Day: August 9, 2016

Nancy Creed Takes the Helm at the Springfield Regional Chamber

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NancyCreedFeature 0816a
Features

A Job in Sales

Nancy Creed

Nancy Creed

As she takes the helm at the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, Nancy Creed brings to the job a diverse résumé that includes work with nonprofits and in nonprofit management; in small businesses, large businesses, and her own business; and at the chamber itself. She believes these experiences have prepared her for the many challenges facing this organization — and all chambers.

Nancy Creed still remembers her first feature byline — and even the headline that went over the copy.

It was the fall of 1989. Creed was only a few months out of Syracuse University and, after briefly considering and then rejecting thoughts of trying to break into journalism in the Big Apple, had come back to her hometown of East Longmeadow to work for the Reminder as an assistant editor.

Her first feature story took her to Main Street — literally. Actually, it took her to the individual who had kept it clean — since Calvin Coolidge was in the White House — and was finally retiring.

“‘Street sweeper sees the end of the road’ — I was really proud of that headline,” Creed recalled. “He had been doing it for like 65 years or something like that; I interviewed about what he’d seen on the streets of East Longmeadow for six decades. His time had come, and I was there to write about it; that’s how I got started.”

She summoned similar wording — that ‘time has come’ part — to talk about a much different career milestone, specifically her ascendency to the role of president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“I think it’s … my time,” she said with a solid dose of confidence in her voice, acknowledging that she might sound a bit cocky with that remark, but doesn’t intend to be. She implied that those words are merely what amount to the expression of an opinion — that she spent the 27 or so years since the street-sweeper profile preparing herself for such an assignment, and this one in particular. And now it’s time to put that accumulated experience to work.

“This is the logical next career step for me,” she noted. “Chamber work is in my blood.”

A quick look at her résumé would seem to bear this out. It includes work in journalism, marketing, and public relations; at small businesses, large businesses, and her own business; with nonprofits and as a nonprofit manager; and, perhaps most importantly, during two stints with the Springfield Regional Chamber, including the past three and a half years as vice president of Marketing and Communications.

Her first stint, as Communications director, came in 1999, when the name on the stationery was the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. But so much more has changed over those years besides the name, and the sum of these transformations goes a long way toward explaining why ‘Creed’s time’ is, and will continue to be, an extremely challenging one for this chamber — and all chambers, for that matter.

The big challenge is to continue to provide value to the smaller businesses — they’re the backbone of this region’s economy.”

Indeed, the Affiliated Chambers took up considerably more real estate on the ground floor of what is now the TD Bank building back then, she acknowledged, noting that the staff was at least twice the size it is now. This contraction is a sign of the times, she said, adding that there are fewer members now, partly because there are fewer businesses that can be members due to a wave of consolidation that has enveloped banks, insurance agencies, healthcare providers, and more. But that’s only part of the story.

Another big part is the fact that chamber membership, once almost an automatic reflex action for someone new in business, is now anything but.

“Historically, joining the chamber was just the right thing to do; it’s no longer that way,” she said, adding that this is especially true with the younger generations. “So we have to figure out what people want to get out of the chamber — and provide it.”

Thus, chambers in general, and the Springfield Regional Chamber in particular, have come forth with new initiatives and programming designed to provide more of that all-important commodity — value.

As an example, Creed, who succeeds Jeff Ciuffreda at the chamber’s helm, pointed to new informational programs targeted for specific audiences (especially small businesses), such as the chamber’s Lunch ‘n’ Learn program, which has focused on topics ranging from social-media marketing to the new overtime laws.

“The big challenge is to continue to provide value to the smaller businesses — they’re the backbone of this region’s economy,” she said, referring to companies with 10 or fewer employees. “They make up 75% of our membership, so you really need to understand the issues and challenges they face and provide what they’re missing and need.”

But Creed’s time is challenging, and intriguing, for many other reasons as well, from the need to assemble almost an entirely new staff at the chamber (more on that in a bit) to the advent of what would have to be called the ‘casino era’ in Greater Springfield, to the groundswell of entrepreneurial energy sweeping the city and region.

For this issue, BusinessWest talked at length with Creed about, well, her time and the myriad components to that simple two-word phrase.

The Write Stuff

When asked what brought her to Syracuse, Creed offered a quick, one-word answer — “basketball” — before then elaborating.

“I loved college basketball, and I looked at all the big basketball schools,” she explained. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, so I thought, ‘if I’m not quite sure what I want to do, I might as well go to a college where I can enjoy a hobby.’”

And in the mid-’80s, if college basketball was your hobby, there was no better place than Syracuse, then one of the top teams in the soaring Big East Conference. But while attending games at the recently completed Carrier Dome, Creed was also finding a passion — for writing and marketing — and earning a degree from the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The question, upon graduation, was what to do with it. As mentioned earlier, she considered, albeit briefly, trying to make it in the city that never sleeps.

“I thought about going to New York, but that probably meant living with eight other women in a studio apartment and earning $25 a story,” she said, adding that there were several things wrong with this picture, certainly enough to look elsewhere as she sought to follow her dream.

Eventually, home, and the Reminder, became the best option. She stayed with the publication for two years before taking the first of many career turns that would shape her diverse résumé.

She went to work for the Springfield-based law firm Robinson Donovan as assistant marketing director. There, she worked alongside one of the young associate attorneys, Russ Denver, who would later go on to direct the Springfield chamber.

MGM’s casino

Nancy Creed says helping area companies do business with MGM’s casino now taking shape in Springfield’s South End is just one of many challenges on her plate.

That connection would become a key storyline a few years later, when, after getting married, relocating to the Boston area, and serving as Communications and Public Relations coordinator for the nonprofit group Community Care Services Inc., she began searching for what would become the next line on her CV.

Denver was looking for a Communications director, and encouraged Creed to seek the job. She did, and prevailed in the search, eventually serving two years in that role before returning to big business as manager of Corporate Communications for Western Mass. Electric Co., now Eversource.

After more than four years in that role, her career took another sharp turn as she started her own business, N.F. Creed Communications, handling work for a wide range of clients, including two former employers, the chamber and Northeast Utilities, parent company to Western Mass. Electric.

But shifts in the economic winds, coinciding with the Great Recession and its aftermath, prompted many companies to bring marketing and PR work in house, Creed explained, thus prompting another career move — and a return to the chamber.

Over the past several years, she has been involved with a number of initiatives, from helping to coordinate a renaming and restructuring of the chamber to managing a host of events, including the chamber’s annual Outlook lunch, which draws nearly 1,000 people to the MassMutual Center and speakers such as Gov. Charlie Baker and former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card.

But mostly, she’s been working with Ciuffreda and other team members to do something chambers have always had to do, but not with anything approaching the sense of urgency they face now: sell themselves.

She sees this as both her primary assignment moving forward and the professional strength she will most call upon.

“When you look at my past experience … I’ve led, I’ve been led, I have entrepreneurial spirit, I worked in small business, I worked in big business and for nonprofits, so I understand the various challenges,” she said. “I have a really broad range of experience, and I think that’s important.

“And Jeff built a really strong foundation for the organization,” she went on. “So my marketing skills are probably the most important, because now we’re going to take that, and we’re going to sell it.”

Getting Down to Business

And as she talked about this process of selling the chamber, Creed said the organization has to do what all businesses across every sector must do — provide products and services that people want to buy.

And this brings her back to some of the newer offerings introduced in recent years, and the philosophy that brought them about.

“We used to have programs that were broad-based; there was no specific target market, no niche,” she explained. “We then created events and programs and services for specific markets, specific segments of our membership, and those have really become popular.”

Perhaps the best example is the Lunch ‘n’ Learn series, which focuses primarily on sales and marketing and employment- law issues, and was blueprinted for smaller companies that don’t have large teams, or even dedicated individuals, handling HR and PR.

“We had a session on social-media marketing, and it was designed for a specific segment of our membership that maybe didn’t have a marketing department or where the administrative assistant was handling social media,” she explained. “There are many issues that small businesses are faced with that they don’t necessarily have the internal resources to deal with, so we can provide those resources.”

This will be the mindset moving forward, she went on, as the agency looks for constructive ways to answer the question, ‘why should I join the chamber?’

Even the traditional, time-honored chamber breakfast has to be educational and value-oriented, she explained, noting that members need a reason to take that hour and half out of their day and attend.

“We’ve gotten pretty good at providing what people want to see out of those breakfasts,” Creed explained. “We continue to do our salutes because they want to see the success of other businesses and learn more about them. But with speakers, we’ve learned that people want to learn something, but they also want to be entertained.”

The chamber’s success in listening to members and responding to what they’re saying is verified in attendance figures at events, she went on, adding that they’re up across the board over the past few years.

Beyond the all-important work to sell the chamber and provide more value to members, Creed faces other, even more immediate challenges.

The first will be filling the offices and cubicles in the chamber’s space within what’s still known as the Regional Economic Development Center.

She must replace herself as vice president of Marketing, but also hire a new coordinator of sales and member benefits as well.

“We’re building an almost entirely new team,” she said, adding that the chamber’s former administrative assistant has been placed in a recalibrated position focused on events and program administration.

Assembling a solid team is critical, said Creed, again equating the situation to what faces businesses on a daily basis; there must be quality products and services, as well as people to sell them, market them, and coordinate all of the above.

But there are other pressing issues as well, including the schedule for the coming year, work traditionally done over the summer, and getting out and visiting as many members as possible in the weeks and months ahead as part of that process of listening to their needs.

Then there are the ongoing issues involving MGM’s $950 million casino, now finally starting to take shape in Springfield’s South End, specifically the matter of helping area companies do business with the gaming giant.

“We’ll continue to find ways to work with MGM to benefit our members,” she explained, adding that the process of becoming a vendor is somewhat complicated, but the chamber has resources that can help those interested navigate those waters.

Moving forward, another priority is to build upon existing partnerships with a host of entities — from Associated Industries of Mass. to other area chambers, to various economic-development agencies.

That includes those involved with promoting entrepreneurship and helping startups get to the next level, she said, adding that the rising levels of entrepreneurial energy in the region present a great opportunity for chambers, and hers in particular.

“When you look at the success of a group like Valley Venture Mentors … they’re creating a pipeline of new businesses and startups,” she explained. “The next logical step for those entrepreneurs is the chambers; there’s a huge opportunity for us.”

In Her Blood

Creed told BusinessWest that she will bring to her latest career challenge what she has brought to all the others — energy, imagination, and experience gathered from the stops that came before.

That includes the time spent recently managing a nonprofit organization, in this case, Dakin Humane Society. Creed has long served on the board of that agency, and agreed to step in and serve as interim director last fall.

She described this stint as yet another learning experience, one that was rewarding and enjoyable.

“It was easy, because it’s a passion of mine,” she said of her work with animals, adding that she has many others, including college basketball (still) and writing.

And chambers of commerce. This work is in her blood, as she said. That won’t necessarily make this assignment easy, or even easier, but it will provide her an edge, as will all that accumulated experience since the street-sweeper profile.

As she noted, it’s her time.

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

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

All Quality Construction
Koslik Construction
Koslik, Joseph W.
1 Dora St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/11/16

Almonte, Dulce
a/k/a Almonte-Castillo, Dulce
24 Ednson Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/07/16

Avonti, Jeffrey K.
Avonti, Eileen K.
95 Beveridge Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/05/16

Bartlett, Jeffery G.
Bartlett, Lisa M.
166 Middle Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/01/16

Bergeron, Bruce D.
Bergeron, Janice T.
2 Schley St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/08/16

Berrios, Lesby W.
14 Mattoon St., #1-R
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16

Bishop, Angela Joanne
Bishop, Michael George
454 Amherst Road, Apt. A
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/16

Boudreau, James
16 Victoria Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/15/16

Callahan, Krista A.
a/k/a Ortyl, Krista A.
a/k/a Moriarty, Krista A.
101 Dearborn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/11/16

Cortes, Christian
122 Almira Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/05/16

Cutler, Douglas R.
243 Seymour Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/13/16

Dacunha, Ashley N.
17 Arbor Way, Apt. D
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/16

Freeman, Gloria J.
979 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/12/16

Gates, Deirdre E.
28 Barna St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/08/16

Head Eaze
McCorkindale, Nicole L.
42 Carter Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/10/16

Ierulli, Jr., Bruno Dominick
455 Colrain Shelburne Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/16

Jarvis, Donna L.
37 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16

Labonte, Jill A.
61 Nelson St.
East Longmadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/01/16

Larkin, Benjamin Patrick
10 Wyart Road
Gill, MA 01354
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16

Lopez, Lilliam
132 Juniper Lane
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/06/16

Lyman, Christine M.
33 Barnum St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/13/16

Marquez, Hector R.
Marquez, Cynthia
75 Linden St., 1st Fl.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/08/16

McGahan, Lisa Anne
98 Montague City Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/16

Meier, Deborah A.
70 Lafayeltte St., Apt. 1
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16

Menzie, Jermaine O.
87 Garfield St., 2nd Fl.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16

Montanez, Eva
1122 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/07/16

Mugnier, George Michael
11 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/16

O’Connor, Richard J.
43 Griffin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/11/16

Papineau, Gina M.
54 Warebrook Village
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/12/16

Quinn St. Market. LLC
Aniceto, Artur D.
36 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/11/16

Ricabal, Carmen M.
92 Chestnut St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/16

Rodriguez, Byron
37 Champlain Ave.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/10/16

Rosa, Gilberto
204 Savoy Ave., 2nd Fl.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/07/16

Ross, Keith A.
Ross, Elizabeth M.
121 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/11/16

Sanabria, Carlos A.
132 Juniper Lane
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/06/16

Sanborn, Edward W.
139 Valley View Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/15/16

Senckowski, Joseph M.
115 Farm Pond Road
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/01/16

Settembro, Megan Jasmin
23 Oak Hill Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/05/16

Sobieski, Robert J.
175 Wendell Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/01/16

Stokosa, Lauri A.
8 Undine Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/12/16

Valliere, Stacey D.
Valliere, Rodrigue S.
356 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/16

Vazquez, Mardoqueo
173 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/08/16

Vieira, Adroaldo L.
Vieira, Maria A.
826 Willard St., Unit 412
Quincy, MA 02169
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/10/16

Wemette, Jason V.
12 Margaret St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/09/16

White Stone Painting
Wells, Andrew B.
70 Toronita Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/16

Whyte, Christine
123 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/16

Windy Hill Farms
Shea, Raymond Edward
126 Haynes Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/12/16

Yousaf, Mohammad A.
35 Charles St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/16

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

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

Agawam

Gallagher Academy of Real Estate
351 Walnut Street Ext
J. Cullen P. Gallagher

Gallagher Real Estate
350 Walnut St.
Paul Gallagher

My Sister’s Scrapbook
26 Hunter’s Greene
Susan Tapply

The Magic Blend
1325 Springfield St. #8
Adam Kaplan

Amherst

Hampshire Mindfulness
409 Main St., Suite 252
Jessica Murphy

M.G.L Industries
48 Curtis Place
Matthew G. Leclair

MOMO
23 North Pleasant St.
Jamyang Wangchuk and Rabga Ngawang

New Bridge Software Consulting
65 Stagecoach Road
Daniel Thibodeau

Pita Pockets/Fibi and Fadi LLC
103 North Pleasant St.
Nahla Ejja

Star Nails & Spa
316 College St.
Mung Thi Pham

Chicopee

D & B Auto Sales Service LLC
395 Broadway St.
Donny Aderno & Rebecca L. Aderno

Family Barbers & Beauty Supplies
212 Exchange St.
Alex A. Nieves

Healing Touch
24 White Birch Ave.
Cindy Roux

KS Services
35 Casino Ave.
Kelly A. Surprise

Temp Solutions LLC
259 Arcade St.
William Frank Renaud

Northampton

Audubon Arts
341 Audubon Road
Elizabeth E. Vizentin

Bamboo (Asian Cuisine)
311 Riverside Dr.
Manelas T. Marroquin & Javier E. Marroquin

Health Care Resources Centers
297 Pleasant St.
Community Health Care Inc

Najame & Kling Law Offices
90 Conz St., Suite 208
Mark A. NeJame & Julie G. Kling

Thrive: Growing Wellness
166 Grove St.
Jessica Gifford

Springfield

Acres Dental Care
1954 Wilbraham Road
James E. Maslowski

ATI Physical Therapy
1160 Dickinson St.
Performance

Carte 24. COM
27 Highland St.
Sa Nguyen

Cumberland Farms #0211
514 Belmont Ave.
John Daly

Deniliva Inc., D/B/A Liberty
977 Boston Road
Steven Kowalski

Deniliva Inc., D/B/A Liberty
1334 Liberty St.
Steven Kowalski

Done Rite Overhead Doors
24 Gardens Dr.
Kevin Chiasson

Educating Youth
87 Sunapee St.
Simone Phillips

Guardian Soldiers Law Enforcement
18 Champlain St.
David A. Dimiero

Lucky Traders Inc.
389 Belmont Ave.
Wahab Bari

Puerto Rico Candy Store
2756 Main St.
Ady Nelson Rosario

Rick’s Home Improvement
49 Silver St.
Jasmine Owen

Solivan Landscaping
80 Castle St.
Reinaldo Solivan Jr.

Springfield Central Downtown
1477 Main St.
Glenroy Beresford

Thomas’ Cleaning Company
450 Hancock St.
Thomas M. Peralta

West Springfield

Balise Nissan of West Springfield
500 Riverdale St.
Balise JRN, Inc

Chapin Baby
1680 Riverdale St.
Tatyana Gut

Early Bloomers Family Child Daycare
76 Blossom Road
Jocelyn Donohue

Elite Interior Designs
499 Elm St.
Aslan Viysalov

Powers & Liquori
84 Park St.
Gary B Liquori

Quick Stop Food
20 River Street
Amanullah Khan

Westfield

Community Church of Westfield
11 Washington St.
Advent Christian Church of Westfield

EZ Mart
82 Franklin St.
82 Franklin St. Inc.

For K-9s & Felines, LLC
45 Southwick Road
For K-9s & Felines, LLC

Lularoe Kimberly Curran
84 Tannery Road
Kimberly Jensen-Curran

North American Restoration
40 Franklin St. Rear
Harland C. Avezzie

Northside Creamery
519 Southampton Road
Mancino Farms Inc.

Pro-Cutters Environmental Timbering
135 Susan Dr.
Brian R. D’Agostino

Romans Mowing
152A Miller St.
Roman Mikhalinchik

Tanya Costigan Events
1029 North Road
Tanya Costigan

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

ADAMS

Mount Royal II Inc., 99 Howland Ave., Adams, MA 0122. Themina Imran, 314 Old Farms Road West, Middletown, CT 06457. Real estate ownership and operation.

AGAWAM

Modern Olympic Inc., 470 School St., Agawam, MA 01001. John Krause, same. Internet sales.

BRIMFIELD

MA Trailriders, Inc., 125A Haynes Hill Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. John Blouin, 35A 3rd St., Webster, MA 01570. To raise awareness and support for the ATV community.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Loon Hill Management Co. Inc., 200 North Main St., Suite 204, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Ernest A. Gralia, III, same. Management services.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Nonprofit Center Of The Berkshires Inc., 40 Railroad St., Suite 10, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Ronald M. Bernard, 182 Cold Spring Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255. A nonprofit, member-based organization providing education, information, products and services to nonprofits and civic groups in the Berkshire region.

LONGMEADOW

Longmeadow Police Benefit Association Inc., 34 Williams St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Ewen MacEachern, 203 South Monson Road, Hampden, MA 01036. Providing benefits to its members upon sickness, injury and/or death and to engage in other civic, educational, charitable, and benevolent purposes.

McChen Restaurant Inc., 813 Williams St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Michael Chen, same. Restaurant.

PITTSFIELD

Master Han’s US Taekwondo Inc, 141 Tyler St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Yunhee Han, same. Taekwondo martial art center.

New Asain Garden Inc., 3 Newell St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Limin Liu, same. Restaurant serves Asian foods.

SPRINGFIELD

Lucy’s Family Market Corp., 935 Worthington St., Springfield, MA 01105. Luz M. Lazala, 88 Surrey Road, Springfield, MA 01104. Grocery store.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

NV Concepts Unlimited Inc., 95 Apple Ridge Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. Timothy Bonito, same. Event production, talent management, and event promotion.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

Governor Signs Bipartisan Pay-equity Legislation

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bipartisan pay equity bill last week, passed unanimously by both legislative branches, to ensure equal pay for comparable work for all Massachusetts workers and equal opportunities to earn competitive salaries in the workplace. The governor was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, Treasurer Deb Goldberg, State Auditor Suzanne Bump, state Sen. Patricia Jehlen, state Rep. Ellen Story, state Rep. Patricia Haddad, and members of the Legislature at a signing ceremony in the State House to enact S.2119, An Act to Establish Pay Equity, which will go into effect on July 1, 2018 for Commonwealth employers and employees. “I am pleased to sign bipartisan legislation to create a more level playing field in the Commonwealth and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to earn a competitive salary for comparable work,” Baker said. “I thank the Legislature for unanimously passing this bill and working closely with the business community to support women and families across the state.” Added Polito, “this legislation is an important step toward advancing more equal, inclusive, and thriving workplaces throughout the Commonwealth for women and families.” The new law will prevent pay discrimination for comparable work based on gender. The bill allows employees to freely discuss their salaries with coworkers, prohibits employers from requiring applicants to provide their salary history before receiving a formal job offer, and authorizes the attorney general to issue regulations interpreting and applying the expanded law. Under the new law, employers are permitted to take certain attributes of an employee or applicant into account when determining variation in pay, including their work experience, education, job training, or measurements of production, sales, or revenue. “This new law is an important step toward ensuring economic security for Massachusetts women and families. It makes vital updates that reflect our modern economy and balance the needs of workers and the business community,” said Attorney General Maura Healey, adding that “pay equity is not only a women’s issue, it’s a family issue, and with this new law on the books, we are closer to closing the pay gap in our state.” The statute of limitations laid out currently under the equal-pay statute will be expanded from one to three years, and employees will no longer be required to pursue a general claim of intentional discrimination at the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination before filing a separate equal-pay claim in court.

