Home 2016 April (Page 2)

Month: April 2016

Court Dockets

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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

FedEx Techconnect Inc. v. Spectrum Crafts Inc. f/d/b/a The Jannlyn Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment for shipping services: $11,520.28
Filed: 2/22/16

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Christopher Lopez v. Sonic Velocity and Ali Ozan Koseoglu
Allegation: Misclassification as independent contractor and non-payment for services: $25,000+
Filed: 2/22/16

Dominic Santiniello, a minor, by and through his mother as next friend, Lori Santiniello v. Longmeadow High School
Allegation: Wrongful suspension of student: $25,000
Filed: 2/24/16

Red Technologies v. Safe Environment of America Inc
Allegation: Non-payment of waste-removal services: $48,667.94
Filed: 2/22/16

United Bank v. Hilltop Holding, LLC and Thomas Engwer, III
Allegation: Default on loan payment: $70,412
Filed: 2/24/16

Valerie Greene v. Fathima, LLC d/b/a Corner Convenience and Gas and Zahoor Haq
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of premises causing ankle fracture: $2,946.94
Filed: 3/11/16

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Gustafson Electric Inc. v. O’Leary Group Inc., American River Inc., and TwoThree27, LLC
Allegation: Breach of third-party beneficiary contract and unjust enrichment: $127,614.85
Filed: 3/16/16

Valley Home Improvement Inc. v. SunEdison, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment for services rendered: $37,771.69
Filed: 3/18/16

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

United Bank v. Grow, LLC and Jodie Castanza
Allegation: Breach of promissory note: $10,379.74
Filed: 2/22/16

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Aramsco Inc. v. Accutech Insulation and Contracting Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $14,088.23
Filed: 3/25/16

Picture This

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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]

 

‘A Night of Passion’

Link-to-Libraries_016Link to Libraries hosted “A Night of Passion” on April 5 at the Log Cabin, promoting childhood literacy with an evening of fine food and beverages. A host of area celebrities and business leaders — including Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president and COO; Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor; Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center president and CEO; Delcie Bean, CEO of Paragus Strategic IT; Mick Corduff, executive chef and co-owner of the Log Cabin; and Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal, P.C., among others — served up their favorite food or drink, all donated by the Log Cabin and its owner, Peter Rosskothen (left, with Link to Libraries co-founder Susan Jaye-Kaplan). More than 500 people attended Link to Libraries’ biennial fund-raiser, which benefits the organization and celebrates what it has accomplished since 2008, including the donation of nearly 500,000 books to area schools and organizations, and how it intends to expand its mission in the years to come.

 

Link-to-Libraries_014Link-to-Libraries_119Link-to-Libraries_079Link-to-Libraries_119

PeoplesBank To Jump Start Gardening Season With Free Earth Day Events

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank, a leader in corporate environmental sustainability, has announced its 2016 Earth Day events. The bank will give away flowers and vegetable garden seeds to the public on Earth Day, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

  • 300 King St., Northampton, a LEED® gold-certified office;
  • 1051 St. James Ave., Springfield, a LEED® silver-certified office;
  • 1240 Sumner Ave., Springfield; and
  • 547 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, a LEED® Gold certified office

The events will be open to the public. Quantities are limited and will be distributed while supplies last, and only at the designated PeoplesBank offices.

Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts Seeks Pynchon Award Nominations

By
Daily News

The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is seeking nominations from the four Western Massachusetts counties for the 101st annual William Pynchon Award, the area’s oldest community service award.

Established in 1915, the award honors individuals from all walks of life who go beyond the call of duty to enhance the quality of life here in our Western Mass community. Past recipients have included social activists, teachers, philanthropists, historians, clergy, volunteers, physicians, journalists, and business leaders, a diverse group with one thing in common — a drive to make our region a better place for all who live here.

To nominate an individual, submit a one-page letter explaining why the nominee should be considered. Please include brief biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, examples of service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three people who can further attest to the nominee’s eligibility for induction into the Order of William Pynchon.

All nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon Trustees, comprised of past and present presidents of the Advertising Club. Nominations must be submitted by April 30 to: William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 1022, West Springfield, MA 01090-1022 or by e-mail to [email protected]

Jean Deliso Joins Select Group Helping AARP Members Secure Their Futures

By
Daily News

AGAWAM — Jean M. Deliso, CFP, from the CT Valley General Office of New York Life, recently joined a select group of agents who are authorized to offer AARP members a range of financial solutions through AARP life insurance, annuity and long-term care options from New York Life. To become part of this group of agents, Deliso followed a certification process established by New York Life, which includes extensive training on products and regulations, education on evaluating client needs, state licensing and a commitment to service.

AARP Services, AARP’s for-profit subsidiary, provides quality control over the certification process and training.

Deliso, is president/owner of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services, a firm focusing in comprehensive planning designed to help position clients for a solid financial future. Her extensive experience in several areas has helped lead to a reputation for certain specializations, such as assisting people in planning for their financial future, particularly in preparation for retirement as well as in times of transition such as divorce or widowhood.

After graduating from Bentley University, Deliso spent seven years in the public accounting profession before transitioning to Financial Services in which she has been working for more than 20 years.

New York Life has been offering AARP-branded products to AARP members since 1994. Since then, the relationship has grown to include a portfolio of annuity products (added in 2006) and now most recently long-term care options in [2016].

Elizabeth Staples

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Director of Operations, The Good Dog Spot; Age 36

Elizabeth Staples

Elizabeth Staples

In her mid-20s, Elizabeth Staples had a job at MassMutual, a love for animals … and an idea.

As a board member with the national Pet Care Services Assoc., she noticed doggie day cares were becoming more popular, many launched by people in the corporate world who had built some savings and decided they’d rather play with dogs all day. She thought she could do it better.

“I had this ‘a-ha’ moment. On the East Coast, you mostly saw the warehouse style of boarding — put the dog in a cage and go away, which is kind of sad,” she explained. “But nationally, the trend was toward an off-leash play center, where people could feel good about leaving their dog and not feel guilty about it. That’s what we wanted to bring to this area.”

So she launched the Good Dog Spot in Chicopee in 2007 — a place where canines can mingle and have fun during the day. “We wanted to build a day-care facility based on the pet-owner relationship,” she said.

Since its opening, the business has grown from one employee to 18, with some 2,000 clients and 50 dogs in day care each day, in addition to overnight boarding for dogs and cats. The business moved to larger quarters nearby several years ago and recently expanded again, doubling the dogs’ play space to 10,000 square feet.

Staples said her success reflects a shift in the way dogs are cared for in the U.S.

“It’s amazing to me we’d be here 10 years later, with steady growth through the recession and hard times. But it goes to show that dogs are part of our family. You don’t see dogs tied in the backyard anymore; we do treat them like family.”

The Good Dog Spot also offers grooming services and a small retail area, but keeps the main focus on humane, play-centered boarding. And Staples is serious about pet welfare; she’s trained in pet first aid and CPR through the American Red Cross, and has donated time and resources to Dakin Humane Society, Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center, and Rainbow Rescues. She also recently donated pet oxygen masks to local fire stations.

She said she gets a kick out of new clients who are initially baffled by the report cards and even art projects that get sent home with their furry friends each day, but clients soon come to look forward to those personal touches.

“This is a lot of work,” she said, “but it’s worth it if you do it right.”

—Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Kara Stevens

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Director of Accounting Programs and Associate Professor, Bay Path University; Age 34

Kara Stevens

Kara Stevens

Kara Stevens’ path to an accounting career was not as straight or well-marked as those taken by most who choose this profession.

She didn’t have a family member with the letters ‘C,’ ‘P,’ and ‘A’ after their name to inspire her, and she was, to use her word, an average math student. And while attending Springfield Technical Community College, she struggled to identify a major.

But while there, she developed not only an affinity for business, and especially accounting, but a liking for it as well.

“It seemed pretty interesting, it turned out I was good at it, and soon people were asking me to help tutor them,” she explained. “And it really progressed from there.”

She went on to major in accounting at UMass Amherst and then join Wolf & Co. in Springfield, where the next chapter in her career would unfold, somewhat like the first one. While teaching as an adjunct at Westfield State University, she discovered she was not only adept at teaching, she had a real passion for it as well.

So she made a career course change and joined Bay Path University as a full-time instructor and would go on to blueprint the school’s master’s-degree program in accounting. She described it as a course of study that is, by its nature, heavily focused on numbers, but it also helps students with the subjective nature of accounting, or what Stevens called the “big picture.”

She said there are many rewards in this profession, but perhaps the biggest is helping students gain not only the skills, but the confidence to break into the field or advance within it.

“To get that phone call from a student — that they’ve gotten that second interview, or got the job, or got the promotion … that is something really neat to be a part of,” she explained.

And while she developed expertise in accounting and then teaching, maybe the skill she’s most proud of — one she’s admittedly still mastering — is that of achieving work/life balance, something she owes to a strong support system anchored by both her current employer and her husband, Matthew.

“I feel that I’ve been able to find a wonderful work/life balance,” said Stevens, mother of 4-year-old Mary-Kate, “being able to continue growing professionally and academically, as well as being the type of mom and wife that I want to be.”

With the couple expecting their second child in a few months, that work is about to get that much more challenging.

— George O’Brien


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Beth DeGray

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Managing Partner and Director of Sales, the Log Cabin and Delaney House; Age 38

Beth DeGray

Beth DeGray


It was the spring of 1997, and Beth DeGray, then a 19-year-old student at Holyoke Community College, was looking for some part-time employment. She heard about the upcoming opening of the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, and applied for a server’s job.

She never imagined that, 19 years later, she would still be driving up Route 141 to get to work. But that’s exactly what she does, primarily because the man who hired her all those years ago, Peter Rosskothen, has given her several opportunities for advancement, and she’s taken advantage of every one.

While the titles on the business card (managing partner is the latest) have certainly changed, as have the job descriptions, the basic assignment has not. Indeed, then, as now, DeGray’s job has been about taking care of the client. In 1997, that meant getting dinner in front of the guest while it was still hot. Now, it means selling the Log Cabin’s various facilities to clients ranging from brides to area bank presidents to regional nonprofit managers, and then making sure their events come off without a hitch.

It’s a challenging but supremely rewarding role, one she approaches with a distinct philosophy. “My main goal is making it so the client can totally check out mentally, in terms of what they’ve planned, by the time they walk in the door on the day of the party,” she explained. “And we handle the rest.”

When not facilitating such efforts, DeGray is active in the community, especially with the Ronald McDonald House and the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and its Howdy Committee.

She’s also committed to finding time within a sometimes grueling schedule for her family — her husband, Christopher, and sons Adam, 9, and Jack, 7. DeGray credits them with helping her rediscover a childhood obsession — skiing.

“My parents were both ski instructors — I lived on the mountain,” she said, adding that she put the pastime down as career and family responsibilities mounted. “A few years ago, I picked it up again, and I’m very passionate about it, because I can do it with my family.”

DeGray is no stranger to the 40 Under Forty Gala — the Log Cabin is hosting it for the eighth time this year. This time, though, she’ll see it from a much different light. Yes, she’s given herself the night off — with definitive plans to check out mentally.

— George O’Brien


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Incorporations

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Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

C & N Renovations Inc. 410 Meadow St., Apt. 30, Agawam, MA 01001. Christopher Guyette, 174 Birnie Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Residential Remodeling.
 
AMHERST

Action Interaction Inc. 145 University Drive, #3612, Amherst, MA 01004. Robert Price, same. Provides assistance with conducting events, workshops and performances, and all other lawful business.
 
CHESTERFIELD

Ajility Chico Corporation, 173 South St., Chesterfield, MA 01012. Gauis Brandt Slosser, same. Health care personnel staffing.
 
EAST LONGMEADOW

Ceramoptec Industries Inc., 515 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Damian Pange. To acquire and dispose of real estate or personal property of any kind; and to purchase, mortgage, rent or lease, real estate or personal property of any kind.
 
GREAT BARRINGTON

Berkshire Community Land Trust Inc., 140 Jug End Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Billie Best, 16 White’s Hill Road, Alford, MA 01230. Education, research, and the promotion of and appreciation for community access to land and other natural resources in Berkshire County and environs for sustainable: 1. Affordable housing, 2. Farming, 3. Economic diversity, and 4. Open space for recreation. B. Enhancement of the community by acquiring by gift or purchase land and interests in land in Berkshire County.
 
Barlow Landscaping, Excavation, Paving and Construction Corp., 77 Davis St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Bryan Barlow, same. Landscaping, excavation, paving and construction and any other lawful business or activity.
 
HAMPDEN

BAF Auto Sales Inc., 482 Main St., Hampden MA 01036. Bilal Mhanna, 48 Agnes St., Springfield MA 01118. Used car dealer.
 
HOLYOKE

Colegio Biblico Camino De Emaus Inc., 349 High St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Juan Fernandez, 210 Mountain View Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040.
 
LEE

Berkshire Hills Youth Soccer Inc., 325 Marble St., Lee, MA 01238. Matthew Naventi, same. Organize and administer youth soccer teams and leagues in Southern Berkshire County of Western Massachusetts.
 
PITTSFIELD

123 Up and Adam Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Manuel Arcangel Martinez. 1123 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford, MA 02740. A nonprofit organization established to assist cross-disability, community-based agency that practices consumer-control. The non-profit corporation shall provide aid and relief services, to homeless disabled persons in Massachusetts.

Carlow and Zepka Construction Inc., 7 Park Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01220. Construction services.
 
WEST SPRINGFIELD

All for Christ Deliverance Outreach Ministries, 73 Hillside Village, Ware, MA 01082-0916. Marineusa Portugal Brown, 204 Pearl Street, Springfield, MA 01108. The ministry will serve its purpose by reaching out to Springfield and other communities throughout Massachusetts. We so endeavor to win souls for the kingdom of God. We desire to edify and to bring about positive change for the lives of many by teaching the Bible and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
 
WILBRAHAM

Confluent Sciences Consulting Inc., 255 Burleigh Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Frederick Haibach, same. Consulting practice and small-scale manufacturing of instrumentation. The services provided are in proof-of-concept chemical measurements, instrumentation development, evaluation and methods for interfacing instruments to the measurement all the way to the supervisory control and data acquisition system and training. Small- scale instrument manufacturing of limited-run prototypes or prototyping instruments.

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of April 2016.

