarship offers, to advice on dealing with prospective agents.
“I offer individualized instruction, including a lot of video analysis, and we offer a high-level baseball instruction,” Fatse said of the venture operating in a large space, complete with artificial turf and batting cages, in the former home of Maybury Material Handling in East Longmeadow. “But what we’re moving toward is more player-development based.”
Elaborating, he displayed a poster for one of AP’s upcoming initiatives, called the Rising Freshman program, in which he and others will help 13- and 14-year-olds make the transition — athletically and academically — to high school.
“The focus will be on baseball instruction, but we’ll also bring in an academic advisor and speakers to talk to the kids about the many responsibilities of being a student athlete — focusing on such things as how to handle yourself, coach/teacher communications, managing study skills, and more.”
Meanwhile, for older youths, the company is finalizing a college-development program, during which high school underclassmen will receive similar assistance with the transition to their next level.
Overall, this range of services, the potential to work with clients over several years of development, and the prospects for eventually adding more sports to the mix, gives AP strong growth potential, said Fatse, adding that it is currently working with roughly 125 athletes from a wide geographic area and looks to greatly increase that number in the years to come.
An early measure of AP’s success is the number of caps mounted on one wall in Fatse’s office and the collection of baseballs on a nearby bookcase. These items were sent along by players who have trained at the facility or taken part in some of its programs. And the collection will certainly grow this summer and fall as ‘clients’ (that’s one of many terms Fatse uses to describe those he serves) move onto college or pro ball, as in the case of Mike Ahmed, the East Longmeadow and Holy Cross product who was selected in the 20th round of the recent draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For this issue and its focus on entrepreneurship, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at an intriguing new venture, and how its founder is swinging for the fences — from a business perspective.

Working the Count
On a wall near a few of AP’s batting cages are two boards featuring a number of playing cards. Before taking their swings, hitters try to quickly find the cards as they are called out by one of the instructors.
“It’s an exercise designed to build eye-hand coordination,” said Fatse. “It helps gets your eyes loose, and for the younger players, it helps show that there’s things you can do without a bat in your hand.”
The playing-card exercise is one of many instructional tools used at AP, said Fatse, adding quickly that his business is not a baseball camp like many others conducted by current and past players. Nor is it a purely instructional facility, along the lines of the famous (or infamous) Tom Emanski videos hyped in those commercials on ESPN showing players trying to throw balls into barrels from the outfield to improve accuracy.
Instead, it is a business focused on the myriad aspects of developing scholar athletes, said Fatse, adding that this entrepreneurial venture was driven by a need he recognized — from both personal experience and watching dozens of young people, and their parents, struggle with the complicated process of entering, and then thriving in, professional baseball.
Fatse said his own career was typical of many players from the Northeast. He was a 24th round draft pick, which meant he was in many ways a long shot to make it to the major leagues, and he thrived in that underdog role.
“Getting into pro ball was something I always wanted to do,” he explained, “and I guess I had a knack for proving people wrong my whole life because I was undersized.”
He was drafted as a second baseman, but played mostly outfield in the minors, rising to what’s known as ‘high A ball’ with the Brewers and Double A with the Orioles.
He remembers all through his career that his family and coaches encouraged him to pursue a baseball career, but also be prepared for life after the game — whenever that transition was destined to occur. And he told BusinessWest that he always had some entrepreneurial tendencies and was in many respects ready for the day when he hung up his spikes.
“I had always done some lessons, some modest work with some of the local guys,” he explained. “But this past off season, I got an office and started putting together a business plan for something that would be different. I started to see how much I enjoyed doing this kind of thing, and I’m enjoying the transition into business.”
And when asked to describe that business, he said it’s a combination of a number of things, including technical instruction and, perhaps more importantly, mentorship.
“I always talked to my coach at UConn Jim Penders, who was an unbelievable coach,” he recalled. “I always liked his approach to how he did things, and it wasn’t until perhaps my fourth professional season that I realized the value of what he brought to the table. And I started thinking to myself that if I could bring some of that to the guys around here, at a younger age, I think it will help them out tremendously, especially those who want to pursue playing at the next level.”
As he mentioned earlier, AP is developing into a company focused on much more than technical instruction, although that’s a big part of the operation.
Fatse has plans to create programs designed for both athletes and their families, and on subjects ranging from how to handle the college-recruiting process to deciding if and when to turn pro.

Covering All the Bases
As he talked about the science of hitting a baseball, Fatse provided some insight into both the complexity of that task and the art of teaching people how to do it better.
“I try to work on their mental approach to hitting and utilize as much of their athleticism as possible,” he explained. “We want them to use their athleticism in a controlled swing pattern. How they do it — the rhythm techniques they use — vary, and that’s why we use video analysis so much. We like to look at what some of the best in the game are doing, and there are checkpoints in every swing that I try to replicate, such as with the hips and how the hands work.
“I didn’t have a fantastic approach until I really started learning how to hit in my third year in pro ball,” he went on, using his own experiences to get some of his points home. “I use the phrase ‘give a little to get a little’ — seeing pitches, seeing arm action, studying pitchers, and writing charts. The more I became aware of the mental part and how much being a student of the game mattered, the better I became.”
Overall, he said, there is a process to becoming a better player, one that focuses on both the mental and physical aspects of the game. And it is this process that is at the heart of AP’s business plan, which is still very much a work in progress.
But the building blocks are coming together, he told BusinessWest, adding that they are centered around helping those who come to AP’s facilities focus on what he called “complete player development.”
And by this he meant everything from what happens on the athletic field and in the classroom, to properly representing one’s community.
“Probably the most important thing I tell guys is that they’re representing a lot when they put that uniform on — themselves, their families, their school, their community — and it’s a privilege.”
Complete player development is what amounts to a business model for AP, one that Fatse believes is quite unique — in this region and nationally — and that’s why he’s confident that this venture will be a major league success.
Already, he’s drawing athletes from communities across this region, but also well outside it, with clients from Vermont, New Hampshire, and other regions of Massachusetts. The portfolio has grown mostly through word-of-mouth referrals, and he expects that process to continue and accelerate, especially as the company expands into other programs, such as the Rising Freshman initiative.
Meanwhile, there are growth opportunities from expanding into other sports, he said, listing lacrosse and hockey as possible additions to the roster.
“My vision is for a place where kids can come and get their work in, but also watch video, do their homework, and maybe meet with an academic advisor,” he said. “They could get their athletic training and academic work done in the same place, be around good, positive role models, and be the best they can be.”

Expert in His Field
In addition to the caps and baseballs in his office, Fatse is also working on a uniform collection for his conference room.
There are now three framed and on the walls — one of his from his UConn days, and one each from the Ahmed brothers, Mike and his older brother, Nick, currently in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system.
They serve as reminders of what can happen when one can effectively blend hard work with determination, patience, the proper attitude, and sound decision-making.
These are things that Fatse will try to teach his clients — along with how to hit that curveball from a left-hander. It’s a business model he believes is loaded with potential, and one that will give him an opportunity to strike out on his own — this time in a very positive way.

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

Not So Sweet

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Health Care Sections

Sugary Drinks Play a Major Role in Obesity, Related Health Problems

Jeff Sautter and Michelle Edwards say the calories in drinks can add up quickly.

Imagine sitting down and eating a bowl filled with 15 to 20 teaspoons of sugar.
According to Dr. Teresa Mitchell, although most people would never do that, they don’t realize they are consuming the same amount of sugar every time they drink a 20-ounce soda.
The excess is not only harmful to health, but its high calorie count can lead to unwanted weight gain. In fact, research has shown that sugary drinks play a major role in the obesity epidemic.
That epidemic — it affects about one in three Americans — was officially classified as a disease last month by the American Medical Assoc., requiring a range of medical interventions to advance treatment and prevention.
And there are some preventive steps anyone can take to decrease their obesity risk and slow the advance of weight-related diseases, from diabetes to cardiovascular issues.
For example, a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health shows that drinking one 12-ounce soda every day causes a weight gain of one pound every four years. “People don’t realize that one soda a day can make a big difference in their lives,” said Mitchell, director of pediatrics at Mercy Family Life Center in Springfield. “But over time it can lead to obesity, which then leads to other chronic diseases.”
Jeff Sautter agrees. “Soda is the most abused and unnecessary form of caloric intake,” said the clinical dietitian from Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. “It should not be used as a hydrating beverage.”
In March, researchers at an American Heart Assoc. conference reported they had found a link between sugary drinks and 180,000 obesity-related deaths worldwide, which included approximately 25,000 adult Americans.
But children also enter into the equation. The Harvard School of Medicine says sugary drinks are the top source of calories in teens’ diets. In addition, a study they conducted found that, for each additional soda a child consumed each day, their odds of becoming obese increased by 60%. Part of the reason is that, even though a 64-ounce cola fountain drink can contain up to 700 calories, adults and children who drink sweetened beverages do not feel as full as if they had eaten the same number of calories from food.
“It’s very easy to consume more calories than you need when you drink sugary beverages because they add up very quickly,” said Michelle Edwards, a clinical dietitian with Baystate Medical Center.

Dr. Teresa Mitchell says adults often pass bad nutritional habits to their children, who then grow up relying on sweet drinks instead of milk and water.

However, weight gain isn’t the only problem related to sugar-filled beverages. People who guzzle one to two cans of soda a day have a 26% greater chance of developing type II diabetes than people who rarely consume these drinks, and a connection exists between sugary drinks, heart attacks, heart disease, and gout.
“The bottom line is that we eat too much sugar and drink too much sugar,” Sautter said, adding that it’s difficult to avoid since 80% of the typical 600,000 items in a grocery store contain added sugar.
But many caring adults unknowingly pass bad habits onto children due to a lack of knowledge. “Some parents give their children more juice than milk,” Mitchell said. “It tastes so good that children naturally want it, and parents offer it because they think it’s healthy. But that’s a misconception. The American Academy of Pediatrics says infants younger than 6 months should not be given any fruit juice because it offers them no nutritional benefits, children 1 to 6 years old should be limited to four to six ounces a day, and children ages 7 to 18 should not have more than eight to 12 ounces a day.”
Still, soda and juice are not the only culprits. Sugary drinks come in many forms, ranging from sports beverages to those touting added vitamins. But drinking a sweetened beverage is no substitute for a healthy diet, and experts say education, including learning how to wean children off sweetened beverages, can make a significant difference in health.
“It’s better to get vitamins from a natural source than a fortified source,” Mitchell said. “Fruit is better than fruit juice because it contains vitamins and fiber.”

Societal Changes
Sautter said fruits and foods that contain natural sugar take time to digest, while the sugar in sweetened drinks goes straight into the bloodstream, which can cause a spike in insulin.
This can be problematic. Edwards said a rise in insulin can increase appetite, cause people to put on more visceral fat, or fat around the abdomen and other organs, and lead to insulin resistance. “There are risks involved with elevated blood sugar over time. It can damage small vessels and also lead to chronic kidney or eye disease,” she told BusinessWest.
Mitchell agrees. “Simple sugar causes a rapid increase in insulin release, which lowers blood sugar and causes a craving for more sugar, which increases caloric intake,” she said. “Sugary drinks can lead to obesity and insulin resistance, which leads to type II diabetes.”
But consumption of sugary drinks has been on the rise for decades. “In the ’70s, sugary drinks made up 4% of the U.S. daily caloric intake. By 2001, it was up to 9%, and between 1989 and 2008, the calories consumed from sugary drinks in children ages 6 to 11 increased by 60%,” Mitchell said, adding that youngsters in this age group averaged 209 calories a day from sugary drinks, and the percentage consuming such beverages rose from 79% to 91%.
Edwards tells patients that sugar is addictive. “The more you drink it, the more you are going to want or crave it,” she said.
So, although a small amount of juice — say, four ounces — can be healthy, Edwards suggests parents give children water or low-fat milk instead of fruit juice or drinks containing juice. Another tactic is to dilute juice with more and more water over time. “But the best option is just to keep sugary beverages out of the house,” she said. “When you hydrate with sweet beverages, it’s much easier to consume an excess of calories.”
Mitchell agrees, adding that sports drinks are unnecessary unless someone is engaging in an unusually high level of physical activity. “Water is the best drink. It satisfies thirst, hydrates you, and is all that most children need when they are playing sports.”
The earlier parents reduce their child’s intake of sugary beverages, the better off they will be, she added. “Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes, and in the last few years, we are beginning to see children as young as 4 with type II diabetes. It’s a disease that used to be seen primarily in obese adults.”
But in order to make good choices, people need to learn to read labels. “There are many names for sugar,” Sautter said, adding that sugar alcohols include sorbitol, manitol, and xylitol. “Some of them are known to cause diarrhea if they are consumed in excessive amounts, and they can also cause bloating and constipation.”
People should also avoid beverages that contain high-fructose corn syrup. “Fructose is rapidly absorbed by the bloodstream. It goes straight into the liver and can trigger an elevation in cholesterol, including triglycerides,” Edwards said.
Although some people switch to diet soda, that can also lead to health problems. “The chemicals in them have been shown to increase the risk of cancer. And soda in general can increase the risk of osteoporosis because it decreases absorption of calcium,” Mitchell said. In addition, people often eat more than they normally would when they choose a low-calorie beverage.