ABA Bringing Franchise to Springfield This Fall

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Sting will be the first American Basketball Assoc. (ABA) team to call Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, its home when it commences play in November. The organization will boast top talent from the Greater Springfield area and beyond. The Sting will join the ABA’s Northeast Division for the start of the 2016-17 season, alongside teams in Boston, Providence, New York, Long Island, and New Jersey. The franchise will be owned by Zach Baru of Longmeadow. Baru’s past experience in sports and entertainment includes the Springfield Spirit of the National Women’s Basketball League, the Greater Springfield Pro-Am Basketball League, the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, and the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Dr. Steven Sobel has been hired as the team’s first general manager and head coach. Sobel, a former Division II star at the University of Hartford, has spent more than 40 years coaching collegiate and professional basketball teams and players. During the offseason, he helms the Springfield Slamm of the Greater Hartford Pro-Am Basketball League. Sobel is also a nationally recognized motivational speaker and author of The Good Times Handbook: Your Guide to Positive Living and Exciting Life. “We are excited to bring professional basketball back to the city of Springfield. With Dr. Sobel at the helm, and potential supporters already reaching out, the possibilities for success here in the community are endless,” Baru said.

Free Legal Assistance Available to Small Businesses

SPRINGFIELD — The Western New England University Small Business Legal Clinic is now accepting applications from entrepreneurs and small-business owners seeking legal assistance for the fall 2016 semester. Under faculty supervision, law students assist clients with legal issues, including choice of entity, employment policies, contract drafting, regulatory compliance, and intellectual-property issues relating to trademark applications and copyright. This is a free service available to local businesses that would not otherwise have the resources to obtain these types of services. The Small Business Clinic at Western New England School of Law has assisted more than 300 small businesses. By using the clinic’s services, businesses can avoid problems by getting legal issues addressed early and correctly. It also provides students with an opportunity to get real-world experience. The Small Business Legal Clinic asks small-business owners to submit their applications by Monday, Aug. 15. Applications received after that date will be considered if additional resources are available. Students will begin providing services in September. For more information, call the clinic at (413) 782-1469 or e-mail [email protected].

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

Berkshire Hills Reports Second-quarter Results

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. reported second-quarter GAAP earnings of $0.52 per share in 2016 compared to $0.35 in 2015. Core earnings increased to $0.54 per share from $0.51 for these respective periods. Results increased due to expanded operations and improved profitability. Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure and is adjusted to exclude net non-core charges primarily related to acquisitions and restructuring activities. GAAP results last year included higher non-core charges related to the Hampden Bancorp acquisition. Second-quarter financial highlights, compared to the prior quarter, include 5% total loan growth, 4% total commercial loan growth, 3.31% net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent), 58.7% efficiency ratio (non-GAAP financial measure), 0.26% non-performing assets/assets, and 0.22% net loan charge-offs/average loans.

NAI Plotkin Makes Move to Heart of Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — NAI Plotkin announced it will relocate to the MassLive building, 1350 Main St., in mid-August. 1350 Formerly known as One Financial Plaza, the building is well-known throughout Springfield for its first-, third-, and ninth-floor galleries activating the spaces. This move brings a third-generation family business into the dynamic and changing heart of downtown. NAI Plotkin’s team of commercial real-estate professionals will occupy 5,884 square feet on the 14th floor in the class-A office tower. The space is currently being renovated to best suit the contemporary property management team. “As we continue to grow our business in and around the Springfield market, we needed to put down roots in a new space that will grow with us,” said Evan Plotkin, company president. “We’re excited to start this new chapter of our company’s history.”

United Financial Bancorp Announces Q2 Earnings

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The company had net income of $9.1 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to net income for the linked quarter of $11.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. Operating net income (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2016 was $10.0 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $10.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the linked quarter. Operating net income for the second quarter of 2016 is adjusted for purchase accounting impacts, net gain from sales of securities, and the effect of position eliminations as a result of the company’s previously disclosed reorganization plan. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2016, operating income was also adjusted for Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston pre-payment penalties. The company reported net income of $13.3 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. Total assets at June 30, 2016 increased by $95.8 million to $6.42 billion from $6.32 billion at March 31, 2016. At June 30, 2016, total loans were $4.73 billion, representing an increase of $81 million, or 2%, from the linked quarter. Loan growth during the second quarter of 2016 was highlighted by a $58 million, or 9%, increase in commercial business loans; a $14 million, or 3%, increase in home-equity loans; and an $8 million, or 2%, increase in owner-occupied commercial real-estate loans. Residential mortgages declined during the second quarter of 2016 by $5 million, reflecting the company’s continued strategy to reduce on-balance sheet exposure to residential mortgage loans. Deposits totaled $4.46 billion at June 30, 2016 and decreased by $79 million, or 2%, from $4.53 billion at March 31, 2016.

Smith & Wesson Purchases Laser-sight Maker for $95M

SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Crimson Trace Corp., an industry leader in laser-sighting systems and tactical lighting for firearms, for $95 million. Crimson Trace has long been a key supplier of laser-sighting systems for Smith & Wesson. For more than two decades, Crimson Trace has provided consumers, military units, and law-enforcement officers around the globe with laser-sight and tactical-light products. Offering more than 225 products, its award-winning innovations include the Lasergrips, Laserguard, and Rail Master platforms. The company’s product line also includes the Defender Series, Lightguard, and its new LiNQ wireless activation system. Based in Wilsonville, Ore., Crimson Trace operates from a 50,000-square-foot, leased facility where it engineers and manufactures its products. Crimson Trace was founded 22 years ago and has organically generated a 10-year compound annual revenue growth rate in excess of 10%. Its products maintain a premium position with hundreds of independent retailers as well as large sporting-goods retailers, including Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, Nation’s Best Sports, and internet retailer Optics Planet Inc. “Crimson Trace provides us with an exceptional opportunity to acquire a thriving company that is completely aligned with our strategy to become a leader in the market for shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiasts,” said James Debney, Smith & Wesson president and CEO. “As the undisputed leader in the market for laser-sighting products, Crimson Trace serves as an ideal platform for our new Electro-Optics Division.”

Chamber Corners

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Chamber Corners Departments

FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

• Aug. 18: Google Marketing Workshop Series: “Get Found on Google Search and Maps,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 395 Main St., Greenfield. People are searching online for businesses like yours every day. Make sure they can find and connect with you by adding your business information to Google Search and Maps. Cost: $5, including lunch. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 773-5463 or visit franklincc.org/whats-new-at-the-chamber.

• Aug. 25: Google Marketing Workshop Series: “Grow Your Business Online with Google Tools,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 395 Main St., Greenfield. Can people find your business on computers and mobile devices? Free tools show you how people search on Google and how they use your website. Google’s suite of online business-productivity tools makes collaboration a breeze. Cost: $5, including lunch. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 773-5463 or visit franklincc.org/whats-new-at-the-chamber.

• Sept. 1: Google Marketing Workshop Series: “Advertise Online Using Google AdWords,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 395 Main St., Greenfield. An introduction to advertising and how it can benefit a business. Learn how Keywords work, how to find them, and how to evaluate their performance. Learn how to write great ads for your business. Cost: $5, including lunch. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 773-5463 or visit franklincc.org/whats-new-at-the-chamber.

• Sept. 15: Google Marketing Workshop Series: “Set Goals with Google Analytics,” 11 a.m to 1 p.m., hosted by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 395 Main St., Greenfield. Google Analytics is a free, powerful analytics tool that provides reports showing how visitors found your website and what they did when they got there. Google Analytics measures the effectiveness of your online and offline marketing campaigns. This workshop will explain how you can use Analytics to improve your marketing. Cost: $5, including lunch. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 773-5463 or visit franklincc.org/whats-new-at-the-chamber.

• Sept. 29: Google Marketing Workshop Series: “Create Your Free Website with Google,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 395 Main St., Greenfield. Learn how to create, customize and publish your site. Get a free domain name or use one you already own. Access and edit your site any time. Use your own photos and text, or the website generator can create the text for you. Free hosting and domain name for a year. Cost: $5, including lunch. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 773-5463 or visit franklincc.org/whats-new-at-the-chamber.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Aug. 17: Summer Sizzle, 4:30-7 p.m., hosted by Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. Sponsored by Elms College, Hampton Inn Chicopee, and United Personnel. Enjoy dinner (strawberry salad, BBQ baked beans, steakhouse potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits with honey butter, BBQ chicken breast, pulled pork, corn on the cob, cookies, assorted soft drinks), drink ticket for beer or wine, listen to music by Rum & Steel, dunk tank (proceeds to go to Voices From Inside), sangria contest, and lawn games. Cost: $35.

• Sept. 9-10: 2016 Chicopee Downtown Getdown. Food, vendors, live entertainment, and more. Free event. For details, visit chicopee.wix.com/downtowngetdown.

• Sept. 14: Business After Hours with the West of the River Chamber, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Cal’s, 1068 Riverdale St. West Springfield. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

• Sept. 21: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members.

 

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Aug. 13: Second Annual Beach Ball, 5-10 p.m., Oxbow Marina. Dance and dine under the stars with a beach party and gala. Barbecue feasting by Outlook Farm, music by DJ Jay Pacluiga, full cash bar by Meyers Catering, bonfire on the beach, and a performance by the Oxbow Waterski Show Team. Register online at business.easthamptonchamber.org/events, or call the chamber office at (413) 527-9414.

 

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.holyokechamber.com
(413) 534-3376

• Aug. 17: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Fiesta Café, 305 Main St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Savings Bank. Business networking event on the new patio. Enjoy great food, networking, and 50/50 raffle. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for the public. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.

 

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Sept. 7: September Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Spoleto Restaurant. Sponsored by Webber & Grinnell Insurance, Applied Mortgage, BusinessWest, and Lia Honda. Cost: $10 for members.

 

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• Aug. 15: Annual Golf Tournament at the Ranch Golf Course, Southwick, 11:30 a.m. registration, 12 noon lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start/scramble format. Cost: $125 for golf and dinner. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com. For more information and tickets to this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].

• Sept. 14: Multi-chamber Night of Networking, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Cal’s, 1068 Riverdale St. West Springfield. Cost: $10 for members. For more information and tickets to this event, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].

• Sept. 22: Business Breakfast with Howie Carr, 7-9 a.m., hosted by Chez Josef, Agawam. Cost: $35 for chamber members, $40 for non-members. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

Health New England announced the recent appointment of Michael Marrone as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he will lead all aspects of financial strategy for the organization. Marrone is also responsible for accounting and financial reporting and also oversees provider operations. He joins Health New England’s executive leadership team and reports directly to president and CEO Maura McCaffrey. Prior to joining Health New England, Marrone was chief financial officer, New England market at Aetna Inc. in Hartford, Conn. In this role, he was responsible for the profit and loss for all commercial and Medicare health, group, and dental businesses across health plans in six states. His career also includes more than nine years at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, where he served in various leadership roles in financial management, including medical economics, trend-management analytics, and informatics. Marrone holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in economics from the University of Maine, Farmington, as well as an MBA from the University of Southern Maine Graduate School of Business. Based in Springfield, Health New England is a nonprofit health plan serving members in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Baystate Health, Health New England offers a range of healthcare plans in the commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare markets.

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Carmine DiCenso

Carmine DiCenso

Dakin Humane Society has named Carmine DiCenso Executive Director of its organization. The appointment comes following a national search after the departure of former Executive Director Leslie Harris. DiCenso has extensive experience in animal-welfare program management and innovative project development, most recently as executive director for the Providence (R.I.) Animal Rescue League. Prior to that, he was a program director at the Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a manager at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. A former board member of the New England Federation of Humane Societies, he previously served as a board member for the Ocean State Animal Coalition, and as the Rhode Island state representative for the Humane Society of the United States Companion Animal Advisory Council. As the executive director at Dakin Humane Society, DiCenso will oversee all aspects of the organization’s work at its two locations in Springfield and Leverett. Dakin has more than 50 employees and nearly 800 volunteers who shelter, treat, and foster more than 20,000 animals annually. Dakin’s adoption centers find homes for more than 4,000 homeless pets each year. In addition, the Dakin Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, located in Springfield, recently conducted its 69,000th surgery since opening in 2009, making it New England’s largest spay/neuter provider. The organization also provides a pet-food bank, dog-training classes and pet-related workshops, plus humane learning programs. According to Nancy Creed, president of Dakin’s board of directors, “Carmine will be a terrific executive director. We’re thrilled to have him here to lead Dakin and inspire this organization’s future growth and achievements. He has significant experience in both human services and animal welfare, and understands the need to serve the human — as well as the animal — population of our community. His career has been devoted to making and keeping that connection.”

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Berkshire Bank announced the expansion of its Wealth Management Group with the appointments of Elizabeth Gore to Senior Vice President, Trust Operations and Compliance, and Janice Ward to Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor and Senior Fiduciary Officer. Gore is a graduate of New England School of Banking at Williams College with a degree in trust banking. She has more than 35 years of banking experience, 28 at Berkshire Bank. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of operations and compliance for the Wealth Management team and the department’s trust accounting system. She is also responsible for fiduciary and tax work, preparation of annual probate accountings, implementing disaster-recovery policies, and assisting auditors. She currently manages the Lenox Wealth Management Office, assisting clients on a daily basis. Ward received her juris doctor from Western New England University and is licensed to practice law in both Massachusetts and New York. She also obtained her designation as a certified financial planner in 2011. She began her career with Berkshire Bank in 2012 as a wealth advisor and senior fiduciary officer. In her new role, she will oversee various fiduciary activities, including executor and trustee services and financial-planning activities throughout the Berkshire Bank Wealth Management footprint. She will also continue to serve as wealth advisor to a select group of clients, and now serves as president of the newly formed Berkshire County Estate Planning Council Inc., which took the place of the previous Estate Planning Council.

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Ruth Banta

Ruth Banta

The Association for Community Living, which provides residential and community services for people with intellectual disabilities, has named Ruth Banta the new Executive Director, effective Aug. 22. Banta, who has served as the vice president for administration at the association since 2003, will oversee the $30 million organization, headquartered in Springfield. The association provides a variety of services to people with disabilities through its programs throughout Western Mass., including Community Resources for People with Autism, Specialized Home Care, Whole Children, an extensive residential division, and Valley Tees. Banta has more than 30 years of management, including positions at J.P. Morgan and Aetna. “I’m honored and humbled to be selected as the association’s next executive director,” Banta said. “I’m looking forward to working with all our constituents to meet the challenges we face to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are able to build the lives they seek and deserve.” Banta has a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and an MBA from Yale University. She became interested in the human-services field when one of her sons was diagnosed with autism. She previously served on the board of Community Resources for People with Autism, a program of the Assoc. for Community Living. The Assoc. for Community Living, which is set to change its name to Pathlight in September, has been providing programs and services to people with developmental disabilities since 1952. Its programs include residential homes, supports for independent living, family-based living, recreation, enrichment, employment supports, family resources, autism supports, and more. Banta is an amateur photographer whose photographs have been exhibited in Western Mass. She has volunteered with the Special Olympics and coached the unified basketball team for five medal-winning seasons.

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American International College (AIC) board of trustees member Peter Vogian made a gift to name a conference room in the new dining commons complex on campus. At a recent ceremony, Vogian was acknowledged for his many years of generous support to the college. AIC President Vincent Maniaci praised Vogian for his leadership as a trustee and for giving the college a space that provides an ideal venue for professional and academic meetings. “We know this room will be used by our students for both social occasions and networking opportunities. In this room, our students will learn leadership and presentation skills, they will collaborate and cooperate,” Maniaci said during the dedication ceremony. “Our students will leave this room better than when they walked in. The Peter J. Vogian Conference Room is but one manifestation of your generous spirit and your belief in our students’ potential.” Vogian has served as a member of the college’s board of trustees since 2001. Graduating from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, Vogian began his career with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in 1960, retiring in 1993 as senior vice president of Pension Management Sales. In addition to his years of dedicated service to AIC, Vogian has donated his time and talent to serving on numerous boards, including Goodwill Industries of Springfield and Hartford and with professional and social affiliations including Chartered Life Underwriters of Pioneer Valley and the Melha Temple Shrine.

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Christopher Buono has joined Anteris Solutions Inc. as Chief Information Officer. As CIO, he joins the executive team and also helps clients navigate the critical process of aligning technology decisions with organizational goals by identifying current needs while targeting a vision for the future. Buono has worked in the information-technology field for more than 20 years, including 12 years in leadership roles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University at Albany Business School and attended the MBA program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management. He holds numerous legacy technical certifications, including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Certified Novell Engineer, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and Cisco Certified Network Administration. He serves on the board of directors for WAM Theatre. Anteris Solutions was founded in 2002 to serve a variety of nationwide businesses by providing them complete IT solutions, including strategic planning, proactive management, security and hardware monitoring, and ensuring software and regulation compliance.

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Karla Callahan

Karla Callahan

HUB International New England, a division of HUB International Limited, a global insurance-brokerage, risk-advisory, and employee-benefits firm, announced the hiring of Karla Callahan as an Employee Benefits Client Relationship Manager in the East Longmeadow office. Callahan has an extensive background in employee benefits and was previously employed by Health New England for more than 12 years, specializing in sales, underwriting, and member services. As part of the HUB employee benefits team, she will be responsible for assisting staff with client relations, service, sales, and administrative activities of new and existing group benefit accounts. Working closely with employers to maintain and better understand their employee-benefits packages and staying abreast of compliance restrictions and guidelines will be her other areas of focus.

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Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a labor and employment law firm serving employers in the Greater Springfield area, announced that attorney Amelia Holstrom earned the Community Service Award presented by the Mass. Bar Assoc. and subsequently through its affiliate association, the Hampden County Bar Assoc. It is awarded to worthy attorneys who are members of both their local and state bar associations, and who have demonstrated excellence in community service. “The Western Massachusetts community has given so much to me throughout the years,” Holstrom said. “That is why I think it is so important to give back to my community. I am honored to have been presented with this Community Service Award. The award truly speaks volumes about the atmosphere that I work in. Everyone at Skoler Abbott is extremely supportive of community-service initiatives and understands the value of extending a helping hand to others.” Holstrom joined Skoler, Abbott, & Presser after serving as a judicial law clerk to the judges of the Connecticut Superior Court, where she assisted with complex matters at all stages of litigation. Her practice is focused in labor law and employment litigation. Since joining the firm in 2012, Holstrom has provided legal advice to employers who want to remain union-free and defended employers against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, and actions arising under the Family Medical Leave Act and wage-and-hour law. Additionally, she frequently provides counsel to management regarding litigation-avoidance strategies. Holstrom is a 2011 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, where she was the managing editor of the Western New England Law Review. She is a 2015 recipient of the 40 Under Forty award from BusinessWest, which honors individuals under age 40 who have achieved professional success and are active in civic organizations. In addition to her legal résumé, Holstrom is very active in the community. She is an ad hoc member of the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, a member of the board and executive committee for Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and board clerk at Friends of the Homeless.

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Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman and Attorney Ann Weber have been recognized for their work on the 2016 Massachusetts Elder Law Sourcebook & Citator. Published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), the sourcebook is an important reference source in the growing fields of elder law and special-needs planning in Massachusetts. The sourcebook represents the editors’ selections of key reference materials from state and federal sources. It contains primary sources that are called upon daily in the representation of the Massachusetts elder and disabled populations, including statutes, regulations, case decisions, and community resources. The sourcebook would not have been possible without the editorial leadership of Klyman and Weber, said Maryanne Jensen, MCLE’s director of Publications. “They share MCLE’s goal to educate practitioners and others who advocate for, represent, and advise individuals facing the vicissitudes of aging and incapacity.” Klyman and Weber are shareholders at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., with offices in Springfield, Northampton, and Albany, N.Y. Klyman concentrates her practice in the areas of elder law, estate planning, special-needs-trust planning, estate settlement, guardianships, trust and estates litigation, and MassHealth appeals. Weber concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, probate, and elder law. She has a particular interest in creative estate planning for authors, artists, farmers, and landowners, as well as federal and Massachusetts estate-tax planning. Attorneys may purchase the 2016 Massachusetts Elder Law Sourcebook & Citator in print version or as an e-book or e-article through the MCLE website, www.mcle.org.

Agenda

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Agenda Departments

Clowning Around for Shriners Hospital

Aug. 13: The Melha Shriners announced that supporter Wendy Hart has once again organized the third annual Clowning Around for Shriners Hospital, a family-friendly event set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at VFW Post 872, 151 Point Grove Road, Southwick. Entertainment will be provided by the Shrine clowns, a traveling arcade, a photo booth, a dunk tank, and a DJ. The event will also feature a vendor fair featuring more than 40 local enterprises. “I am really excited about the opportunity to raise money for Shriners Hospital, and hope to increase the amount we raised over last year’s total,” Hart said. The event raised $2,000 for the hospital in 2015. Food and beverages will be for sale at the event. The Melha Shrine Clowns will present a skit show and spend the day mingling with children of all ages. Chris Howe, Shriner and president of the Melha Clowns, noted that “our clowns love days like this because we can help raise money for our hospital while just having lots of fun with all of the families in attendance.” Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield will receive 100% of the proceeds as it attempts to raise $900,000 for state-of-the-art X-ray technology (called EOS) which exposes children to a mere one-ninth of the radiation of traditional X-ray studies. For more information about the event, contact Hart at (413) 875-5743.

Oscar Hammerstein III Lecture

Aug. 17: Kimball Farms Lifecare in Lenox will host a lecture by Oscar Hammerstein III, grandson of famed lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, at 2 p.m. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to (413) 637-7000 by Wednesday, Aug. 10. Hammerstein’s talk, titled “The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family,” covers the century-long story of one of Broadway’s most creative and productive families beginning with Oscar Hammerstein I, described as a successful cigar and real-estate mogul who funded his theatre-building ambitions. The talk follows the family’s accomplishments through to Oscar Hammerstein II, who co-wrote the stories and words to such Broadway shows as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Carousel, and The Sound of Music. Oscar Hammerstein III is a painter, writer, lecturer, and family historian who has devoted much of his life to studying and preserving his family’s heritage and contribution to American culture. He lectures frequently at universities, institutes, and theatrical and civic organizations on his family’s role in shaping the development of musical theatre and popular entertainment from the 1860s to the present.