AGAWAM

Brittany Shields Photography
327 North West St.
Bradford Tilden

Feeding Hills Wellness Center
567 Springfield St.
Nancy Griswold

Gallagher A/S
81 Ramah Circle
Gianfranco Scirocco

R & G Remodel
94 Witheridge St.
Roman Gurskil

Titan Trading
15 Plumtree Way
Michael Pelletier

The Garlington House
322 Meadow St.
Larry Garlington

Tobedo
59 South Westfield St.
Wanda Torres

V & G Quality Home Improvement
32 White Fox Road
Vasiliy Grigorchuk

Victor Snacks
19 River St.
Victor Suarez

HOLYOKE

Aeropostale
50 Holyoke St.
Harry Axt

Convenience Plus
225 Whiting Farms Road
Andrw Slifka

Hampden County Cardiovascular Associates
230 Maple St.
James Arcoleo

Merrell
50 Holyoke St.
Ronald Balk

SG Renovations
294 Pleasant St.
SG Renovations

NORTHAMPTON

Antique Corner
5 Market St.
Louis Farrick

Barefoot Gardening
8 Aldrich St.
Courtney Gilligan

CAC Maintenance
65 Reservoir Road
Joseph Murphy

Heartcore Writing
28 North Maple St.
Elizabeth Solomon

Muscular Therapy Center
5 Strong Ave.
Catherine Carija

Northampton Doula
15 Nonotuck St.
Sara Rachlin

PALMER

One Stop Liquors
1458 North Main St.
Jeegar Patel

Roof Maintenance Management & Materials
111 Breckenridge St.
David Giordano

The Barn Cat
2136 Baptist Hill St.
Deborah Kelder

SPRINGFIELD

A Touch of Heaven
770 Carew St.
Tanya Martinez

Abuelita’s Kitchen
17 Rutland St.
Peter RiDubois

Alpha & Omega Construction
132 Croyden Terrace
Stefan Tshihotsky

AMC Childcare
799 Sumner Ave.
Victor Allder

Annette Marie Laroche
156 Jeffrey Road
Annette Laroche

Axiom Insurance
251 Boston Road
Lance Letourneau

Belle
68 James St.
Lynell Gasque-Davis

Beneath the Beauty
567 Carew St.
Stephanie Edwards

Da Li Mo and Company
9 Temple St.
Sandra Cotten

De Todos Market
306 Belmont Ave.
Ana Marte

Gifted Tones
1655 Boston Road
Alberto Navarro

Team Strength
23 Paridon St.
Lauren Corthell

Teo’s Finest T-Print
28 Preston St.
Teifilo Aponte

The Legends Barbershop
2388 Worthington St.
Luis A. Baez

Tripticstar
298 Allen Park Road
Michelle Barnaby

VSJ Productions
15 Barber St.
Veronica Shippy-Josey

WLHZ La Hora Zero
470 Main St.
Evelyn Edwards

Young Urban Engineering
815 State St.
Greg Ellerbee

Youthful Expressions
1 Allen St.
Zena R. Murray

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Lattitude Restaurant
1338 Memorial Ave.
Jeffrey Daigeneau

M.D. Transportation
198 Heywood Ave.
Maria Duducal

Navone News
35 Albert St.
Jennifer Navone

Peak Performance Exterior
103 Upper Beverly Hills
Eric Barkyoumb

Ready Motors
2405 Westfield Road
Victor Meyko

Scattered Seeds Foundations
908 Morgan Road
Maryanne Pacitti

Shawna’s Solutions
26 Duke St.
Shawna McDaniel

Sprint Spectrum
233 Memorial Dr.
Terrence Frederick

The Pawsitive Look
865 Memorial Dr.
Doris Ruiz

The Puppy Place
935 Riverdale St.
Richard Carty

Van Deene Medical Building
75 Van Deene Ave.
Jonathan C. Sudal

Western Mass Hypnosis Centers
201 Westfield St.
Thaddeus Muszynski

Ashley Clark

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Cash Management Officer, Berkshire Bank; Age 29

Ashley Clark

Ashley Clark


Ashley Clark wanted a challenge.

She entered the banking world after college with a part-time teller position at Westfield Bank. From there, she moved to a full-time role, but after a year of that, she approached her superiors and said she was bored and needed more of a challenge. Because they wanted to grow their cash-management department, they moved her there.

“I’ve been in the cash-management world since then,” she said, although now with Berkshire Bank. “I’m responsible for payments and collections for business customers — anything from how they handle their deposits and their payments to wire transfers, online banking, things like that.”

The good news is, she’s far from bored.

“It’s always different, never the same day twice. I get to meet a lot of people, go out and see a lot of business, and I learn a lot. I cover Springfield and the Berkshires, and going up and down, you see totally different markets and get to learn about these different businesses you normally wouldn’t know about.”

With those opportunities, Clark has become acquainted with a vibrant business community in Greater Springfield, and has become heavily involved in organizations like the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield — where she chairs the YP Cup dodgeball tournament that draws close to 400 participants annually — and Valley Venture Mentors, where she helps mentor startup companies trying to reach their dreams of successful business ownership.

“I grew up in Westfield, on the other side of the river, where all you knew about Springfield was what you saw on the news,” she said. “But when I got involved in groups like YPS, their passion for the city rubbed off on me, and I came to realize that, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

That’s not to say cities don’t have problems, she added.

“The people I grew up with constantly talked down about Springfield. But that’s not making a difference. All cities have challenges, but you’ll never see any change until you put your money where your mouth is. So, instead of pointing out the negatives, I’ve submerged myself in the Springfield culture. It’s a shame there’s so much focus on the bad when so much good is happening. That should make news. I want to share that news with people in different communities.”

In other words, this finance professional is bullish on Springfield.

“The city will change,” Clark said. “What will you do to help it get there?”

— Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Michael Clark

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Chief of Staff, Office of State Sen. Eric Lesser; Age 26

Michael Clark

Michael Clark


When asked about everything that goes into his job description and how he carries out that broad assignment, Michael Clark summoned some phrases and analogies straight from one of his boss’s top priorities at the moment — gaining expanded rail service for the Greater Springfield area.

“I keep the train on the tracks,” said Clark, who works with other members of state Sen. Eric Lesser’s staff on everything from drafting legislation to crafting press releases; from meeting with constituents to handling questions from the press. “You might say I’m the conductor.”

Putting aside the railroad terminology for a moment, Clark, who worked on Lesser’s campaign for the Senate in 2014 and eventually led that effort, said that perhaps his most important function — and it’s not written down anywhere — is to act as the senator’s sounding board.

“I spend a lot of time with him myself, and we do a lot of strategic planning,” he said, adding that there are many issues to contend with in Lesser’s extremely diverse 1st Hampden and Hampshire Senate district, one that includes Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and other affluent suburbs, but also roughly half of Springfield and two-thirds of Chicopee, the region’s largest urban centers.

Some issues are specific to one city or town, he said, but most, like the opioid crisis, rail service, and boosting the manufacturing sector, cross all border lines.

When asked what he likes most about his broad role, Clark paused and said, in essence, everything.

Indeed, he told BusinessWest that he very much enjoys the challenge of running a political campaign — and he’s been involved with several beyond Lesser’s — but also likes the hard work that follows a race, especially the part about listening to constituents and working to address their concerns.

He does this not only in his role as Lesser’s chief of staff, but also as a member of Longmeadow’s School Committee, which is tasked with maintaining one of the state’s best school systems and serving an extremely demanding constituency.

When asked about the 2016 presidential race, shaping up as one of the most intriguing in the nation’s history, Clark, who can look at it from several angles, summoned just a single word to describe it all: crazy.

That adjective would also apply to his schedule, workload, and the sum of those efforts to keep the train on the tracks.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

— George O’Brien


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Rebecca Connolly

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

CPA, Audit Manager, Moriarty & Primack, P.C.; Age 31

Rebecca Connolly

Rebecca Connolly


There are days when sorting out a problem in a client’s accounting is the best part of Rebecca Connolly’s day. There are others when it’s teaching real-world tactics to college students at her alma mater, Elms College, and still others when it’s building forts of pillows and having a mighty Nerf gun battle with her 4-year-old son, as her 4-month-old looks on with glee. 

It’s a balancing act, she says, but one she’d never trade. 

“I enjoy what I do, and that makes all the difference in the world,” said Connolly, audit manager with Moriarty & Primack in Springfield. But that’s not all there is to the equation: Connolly was one of the youngest people ever promoted to manager within the firm, while at the same time serving as an adjunct professor at Elms.

“I thought I wanted to teach at one time, but I found public accounting, and I love it,” she said. “Now, I love being able to teach what I do and pass on what I’ve learned.”

She also sits on Elms’ Business Department Advisory Committee, helping to guide development of new classroom materials, and volunteers for the college’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education) workshops.

“To me, that is what we should be teaching girls, hands down: there are degrees that lead to STEM professions. I wish someone had brought it up to me even sooner, because I’ve always loved numbers.”

That enthusiasm and mind for numbers serves Connolly well, but also benefits many other aspects of the community. She’s an active civic leader, serving as treasurer for the Springfield Boys and Girls Club’s board of directors, volunteering with Junior Achievement — including as a teacher of JA’s life course “Economics for Success” — and working to promote emerging leaders through her membership with the Mass. Society of CPAs’ Western Mass. chapter.

“I like to be as useful as I can be,” she said. “I like the fun of trying to work out problems, like a puzzle. That’s where my passion is, so I have no problem being on finance committees, giving advice, and helping to find out what it’s going to take to reach certain goals.

“I work with for-profit and nonprofit businesses, both small companies and those with high net worth,” she continued. “So I have a well-rounded view of the business environment, and I can answer a lot of questions.”

And if there are no Nerf wars scheduled, answering that question might even be the best part of Connolly’s day.

— Jaclyn Stevenson


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Courtney Doyle-Campbell

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Clinical Assistant Professor, Western New England University; Age 38

Courtney Doyle-Campbell

Courtney Doyle-Campbell


During her undergraduate studies at Smith College, Courtney Doyle-Campbell considered whether to become a doctor or a researcher. She eventually chose a career that bridged both worlds: the rapidly changing field of pharmacy.

After earning her PharmD degree at UConn, she took a retail job with Walgreens as a community pharmacist, but then an intriguing opportunity arose: an adjunct teaching position at Western New England University, in its just-launched College of Pharmacy. So she made a career shift into education.

“I learned that I love teaching,” she said. “I had been resisting it. I come from a long line of educators, and I saw how hard teachers work and how burned out they get.”

That wasn’t her experience at WNEU, however. Not only did Doyle-Campbell enjoy interacting with students, she also forged a partnership with RiverBend Medical Group to develop a program for patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, splitting her time between that clinic and the college.

“Physicians send me patients who have trouble getting their blood pressure under control, or patients who are confused about their medications and need more education, or they’re taking three or four things, and their blood pressure is still high,” she explained. “I enjoy chronic disease management and talking with patients. It’s really one of my passions. So it’s a perfect fit for me along with my job at Western New England.”

That program is one way she has taken to heart the college’s philosophy of ‘the pharmacist as educator,’ and she’s excited to be in the field at a time when the pharmacist’s role is expanding and becoming a more critical bridge between the patient and primary care.

“It’s continuing to evolve, and you can do anything in this field — research, teaching, patient education, or a mix of those things,” said Doyle-Campbell, who also advises the local student chapter of the American Pharmacists Assoc., and is active in efforts to get the government to recognize pharmacists with provider status on par with physicians and other healthcare professionals — all while making time for her daughters, Maura and Elyse.

“There’s a disconnect between what we do and what people perceive that pharmacists do. We’re trying to bridge that gap and get more recognition,” she added. “It’s different than when pharmacists graduated 20 years ago. Then, the emphasis was all on the drugs. Now, the emphasis is really on the patient. It’s amazing how far pharmacy has come in such a short time.”

—Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Molly Feinstein

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Owner, GoBerry and Provisions; Age 32

Molly Feinstein

Molly Feinstein


Molly Feinsten certainly fits the definition of ‘serial entrepreneur.’

Indeed, she co-founded a locally sourced frozen-yogurt shop, called GoBerry, in Northampton and Amherst — thus creating a model others have purchased to establish their own locations — and later opened Provisions, an outlet for fine wines, craft beers, and specialty groceries on Crafts Avenue in Paradise City.

“It’s a true experience,” she said of Provisions. “You can walk in and find something you probably wouldn’t find anywhere else; everything is hand-picked, tasted, and selected — usually because it has a great story behind it.”

As does the store’s owner. Indeed, while she’s quite proud of those business ventures, she would like the top of her résumé — not to mention her introduction at the 40 Under Forty gala — to focus on what she does within the community, not what she does for a living.

“Because that’s what I take the most pleasure from right now — my work with nonprofits,” said Feinstein, noting that she has essentially chosen this time, when her children — two boys, one 3, the other just turned 1 — are still very young and her business ventures are on solid ground, to devote serious time and energy to giving back.

She’s eight months into her tenure as co-chair of the United Way of Hampshire County’s annual campaign, work she said has been extremely rewarding, while also serving as a meaningful learning experience. “It’s been really exciting to meet with different community leaders to take on work with the mission of improving life in Hampshire County; it’s been very energizing.”

Meanwhile, she played a lead role in the creation of an entity known more by its acronym, DNA, than its full name, the Downtown Northampton Assoc.

Created in the wake of the demise of the city’s business-improvement district, DNA handles marketing, maintenance, and advocacy for the city’s highly acclaimed downtown, she explained, noting that it is funded with voluntary contributions from businesses and civic organizations.

“When my husband, Alex, came to downtown Northampton and we started GoBerry, we weren’t married, and since then, we’ve gotten married, bought a house, and started a family,” she said. “The constant in that has been downtown; it’s been such a good home for us, and I’ve really enjoyed the work of forming the DNA, because I wholeheartedly believe in its mission, and I love downtown.”

So, like the frozen yogurt at her stores, Feinstein’s passion for giving back to the community comes in many flavors.

— George O’Brien


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

John Gannon

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Associate Attorney, Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.; Age 37

John Gannon

John Gannon


John Gannon says employment law is an intriguing field, even for non-lawyers, because of its universal impact compared to, say, divorce law or criminal law.

“Everyone has had a job, so everyone can relate,” Gannon said. “Unfortunately, people may have lost their job or know someone who has, so they have a first-hand perspective on the issues we deal with on a daily basis.”

However, the legal world wasn’t Gannon’s first career choice. He first went into marketing and advertising, but found that wasn’t as compelling to him as, well, arguing.

“I was always getting into arguments — not because I had to be right; I just enjoyed discussing legal or other issues with people. I like to get their perspective, especially if it’s someone I respect, because they’re often able to shed light on aspects of the argument I wasn’t even looking at. But I really do like arguing, and what better place to do that than in the legal field?”

He said legal work sometimes resembles another passion, tennis. “You’re on one side of the net, and another lawyer is on the other side. There’s a lot of rallying back and forth.”

He says this is an exciting time to be in employment law — the specialty of his Springfield-based firm — particularly because of all the issues related to emerging technologies, from social media to working remotely to bring-your-own-device rules governing laptops, tablets, and smartphones at work.

Meanwhile, he has successfully defended employers against claims of discrimination, retailiation, harassment, and wrongful termination, as well as emerging issues ranging from Massachusetts’ new earned-sick-time law to changes in the Fair Labor Standards Act related to overtime exemptions.

“These changes impact a lot of employees,” Gannon noted. “A significant part of our experience is just counseling employers when they have questions and seek advice related to compliance.”

Outside the office, he’s cultivating important relationships as well, such as his pro bono legal-aid work with the Springfield District Court Lawyer for a Day program, and especially as a board member with Educational Resources for Children, an Enfield nonprofit that provides after-school services for kids.

“In today’s world, a lot of children have two working parents, and these types of programs are becoming more and more important,” he said. “Parents want to feel confident knowing that, every day, their children are involved in rich academic and recreational activities after school.”

After all, the work world — with all its legal complexities — will arrive soon enough.

— Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Celebrating the Difference Makers Class of 2016

By
Class of 2016 Difference Makers

More than 450 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke on March 31 for a celebration of the 2016 Difference Makers, the eighth annual class of individuals and organizations honored by BusinessWest for making an impact in their Western Mass. communities. The photos below capture the essence of the event, which featured entertainment from Veritas Preparatory Charter School and the Taylor Street Jazz Band, as well as fine food and thoughtful comments from the honorees. This year’s class, chosen by the editor and publishers of BusinessWest from dozens of nominations, include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; the late Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales and philanthropist; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties; Bay Path President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president of Robison Service and advocate for individuals on the autism spectrum. Once again, the honorees received glass plates handcrafted by Lynn Latimer, representing butterflies, the symbol of BusinessWest’s Difference Makers since the program was launched in 2009.