Long-term Benefits
Mitchell says consuming liquid calories does not result in the same satisfaction that comes from eating food, but few people stop to think before they drink.
“Obesity is on the rise, and sugary drinks lead to weight gain without people realizing it,” she noted.
That means maintaining a healthy lifestyle may not be as difficult as some people believe, Sautter said. “Just doing one simple thing — changing what you drink — can be a game changer for your health.”

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Opinion

Why Springfield Should Vote ‘Yes’

There are a number of good reasons why Springfield residents should vote ‘yes’ when they go to the polls on July 16 to consider the host community agreement forged by city officials and administrators with MGM Resorts International — the next step in the process of deciding the winner of the license for a Western Mass. casino.
Maybe the most compelling is an argument made by a number of business leaders and economic development officials over the past year or so. The specific words expressed vary, but it usually sounds something like this: ‘if someone wants to spend $800 million in your city — you let them!’ (And while generally, exclamation points are not used in business writing, in this case, we’ll make an exception.)
OK, it’s not as simple as all that, but it’s actually very close. We’ll amend this argument slightly. ‘If someone wants to spend $800 million in your city, and there is no better (and in this case, no other) viable option for stimulating economic development and creating thousands of new jobs — you let them!’
We understand that there are a number of risks involved with casinos in general and urban casinos in particular — they simply haven’t worked in a number of regions of this country — but we believe that these are risks well worth taking.
That’s because in Springfield, a city that has been struggling for the better part of a half century now, there really is no ‘plan B’ when it comes to spurring new jobs, creating energy, and possibly resurrecting a neighborhood — in this case, the beleaguered, tornado-ravaged South End.
The proposed MGM Springfield complex has the potential to do all that. Yes, it also has the potential to come up considerably short with each of those assignments, but we don’t believe that it will. Its somewhat unique inside-out design will make this proposed facility part of a neighborhood, not a casino-in-a-box that sucks the life out of one.
But let’s look at this another way. Instead of focusing on the possible ramifications of a ‘yes’ vote, let’s consider what a ‘no’ vote means. Essentially it means that the Western Mass. casino — and yes, there will be one — will be located somewhere else, and there are at least two other landing spots.
If that happens, Springfield will not get the complications that come with construction of such a facility, or the traffic, or some of the problems that might come with a casino on the edge of its central business district.
But it also won’t get the chance to put itself back on the map, or reshape its South End neighborhood and achieve the revitalization that has eluded that area for nearly 50 years, or see the direct benefits in the form of contributions to nonprofits, investments in facilities and infrastructure, and donations that will boost public safety initiatives.
A ‘no’ vote will also result in a depressing return to the drawing board in search of another method of providing the economic spark needed to reverse this city’s fortunes. There has been little to come off that drawing board since Springfield’s manufacturing base started to erode just after World War II, and there is little to suggest that much else will come off it in the years to come.
MGM’s proposal for Springfield may not win the contest for the Western Mass. casino license. Indeed, the Mass. Gaming Commission may decide that another plan is more alluring and better for the Commonwealth. But this proposal can’t win unless Springfield voters provide the opportunity for it to get to the next level ‘And thus, we strongly urge them to do so.
We can state the case for this casino in a number of ways, but the argument we mentioned earlier does it best: ‘if someone wants to spend $800 million in your city — you let them!’
There’s that exclamation point again, and it is certainly needed.

The Race to the Patent Office

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Entrepreneurship Sections

‘First-to-file System’ Represents a Significant Change in the Rules

On March 16, the U.S. patent system changed from what’s known as a ‘first-to-invent’ system to a ‘first-to-file’ system. This significant change means that only the first person to file a patent application on an invention can receive a patent, with few exceptions.
In other words, an inventor can race to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the Patent Office) and attempt to beat out a prior inventor who waits to file.
There is however a one-year grace period for an inventor, or company, to file a patent application after initially disclosing an invention or offering it for sale. If the inventor decides to file, he can prevail over someone else who filed a patent application earlier that year.
In addition, someone who derived the invention from you, whether directly or indirectly cannot beat you in a race to the Patent Office. That’s because the Patent Office has a procedure (called “derivation proceedings”) to try to sort out the facts.
There are expenses and uncertainties, though, in trying to prove that you are the first inventor.
To avoid these scenarios, most companies should file provisional patent applications rather than non-provisional patent applications (a.k.a. ‘regular’ or ‘utility’ applications) before initially disclosing their inventions or offering them for sale (at trade shows, for example).
A provisional application is an informal, yet complete, disclosure of an invention filed at the Patent Office. The provisional application is not prosecuted by the Patent Office and does not, by itself, result in a patent. It buys the inventor (or his assignee) one year to decide whether or not to file a regular patent application. If the regular application is filed within that year, the regular application can claim the benefit of the provisional application’s earlier filing date.
Provisional patent applications are relatively inexpensive. Therefore, most companies should file their provisional applications as soon as possible after creating inventions. Update your provisional applications upon creating major changes (for a production model, for example).
Before you file, conduct a preliminary patent search using Google® Patent. Also search the Internet for your product.
If you do not find it, contact a patent attorney to conduct a more detailed search or to file a provisional patent application. Your company’s initial marketing efforts or public disclosure may dictate if you file before or after conducting a detailed search.
This change from a ‘first-to-invent’ system to a ‘first-to-file’ system is a significant development when it comes to patents, and inventors and entrepreneurs should fully understand what it means to their efforts to bring new products to the marketplace.

Donald Holland is a principal with the Longmeadow-based law firm Holland & Bonzagni, which specializes in intellectual property, patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, computer law, cyber law, joint ventures, technology transfers, licensing, and related litigation; (413) 567-2076.

Help Desks

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Entrepreneurship Sections

A list of business and economic development resources

Click here to download the PDF

‘The Holy Grail of Operations’

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Health Care Sections

Sleeve Gastrectomy Is the Hot Option in Weight-loss Surgery

Dr. John Romanelli says sleeve gastrectomy is “elegant in its simplicity,” offering the effectiveness of gastric bypass, but with much lower risk.

Surgically shrinking the stomach to combat obesity is nothing new in the medical world.
But the options for doing so are looking better all the time.
Specifically, sleeve gastrectomy has begun to overtake gastric-bypass surgery and gastric-banding procedures as the surgical weapon of choice, boasting comparative effectiveness with far fewer side effects.
“This operation is elegant in its simplicity,” said Dr. John Romanelli, medical director of the Weight Loss Surgery Program at Baystate Medical Center. “Anyone in the public can get this. We make the stomach smaller, and the way we do that is, we take out everything but the lesser curvature side of the stomach. In other words, we make a sleeve or a tube of the stomach the width of the esophagus, which comes down until it gets to the bottom of the stomach.”
Unlike gastric bypass, which moves a portion of the small intestine, sleeve gastrectomy is performed only on the stomach itself, he noted, so the digestive process is unaffected. “The intestine is left undisturbed, so it’s closer to gastric banding in terms of digestion, and closer to gastric bypass in terms of performance.”
The procedure, which is irreversible, reduces the stomach to about 25% its original size, thereby suppressing appetite in the same way gastric bypass or gastric banding do, said Dr. Andrew Lederman, director of the Berkshire Medical Center Weight Loss Surgery program.
Sleeve gastrectomy was originally performed as a modification to another bariatric procedure, the duodenal switch, and then later as the first part of a two-stage gastric-bypass operation on extremely obese patients for whom the risk of performing gastric-bypass surgery was deemed too large, he noted. The initial weight loss in these patients was so successful, it began to be investigated as a standalone procedure. Today, it’s the fastest-growing surgical option for weight loss in North America.
The reduced impact on digestion is only one reason why sleeve gastrectomy is attractive to patients and surgeons, Romanelli said.
“From my end of things, very simply, the complications are so much lower than bypass or banding. As one of my colleagues said, ‘it’s like bariatric surgery, except you get to sleep at night.’ That’s key; most surgeons report complication rates of 20% to 30% with gastric bypass.”
He explained that there might be 10 or so little things that could go wrong with bypass, and while each may happen only 2% to 3% of the time, combined, the odds add up. With banding, complication rates are 5% per year, and it’s not uncommon for patients to have to undergo repeat procedures.
“It’s easy for patients to understand, easy to perform, with a minimum of complications,” Romanelli told BusinessWest. “In a lot of respects, it’s the holy grail of operations.”

Who Qualifies?
Sleeve gastrectomy uses a stapling device to create a thin, vertical sleeve of stomach, with most of the original organ then removed. It differs in many ways from both gastric bypass, which divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a much larger ‘remnant’ pouch and then rearranges the small intestine to connect to both; and gastric banding, which incorporates an inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller pouch. But all three procedures have the same goal: to limit food intake while creating a sated feeling.
Romanelli performed his first sleeve gastrectomy in 2006, and it became more common in 2008 and 2009 as more insurers began covering it. “Success bred success,” he said, “and more patients started asking for it.” By 2010 and 2011, the procedure had gained wide approval, and virtually all payers were on board.
Lederman said people considering weight-loss surgery must have a body-mass index greater than 40, between 35 and 40 with two weight-related health risks, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiac disease, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis and joint pain, and incontinence, among others. Typically, candidates are 100 pounds or more overweight, and have already tried other options to lose weight.
He added that, when surgical patients begin losing weight, those obesity-related medical problems often disappear; in fact, 86% of diabetics improve with bariatric surgery, while 74% of type II diabetics are effectively cured of their diabetes.
Romanelli said Baystate’s standards are similar, and he’s particularly intrigued by candidates who present with those ancillary medical issues.
“Those are the people I’m more interested in because we can make those diseases go away and add 10 years to their life,” he said. “I don’t care what dress size they wear; I want them to throw the pillbox in the garbage. They desperately need that.”
As for the age range, typically Romanelli performs sleeve gastrectomy on those between 18 and 65. He said 18- to 21-year-olds are often an underserved population in healthcare in general because they’re transitioning from a pediatrician to an adult doctor and often don’t have a primary-care physician. But it’s important to establish a surgical track record with that group to determine whether even younger patients would be good candidates for the procedure.
When talking about 16- and 17-year-olds, he continued, “the problem is the psychological component; kids aren’t at maturity, so you’ve really got to be careful. A lot of adolescents have serious emotional problems and are probably not suitable candidates.”
In addition, he added, “we’re sifting through much more variable family dynamics.” For instance, if a teenager lives in a house with two morbidly obese parents who do not plan to change their lifestyles, that’s not an ideal environment for gastric surgery.
The upper age limit isn’t set in stone, either, Romanelli said. “It’s not like, on their 66th birthday, they no longer qualify. But a fair amount of data shows that cardiac diseases don’t go away as easily when they turn 65. They’ve already got hardened arteries; the damage is already done.” Meanwhile, complication rates rise in older patients as well.
“But someone who is, say, 67 and in reasonable health, if they want weight-loss surgery, we wouldn’t turn them away. Age 70 has been my limit, but others have gone up to age 80, which I think is a bit excessive.”
That said, Romanelli told BusinessWest, “I’ve done more surgeries on 65- to 70-year-olds in the past year than ever before. There are a fair number who are healthy. But we do take a closer look at them. I have medical colleagues who work with us to give them a once-over before we put them through this elective operation.”