Wistariahurst Summer Play Day

Aug. 20: Wistariahurst, Holyoke’s center for history, art, and culture, will host a free community event from 1 to 3 p.m., featuring lawn games, crafts, family-friendly tours, and more. Wistariahurst, the former estate of the Skinner family, includes three acres of formal gardens and grounds, a Holyoke history exhibit, an archival facility, and a preserved historic mansion. The afternoon’s activities will be inspired by the history and features of the site, including the fossilized dinosaur tracks which pave the entryway, the historically inspired rose garden, and turn-of-the-century garden parties. “As the summer season winds down, we want our gardens and grounds to be filled with families exploring and playing,” said Lisa Nicholson, program coordinator. “Dress up and have a cup of lemonade in the garden. Play a game of croquet or badminton like the Skinner family may have done.” For more information or to view a schedule of other upcoming events at Wistariahurst, visit www.wistariahurst.org.

Ice-cream Social, Open House at Linda Manor

Aug. 21: Linda Manor Assisted Living invites the community to an ice-cream social and open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Linda Manor is located at 345 Haydenville Road in Leeds. The open house will include complimentary ice-cream sundaes and tours of one of the Northampton area’s newest assisted-living communities. Linda Manor offers all-inclusive assisted living and memory care as well as the award-winning Linda Manor Extended Care Facility. For more information, or to RSVP for the event, call (413) 588-3316.

Ad Club Networking on Connecticut River

Aug. 25: The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts invites guests to network on the Connecticut River on the famous Lady Bea, departing from event sponsor Brunelle’s Marina in South Hadley. Guests are invited to sip on a cocktail from the cash bar, enjoy light appetizers, and take in the scenery while mingling with writers, designers, printers, agency staff, photographers, web designers, marketers, and media from Western Mass. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the Lady Bea will depart at 6 p.m. from Brunelle’s Marina, 1 Alvord St., South Hadley. Guests must purchase tickets in advance by Friday, Aug. 19 by calling (413) 736-2582, visiting www.adclubwm.org/events/calendar, or e-mailing [email protected]. Ticket prices are $20 for Ad Club members, $30 for non-members, and $20 for students with valid ID.

Slide the City

Aug. 27: Celebrate Holyoke welcomes the return of Slide the City to Holyoke on the Saturday of its three-day event, and will once again sell discounted tickets prior to the event. In addition, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke is partnering with Slide the City to raise money for its organization and help secure volunteers for the day of the slide. Slide the City will return to the same location along Appleton Street. Tickets are currently available at slidethecity.com, and single tickets can be purchased for $20 on the day of the event. Those looking to purchase tickets in advance at a discounted rate can do so at Stop & Shop on Lincoln Street in Holyoke on Sat., Aug. 13, and Sun., Aug. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.; at the mayor’s office on weekdays; and at the Holyoke Farmers’ Market every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Discounted tickets can also be found at celebrateholyokemass.com. For the second year, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke will partner with Slide the City to recruit volunteers for the day of the event. For every volunteer signed up, Slide the City will make a donation to the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club. “The Holyoke Boys & Girls Club is thrilled to be partnering for the second year with Slide the City and the Celebrate Holyoke committee,” said Eileen Cavanaugh, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club. “Last year was a great experience, and we were so pleased with and grateful for the amount of volunteers that came out to support the club. I’m sure this year will be even better. We are looking forward to another fun event that allows our club to be part of Celebrate Holyoke.” Volunteers are still needed for various shifts throughout the day and will be helping with the following tasks: setup, registration tent (check pre-registered customers, take payment for new customers, etc.), slide monitors (check wristbands, help keep people moving along), cleanup, trash pickup, and loading trucks with gear and merchandise. Anyone who is interested in volunteering to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke should e-mail Cavanaugh at [email protected]. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. In exchange for their participation, volunteers will receive a Slide the City T-shirt and be provided snacks and refreshments during each shift.

Mini-Medical School

Sept. 15 to Nov. 3: Thinking of going back to school? Baystate Medical Center’s Mini-Medical School will give area residents an inside look at the expanding field of medicine — minus the tests, homework, interviews, and admission formalities. The Mini-Medical School program is an eight-week health-education series featuring a different aspect of medicine each week. Classes this fall will include sessions on various medical topics such as surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pathology, and several others. Many of the ‘students,’ who often range in age from 20 to 70, participate due to a general interest in medicine and later find that many of the things they learned over the semester are relevant to their own lives. The goal of the program — offered in the comfortable environment of the hospital’s Chestnut Conference Center, is to help members of the public make more informed decisions about their healthcare while receiving insight on what it is like to be a medical student. Baystate Medical Center is the region’s only teaching hospital, and each course is taught by medical-center faculty who explain the science of medicine without resorting to complex terms. All classes are held Thursday nights starting at 6 p.m. and run until 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the night’s topic. No basic science knowledge is needed to participate. Each participant is required to attend a minimum of six out of eight classes in order to receive a certificate of completion. The classes run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 3, and a full listing of topics and presenters can be found at www.baystatehealth.org/minimed. Tuition is $95 per person and $80 for Senior Class and Spirit of Women members. While it is not difficult to be accepted into the program, slots are limited, and early registration is recommended by calling (800) 377-4325 or visiting www.baystatehealth.org/minimed.

BerkshireSPEAKS

Sept. 18: The third annual BerkshireSPEAKS will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington. This year’s event will feature six Berkshire trailblazers and visionaries sharing their inspirational stories. BerkshireSPEAKS was established to create an opportunity for the entire community to hear from local residents who have had a significant impact on the Berkshires and beyond. “BerkshireSPEAKS continues to grow each year, with speakers whose passion reminds us that anything is possible,” said Toby Levine, event co-chair. “We have a fantastic program planned and look forward to an afternoon that brings the community together to share empowering ideas.” This year’s speakers include John Downing, CEO of Soldier On, a national organization fighting veteran homelessness; Nancy Kalodner, Berkshire Realtor, teacher, and arts supporter; Gwendolyn Hampton-VanSant, CEO and Founder of Multicultural BRIDGE; Mary Pope Osborne, award-winning author of the Magic Tree House series (130 million copies sold worldwide); John Hockenberry, author, journalist, and award-winning public radio host; and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who represents the 4th Berkshire District. A reception with the speakers will follow the presentations. Registration costs $15 online and $18 at the door. To register online, visit www.hevreh.org/berkshirespeaks.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, and Wild Apple Design. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Court Dockets

By
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.

Hampden Superior Court

Dorothy Devins v. New England Orthopedic Surgeons Inc. and Jason Asselin
Allegations: Negligent supervision leading to assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress: excess of $25,000
Filed: 03/28/16

Clines M. Cobham v. Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc. and John Doe
Allegations: Pharmacy negligence resulting in permanent disability: $47,422
Filed: 03/31/16

Luis Astacio v. Ryder Truck Rental Inc.
Allegations: Negligent removal of snow and ice causing personal injury: $392,600.44
Filed: 02/04/16

Oregon Bennett v. City of Springfield
Allegations: Unsafe operations of a dump truck leading to injury: $29,373.89
Filed: 02/08/16

Mary Jane LaPlante v. Longmeadow Mall Limited Partnership, Thomas P. Ryland Co., and CGI Management Inc.
Allegations: Negligence leading to personal injury: $27,424.80
Filed: 06/06/16

Kevin Jarvi v. Tapco International, using the assumed name The Tapco Group, and Headwaters Inc.
Allegations: Breach of contract/nonpayment of wages: $67,603.44
Filed: 05/26/16

Hampshire Superior Court

Haibin Dong v. Djata Bumpus, d/b/a Pioneer Valley Boxing Assoc.
Allegation: Negligent supervision of an instructor resulting in personal injury: $14,925.44
Filed: 07/01/16

Theresa Everett and Alan Everett v. Betsy Green, NP, Gerri Lynn Smith, NP, Edward Patton, MD, and Valley Medical Group, P.C.
Allegation: Negligent treatment resulting in severe personal injury: greater than $25,000
Filed: 07/06/16

Miya Lindley, by and through her parent and next friend, Marcey Lindley v. McCray’s Country Creamery Inc.
Allegation: Negligent supervision of performers resulting in personal injury: $41,133+

Northampton District Court

Kathleen Schwarzer v. Radiance Home Health Care Inc. and Susan Muriru
Allegation: Failure to pay wages: Unknown amount under $25,000
Filed: 05/31/16

Marilyn Rivera v. Stop & Shop Store No. 100787
Allegation: Negligent removal of snow and ice resulting in slip and fall: $2,966
Filed: 07/05/16

Jarrod Fowler v. Anthony Wheeler and Richard J. Quintal Jr. d/b/a Quintal Brothers Wholesale Fruit and Produce
Allegation: Negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in injury: $3,987.30
Filed: 07/26/16

Springfield District Court

Sypek Electrical Services Inc. v. Bharat Oza, Ritz Management Group, LLC, and Shreeji Properties, LLC
Allegations: Breach of contract, nonpayment for services rendered: $9,453.75
Filed: 06/21/16

Westfield District Court

US Music Corp., USA a division of JAM Industries LTD. a/k/a/ American Music & Sound, LLC v. Paper City Music Shop Inc., and Jose F. Dias
Allegation: Breach of contract, failure to pay for goods: $23,350.96
Filed: 07/01/2016

Jean Graziano v. Streamfield, LLC, Ronald J. Abdow, George T. Abdow Jr., PRPC Inc. and Wakefern Food Corp.
Allegation: Negligence resulting in personal injury: $8,969.97
Filed: 07/08/2016

Picture This

By
Departments Picture This

A photo essay of recent business events in Western Massachusetts August 8, 2016. Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to
[email protected]

Income Statements

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JA) and Moriarty & Primack teamed up to bring JA’s Economics for Success program to all the eighth-graders at M. Marcus Kiley Middle School in Springfield in June. “To be able to teach students how to budget their income, and what getting an education after your high-school diploma can mean for your income, is a valuable lesson for everyone,” said Dahimeli Mercado, Moriarty & Primack staff accountant. Mark Laurenzano, guidance counselor at Kiley Middle School, added that “the students are eager to learn more about JA and business. Many of our students have participated in JA job-shadow experience. They are excited to work with the JA volunteers in the classroom today and learn about creating a budget.” Pictured, from left, are Moriarty & Primack’s Christopher Walker, Rebecca Connolly, Phillip Giguere, Jessica Putnam, Dahimeli Mercado, Jonathan Normand, Isaiah Odunlami, Roger Conklin, and Puja Karki.


Breaking Barriers

Berkshire Bank representatives

Berkshire Bank representatives recently visited the Center for Human Development’s (CHD) Disability Resources program to present a donation of $2,500. The bank’s gift supports CHD’s efforts to provide barrier-free recreational and competitive adaptive sports opportunities, as well as social gatherings and educational events for youth and adults with disabilities. Pictured, from left, are Luke Kettles, senior vice president of Commercial Lending for the Pioneer Valley, Berkshire Bank; Jennifer Bogin, vice president, Developmental Services, CHD; Rachel Keyworth, director, Disability Resources, CHD; Jim Goodwin, president and CEO, CHD; and Tim Hussey, assistant vice president of Commercial Lending, Berkshire Bank.


Global Lessons

Springfield College Professor of Management and U.S. Fulbright grant recipient Robert Fiore

Springfield College Professor of Management and U.S. Fulbright grant recipient Robert Fiore recently traveled to China to collaborate with faculty and students at Hong Kong Baptist University in the academic area of entrepreneurship. Fiore assisted in the development of research and curriculum in China’s new initiative mandating the development of entrepreneurial courses to be offered at all universities. “The collaboration was exciting because it allowed us to exchange ideas on modes of entrepreneurial company formulation specifically dedicated to elevate geographically focused poverty and enhance economic growth within low-income regions by the use of micro-financing and village-based cooperative entrepreneurship,” said Fiore. As part of the program, Fiore presented biographical material of notable entrepreneurs to highlight their use in teaching and fostering entrepreneurship among students by analysis of the successful entrepreneur’s attitudes and behavior. He discussed lean entrepreneurial start-up procedures and methods as taught in the U.S., the U.S. perspective on crowd-funding financing sources, and legal issues of intellectual-property development.

Greenfield Community College Welcomes Catherine Seaver

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College announced that Catherine Seaver has been named chief academic and student affairs officer.

“Catherine Seaver is a great fit for GCC,” said college President Bob Pura. “Catherine understands the joy, privilege, and the challenges of teaching and learning at a community college because she attended a community college, she has taught in the classrooms of one, and has worked in leadership positions in a community college. She understands the challenges of working in and running a tech-based business because she has worked in that environment. Catherine fits here because she gets how important relationships and community are to student success, how important the ongoing commitment to betterment and improvement is, and why it is essential that our student outcomes are comprehensive and sustainable. Catherine totally gets the importance of access, excellence, and our mission.”

Seaver holds a bachelor’s degree in applied science: manufacturing engineering technology from Miami University, a master’s degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s degree in educational technology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She will complete a PhD in leadership from the University of the Cumberlands in December.

Seaver worked at Manchester Community College from 2002 until this past spring. Her positions included division director for Business, Engineering & Technology; interim associate dean of Student Affairs; and department chair/professor in Engineering & Technology. While in administrative roles, Seaver taught one online or on-campus course each semester as an adjunct professor, including “Introduction to C++ Programming,” “Introduction to 3D AutoCAD,” “Object-Oriented C++ Programming,” and “Introduction to Engineering Analysis.” Prior to working at Manchester Community College, Seaver held systems-engineering, project-management, and technical-instructor positions with Hallmark IT, General Cigar Co., IKON (formerly HBM Technology Group), KTC Software Services, and Carrier Corp.

“GCC’s President Bob Pura and GCC as a whole have a superb reputation throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and beyond,” Seaver said. “I’m honored to be able to work here. When I was teaching at Manchester Community College, students would take a few classes at MCC with the intention of transferring to GCC to finish. I am very committed to community colleges. Their smaller classes and teachers focused on teaching instead of research make all the difference in student success.

“I was a finalist for a position at a selective four-year college that admits only 50% of their applicants,” she went on. “Thinking about what happens to the other 50%, I realized how much open access means to me and that I want to focus my career on community colleges. GCC is a great school doing powerful work in the community, and I look forward to being part of what GCC does so well.”

Rare Complete Set of Kandinsky Prints on View at Springfield Museums

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Earlier this summer, the Springfield Museums unveiled an exhibit of prints by Russian artist Vassily Kandinsky titled “Kleine Welten (Small Worlds),” a portfolio of 12 works created in 1922 using a range of print-making techniques. The Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts is one of only a handful of public museums to own the complete series; other such museums include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. The exhibit will be on view in the Collins Print Gallery through Jan. 15, 2017.

Known as one of the pioneers of abstract art, Kandinsky (1866-1944) lectured and wrote extensively in support of non-objective art, believing that total abstraction offers the possibility for profound spiritual expression. His paintings of 1913 are considered to be among the first completely abstract compositions in modern art history, as they made no reference to the natural world and were inspired by (and took their titles from) pieces of music. His non-representational paintings paved the way for the development of the abstract expressionist movement that dominated American painting after World War II.

Kandinsky’s “Kleine Welten” portfolio exemplifies the artist’s abstract style, while also demonstrating his achievements with various print-making techniques. Though Kandinsky is perhaps best known for his paintings, this series of prints shows his mastery of lithography, woodcut, and etching. Kandinsky used each method to its best advantage in rendering his abstract compositions, creating a set of prints that showcases the unique aesthetic features of each print-making style.

Ad Club to Announce 101st William Pynchon Award Recipients

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts will hold a press conference on Friday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. at TD Bank Conference Center, located on the first floor of 1441 Main St., Springfield, to officially announce the 101st William Pynchon Award recipients.

The Ad Club confers the Order of William Pynchon and the Pynchon Medal upon citizens of Western Mass. who have rendered distinguished service to the community. Recipients are nominated each year by members of the community, and are chosen by unanimous decision of the Pynchon trustees, who include the current president and five past presidents. The 2016 trustees include Gary Czelusniak, marketing consultant at gczinc.com; Nancy Urbschat, principal at TSM Design; Barbara Perry, vice president of sales and marketing, Envision Marketing Group; Jillian Gould, customer marketing manager, Yankee Candle Co. Inc.; Teresa Utt, director, nonprofit marketing and senior account executive at Andrew Associates Inc.; and David Cecchi, principal, Cecco – the Design Office of David Cecchi.

Recipients have been asked to invite family, friends, and the nominator(s) to share in the official announcement on Aug. 19. Each recipient will have the opportunity say a few words to the gathering of media, guests, Pynchon trustees, and Ad Club board members. This press conference is free and open to the public, although seating is limited.

This year’s 101st William Pynchon Award Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Details and ticket information will be posted at www.adclub.org.

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

BERNARDSTON

70 Purple Meadow Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Purple Meadow Properties
Seller: Elizabeth G. Pappas
Date: 06/27/16

CHARLEMONT

55 Heath Stage Terrace
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Ryan A. Martin
Seller: Mary E. Denning
Date: 07/01/16

CONWAY

54 Maple St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Ellen Macleish-Zale
Seller: Patricia A. Morey-Walker
Date: 06/30/16

DEERFIELD

508 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Deerfield Academy
Seller: Richard A. Barber
Date: 06/28/16

5 Kelleher Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Timothy G. O’Neil
Seller: David Pietrowski
Date: 06/30/16

56 Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Tiffany Scott
Seller: Mathew E. Janus
Date: 07/06/16

34 Thayer St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Nicholas M. Orsini
Seller: Niemiec RET
Date: 06/30/16

62 Wapping Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Wapping Road Holdings LLC
Seller: LCCNP LLC
Date: 07/01/16

ERVING

21 French King Hwy.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $186,411
Buyer: MHFA
Seller: Arthur L. Snow
Date: 07/07/16

GREENFIELD

395 Adams Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Stanley T. Piskorski
Date: 06/30/16

159 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $163,250
Buyer: Amy A. Huff-Harris
Seller: Jennifer E. Antonellis
Date: 06/28/16

8 Cherry Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Davina M. Chudzik
Seller: Harold M. Donivan
Date: 06/30/16

53 Haywood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Bridgewater
Seller: Amber Gurley
Date: 06/29/16

243 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $235,875
Buyer: Allen Fowler
Seller: Robert J. Sagor
Date: 07/08/16

200 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,900
Buyer: Joseph H. Nickerson
Seller: Ilene J. Sweeney
Date: 06/29/16

21 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Eric M. Mosher
Seller: James C. O’Sullivan
Date: 06/28/16

16 Linden Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Darrell L. Slover
Seller: Norman H. Sims
Date: 06/29/16

124 Meadow Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $312,405
Buyer: Mark H. Allen
Seller: Albena W. Constance
Date: 07/08/16

12 Miner St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Robert C. Mallin
Seller: Gretchen L. Kelton
Date: 06/29/16

8 River St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Brendan E. Tubbs
Seller: Mary E. Bricker
Date: 06/28/16

17 Western Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christopher B. Pike
Seller: John F. Wysocki
Date: 06/29/16

LEVERETT

34 Chestnut Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Marianne Sundell
Seller: Jann E. Rosemerta
Date: 06/27/16

MONTAGUE

76 2nd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $221,500
Buyer: Van Bro Co. LLC
Seller: Christopher L. Gagnon
Date: 06/30/16

83 G St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $157,800
Buyer: Laura E. Heisig
Seller: Mark D. Holley
Date: 06/30/16

77 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $543,177
Buyer: Johanna E. Rosen
Seller: Mark H. Allen
Date: 07/08/16

33-35 X. St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Layne V. Floyd
Seller: Karlson Properties LLC
Date: 06/30/16

NEW SALEM

6 Neilson Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Darwin Cota
Seller: Laurie A. Bergem
Date: 06/29/16

NORTHFIELD

466 4 Mile Brook Road
Northfield, MA 01354
Amount: $227,900
Buyer: Jacob Mayberry
Seller: Lauren Kaplan
Date: 06/30/16

Birnam Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Dept. Of Conservation and Recreation
Seller: Trust For Public Land
Date: 06/29/16

48 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $208,500
Buyer: Laura Robinson
Seller: Phyllis J. Derigon TR
Date: 06/29/16

School St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $2,500,000
Buyer: Trust For Public Land
Seller: Northfield Mt. Hermon School
Date: 06/29/16

Warwick Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Dept. Of Conservation and Recreation
Seller: Trust For Public Land
Date: 06/29/16

ORANGE

130 Athol Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Darren R. Bouchard
Seller: Joseph Castine
Date: 07/05/16

860 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Hometown Bank
Seller: Alphonse E. Chenausky
Date: 07/05/16

110 Wheeler Pond Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $985,000
Buyer: Stone By Stone Farm LLC
Seller: David G. Spackman
Date: 06/27/16

SHELBURNE

122 Bridge St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Priscilla N. White-Tocker
Seller: Elizabeth A. Bridgewater
Date: 06/29/16

1179 Mohawk Trail
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Robert Annis
Seller: Virginia C. Esposito
Date: 06/28/16

240 Skinner Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $354,534
Buyer: Peter Ghitman
Seller: Marie A. Blake
Date: 06/30/16

SHUTESBURY

80 Montague Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $442,750
Buyer: Stephen C. Paddock
Seller: Ann L. Shea
Date: 06/30/16

29 Old Orchard Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Sean B. Meyer
Seller: Jeffrey R. Lacy
Date: 06/30/16

SUNDERLAND

531 Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Benjamin E. Pattison
Seller: Lawrence E. Chunga
Date: 06/30/16

104 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Melissa Flanagan
Seller: Gregory M. Bell
Date: 06/29/16

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

111 Adams St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Tifani M. Sherbo
Seller: David M. Trehey
Date: 06/28/16

Barry St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Robert G. Vincent
Seller: Catherine A. Sloane
Date: 06/29/16

51 Belvidere Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Angelica Silva
Seller: Kenneth Modzelesky
Date: 06/27/16

99 Campbell Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $184,800
Buyer: Robert F. James
Seller: Melyssa A. Brown
Date: 07/08/16

12-14 Church St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Moira Lopes
Seller: Ann Parent
Date: 06/29/16

23 Cricket Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $313,500
Buyer: Leigh G. Mahoney
Seller: Michael P. Barron
Date: 06/27/16

12 Cynthia Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Keith F. Bard
Seller: John P. Colwell
Date: 06/30/16

53 Deering St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Buyer: Steven J. Halloran
Seller: Steven D. Leon
Date: 06/27/16