Nunzio Bruno

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Owner/Business Strategist, Disruptive Strategy Co.; Age 31

Nunzio Bruno

Nunzio Bruno


Nunzio Bruno says there are more similarities between his career and one of his newer passions — power lifting — than most people think.

“I started taking it seriously, honoring my own goals, putting money down on equipment and meets … essentially, showing up,” he said, noting that his first power-lifting meet was just a few weeks ago. “I realized, as I started to see changes as I progressed, that it’s like a metaphor for what I ask people to do every day.”

Bruno owns the Disruptive Strategy Co., a business-strategy firm based in West Springfield that works with companies of all sizes to improve their output, organizational structures, and, ultimately, their bottom lines.

“I work with staff to identify resources, offer communication coaching, develop business plans … it’s always a little different, but the idea is that all companies have challenges and don’t always have the capacity or capabilities to address them. Someone like me is brought in to dive into the research, get into the nitty-gritty, and create a plan for improvement, plus the documentation to show how it will play out.”

Since his company’s inception in 2009, Bruno has seen success with a wide breadth of clients, from an indie soap maker he helped introduce to Whole Foods, which now carries the line, to a Fortune 500 firm. He’s begun to develop his own curriculum of sorts for companies — the Disruptive Decision Framework — to assist them in identifying specific weak spots across their organizations and make decisions about next steps.

“I’m asking organizations to buy into a big process, and the curriculum helps us to build frameworks, do a bit of planning, and create a system to move everything forward,” he explained.

Bruno also teaches economics, finance, and strategy as an adjunct faculty member at Elms College, Bay Path University, Springfield College, and American International College, and speaks frequently on related topics. Both roles have allowed him to stay abreast of subtle changes in the corporate marketplace, including a shift he sees toward redefining success.

“Whatever the goal, we need to take the outcomes seriously, and honor a system,” he said.

That brought Bruno back to his new discoveries in the world of amateur power lifting, and those parallels he sees between his work and his weights.

“When I’m lifting, if I don’t feel right, the feedback is real. Something is off, and I can’t justify it away,” he said. “I work to get people to see their businesses the same way — if there’s a problem, it needs a fix. Be pumped to do it, and follow through.”

— Jaclyn Stevenson


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Katie Chappell

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Program Project Coordinator, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass.; Age 33

Katie Chappell

Katie Chappell


Katie Chappell likes to joke that she has 105 children, and 45 happen to live with her — along with a 90-pound dog named Fenway.

This thumbnail sketch of Chappell’s life says a lot: She loves to work with young people, she’s not afraid of hard work — not to mention a lot of noise — and she’s a perennial Red Sox fan, as is her canine companion.

But it’s not the whole story. Those 105 kids comprise the girls Chappell works with through her position as program project coordinator with the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass., and the women she lives with as house director of the Sigma Delta Tau Psi sorority at UMass Amherst.

These are just the two latest positions Chappell has held in an already-impressive career working with youths and nonprofits, including as fund development coordinator with the Springfield Boys & Girls Club Family Center and Dunbar Community Center, senior program director with the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford, Conn., and recreation building supervisor with the Manchester Recreation Department in Manchester, Conn.

Chappell has worked with the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass. since 2012, holding three different positions as she advanced in her career. Her accomplishments in that time have included increasing the number of programs offered by 346%, summer-camp attendance by 20%, and recipients of Bronze and Silver awards, which recognize exemplary service by Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes, by 10%.

But the Girl Scouts organization has been instrumental in bringing her out of her comfort zone for much of her life, said Chappell. She earned her own 25-year pin in 2014, and maintains her membership in the national chapter.

“I truly believe that Girl Scouts make the world a better place. It taught me how to give back to the causes and issues I care about as I grew up, and now, I can instill what I got out of scouting in others,” she said, noting that this includes her volunteer work with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, the Massachusetts Park and Recreation Assoc., and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, to name a few.

“Everything I do is a passion for me, and why I give back and do everything that I do,” she said. “If it’s important to you, you make time, and make things happen.”

— Jaclyn Stevenson


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Lamont Clemons

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Executive Vice President, S-Cel-O Painting; Senior Vice President of Commercial Energy Sales, Proton Energy Group; Age 38

Lamont Clemons

Lamont Clemons


Lamont Clemons was born and raised in Springfield. At this particular time in its history, he’s glad to be back.

“I think about my humble beginnings here, and watching the transformation of Springfield has made me passionate about the city,” he said.

His role at Agawam-based Proton Energy Group — which brokers deals with energy suppliers to reduce the costs of commercial customers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York — follows positions with Dominion Power, Wachovia Securities, and Capital One in Richmond, Va.; American Express in Greensboro, N.C.; and Northrop Grumman in Elkridge, Md., jobs that gave him an appreciation for cities in other regions. “I felt that there were a few things I could take back to my hometown.”

At the same time, Clemons plays a role at his family’s 30-year-old business, S-Cel-O Painting. “There’s definitely not a dull moment. We’re dealing with high-end clients who are used to getting excellent customer service, and they want you to pick up the phone and respond to them immediately. So excellent customer service, building relationships, is a main focus.”

Besides his dual career, Clemons is involved in a host of community organizations, serving as president of the McKnight Neighborhood Council, assistant treasurer of the Greater Springfield YMCA, and second vice president of the Springfield Rotary Club.

“Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of role models in the minority community, especially here in Springfield, and I wanted to add that value, to give back to the community,” he went on.

He’s particularly proud of programs he’s helped launch at the Dunbar Community Center, including one where teenagers run a concession stand at basketball games and learn about supply and demand, revenue and expenses, in order to make decisions on what to stock and how to maximize profits.

“We show them the value of running a business, and along the way, they learn about workforce management and process improvement,” he said. “To give those kids that skill set is a huge value to add. Sometimes decisions don’t go well, and that’s life — they make adjustments. When you see the light go off in their head, it’s really phenomenal.”

And hugely gratifying, he went on.

“These kids are really the future of the city. We’re at a tipping point into a really good era for Springfield, and I’m very interested in contributing something to this city that built me.”

—Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Elizabeth Fisk

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Account Executive, WHAI/Saga Communications; Age 33

Elizabeth Fisk

Elizabeth Fisk

Elizabeth Fisk is a serious Red Sox fan. “I sobbed when they won the World Series,” she said, referring to the 2004 triumph that ended an 86-year drought.

So, when WHAI in Greenfield planned to move Red Sox radio broadcasts from its FM station to its AM affiliate 14 years ago, Fisk, who preferred the reception on FM, didn’t like that idea. And when the 19-year-old Greenfield Community College senior ran into WHAI General Manager Dan Guin at the annual Bernardston Gas Engine Show, she made those sentiments known.

“It was 15 or 20 minutes of me arguing with him,” said Fisk, who had been waiting tables and tending bar to support her education. “We went back and forth about lots of things, about sales … and when we were done, he offered me a job.”

Fisk said Guin saw something in her, even though she had no previous background in sales. And he was very observant. “I had an aptitude for it; not everyone can ask someone for money, but I was born with this ability to not take things personally. And I fell in love with it.”

She’s been at the station ever since, not only selling airtime, but creating ads, promoting events, and helping businesses develop marketing plans in what can be a challenging market. “Franklin County is the poorest county in Massachusetts,” she said, “so I work with as many nonprofit organizations as I do for-profit businesses, helping them get their message out there so they can better serve the community.”

Fisk said she’s fortunate to work for a company, Saga Communications, and a boss, Guin, who promote a culture of volunteerism outside the workplace, and in 2010 she won the VICTOR Award, given annually to one Saga employee who goes above and beyond their job’s duties. Among her myriad volunteer roles, perhaps the most rewarding is her work on the advisory board of the Franklin County Children’s Advocacy Center, which provides medical, protective, and legal services for local victims of child physical and sexual abuse.

“My least favorite phrase in the English language is ‘somebody should,’” she said. “It’s easy to point fingers or wring your hands. But if you don’t participate, if you’re not engaged, I don’t think you have much standing to throw up your hands and complain about the community you live in. If people don’t recognize their vested interest in their community, nothing will ever change.”

— Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Amanda Moyer

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Director of Account Services, Market Mentors, LLC; Age 29

Amanda Moyer

Amanda Moyer


National Donut Day.

It’s not listed on any wall calendars, and with good reason. Officially the first Friday in June, it’s not a national or even regional holiday, and Hallmark hasn’t designed any cards to recognize it. But the date resonates with the Salvation Army, which, as those famous posters from World War I reveal, supplied donuts, among other things, to soldiers, thus providing one of the etymological roots of the term ‘doughboy.’

The Salvation Army uses the holiday to bring attention to its legacy and programming, but until recently, this was not a local phenomenon. Amanda Moyer changed all that. Indeed, as a board member for that organization, she called upon her work in public relations, as director of account services at Market Mentors, LLC, to recognize inherent value in Donut Day, bring it to Greater Springfield, and thus shed a strong light on the mission of the Salvation Army — “doing the most good” — and how it’s carried out.

But National Donut Day is just one of many ways she assists this organization; she’s also heavily involved in everything from the red-kettle campaigns to the annual Coats for Kids initiative.

And Moyer owes her position, not to mention Donut Day exploits, to BusinessWest. Well, sort of. She was a Central Connecticut State University student, working summers at Longmeadow Country Club and looking for internship opportunities, when she came across a copy of the magazine’s annual Resource Guide at the club. Upon perusing the list of advertising and marketing agencies, she came upon Market Mentors, sent the agency a letter of inquiry, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since that internship in 2008, she’s advanced to account executive, project manager, and now director of all the agency’s departments. When asked for a job description, she said simply, “I’m basically responsible for everything that goes out the door.”

And while she doesn’t make donuts, she’s an accomplished baker, providing carrot cake, bread pudding, and cheesecake for Sturbridge Seafood, the eatery owned by her boyfriend, Ken Yukimura. She does some occasional modeling, and loves to work out; she’s especially fond of exercise boot camps.

So you might say she’s a tremendous role model in that she clearly demonstrates the value of working hard, getting involved in the community, staying in shape, supporting your significant other, and, yes, reading BusinessWest.

That’s food for thought. And so is this: National Donut Day is only seven weeks away.

— George O’Brien


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

LaTonia Monroe Naylor

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Manager of Community Impact, United Way of Pioneer Valley; Age 36

LaTonia Monroe Naylor

LaTonia Monroe Naylor


It’s not every day that a new mother decides, not long after maternity leave, to pursue a complete career change, including pursuit of a master’s degree and starting from scratch at a nonprofit organization, after already securing a successful position in the corporate sector.

But that’s exactly what LaTonia Monroe Naylor did. She followed her heart into the career that had been beckoning her again and again, and today serves literally thousands of people as the manager of Community and Volunteer Engagement with the United Way. It was a tough decision — Naylor and her husband were raising a young family, and taking the job would entail a salary reduction. But she’d already found happiness through other nonprofit endeavors, including as an early champion and organizer of Deborah House Second Chance Transitional Housing, established in 2010 in Springfield.

“Working with a corporation was nice, but I wanted to help people,” she said, noting that she earned her master’s degree at Bay Path University in nonprofit management and philanthropy. For good measure, she also picked up a certification in volunteer board and governance. Soon after, she accepted a position with the United Way.

“I definitely feel like a lot of the things that make us more visible in the community come from the people who have a real passion for this kind of work,” she said.

Naylor has a particular passion for helping young people, both through the United Way’s programs that connect community resources to the families and individuals who most need them, such as Students Engage Springfield — a program that expands and creates new outlets for college students to connect to service-learning opportunities — and other endeavors, including Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s Anti-violence Task Force.

“Things like that give me a chance to work on other important issues that aren’t necessarily part of the United Way’s core mission,” she said, “and help to make Springfield a great place to live.”

Today, Naylor’s family has swelled to four children, and it’s this brood, along with her husband of 15 years, who propel her, along with their faith.

“I’m a believer, and I feel that is a big part of being successful for me,” she said, adding that her future plans include pursuing teaching opportunities and perhaps taking on an executive director’s position with a youth center someday.

Her biggest goal, though, will continue to be nurturing her community for everyone who lives within it, from family to friends to strangers passing by.

— Jaclyn Stevenson


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Lidya Rivera-Early

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

GPSTEM Program Director, Springfield Technical Community College; Age 39

Lidya Rivera-Early

Lidya Rivera-Early


There’s a quote from the late Puerto Rican baseball star Roberto Clemente that Lidya Rivera-Early lives by. “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”

It’s sound advice, she says, but Clemente’s words also spur positive memories for her. Rivera-Early moved to Springfield from Puerto Rico as a teenager 25 years ago, and remembers her childhood on the island as one full of music, food, laughter, and trips to baseball games with her family. As such, the ideas of giving back, empowerment of others, and the importance of building relationships are blended together for her, and she champions them each day, both in her position as GPSTEM (Guided Pathways to Success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program director at Springfield Technical Community College and in her personal life.

“What’s most important to me is empowering others,” she said.

She does so in her career by providing people across the city of Springfield — not just at STCC — with the tools they need to “grow and obtain success,” as she puts it. More specifically, that means identifying and creating new, innovative strategies for educational and career development that speak to a diverse community and prepare individuals for today’s workforce.

“We pay close attention to what employers are looking for, and we pass this information on to the community,” she said, noting that she works frequently with career centers in the area such as FutureWorks to reach people outside of the STCC student body. “Anywhere the community has a need, we go.”

In fact, Rivera-Early is often seen all over the city, through her role at STCC, but also as a volunteer with the Gandara Mental Health Center, the Family Resource Center, the Springfield City Council’s ad hoc committee for workforce development, and Let’s Connect, a nonprofit startup initiative, among others.

She’s also joined up with Focus Springfield Community Television to produce a show called Against All Odds, wherein young people in the area gather to talk about the issues they face and how they’ve overcome them.

“I’m very passionate about working with youths to help them find their voices,” she said. “I identify with a lot of their struggles, and helping them grow is extremely important to me.”

Rivera-Early added that she loves what she does in part because it isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” kind of career, unlike her favorite Clemente jersey.

“I found the right path for me,” she said, and there is family, hope, music, and baseball all along the way.

— Jaclyn Stevenson


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Brian Canina

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Chief Financial Officer, PeoplesBank; Age 38

Brian Canina

Brian Canina

Brian Canina calls himself a “math geek,” which has served him well in both phases of his career.

First, he earned a degree in accounting and worked for Wolf & Co. in Boston, then in Springfield. That firm’s niche is in banking, and he audited banks for a decade before being contacted about an open controller position at PeoplesBank in 2009. Late last year, he was named CFO.

“Essentially, I oversee all the financial aspects of the bank,” he explained. “I manage the loans and deposit balances and financial statements for the bank. We have to make sure we’re lending out at higher rates than we’re taking money in, make sure the bank stays financially healthy. From that standpoint, I manage the bank’s assets and liabilities and also financial reporting.”

In that role, he has increasingly embraced new technology, using sophisticated business-intelligence tools to ensure PeoplesBank remains competitive and responsive to customer needs. “That’s a new undertaking, this concept of big data, where we gather different data sources around the bank and bring it into one large database, then slice and dice and analyze it to get to know our customers better, see which customers are using which products. That’s the wave of the future, and we’re probably one of the first community banks around here using data analysis like that.”