Risk and Reward
All surgery involves risk, Lederman stressed, and even with the reduced odds of complications in sleeve gastrectomy, patients still undergo a medical and psychological evaluation to determine if they are healthy enough to undergo the procedure. Meanwhile, all types of gastric surgery require serious lifestyle adjustment.
“Weight-loss surgery was not an easy way out,” said Tracy DiGrigoli, one of Berkshire Medical Center’s gastric-surgery patients. “I have to make an effort every day to make the right choices in what to eat and to exercise.”
Added patient Michelle Simon Grady, “there are days I get down, but I keep a picture of myself 100 pounds heavier, and people will see me and say, ‘you look wonderful. How do you do it?’ Well, it’s not easy. I eat in moderation, not binging the way I did before.”
Meanwhile, even sleeve gastrectomy carries some drawbacks, Romanelli said. Nausea is common during the first six weeks following the surgery; for some patients it’s profound, while others have a relatively easy time.
But, buoyed by their own research and desire to lose triple-digit weight, patients are increasingly clamoring for this relatively new option.
“I would say 50% who come in are already asking for this operation,” Romanelli said. “The bottom line is, if you’re going to have an operation, the results are about as good as bypass, but it’s a lot safer.”
He went so far as to predict that gastric banding will become relatively rare within three to five years. “I do think diabetics do better with gastric bypass, but everyone else will get sleeves. I think that’s where we’re heading. I’d like to tell you that one operation fits all, but I’m not convinced; it’s not that good, to where we’d do that and nothing else. Patients should have a choice.”
Indeed, “I don’t go out of my way to encourage banding, but if a patient wants it and it’s reasonable, I’ll do it,” Romanelli said, noting, for example, women who want to get pregnant at some point in the future; they can have the band deflated during the pregnancy and tightened afterward. “So there’s an adjustability factor for women of childbrearing age. And bypass is good for people with metabolic disease. But for most people, sleeve gastrectomy is becoming the most popular.”
“Between its effectiveness and relative safety, it’s really the best of both worlds,” he told BusinessWest. “I know that makes it sound too good to be true, and maybe five, 10, 15 years from now, like all things in the media, people will be saying, ‘yeah, that’s too good to be true.’ But the results have been great, and patients are happy. They come in and say, ‘I can’t believe how easy this is!’ I never hear that with gastric bypass. I never hear that with banding patients. But I always hear it with sleeve patients.
“They can eat what they want, just less,” Romanelli concluded. “So they keep the same quality of food and lose weight every week. Who wouldn’t want that?”

Call Your Lawyer

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Health Care Sections

Don’t Put Off Estate Planning for Your College-aged Children

Lisa L. Halbert

Summer is here, and your college-aged kids (or grandkids) are on break, or home from school, if only for a short period of time. While these technically ‘legal’ adults are likely trying to work, catch-up on Zs, and reluctantly make the rounds for various doctor and dentist appointments, it’s a good idea to add an appointment with a lawyer to the list.
Everyone over the age of 18 — including college- or post-college-aged individuals — should consider the prudence of executing a healthcare proxy and a durable power of attorney.

Healthcare Proxy
A healthcare proxy (HCP) is a document by which a legally competent person over the age of 18 (usually referred to as the ‘principal’) appoints another adult (the ‘agent’) to help make healthcare decisions for the principal, but only if the principal is unable to either make or communicate their own healthcare decisions.
Signing an HCP does not allow an agent unfettered access to the principal’s healthcare information. So long as a principal has the requisite capacity, an agent cannot access the principal’s medical information unless or until a medical release (and not just the HCP) is signed by the principal.

Durable Power of Attorney
Conceptually, a durable power of attorney (POA, or sometimes referred to as a DPA) is similar to an HCP in that the principal (in this case the college-aged student) nominates another adult (usually referred to as an attorney-in-fact) to step into the shoes of the principal and act on his or her behalf for almost any financial transaction. The proposed attorney-in-fact needs to be trustworthy, in an almost blind-faith sort of way. The attorney-in-fact may be a parent, trusted friend, sibling, or other advisor. Authority granted under a POA is typically quite comprehensive, with college-aged adults frequently concerned about the following:
• Banking, including online accounts, check writing, opening and closing accounts, and transferring funds between accounts (especially where money is coming from parents);
• Entering into or changing contracts, i.e. for rental agreements, airline flights, cell-phone and Internet access, student loans, and credit cards;
• Changing beneficiaries on contracts, including creating and funding of individual retirement accounts; and
• Buying and selling cars, securities, or real estate, although these are less-often needed by college students.
The document should be durable, so that it remains in force and effect even at a time when the principal might lose legal capacity, whether due to periods of serious mental or physical illness or injury resulting from a fall, car accident, alcohol, or drugs, which leaves the principal alive, but unable to think or reason clearly.
If the POA does not reference that it is durable, then if the principal becomes incapacitated or incompetent, and unable to think or express thoughts clearly, the authority of the attorney-in-fact terminates. And whether the document is durable or not, upon the death of the principal, all authority terminates, and the attorney-in-fact is no longer authorized to act.
While an HCP can be used or invoked only where the principal is not able to make certain decisions (and therefore cannot be used when the principal is fully able to think and reason), a POA can be crafted to allow the attorney-in-fact access to financial affairs at the same time as the principal, or to take effect at a later time, whether based on the principal’s losing capacity or upon certain events (such as a trip out of the country).
As a general statement, if the principal does not (almost) blindly trust the appointee with access to his or her finances, then do not appoint that person. And if you do have that kind of trust, then it is likely administratively easiest to have the document in full force and effect from the original date of signing, as opposed to a later date. If you decide to make the POA invoked upon injury or illness, it may not be easy to get you to agree to see a doctor, or it may take time to get an appointment, both of which can delay the process during a pivotal time.
The principal may want to consider appointing not just one person, but likely up to three individuals to serve consecutively under both the HCP and POA. Therefore, if the first person becomes unable or unavailable, there is a second person to act, etc. If the principal does not change his or her mind about appointing these same people, then by naming individuals to serve consecutively, the document should remain viable and valid for a longer period of time.

Good Reasons
Why should you encourage your son, daughter, or grandchild to meet with an attorney and sign a healthcare proxy and separate durable power of attorney?
Many 18- to 25-year-olds do not live at home. They are at college, or beginning to branch out and live far away from home. Many want their independence but have not yet really learned to plan for the unexpected, at least in terms of legal documents. Your adult child could have a medical emergency, perhaps due to being hit by a drunk driver, a fall down stairs, an emotional issue that severely impacts thought processes, or a financial situation that needs prompt or urgent action (such as limited access to bank funds while traveling in a foreign country).
With a healthcare proxy and durable POA in place, these and many more issues can be addressed quickly and in a cost-effective manner by someone whom your child has chosen.
The ramifications of not having the documents in place could mean that court action may be necessary in order to have someone appointed to make medical decisions, or to help access accounts and/or address various financial issues. The cost associated with a court action, in terms of time, emotions, and money, can be problematic.
Further, if court action is necessitated because the person did not have a POA or HCP, then it is someone around the principal who initiates the request for court assistance or intervention. In effect, the principal loses control of choosing who makes certain decisions (whether medical or financial) and whether they will be made consistent with the principal’s approach.
This summer, consider a unique way to express your love and caring to your independent-minded 18- to 25-year-old. Gently suggest that he or she take an hour or so to talk to an attorney about these documents. You can even make a present to your child or grandchild that covers the cost of having the work done. In the long run, having an HCP and POA is a great investment in your child or grandchild by encouraging their independence and sense of responsibility to self. It shows that someone cares enough to help them plan for the unexpected. The documents are valid for years into the future, with originals being kept safely at the law firm or in a safe. If properly authorized, copies can be provided to medical professionals, financial institutions, and the named appointees, or provided via computer, as well as kept with passports or travel itineraries.

Lisa L. Halbert, Esq. is an associate in the Northampton office of Bacon & Wilson, P.C. A member of the estate-planning, elder, and real-estate departments, she is especially focused on legal matters relating to elder and estate planning and asset protection; (413) 584-1287; baconwilson.com/attorneys/halbert

Smile Specialists

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Health Care Sections

A list of area dental services

Click here to download the PDF

Management

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Columns Sections

Time is Money, So Manage More Effectively

Patricia Murphy

Time management in the life of the busy professional is always a challenge. The balance of one’s commitments at work and at home can be difficult and, at times, overwhelming to manage.
Modern technologies intended to make our lives easier, often add too much information and clutter, forcing us to spend time on unimportant and unprofitable tasks. Whether you are a small business owner, in commission sales, or an employee of a small or large company, using your time wisely is essential to your individual production and overall profit. As the old saying goes “time is money.”
While we can’t add more time to our days, we can manage the time we have more effectively. Finding a time-management strategy that works depends on the individual and their environment. Hopefully, these tips can help you more effectively manage your time.

Planning
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Reviewing your calendar and identifying your commitments can help you manage your priorities and make the most of your time. Looking at the week ahead can help you make the distinction between what is urgent and what is important. Making planning a habit and doing it religiously is crucial to maintaining control over your time. Here are some additional thoughts:

• Spend time at the beginning of each week planning for your week ahead. Planning in advance gives you time to react to unforeseen situations and plan for things you want to do;
• Plan for tomorrow before today ends. Spend some time planning for your next day’s accomplishments;
• Try to limit scheduled time too, because distractions always seem to arise.

Task Lists
To effectively manage all of the outstanding tasks, commitments, and engagements, we cannot rely on our memory alone. The average person has 50 tasks in their heads at any given time according to the “Getting Things Done” time-management system created by David Allen. Maintaining a reliable and well-kept list allows us to reduce the mental energy required by storing the list in our heads, resulting in forgotten items and missed tasks.

• Make a list of all the things in your world that need resolution;
• Go through each of these items and assign it a letter of importance from A (very important) to C (unimportant);
• Assign an amount of time to complete each of the items;
• Prune your list by following the ‘4-D theory’: do it, dump it, delegate it, or defer it, making it manageable; and
• Remember that multitasking can actually lower the quality of work; try to devote full attention to one task at a time.

Calendars
In order to help manage meetings and events, it requires the effective use of a calendar. Whether it’s paper or electronic, you need a system where you know where to be and when. A calendar which shows the entire month at a glance is better than one that shows a week at a time.
Viewing your calendar monthly will help you to obtain a better picture of your time and it will help you to plan on a weekly basis. Here are some tips:
• Input only time and day-specific items; try not to over clutter;
• Set up recurring events;
• Color code your calendar (green for personal; red for meetings; blue for phone calls, for example);
• Use notifications and reminders;
• Automatically add holidays into your calendar; and
• Syncronize calendars whenever possible.

E-mail
E-mails have become a necessary evil in today’s business world. While e-mails can save time and long conversations, they can also be misleading, overused, and misinterpreted. Using e-mail more effectively will not only save time but could actually help increase productivity. Keep these suggestions in mind:
• Keep an empty inbox — read the e-mail once and decide what to do with it. As with the task list, use the 4 D theory: do it, delegate it, defer it or delete it (file);
• Try to limit e-mails to a few sentences — get right to the point;
• Make your subject line obvious;
• Try to write fewer e-mails and avoid copying unnecessary recipients;
• Set aside time to check and respond to e-mails, especially during “low productivity time” (i.e. lunch);
• Avoid checking e-mails first thing in the morning. This will help you to avoid reacting to others demands and will allow you to stay focused on your own demands;
• Write smarter e-mails and be clear. Try to anticipate the next reply in order to answer any potential questions;
• Set up folders to have a good email filing system;
• Route annoying e-mails to junk and non-essential e-mails (newsletters or blogs) can be set up to go straight to a folder;
• Turn off the visual and audible e-mail alerts; and
• Create an e-mail template for recurring e-mail messages sent, such as thank-you notes and meeting confirmations.

Get Organized
Paperwork can easily get out of control and eat up valuable time you could be using to accomplish your goals. Keeping your desk clean is crucial to avoid getting overwhelmed by the clutter and maintaining control of your environment. Here’s how:
• Try to touch each piece of paper only once, using the 4 D theory discussed above;
• Set up a well-maintained filing system; and
• Add an extra monitor or two, which will allow you to have multiple screens open at the same time, significantly increasing your efficiency. Monitors are even portable; they are lightweight and are the size of a legal pad.
Even the best strategies we implement can’t work without the dedication to making them work and the consistency it takes to make them a habit. If we can start to think of time as a commodity, as we do money, we can start to put a value on our time and question how we spend it.
Using your time wisely will allow you to be more effective with the time you do have.
Staying focused on what is important and being proactive rather than reactive will result in increased productivity, reduced stress and devoting more time to important and rewarding projects. Overall, successful time management will make a positive difference in your career and ultimately your bottom line.