117 Doane Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $151,290
Buyer: USA VA
Seller: Rielly J. Longtin
Date: 07/08/16

69 Franklin St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Cains Mechanical LLC
Seller: Western Mass. Property Services
Date: 07/01/16

15-17 James Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: George R. Ghareeb
Seller: Anthony Fazio
Date: 07/05/16

1231 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Alexandru Barbaneagra
Seller: Frederick D. Fusco
Date: 07/08/16

24 Norman Terrace Ext.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Jasmine Matta-Naylor
Seller: Jennifer L. Caputo
Date: 06/28/16

15-17 Ottawa St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Christopher Desautels
Seller: Joey Parent
Date: 06/29/16

21 Ralph St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Mwangaza Jumbe
Seller: Michelle D. Straite
Date: 06/30/16

745 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Scott M. Przybylski
Seller: Timothy P. Kennedy
Date: 07/01/16

639 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Francisco D. Salazar
Date: 07/01/16

373 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Daly
Seller: Falcor Homes Inc.
Date: 07/01/16

562 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Michael Hogan
Seller: MSEP Realty LLC
Date: 06/29/16

67 Taft St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: John H. Goddard
Seller: Carol Baj
Date: 07/01/16

17 Tower Terrace
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Peter J. Clarke
Seller: Thelma A. Coughlin
Date: 06/30/16

CHESTER

77 Parsons Way
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Juan E. Morales-Lube
Seller: Richard A. Drenga
Date: 06/27/16

CHICOPEE

75 6th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Richard J. Christian
Seller: John H. Parker
Date: 07/08/16

78 7th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Steven M. Tomaino
Seller: Laurie A. Gay
Date: 06/30/16

63 Beaumont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $194,900
Buyer: Adam M. Routier
Seller: Mitchell E. Karaskiewicz
Date: 06/30/16

216 College St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Robert D. Labrecque
Seller: Edward C. Cortis
Date: 07/05/16

303 College St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Amanda S. Pellerin
Seller: Ryan Murphy
Date: 06/30/16

129 Dejordy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Antonio Paulo
Seller: Kathleen E. Green
Date: 07/01/16

39 Fernwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Aleksandr Govor
Seller: FNMA
Date: 07/01/16

34 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $178,500
Buyer: Maria Villandry
Seller: Rick Denoncourt Carpentry
Date: 06/27/16

620 Fuller Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Navin Patel
Seller: Manuel M. Costa
Date: 06/27/16

29 Gendreau St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $178,500
Buyer: Christina Corey
Seller: Blanchard, Richard A., (Estate)
Date: 06/29/16

134 Gilbert Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Christopher Benson
Seller: Hector R. Gonzalez
Date: 06/27/16

40 Gilmore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Nelson Munoz
Seller: John B. Murray
Date: 06/30/16

1177 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $422,500
Buyer: Olivia Fatima Realty LLC
Seller: WRZMM LLC
Date: 07/07/16

156 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Peter Kwade
Seller: Gary A. Bordeau
Date: 07/08/16

59 Hampshire St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Raymond R. Racine
Seller: Lucienne M. Czupryna
Date: 06/27/16

14 Harrington Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Victor E. Mikalunas
Seller: Ronald F. Labarre
Date: 07/07/16

101 Huntington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Stephanie A. Wright
Seller: Michael H. Danek
Date: 06/30/16

394 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Erica Archambeau
Seller: Matthew S. Bailey
Date: 06/30/16

405 James St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Kelly A. Marra
Seller: Jill P. Cayen
Date: 06/30/16

232 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Jaafar Hamadah
Seller: Louis A. Brunetti
Date: 07/08/16

108 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Joselito Ortiz
Seller: Scott H. Ryder
Date: 07/08/16

78 Marcelle St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Brittany E. Urban
Seller: Jeffrey O’Connor
Date: 07/05/16

65 Medford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $129,526
Buyer: Carolyn Leduc
Seller: Wayne C. Leduc
Date: 07/08/16

55 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Jessica Martinez
Seller: Sarah Witczak
Date: 06/29/16

1023 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Misty D. Mcginnes
Seller: Hebert, Eugene T., (Estate)
Date: 07/05/16

23 Nash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $163,500
Buyer: Natasha Rodriguez
Seller: Henry Lanou
Date: 07/08/16

77 Nash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Yesenia Cancel
Seller: US Bank
Date: 07/01/16

41 Parkwood Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Paul R. Duprey
Seller: Langton, David P., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/16

129 Reed St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Evan R. Pronovost
Seller: Kelly, Joyce, (Estate)
Date: 07/08/16

89 Silvin Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Brian T. Duffy
Seller: Aubrey Gomes
Date: 06/30/16

71 State St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $139,500
Buyer: Citimortgage Inc.
Seller: Socrates Phelan
Date: 07/07/16

17 Van Horn St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: James A. Kumiega
Seller: Michael J. Miodonka
Date: 07/01/16

89 Woodcrest Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $182,153
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Gregg P. Barsalou
Date: 06/29/16

EAST LONGMEADOW

33 Avery St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Agnieszka Kloskowska
Seller: Sergy Chebotarev
Date: 06/30/16

82 Avery St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: James R. Peloquin
Seller: Kelly S. Macneil
Date: 07/07/16

36 Birchland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $133,050
Buyer: Adam Gauthier
Seller: Lee A. Mason
Date: 06/27/16

10 Callender Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Michael R. Greene
Seller: Marie A. Kelleher
Date: 06/30/16

172 Fernwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Payne
Seller: Dennis M. Quinlan
Date: 07/08/16

334 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Lindsey A. Adams
Seller: Bongiovanni, Angela, (Estate)
Date: 06/30/16

38 Lenox Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Sergy Chebotarev
Seller: Jeffrey L. Haughey
Date: 06/30/16

Maplehurst Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Michael F. Torcia
Seller: Gitman Family Partnership 2
Date: 06/30/16

257 Mapleshade Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Joseph Bell
Seller: James J. Shonak
Date: 06/28/16

7 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Kevin Degray
Seller: Daniel O. Langford
Date: 06/30/16

37 Merriam St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $221,500
Buyer: Richard J. Bianchi
Seller: Charles G. Millet
Date: 06/30/16

8 North St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Andrew S. Christensen
Seller: Busha, Mark S., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/16

Silver Fox Lane #2-4
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Capaccio FT
Seller: C&M Builders LLC
Date: 07/01/16

288 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $244,500
Buyer: Christopher M. Ryan
Seller: David H. Speckman
Date: 07/08/16

5 Susan St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Courtney E. Brown
Seller: Mircea H. Raducan
Date: 06/30/16

GRANVILLE

1645 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Mark Despres
Seller: Matthew B. Magni
Date: 06/30/16

HAMPDEN

232 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Shawn P. Keeley
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/27/16

112 North Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: David M. Robillard
Seller: Melissa L. Fatse
Date: 06/30/16

303 Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Johnson
Seller: Richard F. Dion
Date: 07/08/16

107 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $295,900
Buyer: Scott J. Fletcher
Seller: Joe J. Menino
Date: 07/07/16

HOLLAND

3 Heritage Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Deborah M. Sichol
Seller: Maple Ledge Associates
Date: 07/08/16

6 North Leisure Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $262,900
Buyer: Charles R. Margarites
Seller: Larry D. Carlson
Date: 06/30/16

27 Old Acres Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Kyle N. Moreau
Seller: Thomas R. Antonio
Date: 06/29/16

HOLYOKE

84 Bemis Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Erica Morawski
Seller: James Athas
Date: 06/27/16

17 Calumet Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Kenny Ulerio
Seller: Thomas D. Fregeau
Date: 06/30/16

393 Cherry St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Dziok
Seller: Henry P. Dziok
Date: 06/27/16

23 Connecticut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $157,900
Buyer: Lauren A. Whelihan
Seller: Rhonda A. Stmarie
Date: 06/27/16

65 George St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Patricia E. Woods
Seller: Jan A. Piotrowski
Date: 07/01/16

174 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Shelly A. Perdomo-Ahmed
Seller: Mark A. Tellier
Date: 07/06/16

455 South St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Yonghe Chen
Seller: Leong K. Fung
Date: 06/29/16

LONGMEADOW

20 Brittany Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Jason A. Cenicola
Seller: Danielle Macinnes
Date: 06/28/16

143 Brookwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Luiza Templeton
Seller: Huimin Chen
Date: 06/30/16

115 Cambridge Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $353,700
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Lisa Goodrich
Date: 07/05/16

194 Colony Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $695,000
Buyer: Aimee L. Freedman
Seller: Anne Dahlgard-Browne
Date: 06/30/16

193 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Donald R. Einck
Seller: Kenneth J. Miller
Date: 06/28/16

18 Fairfield Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Carol Martucci
Seller: Ryan A. Gaebel
Date: 06/30/16

106 Glenbrook Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $481,000
Buyer: Tracy J. Grello
Seller: Deane H. Olmsted
Date: 06/27/16

37 Hawthorne St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: Mairi Brennan
Seller: Eugene M. Vinyard
Date: 07/01/16

130 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: William R. Delrosario
Seller: Andrey V. Barashkin
Date: 07/05/16

128 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Michael R. Massie
Seller: Elizabeth Gish
Date: 07/05/16

12 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Maureen Mulcahy
Seller: Joseph P. Gasparini
Date: 07/01/16

766 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $393,000
Buyer: National Residential Nominee Services
Seller: Stephen M. Andrews
Date: 06/28/16

335 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Daley
Seller: Michael J. Mowbray
Date: 06/30/16

110 Meadow Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Mark E. Elkhay
Seller: Tracy J. Grello
Date: 06/30/16

140 Morningside Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $499,900
Buyer: Kristen A. Gaebel
Seller: Robert J. Olney
Date: 06/30/16

12 Primrose Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Jason M. Fitzgerald
Seller: Haifeng Ge
Date: 06/30/16

140 Redfern Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Marie S. Charles
Seller: Elizabeth M. Delacretaz
Date: 07/01/16

186 Sheffield Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $264,500
Buyer: Ock J. Kim
Seller: Mona Heikal
Date: 07/01/16

LUDLOW

55 Atlantic St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Amanda Maciolek
Seller: Shawn P. Crimmins
Date: 06/30/16

795 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Dusza
Seller: Diane H. Boucher
Date: 07/08/16

668 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Aickelin
Seller: Robert Larkin
Date: 06/30/16

94 Irla Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Gosselin
Seller: Beth M. Zastawny
Date: 06/27/16

86 John St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Bernadette M. Burns
Seller: Elaine P. Fortier
Date: 06/27/16

24 Lillian St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $162,900
Buyer: Eduardo Sanchez
Seller: Stephen M. Buynicki
Date: 06/30/16

591 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Mark Rosa
Seller: Mehmet M. Atmaca
Date: 06/27/16

109 Parker Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Muhammad A. Ashraf
Seller: Lang Lin
Date: 06/27/16

60 Parker Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Guy D. Baillargeon
Seller: James Wojnar
Date: 06/28/16

28 Pondview Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Ryan Murphy
Seller: Randall S. Lacoille
Date: 06/30/16

111 Richmond Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Melissa M. Miele
Seller: Irene M. Jarvais
Date: 07/01/16

119 Salli Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: David A. Velthouse
Seller: Maria Koziol
Date: 06/30/16

44 Whitney St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Qassim M. Darawsheh
Seller: Miguel A. Gomes
Date: 06/30/16

24 Williams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $167,800
Buyer: Lynda A. Dowd
Seller: Mark Rosa
Date: 06/27/16

34 Williams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Daryl M. Lovell
Seller: Joseph R. Kakley
Date: 06/30/16

MONSON

63 Ayers Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $166,808
Buyer: Kaydoke RT
Seller: Thomas J. Murphy
Date: 06/28/16

28 Country Club Hts.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Laurent R. McDonald
Seller: Everett L. Walker
Date: 07/08/16

51 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Robert J. Pienkos
Seller: James A. Dirico
Date: 07/08/16

26 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Lynn A. Zorra
Seller: Victor T. Muller
Date: 06/30/16

22 Highland Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Amie L. Heise
Seller: Christine Tetreault
Date: 06/27/16

40 Stafford Hollow Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $131,947
Buyer: Citizens Bank
Seller: Adam J. McGrath
Date: 06/30/16

MONTGOMERY

11 Carrington Road
Montgomery, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Colin Powers
Seller: Richard Allard
Date: 06/27/16

Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Susan Morawiec
Seller: Jennifer T. Wolcott
Date: 07/07/16

PALMER

261 Barker St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Eric M. Nacsin
Seller: Jane S. Eurkus
Date: 06/30/16

5 Countryside Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Luis A. Maldonado
Seller: Cherylee D. Hagge
Date: 06/28/16

72 Flynt St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Dennis O. Marsh
Seller: Anthony J. Silva
Date: 06/28/16

2008 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Robert P. O’Connell
Seller: Timothy J. Kularski
Date: 07/07/16

68 Rondeau St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Shawn P. Haubner
Seller: Paul M. Budaj
Date: 07/08/16

18 Searle St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Mark S. Athens
Seller: Deborah J. Garrow
Date: 06/30/16

1204 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $161,450
Buyer: Justin W. Milos
Seller: Tiffany A. Ricci
Date: 07/08/16

10-12 State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Jessica M. Pieciak
Seller: Aaron P. Swist
Date: 06/30/16

RUSSELL

1167 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $162,400
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Bradley F. Sharp
Date: 07/05/16

1025 Westfield Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: 1025 Westfield Road LLC
Seller: Robert F. James
Date: 06/29/16

SOUTHWICK

11 Buckingham Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Michael Lindsey
Seller: Sharon A. Conte
Date: 07/01/16

13 Granaudo Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $324,375
Buyer: Matthew B. Magni
Seller: Paul R. Petit
Date: 06/30/16

18 Pearl Brook Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: David C. Orcult
Seller: William J. Hughes
Date: 06/28/16

SPRINGFIELD

381 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Katherine Soto-Rodriguez
Seller: Daniel A. O’Sullivan
Date: 07/08/16

900 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Bianca G. Jackson
Seller: Sisters Kids LLC
Date: 06/28/16

42 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Kyle E. Horonzy
Seller: Christopher D. Fontaine
Date: 06/28/16

796-798 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Thanh Luong
Seller: Tinh Q. Ngo
Date: 06/28/16

73 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Fernando Acosta
Seller: Aniello Denardo
Date: 07/06/16

83 Bowdoin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Nikolaos Panteleakis
Seller: Demetrios N. Panteleakis
Date: 07/07/16

162 Brandon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Joshua Mattice
Seller: Source 9 Development LLC
Date: 07/01/16

18 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Melissa Mojica
Seller: Jesse Martinez
Date: 07/01/16

82 Chilson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,700
Buyer: Tamara Feliciano
Seller: Edward M. Cross
Date: 06/30/16

85 Clayton St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $116,900
Buyer: Joel Aponte
Seller: Cecelia Laporte
Date: 06/27/16

46 Clearbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $189,100
Buyer: Jessica A. Paris
Seller: William T. Raleigh
Date: 07/08/16

86-88 Cobb St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Omar Aljanabi
Seller: Benjamin K. Owusu
Date: 07/05/16

63 Colonial Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $249,828
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Victoria L. Robinson
Date: 06/30/16

73 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Luis Colon-Amaro
Seller: Global Homes Properties
Date: 07/01/16

153 Dartmouth Terrace
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $239,088
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Steven R. Martin
Date: 07/01/16

388-394 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Mega Meadow Rei LLC
Seller: PVIC Realty LLC
Date: 06/30/16

70 Embassy Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Dayne Sewell
Seller: Evan J. Messer
Date: 07/01/16

104 Francis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Jocelyn Sanchez
Seller: Antonio Herrera
Date: 06/29/16

74 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Marissa Duquette
Seller: William L. Collins
Date: 06/27/16

154 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: John J. Mickiewicz
Seller: Melissa C. Brady
Date: 07/05/16

49 Glenham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Hiram Rivera
Seller: Steven M. Tomaino
Date: 06/30/16

61 Gourley Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Franck A. Grah
Seller: Kenny V. Nguyen
Date: 07/07/16

87 Granger St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Bethzaida Martinez
Seller: Nicole K. Carbonneau
Date: 06/30/16

33-37 Grant St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Joshua Reid
Seller: Christopher Petropoulos
Date: 07/08/16

28 Hartley St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Eugene J. Borowski
Seller: Richard S. Harty
Date: 07/01/16

63 Judith St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Zygmont J. Szczawinski
Seller: Richard P. Manning
Date: 07/08/16

87 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Stephen M. Babineau
Seller: Kurt E. Whitney
Date: 06/30/16

30 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $157,099
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Edwin Perez
Date: 06/30/16

83 Magnolia Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Holly N. Mott
Seller: Mark R. Blackmon
Date: 06/30/16

70 Mansfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Evonne R. Lee
Seller: S&C Homebuyers LLC
Date: 06/30/16

22 Martha St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $165,100
Buyer: Annie Franco
Seller: Donna D. Berry
Date: 07/06/16

85-87 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Richard J. Gilkes
Seller: Greater Springfield Habit
Date: 06/28/16

173 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: David X. Wilson
Seller: GFY Enterprises LLC
Date: 07/07/16

25 Milton St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Ricardo J. Cumba
Seller: Isabel Surreira
Date: 07/05/16

50-52 Milton St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Jessica U. Bergeron
Seller: Domingos G. Marques
Date: 06/30/16

128 Nagle St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Mark Palatino
Seller: Regina M. Frydryk
Date: 06/27/16

18 Ogden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Steven W. Hayes
Seller: Kevin S. McNamara
Date: 06/29/16

22-24 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Dawn E. Frogameni
Seller: James J. Frogameni
Date: 06/27/16

87 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Mildred Dehaven
Seller: Benjamin Hernandez
Date: 06/29/16

88 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Rebecca L. Mazzie
Seller: Valerie D. Valentine-Shaw
Date: 06/30/16

2025 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Lake Lorraine LLC
Seller: Robert Richards
Date: 06/30/16

73 Pine Acre Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: James Danehey
Seller: Purificacion Hizon-Ong
Date: 07/05/16

410 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Mary E. Lee
Seller: Dianne Plopper
Date: 06/29/16

606 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Alexander Demartin
Seller: Lawrence J. Bartyzel
Date: 06/30/16

82 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Vallerie Brower
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 06/28/16

228 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $116,900
Buyer: Jaime Duran
Seller: Aileen Fellows
Date: 07/07/16

279 Springfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Efrain Rivera
Seller: Barbara J. Romashko
Date: 06/28/16

76 Strong St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $142,080
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Tina M. Alvaro
Date: 07/01/16

54 Sunbrier Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Anastasia M. Flores
Seller: US Bank
Date: 07/01/16

101 Sunset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Cesar G. Cruz
Seller: Blueline Management LLC
Date: 06/27/16

250 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Harvey
Seller: Jennifer Gray
Date: 06/29/16

32 Temple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Raipher D. Pellegrino
Seller: Living Stone LLC
Date: 06/29/16

10 Van Ness St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Danielle Costas
Seller: Ana L. Baez
Date: 07/05/16

35 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Michael Taylor
Seller: Bruce W. Stebbins
Date: 07/01/16

39 Wendell Place
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Carlos Rivera
Seller: Berkshire Land Co. LLC
Date: 06/29/16

18 Whitaker St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Michelle Martinez
Seller: Martin B. Murray
Date: 06/29/16

2230 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Joshua C. Florence
Seller: Lucas Realty LLC
Date: 06/30/16

96 Willowbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: James A. Glover
Seller: Candy Lafleur
Date: 06/28/16

116 Willowbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $159,999
Buyer: Erika J. Perez
Seller: Lisa Santaniello
Date: 06/27/16

40 Woodcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: James B. Kelly
Seller: Raymond Gonzalez
Date: 06/30/16

1060 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: New Resurrection Center Springfield
Seller: Deliverance Center Inc.
Date: 07/01/16

WALES

11 McBride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Joseph Shaw
Seller: Kevin M. Shaw
Date: 06/28/16

WEST SPRINGFIELD

65 Apricot Hill Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: Joseph Rozanski
Seller: Robert F. Macdonald
Date: 06/30/16

Bretton Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Cardinal Homes Inc.
Seller: James P. Daley
Date: 06/30/16

71 Brewster Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Burke
Seller: Adam A. Sprague
Date: 06/30/16

248 City View Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Jeremy T. Nash
Seller: Jeffrey M. Burke
Date: 06/30/16

30 Day St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $188,500
Buyer: Leena T. Rahmat
Seller: Patricia A. Genza
Date: 07/05/16

461 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Peter Donner
Seller: Michael J. Crum
Date: 06/28/16

Interstate Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Westfield Investment Group
Seller: Interstate Drive LLC
Date: 07/01/16

64 Larivee Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Angel Martinez
Seller: Gagliarducci, R. T. (Estate)
Date: 06/30/16

777 Memorial Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Central Chevrolet Inc.
Seller: Samsarah Realty LLC
Date: 06/30/16

670 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: CIL Realty of Mass Inc.
Seller: Thaddeus S. Pawlikowski
Date: 06/30/16

27 Mosher St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Christopher Companiony
Seller: Trevor D. West
Date: 07/05/16

29 Neptune Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $158,300
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Thomas M. Bienia
Date: 07/01/16

194 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Eileen Bello
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 07/08/16

164 Queen Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Savanna L. Figueroa
Seller: Elizabeth Dente
Date: 06/30/16

57 Ridgeview Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Holzberger
Seller: Amy S. Cervone
Date: 06/30/16

15 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Andrew G. Sunseri
Seller: Christine V. Johnson
Date: 06/30/16

231 Sawmill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,962
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Marina Merk
Date: 07/07/16

332 Sibley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Robert Santiago
Seller: Jonathan G. Wagner
Date: 06/28/16

74 Smyrna St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Marlene I. Lopez
Seller: S&C Homebuyers LLC
Date: 07/07/16

76 Vincent Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Eric R. Bridges
Seller: Albert R. Bridges
Date: 06/28/16

148 Woodmont St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Zachary G. Martin
Seller: Rosemary L. Romanauskas
Date: 06/28/16

WESTFIELD

4 Ascutney Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Zhong Chen
Seller: Bruce D. Aldo
Date: 06/28/16

96 Devon Terrace
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Timothy M. Uliana
Seller: Mark A. Nicoli
Date: 07/01/16