That’s typical for PeoplesBank, which prides itself on staying on the cutting edge in banking. “We’re a smaller community bank, so we’re not going to be the one that comes out with anything first, but we consider ourselves fast followers behind the big banks, and typically first to market in Western Mass. with some of the up-and-coming technologies in banking.”

He says the math geek in him truly enjoys the strategic aspects of his job. “I love digging into numbers to find trends and different things that can give us an advantage.”

The father of two children, Aidan and Addison, with his wife, Sarah, Canina clearly has a heart for kids. So, in his spare time, he helps young people get a leg up in life, from coaching youth sports to his work as a board member for Children’s Study Home in Springfield, which serves young people and families with special needs, including behavioral, psychiatric, and cognitive issues related to experiences they’ve survived.

“It’s a little overwhelming how many different things they do. They’re active in so many different aspects of children’s lives,” he said. “I enjoy being part of that in any way I can. Getting involved in the community and helping children in need is probably one of the best things anyone can do.”

— Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Darleen Buttrick

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Project Manager, Tighe & Bond; Age 36

Darleen Buttrick

Darleen Buttrick


A bachelor’s degree in chemistry can lead to an array of careers. When Darleen Buttrick was earning hers at Bucknell University, her research into how tire-wear particles leach harmful substances into the environment piqued something inside her.

“That fueled my fire for taking what I knew about chemistry and getting into the environmental field,” said Buttrick, who enrolled at UMass Amherst for her master’s in environmental engineering. There, she became involved in research in the field of drinking water, “and I haven’t looked back.”

In her 11 years at Tighe & Bond, the region’s largest civil-engineering firm, she has specialized in the water-treatment arena, managing projects for some of the firm’s largest clients, including the recently completed, $3 million ultraviolet disinfection facility for Holyoke Water Works.

It’s important work, she said, even if most people don’t think about it often. “Treatment facilities tend to be out of sight, out of mind, until you see something like what happened in Flint, which brings the reality of drinking water to the forefront.”

In fact, cities face a constant challenge balancing needed infrastructure upgrades with limited funds, she added. “One of the big things I’ve been working on is assisting them with evaluating the condition of their infrastructure and targeting the most critical needs for improvements, and from there coming up with a cost-effective solution to upgrade their facilities.

“I love the feeling that I’m having a positive impact,” she went on. “If we can make water-treatment plan operators’ lives a little less stressful or develop a solution to construct a new system, that’s so satisfying.”

Recently promoted to an associate in Tighe & Bond’s stock-ownership program, Buttrick is excited to be with a rapidly expanding company that has grown from 175 to 275 employees over the past five years. But she’s just as passionate about her volunteer work, which includes wearing many hats at her church, serving on the Aquifer Protection Committee in her hometown of Easthampton, and launching and co-leading a Girl Scout troop in that community.

The Girl Scout work is personal to Buttrick, who recalls being diagnosed with scoliosis at age 9 and wearing a back brace, and struggling to develop friendships — until she became involved in the Pioneer Club, a church-based youth organization. “Those friendships lasted my entire childhood; they were constant friends who were always there,” she said. “I wanted my two girls to have the same chance to build lifelong friendships.”

— Joseph Bednar


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.
 
Beecher, Joseph, A.
Beecher, Donna, M.
a/k/a Pastore, Donna, M.
40 Sioux Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/09/2016

DeMusis, Robert, P.
DeMusis, Maria, Katina
33 Colorado St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/14/2016

Dunham, Allen, R.
31 Railroad Ave.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2016

Gingersnaps Vending
Simone, Mark, R.
Simone, Ginger, P.
350 West St., Lot 41
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/14/2016

Jackson, Heather
PO Box 1924
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/09/2016

Jandro, Edward, J.
Jandro, Beverly, D.
102 Tanner St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/10/2016

Kurzman, Colleen A.
31 Railroad Ave.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2016

Perez, Carmen, Amanda
1682 Memorial Dr. 2R
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/10/2016

Rakaska, William, R.
1612 Westover Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/09/2016

Rostick, Lesline, G.
a/k/a Ainsley, Lesline, G.
12 Hamlin St., Apt. D
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/10/2016

Stone, Eric, K.
22 Bonair Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2016

Szynkaruk, Jacek
Szynkaruk, Gina, B.
6 Taylor Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/09/2016

Williams, Susan, L.
1932 Page Blvd.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2016

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

1620 Cape St.
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Christopher E. Roberts
Seller: Anne E. Porter
Date: 03/15/16

CONWAY

522 Hoosac Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $298,500
Buyer: Michael R. McDowell
Seller: Tammy J. Dubuque
Date: 03/16/16

DEERFIELD

230 Stillwater Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Michael S. Didonna
Seller: Beatrice Young-Blain
Date: 03/18/16

GILL

280 West Gill Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $115,250
Buyer: Brooke Hastings
Seller: John L. Dubay
Date: 03/16/16

GREENFIELD

68 Devens St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Crista R. Dericco
Seller: Nicholas Blackmer
Date: 03/14/16

272 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Drew Taylor-Pogue
Seller: FHLM
Date: 03/14/16

126 Oakland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $171,300
Buyer: Gerard M. Keim
Seller: Thomas D. Newcomb
Date: 03/08/16

LEVERETT

102 Juggler Meadow Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Joshua W. Wallace
Seller: Woodland NT
Date: 03/15/16

247 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $289,500
Buyer: Patrick J. Geryk
Seller: Peter R. Heronemus
Date: 03/15/16

MONROE

Davis Road
Monroe, MA 01350
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Todd M. St.Jacques
Seller: Todd M. St.Jacques
Date: 03/07/16

MONTAGUE

154 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Katie M. Boudreau
Seller: Thomas J. Demers
Date: 03/11/16

NORTHFIELD

204 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kristin S. Graves
Seller: Sherry K. Tychsen
Date: 03/11/16

66 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Deutsche Band
Seller: Jonathan R. Christopher
Date: 03/08/16

6 Pine St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Melissa K. Heckman
Seller: Gay A. Roberts LT
Date: 03/11/16

ORANGE

349 Tully Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Christopher S. Cote
Date: 03/07/16

ROWE

43 Middletown Hill Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $132,439
Buyer: USA HUD
Seller: Barbara A. Stickney
Date: 03/17/16

SHELBURNE

101 Mechanic St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Clayton L. Connor
Seller: Bonita Bobowiec
Date: 03/16/16

SUNDERLAND

18 Howard Hepburn Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Melinda J. Martin
Seller: Michael E. Sweeney
Date: 03/11/16

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

50 Harding St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $173,900
Buyer: Glenn Vreeland
Seller: Antonio J. Pezzimenti
Date: 03/11/16

7 Marla Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Brendan S. Hartt
Seller: Christopher J. Strycharz
Date: 03/07/16

15 Memorial Park
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Petr Melnik
Seller: Kierkla, Maria, (Estate)
Date: 03/18/16

27 Merrill Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $138,801
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: James M. Turnberg
Date: 03/10/16

14 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $206,836
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: John D. Foster
Date: 03/07/16

21-23 Scherpa St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: Bryan Mruk
Seller: Diane M. Mercier
Date: 03/11/16

300 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: S&H Goodies Realty LLC
Seller: Mark Cornelius
Date: 03/18/16

325-327 Walnut St. Ext.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: OSC Property LLC
Seller: Raymond Kuselias
Date: 03/17/16

CHICOPEE

88 7th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Joshua J. Vadakin
Seller: Ivan Panasyuk
Date: 03/11/16

65 Dayton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Breton
Seller: Gerald A. Lavallee
Date: 03/16/16

165 Deslauriers St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Wrecker LLC
Seller: Debra J. O’Connor
Date: 03/07/16

429 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $143,100
Buyer: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Margaret Taylor
Date: 03/15/16

369 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: Luke Vicente
Seller: FNMA

New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: MSJ USA LLC
Seller: Ronald R. Barthelette
Date: 03/08/16

38 Nye St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Mark V. Bartosz
Seller: Paul C. Poreda
Date: 03/14/16

572 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Lindsay A. Drobnak
Seller: Krzysztof B. Janczar
Date: 03/11/16

161 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Evan M. Mann
Seller: Keem LLC
Date: 03/18/16

42 Valier Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Rachael M. Pignatare
Seller: Mildred M. Hayward
Date: 03/18/16

33 William St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Tyler S. Austin
Seller: Christopher J. Plewa
Date: 03/14/16

EAST LONGMEADOW

462 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Sheila R. Heady
Seller: Camilo J. Catarino
Date: 03/10/16

322 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Steven A. Clines
Seller: Eleanore A. Kennedy
Date: 03/18/16

37 Frankwyn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Emily Link
Seller: Laura A. Stevens
Date: 03/09/16

10 Judy Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Erica Donnelly
Seller: Mark R. Carnevale
Date: 03/18/16

193 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Steve Congelos
Seller: Kelly Binnall
Date: 03/11/16

11 Oak Brook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $219,100
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: James L. Bowen
Date: 03/08/16

566 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Couture Partners LLC
Seller: S&C Homebuyers LLC
Date: 03/10/16

119 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Tina L. Girhiny
Seller: Brenda J. Anderson
Date: 03/18/16

310 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Mark R. Carnevale
Seller: Jeffrey M. Cabral
Date: 03/18/16

21 Scantic Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Rebecca Ouellette
Seller: Theresa Ouellette
Date: 03/15/16

HAMPDEN

260 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Christopher P. Turnberg
Seller: Clifton R. Graves
Date: 03/08/16

30 Brookside Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $141,135
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Barbara A. Olend
Date: 03/17/16

39 Brookside Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Buyer: Kelli D. Kefalas
Seller: Timothy D. Johnson
Date: 03/10/16

91 Raymond Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $211,500
Buyer: Jerry Ago
Seller: Thomas M. Rosati
Date: 03/10/16

126 Steepleview Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: James M. Quinn
Seller: Jennifer M. O’Connor
Date: 03/18/16

HOLYOKE

21 Arthur St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Jonathan M. Westbrooks
Seller: 3 Palms LLC
Date: 03/18/16

51-53 Belvidere Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Corey J. Potvin
Seller: Kristen Mone
Date: 03/16/16

25 Central Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $266,500
Buyer: Tracy A. Caisse
Seller: Pamela St.Jean
Date: 03/18/16

2-6 Day Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: Michele L. Richardson
Seller: Shemaya Laurel
Date: 03/07/16

75-77 Longwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Sandra I. Santiago
Date: 03/08/16

167 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Daniel Bones
Seller: Mark D. Bodah
Date: 03/11/16

2-4 Saint Jerome Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $156,976
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Elmis A. Collado
Date: 03/07/16

LONGMEADOW

79 Chiswick St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Kearney
Seller: Tusk RT
Date: 03/18/16

123 Dwight Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,450,000
Buyer: LPC Realty LLC
Seller: Longmeadow Professional Center LLP
Date: 03/18/16

97 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Dufault
Seller: Paul C. Sabec
Date: 03/14/16

69 Western Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Ghulam Sheraz
Seller: Andrew M. Aronson
Date: 03/11/16

LUDLOW

28 Dale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Manuel Duarte
Seller: Carlos Ribeiro
Date: 03/11/16

92 Laroche St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Amandio D. Ferreira
Seller: Domingos F. Afonso
Date: 03/09/16

36 Newbury St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Anotonio Carvalho
Seller: Reeves, Dorilla M., (Estate)
Date: 03/07/16

138 Ridgeview Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $147,900
Buyer: Nelson G. Duarte
Seller: Karen Larocque
Date: 03/18/16

49 West Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Andrew Connor
Seller: Thomas J. Russo
Date: 03/09/16

MONSON

261 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $432,500
Buyer: Clifton R. Graves
Seller: James P. Kelley
Date: 03/08/16

35 Zuell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Brian K. Brennan
Seller: Michael S. Carter
Date: 03/07/16

PALMER

26 Burlingame Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $187,900
Buyer: Scott C. Miller
Seller: Wrubel, Enes E., (Estate)
Date: 03/08/16

56 Burlingame Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: John D. Alexander
Seller: FHLM
Date: 03/16/16

12-16 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Baldyga Realty LLC
Seller: Susan Monat
Date: 03/14/16

19 Emelda St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $165,900
Buyer: Caitlin A. Lamoureux
Seller: Rafael A. Sierra
Date: 03/14/16

3041 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Debra J. O’Connor
Seller: Barbara A. Spear
Date: 03/09/16

360 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Baldyga Realty LLC
Seller: Susan Monat
Date: 03/14/16

SPRINGFIELD

13 Amity Court
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $119,500
Buyer: Olmstead RT
Seller: MNL Management LLC
Date: 03/17/16

48 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Tamara D. Williams
Seller: Carol J. Flouton
Date: 03/11/16

145 Bowles St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Johanna Maldonado
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 03/08/16

107-109 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Ricardo Merced
Seller: Wilbraham Builders Inc.
Date: 03/08/16

384 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Rosa K. Parra
Seller: North End Housing Initiative
Date: 03/16/16

75 Fox Woods Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Crescenza Dobiecki
Seller: Erica M. Marsh
Date: 03/10/16

4 Garfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Straitway To Heaven COGIC
Seller: First Park Memorial Baptist
Date: 03/16/16

94 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Lahoussine Akanour
Seller: John R. Lyons
Date: 03/11/16

478-480 Grayson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $140,000
Seller: Ronald J. McClements
Date: 03/17/16

245 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Yvette Heredia
Seller: Devon S. Boreland
Date: 03/11/16

24 Ionia St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Angelica J. Cruz
Seller: Shawn Carleton
Date: 03/11/16

91 Jeffrey Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Kristy Yacovone
Seller: Abram Aviles
Date: 03/10/16

45 Larkspur St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $126,500
Buyer: Joseph C. Pollard
Seller: Lee C. Chua
Date: 03/18/16

58 Leete St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $153,295
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Madelyne M. Robbins
Date: 03/09/16

18-20 Leonard St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Omar Yousef
Seller: Fancy Living LLC
Date: 03/11/16

54 Luden St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $124,500
Buyer: Joni Rhone
Seller: Beverly J. Wilander
Date: 03/09/16

57 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Tanya S. Boacas-Martins
Seller: Pogman Realty LLC
Date: 03/07/16

470 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Bar S. Land Holdings LLC
Seller: Carolyn A. Racicot
Date: 03/16/16

472 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Bar S. Land Holdings LLC
Seller: Carolyn A. Racicot
Date: 03/16/16

64 Marlborough St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Kimberly S. Williams
Seller: NI Management LLC
Date: 03/14/16

175 Marmon St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Adam L. Weber
Seller: Patricia A. Demers
Date: 03/15/16

66-68 Montclair St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Christina Henry
Seller: Olaolu O. Odewole
Date: 03/18/16

261 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Better Homes Inc.
Seller: Lugrone L. Handford
Date: 03/11/16

22-24 Ozark St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Olmsted RT
Seller: WN Management LLC
Date: 03/17/16

134-136 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Antonio Ferreira
Seller: Francisco F. Fandinga
Date: 03/14/16

191 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Luz Lopez
Seller: Viviana Council
Date: 03/07/16

1553 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Michael Morrison
Seller: Richard M. McKeever
Date: 03/17/16

143-149 Putnam Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Ricky B. Wallace
Seller: Tang Realty LLC
Date: 03/10/16

111 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Mario E. Martinez
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 03/07/16

229 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $156,900
Buyer: Ru J. Zhao
Seller: Paul R. Chartier
Date: 03/18/16

13 Raymond Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Lisandra Zeno
Seller: Global Homes Properties
Date: 03/15/16