Patricia J. Murphy, CPA, is a Senior Associate with the Holyoke based public accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.; (413) 322-3540; [email protected].

Business Law

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Columns Sections

Wage Suit Against Lady Gaga is Litigation of Note

Karina L. Schrengohst

The lawsuit brought against Lady Gaga by her former personal assistant (PA) illustrates some of the wage-and-hour law challenges that employers face.
Lady Gaga hired a friend to be her personal assistant at an annual salary of $75,000. After the two had a falling out, Lady Gaga’s former PA filed a lawsuit alleging that she is owed almost $400,000 in unpaid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state law. The PA claims she worked 24/7, around the clock. According to the PA, her job duties included reviewing and reconciling credit card statements, ordering meals, heating Lady Gaga’s food, ensuring the promptness of a towel after a shower, serving as a personal alarm clock to keep Lady Gaga on schedule, packing and unpacking Lady Gaga’s 20 bags of luggage, and sleeping in Lady Gaga’s bed with her so that she would be able to attend to all her needs.
Under the FLSA, employees are entitled to overtime unless they fit within specific overtime exemption categories. For a personal assistant, the most likely exemption is the administrative exemption. In order to fit within this exemption, Lady Gaga would have to show that her former PA was paid on a salary basis of at least $455 per week, that her primary job duty included performing office or non-manual work, and that she exercised discretion and independent judgment. In this case, the job duties the PA described do not require the requisite level of discretion and independent judgment sufficient to meet the administrative exemption. Therefore, assuming her description of her job duties is accurate, she would be entitled to overtime for the hours she worked over 40 in a workweek.
But exactly how many hours of overtime did the PA work? According to the PA, she was not compensated for 7,168 hours. But no one kept track of her hours, which, in the case of a non-exempt employee, is an employer’s responsibility.
Also, the PA claims that even during her time off during the day she was required to carry her cell phone in case Lady Gaga needed something. Consequently, according to the PA, she was limited in her ability to engage in personal activities. Therefore, as a non-exempt employee, she likely would be entitled to be paid during some of this on-call time. Similarly, if the PA really had to sleep in Lady Gaga’s bed to attend to any needs that might arise, that time during the night would likely be compensable as well.
During her deposition, Lady Gaga stated that her former PA knew that she would be paid $75,000 for working 24/7 and that she knew that she was not entitled to overtime. Further, recounting some of the perks of the job, Lady Gaga stated that her PA “slept in Egyptian cotton sheets every night, in five-star hotels, on private planes, eating caviar, partying . . . all night, wearing my clothes.” However, knowing she was expected to work 24/7 and enjoying these perks does not overcome the fact that, based on the PA’s description of her job duties, the PA was a non-exempt employee, entitled to overtime pay and on-call time pay.
State and federal laws pertaining to wage-and -hour issues, such as overtime, are complicated. As a result, these are areas where mistakes are often made. Employers, however, cannot afford these errors because the consequence of not complying with these laws can be very costly. In fact, in Massachusetts, there are mandatory treble (triple) damages for unpaid wages. This means that if an employer is found in violation of state law, at a minimum, for every dollar an employer does not pay in accordance with wage-and-hour laws, that employer will have to pay three times that amount. In Lady Gaga’s case (if the case was brought in Massachusetts, which it was not) if the court found that her PA was owed $400,000 in unpaid overtime, Lady Gaga would have to pay $1.2 million. In addition, Lady Gaga would have to pay her former PA’s attorneys’ fees and costs of the litigation. Thus, in order to reduce the risk of liability, employers should consult with their employment counsel and familiarize themselves with state and federal wage-and-hour laws to ensure compliance.
As a side note, Lady Gaga’s legal battle also illustrates the importance of an employer maintaining her poker face during deposition. During her deposition, under oath, Lady Gaga called her former PA a “f—ing hood rat who is suing me for money she didn’t earn.” She also stated “I’m the queen of the universe every day.” And she said to her former PA “I’m quite wonderful to everybody that works for me, and I am completely aghast to what a disgusting human being that you have become to sue me like this.”
These colorful comments will likely be quoted by the PA’s attorneys in briefs submitted to the court. Although an extreme example, it illustrates how damaging emotionally driven testimony can be.

Karina L. Schrengohst, Esq. is an attorney at Royal LLP, a woman-owned, SOMWBA-certified, boutique, management-side labor and employment law firm; (413) 586-2288; [email protected].

A Colorful Approach to Business

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Entrepreneurship Sections

Clark Paint & Varnish Endures In the Shadow of the Big Boxes

Andy Raker attributes his family business’s success to a focus on the basics and doing what the big-box stores can’t.

In the 1960s, Andy Raker’s mother took a request to have a specific color of paint mixed for the set of the former StageWest theater (the predecessor to CityStage) to match the famous violet eyes of the star of the next show — actor Robert Goulet.
Raker, now the president of the Clark Paint & Varnish Company — the West Springfield-based family business that his grandmother and mother were running at the time — told BusinessWest that while it was one of the more unique requests over the past 67 years, on any given day it’s not unusual to see customers hauling doors or pieces of dining room furniture into the Union Street store to find a matching stain or paint color.
And while matching paints seems to be all the rage in many home décor outlets, Raker calls color matching an art; a combination of computer-assisted color analysis and ‘eyeballing,” the term he uses to describe use of the naked eye to compare colors in different light settings.
How Raker came to be a practitioner of this art is an intriguing story of entrepreneurship, creativity, and, most importantly, survival of this rather small-box enterprise in a retail world increasingly dominated by big boxes.
Indeed, having just finished high school and starting his first semester at American International College in 1978, Raker found himself, and his family business, in a serious situation.
Backing up a bit, he said that after his grandfather, Milford Raker, who had purchased the business from original owner Fred Clark, passed away unexpectedly in 1963, his grandmother, Ruth, and mother, Marcia, were thrust into the roles of owner and operator, and with no real experience to handle them.
For 15 years, they and the existing staff managed the operation, but when the slow, steady exodus of that staff left the two women alone to run the store, Andy was forced to put school aside and take a leadership position in the family business.
“I had worked at the store in the summers but I never learned how to make paint, and I remember when the last guy (employee) to leave handed me the keys,” recalled Raker.
Once management was thrust upon him, he said it was refreshing on one hand, realizing that he was going to be able take the company in a direction that he thought was going to be positive. “But it was scary; it definitely was with mixed emotions,” he recalled. “It was either sink or swim.”
A loyal customer base of mostly retail and apartment-building owners kept the company alive as the young Raker spent the next two years learning the paint and stain trade and took advantage of new technology as it came, asking for help from paint chemists, and especially raw chemical salesmen.
“All these raw material people will supply you with information to help sell their materials,” explained Raker. “And back then it was pretty competitive and everybody had chemists on staff so when they wanted to sell me their titanium dioxide (white pigment), I’d say, ‘well, I need some help formulating it.’”
And as he continued to learn on the job, the formulas for Clark paint brand continued to improve. Experimenting with different recipes in batches with a blender, he produced small samples, took some chemistry classes, and, through trial and error, learned how to make quality paint, just like his grandfather, who’d never had the chance to teach him.
Raker would create starting formulations with various colors that had better flow and level, would cover better, save money, and have lower VOCs (volatile organic compounds). And as everything in the paint industry went ‘greener,’ so did Clark Paint.
For this and its focus on entrepreneurship, BusinessWest talked at length with a business owner who likes to mix things up — in more ways than one — and has the bases covered in an extremely competitive sector.

Brush Strokes
Clark Paint & Varnish’s success over the past two decades stems from a mixture of Raker’s late-teen ‘take charge’ attitude in the face of multiple adversities and his ability to learn on the job. While friends were experiencing the independence and adventure of college, Raker was experiencing a different type of independence, one that was more survival at first, than anything else.
And when asked how he’s scripted this survival story, he said it’s been through a focus on the basics, and doing things some of the discount giants can’t.
With the arrival of those big boxes, and especially the Home Depot in the nearby Riverdale Shops in the early 1990s, most would have thought that a small, family owned paint business like Clark would have taken a good shellacking, and a few stores in the area did — including West Springfield Hardware — which eventually ceased operations.
Clark’s retail paint business took a sizeable hit — roughly 30% by Raker’s estimate. While this was a large setback, a solid industrial customer base carried the company through the next couple of years as Raker made the decision to adjust his sales focus and target more commercial business, a move that helped redefine the company for good.
Attrition of some of Clark’s competition due to Home Depot’s opening presented the opportunity for Raker to add national brands such as Pratt and Lambert and Benjamin Moore to his own, well-respected Clark label, and with the addition of an outside sales person to help secure new commercial business, Clark Paint now had more clout to compete for all markets, he said.
“That move broadened our line even more,” he said, “and brought more people into the store because those brands have a lot of dedicated customers in this area.”
And new retail customers in turn created more need for that aforementioned expertise in color matching.
“Everybody has computers to match, but it’s only a starting point; it never matches perfectly,” Raker said, adding that a trained eye is still key. “And we’ll dry the paint, because wet paint is different than dry, and actually take the samples out in the daylight as opposed to just florescent lights because it’s not a true rendering of the color.”
But with stain and varnish matching, there is no computer to do that analysis. “It’s also part of our reputation and it’s all experience and by eye,” added Raker. “A lot of other stores don’t have the capability, the expertise, or even the pigments to make certain stains.”
Clark has a whole line of dye stains and a line of lacquer, called M. L. Campbell for cabinetmakers, furniture, and display manufacturers. The line, Raker explained, is more for industrial use on harder woods and offers far more depth of color, than the popular Minwax brand found in many stores.
Another key to the company’s success has been its ability to adjust to changes within the industry, and especially a strong focus on ‘green’ — not the color, but the movement toward more environmentally friendly products and processes.
Before the younger Raker took over, the advent of polyurethane, a plastic-based compound in the late 60s and 70s changed the landscape of varnish. Now mildew resistance is a controversial buzzword in the paint industry, and the cheap, readily available, but harmful lead — used as a white pigment and to prevent mildew — has been replaced by titanium dioxide and other environmentally safe additives, a result of federal VOC laws that also eliminated solvents in paint. As Raker has ridden the evolving technology wave, he has seen more genuine customer concern for health and environment.
“Everybody is looking for a more sterile, cleaner environment, and technology is catching up fast, but it wasn’t like that at first,” Raker explained to BusinessWest. “Originally when the first paints came out that had to be ‘green,’ they weren’t quite as good, but now the technology is there.”
While those same raw chemical vendors were selling the same formulas to his competitors, Raker told BusinessWest that because Clark is a small manufacturer of paint, he could learn to make the greener formulas quickly, and keep his cost per can or container down due to a lack of shipping and distribution costs and third party middle men. “From the raw materials to out the door, we’re able to offer a better product at less money.”

Satin Finish
Raker hasn’t been called upon to create a paint to match a Hollywood star’s eyes in recent decades, but he admits that there have been intriguing challenges with that aspect of his work.
The biggest challenges, though, have been stepping in and then stepping up to take this family business to places that might not have been envisioned in 1978, or later, when the competitive playing field changed dramatically.
This is an inspiring story of entrepreneurship and perseverance. What will happen in the coming chapters isn’t known yet, but one thing is certain — they will be colorful, and in every way imaginable.

Elizabeth Taras can be reached at [email protected]

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2013.