3 Hillcrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Marc Franceschet
Seller: Roy Franceschet
Date: 06/27/16

43 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $189,500
Buyer: Timothy A. Mularski
Seller: Chris A. Hughes
Date: 06/27/16

112 Lawton Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $153,500
Buyer: Joshua M. Petit
Seller: Aleksandr Yantsevich
Date: 06/30/16

160 Lockhouse Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Joseph Sampson
Seller: Jeffrey F. Craig
Date: 07/07/16

7 Mill St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Delia M. Bromley
Seller: Marie A. Flahive
Date: 06/30/16

21 Park River Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Jeffery D. Gelina
Seller: Thomas J. Borek
Date: 06/30/16

18 Pinehurst St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Jennifer Rekully
Date: 07/01/16

30 Plantation Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Kane
Seller: David R. Tremblay
Date: 07/08/16

24 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Samantha L. Brousseau
Seller: Ana M. Nunez
Date: 06/30/16

196 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jason D. Placzek
Seller: Marcia Placzek
Date: 06/28/16

150 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Leon P. Morin
Seller: Carlos L. Nunez
Date: 07/08/16

67 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $157,400
Buyer: Timothy J. Shea
Seller: James E. Shea
Date: 07/08/16

451 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Michelle Nicoli
Seller: Alvin B. See
Date: 06/28/16

29 State St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jason J. Williams
Seller: Rosita L. Puffer
Date: 06/30/16

104 Tannery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Dallas J. Pilecki
Seller: Sharon L. Gustafson
Date: 06/30/16

9 Westminster St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Oleg A. Katykhin
Seller: Mark A. Burns
Date: 06/30/16

29 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Paul A. Cacolice
Seller: Audrey E. Wheeler
Date: 07/08/16

66 Whitaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Broderick
Seller: Paul W. Broderick
Date: 06/29/16

92 Woodsong Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Shaun M. Blanchard
Seller: Kim O’Connell
Date: 07/01/16

74 Zephyr Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Anna Pozdnyakov
Seller: Kelleher, Raymond J., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/16

WILBRAHAM

89 Cherry Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Joseph V. Kakley
Seller: 2301 Boston Road LLC
Date: 07/01/16

2 Crane Park Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: 2 Crane Park LLC
Seller: Monson Savings Bank
Date: 07/07/16

6 Edward St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $419,500
Buyer: Kerry A. Tarpey
Seller: Jill M. Pszeniczny
Date: 06/30/16

19 Highmoor Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $326,400
Buyer: Jill Yarkey-Judd
Seller: Bryan Berube
Date: 06/30/16

575 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $213,400
Buyer: Jean M. Dirico
Seller: Phillip G. McGaffigan
Date: 07/07/16

2 Ruth Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Scott R. Auclair
Seller: Joshua R. Burdick
Date: 06/28/16

1060 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Keith A. Romano
Seller: Gihad A. Awkal
Date: 06/30/16

19 Westwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Peter C. Fatse
Seller: Michael J. Ottomaniello
Date: 06/30/16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

23 Alyssum Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Joshua I. Feldstein
Seller: Sonya C. Stephens
Date: 07/06/16

696 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Kris Watson
Seller: Paul S. Gerstein
Date: 06/30/16

24 Bayberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $434,100
Buyer: Andrew I. McGregor
Seller: William C. Wolf
Date: 06/27/16

81 Blackberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Liana B. Wolkenbreit
Seller: David M. Todd
Date: 07/08/16

789 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Gregory J. Carvel
Seller: Kimberly R. Stender
Date: 06/30/16

162 Farview Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Juan M. Jimenez
Seller: Joseph H. Chau
Date: 07/06/16

58 Harlow Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Darin L. Pawlus
Seller: Harlow Drive RT
Date: 07/06/16

97 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Amherst College
Seller: Joseph N. Kushick
Date: 06/30/16

33 Mountain View Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Robert E. Predmore
Seller: Nancy L. Kelly
Date: 06/30/16

220 North East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: RPF LLC
Seller: 220 North East Street LLC
Date: 06/29/16

13 Norwottuck Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Brian C. Yellen
Seller: Patricia Finley
Date: 07/06/16

329 Pine St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $517,000
Buyer: Anastasia RET
Seller: Christina I. Clarke
Date: 07/01/16

8 Pondview Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Chrystal A. George-Mwangi
Seller: Remigio A. Ramirez
Date: 06/29/16

23 Stagecoach Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Don F. Lippincott
Seller: Peter W. Shea
Date: 06/30/16

733 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $442,000
Buyer: Jaehyun Byun
Seller: Zlogar FT
Date: 07/01/16

35 Taylor St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $349,500
Buyer: Aron P. Goldman
Seller: Elise J. Lennon
Date: 07/06/16

42 Tracy Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $239,999
Buyer: Xiao Y. Chen
Seller: Rhoderic K. Patrick
Date: 06/29/16

16 Tyler Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $482,500
Buyer: RPF LLC
Seller: Walter M. Stephaniv
Date: 06/29/16

182 Wildflower Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Jared G. Demichiel
Seller: Bruce E. Labonte
Date: 07/01/16

BELCHERTOWN

189 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Marlene A. Goodwin
Seller: Robert M. Muth
Date: 07/05/16

221 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $423,000
Buyer: Eilean L. Attwood
Seller: Patrick T. Kandianis
Date: 07/06/16

9 Dogwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $384,500
Buyer: Yao Yu
Seller: Christopher S. Sweeney
Date: 06/28/16

830 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: George P. Proulx
Seller: Marguerite J. Brennen
Date: 06/27/16

689 George Hannum Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Fontaine
Seller: Joseph A. Teixeira
Date: 06/28/16

126 Goodell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $499,900
Buyer: Harry Sklar
Seller: Chad O’Rourke
Date: 07/06/16

4 Mercier Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Craig M. Tomlinson
Seller: Wayne J. Provost
Date: 06/27/16

160 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Timothy M. Duda
Seller: Roger M. Fleury
Date: 07/08/16

9 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Deren
Seller: Wilson, Robert A., (Estate)
Date: 06/29/16

101 Pine St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: James Stanczak
Seller: Christopher J. Cracknell
Date: 07/01/16

85 Sheffield Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Jones
Seller: Maxine H. Oland
Date: 06/30/16

505 South St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Michael R. Falardeau
Seller: Richard M. Socha
Date: 07/08/16

325 Springfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Neal O. Priestly
Seller: Johanne G. Menard
Date: 06/29/16

10 Woodhaven Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Tomasz Karas
Seller: Kristine B. Whitfield
Date: 07/08/16

36 Woodhaven Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Michael S. Duffus
Seller: Pierre A. Monast
Date: 06/30/16

CHESTERFIELD

513 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Jason R. Farrell
Seller: Briar RET
Date: 07/08/16

CUMMINGTON

4 Thayer Corner Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Daniel Loux
Seller: Bates, Barbara, (Estate)
Date: 06/29/16

EASTHAMPTON

19-29 Briggs St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $506,000
Buyer: Nora K. Ranney
Seller: Martha Brabant
Date: 07/01/16

26 Briggs St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Lindsay C. Franke
Seller: Benjamin R. Craig
Date: 06/28/16

60 Campbell Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Dimitrios Zantouliadis
Seller: Daniel D. Berry
Date: 06/28/16

31 Davis St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Buyer: Blaine A. Drysdale
Seller: James P. Delnero
Date: 06/28/16

157 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: Raymond G. Laroche
Seller: David S. Lavalley
Date: 07/08/16

7 East Chestnut St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Mary S. Dixey
Seller: Jeffrey Bucs
Date: 06/30/16

3 Emily Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Robert C. Nuttelman
Seller: US Bank
Date: 06/29/16

248 Hendrick St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Mark T. Izzo
Seller: Donald F. Moulton
Date: 06/30/16

11 Holly Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ian Lafond
Seller: Briere, Eugene A., (Estate)
Date: 07/07/16

3 Laurin Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kenneth E. Geiger
Seller: Daniel N. Heggie
Date: 06/27/16

252 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: David Catrambone
Seller: Christopher J. Butler
Date: 06/30/16

25 Morin Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Tara A. Maroney
Seller: Victoria R. Leveille
Date: 07/08/16

32 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Goulet
Seller: David P. Sansouci
Date: 06/28/16

245 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Jason S. Lafosse
Seller: Jeffrey F. Collingwood
Date: 06/28/16

26 Paul St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $344,500
Buyer: Maura Carbery
Seller: David Garstka Builders LLC
Date: 06/30/16

5 Peloquin Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Aubrey Gomes
Seller: Michael A. Morrow
Date: 06/30/16

17 Sandra Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: David M. Cayen
Seller: Zachary F. Ciaschini
Date: 06/30/16

2 Sandra Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Geoffrey M. Martin
Seller: John M. Caramello
Date: 06/27/16

78 Torrey St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Donna Carey
Seller: Calvin T. Parsons
Date: 07/05/16

GOSHEN

149 Berkshire Trail West
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $137,548
Buyer: Bank Of America
Seller: Keith Laflam
Date: 06/30/16

GRANBY

280 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Theresa J. Little
Seller: Brian M. Varney
Date: 06/30/16

84 Cold Hill
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Amirhossein Eshtiaghi
Seller: Lisa G. VanDermark
Date: 06/30/16

347 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Todd M. Brunelle
Seller: June Rouleau
Date: 07/07/16

5 Greystone Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $216,500
Buyer: Robert J. Eagles
Seller: David R. Laplante
Date: 07/08/16

29 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $408,500
Buyer: Anthony Mozdzierz-Parish
Seller: Russell E. Anderson
Date: 06/28/16

207 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Gregory A. Evans
Seller: Ann M. Lussier
Date: 07/08/16

HADLEY

5 Mill Valley Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Xue Z. Zhang
Seller: Tsay F. Jenn
Date: 06/27/16

54 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Johnny Binh-Tran
Seller: Romanowski, Anthony W., (Estate)
Date: 07/01/16

25 Woodlawn Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Torrey TR
Seller: James S. Schwall
Date: 07/08/16

HATFIELD

73 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Joseph Peltier
Seller: Charles H. Baker
Date: 06/29/16

180 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: Ananda Khalsa
Seller: Steven L. Baumohl
Date: 06/27/16

192 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Letourneau
Seller: Stephen J. Craul
Date: 06/30/16

44 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $282,900
Buyer: Lisa Boyle
Seller: Molly A. Bruscoe
Date: 06/30/16

47 Old Stage Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Alison P. Childs
Seller: Matthew Therrien
Date: 07/01/16

HUNTINGTON

14 Barr Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Sheila R. Suitts
Seller: Jay R. Messer
Date: 06/30/16

203 Norwich Lake
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Robert L. Pouliot
Date: 07/05/16

45 Old Chester Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Peter G. Simko
Seller: Aharon Sharff
Date: 06/27/16

MIDDLEFIELD

58 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Brent A. Lebeau
Seller: James F. St.
Date: 06/29/16

NORTHAMPTON

24 Adare Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $497,000
Buyer: James P. Boddy
Seller: Julie N. Tomlinson-Nolan
Date: 07/05/16

123 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: An J. Hoeyberghs
Seller: Annelise J. Martin
Date: 07/01/16

290 Bridge St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $238,599
Buyer: Huong C. Chow
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 06/28/16

11 Bright St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Amy Verebay
Seller: Paul Rocha
Date: 07/01/16

26 Calvin Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Nira Harper-Elkins
Seller: Catherine Balletto
Date: 07/01/16

69 Day Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Dina E. Fein
Seller: Kimberly F. Goggins
Date: 06/28/16

343 Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Melyssa Brown
Seller: Sandra D. Brakey
Date: 07/08/16

20 Grandview St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: David Forton
Seller: Melissa A. Barillaro
Date: 07/08/16

11 Greenleaf Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Maureen Sturman
Seller: Gene Friedlander
Date: 06/28/16

29 Hawthorne Terrace
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $531,200
Buyer: David N. Mayer
Seller: Edward R. Gale
Date: 06/29/16

130 Hillcrest Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $600,500
Buyer: Randel & Deborah Davies TR
Seller: Gary F. Levine
Date: 07/08/16

18 Ladyslipper Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Greggory A. Schwartz
Seller: Barbara J. Carbery
Date: 06/30/16

7 Langworthy Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $599,000
Buyer: Margaret A. Lamb
Seller: Jane C. Rini
Date: 07/06/16

51 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Wyndhurst LLC
Seller: Branch RET
Date: 06/28/16

30 Murphy Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Braddak
Seller: Amy M. Bodnarchuk
Date: 06/30/16

107 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Mark C. Devlin
Seller: Driscoll, Velma S., (Estate)
Date: 07/01/16

219 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Mark D. Gurarie
Seller: Jonna Sciacci
Date: 07/05/16

54 Norwood Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Herman J. Fong
Seller: Elizabeth L. Atkins
Date: 06/30/16

51 Phillips Place #2
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $431,000
Buyer: Mark G. Glenny
Seller: Phillips Place LLC
Date: 06/28/16

263 Pleasant St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $2,375,000
Buyer: 263-287 Pleasant St LLC
Seller: McCarthy Properties Inc.
Date: 07/07/16

Reservoir Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Talon T. LLP
Date: 06/28/16

61 Ridgewood Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $337,500
Buyer: Kim Y. Dionne
Seller: Michael S. Feinberg
Date: 06/30/16

503 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Krzysztof Sakredja
Seller: Amy K. Harper
Date: 06/27/16

364 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Richard T. Briggs
Seller: Susan R. Ford
Date: 07/08/16

625 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Lauren A. Paret
Seller: Alison P. Childs
Date: 07/01/16

100 Straw Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Gregory Schweitzer
Seller: Margaret M. Molloy
Date: 07/01/16

98 Straw Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Gregory Schweitzer
Seller: Margaret M. Molloy
Date: 07/01/16

53 Warner St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Daniel E. Kadlecek
Seller: O’Leary, Phyllis J., (Estate)
Date: 07/07/16

517 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $367,000
Buyer: David Gontaruk
Seller: Paschalia Zantouliadis
Date: 06/28/16

573 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Michael Phelan
Seller: James E. Faulkner
Date: 06/28/16

1431 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Bryan K. Lehr
Seller: Richard Ciach
Date: 07/08/16

93 Williams St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: Jenna K. Daniels
Seller: Miranda L. Fellah
Date: 06/29/16

PELHAM

Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Town Of Amherst
Seller: Robert H. Romer
Date: 06/29/16

367 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Linda M. Sheff
Seller: Donald F. Fennessey IRT
Date: 06/30/16

SOUTH HADLEY

2 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Kimberly Stender
Seller: Nobue Yamashita
Date: 06/30/16

72 Charon Terrace
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Pease
Seller: Mccain, Maureen F., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/16

10 Crystal Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Kathy M. Chen
Seller: Matthew S. Hoagland
Date: 06/29/16

11 Crystal Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Luke M. Metaxas
Seller: Charles E. Benoit
Date: 06/30/16

26 Edison Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $126,525
Buyer: Vladimir Telelyuyev
Seller: US Bank
Date: 06/28/16

73 Fairview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $168,500
Buyer: Jacin M. Giordano
Seller: Scott Family Properties
Date: 07/08/16

94 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Aaron R. Bagg
Seller: DEA Marsh Land LLC
Date: 06/29/16

7 Leblanc Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $519,900
Buyer: Adam Sprague
Seller: Peter B. Webster
Date: 06/30/16

93 Mountain View St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Sean Calkins
Seller: Timothy M. Duda
Date: 07/08/16

8 Oakwood Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Western Mass Training
Seller: Nancy H. Catir
Date: 07/01/16

16 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Daniel C. Ross
Seller: Jessica Litwak
Date: 07/07/16

7 Rivercrest Way
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $346,200
Buyer: Brian W. Scott
Seller: Rivercrest Condominiums
Date: 07/07/16

29 Westbrook Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: David B. Sudyka
Seller: Michael Frenette
Date: 07/08/16

193 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Kathleen S. Monast
Seller: Carole A. Camp
Date: 06/30/16

SOUTHAMPTON

17 Belanger Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Mark A. Tellier
Seller: Elizabeth Adams TR
Date: 07/06/16

3 Camp Jahn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Caroline Babinski
Seller: Patricia E. Royal
Date: 07/07/16

4 Jonathan Judd Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Bucs
Seller: Catherine L. Twiss
Date: 06/30/16

7 Nicole Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Thomas D. Robert
Seller: Adam C. Sullivan
Date: 06/30/16

WARE

40 Anderson Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Elie
Seller: David P. Madigan
Date: 06/30/16

413 Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $133,151
Buyer: HSBC Mortgage Services Inc.
Seller: Nathan Berthiaume
Date: 07/05/16

23 Dunham Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Timothy L. Barbiasz
Seller: Barbiasz, Alice S., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/16

30 Lois St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Bain
Seller: Roach FT
Date: 06/29/16

6 Prospect St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Derek R. Remy
Seller: Michael M. Domey
Date: 06/30/16

17 Walnut St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Joseph B. Lavalley
Seller: Anne M. Young
Date: 07/07/16

232 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Steven J. Alonso
Seller: Matthew A. Valiquette
Date: 06/28/16

WESTHAMPTON

43 Burt Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $380,850
Buyer: Robert S. Lennen
Seller: Robert H. Dunn
Date: 07/01/16

124 Southampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: William Metzger
Seller: David M. Johndrow
Date: 06/28/16

WILLIAMSBURG

11 Mountain St.
Williamsburg, MA 01062
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Benjamin R. Craig
Seller: Harold I. Davis
Date: 06/28/16

WORTHINGTON

440 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: David M. Clark
Seller: Robert N. Spiess
Date: 06/29/16

209 Old North Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Robert Spiess
Seller: Lou Benson
Date: 06/29/16

53 Radiker Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: John W. Bottum
Seller: Deborah A. Thunderchild
Date: 06/29/16

4 S. Worthington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Gloria H. Conwell
Seller: Thomas L. Quinn
Date: 07/01/16

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2016.

Agawam

SBA Towers II, LLC
369 Main St.
$15,000 — Swap three existing cell antennas with three newer- technology cell antennas
Amherst

25 Avocado St. LLC
292 College St.
$5376 — Replace doors and patch hole in shop ceiling

Amherst Cinema Arts Center Inc.
28 Amity St., Unit 1H
$137,004 — Install 110 solar panels on roof

Amherst-Presidential Village LLC
950 Pleasant St.
$591,180 — Construct 3,300-square-foot building to service residents

Woodgreen Amherst Limited Partnership
6 University Dr., 109
$3000 — Creating dividing wall, separating an open class space

Ev Realty Trust
11 Amity St.
$225,000 — Renovate former bank space to co-worker office

Hadley

Public Safety Complex
15 East St.
$3,650 — Create walkway in attic to access heating and cooling units

Northampton

293 Northampton Realty LLC, c/o William Lia
263 King St.
$1,060,000 — 6,000-square-foot addition to the existing facility and 1,064 sq. ft. to service drive

Button Street Associates
32 Masonic St.
$3,200 — Replace and fix four windows

City of Northampton, Smith School
Haydenville Road
$70,000 — Construct 36’ x 70’ storage building

Colvest/Northampton LLC
327 King St.
$30,000 — Modify antennas and equipment on existing cell site

Coolidge Park Condos
50 Union St.
$27,226 — Repair stairs on Cherry Street side

Dimension Realty LLC
395 Pleasant St.
$32,548 — Install membrane roof system over existing metal roof

First Congregational Church of Northampton
129 Main St.
$14,400 — Remove and replace pews, carpet, and railings

Raps Real Estate
79 Masonic St.
$496,000 — Renovate existing and add 1,341-square-foot addition

Smith College Office of Treasurer
College Lane
$15,000 — Replace 1,600-square-foot EDPM roofing

Smith College Office of Treasurer
College Lane
$234,500 — Construct new dormer

Springfield

A. Boilard Sons Inc.
210 Verge St.
$26,407 — Partial reroof of warehouse

Baystate Health
257 Marvin St.
$480,000 — Foundation for new CHP Building

Blue Tarp ReDevelopment Inc.
MGM Way
$213,883,377 — Core and shell of hotel and podium type 1A construction

Blue Tarp ReDevelopment Inc.
1214 MGM Way
$2,456,563 — Install underground utilities under hotel and podium slab Type 1A construction

Caron Management LLC
116-120 Longhill St., Unit #7C
$193,961.85 — Renovations

Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
90 Memorial Drive
$12,322 — Remove nine existing antenna panels and replace with nine updated antenna panels and install 6 remote radio heads, on an existing telecommunications tower

GF Enterprise LLC
456 Sumner Ave
$41,700 — Install new slat walls, canopies, sconce lights. New interior artwork package

Mulberry House Condominium Trust
101 Mulberry St.
$60,000 — Replacement of concrete precast panels (exterior) with EFLS panels to match. Historical Commission has approved.

Paul’s Crane Service
700 Berkshire Ave.
$40,940 — Reroofing

St. George Cathedral
2320 Main St.
$55,000 — Demolish existing bathrooms in basement and put back with new finishes. H/C accessible bathrooms

Sunset Properties LLC
216, 218, and 220 Pearl St.
$400,000 — Demolition of existing five story wooden stairs at buildings 216, 218, 220 and construction of new steel framed stairs with concrete footing foundation system

Trammell Crow Co.
1500 Main St.
$74,500 — Pharmacy remodel

West Springfield

Dr. Frederick Frangie
274 Westfield St.
$78,586 — Replace roof

Medeiros Realty
1111 Elm St.
$121,254 — Reroof A & B roofs front and middle sections

Nutmeg International Trucks
268 Park St.
$2,000 — Remove existing steel structures embedded in concrete floor, patch concrete floor as required

Westfield

T-Mobile Northeast LLC
16 Chestnut St., Suite 420
$15,000 — Addition to existing installation

Nov. 3 Business Expo Will Put Emphasis on What Comes Next

By
Features

A Focus on ‘Tomorrow’

WMassBusinessLogo2016

The Western Mass. Business Expo, produced by BusinessWest since 2011, has always put an accent on the future when it comes to programming and exhibits.

But this year, that emphasis will be taken to a still-higher level, said Kate Campiti, the magazine’s associate publisher. And this is out of necessity.