179 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment
Seller: Cabot Realty LLC
Date: 03/09/16

204 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment
Seller: Cabot Realty LLC
Date: 03/09/16

213 Slater Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $124,250
Buyer: Albert C. Crepeau
Seller: Evelyn A. Such
Date: 03/08/16

1207 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Christian A. Palma
Seller: Gloria G. Weissman
Date: 03/14/16

51-59 Taylor St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: City Church
Seller: 51-59 Taylor Street Inc.
Date: 03/11/16

33 Thorndyke St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Lennox A. James
Seller: Robert J. Tudryn
Date: 03/18/16

48 Undine Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Ellen T. Moorhouse
Seller: Gail M. Lonis
Date: 03/14/16

52 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Tomasz Szal
Seller: Hugh K. Martin
Date: 03/18/16

26 Warner St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $211,270
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Kelly Reyes
Date: 03/09/16

166 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment
Seller: Cabot Realty LLC
Date: 03/09/16

179 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment
Seller: Cabot Realty LLC
Date: 03/09/16

180 Whittum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Irina Vidomanets
Seller: Alexander Vidomanets
Date: 03/11/16

126 Wollaston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: Kwaku Agyei-Yeboah
Seller: Nu Way Homes Inc.
Date: 03/18/16

15 Wood End Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: James F. Ware
Seller: Jason S. Balut
Date: 03/18/16

SOUTHWICK

118 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Mark Mikaelian
Seller: Steven R. Legault
Date: 03/15/16

68 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Calvin J. Arnold
Seller: Daniel O’Sullivan
Date: 03/18/16

6 Great Brook Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Cemil Erdem
Seller: Tracy M. Calvanese
Date: 03/11/16

29 Lauren Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Kevin K. Yarrows
Seller: Pine Knoll Inc.
Date: 03/10/16

7 Liquori Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $457,500
Buyer: Karl R. Schmidt
Seller: Paul E. Cesan
Date: 03/11/16

106 Summer Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Erin M. Larson
Seller: New England Remodeling & Restoration
Date: 03/17/16

40 Woodside Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Emily J. Bryant
Seller: Lynn N. Fiana
Date: 03/18/16

WESTFIELD

31 Alquat St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Thomas I. McLain
Date: 03/08/16

72 Cardinal Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Gary L. Gover
Seller: Roger L. Ringenbach
Date: 03/14/16

71 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,000
Seller: 71 Franklin Street LLC
Date: 03/07/16

22 Harold Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Bridget A. Stearns
Seller: Robert P. Williamson
Date: 03/11/16

46 Holland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $121,200
Buyer: Big Buck Properties LLP
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 03/09/16

12 Leaview Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Gregory F. Vescio
Seller: Eric P. Leduc
Date: 03/16/16

18 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,187
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Robert F. Swayger
Date: 03/08/16

44 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Brian A. Kuchachik
Seller: Burlingame, Carol A., (Estate)
Date: 03/11/16

225 Pontoosic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Stephen R. Walbridge
Seller: Henry J. Bannish
Date: 03/14/16

18 Rosedell Dr. Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Mellissa Leduc
Seller: Thomas Scott-Smith
Date: 03/16/16

69 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Anthony R. King
Seller: Kylah M. Murdock
Date: 03/09/16

123 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,250
Buyer: Justin B. Guilmette
Seller: Phillip B. Prather
Date: 03/11/16

36 Sherwood Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Matthew R. Montini
Seller: Brandon F. Giordanolanza
Date: 03/15/16

10 Smith Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Anotoliy Ovdlychuk
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/10/16

179 Tannery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Chad Brodeur
Seller: Lynn M. Boudreau
Date: 03/11/16

229 Western Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Robert L. Knapp
Seller: Joanne M. Brochetti
Date: 03/09/16

WILBRAHAM

6 Bradlind Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $133,900
Buyer: Michael S. Gloster
Seller: Cheryl Wooster
Date: 03/15/16

485 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $322,500
Buyer: David G. Mitchell
Seller: Joseph G. Lafreniere
Date: 03/17/16

603 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: David J. Izatt
Seller: Donald R. Bennett
Date: 03/07/16

1 Meadowview Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Richard F. Steng
Seller: Luisa M. Tavares
Date: 03/07/16

11 Tracy Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Brick Road Properties LLC
Seller: Rivest, Robert F. Jr, (Estate)
Date: 03/14/16

WEST SPRINGFIELD

107 Althea St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,109
Buyer: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: K. Sukhumbaadthaneai
Date: 03/18/16

220 Ashley St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Robert A. Foresi
Seller: Nancy E. Dellaquila
Date: 03/11/16

409 Brush Hill Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Rodney H. Dupuis
Seller: Carol A. Clark
Date: 03/10/16

125 Craiwell Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $266,500
Buyer: Brett Gazaille
Seller: Linda L. Crean
Date: 03/07/16

55 Cooper St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kurt M. Davis
Seller: Nancy A. Kingsbury
Date: 03/18/16

292 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Dean H. Hoppe
Seller: Rose M. Danoff
Date: 03/10/16

104 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: George Colon
Date: 03/07/16

17 Lotus Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Linda L. Crean
Seller: Adam L. Dasso
Date: 03/07/16

N/A
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $226,500
Buyer: Toralben Patel
Seller: Robert A. Foresi
Date: 03/11/16

35 Ridgeview Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Jessica E. Hagerman
Seller: Michael Macutkiewicz
Date: 03/14/16

91 Woodmont St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Bhim Gurung
Seller: Gheorghe Seremet
Date: 03/17/16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

195 Heatherstone Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Flaherty
Seller: Killough RT
Date: 03/18/16

32 Hitchcock Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $368,000
Buyer: Martha Merrill-Umphrey
Seller: Amherst College
Date: 03/09/16

Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $361,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Czajkowski
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc.
Date: 03/07/16

Old Farm Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Town Of Amherst
Seller: Sabrina Realty LP
Date: 03/07/16

BELCHERTOWN

689 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $157,049
Buyer: Vision Investment Properties
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/09/16

37 Jackson St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $278,200
Buyer: Amy M. Lavoie FT
Seller: Michael Edreich
Date: 03/17/16

6 South Liberty St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $167,700
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jason Zdrojkowski
Date: 03/08/16

132 Springfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Kelly B. Edreich
Seller: David G. Mitchell
Date: 03/17/16

25 Trillium Way
Belchertown, MA 01002
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: James C. Pijar
Seller: Mark G. Jackson
Date: 03/07/16

EASTHAMPTON

16 Beyer Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Sarai Kon
Seller: Edward P. Dickson
Date: 03/18/16

15 Gaugh St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $187,088
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Ibro Duric
Date: 03/18/16

33-R Maine Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Sweeney
Seller: Dailee E. Joyce
Date: 03/18/16

2 Schumikowski St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Laura Routhier
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/11/16

GRANBY

435 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Steven Stimpson
Seller: Eunice Y. Quinlan
Date: 03/18/16

51 Lyman St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Brian Marsh
Seller: Charles A. Bennis
Date: 03/10/16

HADLEY

2 Hawks Meadow
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $527,000
Buyer: Emily J. Cowden
Seller: Countryside Home Builders
Date: 03/14/16

HUNTINGTON

19 Blandford Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Alisha Hanlon
Seller: Kyle F. Pero
Date: 03/11/16

NORTHAMPTON

5 Calvin Ter.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Asaf Pollin-Galay
Seller: Candace P. Curran

120 Chestnut St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Michael Stephens
Seller: Etavab RT
Date: 03/16/16

Easthampton Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: RWZ LLC
Date: 03/16/16

123 Meadow St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Jacqueline G. Leighton
Seller: Nooni Hammarlund
Date: 03/11/16

N/A
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Alan T. Dorman
Seller: Brian J. Campedelli
Date: 03/08/16

751 Park Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: Clifford Madru
Seller: Alan T. Dorman
Date: 03/08/16

SOUTH HADLEY

14 Apple Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Rudolph J. Hall
Seller: Craig J. Sypek
Date: 03/09/16

10 Forest Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Ryan C. Bowler
Seller: Matthew Bruton
Date: 03/11/16

12 Harvard St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Kimberly M. Dubois
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/10/16

40 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Robert L. Oldershaw
Seller: Anthony L. Stevens
Date: 03/07/16

SOUTHAMPTON

27 Helen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Brian J. Binnall
Seller: Anthony Fedirko
Date: 03/11/16

WARE

178 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Elmer L. Grant
Seller: Talbot, Lillian M., (Estate)
Date: 03/17/16

WORTHINGTON

118 Scott Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Neil K. Keen
Seller: Jeffrey C. Johnson
Date: 03/15/16

Flowers, Shrubs, Trees Can Bring Definition to a Property

By
Landscape Design Sections

Deep-rooted Concepts

This landscape design by David Paine

This landscape design by David Paine uses plants to create privacy as the steps behind this home lead to a hot tub.

Bill St. Clair likes to compare the plantings around a home to a frame chosen for an expensive piece of artwork.

It takes time and care to select the right frame — or, in this case, plants for a landscape design — but doing so is well worth the cost because it enhances the beauty and increases its value.

“Plants can transform a beautiful home into a picture,” said the owner of St. Clair Landscaping and Nursery in Hampden. “I tell people all the time they are the frame around a house.”

Andy Grondalski agrees and says plants can also be used to create outdoor living space. “Some people frame outdoor rooms with plants, while others use them on patios or along winding paths that lead to areas with a bench or pond or that open up into a field,” said the nursery manager from Sixteen Acres Garden Center in Springfield. “Annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees can be used to define space and create a garden, and people can plant them with roses, hydrangeas, or different varieties of day lilies.

“But it’s important to find the right plants for the right place,” he continued, adding that he has measured out 20-foot spots at the nursery and had people place plants alongside each other before they buy them to make sure they like how they look from a distance.

“You may prefer something ornate, while other people want something simpler, but plants are an investment, so it’s important to be sure what you are getting is something you really like,” he noted.

Andy Grondalski

Andy Grondalski says people can have color in their yards year-round with the right mix of plants.

Local experts say it’s also critical to use plants with a USDA Hardiness Zone 5 rating because they can withstand the harsh New England climate. The zones are based on average annual extreme minimum temperatures over a 30-year period, and although some people purchase plants rated for Zone 4 and Zone 6, they are less likely to survive when the weather turns cold.

Although everyone wants plants that don’t require much maintenance, with the exception of mature trees and shrubs, they all need watering, and some require deadheading, pruning, trimming, repotting, and other work.

“Plants are alive, and anything alive has to be cared for,” Grondolski said.

David Paine, owner of Plan It Green in Northampton, advises people to use native plants as often as possible. “They are more apt to survive because they’ve lived here for thousands of years,” said the licensed landscape architect. “They also benefit the environment.”

For example, white oak trees produce acorns, while serviceberry trees, blueberry bushes, and various varieties of holly produce berries that birds eat.

Paine said some people shy away from oaks because they views acorns as messy or worry they’ll dent their vehicles when they fall, but oak trees provide incredible habitats; more than 300 wildlife species are known to use or make their home in oaks, including dozens of types of birds.

Flowering plants that attract bees and butterflies are also important and beneficial.

“We would lose many of our food sources if we didn’t have bees to pollinate plants, and although some people are afraid of them, they are far more interested in the nectar on flowers than human beings,” Paine said.

As the number of people concerned about the environment increases, those who love the look of a lush lawn are turning to varieties that are hardier and more drought-tolerant.

“Everyone wants their place to look nice, but Kentucky bluegrass needs two inches of water a week, so it’s almost irresponsible to plant it,” Paine said, adding that replacing turf grass with ground cover is also a growing trend.

Variety of Settings

Today, many landscapers use plants to define a space or create privacy around an outdoor living area. “We put Japanese painted ferns in 24-inch pots around a outdoor room in a Longmeadow home that has a fireplace and TV,” St. Clair told BusinessWest, adding that they are 18 to 24 inches in height and 36 inches wide.

The use of ornamental grasses is also on the rise because they reach heights of five to seven feet and provide privacy and interest, as well as a soothing sound when the wind ruffles through them.

The grasses need to be cut back six to 12 inches from the ground in the fall, although some people leave them standing until the spring because they like the way they look when they are covered with snow. They don’t begin growing again until late May or June, but can reach their mature height in two months.

“They came into popularity over the past decade, are relatively easy to care for, and provide a different aesthetic,” Paine explained.

People love colorful plantings, which can add beauty or create warmth in almost any area, and experts say color can be maintained year-round with a mixture of spring, summer, and fall perennials as well as bushes, including green or gold evergreens or holly, which are known for their glossy green leaves and bright red berries.

“You can also achieve year-round color by using only shrubs and trees, as there are so many interesting textures of foliage and bark,” Grondolski said. “Red twig dogwood shows up really nicely in the snow, and paperback maples have cinnamon-colored bark that peels off like birch bark. Their fall foliage is phenomenal in the fall, and when it comes to color, it’s definitely a multi-season tree.”

He added that reblooming hydrangea is one of the most popular bushes, and it’s possible to change the color of the plant’s flowers from blue to pink or purple by changing the soil composition and making it more acidic or more alkaline.

Filling large pots with plants can also add interest to a landscape, especially when they are placed on each side of the front door of a home or business. St. Clair has clients who like the look of these pots and have him change the flowers in them each season.

Others prefer a more permanent plant and opt for dwarf Alberta spruce trees in pots, as they do well year-round and can be decorated with lights during the Christmas season. They reach a height of three to four feet and can be sprayed in the fall with anti-desiccant oil that prevents the moisture from escaping so they don’t dry out during the winter, although they do need to be watered until the pot freezes.

The market for trees is also growing, and popular choices include varieties of Japanese maples with dome-shaped foliage that looks like an upright umbrella, Kousa dogwoods, Bradford pears, thundercloud plums, and apple trees.

“People can have a small orchard in a 50-by-50-foot space if they plant dwarf varieties. They are the easiest trees to grow, and you don’t need a huge area or have to climb a ladder to harvest the fruit,” Paine said.

Sixteen Acres Garden Center sold out of fruit trees last year, and Grondolski said people are still replacing trees that were downed during the tornado and freak October snowstorm several years ago. In addition to aesthetics, they are beneficial to the environment and reduce heating and cooling bills because they provide shade in summer and block the wind in the winter.

Choosing a plant or tree can be daunting, however, as growers continue to offer an array of new varieties. Some, such as the Kousa dogwood, are disease-resistant, while hollies have been genetically engineered; until about five years ago, a holly plant would not produce red berries unless there were a male and female shrub within 100 feet of each other. “But today, growers have propagated a holly that has the male and female in the same plant,” St. Clair noted.

Helping Plants Thrive

Plants are an investment, and knowledge is required to make sure they not only survive, but thrive.

Sixteen Acres Garden Center guarantees its plants for a year, and the majority that are returned have failed because of the way they were planted.

“Many people make the mistake of putting soil too high around the stem, which causes rot and kills the plant. Or they place the plant too deep in the soil,” Grondolski said, adding that mulch around plants or trees should be tapered inward, and there shouldn’t be any about three fingers away from the base.

“If you want to ring a tree with mulch, you should create a bowl near the base that catches water and can be filled with a hose,” he told BusinessWest.

Paine said another mistake people make is not checking to find out how large something will grow. “A Colorado blue spruce is cute when it is young, but it will grow 70 feet tall and 35 feet wide,” he noted, adding that most plants eventually have to be moved or removed.

However, many don’t require the trimming needed years ago when most homes had a row of yews planted in front of them.