AGAWAM

Regency Condominium Trust
340 Regency Park Dr.
$20,000 — Exterior renovation

AMHERST

Amherst College
Frost Library
$124,000 — New roof

Good Ol’ Daves
15 Cosby Ave.
$8,000 — Convert laundry room to full bath

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Savings Bank
229 Exchange St.
$33,000 — Strip and re-roof

City of Chicopee
5 West Main St.
$8,056,000 — Construct new senior center

Riverbend Medical Group
444 Montgomery St.
$200,000 — 3,000-square-foot interior renovation

NORTHAMPTON

518 Pleasant Street, LLC
518 Pleasant St.
$3,000 — Install fourth-floor windows

City of Northampton
42 Gothic St.
$23,000 — Replace front porch and stairs

City of Northampton
240 Main St.
$5,900 — Divide Veterans Affairs office into two

Linda Muerle
90 Pomeroy Terrace
$12,000 — Add finishes to Unit 2 daylight basement spaces

Northampton Terminal Assoc., LLP
1 Roundhouse Plaza
$4,400 — Remove non-bearing walls on third floor

Patrick Kirk Real Estate
137 North Main St.
$12,000 — Renovations

Peter St. Martin
111 Pleasant St.
$5,000 – Exterior renovations

M & S Holdings
8 Easthampton Road
$5,000 — Install vinyl siding

Maplewood Shops Inc.
2 Conz St.
$9,250 — Install employee bathroom

SOUTH HADLEY

South Hadley Fire Department
20 Woodbridge St.
$3,000 — Sign work

SPRINGFIELD

Bernie Medical, LLC
300 Bernie Ave.
$210,000 — Modification to existing tenant space

Gary Brill
381 Cooley St.
$201,000 — Interior remodel

Neslo Realty
245 Cadwell Dr.
$170,000 — Interior tenant fit-out

Nowak Funeral and Cremation Services
15 Ludlow Ave.
$31,000 — Re-roof

Prima 1, LLC
615 Belmont Ave.
$36,000 — Upgrade to parking lot

Pynchon Associates, LLC
1380 Main St.
$8,000 — Renovations for suites 404 & 406

Related Springfield Associates
10 Chestnut St.
$20,000 — Renovations

Tahir Chaudhary
1390 Allen St.
$119,000 — Store renovations

Verizon Wireless
20 Bernie Ave.
$12,000 — Six upgraded antennas

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Tire Warehouse
818 Memorial Ave.
$67,000 — Erect 20-by-40-foot addition and renovate showroom

Town of West Springfield
26 Central St.
$130,000 — Renovations on third floor

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

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

ASHFIELD

546 Old Stage Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Kenneth W. Davis
Seller: Todd D. Senecal
Date: 05/31/13

BERNARDSTON

363 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Scott M. Stacy
Seller: Keith M. Wilda
Date: 05/30/13

COLRAIN

12 Thibodeau Dr.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Dean M. Basara
Seller: Ellen M. Clark
Date: 05/31/13

CONWAY

40 Whately Glen Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: John A. Moore
Seller: Dorothy Osterman
Date: 05/30/13

DEERFIELD

34 Lee Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: David V. Tynan
Seller: Walter D. Pajonk
Date: 05/28/13

56 Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Matthew E. Janus
Seller: Michelle Olavegoya
Date: 05/31/13

5 Memorial St.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Robert Hale
Seller: Stephanie Ingrassia
Date: 05/31/13

10 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Wissmann
Date: 05/31/13

20 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Deborah J. Picking
Seller: Kevin A. Wissman
Date: 05/31/13

ERVING

6 Moore St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Nicholis F. Lapan
Seller: Marsha J. Browning
Date: 05/20/13

43 Ridge Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Brian E. Frank
Seller: Mathew E. Janus
Date: 05/31/13

27 River St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $155,900
Buyer: Kathleen S. Hepburn
Seller: Nancy L. Stone
Date: 05/31/13

GREENFIELD

5 Arch St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: MW&MW Realty LLC
Seller: 1 Archi Place Inc.
Date: 05/31/13

99 Burnham Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Kathleen D. Kelleher
Seller: Dency Dokoozian
Date: 05/31/13

159 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Jennifer E. Antonellis
Seller: UMass Five College Credit Union
Date: 05/29/13

23 Cooke St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Nancy M. Richard
Seller: Stacy A. Metzger
Date: 05/31/13

19 Eastern Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Russell A. Kaubris
Seller: Sanford S. Cotton
Date: 05/29/13

34 Glenbrook Dr.
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Glenbrook Residence LLC
Seller: Michael P. Boudreau
Date: 05/31/13

44 Graves Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Richard T. Haskins
Seller: Jay V. Mauri
Date: 05/23/13

9 Grinnell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Mary M. McManus
Seller: Robert Catlin
Date: 05/30/13

14 Locust St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Annette M. Chamberlin
Seller: Michael McGrath
Date: 05/31/13

24 Park Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Ashley R. Stokes
Seller: Daniel Smith
Date: 05/31/13

15 Prentice Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $147,600
Buyer: Kelly L. Mignault
Seller: Frank W. Domitrz
Date: 05/21/13

122 Sanderson St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Jennifer L. Schmidt
Seller: Maureen Walsh
Date: 05/24/13

LEYDEN

Eden Trail Branch
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Emery
Seller: Mitchell R. Damon
Date: 05/24/13

MONTAGUE

151 3rd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Cottage Industries LLC
Seller: 151 3rd Street LLC
Date: 05/31/13

163 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: William J. Doyle
Seller: Stanley W. Lewandowski
Date: 05/30/13

NORTHFIELD

Mill St.
Northfield, MA 01354
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Walter C. Jaworski
Seller: Northfield Mt. Hermon School
Date: 05/21/13

ORANGE

131 West Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: John Dunphy
Seller: Orange Inv. LLC
Date: 05/31/13

SUNDERLAND

691 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Joseph F. Ranker
Seller: Todd A. Cromack
Date: 05/28/13

200 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $175,900
Buyer: Paul J. Wanczyk
Seller: Alec E. Cybulski
Date: 05/23/13

WENDELL

210 Lockes Village Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: LGW Holdings LLC
Seller: Robert M. Cabral
Date: 05/31/13

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

59 Alhambra Circle South
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $131,750
Buyer: Deutsche Bank National
Seller: Stephanie A. Kelly
Date: 05/29/13

19 Brookline Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Scott C. Smith
Seller: Greguoli John J., (Estate)
Date: 05/30/13

27 Depalma St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Pamala J. Taylor
Seller: Joseph F. Amaral
Date: 05/31/13

12 Federal St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $154,500
Buyer: Joshua A. Cicia
Seller: Michael Knight
Date: 05/31/13

41 Fernwood Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Anthony Depalma
Seller: Julie Habib
Date: 05/22/13

7 Lango Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Scott A. Valentino
Seller: PBI Inc.
Date: 05/31/13

1664 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Stuart Amusement Co.
Seller: MV Ent. Inc.
Date: 05/28/13

22 Parkview Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Edward R. Heim
Seller: Poplar Dev. LLC
Date: 05/28/13

48 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Christopher G. Manekas
Seller: Barbara A. Skiba
Date: 05/30/13

140 Senator Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Brendan A. Halley
Seller: Louis M. Ramah
Date: 05/30/13

1009 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Richard Chavez
Seller: William H. Cullen
Date: 05/31/13

39 Tanglewood Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Michelle R. Balch
Seller: Edward R. Heim
Date: 05/28/13

BLANDFORD

34 Brookman Dr.
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Peter J. Pappas
Seller: Peter J. Maynard
Date: 05/21/13

BRIMFIELD

243 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Frederick C. Byrne
Seller: Dominic F. Mastroianni
Date: 05/30/13

28 Saint George Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Wendy W. Denning
Seller: Susan G. Woods
Date: 05/24/13

CHESTER

520 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $186,811
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Douglas B. Arnold
Date: 05/30/13

CHICOPEE

123 1st Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $2,900,000
Buyer: JMDH Real Estate Of Chicopee
Seller: U.S. Postal Service
Date: 05/31/13

77 Bourbeau St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Kyle P. Kokosa
Seller: Kenneth H. Backlund
Date: 05/30/13

536 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $231,500
Buyer: LTL LLC
Seller: Aaron W. Butcher
Date: 05/29/13

597 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Matthew M. Balut
Seller: Dube, Simone A., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/13

70 Fernwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Bryan J. Klein
Seller: John R. Ferraro
Date: 05/23/13

30 Hampshire St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jeremy P. Foster
Seller: Alfred J. Gosselin
Date: 05/31/13

17 Highview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Jesse L. Lengieza
Seller: Everett J. Sexton
Date: 05/31/13

81 Julia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Kevin R. Juchno
Seller: Sandra J. Grenier
Date: 05/31/13

121 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Nichole A. Morneau
Seller: Babineau Joseph C., (Estate)
Date: 05/30/13

73 McDonald Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Robert R. Pluta
Seller: Roland G. Provost
Date: 05/21/13

145 Mckinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Vadim Ruge
Seller: James E. Burns
Date: 05/24/13

463 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $3,450,000
Buyer: Mittas Inn LLC
Seller: TPSN LLC
Date: 05/20/13

505 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jayanth Pasupuleti
Seller: Columbus Ave. Realty LLC
Date: 05/22/13

63 Murphy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: James P. Laclair
Seller: Jay T. Dirico
Date: 05/24/13

69 Olko Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Caroline A. Tatro
Seller: RLDR LLC
Date: 05/31/13

EAST LONGMEADOW

11 Converse Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Dalessio
Seller: David K. Marshall
Date: 05/22/13

112 Dearborn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Wayne L. Cox
Seller: D. A. Williams
Date: 05/30/13

32 Greenacre Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $199,500
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Estabrook
Seller: Phyllis M. Rathbun
Date: 05/30/13

227 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Moltenbrey Builders LLC
Seller: Laplante Construction Inc
Date: 05/31/13

20 Lynwood Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $129,500
Buyer: Andre Sample
Seller: Randy W. Sample
Date: 05/24/13

27 Marci Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Charles H. Gray
Seller: Daniel P. Prestegaard
Date: 05/28/13

Orchard Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Jane K. Furnas
Seller: J. Chapdelaine & Sons Inc.
Date: 05/30/13

226 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Anthony P. Potito
Seller: Louis G. Lapointe
Date: 05/24/13

25 Savoy Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Kathleen E. Kalmbach
Seller: Timber Dev. LLC
Date: 05/31/13

214 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Garrett E. Goguen
Seller: Ernest Moller
Date: 05/24/13

100 Tanglewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Luis M. Martinez
Seller: William R. Dennis
Date: 05/29/13

25 Thompson St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Anthony Sarno
Seller: Edward M. Bellerose
Date: 05/28/13

18 Yorkshire Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,900
Buyer: Daniel J. Brookes
Seller: Rhonda Y. Coughlin
Date: 05/30/13

GRANVILLE

462 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Apryl Adelman
Seller: Peter Strniste
Date: 05/24/13

462 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Barbara Greene
Seller: Peter Strniste
Date: 05/30/13

241 North Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Colin D. Neylon
Seller: Gary C. McLaughlin
Date: 05/31/13

HAMPDEN

52 Echo Valley Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Christine A. Yacovone
Seller: Ann M. Joyce
Date: 05/24/13

246 South Monson Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Buyer: Katelyn R. Marcelina
Seller: Hugh K. Martin
Date: 05/31/13

86 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $364,000
Buyer: Gregory J. Clewes
Seller: Robert A. Chaffee
Date: 05/31/13

134 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Jason T. Broom
Seller: Joseph M. Hickson
Date: 05/22/13

HOLLAND

9 Island Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Robert W. Hellinger
Seller: James A. Faust
Date: 05/31/13

10 Julia Ann Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Christian D. Lund
Seller: David N. Goodman
Date: 05/21/13

93 Leno Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Christopher C. Smith
Seller: Virginia M. Hemingway
Date: 05/30/13

38 Marcey Place
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: James M. MacDonald
Seller: Durgin, Robert R., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/13

HOLYOKE

37 Anderson Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: John A. Ramondetta
Seller: Moynihan William E., (Estate)
Date: 05/31/13

41 Cabot St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Luis R. Cotto
Seller: Rafael Alvarado
Date: 05/22/13

105 Dartmouth St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Patrick W. Lunney
Seller: Paul J. Paoli
Date: 05/29/13

455 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Shivani Patel
Seller: Jaclyn M. Caceci
Date: 05/24/13

1103 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Felix A. Santiago
Seller: Marcelino Alicea
Date: 05/31/13

48 Meadowview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Katie A. Gallagher
Seller: Robert K. Laroche
Date: 05/30/13

53 Mueller Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Zachary R. Vozella
Seller: Cha Kat Realty LLC
Date: 05/30/13

20 Pearson Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Kerry A. O’Connell
Seller: James D. Hall
Date: 05/23/13

93 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Templo Pentecostal Inc.
Seller: Asamblea DeIglesias Cristo
Date: 05/30/13

LONGMEADOW

85 Academy Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: John J. Tranghese
Seller: Helen M. Weiner
Date: 05/22/13

56 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $230,900
Buyer: Michele M. Callaghan
Seller: Deborah A. Dalton
Date: 05/31/13

143 Brookwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Huimin Chen
Seller: John Tranghese
Date: 05/22/13

121 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $431,000
Buyer: Sean M. Marien
Seller: Elizabeth C. Lovett
Date: 05/30/13