“Anticipating the future and preparing for it have always been stern challenges for all business owners,” she explained. “But now, these assignments take on even more urgency because the business world is changing rapidly and there are many powerful forces that will shape the competitive landscape in the years — and even the weeks — to come.

“These include everything from evolving technology, which presents a host of challenges and opportunities, to the emergence of younger generations, especially the difficult-to-read Millennials, in leadership positions, to a host of new social and employment issues that business owners and managers must face,” she went on.

All these focal points and more will take center stage at the Expo, set for Nov. 3 at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Details of the day-long event are still being finalized, but the broad themes have been identified, and organizers are now filling in the canvas. Here’s what we know:

• The Expo’s overriding emphasis will be on the future, meaning the short term, long term, and intermediate term, because business owners must keep their focus on all three.
• There will be a special accent on what would have to be called the ‘workforce of tomorrow,’ with emphasis on the issues facing all employers — those of quantity and quality.
• Education will again be one of the main stress points of the Expo, with three stages, or rooms, for informative seminars — one to focus on sales and marketing, another on emerging trends in the workplace, and the third on the younger generation now coming of age in the business community.
• Innovation will also be on display, and in many different forms, from robotics demonstrations to exhibitors on the cutting edge of technology and manufacturing.
• The Expo will again put the region’s business sectors in the spotlight. More than 150 companies of all sizes are expected to exhibit on the show floor, gaining the attention of more than 2,000 visitors.
• Also in the spotlight will be many of the emerging startups across the region — the Expo exhibitors of the future, if you will — that are taking full advantage of the services now available to them through a burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Networking, networking, networking: there will be opportunities for this most important of exercises at the day-opening breakfast, again presented by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce; at a lunch presented by BusinessWest; on the show floor; and at the popular, event-capping Expo Social.

“Since BusinessWest began producing the Expo five years ago, the basic strategy has been the same — to provide a value-laden event that will help business owners and managers gain exposure and also gain insight that will make them ever-more competitive in this increasingly global economy,” said Campiti. “For this year, the mission is the same, and this is shaping up as the biggest, best Expo ever.”

For details on the Expo as they emerge, and for sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, visit www.wmbexpo.com.

What: The 2016 Western Mass. Business Expo

When: Thursday, Nov. 3

Where: The MassMutual Center, Main Street, Springfield

Features: More than 150 exhibitor booths; educational seminars; breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce; lunch hosted by BusinessWest; day-capping Expo Social

Sponsors: Comcast Business (presenting sponsor); Express Employment Professionals; Health New England; Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst; Johnson & Hill Staffing Services; MGM Springfield; Wild Apple Design

 

 

Wilbraham Sees Potential in Former Paper Mill

By
Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

Susan Bunnell and Jeffrey Smith

Susan Bunnell and Jeffrey Smith say businesses that choose to open in the former Collins Paper Co. will find that Wilbraham has a streamlined permitting process.

When Brian and Tanya Miller walked into Building 2 at the former Collins Paper Co. in Wilbraham, they knew immediately they had finally found the perfect place to open their new business.

The couple is about to launch Movement Terrain LLC, which they describe as a “functional fitness obstacle-course gym,” and they spent a year looking at sites throughout Western Mass. before their visit to Wilbraham.

“We saw many standard buildings that would be great places to get fit, but we wanted a place that had real charm,” said Brian as he talked about the mill’s brick walls, its high ceilings, and the Chicopee River that runs alongside the property, which he envisions as a place where prospective clients can kayak and enjoy nature in a soothing surrounding.

The new facility will combine elements of mud run races and the type of competitive challenges seen on the CBS TV show American Ninja Warrior, which will allow people to get fit by helping each other overcome obstacles.

“It’s more fun than lying on a bench doing bench presses and builds camaraderie,” Brian told BusinessWest, adding that his wife is a yoga instructor and he came up with the idea for their new venture after taking part in a mud run with 20 people.

“As soon as we walked in, we loved everything about the building, and we’ll be happy if we can help with the mill’s revitalization. We hope we’ll become a catalyst for other businesses to move here,” he told BusinessWest, adding that their new venture is in the permitting stages, and they hope to open in January, but the mill property, which is being revitalized, would also be perfect for a yoga studio, coffee shop, or holistic-health service provider.

The Collins Mill redevelopment effort is at the top of the town’s list of intriguing development initiatives, but there are others. They include new green-energy-generating facilities, and Wilbraham has two new solar farms that will soon be operational. The first is a 925-kilowatt facility on the town’s capped landfill that is expected to reduce the municipal electric bill by $100,000 annually for the next 20 years, while the second is situated at Merrick Farm off Tinkham Road on a six-acre wooded lot that was damaged during the June 2011 tornado.

“It was an ideal site to develop,” said town Planning Director John Pearsall. “It doesn’t affect the existing farmland and will provide the farmer with a new source of income.”

Wilbraham is also building a new, $8.2 million, 16,000-square-foot police station at 2780 Boston Road to replace its current facility, which is located inside the oldest building in town and is grossly inadequate for today’s needs.

We’re welcoming and willing to be flexible, and because we are a small town, the boards tend to work well together and are willing go the extra mile.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in April, and the station is expected to be finished next March. It is adjacent to the fire station, which received a $2.4 million renovation in 2012 that expanded the building from 3,600 to 11,500 square feet.

Infrastucture work has also been taking place, and the East Street Bridge, spanning the Chicopee River between Ludlow and Wilbraham, has been closed due to structural damage. But requests for proposals recently went out for the $2.3 million project, and state officials expect work to begin in the late fall.

There has also been an uptick in new subdivision activity; 11 homes will be built in the Willow Bark Estates neighborhood on acreage that once housed Bennett Turkey Farm, while a six-home development on Sherwin Road is under review.

For this, the latest installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest looks at the mill project and other intriguing developments in this community that has long been known as a great place to live but is also becoming a more attractive option for those looking to do business.

Progress Report

Collins Manufacturing Co., which later changed its name to Collins Paper Co., was built in 1872. In its heyday, it was the primary employer in Wilbraham and was known for the fine writing paper it produced.

The mill officially closed in 1940, but continued partial operations until the 1950s. After that, it was used primarily for cold storage before becoming home to a number of small businesses and a plastics-manufacturing firm.

Doug Maxfield, who has maintained the property since 1972, said many Wilbraham residents and people who drive over the East Street Bridge in front of the mill don’t know it exists because it is hidden behind trees and underbrush and cannot be seen from the road.

But that is about to change, thanks to a new company called Wilbraham Land & Development, LLC, which purchased the property two years ago. Since that time, it has spent more than $500,000 to clean the interiors of the buildings, make needed repairs, and put a new roof on Building 5.

“The complex contains five main buildings and has 250,000 square feet of usable space,” said Wilbraham Land & Development Asset Manager Courtney Desmond, adding that three of the buildings are ready for tenants.

Renovations to Building 5, which contains 15,520 square feet on three floors, are complete; Movement Terrain LLC plans to occupy the 13,000 square feet in Building 2; and improvements to another structure with an elevator have been finished.

Desmond said architects and engineers were hired to work at the site shortly after the company took control of the property to identify areas that needed to be prioritized.

“It’s a very large project, and we’re approaching it on a step-by-step basis,” she explained, adding that space in the mill buildings can be customized to suit individual businesses.

Although she expects the revitalization to take a decade to complete, the mill is already attracting attention: a group of students from UMass Amherst filmed a movie there last summer, a number of businesses have approached her about moving in, and the Millers plan to open their fitness facility there.

“We hope to attract new businesses as our renovations continue,” Desmond went on, adding that the revitalization will bring new jobs to Wilbraham, and the vision for the future is to make the mill into a work/live space with residential units, retail operations, and a restaurant overlooking the river.

Maxfield says the mill is historically significant to the town. It produced its own hydroelectric power for generations thanks to its easy access to the Chicopee River, and at one time railroad cars carrying frozen foods traveled there frequently via a rail spur that was added to the main railway route for that purpose.

“The mill has had a number of owners and a multitude of tenants that included companies that built teepees and businesses that made casket liners,” he noted “It offers unlimited opportunities for the future.”

New Ventures

Part of Wilbraham’s appeal is the quality of education offered in its public schools and at Wilbraham Monson Academy, and improvements to that campus are made on a frequent basis.

“Right now, they are renovating Rich Hall, which is their anchor building, and they are also adding a new, multi-level dormitory for middle-school students,” said Jeffrey Smith, Planning Board chair.

Susan Bunnell, chair of the Board of Selectmen, says Wilbraham is an attractive place to live. “It is a great place to raise a family, educate your children, and retire in,” she told BusinessWest, adding that Wilbraham has also earned the reputation of being a business-friendly town. “We receive feedback regularly from developers, architects, and others that our professional staff and relevant elected and appointed boards work together to make the permitting process among the most efficient in the state.”

Pearsall agreed. “Wilbraham is very pro-business. We’re welcoming and willing to be flexible, and because we are a small town, the boards tend to work well together and are willing go the extra mile,” he said. “FloDesign recently requested that we approve a zoning change so they could purchase a small parcel next to them to expand their operation. It had been zoned residential, but the voters approved the change.”

Indeed, zone changes are not uncommon; another was recently made to enhance the desirability of the former Belli Restaurant site on 2451 Boston Road. The town took possession of the property in December through the tax title process and has plans to demolish the condemned building and clean up the overgrown lot to prepare the site for a new business.

However, Smith said the lot is too small to accommodate parking, so town officials approached the owner of the parking lot next door and asked him if he would be willing to sell it or lease it to the prospective owner of the new property.

“He agreed to the idea, but half of the land his parking lot sits on was zoned residential, so we changed the entire lot to a general business zone,” Smith explained.

Future Growth

Bunnell noted that Wilbraham offers myriad opportunities for new businesses.

“We have several properties available in prime locations: at least three in the town center and a number along the busy Boston Road corridor. And the former Collins Mill offers desirable space for everything from fitness centers to studios for artists,” she noted. “It’s an exciting time for Wilbraham, and the mill is ripe for innovative use.”

Brian Miller has begun collaborating with other business owners near the mill and recently visited a nearby taproom and grill, suggesting that once Movement Terrain LLC opens they could promote one another, which he says will also work well when other businesses are established within the mill property.

He noted that other revitalized mills throughout New England are flourishing, and he and his wife hope people will travel to Wilbraham to use their gym, which will offer people the opportunity to get in shape by joining together to overcome obstacles.

So while new members of Movement Terrain work to get fit, town officials and Wilbraham Land & Development LLC will do their part to help businesses overcome their own challenges as they look toward the future of one of the town’s most historic sites.

“It’s exciting and an enormous opportunity for Wilbraham. The space is an empty canvas and different from anything else we have to offer, so we hope it will bring in businesses that otherwise wouldn’t consider moving to the town,” Smith said. “And as new companies come here, it will only promote more and more growth.”

Wilbraham at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1763
Population: 14,484 (2016)
Area: 22.4 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $21.60
Commercial Tax Rate: $21.60
Median Household Income: $95,395 (2016)
Family Household Income: $107,715 (2016)
Type of government: Open Town Meeting
Largest employers: Baystate Wing Wilbraham Medical Center; Friendly Ice Cream Corp.; Big Y; Home Depot

An Uplifting Opportunity for the Region

By
Opinion

Editorial

If one were to start compiling a list of this region’s assets, from the standpoint of economic development, there are some obvious choices for inclusion.

These would be quality of life, cost of living, the skilled workforce, the many institutions of higher learning, the many fine hospitals, great infrastructure, attractive places to live … the list goes on.

And it would have to go for a while before most people would probably get to writing down Bradley International Airport, although it shouldn’t be that way.

Ask anyone who does a lot of travel for their business — and that’s most people — and they’ll tell you that having an international airport that close and that convenient is a huge asset. Indeed, the ability to fly people and cargo in and out of Windsor Locks can be — and has been — a competitive edge for people in many business sectors.

But it’s an edge with limitations — important limitations that move the airport well down most people’s lists of key assets for the business community. Limitations best summed up by that phrase ‘you can’t get there from here,’ or a variation of it.

While you can get to a lot of places from Bradley, you can’t get to many others, or get to them easily, meaning without one or more additional stops along the way. That list includes most all cities in Europe — or it did, anyway.

That’s why the Aer Lingus flights due to start the end of next month are so important — for the airport, the airline, and especially the region as a whole. In short, the flights will make Bradley an asset with fewer limitations and an international airport in virtually every aspect of that word.

Those flights, scheduled to start Sept. 28, will make it possible get there from here, with ‘there’ meaning major cities, including Dublin, London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Frankfurt, and many others. Travelers won’t be able to get to those places directly from Hartford, but they can get to them much more easily than they could in the past, when they would have to start their journey with a trip to Boston, New York, or New Jersey, or a flight to one of those cities.

Meanwhile, it will be that much easier for people in all those cities, and especially London, Dublin, and other cities in Ireland to get here.

What does all this mean? For starters, it means that people leaving on vacation to Europe could have it much easier than they did. It also means that Europeans looking to vacation in the U.S. might start in Hartford-Springfield, as opposed to somewhere else.

But what it really means is that this region has gained another important edge as it takes part in an extremely competitive contest for businesses and jobs. How big an edge can be debated, but any additional edge will be needed and appreciated.

And the team at Bradley and the Connecticut Aviation Authority have been providing other edges as well in recent months, including non-stop service to the West Coast (LAX), opening a gateway in that direction as well.

These gateways have the potential to move Bradley far up the list of important economic-development assets in this region. More importantly, though, they have the potential to make existing businesses more competitive and potential businesses more willing to give this region a hard look.

In all those respects, these new services, and especially the one to Europe, is a very uplifting development.

What the Pay-equity Law Means for You

By
Opinion

Opinion

By Brad MacDougall

The compromise pay-equity bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker will require changes in the way employers do business. The law takes effect July 1, 2018.

The bill bars employers from discriminating based on gender when it comes to wages and other compensation, unless the variation is based upon a mitigating factor like seniority, performance, or skills. Passage of the bill followed weeks of intensive negotiations among House leaders, Attorney General Maura Healey, and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), which opposed previous versions of the measure that would have limited the ability of employers to attract and retain skilled employees.

Here is a summary of what employers need to know about the measure:

• The law states that “no employer shall discriminate in any way on the basis of gender in the payment of wages, or pay any person in its employ a salary or wage rate less than the rates paid to its employees of a different gender for comparable work.” Wage differentials are permitted, however, based upon a system that rewards seniority with the employer; a merit system; a system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production, sales, or revenue; the geographic location in which a job is performed; education, training, or experience to the extent such factors are reasonably related to the particular job in question; or travel, if the travel is a regular and necessary condition of the particular job.
• The law provides a three-year affirmative defense from liability to employers who conduct a self-evaluation of their pay practices in good faith and can demonstrate that reasonable progress has been made toward eliminating wage differentials based on gender for comparable work. The self-evaluation may be of the employer’s own design, so long as it is reasonable in detail and scope in light of the size of the employer, or may be consistent with standard templates or forms issued by the attorney general.
• The law affirms the ability of employers to protect the confidential information about employee wages should another employee seek that information.
• Employers are prohibited from asking job candidates about their salary history, although, if a prospective employee has voluntarily disclosed such information, a prospective employer may confirm prior wages or salary or permit a prospective employee to confirm prior wages or salary. Also, a prospective employer may seek or confirm a prospective employee’s wage or salary history after an offer of employment with compensation has been negotiated and made to the prospective employee.

Employers who currently ask about wage history on their job applications will likely have to update those documents. Lawyers who have reviewed the law suggest that companies might create a checkoff that would allow job seekers to acknowledge their willingness to voluntarily provide wage history.

The attorney general will develop regulations for the law that will answer many of the specific questions that employers are bound to have.

AIM continues to believe that the best long-term strategy to achieve pay equity in the workplace is to ensure that both women and men possess the education and skills that allow our enterprises to succeed an in increasingly complex global economy.

Brad MacDougal is vice president of Government Affairs at AIM. This article first appeared on the AIM blog; blog.aimnet.org

SSO Takes Steps to Broaden Its Reach, Audience

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SSO feature 0816a
Cover Story Sections Travel and Tourism

Instruments of Progress

Peter Salerno

Executive Director Peter Salerno on the steps of Symphony Hall

As it enters its 73rd year, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra does so knowing that, to remain relevant, it must be creative and willing to assume risks as it strives to cultivate new audiences, especially the younger generations. Peter Salerno, who has twice served as interim director of the SSO and took the helm on a permanent basis earlier this year, says the institution is more than up for that challenge.

Peter Salerno said the phone call seemed to come out of left field … or from the 20-yard line, as the case may be.

On the other end was someone from the New England Patriots’ marketing department. She wanted to know if the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, which Salerno was serving then as interim executive director, could have 50 or 60 of its musicians at Gillette Stadium in 24 days for a performance that would celebrate the team’s fourth Super Bowl victory, earned six months earlier, and usher in the 2015 season.

It was an extraordinary request on many levels, and Salerno, who has since dropped the word ‘interim’ from his title, knew he couldn’t say ‘yes’ at that moment, as much as he wanted to, knowing what this opportunity would mean for the venerable institution in terms of invaluable and incalculable exposure. Indeed, he would have to consult with Maestro Kevin Rhodes and other members of the team to see if this was even logistically feasible, and then get approval from the SSO board, because this was a venture far outside the orchestra’s traditional mission — and comfort zone, for that matter.

He got the nod from both parties and promptly called the Patriots back, thus setting the wheels in motion for perhaps the most memorable night in the orchestra’s 73-year history.

It was certainly the biggest stage, at least in a figurative sense. Indeed, while the actual performing area was a trifle snug, more than 70,000 people at the stadium and another 35 million watching NBC’s broadcast of the Thursday-night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers saw and heard the orchestra perform “O Fortuna,” the Patriots’ so-called tunnel song, and eventually shared the stage with the rapper T-Pain.

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“It was quite an upbeat moment for us,” said Salerno, using both wordplay and understatement to get his point across. “I recognized this is an opportunity for us to perform, and be relevant, in an area that we never thought we could before.”

In many respects, that performance at Gillette almost a year ago effectively speaks to the aspirations, goals, and challenges that define the SSO moving forward. It was a dramatic attempt to move beyond what would be considered traditional (in terms of both the venue and performing with a rapper), attract new and larger audiences, and greatly improve visibility beyond the confines of Symphony Hall.

There will be a lot more of that — although certainly on a smaller scale — in the months and years to come, as a look at the 2016-17 calendar reveals.

One of things I’m teaching, but also learning at the same time, is that our orchestra must respond to different genres of music to remain in the forefront of the people’s minds.”

In addition to the classical offerings — a Tchaikovsky Gala on opening night (Sept. 24), Brahms’ “Double Concerto” on Nov. 19, and Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” on Jan. 21 — the SSO will share the stage with the Irish Tenors two weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, and will wrap up the season on May 13 with something called Video Games Live!

As that name suggests, this will be an immersive concert that features the musical scores from the greatest video games of all time — as those games appear on large screens around the hall, with synchronized lighting and other special effects.

Those unique events, and especially the final one, are designed to draw more diverse audiences, particularly young people, a stern challenge now facing all arts institutions.

SSO and its conductor, Kevin Rhodes

Peter Salerno says the main challenge for SSO and its conductor, Kevin Rhodes (pictured), is audience development.

To meet this challenge head-on, the SSO must do something not exactly within its character, historically, and that is to be far more willing to take risks, said Salerno, adding quickly that the board has essentially greenlighted such an approach to business, and so has long-time conductor Rhodes and the rest of the orchestra’s team.

“One of the things I’m teaching, but also learning at the same time, is that our orchestra must respond to different genres of music to remain in the forefront of the people’s minds,” he explained, adding that this is the mindset driving the SSO and forging its schedule for the coming year.

For this issue and its focus on travel and tourism, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at how the SSO is looking to expand its playing field, in all kinds of ways, and put every definition of the term ‘score’ into play.

Developments of Note

Looking back on the 24 days after that fortuitous phone call came in from Foxborough, Salerno used all kinds of descriptive phases to characterize them — from ‘long’ to ‘exhilarating.’

“Those were 60-hour weeks,” he said, smiling as he did so because, while the work was sometimes tedious — involving everything from drafting contracts with the Patriots and NBC to insurance matters and a mountain of logistics — it was also very exciting.

This was, after all, the proverbial opportunity of a lifetime, and the SSO was going to do everything in its power to seize the moment.

“This was a surreal moment for our orchestra, and it showed the versatility of our people,” said Salerno as he showed a video of the performance, with the SSO clearly visible to fans amid fireworks and low-lying fog, adding that perhaps the biggest obstacle was creating a sheltered performing area for the orchestra, something the Patriots organization pulled together. And demand for it was warranted because it rained in the hours leading up to the performance and stopped only moments before it was set to begin.

In many respects, dealing with cloudy forecasts and unsettled skies — in a figurative sense — has been a part of doing business for the SSO in recent years. Like all arts venues, it has seen its traditional audiences age, and with that demographic shift a need has emerged to embrace change and, as mentioned earlier, risk.

The Patriots performance was, again, a significant manifestation of this trend — this was believed to be the first time a full symphony orchestra had performed at such an NFL ceremony and perhaps the first time an orchestra of this type had appeared with a rapper — but there have been others, with more planned for the year ahead.

“We’re participating in the creation of new horizons for symphonic sound,” he said, adding that orchestras across the country are facing the same challenges. “And we’re going to keep pushing, and bringing world-class talent to the Springfield arena.”

Leading the orchestra through this intriguing period is Salerno, now 75 years old, who brings a wealth of experience in business, work with nonprofit institutions, and the SSO itself, having been a trustee for many years and serving not one, but two stints as interim executive director.

Described by many as a stabilizing influence to the operation, he succeeds Audrey Szychulski, who left the SSO in the spring of 2015 after less than two years at the helm.

Salerno brings a diverse résumé to the post, including everything from stints as COO of Providence Hospital and president and CEO of Brightside to work coordinating new retail stores for Taylor Rental Corp.; from a short stint running an operation that managed college bookstores to his own business, PTS Consulting, launched nearly a decade ago.

Over the years, he’s taught several graduate-level business courses at Bay Path University and Clark University in Worcester, with a focus on business strategies for nonprofit organizations, marketing, and finance.

In his latest role with the SSO, he’ll be applying the lessons that he teaches, especially as they apply to the most pressing challenge facing the institution — audience development.