“Things in this profession keep evolving,” St. Clair said, explaining that, when he started out in business 40 years ago, most trimming was done with hand shears. That changed when gas hedge trimmers hit the market, but today, hand trimming has made a comeback.

“Gas trimmers aren’t selective,” he said. “For example, you can’t bring in a canopy on a maple tree with them, so more is being done today by hand, as people want a natural appearance.”

Another thing that has changed is the practice of planting yews in front of a home, which were occasionally punctuated by an azalea plant.

Paine said the idea of putting shrubs in front of a home originated in Victorian times because the multi-storied homes with steep staircases that were being built at the time didn’t look like they were anchored to the ground.

“So, people started planting shrubs around them to create a visual anchor. The nursery business developed as a result, and they tried to sell foundation plants to every homeowner,” he said. “But capes and small ranches don’t really need them, and in a lot of cases, they are out of scale with the house.”

Today, landscapers tend to put accent plants in key locations such as the corners of a home, on either side of the front door, or along the front walkway.

The amount of space people have to work with makes a decided difference, and Grondolski said people who have only eight to 10 feet in front of their home often choose to tier plants of different heights to add interest.

“But plant material won’t perform well unless it’s in the right location,” he cautioned. “If it needs a lot of sun and is in the shade, the growth will be stunted, and it will drop leaves or needles as it stretches to grow toward the light.”

Peace of Mind

St. Clair said many people with demanding jobs don’t want to spend time caring for the plants on their property. As a result, a growing number of clients have him maintain their plantings, and if they do their own maintenance, they make sure someone waters their plants when they are away during the summer.

“Protecting their investment is very important,” he said.

And, indeed, the reasons surpass aesthetics and money spent on them. “Many people find plants and gardens therapeutic, whether they are sitting on a bench and admiring them or down on their hands and knees working,” Grondolski said.

So, with longer days and warmer weather on the horizon, it’s an ideal time to look  online and make careful choices about plants that can be used to frame a property, enhance it, and increase its value.

Landscape Designers Ride Momentum from Early Spring

By
Landscape
Landscape Design Sections

Going Yard

Amherst Landscape & Design Associates

One of Amherst Landscape & Design Associates’ many hardscape projects.

After several lean years during the recession, followed by the slow revival of the home-building and commercial-construction sectors, landscape designers are finally feeling like their industry is surging, with customers jumping on trends ranging from outdoor kitchens to landscape lighting to sustainable elements. A mild winter meant an early start for these professionals, who are optimistic the brisk business will continue throughout 2016.

It’s a simple question, just four words. But it speaks volumes about the optimism area landscape designers feel about the 2016 season.

“The golden question we’re hearing is, ‘when can you start?’ Not ‘let me get back to you,’ but ‘when can you start?’” said Stephen Roberts, president of Stephen A. Roberts Landscape Architecture & Construction in Springfield. “We haven’t heard those words much the last eight years, but we’re starting to hear them. People want to pull the trigger and go.”

That’s not to say the last few years haven’t been positive. Since the lean times caused by the Great Recession, the landscape-design business, like other construction trades, has been on an upward arc. But something seems different — even more positive — this year, Roberts said.

“We’ve seen an uptick in calls coming in, contracts have been signed already, and the backlog is stacking up,” he noted. “It seems stronger than the past few years.”

He admits the unseasonable winter — one in which the Pioneer Valley totaled well under two feet of snow and bare lawns, not mounds of snow, dotted the landscape throughout much of January and February — had something to do with that.

“Of course, we had the mild winter; last year, there was still plenty of snow on the ground at this time, and people weren’t thinking about landscaping,” he said when he spoke with BusinessWest at the start of April. “This year, with hardly any snow, people have been looking at their dreary landscape all winter and thinking about what to do.”

The warm weather also allowed for an early start to work, Roberts said. “We were able to get out much earlier because the ground wasn’t frozen; we could start excavating and preparing for construction. And because we got out into the community earlier, people saw the trucks, and that generated even more action.”

Steve Prothers, president of Amherst Landscape & Design Associates, senses similar optimism in the air.

“It’s exciting. There’s a lot of energy out there, a lot of excitement for the new season,” he said. “Of course, that’s true after every winter, regardless of the severity; come spring, people are excited to be outdoors, and they look to landscaping to make their property a beautiful and desirable place to hang out.”

Still, the mild winter and early onset of warm weather — give or take a couple late-season accumulations that melted quickly — gave landscapers about a four-week start on the time they usually start cranking up, which is typically mid-April.

“From what I can tell, this is going to be a very busy year,” he said. “That shows there’s a lot of construction going on. Landscaping is always the result of a lot of physical building and remodeling, and it’s kind of a snowball effect. We can’t help but benefit. As they go, we go. When they’re down in flow, so are we. I’ve been doing this for 37 years, and maybe we’re a little insulated in this region, but we’re still affected by the ups and downs of the national and local economy.”

Roberts agreed that a strong flow of work among both commercial contractors and home builders over the past few years has definitely trickled down to landscapers.

“A lot of new construction is getting ready for landscaping,” he explained. “When the engineers are first getting busy, we’re usually two years out from them. But you’re seeing contracts being signed now for the landscape phase.”

At Home Outdoors

As a specialist in hardscaping, Prothers is in a good spot these days, as that aspect of landscape design has been on an upward track since the recession began to fade and people began reinvesting in their homes in earnest.

“We’re seeing a lot of landscape construction from people who are remodeling or expanding and want to expand their outdoor living rooms, using walkways, patios, gazebos, pergolas … anything that makes the space more inviting to hang out or entertain.”

Click HERE for a chart of area landscape design companies

He said water features and outdoor firepits have become especially popular with customers, not to mention kitchen areas where families can cook and dine outdoors — in some cases, poolside. Others are hardscaping around hot tubs and better connecting the poolside experience to the overall landscape — in both cases, making pools and hot tubs part of the entire outdoor-living experience, rather than standalone spots to enjoy a dip or a soak. “People want to feel like they’re spending vacation time in their backyard.”

Roberts agreed that demand remains strong for outdoor living rooms, cooking areas, and firepits. “Those are still high up on the want list for a lot of customers. And the trend is more toward gas features, which are easier to operate.”

Beyond the cooking aspects, he added, homeowners have moved well beyond lawn chairs and favor durable and weatherproof outdoor furniture. “They want to create comfortable, casual spaces. They want to gather and relax in a little more upscale environment than what they’ve had in the past.”

Steve Roberts and his dog, Max

Steve Roberts and his dog, Max, enjoy a moment at the firepit on the Elms College quadrangle, which his company gave a significant makeover recently.

They’re also increasingly looking to install artistic landscape lighting, also known as architectural lighting, a niche popular in the South that is coming into its own in the Northeast. As opposed to powerful floodlights, landscape lighting uses a variety of smaller accent lights to highlight the features of a home and yard.

“Outdoor lighting is being requested a lot more, with the LED lights available now,” Roberts said. “Those are more energy-efficient, and more people are gravitating toward them than in the past. They’re coming up earlier in the conversation, instead of something being added on in the future; people are asking for lighting up front.”

All these features reflect national landscaping trends, according to Corinne Gangloff, media relations director for the Freedonia Group, which studies landscaping trends. She writes that, “as part of the outdoor living trend, homeowners create outside kitchens and living rooms, and businesses extend outdoor areas to expand their seating space. Urban communities increasingly create ‘parklets,’ small green spaces that may feature flower beds, container gardens, walking paths, water features, seating, bird-watching opportunities, and statuary. Some communities have used these parks as a way to address the issue of abandoned homes in blighted neighborhoods, tearing down the structures and replacing them with this type of public green space.”

Other trends in this $6.3 billion industry, according to the organization’s 2016 survey, include heating elements, pavers, and environmental concerns, driving the popularity of solar-powered features, water conservation, and recycled materials.

“Sustainability is a growing concern and desire for homeowners,” writes Jill Odom, associate editor of Total Landscape Care. “As houses get renovated to conserve energy, yards will be redesigned to conserve water. There are plenty of design options that can be used to achieve this, but the two main options will be low-water-use plant material and better irrigation systems.”

Practical features are popular too, Roberts noted. “A lot of people want to add gardens and grow vegetables and fruit. I think there’s definitely a trend toward having some type of edible landscape aspects to their properties, even if it’s just an herb garden, just to have something to pick and throw on a salad. We see that as kind of a trend.”

Heating Up

While the hot choices in landscaping features might vary from customer to customer, Prothers told BusinessWest, the professionals working in the field report similar levels of enthusiasm for what the spring and summer of 2016 will bring after that remarkably mild winter.

“If it’s not overwhelming, it’s certainly steady work,” he said, noting that customers are starting to think about their spring plans sooner — as in the previous winter or even fall — and booking their projects instead of waiting, as they might have in past years. “They realize these jobs have a schedule, so they want to lock them in, and they’re thinking in advance.”

There are plenty of reasons for that, he added, but in general, people have a little more money to spend right now, and they want to invest it in their homes — specifically, in extending their homes outside. “There are a lot of larger renovation jobs taking place, which is great, but also a lot of older landscapes that were installed 30, 40 years ago, and are tired and need a little attention. People want something that’ll go the rest of distance they’re in their homes — or help them resell their homes.”

The almost complete lack of snow this year, while a relief for the average Massachusetts homeowner weary of long, harsh winters, did pose some stress to landscapers — Roberts included — who turn to snow removal during the cold months. But he’s not complaining about the flip side.

“We rely on that winter income for our overhead, and to give us a little cash going into the spring, and that money wasn’t there this year,” he said. “But, luckily, things are on the upswing now.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Brimfield Shows Attract Buyers, Sellers from Around the Globe

By
Sections Travel and Tourism

Treasure Trove

Shows are held in May, July, and September

Shows are held in May, July, and September, and unusual statues are among the many items for sale.

Patricia Schultz’s New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die includes the Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Show, and, as a result, the world-renowned event has been put on many people’s bucket lists.

“I had a lady call from Michigan last week who is coming in May just for that reason,” said Lenny Weake, president of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, which fields an untold number of calls every year about the show that began 57 years ago and features about 6,000 vendors on 1,200 acres of privately owned property that stretch along a one-mile strip of Route 20.

The event is held three times a year, and the first show of 2016 will take place May 10-15. Many people make reservations a year in advance, and local hotels and motels from Springfield to Sturbridge take bookings from all over the U.S. and as far away as England, France, and Korea.

“Anything you could ever dream of can be found here,” Weake said. “It’s not just small items and trinkets. There are life-size statues, vintage ice-cream stools and counters, all types of period furniture, antique signs, toys, clocks, trains, jewelry, old magazines, movie posters, and buttons so intricate you need a magnifying glass to see the mosaics on them.”

But he admits it can be a test of endurance when a dedicated collector is in search of a specific item because vendors are not grouped by the type of merchandise they sell or the fields where they are located. In fact, there is no map to help locate a particular vendor, which makes it especially important for people to get receipts with names and phone numbers when they make a purchase, in case they want to return to the booth.

It takes days to walk the properties, and Weake advises people to dress comfortably and bring a backpack or wagon to hold their purchases because their vehicle may be parked six fields away from where they find what they want.

Some fields are open only on selected days, and because there is an endless bounty of things to see, many shoppers browse Wednesday through Sunday, including avid antique enthusiasts and collectors determined to be among the first on hand when a new field opens.

Over 1 million people attend the three annual outdoor showcases, which will be held this year May 10-15, July 12-17, and Sept. 6-11. However, the May show typically contains the most merchandise because dealers buy pieces all winter and often bring so much, they need to rent more than one spot to put it on display.

David Lamberto began helping the owner of Hertan’s Antique Show 25 years ago. That’s the name of the field he eventually purchased and runs today. He explained that the words ‘field’ and ‘show’ are used interchangeably, but the reality is that each show is its own entity and run by the person who owns the property.

The town of Brimfield is not involved with the event, although property owners must get permits, and Massachusetts state tax is collected on purchased items.

Vendors plan for the events far in advance, and many have been returning for decades, setting up their wares in booths next to their friends.

“They regard it as more than an opportunity to sell things,” Lamberto noted. “They also come to buy and network. It’s almost like a convention of antique dealers from all over the country.”

Expanding Horizon

Auctioneer Gordon Reid staged the first notable Brimfield antique show in 1959 after he purchased a piece of property on Route 20. It featured 67 dealers, attracted about 300 people, and was so successful he held a second one the same year.

Lenny Weakes

Lenny Weakes says people come from all over the world to buy and sell at the Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Show.

By the time Reid died in 1974, the 25 acres dedicated to his show had become home to about 800 vendors, and many marked the annual events on their calendars. After he passed away, his daughters, Jill Lukesh and Judy Mathieu, took over and changed his business name from the Gordon Reid Company to J & J Promotions.

Word spread about Gordon’s success, and when they began turning dealers away due to lack of space, many started knocking on neighbors’ doors, and the show expanded as owners of adjoining properties cashed in on the opportunity.

Every show or field charges for parking, and a few, including J & J, charge the first day they open, but many have no admission charge. In addition, a plethora of food vendors are spread out over the mile-long strip so visitors don’t have to worry about where to eat. Most dealers have porters that can help with large, bulky items.

And although the Brimfield Outdoor Antique Show is a venue unto itself, local businesses including restaurants, gas stations, hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast operations benefit from each seasonal show and have come to rely on it for part of their annual revenue.

The Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce receives endless calls about where to stay and what there is to do in the area, since families and spouses often attend together, but not everyone likes to shop. Weake and his staff work hard to educate them, promote their members, and tell callers about area historical or tourist attractions they might enjoy.

He added that transportation is often a critical part of a discussion because many visitors arrive at Bradley International Airport or on Amtrak and need to rent a vehicle. “People from places like New York City can’t envision what the show is like or the geography of it is like,” Weake explained. “They’re flabbergasted when I tell them there is no public transportation or taxi service in Brimfield.”

But the event is definitely an economic driver for the area, and Weake’s goal is to get people to stay at least an extra day. Many do, and visit attractions that range from the Basketball Hall of Fame and Springfield Museums to Yankee Candle and Old Sturbridge Village, while others drive to see historic sites, such as the 14 milestones Benjamin Franklin erected in 1767 when he was assistant postmaster general of the U.S. and mail was delivered to towns along the Old Boston Post Road.

The owners of properties who rent space formed the Brimfield Show Promoters Assoc. some time ago and advertise the event via the Internet, TV, and print media. They also belong to a number of different chambers and visitors and convention bureaus that help to spread the word. And some, including J & J Promotions, do their own advertising.

Social media has also helped raise awareness, and five years ago, Gretchen Aubuchon of Aubuchon Hardware started a tent for designers at Hertan’s by advertising it on Twitter. It was well-received, and for three years, busloads of designers from across the country gathered in a beautifully decorated private tent outfitted with chandeliers and a bar where they relaxed, compared notes, and stopped to rest during shopping sprees.

The tent ceased to exist two years ago after Aubuchon moved to a different job, but designers still band together, and last week Lamberto received a call from a Chicago group that will attend the May event. There are also celebrities and buyers from many different places, including local antique shops that rely on the show to boost their inventory of sought-after items.

“Ralph Polo sends a team to find things to decorate their stores, and we see people like Barbra Streisland and Martha Stewart every year,” he told BusinessWest.

The popular TV show Flea Market Flip usually stages a taping in Brimfield at least once a season, and Weake said the newest, most-sought-after items include repurposed furniture and building materials that have been transformed into lights, wine racks, and other one-of-a-kind pieces.