19 Ellington St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Spencer T. Martin
Seller: Suzanne K. Barron
Date: 05/20/13

101 Ely Way
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Eric M. Polep
Seller: Larry N. Port
Date: 05/24/13

122 Kenmore Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Davis
Seller: Daniel P. Murphy
Date: 05/31/13

174 Meadowlark Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Edward R. Gaudreau
Seller: Theresa A. Gallagher
Date: 05/31/13

46 Plymouth Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Lisa B. Goldberg
Seller: Glenn Keedy
Date: 05/31/13

34 Roseland Ter.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Craig Belgard
Seller: Stanley J. Pisarski
Date: 05/31/13

128 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Verity A. Goldberg
Seller: Jason T. Whitfield
Date: 05/31/13

568 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Casale
Seller: Jerome H. Radding
Date: 05/20/13

LUDLOW

199 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Gerald E. Dubour
Seller: Melody M. Taylor
Date: 05/31/13

Focosi Ln
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Kenneth E. Jackson
Seller: Misha Dev. LLC
Date: 05/24/13

52 Hunter Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Jose A. Sanches
Seller: Arminda Fernandes
Date: 05/24/13

266 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $116,750
Buyer: Chi Lysak
Seller: Vantium Reo Capital Mark
Date: 05/21/13

Parker Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Hemlock Ridge LLC
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 05/31/13

124 Posner Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $189,500
Buyer: Jennifer L. Calkins
Seller: Michael E. Labier
Date: 05/24/13

16 Roy St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Adam G. Vehr
Seller: Manuel R. Marques
Date: 05/28/13

MONSON

29 Circle Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Somers
Seller: Margaret A. Royce
Date: 05/30/13

141 East Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Sheila M. Rivest
Seller: Paul A. Lapenas
Date: 05/24/13

251 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Mark P. Wurszt
Seller: Kevin J. Biermann
Date: 05/31/13

PALMER

91 South High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Paulo J. Palatino
Seller: Edward A. Kareta
Date: 05/31/13

SPRINGFIELD

394 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Michaelian
Seller: Martyn L. Gallagher
Date: 05/24/13

129 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kenneth Norris
Seller: PCL Construction Inc.
Date: 05/24/13

217 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: Eunice Jones
Seller: William M. Zoll
Date: 05/23/13

101 Avery St. #135
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Keena S. Clarke-Guillaume
Seller: Elaine C. Graham
Date: 05/30/13

14 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $138,856
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Christina H. Houghton
Date: 05/31/13

1245 Bradley Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Molta
Seller: HSBC Mortgage Services Inc.
Date: 05/30/13

148 Breckwood Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Opus Durum LLC
Seller: Kenneth L. Fitzgibbon
Date: 05/31/13

65 Brewster St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $160,900
Buyer: Allen M. Beverly
Seller: Timothy Ruth
Date: 05/24/13

15 Candice Circle
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Ashley A. Chenier
Seller: Dupont, Helen T., (Estate)
Date: 05/31/13

57 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Sandra J. Parker
Seller: Shirley Nichols
Date: 05/31/13

523 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Lisa L. Torres
Seller: Maria H. Hamilakis
Date: 05/24/13

154 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $148,674
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Midfirst Bank
Date: 05/20/13

75 Fairway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $144,850
Buyer: Brett A. Gelinas
Seller: Seldin FT
Date: 05/31/12

46 Fullerton St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $128,900
Buyer: Edwin Vega
Seller: Danica Lariviere
Date: 05/24/13

78 Garfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $138,800
Buyer: Norman F. Bliss
Seller: Melro Assocs. Inc.
Date: 05/24/13

256 Greenaway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Jessica Medina
Seller: Matthew M. Bailey
Date: 05/31/13

93 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $152,950
Buyer: Bayview Loan Servicing
Seller: Felix Feliciano
Date: 05/30/13

130 Hartwick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Maria Dangelantonio
Seller: Sherry L. Pio
Date: 05/29/13

15 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Aaron L. Dunn
Seller: Profit Sharing Plan TR
Date: 05/20/13

950 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $1,042,236
Buyer: ARC CBSFD MA 1 LLC
Seller: Inland Amer CFG Portfolio
Date: 05/20/13

27 Mountainview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $129,500
Buyer: Shawn A. Rairigh
Seller: Phoebe A. Siter
Date: 05/31/13

33 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Tracey A. Facchini
Seller: Hugh M. Smith
Date: 05/23/13

125 Paridon St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Camelback LLC
Seller: Camelback LLC
Date: 05/21/13

19 Rhinebeck Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Dianne M. Kepner
Seller: Raymond J. Martin
Date: 05/20/13

75 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Alyssa S. Dunn
Seller: Adam Garand
Date: 05/29/13

41 Silver St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Wilberto M. Saez
Seller: Bernard R. Butler
Date: 05/30/13

Sunnybrook Road
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Frank R. Marvici
Seller: TJM Properties LLC
Date: 05/28/13

200 Tapley St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $1,060,000
Buyer: Pazmino Realty LLC
Seller: Polman Realty LLC
Date: 05/23/13

69 Teakwood Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $146,500
Buyer: Lauren E. Pauze
Seller: Sandra L. Liquori
Date: 05/29/13

20 Treetop Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Hee W. Yi
Seller: Anthony C. Racco
Date: 05/20/13

712 White St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Charles Croney
Seller: Elaine C. Graham
Date: 05/29/13

SOUTHWICK

196 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ralph H. Ramsdell
Seller: Girard Homes Inc.
Date: 05/30/13

111 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Peter A. Bennett
Seller: David J. Henry
Date: 05/23/13

10 Maple St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Joey Jacob
Seller: Jeffrey M. Comee
Date: 05/31/13

4 Sugar Maple Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Holly E. Amanti
Seller: Pinnacle Estates At The Ranch
Date: 05/23/13

WALES

9 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Christopher R. Ryan
Seller: Mary J. McGlynn
Date: 05/21/13

WESTFIELD

3 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Kenneth Dagenais
Seller: Shawn A. Amell
Date: 05/31/13

5 Butternut Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jason Desormier
Seller: David H. Darling
Date: 05/24/13

50 Canal Dr.
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Sheila Sponberg
Seller: Pamela Norris
Date: 05/31/13

12 City View Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Robert L. Blanch
Seller: Linda M. Vela
Date: 05/31/13

26 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Cynthia F. Bullard
Seller: Thomas S. Turner
Date: 05/30/13

15 Deepwoods Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: John E. Harris
Date: 05/20/13

78 Granville Road #40
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,179
Buyer: William E. Freeman
Seller: Granville Road LLC
Date: 05/24/13

187 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Alexander D. Fagnand
Seller: Ronald F. Pac
Date: 05/30/13

316 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Brian L. Osowski
Seller: William M. Brady
Date: 05/29/13

68 Hagan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $151,358
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Tina M. Lamore
Date: 05/30/13

7 Jeanne Marie Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Annie L. Potts
Seller: Jeanne M. Beltrandi
Date: 05/24/13

72 Larchly Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Laura L. Christiansen
Seller: Pressey, Jacqueline J., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/13

77 Moseley Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Craig A. McRobbie
Seller: John J. Wiley
Date: 05/28/13

36 Sunbriar Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Shawn A. Amell
Seller: Nicholas D. Cremonti
Date: 05/31/13

46 Zephyr Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Richard Leclair
Seller: Barnes Herbert S., (Estate)
Date: 05/31/13

WILBRAHAM

90 Chilson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Cheryl C. Clapprood
Seller: Deborah A. Nacewicz
Date: 05/31/13

1155 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Michael V. Tirabassi
Seller: Robert E. Egerton
Date: 05/31/13

51 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Mapleshade PT
Seller: David J. Ziter
Date: 05/21/13

212 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $772,000
Buyer: Mary B. Valentine
Seller: John E. Stambaugh
Date: 05/24/13

WEST SPRINGFIELD

57 Beech Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01030
Amount: $327,165
Buyer: Joseph J. Damour
Seller: Beech Hill Construction Inc.
Date: 05/28/13

93 Bretton Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Kyle G. Morin
Seller: Joan E. Daley
Date: 05/28/13

60 Druids Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Marshall
Seller: Laurie L. Lefebvre
Date: 05/24/13

92 East Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Kody A. Archambault
Seller: Vincent S. Marceno
Date: 05/21/13

76 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Erin E. Lyncosky
Seller: Patricia D. Williford
Date: 05/31/13

51 Lantern Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Brian S. Brady
Seller: Todd A. Thibodeau
Date: 05/30/13

208 Sibley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Vincent Depergola
Seller: Aaron Corley
Date: 05/31/13

646 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Angelica Props. LLC
Seller: Drew A. Demay

8 William St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Francis M. Lewis
Seller: Andrey Parchinskiy
Date: 05/31/13

40 Woodbrook Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Mark M. Salamon
Seller: Peoples United Bank
Date: 05/31/13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

72 Concord Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $785,000
Buyer: Ambreen Bawa
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 05/31/13

346 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Killian R. O’Connell
Seller: David J. Charron
Date: 05/28/13

580 Market Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Jeffery M. Cook
Seller: Oliver T. Miller
Date: 05/29/13

53 Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Killian R. O’Connell
Seller: George R. Scialoia
Date: 05/29/13

63 Red Gate Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kurt C. Wise
Seller: Irene Nystorm
Date: 05/28/13

820 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $424,900
Buyer: Lisa Whitmore PT
Seller: Homeworks Construction Co. Inc
Date: 05/30/13

1204 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kathleen J. Hartford
Seller: Shumway, Wilbur O., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/13

1459 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Erik C. Wight
Seller: Paul E. White
Date: 05/24/13

360 South Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $764,000
Buyer: William C. Taubman
Seller: Roy I. Hare
Date: 05/24/13

228 Shays St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Anderson
Seller: Michael MacDonald
Date: 05/23/13

45 Spaulding St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Dori E. Ehrlich
Seller: Rebecca D. Guay-Mitchell
Date: 05/24/13

366 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $820,000
Buyer: Ernest D. May
Seller: John E. Quinn
Date: 05/31/13

BELCHERTOWN

99 Aldrich St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Steven J. Glenn
Seller: William H. Fitzpatrick
Date: 05/29/13

5 Forest Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Wesnofske
Seller: Nancy Hooper
Date: 05/21/13

88 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Todd Hubbard
Seller: Walter Pacheco
Date: 05/24/13

252 North Liberty St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Nathan R. Morgan
Seller: Joanne M. Leal
Date: 05/31/13

68 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Adam R. Lafleur
Seller: Donald M. Hebert
Date: 05/29/13

152 Old Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Joshua T. Snyder
Seller: James A. Hoag
Date: 05/24/13

61 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Joshua W. Mandeville
Seller: Peter A. Monson
Date: 05/24/13

42 Rockrimmon St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $126,500
Buyer: Cory A. Dupont
Seller: Sharona M. Gazda
Date: 05/31/13

226 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $169,500
Buyer: Dallas R. Branch
Seller: Bettie H. Croft
Date: 05/21/13

206 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Daniel B. Desrochers
Seller: Matthew R. Tolpa
Date: 05/23/13

155 Warner St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: David R. Benedetti
Seller: Stanley G. Beretsky
Date: 05/31/13

EASTHAMPTON

56 Bryan Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Shannon M. Dunham
Seller: Peter T. Curtis
Date: 05/28/13

64 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Christopher N. Norczak
Seller: Mary E. Rust
Date: 05/31/13

19 Concord Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Daniel W. Nelson
Seller: Barbara M. Macon
Date: 05/30/13

211 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Julie I. Schwager
Seller: James J. Fitzgibbon
Date: 05/31/13

9 Gross Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Westley Desotle
Seller: Paul B. Coombs
Date: 05/30/13

11 Lawson Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Bennett K. Bishop
Seller: Kevin J. Evelti
Date: 05/30/13

305 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $228,486
Buyer: Green Tree Servicing LLC
Seller: Simela Paltoglou
Date: 05/23/13

5 Mckinley Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Cristina Suarez
Seller: David C. Hill
Date: 05/21/13

6 South St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Triggs Terrace LP
Seller: Sherry, Arthur B., (Estate)
Date: 05/28/13

GRANBY

286 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Benjamin W. Novello
Seller: Bradley C. Lowe
Date: 05/29/13

10 Philip Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Frank P. Boron
Seller: Deborah J. Roy
Date: 05/30/13

HADLEY

20 Grand Oak Farm Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Araksya McInerney
Seller: Lisa A. Cerchia
Date: 05/24/13