Drumming up Interest

There are many components to this assignment, he said, listing everything from imaginative artistic events to new and different types of talent that will share the stage with the SSO, to a variety of touches that will make SSO performances true happenings.

With that, he took out a copy of the schedule for the coming year and started running his finger down the listings.

His first stop was the holiday concert, set for Dec. 3, although Salerno said ‘concert’ doesn’t go far enough, so the actual wording on the schedule is Holiday Extravaganza.

It was chosen to encapsulate the theme — “It’s a Wonderful Life” — and describe the sum of the activities and events, including a Christmas tree outside Symphony Hall, a visit from Santa, perhaps a reindeer if one can be secured, and more.

“We want to make coming to the symphony not just an event, but an entire presentation,” he explained. “We don’t want it to just be sitting in the audience for two hours.”

Elaborating, he said the SSO will again coordinate visits whereby ticketholders gather at spots in area communities, are then bused downtown for dinner at various downtown restaurants, and then taken to Symphony Hall.

“We’re trying to make it convenient for people to come to us,” he explained. “And we view this as an opportunity to attract more people to Symphony Hall.”

Kevin Rhodes is seen here with rapper T-Pain

SSO conductor Kevin Rhodes is seen here with rapper T-Pain at the performance last fall at Gillette Stadium to usher in the Patriots’ new season.

His next stop, schedule-wise, was several months later, in early March, when the Irish Tenors, well-known to PBS audiences, will take the stage.

Similar to the holiday performance, this will be more than a concert, said Salerno, adding that it will be more like a celebration of Irish heritage, one featuring many moving parts.

The full itinerary is still a work in progress, he said, but in the days leading up to the performance, there will likely be an Irish-style dinner featuring luminaries and elected officials of Irish descent, and other touches, such as a possible discussion of the 1916 uprising.

“We’re trying to build the activities and the service level to a higher plane than we have in the past,” he explained, adding, again, that the goal is to move beyond the music and create experiences.

That will certainly be the goal for the season finale, Video Games Live!, which is the most dramatic example to date of the orchestra’s efforts to attract young people.

“Some of our donors have expressed interest in efforts to create continuity with younger audiences and thus lower the demographic age of our attendees,” he noted. “And we determined that one of the areas where we could start making an impact was with junior-high and high-school students.”

To that end, the SSO will contract with a California-based organization to bring the music from video games, orchestral sound, and a host of special effects together in the same venue on May 13.

“There are so many opportunities to show off our talents, and this might be a good one,” he said, adding that the show, similar to others staged in other cities in recent years, should prove to be an impactful vehicle for introducing young people to the orchestra and beginning the process of turning them into life-long audience members.

The other performances on the schedule will bring some of these elements to the table, said Salerno, adding, again, that developing new audiences and remaining relevant in the years and decades to come will require the SSO to continue to push the envelope.

“The board has allowed us to take more risk in terms of encouraging us to look at new genres and new methodologies,” he said. “I think it’s essential that we take advantage of the strengths that we have and marry them to the interests of our population, while at the same time preserving the outstanding classical performances that attract people from all over.”

Reaching a Crescendo

Returning to that now-famous phone call one more time, Salerno acknowledged that he allowed himself to think about why the Patriots were calling the SSO, and whether this was the team’s first call.

But only for a brief moment, and not in a deep manner, he told BusinessWest, noting that doing so would be counterproductive at a time when the sentiment should be, ‘why not call the SSO first?’

“One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” he joked, before taking the discussion to a much higher plane.

“If we ask that question — ‘why us?’ — we’re probably not thinking of ourselves as being as good as we really are, so I didn’t ask that question,” he explained. “Instead, I said, ‘let’s just make this happen.’ When they called us, I just assumed they wanted us number one; I believe in this orchestra.”

These sentiments — not to mention the ‘let’s just make this happen’ remark, which refers to far more than a performance at a football game — could only be described as a winning attitude, one where the orchestra is, quite literally, taking the ball and running with it.

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

Aer Lingus Flights Seen as Boost for Airline, Bradley, Region

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AerLingusFeature 0816a
Sections Travel and Tourism

Ready to Take Off

Aer Lingus

The Aer Lingus flights scheduled to begin at Bradley International Airport in September are expected to attract a mix of business and leisure passengers .

As they talked about the Aer Lingus flights set to begin at Bradley International Airport late next month, Kevin Dillon and Keith Butler used strikingly similar language as they discussed what the service means to their respective organizations.

Indeed, Dillon, executive director and CEO of the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA), which manages Bradley, and Butler, chief commercial officer for the Dublin, Ireland-based airline, said the timing for this venture is ideal, that the flight represents a key component of their respective growth strategies, and that it could be a catalyst for more developments of this type.

And they were in agreement on something else, too: that a firm commitment from the region’s business community — with ‘region,’ in this case, meaning what has come to be called the Knowledge Corridor — is necessary for this venture to, well, get off the ground.

“The success of this flight relies heavily on business travel,” said Dillon. “We know that this is going to be an extremely popular route in the summer months — we’ll have a lot of leisure travelers on this flight — but in order to retain a flight, it has to be successful year-round.”

Added Butler, “we’re expecting good volumes of both leisure and business travel, but support from businesses will obviously be a key to success in Hartford.”

Looking ahead, both the airline and the airport believe they will get such a commitment, in large part because their research — and especially the CAA’s — tells them there is considerable demand for such a service (more on that later).

Kevin Dillon

Kevin Dillon

The Aer Lingus flight will depart Bradley just after 6 p.m., local time, and arrive in Dublin at 5:20 the next morning, meaning that someone could be in London (via a connecting flight) for the start of the workday there, said Butler. The return flight will leave Ireland at 2:20 p.m. and arrive in Hartford at 4:20.

“You can essentially do a day’s work in Connecticut, hop on a plane, and immediately the following day do a full day’s work in London — if that’s what you wanted to do,” said Butler.

The flights will be on a Boeing 757, with 12 business-class seats and 165 in economy. Those aren’t big numbers, but the impact of this flight could be enormous, said both Butler and Dillon.

For Aer Lingus, now the fastest-growing airline in the world in terms of trans-Atlantic business, the Hartford flights represent another spoke in the wheel when it comes to a broad growth strategy that has seen the company add flights in several U.S. cities in recent years.

“We’ve nearly doubled our trans-Atlantic capacity over the past five years,” said Butler, while quantifying the growth of Aer Lingus, now part of IAG, which also owns British Airways. “We’ve expanded our business model; we don’t just fly people between the U.S. and Ireland — we’re increasingly flying more people into Europe via Dublin, and we’re looking to continue to grow.”

As for Bradley, the impact could be even bigger, largely because of what Aer Lingus has done in terms of broadening its reach, said Dillon, noting that, while the airport is, indeed, an international airport, that term is narrow in scope and limited to this continent. With the Aer Lingus flight, the definition will become much broader.

Keith Butler

Keith Butler

Indeed, while the service will connect business and leisure travelers alike to the Emerald Isle itself — and there is ample demand for that — it will also bring convenient connections to dozens of other cities across Europe, meaning that travelers can begin their journey to those destinations by driving to Windsor Locks, not Boston, New York, or Newark, which represents a tremendous opportunity for the airport.

“Passengers from Hartford will be able to connect to at least 24 European cities,” Butler explained. “That includes London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Munich, and many cities in Great Britain. Our flights won’t just connect people to Dublin, but all of Europe.”

For this issue and its focus on travel and tourism, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the Aer Lingus service out of Bradley, and at what it means for the airport, the airline, and, most importantly, this region.

Soar Subject

When asked for a timeline on the Aer Lingus service and a quick explanation of how it came about, Dillon ventured back to 2012 and the creation of the CAA, which brought what he called a “dedicated focus to aviation in this region.”

As part of this stated mission, the organization undertook extensive outreach to the Hartford-Springfield business community, with the goal of identifying ways to improve service to that vital constituency, said Dillon, adding that, while the results were not exactly surprising, they did provide the CAA with confirmation of what was wanted and needed, and thus a specific direction in which to move.

Actually, several of them, as things turned out. He noted that one of the stated desires within the business community was for non-stop service to the West Coast, a need addressed through a partnership with American Airlines, which in June began service out of Bradley to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

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“So far, it’s proving to be a very popular service,” said Dillon, adding that the flight not only provides business and leisure travelers with better, easier access to the West Coast, but also to Asia, which has become an increasingly popular destination for both constituencies.

But in many ways, the bigger stated priority was for trans-Atlantic flights, said Dillon, citing some eye-opening numbers gained through the CAA’s outreach.

“We worked with 23 companies representative of those across our catchment area,” he said, meaning the Hartford-Springfield corridor. “What we found is that those 23 companies were spending more than $43 million annually on trans-Atlantic travel. And we said, ‘if we could get just a piece of that, we could have a very successful trans-Atlantic route.”

Bradley has long sought such service as a growth vehicle and means to make it the proverbial airport of choice for people in this region. And it had such service nearly a decade ago, when Northwest Airlines introduced non-stop flights to Amsterdam, but that venture was doomed by poor timing — sky-high fuel prices and then the Great Recession — and the service ceased in September 2008.

Since then, Bradley and the CAA have been relentless in their quest to bring Europe back within its direct reach. But that sentiment hardly makes it unique.

“There are a lot of airports that are very hungry for European connections — the competition is actually quite fierce,” said Butler with a laugh, noting that Aer Lingus, now celebrating 80 years in business, has had many suitors, and many attractive options, as it has weighed proposals for continuing and accelerating its strong pace of growth.

Airports that want to prevail in that competition have to present opportunity in the form of a package of location, attractive conditions, ample opportunities to effectively market the service, and suitable demographics, meaning a mix of both leisure and business travelers looking for something more convenient than the available options.

Hartford presented just such a package, said Butler, adding that it became an attractive addition to the airline’s existing Northeast-corridor service in and out of New York (JFK), Boston, Newark, and Washington (Dulles), for many reasons.

“Hartford came about because it represented an opportunity to strengthen our position in the Northeast,” he explained. “It has strong cultural ties to Ireland, but also business relations. At the same time, we were also looking to try something different, and go into a secondary city.

“Bradley fits, and Hartford fits, into a broader plan we have for expansion,” he went on, adding that the airline has also recently added service to San Francisco, Toronto, and Los Angeles, among other destinations. “We’re growing quite rapidly.”

Indeed, the airline now flies to almost every major city in Europe — with 18 flights daily to London alone — as well as many destinations on this side of the Atlantic.

The timing for such additions is appropriate, he went on, adding that economic conditions globally have improved greatly since the recession, and that is especially true in Ireland, meaning more people are flying out of airports there for destinations on both sides of the Atlantic.

As for the Hartford flights, there will be four per week during the winter months, which Butler defines as October to March, and daily flights (all seven days) the rest of the year to accommodate greater leisure travel.

Dillon told BusinessWest that the initial response has been quite solid, and he expects demand to remain steady, because of the high level of connectivity to European cities that Aer Lingus provides, and also the airline’s ability to provide pre-clearance for its passengers heading back to the U.S., a service that could save them a two-hour trip in the line at customs.

The task at hand is to extensively market and promote the new flights and drive home to the business community the great opportunities that they provide.

“We’ve spent a significant amount of time out in the business community educating them about the flight,” he explained, “and trying to put them in touch with Aer Lingus to hopefully provide commitments to the airline for use of the service. Because if that support is not there, it’s going to be very difficult to make this flight work.”

Plane Speaking

As mentioned earlier, while they were talking from much different perspectives, Butler and Dillon used markedly similar language about the service set to start Sept. 28.

They both used the phrase ‘this makes perfect sense’ when talking about the flights, and for good reason. They add another dimension to the growth strategies for both organizations and open the door to new opportunities.

Not only to the airport and the airline — but the region and its diverse business community.

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

MassMutual Program Introduces Students to Law Careers

By
Law Sections

Priming the Pump

Summer Legal Institute

From left, Summer Legal Institute student Zachary Fernandes consults with MassMutual attorneys David Allen and Bernadette Harrigan.

Bullying and cyberbullying are pertinent issues for teens today, and this summer 40 students in the Summer Legal Institute at MassMutual played the role of an attorney and presented arguments for clients during a mock court trial. Some won awards, but they all gained valuable insights into the law as they worked with local attorneys and were given opportunities to hone their networking, critical-thinking, and public-speaking skills.

Nia Major used to get really nervous when she met someone new and had to talk with them.

But after completing a week-long Summer Legal Institute session (SLI) at MassMutual last month, the 15-year-old from Sabis International Charter School in Springfield gained so much confidence that she was named a grand-prize winner in an oral-argument competition, where she played the role of a lawyer in a mock case that involved name-calling and cyberbullying.

“Now I can look new people in the eye and discuss things,” she told BusinessWest, adding that she was surprised at how well she did in the competition.

Major’s opinion of careers in the law field also expanded as a result of her participation in SLI, and although she wants to become a pediatrician, she now finds the legal profession an appealing option.

The teen was one of 40 students recruited from local schools to take part in the program last month, which is in its fourth year.

Since its inception, MassMutual has provided more than $100,000 to fund the SLI, which is free to all students. In addition, its attorneys have given more than 250 hours of their time to educate participants about the legal profession and help them hone their arguments for the annual competition.

Major and three winning peers will travel to Washington, D.C. this fall to take part in a national program held by Just the Beginning Foundation (JTB), a nonprofit that offers students free educational programming in hopes of increasing diversity in the legal profession and inspiring underrepresented, underserved, and at-risk students to attend college.

Mark Roelling told BusinessWest he decided to establish the Springfield branch five years ago after he met with Judge Ann Williams from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago during a meeting of the National Bar Assoc.

Roelling is executive vice president and chief legal counsel at MassMutual, and Williams told him about the JTB, which she helped create in response to a speech by former President Jimmy Carter that celebrated the integration of the federal judiciary. Its programming includes summer sessions where students work with volunteers from the legal community in partnership with a university to introduce them to the practice of law.

The discussion led to the birth of the five-day MassMutual Summer Legal Institute. JTB provides the curriculum, which changes annually, and Western New England University and local law firms and judges help the students learn valuable information about the profession.

“I believe this program adds value to the community because it provides opportunities for young adults to see the benefits of going to college as well as the benefits of pursuing a career in the legal profession,” Roelling said. “It also adds value to the legal profession because people of color are underrepresented in the field of law, and it’s good for the volunteers as it gives them the opportunity to give back.”

SLI is open to students who will be high-school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors, and so far, 125 students from schools with diverse backgrounds have participated in the local program: 51% have been African-American, 20% have been Hispanic, 16% have been white, 8% have been Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 5% have multiple ethnicities.

Multi-faceted Curriculum

MassMutual Assistant Vice President and Counselor Patrice Sayach said the five-day SLI curriculum is intense and requires students to work at home in the evenings.

This year it began on Monday, July 11, and during the morning, students were introduced to the legal system and learned about a Supreme Court decision before they were presented with a fictional case and the facts that went along with it.

oral-argument competition

Patrice Sabach (far left) and Mark Roellig (far right) congratulate Nia Major, Jada Ficarra, Karissa Coleman, and Jerry Moore III on winning the oral-argument competition.

The case was important because each student was assigned to serve as a defense or prosecuting attorney and had to craft convincing arguments that they presented at the end of the week before mock judges in an oral-argument competition.

MassMutual attorneys served as coaches and met with them in small groups to help them understand what facts were relevant and how and why they could be used in the courtroom.

“We showed them this is the kind of thing lawyers do on a day-to-day basis, that they need to understand the law and how it applies to world situations,” Sayach said.

After lunch, they met with a panel of MassMutual attorneys who talked about their backgrounds and allowed the students to ask questions.

Tuesday was spent at Western New England University, where members of the Law department taught the group networking skills that included how to give an elevator pitch, how to introduce oneself, how to enter and leave a group in an appropriate manner, and how to follow up with people they met. There was also a session on financial literacy that focused on the college-admissions process and financial-aid resources.

In addition, the students traveled to the Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLC law firm, had lunch with the attorneys, and took part in oral-argument reviews.

The day included a seminar on professional etiquette, and each student was given their own business cards, which they used later during a networking session with seven judges, attorneys from local law firms, and top MassMutual executives and lawyers.

“The idea is for the legal community to work together to form a pipeline of diverse candidates who are underrepresented in the legal profession,” Roellig explained.

Wednesday began at the state courthouse in Springfield, where students observed a legal proceeding that dealt with juvenile abuse, which was followed by a panel discussion with three judges, facilitated by MassMutual attorney Dorothy Varon.

In the afternoon, they visited the federal courthouse, where Judge Mark Mastroianni presided over a mock trial. The students had prepared for it in advance, and some students served as members of the jury, one acted as the bailiff, while others played the role of witnesses or were assigned to teams of mock attorneys.

Sayach noted that all members of the jury agreed that the defendant was guilty, except for one student who was able to convince his peers that reasonable doubt existed.

“The students took the case very seriously,” she told BusinessWest.

jury as a hypothetical case

Students act as members of the jury as a hypothetical case is tried before them.

The day ended with a presentation by a U.S. marshal and additional small-group oral-presentation preparations and reviews.

On Thursday, the students went to Hartford, Conn., where they continued to work on their final oral arguments. After lunch, they visited Day Pitney LLC, where they met with attorneys who helped them polish and perfect their presentations and told them about the schooling required to pursue a career in law.

The oral-argument competition was held Friday at WNEU School of Law in a mock courtroom, and MassMutual attorneys served as judges. After the competition, the students toured the law school and attended a negotiating session before being divided into pairs and given a problem to negotiate.

At the end of the day, a graduation ceremony was held, and awards were presented, including a trip that four students won to fly to Washington, D.C. and participate in a day-long JTB event that will include a tour of the Supreme Court, lunch with a Supreme Court justice, a visit to a local law firm where they will network with lawyers in the D.C. area, additional programming, and some sightseeing.

Life Lessons

BusinessWest recently met with the winners of the oral-argument competition, who had high praise for the program.

“It was fun,” said Karissa Coleman, an incoming 10th-grader at Springfield Central High School, who noted that, although she has always been interested in a law career, the program made it even more appealing.

“This helped me come out of my shell, and I found that oral arguments came naturally to me. I didn’t know how much work lawyers put in before they went to court, and I learned they really try to look for little details that can make a big difference to help their client,” said the 14-year-old. And although she called the experience in the courtroom “nerve-wracking,” her rebuttal was so refined, it helped her win the award.

Jada Ficarra, who will enter 10th grade next month at Sabis International Charter School in Springfield, enrolled in the program because she took part in a model Congress at her school and likes to debate issues.

“It taught me a lot about law. It’s really a broad field, and I found out there are many different careers in the field to choose from,” she said, noting that she talked to real-estate, divorce, and corporate attorneys, as well as some who specialize in litigation.

The teen hopes to get a summer job next year from contacts she made, and although she wants to become an obstetrician, a legal career has become her second choice.

Fourteen-year-old Jerry Moore III took part in the program with his sister Simone last year, and returned this year to get more experience.

“I hope to go to law school after college,” said the Hampden Charter School of Science student. “Litigation appeals to me; it’s really interesting, and it gives you a thrill to get all of the evidence, present it to the jury, and try to convince them that your side is right.”

He was nervous about the networking session, but the experience made him comfortable with it as well as with public speaking.

“I did a lot of work at home, refining my arguments, reading about the law, and researching what it says. It was hard, but it was also a lot of fun,” he reported, adding that, although the side of the case he had to argue was not the side he would have chosen on his own, it taught him that, “by preparing a good argument, it’s possible to win a case.”

Tinsae Erkailo took part in the program two years ago. He won the annual trip to Washington D.C. and is working as an intern at MassMutual this summer.

The 17-year-old moved to the U.S. from South Africa several years ago and said he never would have had the opportunity to meet lawyers in top law firms and make contacts that may help him get into Stanford University if he hadn’t participated in the Summer Legal Institute.

“The program made me realize that I needed to become a good speaker so I can get across what I want to say,” said the incoming senior at Springfield Renaissance School, adding that honing that skill helped him secure his current internship.

“The program also helps people identify careers they want to pursue,” he added. “Right now I am exploring what I want to do in the future, but confidence is really important no matter what you choose.”

Sayach agreed. “Students in the program improve their critical thinking, public-speaking, and networking skills, which will help them to become successful in any profession they choose to enter.”

This Vehicle Is Used to Avoid, Recover College-tuition Payments

By
Law Sections

The ‘Tuition Claw Back’

By L. Alexandra Hogan, Esq.

L. Alexandra Hogan

L. Alexandra Hogan

If you find yourself financially struggling while you are paying for your child’s college education, filing for bankruptcy protection may have a greater impact than you might expect. The concern is a newer trend that may be employed by bankruptcy trustees called the ‘tuition claw back.’

The tuition-claw-back scenario looks something like this: you have an adult child in college, and you have paid some or all of your child’s tuition and other costs and expenses for a few years.  As time passes, you find yourself struggling financially because you have accrued a great deal of unsecured credit-card debt trying to make ends meet. You file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection to discharge your credit-card debt. As a bankruptcy debtor, your financial transactions within the recent years become a matter of public record, and the bankruptcy trustee appointed to administer your case learns that you have been paying tuition and related college costs, but not other creditors.

The trustee files a lawsuit against your child’s college demanding that the payments made over the last few years be returned to the bankruptcy estate to be distributed to creditors of the bankruptcy estate in accordance with the priority prescribed by the Bankruptcy Code. Your child still has one year of college left.

Concerns immediately come to your mind as a parent. Will the college allow your child to finish college if the college must pay the bankruptcy estate the tuition and cost payments it previously received? Will the college sue your child for the tuition and costs?

The concept of a tuition claw back is quite alarming and worthy of serious consideration if you are contemplating bankruptcy and have paid college tuition for a child in the past few years. This certainly does not seem fair to the innocent child or college.

While some commentators are critical of the seemingly unsavory actions of the bankruptcy trustee, the reality is that the bankruptcy trustee is required by law to pursue transfers that may result in recovery of assets for the benefit creditors of the bankruptcy estate. The public-policy argument in support of the tuition claw back is that it would be unfair for the adult child’s college to receive the parent’s payments to the detriment of the parent’s creditors, given that the parent is not legally obligated to pay for the child’s college and the parent does not receive any benefit from the child’s education.