Collecting Memories

When eBay first became popular, business decreased slightly, and although people still use their cell phones to compare prices and haggle, there is nothing like the joy of finding something unexpected, being able to touch it, and bringing it home that same day.

“Our father was a visionary. He pioneered the show, did beautifully with it, and we hope we are making him proud,” Lukesh said.

Leake is happy it draws so much attention to the Quaboag region and also benefits area businesses.

“It’s the place to be, and people come here from all over the U.S. as well as from other countries,” he said. “We want them to have a good time, and they do. It’s a beautiful area and a treasure hunt; there is everything under the sun, and you never know what you will find.”

The Berkshires Beckon Year-round Visitors Looking to Get Up, Out, and Away

By
Berkshires
Sections Travel and Tourism

The Great Escape

The Berkshire region

The Berkshire region has become known for its outdoors and foodie tourism.

By JACLYN C. STEVENSON

The Berkshires have always been a haven for tourists and a region in many ways dependent on the dollars those tourists spend. And throughout history, this has been largely a summer phenomenon. But in recent years, the state’s westernmost county has been devoted to making itself a year-round destination, with those efforts yielding solid results.

In the late 1800s, society’s well-to-do waved farewell to ‘the season’ in the Berkshires — the summer months — with elaborate parades, featuring horse-drawn carriages.

In the 1910s and 1920s, vacationers returned in the warmer months to venues like the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, for a chance to see the stars — Ethel Barrymore, Al Jolson, and Sarah Bernhard, to name a few — basking in the glow of General Electric’s newfangled footlights.

And in the 30s, the first picnickers began flocking to Tanglewood’s grounds, bringing increasingly over-the-top spreads with them to listen to music outside and engage in a bit of neighborly competition.

Today, all of these attractions — even GE’s switch-board-operated footlights, though not in operation — still help define a vibrant summer and early-fall season that offers a number of historic cultural opportunities. Across Berkshire County, however, leaders of destinations of all kinds agree that year-round development is the key to continued success. To that end, they’re allocating dollars, developing partnerships, and highlighting hidden talents, with the common goal of welcoming visitors during all seasons, not just ‘the season.’

Dinner and a Show

Lindsey Schmid, director of Marketing at 1Berkshire and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, said this includes calling attention to all the area’s specific strengths: farm-to-table culinary experiences, year-round outdoor recreation, and several different types of lodging opportunities, from bed and breakfasts to boutique inns to large hotels.

“The Berkshires will always be a cultural mecca, but the rolling hills and open space not filled with cars is part of that culture,” Schmid said. “More and more people are viewing us as a year-round escape, and we’re working to call attention to the different things visitors are escaping to.”

That includes a rich ‘foodie’ culture that extends from fine dining to locally produced niche items, such as spirits from Berkshire Mountain Distillers, cheese from Cricket Creek Farm, craft beer from Big Elm Brewing and Wandering Star Brewery, and bread from Berkshire Mountain Bakery.

1Berkshire staff

1Berkshire staff pose with #intheberkshires signs — just one aspect of a larger effort to brand the region as a year-round destination for travelers of all ages.

The Berkshire theater scene, often thought of in terms of summer stock, has evolved to offer readings of plays in progress, musical-theater labs, and new works that have started at venues such as Barrington Stage Co. in Pittsfield, Shakespeare and Co. in Lenox, and WAM Theatre, a professional company that produces plays and events across Berkshire County with a focus on female theater artists and stories of women and girls.

“There’s so much to do all year round, we often remind even local residents of the value that is in their backyard,” said Schmid. “Many theater productions that got their start here have gone on to present off- and on-Broadway following successful showings in the Berkshires. That’s a point of pride for us.”

For instance, Schmid called WAM Theatre (the acronym stands for Where Arts and Activism Meet) “a start-up that also brings a new level of theater” to the Berkshires. Now in its seventh year in business, WAM continues to find new ways to extend its influence — and its season. Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven announced plans for the company’s 2016 season in February — including performances and events scheduled from February into October and a new collaboration with the Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG), an organization created in 2010 by the merger of two of Berkshire County’s oldest cultural organizations: Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928 in Stockbridge, and the Colonial Theatre, built in 1903 in Pittsfield.

Click HERE for a chart of the region’s tourist attractions

“I’m delighted to announce the programming we’ve planned for WAM Theatre’s seventh season,” said van Ginhoven. “We have a dynamic lineup of events that fulfill our vision of creating opportunity for women and girls.”

She will direct WAM’s main-stage production, the American premiere of The Bakelite Masterpiece by Kate Cayley, in September and October this year, outside of the more traditional summer season. The play will be co-produced with BTG and performed at the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge.

“The play came to me via a close colleague in Canada who acted in the original production,” she noted. “I immediately envisioned it at the Unicorn and approached Kate Maguire [Berkshire Theatre Group artistic director and CEO], who loved the play. WAM Theatre is very excited that the Berkshire Theatre Group has opened their doors to make this a co-production.”

A Walk in the Woods

Schmid noted that she’s seen the region’s marketing dollars spreading across the entire calendar more and more in this way — traditional seasons lengthening, the ‘off-season’ shortening, and an overall, collaborative effort afoot to position the Berkshires as an escape for all types of travelers, rather than simply an historic or cultural destination.

“In the past, there’s been a lot of marketing of the summer and fall, because that’s when we had traffic. In the last couple of years in particular, though, we’ve focused more branding dollars on the shoulder seasons,” she said, adding that the tourism industry on the whole is seeing a trend toward travelers looking for unique outdoor experiences, and that’s something on which Berkshire County can capitalize.

“It’s not just taking a hike outdoors — there are adventure opportunities like aerial parks, as well as things designed to make nature feel more accessible to people who aren’t used to it,” she said, listing mountain biking, white-water rafting, mountain coasters — including North America’s longest, the Thunderbolt at Berkshire East in Charlemont — and the burgeoning trend of forest bathing, through which groups are guided through the woods, traveling short distances but taking in the scenery, among the options.

Lindsey Schmid

Lindsey Schmid says the region’s farm-to-table culinary experiences, outdoor recreation, and lodging opportunities make it a year-round destination.

“The outdoor activity message in the Berkshires is allowing us to talk to a slightly younger audience,” she said, “but also to address other hurdles, like museum fatigue among group tours. That’s something so many cultural facilities are experiencing … and here, they can stay outdoors, experiencing the natural beauty and enjoying a cultural experience at the same time; that sets us apart.”

Indeed, Berkshire County is home to several outdoor cultural venues. In addition to Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home in Lenox, Jacob’s Pillow in Becket offers world-class dance performances outside on a 220-acre parcel of land that is also a national historic landmark. The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge includes 36 acres of largely walkable space, as does adjacent Chesterwood — once the summer home of sculptor Daniel Chester French — which regularly offers modern sculpture walks on its campus.

Conversely, the region’s outdoor destinations, including its mountain resorts — among them Berkshire East, Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, Jiminy Peak in Hancock, and Bousquet Mountain in Pittsfield — have taken a page from the cultural venues, offering a greater variety of things to do throughout the year. Now in its 15th year, the Berkshires Arts Festival is hosted at Ski Butternut in July. Jiminy Peak has had some late-autumn success with its 13 Nights of Jiminy haunted attraction, and Berkshire East opened Thunder Mountain Bike Park just last year.

Sherry Roberts, who owns Bousquet, noted that a number of upgrades have been made at the mountain in recent years, all with an eye toward year-round operation.

“We’ve made a lot of renovations to our banquet space, allowing us to open the lodge up for private functions,” she said. “We’re contacting schools and booking them now for summer adventure camp, as well as different parks and recreation groups.”

Roberts said the adventure-camp business, along with other offerings such as a waterslide, adventure park, zipline, and go-karts, serve Bousquet Mountain well — necessitating a full-time office staff during the summer months as well as ski, snowboarding, and tubing season.

“We do try to book most of the summer,” said Roberts, noting that the mountain resort community feels the importance of year-round business acutely, especially following a particularly slushy winter ski season that never quite guaranteed even a full week of strong sales. “When you have a group coming at a specific time and date, there are no surprises — not like opening the doors in January and seeing pouring rain.”

With all of New England seeing record warmth, Roberts said this season was particularly short.

“There were no snowstorms in the forecast, so we were very careful with the money we spent on snow making,” she said. “But we continued right to the end of the season, and I have a tremendous staff that is young and full of ideas. Whether it’s private functions, groups, or what we offer to the public, we’re always trying to build on it.”

All for One

Continuing to build on the idea of cooperation across all types of tourism outfits in the Berkshires, Schmid said 1Berkshire is working more and more with its members to create group opportunities such as cooperative ad buys, sponsorships, and other member benefits that help stretch the marketing budget across 12 months. To woo a younger audience, the region has also taken to putting its many attractions under one social-media umbrella: #intheberkshires, which is added to everything from billboards to Facebook updates.

“We’re branding all year round, and we’re better honed in than ever on specific messages about what our members offer,” she said. “The overall push is that, whoever you are, you can imagine yourself in the Berkshires.”

While that daydream might include a late-season picnic at Tanglewood, a night at the theater, and a farewell to the season with flower-festooned carriages, it can also include a modern meal, an arts walk, or even a high-wire zipline. Whatever the season, the Berkshires are open for business.

It’s Time to Spell Out the Costs of Being Lazy and Careless

By
Features

Bad Writing Inc.

By JOEL SAMBERG

Good writing in corporate America is dead.

Well, not really, at least not entirely. But with a considerable number of e-mails, press releases, newsletters, advertorials, and other forms of internal and external communications showing signs of carelessness, it’s not exactly the picture of health, either.

While there is plenty of accomplished writing coming out of Springfield-area businesses and organizations (some generated in-house and some provided by skilled marketing communications agencies), too often it is the sloppy, nominal work that stands out. Through indifference, good writing has been devaluated in corporate America. That needs to be reversed.

It’s bad enough when you receive a poorly written e-mail from the human resources department (after all, they’re the ones who should know all about the skill sets needed to grow business); it’s even worse when a white paper prepared by the corporate communications department has misspellings and misplaced modifiers.

The promotional merits of good, effective writing must never be underestimated. Too many executives and managers fail to recognize that whatever is written on behalf of their products, services, and projects — including hiring efforts and networking ventures — can end up as archival material that represents their companies for years to come, even if that’s not the intention.

This includes websites, brochures, e-newsletters, advertorials, company-wide e-blasts, and much more. In today’s cyber world, anything can show up anywhere and last forever. That’s just the way it is. Rambling, boring, ostentatious, cliché-ridden, or grammatically challenged writing can easily come back to haunt. Good writing from the start pays off.

Unfortunately, fewer people seem willing to take the time. Most employees claim they are overworked to begin with; who has time to reread something twice before sending it out?

E-mail is one of the biggest victims, from subject lines to body copy. How often have you received an e-mail that has absolutely nothing to do with what the subject line indicates? The subject line might say “Kittens & Puppies,” for example, and because of that you may decide to wait until the next afternoon to open it. But it could, in fact, be from your biggest client asking you to meet him early in the morning for an important discussion that concerns an income-earning opportunity.

Your client simply hit ‘respond’ on your last e-mail — the one in which you presented a promotional idea tying in to a local pet shelter — and wrote a new e-mail without bothering to change the subject line. That income-earning opportunity would have been missed simply because the subject line on an e-mail wasn’t changed.

I received a corporate e-mail the other day for which the subject line read “Re,” followed by body copy that said, “Tomorrow is fine my bad for not getting back to you sooner.” The fact is that e-mail is fast and easy — too fast and easy. It empowers us, making us feel as if we are dynamic skippers on the information superhighway with no need for self-evaluation, and certainly none for criticism or even assistance.

Many companies rely on their own employees to provide content for business communications, including websites. Often it’s a budgetary decision: why hire a communications firm or reputable freelancer when writing is a fundamental skill we have all learned in school? I believe that’s one of the reasons why professional writing is not always seen as a valuable corporate commodity.

But here’s the problem: yes, we can all write, but we can all add, subtract, multiply, and divide, too, yet would you want to use just any employee to run your accounting department? Good writing is actually a specialized skill. Fewer people are willing to acknowledge that fact.

Here’s an actual line from a website I recently reviewed: “The owners of the company have made a commitment to continue to provide the excellent service and expertise which has lead to the success of these firms through the years.”

The owners may have a commitment to service, but evidently not to syntax or spelling.

Thousands of press releases are generated every day. When deciding which ones to save and which to discard, editors won’t be charitable to the ones that are weak and unconvincing. Here’s an actual selection from a release issued by a nonprofit organization: “On March 4, three planes loaded with thousands of pounds of emergency resources and supplies delivered much-needed goods to the local orphanage. ‘When we approached the orphanage to see what we could do to help them, we were simply doing what all of us do every day,’ the organization’s president said.”

Does the president’s comment do anything to truly set him and his organization apart?

I took the liberty of pulling together a few simple suggestions to help put an emphasis back on good, effective writing, particularly for the in-house crowd for whom corporate communications may not be a primary job description.

• Reread everything several times before deeming it final — at least once for the sole purpose of eliminating as many words and phrases as possible;

• Avoid clichés like a pandemic;

• Simple words and phrases are always better than those that try to impress;

• Know your audience;

• Recognize that your audience is as stressed and as cautious as you are, and will find it easy to dismiss what they read if it doesn’t grab them right away; and

• Get a second pair of eyes to read all material — preferably someone who isn’t already familiar with the topic. Beg for their honest opinion. Listen to them.

Help might actually be just a water cooler away, because most companies have people on staff with a proven facility for writing and editing who can provide a little bit of editorial support. They may appreciate being asked to help because they, too, may very well wish to keep good writing alive.

So go ahead and send out an internal e-mail to find the right person to provide a fresh pair of eyes. But be careful: in the subject line, please do not write “Fresh Pair.” You’d probably get a nasty e-mail back from HR. You don’t want that — even if it’s well-written. n

Joel Samberg is a freelancer who offers time-efficient, cost-effective corporate writing and editing for businesses, organizations, and individuals. In addition to press releases and newsletters, he also helps out with white papers, advertorials, speeches, brochures, websites, presentations, slogans, special projects, and more; joelthewriter.com; [email protected]

Employers Oppose Marijuana Legalization

By
Opinion

 By CHRISTOPHER GEEHERN

Massachusetts employers oppose by a wide margin a pending ballot question that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the Commonwealth.

Sixty-two percent of 180 employers responding to the special question on the March Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index survey said they would vote ‘no’ on the pot-legalization referendum due to appear on the Nov. 1 ballot. Thirty-eight percent were in favor.

The proposed ballot law would authorize individuals 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of marijuana outside of their home and up to 10 ounces of marijuana in their residences. It calls for taxes on marijuana sales and creates a Cannabis Control Commission to handle regulation and licensing. If approved, the new law would take effect on December 15.

AIM opposes the question because the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts would create considerable uncertainty for employers relative to their legal rights and obligations, particularly with workplace drug policies. These employers would operate in an environment in which state law permits private use of marijuana, while federal law, which is often the overriding jurisdiction in employment scenarios, prohibits marijuana use.

“We’re not surprised by the poll results given the concerns being expressed to us by member employers,” said John Regan, AIM’s executive vice president of Government Affairs. “How will an employer respond to a worker operating heavy equipment on a job site under the influence of marijuana? Many jobs, particularly those in safety-sensitive fields like transportation or manufacturing, must adhere to federal regulations that still prohibit the use of any substance that creates impairment.”