124 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc
Seller: Onesta Properties LLC
Date: 05/31/13

HATFIELD

11 Dwight St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Roy R. Coulter
Seller: Caroline A. Tatro
Date: 05/31/13

115 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: John H. Zieminski
Seller: K. Carlson FT
Date: 05/31/13

11 Valley St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Robert F. Hennessy
Seller: John A. Dodson
Date: 05/31/13

HUNTINGTON

2 Pine St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Morizio Brother Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Carolyn M. Fuller
Date: 05/31/13

110 Rocky Point Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Ronald J. Silwa
Seller: Ronald J. Sliwa
Date: 05/24/13

1 Stage Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Greg L. Valley
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 05/24/13

NORTHAMPTON

377 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Chuong Q. Dinh
Seller: Krisen Day
Date: 05/22/13

557 Easthampton Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Smith Child Care Center
Seller: PUG Realty LLC
Date: 05/30/13

53 Fox Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Patrick D. Rondeau
Seller: Donald W. Abel
Date: 05/28/13

8 Glendale Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Christine Toomasi
Seller: Roger W. Salloom
Date: 05/31/13

61 Gothic St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Grerald A. Boucher
Seller: Nancy E. Murphy
Date: 05/31/13

87 Henry St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: William J. Ewall
Seller: Oona Kingston
Date: 05/29/13

242 Jackson St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Jennifer Katz-Brandoli
Seller: Justin L. Gianesin
Date: 05/24/13

121 Lake St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Gretchen D. Werle
Seller: Christina M. Hammel

91 Moser St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $369,135
Buyer: Armagan Gezici
Seller: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Inc.
Date: 05/29/13

112 Moser St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $444,363
Buyer: Robert S. Harris
Seller: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Inc.
Date: 05/20/13

46 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Stephen T. Preer
Seller: Patrick D. Rondeau
Date: 05/28/13

24 Nutting Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $368,900
Buyer: Casie A. Smith
Seller: Rosemund LLC
Date: 05/22/13

18 Olive St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Thomas T. Gu
Seller: John Dunphy
Date: 05/30/13

247 Park Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $431,500
Buyer: William M. Bither
Seller: Robert S. Harris
Date: 05/20/13

676 Park Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Maya Maclachlan
Seller: Alexandra Mason
Date: 05/22/13

48 River Road
Northampton, MA 01039
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Catherine A. Dollard
Seller: John M. Barrett
Date: 05/23/13

793 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $128,979
Buyer: Household Finance Corp.
Seller: Michael J. Samolewicz
Date: 05/20/13

971 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $192,900
Buyer: Harriet K. Smith
Seller: Cynthia Custeau
Date: 05/22/13

19 Stonewall Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $267,625
Buyer: Susan Kan
Seller: Mary E. Parker
Date: 05/29/13

17 Summer St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $325,500
Buyer: Esther S. White
Seller: Hazen, Nancy G., (Estate)
Date: 05/23/13

910 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Jeremy J. Morini
Seller: Barbara M. Smart
Date: 05/23/13

52 Willow St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Brett I. Constantine
Seller: Joshua Silver
Date: 05/31/13

PELHAM

43 Gulf Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jennifer Culbreth
Seller: Michael Hannahan
Date: 05/31/13

64 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Scott L. Barton
Seller: Niel R. Carlson
Date: 05/30/13

54 Meetinghouse Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $388,000
Buyer: Oilver T. Miller
Seller: James C. West
Date: 05/29/13

SOUTH HADLEY

11 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Christopher Cloutier
Seller: Michael H. Marten
Date: 05/20/13

9 Brockway Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Adam R. Methot
Seller: Robert A. Carrier
Date: 05/24/13

113 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Buyer: Mattew O. Harrington
Seller: Martha Dunn
Date: 05/30/13

590 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $166,500
Buyer: Brian R. Demers
Seller: Vincent S. Turgeon
Date: 05/24/13

7 Grandview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Brian D. Hamel
Seller: Steven J. Glenn
Date: 05/29/13

136 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Warren J. Blumenfeld
Seller: Aaro Stone
Date: 05/24/13

31 Maple St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Thomas Fregeau
Seller: Ryan Grandmont
Date: 05/24/13

52 Michael Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Theresa A. Gallagher
Seller: Short4u RT
Date: 05/31/13

7 Ralph Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $253,137
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Deborah C. Frady
Date: 05/23/13

146 South Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Brian K. Charette
Seller: Charette, Irene M., (Estate)
Date: 05/28/13

189 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Annalese B. Nohelty
Seller: Laurie Mckinnon-Huebner
Date: 05/31/13

SOUTHAMPTON

11 Eastwood Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Suetying Chui
Seller: Theodore F. Pionkos
Date: 05/31/13

1 Glendale Woods Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Flynn
Seller: Karen D. Terenzini
Date: 05/23/13

12 Helen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Malinda Bresnahan
Seller: Wendy McGannon
Date: 05/30/13

37 Maple St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: John L. Meunier
Seller: Thomas W. Granelli
Date: 05/28/13

76 Moose Brook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Nancy A. Ruscio
Seller: Timothy J. Seney
Date: 05/30/13

WARE

9 Dunham Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: New York Community Bank
Seller: Charlene M. Kopec
Date: 05/20/13

26 Pine St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Lisa M. Anair
Seller: Teresa S. Mazik
Date: 05/31/13

7 Sczygiel Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Jesse W. Carter
Seller: Jonathan A. Goff

10 Woodland Hts.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Wood
Seller: Michael L. Wentworth
Date: 05/30/13

WESTHAMPTON

253 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Bryan Sansouci
Seller: Mark Robinson
Date: 05/30/12

47 South Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $264,900
Buyer: Christopher W. Norris
Seller: Charles Bobala
Date: 05/21/13

WILLIAMSBURG

67 Ashfield Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Colby W. Canon
Seller: M. J. Fredette
Date: 05/31/13

89 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: David Zimicki
Seller: Bryan T. Lashway
Date: 05/29/13

178 Old Post Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Sarah R. Freund
Seller: Andrew C. MacLachlan
Date: 05/22/13

WORTHINGTON

98 Ridge Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Maria P. Beere
Seller: Eileen V. O’Connor
Date: 05/29/13

Community Profile: Brimfield

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Community Profile Features

Antique Shows Have Made ‘Brimfield’ a Household Name

David Lamberto has witnessed the growth of the Brimfield Antique Show since he started participating some 30 years ago.
“It’s become known worldwide,” said Lamberto, who owns the Hertan’s ‘store’ (actually a field) where he started out parking cars for Jean Hertan decades ago; he later purchased the parcel before she died. “You don’t even have to call it the Brimfield Antique Show; just say ‘Brimfield,’ and people know what you’re talking about. It’s known worldwide just by that one name.”
In fact, few towns of Brimfield’s size (population 3,600) are known so widely for their main attraction. But this is no mere flea market. For six days three times a year — in May, July, and September — a mile-long stretch of Route 20 is ground zero for the largest outdoor market in the country.
“Prior to Six Flags — when Riverside Park was Riverside — Brimfield was the largest attraction in the region,” said Lenny Weake, president of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, which includes Brimfield in its purview. “Six Flags has been quite competitive with that, but for years, the antique show was the only thing that filled all the hotel rooms in the area.”
It certainly helps fill the Yankee Cricket Bed & Breakfast, which former Ohio resident Bill Simonec built with his wife, Sherry, in 2001.
“I was downsized in 2000, so we moved here,” he said. “My sister-in-law lived in Sturbridge, and we loved the area.
“Bed and breakfasts are known either as destinations — 40 acres, a pond, and horseback riding, for instance — or for their location,” Simonec continued. “We picked location, three miles from the shows and three miles from Sturbridge Village. And we’ve been pretty fortunate.”

Bill Simonec, who operates the Yankee Cricket Bed & Breakfast with his wife, Sherry, said their choice of Brimfield was a wise business decision.

The Great Recession led to a couple of challenging years recently, he said, but things might be improving. “We’re starting to get more reservations in between the show weeks, year-round, in leaf-peeper season, things like that. And this is the first year in three years that all six days of each show, May, July, and September, we’re booked solid. For us, that’s unusual. That’s a glimmer. Obviously things are starting to pick up. People are starting to travel and get out and about again.”

Show Time
If they travel to Brimfield, they’ll encounter a mostly rural town peppered with a variety of small businesses, from the B&B and several restaurants to a print shop, a brewery, and an apple orchard.
Still, “the culture revolves around the antique shows,” Weake said. “People from all over the world come to Brimfield to attend the shows.”
Added Lamberto, “it has a significant economic impact on the region. I feel like it’s an exciting event that brings variety and diversity and culture to the area. It gives character to the town.”
What is a major event today began humbly, when a local auctioneer named Gordon Reed decided to hold open-air auctions on his property, and it grew into a successful flea market. “That was the only show until the late ’70s, when neighboring properties began accommodating dealers that couldn’t fit on the property of the show’s original creator,” Lamberto said. “It expanded quite a bit in the ’80s and ’90s to a one-mile stretch of Route 20 on both sides, and each property became its own show.”
He explained that field owners — who draw some 6,000 dealers a year and close to 1 million total visitors over the three annual events — went through a period in the early ’90s when the shows were expanding up to 14 days long. “Each event caused considerable traffic and disruption in the residents’ eyes. Because Brimfield is such a small community with a town-meeting type of government, the residents were able to come up with a compromise — the selectmen set a six-day period three times a year during which we can operate our shows.”
Lamberto and other site owners also formed an organization, the Brimfield Show Promoters Assoc. “We work together to improve the shows, and we have staggered the opening schedule.”

Lenny Weake says the Brimfield Antique Shows fill hotel rooms across the region.

Specifically, each show opens over a series of days, rather than all fields participating from day one, so that people arriving throughout the week can hypothetically attend an opening. “That’s important,” he told BusinessWest. “Many avid collectors want to see things first because they might find the last piece they need for their collection, or something undervalued that the dealer specializes in.” Meanwhile, those who come later in the week can still find bargains from sellers who would rather settle on a discounted price than pack an item up.
The shows have long been wildly popular, but Weake agreed with Simonec that recent numbers suggest a shaking off of the lingering recession, which put a damper on travel for many. And that helps hospitality businesses across the region.
“All the hotels fill up. There’s not a hotel in Brimfield, and only one motel in Palmer. All those people coming into our area are staying in all the surrounding communities; it’s huge for the whole area. The last show in May, you had a hard time finding a hotel room, and that includes everything from Sturbridge to Springfield And those people need to go eat somewhere.”
In addition, Weake said, “the town charges a permit fee for each of the vendors, so it’s a big economic engine for the town of Brimfield, for sure. They have done very well with the shows.”

Slow Growth
The town — which, by most accounts, doesn’t have much in the way of new business development — could use that success, particularly following the recession and the 2011 tornado.
“The storm went right over our house and destroyed a lot of trees and did a lot of property damage,” Simonec said. “We were on the southern edge of the tornado when it came through. We didn’t have any house damage, but the landscape has been changed; it’ll be 10 or 20 years before it starts to come back.”
The economic recovery has been well under way, however. For example, Hollow Book Farms, which hosts a variety of social and recreational events, is back in business following damage from the storm, Weake said.
“It seems like, over the years we’ve been here,” Simonec added, “a lot of people like myself have moved into the area who come from a pretty good background — middle-class, professional — and it’s shown in the way the town conducts things. People are getting a little more interested in keeping the town rural and making sure things run properly.”
After the slow years he mentioned, when even the antique shows couldn’t totally fill the Yankee Cricket and other business felt the impact as well, “there seems to be a stirring in the economy. After the economy tanked, we had a lot of people struggling. A lot of businesseses are trying to make a comeback. I hear people saying it’s turning around and everything will get better, but I don’t think that’s going to happen for another 18 months or so.”
For now, he and others with a stake in Brimfield will take the gradual brightening of the economic skies they see, and enjoy the thrice-yearly event that has long been the largest event in town, Weake said. “As a general manager of a hotel in my former life, I know that people come from all over the world to the shows.”
“It’s a lot of things to a lot of people,” Lamberto added. “It’s a convention for antiques dealers to get together from all over the country, compare notes, catch up on stories, what’s happening, who’s had grandchildren, who’s had an event in their life. So it’s social in that way. It’s also business; they do a lot of buying and selling. And some come to make connections; they’re looking for things for their collections.”
He said the town has become more strict with permit requirements for sellers, but that comes with the territory of an evolving event. “It’s a balancing act between letting the businesses operate and doing so with the kind of control that keeps public safety as a priority.”
Still, he said, “it’s always an exciting time. It’s hard work, but it’s fun. You meet very interesting people from all walks of life.”
Despite the ups and downs of the economy, Simonec is pleased with his decision to relocate to Brimfield 12 years ago – whether it’s show time or not. “I love New England and love this area, and I’m glad we made the move. I’m happy we settled here.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of and June 2013.