Another issue is that many companies receive favorable workers’ compensation insurance rates by declaring themselves to be drug-free workplaces. That status may be substantiated only through drug-testing employees. Even if employees are, on their personal time, using drugs legal in their state, if those drugs are indicated on their drug tests, their workplace would lose those favorable insurance rates.

Recent surveys have indicated an increase in general marijuana use when states approve the legalization of marijuana. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, between 2012 and 2013 (when marijuana was legalized but states had yet to implement a regulatory framework), the percentage of adults who reported using marijuana jumped by more than 20% in Washington and Colorado.

Marijuana legalization is among a handful of November ballot questions with implications for employers. AIM favors a proposal to lift the cap on charter schools and opposes questions that would end the use of Common Core educational standards and impose de-facto government price controls on hospitals. AIM also opposes a proposed constitutional amendment, which could reach the ballot by 2018, that would impose a 4% surtax on income of more than $1 million.

Christopher Geehern is executive vice president of Marketing & Communication at Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

Class of 2016 Has Its Priorities in Order

By
Opinion

Editorial

When the judges chosen by BusinessWest to score the nominations for the 40 Under Forty program (roughly 150 or so annually in recent years) complete their assignment and e-mail those scores back, they will usually send along a few editorial comments as well.

‘That took longer than I thought it would’ is a common refrain, as is ‘I wish some of those nominations were more detailed’ — a strong bit of advice to those thinking about nominating someone they know next year (and nomination forms for 2017 are available at businesswest.com). And there’s usually at least one or two along these lines — ‘that was a lot of fun; thanks for allowing me to be a part of it.’

But invariably, at least one judge will also say something like ‘I feel a little (or a lot) better about this region and its future having read about all those young people and what they’re doing.’

This year was no exception, and with good reason. Like other recent groups, the class of 2016 is not only excelling in the workplace and in the broad theater of community involvement, but in perhaps the most important realm of all — work/life balance.

Indeed, this class does a very good job of reflecting the priorities of the young people now becoming leaders in communities across the four counties of Western Mass., and increasingly, the top priority is family, which is more critical to the future of this region than having been named assistant vice president of a department at their bank or that they’re involved with the local Boys & Girls Club — although those are vitally important as well.

A look at the pictures of our winners this year  reveals what is important to them. Yes, there are images that reflect their day jobs and what they like to do on weekends, but for the most part, it’s family.

And in the words that accompany those photos, family once again takes center stage. Comments offered by Andrew Anderlonis, president of Rediker Software in Hampden, sum things up nicely.

“One of the big reasons I left the Navy was that I wanted to be around to see my child grow and up and be there for him,” he told BusinessWest, referring to 2-year-old Tyler.

There are many similar comments to this effect from young people who make it clear that, while they are ambitious and intend to succeed in their fields while also giving back to the community, home is where their attention lies.

And this is reason enough to feel a little better about this region and its prospects moving forward.

Indeed, at BusinessWest’s annual Difference Makers gala on March 31, Carol Leary, who never minces words and has a way of drilling down and getting to the heart of the matter in question, said that, while she was flattered to be honored as she was, she knows the real difference makers in this world are parents.

Or, to be more specific, parents who take the myriad responsibilities that come with that job at least as seriously as those in their work on the job and in the community.

This class of 40 Under Forty winners seems to have that part down. Thus, we should all feel a little (or a lot) better about the future.

Ross Giombetti

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

President, Giombetti Associates; Age 36

Ross Giombetti

Ross Giombetti


Even though he studied human resources in college, Ross Giombetti wanted to strike out on his own before considering joining the business his father, Rick, started in 1986. So he went to work for a large regional company.

After a few years, however, “I didn’t feel like I was truly making a difference in developing great businesses and training leaders. That’s why I joined my father.”

After all, Hampden-based Giombetti Associates had built a solid reputation helping businesses grow through coaching, team building, and leadership training. “The bottom line is, everything we do comes back to building great organizations through people.”

Since joining the family business in 2004, his role has morphed over the years, and — in recent years as vice president — focused on what he calls “developing teams, developing culture, and developing people.” But that role expanded in April when his father stepped down and passed leadership of Giombetti Associates to Ross.

Still, he said, even as his responsibilities grow, his priorities won’t change, particularly involving his wife, Elizabeth, and children, Noelle, Ryan, and Lainey.

“Relationships really mean everything to me. My family, my friends, my kids, our clients, the people in my life — I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”

He maintains significant relationships outside the office, too, from his five years coaching softball, soccer, baseball, and basketball teams in Wilbraham to an intriguing mentorship program he launched at Minnechaug Regional High School in 2012.

“How many high-school students know who they are and what they want to do? Hardly any,” he said. “So many struggle with this; they have no idea who they are or what they want to do. Then they go to college and rack up debt and graduate, and they still don’t know who they are or what they want to do.”

Through this initiative, Giombetti coaches students to help them determine their goals and what they need to work on to achieve them. “We help them identify potential career paths or fields of study they would enjoy. We just graduated our first group last year, and I see the growth and development in these students. They are our future.”

In short, he loves watching people change for the better.

“Regardless of the age of the individual, whether I’m coaching a high-school student or a 70-year-old business owner, to see them grow and change and the impact we had on them — that’s the single most rewarding thing I do. It gets me up in the morning.”

— Joseph Bednar

Celebrating the Difference Makers Class of 2016

By
Class of 2016 Difference Makers Features

Scenes From the Eighth Annual Event

2016 AwardMore than 450 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke on March 31 for a celebration of the 2016 Difference Makers, the eighth annual class of individuals and organizations honored by BusinessWest for making an impact in their Western Mass. communities. The photos below capture the essence of the event, which featured entertainment from Veritas Preparatory Charter School and the Taylor Street Jazz Band, as well as fine food and thoughtful comments from the honorees. This year’s class, chosen by the editor and publishers of BusinessWest from dozens of nominations, include Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.; the late Mike Balise, Balise Motor Sales and philanthropist; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties; Bay Path President Carol Leary; and John Robison, president of Robison Service and advocate for individuals on the autism spectrum. Once again, the honorees received glass plates handcrafted by Lynn Latimer, representing butterflies, the symbol of BusinessWest’s Difference Makers since the program was launched in 2009. Photos by Leah Martin Photography

Sponsored by:

EMAdental
FirstAmerican
HNEnew
MBK
NorthwesternMutual
PeoplesBanks
RoyalPC
SunshineVillage

A chorus of young singers

A chorus of young singers from Veritas Preparatory Charter School in Springfield kicks off the evening’s festivities.

2016 Difference Maker Big Brothers Big Sisters

From 2016 Difference Maker Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS): from left, Angela Smith-LeClaire; her ‘little,’ Abby; Executive Director Danielle Letourneau-Therrien; and Kate Lockhart, all of BBBS of Hampshire County; and Ericka Almeida from BBBS of Franklin County.

Marisa Balise (left) and Maryellen Balise

Marisa Balise (left) and Maryellen Balise, daughter and wife, respectively, of Difference Maker Mike Balise.

Representing event sponsor Northwestern Mutual, from left: Nico Santaniello, Dan Carmody, and Darren James.

Representing event sponsor Northwestern Mutual, from left: Nico Santaniello, Dan Carmody, and Darren James.

Bill Hynes, Baystate Health Foundation

Bill Hynes, Baystate Health Foundation (left), and Hector Toledo, People’s United Bank.

Deborah Leone

Deborah Leone with 2013 Difference Maker James Vinick, Moors & Cabot Inc.

event sponsor Royal, P.C.,

Back row: from event sponsor Royal, P.C., from left: Julie Cowan, Sarah Reece, Shawna Biscone, Founding Partner Amy Royal, Tanzi Cannon-Eckerle, Joe Eckerle. Front row: from left, Amy Jamrog, the Jamrog Group; Dawn Creighton, Associated Industries of Massachusetts; Mike Williams, Royal, P.C.; and 2010 Difference Maker Don Kozera, Human Resources Unlimited.

From event sponsor EMA Dental

From event sponsor EMA Dental, from left: owners Dr. Vincent Mariano and Dr. Lisa Emirzian, Christine Gagner, Colleen Nadeau, Amy Postlethwait, Dr. Rebecca Cohen, and Dr. Colleen Chambers.

from event sponsor First American Insurance

Back row, from left: from event sponsor First American Insurance, Edward Murphy, President Corey Murphy, Chris Murphy, and Molly Murphy; and Jim Fiola, Westwood Advertising. Front row, from left: from First American Insurance, Amber Letendre, Jenna Dziok, Alicja Modzelewski, Dina Potter, and Noni Moran.

t sponsor Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.,

From event sponsor Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., back row, from left: Brandon Mitchell, Managing Partner Jim Barrett, Kristi Reale, Joe Vreedenburgh, and Jim Krupienski. Front row, from left: Howard Cheney, Donna Roundy, and Melyssa Brown.

Representing event sponsor PeoplesBank

Representing event sponsor PeoplesBank, back row, from left: Xiaolei Hua, President Tom Senecal, Meghan Parnell-Gregoire, Matt Krokov, Cindy Wszolek, and Mary Meehan. Front row, from left: Shaun Dwyer, 2009 Difference Maker Doug Bowen, Anna Bowen, and Matthew Bannister.

sponsor Health New England

From event sponsor Health New England, back row, from left: Dan Carabine, Steven Webster, Elaine Mann, Rosa Chelo, and Sandra Bascove. Front row, from left: Brooke Lacey, Aracelis Rivera, Sandra Ruiz, and Nicole Santaniello.

: Jill Monson-Bishop

Back row, from left: Jill Monson-Bishop, Inspired Marketing; Darren James and Nico Santaniello, event sponsor Northwestern Mutual; and Heather Ruggeri, Inspired Marketing. Front row, from left: Daryl Gallant, Joe Kane, Donald Mitchell, and Dan Carmody, Northwestern Mutual.

From event sponsor Sunshine Village

From event sponsor Sunshine Village, back row, from left: Jeff Pollier, Michelle Depelteau, Marie Laflamme, and Ernest Laflamme. Front row, from left: Colleen Brosnan, Richard Klisiewicz, and Executive Director Gina Kos from Sunshine Village, and Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos.

From event sponsor Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

From event sponsor Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., from left: Joe Vreedenburgh, Jim Krupienski, and Managing Partner Jim Barrett.

Brenda Olesuk

Brenda Olesuk from Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., an event sponsor.

David Beturne

David Beturne, executive director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, and his wife, Julie.

From left: Western Mass. Economic Development Council President

From left: Western Mass. Economic Development Council President and CEO Rick Sullivan, BusinessWest Associate Publisher Kate Campiti, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

2016 Difference Maker John Robison

2016 Difference Maker John Robison, who could not attend the event, addresses the audience remotely.

Jack Robison

Jack Robison, son of 2016 Difference Maker John Robison, speaks about his father’s life and work on behalf of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Mike Balise

Mike Balise, honored posthumously as a 2016 Difference Maker, is memorialized by, from left, his children David and Marisa, and his wife, Maryellen.

Carol Leary

Carol Leary, honored as a 2016 Difference Maker, addresses the packed room at the Log Cabin.

Michael J. Ashe Jr.

2016 Difference Maker Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr. takes in the evening’s presentations.

Jesse Belcher-Timme

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Associate Attorney, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C.; Age 37

Jesse Belcher-Timme

Jesse Belcher-Timme


Jesse Belcher-Timme says that, long before he set out in pursuit of his juris doctor at New England School of Law, he envisioned himself joining the legal profession.

As for becoming a litigator and spending most of his time in the courtroom arguing cases before a judge and jury … well, that was another matter.

“I was always interested in the law,” he told BusinessWest, “but I was pretty sure I didn’t want to do trial work; it definitely intimidated me at the beginning — that public-performance aspect of it and being in front of a judge.”

But he said it’s his style to not back away from those things that intimidate him, and instead address them head-on. “That’s my response when I’m nervous about something — to bite the bullet and just do it.” And that’s what he did with his career, with some impressive results.

Indeed, he’s now a rising star at Springfield-based Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury, & Murphy, P.C., handling cases across a broad spectrum of the law, from insurance defense to municipal issues to complex commercial disputes.

“Many lawyers practice in a subject matter, and they sort of get comfortable with that,” he said while explaining his work and why he enjoys it. “When you’re a trial attorney, your subject matter is going to court, so while the nature of the cases changes, what you’re doing is the part you know best — the process, the procedure, and the strategy; you’re always learning something new.”

And he now talks about litigation using phrases like this: “the more you do it, the more of a rush you get from that kind of performance, and that’s part of the draw at this point.”

While making a name for himself in courts across the region, Belcher-Timme has also been active in the community, especially the city he calls home — Easthampton. There, he serves as chairman of the Planning Board, representative on the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and trustee of the Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School.

The rest of his time gets devoted to what he described as his two passions: these would be his family — wife, Becky, son, Jack (11), and daughter, Ella (9) — and the sport of hockey.

He played it at New York University, and still plays it in area men’s leagues, while also coaching it and directing the Nonotuck Valley Hockey Assoc.

So you might say that, both inside and outside the courtroom, he’s netting some real results.

— George O’Brien


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Latoya Bosworth

By
40 Under 40 The Class of 2016

Author, Teacher, Nonprofit Leader, K.Y.D.S; Age 38

Latoya Bosworth

Latoya Bosworth


Whether she’s at work teaching young people, leading workshops with nonprofit and human-service organizations, or writing and editing books, stories, and poetry collections, Latoya Bosworth is the queen of self-esteem.

A teacher, speaker, workshop leader, and writer, Bosworth offers several programs and resources to youths and women, bound together by the core ideas of self-worth and empowerment. She founded K.Y.D.S — Keep Youth Dreaming and Striving — in 2006 to offer mentoring to area youth on a one-on-one basis. She also launched the Gifted Diva Showcase the same year, a biannual exhibition for teen girls ages 13 to 19 designed to showcase their strengths (as opposed to their evening wear), and went on to launch the H.E.R.S — Health, Empowerment, Resiliency, and Self-worth — Conference for young women.

“I saw a lot of self-esteem lacking,” she said of her impetus for creating such a diverse set of programs. “Ultimately, my goal is to ensure people that their circumstances don’t have to define who they are. They may shape them, but do not define them.”

That’s a life lesson Bosworth learned herself and passes on to others at every opportunity. She lost her mother at age 4, and later her grandmother, who raised her from age 4 to 13, both to cancer. But she said she’s always been a positive, creative spirit, and that passion for life is seen in everything she does.

Her workshops for kids, teenagers, and adults range in topic from “Self-esteem Superheroes” for young girls to “Using the Pen to Push Past the Pain,” which incorporates some lessons from the national Freedom Writers Foundation; from “Motherless Mothers,” a facilitated forum for young moms who grew up without a mother of their own, to “Got H.E.R.S,” an all-encompassing session on personal growth for women ages 18 to 24.

As a poet, writer, and spoken-word artist, Bosworth has published eight books and performed at live events across the U.S., often using the moniker Brenda’s Child in honor of her late mother.

She’s also blended her many passions, in one instance, by creating a collection of poetry and essays by her students titled Our Voices.

As she continues to help others evolve into confident individuals, she continues to grow herself. Bosworth’s goals for the future include finding a central, dedicated space for K.Y.D.S programming in Western Mass., completing her Ph.D — now underway at Walden University — and passing on her lessons of strength and joy to her 18-year-old son, Najee, 4-year-old son, Elijah, and the rest of her large, extended family.

— Jaclyn Stevenson


Photography by Leah Martin Photography

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