AGAWAM

AHP Plumbing
533 South West St.
Kenneth Perry

KMJ Videography
49 Morningside Circle
Frank Disco

Valley Painting
77 Autumn St.
Ken Zeltner

Wicked in Pink Run
53 Fairview St.
Robert Alves

AMHERST

Amherst Coffee
28 Amity St.
Mukunda Feldman

Custom Events
330 Pine St.
Karen Berrio

Dunn, Etal
989 South East St.
David Dunn

Homespun Event Design
71 North Pleasant St.
Amanda Robertson

CHICOPEE

BMG Home Services, LLC
149 Beauchamp Ter.
Marek Gusciora

Jerards Home Improvement and Commercial Services
16 Dale St.
Jorge Raul Rivera

Olus Painting
269 Chicopee St.
Elmira Usmonova

Profiles Hair and Nails
12 Sheridan St.
Lisa Ann Lefebvre

Signature Hair
1189 Memorial Dr.
Hang Bui

The Hair Force
358 Britton St.
Pamela Doyle

HADLEY

Horton Tank Graphics
47 East St.
Arthur Larson

Sobasko Cordwood & Logging
28 Lawrence Plain Road
Anthony Sobasko

The Work Horse Group Inc.
43 West St.
Susan R. Woods

Valley Dentists
138 Russell St.
Connecticut River Valley Dentist

HOLYOKE

C-Mart
1500 Northampton St.
Syed R. Mobeen

Hidden Hollow Floral Designs
244 Rock Valley Road
Marcia Cassidy

Kennedy Fried Chicken
333 High St.
Yasser Hussain

La Copa Inc.
447 Main St.
Aida DeJesus

Providence Behavioral Health Hospital
1233 Main St.
Daniel P. Moen

NORTHAMPTON

Beets and Barley Catering
184 North St.
Leslie L. Lucio

CD Laborers
80 Damon Road
Christopher Ducey

Minute Clinic Diagnostic of MA
366 King St.
Kimberly DeSousa

Northampton Country Club
135 Main St.
James Casagrande

Uptown Paws
123 Hawley St.
Robin Mulligan

PALMER

Eddy’s
21 Wilbraham St.
Ed Francis

Fusions Mods
18 Barker St.
Todd Nulph

TLD Assets
1118 Park St.
Darnel Ali

Wedgewood Motel
1430 Park St.
Stanley R. Lamb

SPRINGFIELD

Lindsay Entertainment
45 Crabtree St.
Maurice Lindsay

Mara’s Hands of Light
11 Eton St.
Mara M. Veronesi

Network Technology Academy
1655 Main St.
Ronald L. Cook

New Divas
1153 Main St.
Ramon DeJesus

Nunez Tax Services
196 Dickinson St.
Sonia N. Torres

Panda House
1673 Main St.
Yong H. Chen

Perez Family Restaurant
57 Taylor St.
Jorge Perez Jr.

Recovery Express
119 Wilbraham Ave.
Calvin V. Wilson

Richard Electric
71 Mayfair Ave.
Richard Lantigua

Rico Peru Latin Flava
176 ½ Main St.
Juliano J. Callirgos

Signature Turf Services
75 Woodlawn St.
David C. McAlary

Six Corner Barber Shop
296 Hancock St.
John Miller

South End Package Store
32 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Faiza Atif

Spring Valley Mart
612 Carew St.
Masood Ghani

Sudsy Bubbles Inc.
555 State St.
Kelly M. Healey

The E-Store
98 William Road
Kencin Junior

The Paintball King, LLC
1655 Boston Road
Baldomero Martinez

UR Discount Tobacco
1207 Parker St.
Fazal U. Rehman

VIP Cuts
445 Main St.
Andres Ortiz

William Home Improvement
71 Greene St.
William Aponte

Woman of Confidence Coach
20 Orlando St.
Dawn Leaks

XXX Security & Protection
446 Franklin St.
Damaris Rodriguez

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Delta Affordable Construction
33 Birnie Ave.
Vladimir Gargun

Eci Biotech Recruiters
569 Elm St.
William Beattie

Exportacion/Importacion
33 Allen St.
Armando Ramirez

Healing Temple Outreach
9 Willow Ave.
Barbara A. Washington

Ladder 8
139 South Blvd.
Alanna Burwell

Minute Clinic Diagnostic
928 Riverdale St.
Kimberly DeSousa

Northern Granite, LLC
380 Union St.
Vyacheslav Katko

Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home
1043 Westfield St.
Francis X. O’Brien

Wedding Inspirations
31 Field St.
Jessica M. Dziewit

West Side Tire & Auto Services
930 Memorial Ave.
Holyoke Tire & Auto

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Departments Incorporations

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

BELCHERTOWN

Quabbin Soccer Academy Inc., 9 Heritage Dr., Belchertown, MA 01007. Matthew Schiffer, same. Provide youth soccer clinics to players of all abilities.

Quality Payroll Services Inc., 24 Pheasant Run, Belchertown, MA 01007. Payroll services.

BRIMFIELD

Webrising Data Services Inc., 291 Sturbridge Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. Kevin Matthew Hebert, same. Providing consulting and technical services.

CHICOPEE

William Sung DMD PC., 2220 Pendleton Ave., Chicopee, MA 01022. William Sung, same. Dentistry.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Wild Olive Inc., 10 Lynwood Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Carmine Manzi, same. Pizzeria restaurant selling food, beer and wine.

EASTHAMPTON

T & Y Enterprises Inc., 25K Franklin St., Easthampton, MA 01027, Tamer Mahdy, same. Retail and real estate operations.

Zato Inc., 20 Reservation Road, Easthampton, MA 01027. John Holbrook, same. Software and consulting.

FEEDING HILLS

Positive Reflections Inc., 22 Oriole Dr., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Raymond Nadeau, same. Salon and day spa.

HADLEY

Pegasus Investment Corp., 8 Pine Hill Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Savida Justine Sachar, 18 Grand Oak Farm Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Equipment Rental.

Pioneer Valley Realty Group Inc., 2 Bay Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Mark Osborn, same. Real Estate Brokerage Company.

HOLYOKE

Santiago Professional Cleaning Services Corp., 582 South Summer St., Suite #1323, Holyoke, MA 01040. Commercial cleaning services.

LONGMEADOW

River Dogs Baseball Club Inc., 73 Stirling St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. John Valencia, same. Baseball club.

The Greater Springfield Amateur Athletic Organization Inc., 67 Woodside Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Kevin Wright, same.

LEE

Onyx Exports Inc., 40 Willow St., South Lee, MA 01260. Christopher Matthews, same. Export.

NORTHAMPTON

The Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board Inc., 136 Damon Road, Northampton, MA 01060. Richard O’Brien, 576 Merriam Ave., Leominster, MA 01453. To review and rank applications submitted to Mass. Department of Conservation.

SOUTH DEERFIELD

The Creative Journalism Group Inc., 5A Graves St., South Deerfield, MA 01373. Andrew Adamek, same. Research, report, produce and distribute, factual stories about the impact of deindustrialization.

SOUTHWICK

Osowski and Osowski Dental PC., 821 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. Anne Osowski, same. Dental services.

SPRINGFIELD

Paraiba Cleaning Corp., 45 East Bay Path Terrace, Springfield, MA 01109. Everaldo Pontes, same. Cleaning company.

Punta Cana Restaurant & Bar Inc., 137 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA. Dionisio Antonio Moya, 100 Melha Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Food services.

Shree Sai Petroleum Corp., 419 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01108. Riddhi Vyas, 188 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. To operate convenience store and gas station.

Veterans With Vision Inc., 1697 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Patrick Gore, 421 North Main St., New Haven, CT 01053. To provide programs and services in effort to combat and end veterans homelessness.

Virtual Tech Inc., 856 Central St., Springfield, MA 01105. Jeremy Branco, same. Provide free and low cast training for computer technology within the commonwealth.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Perfect Union Inc., 292 Belmont Ave., West Springfield, Ma 01089. Robert Wheten, 902 Florence Road, Florence, MA 01062. Provide education tutoring programs to students who are struggling in grades k-12.

Ranjha Brothers Inc. 24 Myron St., Apt. 18, West Springfield, MA 01089. Hassan Ranjna, same. Retail grocery store.

Turek Mechanical Design Inc., 109 Green Meadow Lane, West Springfield, MA 01089. Paul Turek, same. Contract mechanical design, machine design, tooling, equipment installation, create mechanical design.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff July 2, 2013

Briefcase Departments

Eastman Chemical to Convert Indian Orchard Site to Natural Gas
SPRINGFIELD — Eastman Chemical Company intends to convert the coal-fired boiler at its Indian Orchard site, which it acquired as part of its acquisition of Solutia in 2012, to natural gas combustion by January 2016. (Solutia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastman.) “Several factors have led to this announcement,” said David Lahr, plant manager for the Indian Orchard site, “including compliance with new regulatiory requirements, Eastman’s commitment to protecting local air quality, as well as the abundance of domestic natural gas at prices increasingly competitive with coal.” The Indian orchard site currently operates three boilers — two natural gas units and a coal fired unit. The conversion to natural gas will allow the Indian Orchard site to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent industrial boiler regulations, said Lahr. Several years before EPA finalized these regulations, Solutia discussed with the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection that the site was strongly considering a switch to natural gas combustion to meet its steam and electricity needs in order to comply with these regulations once they became final. Currently, the deadline by which Eastman must comply with these boiler regulations is Jan. 31, 2016.

STCC, WNE Sign Articulation Agreement for Online Business Program
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Western New England University (WNE) recently signed an articulation agreement to provide a coordinated online business degree completion program. The two colleges have been working together informally over the past few years to provide this opportunity to STCC and WNE students. However, the formal signing of this articulation agreement creates an opportunity for STCC students to transfer to Western New England University as a junior, but also allows these students to take classes online — providing them with more flexibility in how they earn their bachelor’s degree. STCC Dean of the School of Business and Information Technologies Leona Ittleman said she credits both STCC and WNE faculty for the work they have done to make this agreement between the campuses a reality. “Many of our best and brightest students transfer to Western New England University and receive the benefits of both colleges’ experience and dedication to student learning,” said Ittleman. “And having an online program is not only convenient for our students, but it also provides them with unlimited access to the resources of both campuses.”

Mass. BHE OKs Policy Change on Dorms at Community Colleges
BEDFORD — The Mass. Board of Higher Education (BHE) recently approved a policy change to allow consideration of campus proposals to build residence halls at any of the state’s 15 community colleges. The measure was approved on a unanimous vote at the Board’s last scheduled meeting of the year. BHE policy in effect since 1980 precluded consideration of residence halls at community colleges. The vote to change the policy establishes Massachusetts as the 40th state to permit the construction of student housing on community college campuses. Nationwide, 22% of community colleges offer student housing, mostly at medium-sized institutions located in rural areas. The concept is neither new nor novel; other states have more than 20 years’ experience in offering and managing student housing at two-year institutions. The overall percentage of community college students housed in residence halls, however, remains relatively small. “I want to stress that this is not a decision to initiate a program of student housing construction at community colleges,” said Richard M. Freeland, Commissioner of Higher Education. “Rather, this is a vote to be prepared to consider proposals in cases where they may enhance the educational experience of our students.” The department’s research indicates that residential life at community colleges has a positive impact on academic outcomes such as graduation rates. Students who live on campus are more fully integrated into college life, resulting in overall higher levels of academic achievement. A similar, positive association between dorms and academic achievement has long been substantiated at four-year colleges and universities. “Among all community colleges across the nation, we see a statistically significant association between the existence of student housing and increased graduation rates,” said Carlos Santiago, senior deputy commissioner for Academic Affairs at the Department of Higher Education. To date, only one Massachusetts community college has expressed public interest in a student housing proposal. Mount Wachusett Community College, located in Gardner, has indicated that it would investigate the feasibility of establishing a residential life program and facility.

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