The next logical question is, what is the legal basis of the tuition claw back? The theory is based upon a state’s ‘fraudulent transfer’ laws, utilized in conjunction with the Bankruptcy Code to avoid the monetary transfers and recover them for the bankruptcy estate.

The word ‘fraudulent’ can be a bit of a misnomer. Clearly, the parent in this scenario is simply attempting to act in the best interest of the child and not to defraud anyone. Nevertheless, when a debtor has transferred money at a time when the debtor is financially insolvent, or rendered insolvent as a result of the transfer, and the debtor has not received consideration for the transfer — as an example, reasonably equivalent value in the form of a personal benefit — the transfer falls under the scope of the statute and has been called ‘constructive fraud.’

Under the Massachusetts fraudulent-transfer laws, the trustee may avoid and recover transfers going back four years from the date of the bankruptcy filing. This could amount to significant recovery for the bankruptcy estate’s creditors.

Currently, the issues presented here have not been reported in any published decisions in Massachusetts. However, there is at least one case pending in Massachusetts against Sacred Heart University, and several other claims have been made by trustees but ended in a settlement prior to trial. There are numerous reported decisions from other states’ bankruptcy courts. However, there is a split in authority as to whether tuition payments may be avoided and recovered on the basis of non-economic consideration. For example, might love and affection or family obligation satisfy the consideration issue?

The question as to what constitutes ‘reasonable equivalent value’ has been the focus of these cases. In Pennsylvania, two bankruptcy courts have ruled that non-economic benefits are satisfactory consideration, and therefore the trustees could not recover the payments. In one case, the court held that payments were “reasonable and necessary for the maintenance of the debtor’s family.”

In the other case, the court held that the “payments were made out of a reasonable sense of parental obligation,” noting that “there is something of a societal expectation that parents will assist with such expense if they are able to do so.” Conversely, in Michigan, a court noted that the parents had no legal obligation to provide their adult child with a college education and allowed the trustee to recover the college payments because any value received by the parents must be a concrete and quantifiable economic benefit.

Many trustees, lawyers, debtors, and colleges are eagerly awaiting a Massachusetts bankruptcy-court decision to settle the law in Massachusetts and provide guidance. Until then, suffice it to say, those who find themselves in a similar situation should discuss the matter with qualified bankruptcy counsel, as strategic options or defenses may be available. u

Attorney L. Alexandra (Alex) Hogan is an associate with the Springfield-based firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., and concentrates her practice primarily in business, litigation, and bankruptcy law;  (413) 737-1131; [email protected]

Deep Brain Stimulation Changes Lives of Patients with Tremors

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Business of Aging Sections

Shock to the System

DBS treatment

From left, Dr. Octavian Adam, Dr. Mohamad Khaled, and Paul and Kathie Schafer discuss the results of Paul’s recent DBS treatment at a recent press conference.

Paul Schafer’s wife likens it to “something out of Star Wars,” but it’s firmly in the realm of real-world science, and it holds the potential to change countless lives. It’s called deep brain stimulation, and for Schafer, who suffers from essential tremor, as well as many Parkinson’s disease patients, this treatment — now available at Baystate Medical Center — has opened a door to enjoying the activities of daily life most people take for granted.

Paul Schafer pressed a button on a small, handheld device, and started to shake.

The tremors were subtle at first, but within seconds his hands were shaking uncontrollably. When he picked up a plastic cup, the doctors sitting with him were grateful it was empty. When they handed him a pen to write his name, the scrawl couldn’t even be recognized as letters, let alone anything intelligible.

That was his life before his recent brain surgery, one of the first of its kind in the region. But when he pressed that button again — not without difficulty — the shaking stopped, and he was able, once again, to perform those simple activities.

That’s his life now.

“It changed my whole life,” said Schafer, 74, while sitting with his wife, Kathie, and the Baystate Medical Center doctors who facilitated that change. “All the mundane things you do every day, I wasn’t able to do without help — drink coffee out of a mug, brush my teeth, comb my hair, button my shirt … all the stuff everyone takes for granted. It was too challenging to do those things before the surgery.”

The procedure is known as deep brain stimulation, and it helps people like Schafer — who suffers from a common neurological movement disorder called essential tremor — as well as patients with Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a chance at a normal life.

It changed my whole life. All the mundane things you do every day, I wasn’t able to do without help — drink coffee out of a mug, brush my teeth, comb my hair, button my shirt … all the stuff everyone takes for granted. It was too challenging to do those things before the surgery.”

The tremors caused by such conditions can be debilitating. But DBS, performed successfully — as Baystate neurosurgeon Dr. Mohamad Khaled did for Schafer — is opening up a dramatic new door to quality of life for potentially millions of sufferers.

The surgery — which involves drilling a small hole into the skull, under local sedation, and inserting electrical wires into the area of the brain where circuit errors are causing the tremors — may also hold potential in areas ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to severe depression, but those frontiers are still being studied.

Go HERE for a list of Skilled Nursing/PT Facilities in Western Mass.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the treatment for essential tremors and Parkinson’s in 1997, and it’s now recommended for patients with severe symptoms that don’t respond to medication anymore, or when the response isn’t sufficient, said Baystate neurologist Dr. Octavian Adam.

“Paul had symptoms for 15 years, and took a number of medications with some response; then the symptoms progressed and really affected his life in a negative way,” he went on. “He had difficulty using his hands — writing, holding a cup of coffee without spilling it, using a fork and knife to eat, brushing his teeth.”

Because the medications weren’t working anymore, the Schafers saw DBS as, well, a no-brainer.

“Dr. Adam was suggested by Paul’s previous neurologist, who said there may be something else we could look into,” said Kathie Schafer. “When we walked out of the building, we sat in the car, looked at each other, gave a big sigh, smiled, and said, ‘it looks like there’s a way — a better way of life.’ I think that was how we thought about the entire procedure.”

Finding the Sweet Spot

According to the National Parkinson Foundation, deep brain stimulation has proven to be an effective treatment for that disease’s symptoms, such as tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement, and walking problems, as well as similar symptoms present in essential tremor.

DBS does not damage healthy brain tissue by destroying nerve cells, the foundation noted. Instead, it uses a surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device called a neurostimulator to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause tremors.

Dr. Octavian Adam, left, and Dr. Mohamad Khaled

Dr. Octavian Adam, left, and Dr. Mohamad Khaled say not everyone with tremors is a candidate for DBS, but those who are typically find the results dramatic.

The DBS system consists of three components: the ‘lead,’ an electrode — a thin, insulated wire — inserted through a small opening in the skull and implanted in the brain; another insulated wire passed under the skin of the head, neck, and shoulder, connecting the lead to the neurostimulator; and the neurostimulator itself, a sort of battery pack implanted under the skin, usually near the collarbone.

In the first phase of the procedure — called phase zero, because it doesn’t involve surgery — the neurosurgeon uses MRI or CT scanning to identify the area of the brain where the electrical nerve signals generate the tremors.

Phase one, as the next step is known, involves implanting the electrodes in the brain while the patient is under sedation. When the patient wakes up, Khaled asks him to point a laser at a target on the wall. As the doctor adjusts the electrical wires to target the appropriate circuit in the brain, the patient’s shaking hand slowly begins to stop shaking so that the laser is directly pointed in one location. That’s when Khaled knows he’s found the ‘sweet spot’ for the electrodes, and the patient suddenly is nearly cured of the tremors.

“The circuitry is in disarray, so you sort of shut that circuit down,” he explained. “Sometimes it’s like a radio dial — you need to dial it up or tune it down.”

After a few weeks of healing, a second surgical procedure is completed to make the changes permanent.  The wires are attached to a device implanted in the chest, which is programmed to send electrical impulses to the brain, which block the signals causing the tremors.

Not everyone with essential tremor or Parkinson’s is a candidate for deep brain stimulation, Adam explained. The best candidates have suffered from tremors for a long time and failed to find relief through medications, and the tremors have to be severe enough to impact their daily life in a significant way. “If those conditions are met, we consider surgery to treat them.”

That said, only about 10% of patients with essential tremor are good candidates, and 20% of those with Parkinson’s, though the calculation with Parkinson’s is a bit more complex, requiring at least some positive response to medications and a lack of other conditions, such as dementia, cognitive issues, and severe depression.

About 100,000 patients worldwide have undergone DBS since 1997. Previously, the closest hospitals in the Northeast that offered it are in Boston to the east, Albany, N.Y. to the west, Burlington, Vt. to the north, and New Haven, Conn. to the south. “So we had a big hole in the middle,” Khaled said.

That’s important, Adam noted, because patients with essential tremor or Parkinson’s are often unable to drive and may not have access to transportation, and the procedure is more than the surgical visits; many appointments are necessary in advance of the actual surgery. “Having it here makes it available to a lot of patients who would not have access to it otherwise.”

In Schafer’s case, he had hit the wall with medications; there was nothing else he could try. Despite the risks possible with any surgery, “I was very positive about the whole procedure.”

Still, the risks were minimal, Adam explained. In any brain surgery, the risk of bleeding or stroke is about 2%, and the risk of infection between 3% and 5%. “That’s pretty low. Ninety-five percent of the time, nothing happens. And this does not carry any extra risk compared to other brain surgeries; in fact, there’s less. The level of invasiveness is less. The electrodes are thinner than a spaghetti noodle.”

Science, Not Fiction

Schafer was also, naturally, curious about how long DBS would prove effective. Khaled and Adam explained that early response is always the strongest, and over time — perhaps a decade or more — some of the effect may start wearing off. But the device settings can be fine-tuned to provide better coverage and more control.

Paul Schafer

Paul Schafer speaks to the media about how DBS has allowed him to perform routine tasks that had become impossible.

In a Parkinson’s patient, the surgery’s effectiveness lasts between six and 10 years on average, but that disease’s symptoms are not limited to tremors, and those other symptoms progress regardless of the surgery. “So the management changes a bit,” Khaled said, “but studies show that quality of life with surgery is better than for those without surgery — that is, for the right candidates.”

Schafer knew he was one of those success stories when, right after the electrode began delivering signals to his brain, doctors handed him a flashlight, which he slowly — and accurately — lifted up to his mouth like a glass.

“We had tears in our eyes,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that with one hand.”

He shuts the system down to sleep — “when I turn it off, it’s a whole different world,” he noted — but restarts it in the morning and feels the tremors subside. He compares the feeling, when the neurostimulator switches on, to the tingle of a Novocaine shot, only throughout his whole body.

Today, he and Kathie say they understood both the potential and the risks — and there was really never any question.

“Of course, it does get a little scary, the idea that Dr. Khaled would drill into my husband’s head, but it needed to be done,” she said. “If there was a chance Paul could have a better quality of life going forward, then we were both very willing to give this a try.”

She’s glad they did, saying they’ve felt “nothing but happiness and wonderful excitement” as Paul rediscovered the ability to perform the tasks of everyday life with no difficulty. “We just keep smiling. It’s not without its risks or challenges, but to us, it was like something out of Star Wars. It was a miracle.”

Paul, now able to live a relatively normal life, plans to start a support group for people with essential tremor. “There are a lot of people out there with what I have,” he said, knowing that he can both share his experiences with those who might qualify for the surgery and at least bring together those who don’t. But he hopes more people fall into the former category than the latter.

“This has changed my life,” he said. “I strongly advocate getting the surgery done if you qualify for it. It makes so much difference.”

Kathie agrees. “He has a wonderful sense of humor, and he’s always been able to accept what happened with him and take it humorously and have everyone relax around him. But I knew it bothered him,” she said.

After letting Khaled, as she put it, drill into her husband’s head, “it’s made him 10 to 15 years younger in his attitude because now he goes out fully, completely aware of the fact that he can do whatever he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

‘You’re the Mom’ Campaign Takes On Childhood Obesity

By
Business of Aging Sections

Parental Guidance Suggested

Natalie, a Springfield mother

Natalie, a Springfield mother, is one of two women featured on murals for the “You’re the Mom” campaign.

Here’s a whopper of a statistic: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of U.S. kids eat fast food every day.

But they’re not, for the most part, buying it for themselves; parents are making those choices.

That’s the issue that “You’re the Mom,” a new public-health campaign launched by ChildObesity180 at Tufts University, seeks to address. The campaign offers an array of messaging through various media, with one goal: get mothers thinking about the nutritional choices they’re making for their kids, and hopefully make better ones.

“We’re looking to increase the supply of healthier menu options for kids and create more consumer demand for those options,” said Linda Harelick, director of operations and communications at ChildObesity180. “We have engaged the restaurant industry and restaurant brands, and we’ve learned that there have been changes to menu options. Things have gotten healthier in the fast-food setting.”

However, she went on, “parents aren’t always aware of it. They get into the habit of ordering the number 7, or have their kids order a couple items off the dollar menu. Nobody’s studying the menu. We want to make them aware there are healthier options to choose from.”

In short, she explained, “we want to celebrate moms for the people they are and the role they play in families and communities — and give them simple tips.”

Harelick knows the issue is a complicated one, especially in a city with many low-income families living in neighborhoods underserved by stores selling fresh produce and other healthy options — a problem echoed by Kristine Allard, vice president of development for Springfield-based early-education provider Square One.

We want to celebrate moms for the people they are and the role they play in families and communities — and give them simple tips.”

“Particularly here in Springfield, where so many neighborhoods struggle with being part of a food desert, we know it’s not always easy to access good, healthy choices, and some families make fast foods their only option,” Allard told BusinessWest.

For families on a budget — often living near the poverty line — a visit to a fast-food drive-thru is often an exercise in filling up their children quickly at little expense, she went on. “But if we can make changes to what they order — swapping water for soda, ordering apple slices instead of fries, downsizing, not supersizing — that can make a big difference.”

She’s under no illusion that fast food is the best option for kids, “but if we can make small changes — and, in the long term, they make smarter choices — we can help reduce childhood obesity. It just makes sense.”

Square One is among a number of local organizations, including Partners for a Healthier Community and Springfield Food Policy Council, that are partnering with ChildObesity180 on the campaign, which is being piloted in the City of Homes, with plans to roll it out nationally in 2017.

Harelick recognizes that too few parents are immune to the combined pressures of packed schedules and picky kids bombarded with marketing for less-healthy options. But she believes the “You’re the Mom” campaign can make a difference, one choice at a time.

The campaign includes billboards, radio spots, bus advertisements, a heavy social-media presence (its hub is yourethemom.org), and murals by artist Marka27 — at 1072 State St. and 461 Main St. — featuring real Springfield mothers and promoting the message, “you’re the mom; you make decisions about what your kids eat,” Harelick explained.

The issue is nothing new to Partners for a Healthier Community (PHC), which joined several other community organizations eight years ago to launch Live Well Springfield, a movement to promote physical activity in area youth and increase access to healthy foods, a two-pronged approach to slowing a trend that has seen childhood-obesity rates triple nationwide and locally over the past few decades.

“What Tufts is doing is implementing a communications campaign that is very specific to low-income families with children who frequently eat at fast-food restaurants,” said Jessica Collins, PHC president. “If you have to eat at McDonald’s, make a healthier choice for your kid. Don’t buy soda; get water or milk. Give up the fries and choose apple slices. It’s another strategy to educate parents.”

Menu of Programs

Since its inception, Harelick explained, Child Obesity180 has brought in public-health advocates, industry and government leaders, and other nonprofits to design, pilot, evaluate, and scale initiatives intended to reverse the trend of childhood obesity — a full 180 degrees, in other words — within one generation’s time.

“We have very aggressive goals,” she admitted.

To get there, the organization has taken a multi-pronged approach. Among its initiatives:

• Its Active Schools Acceleration Project aims to increase physical activity in U.S. schools by identifying innovative solutions and giving schools the tools and resources needed to replicate proven models. For example, the New Balance Foundation Billion Mile Race has challenged students to walk and run 1 billion miles. “Five thousand-plus schools are participating in the campaign, driving excitement and interest in walking and running programs,” Harelick said.

• The Healthy Kids Out of School initiative works with afterschool enrichment organizations, like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, and youth sports leagues, to promote three principles: drink right, move more, and snack smart.

“Kids are eating more junk food than they need and not moving as much as they should, even in youth sports,” she noted. “We found if we communicated these three simple principles, we could have an impact. It’s been very well-received by the CEOs of these organizations.

“What we have learned is, we have to tie into the organizations’ values and practices,” she went on. “Scouts are looking to develop future leaders, and to be a future leader, you have to develop a healthy lifestyle. We developed a special healthy-habits patch for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and developed a short online training for sports coaches.”

• The Restaurant Initiative, which is where “You’re the Mom” fits in, takes a three-pronged approach to reduce excess calorie consumption when children eat at restaurants: Increase consumer demand for healthier children’s meals, inform restaurant-industry leaders of the positive outcomes of increasing healthy menu offerings, and continue to conduct and disseminate original research.

• Another effort, the Breakfast Initiative — which promoted a healthy school breakfast and evaluated its impact on several key measures for children, including obesity prevention — completed its work in 2014.

That’s an area Square One knows something about, said Allard, who noted that many of ChildObesity180’s programs fit well into Square One’s mission of promoting well-being in children — not just academically, but physically and emotionally as well.

Linda Harelick

Linda Harelick says restaurant menus have gotten healthier and nutrition labeling has improved, but parents aren’t always aware of these changes.

“We know that kids who are well-nourished do well in school, so helping in a campaign like this, helping moms make healthy choices for their kids, is very much in alignment with our mission,” she explained. “Teaching kids to read, write, and be ready for kindergarten and academic success are very important, but we know there are so many more pieces than simply handing them a book.

“For many kids in our program,” she went on, “we provide two meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and two snacks — so we know they’re getting those meals with us, and we make sure they’re balanced and nutritious. But when they go home, they don’t always have those types of options. Access is the issue here, and budget is a challenge.”

Likewise, Partners for a Healthier Community, through the Live Well Springfield collective, has been trying to enhance school nutrition, from the preschool sector on up; make higher-quality foods, especially fruits and vegetables, more available in the city’s neighborhoods; and enhance urban agriculture and community gardens.

Live Well Springfield has also partnered with the city and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on improving area riverwalks, and has a hand in the city’s Complete Streets program, which is putting more sidewalks and bike lanes on streets. “People have to move around, basically,” Collins said. “That’s a national best practice cities are trying to do.”

Food for Thought

Harelick welcomes the partnerships with organizations like PHC and Square One. “We call ourselves a multi-sector organization,” she told BusinessWest. “We believe childhood obesity is an issue that can only be solved if everyone participates.”

In the case of “You’re the Mom,” which admittedly takes a narrow focus, “we saw an opportunity to address the issue of kids consuming excess calories in restaurants and at the same time improve the nutritional quality of selected meals,” said Christina Economos, director of ChildObesity180. “Moms have an enormous amount of influence on their kids, but sometimes they don’t feel that way. We want to support them and remind them that making small changes can add up to a meaningful difference in their children’s health.”

Harelick has significant experience in several sectors that are part of ChildObesity180. After an early career as a registered dietitian, practicing in clinical and research settings at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, she spent 17 years at Kraft Foods, overseeing strategic planning and marketing for iconic brands such as Maxwell House coffee and Post cereal. Upon leaving Kraft in 2008, she returned to academia to earn a doctorate in public health policy and management.

Having taken so many different views of the nutrition issue, Harelick is optimistic that her current organization’s goal — a full ‘180’ on childhood obesity — is within reach.

“We really believe that,” she said. “When we look at the problem of obesity, it seems very complex, but very interconnected. If you can influence one aspect of a child’s life, it has a wave effect on other aspects. And the more kids hear these messages, the greater the influence — it’s an echo effect.”

Beyond that, she said, “if we can impact culture in terms of the restaurant industry, convince them to offer lower-calorie foods, more nutritional quality, they’ll become societal norms for kids. It will become the norm to drink water on the basketball court, baseball field, or restaurant.”

Leaders at Square One — which, beyond its emphasis on healthy meals, offers an after-school physical fitness program called LAUNCH — say the work of ChildObesity180, and its new campaign, are effective complements to what’s already happening locally. “Our LAUNCH program is a health and wellness program for kids,” Allard said, “teaching them that fitness is fun, and that healthy eating can be fun and delicious.”

Just as Square One moves beyond talking about nutrition and fitness and actually provides opportunities for both, so Partners for a Healthier Community continues working toward greater access to healthy foods in the so-called ‘food deserts’ that tend to plague cities.

“The campaign bolsters work we’ve been doing locally, which is create access for families,” Collins said. “We have to start somewhere. It has to be both educating families to make the right decisions and also providing them access; if you just educate people, they’ll turn around and say, ‘but there’s no place to buy something healthy.’ That’s why the other strategies are so critical.”

Still, Harelick said, change begins with education, and she’s confident “You’re the Mom” will prove impactful enough to become a nationwide call.

“By delivering these messages and then reinforcing these practices at home,” she said, “we can really have a snowball effect.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Rhyme Digital Helps Clients Navigate Website Marketing

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RhymeDigitalFeature 0816a
Sections Technology

Code Talkers

Blair Winans, president of Rhyme Digital

Blair Winans, president of Rhyme Digital

Blair Winans had forged a successful small business in website development when a larger company from across the state came calling. The acquisition that ensued brought more frustration than growth, and lasted just over a year. But it did generate lessons for Winans and his team, who regrouped in Easthampton, rebranded as Rhyme Digital, and refocused their efforts on not just designing websites, but helping clients understand how to get the biggest marketing bang for their money and time.

Blair Winans’ professional journey has weathered a few bumps. But those bumps have been valuable, he said, by teaching him what he and his Easthampton-based company, Rhyme Digital, do best.

When he launched his website-design firm in 2005, it was known as Winans Creative, and over the next several years, he built up a cadre of loyal clients and a small staff. Things were on the right track — he assumed.

That all changed three years ago, however, when Winans was approached by HB Agency, a much larger marketing firm in Boston, about a possible acquisition. The company lacked digital capabilities and wanted to offer such services to its clients, and they thought the expertise of Winans Creative would fit nicely into their business model. Winans agreed.

“We were excited about it, and a bit nervous,” he said, but he took the leap, acting as vice president of digital marketing in what was essentially HB’s Western Mass. satellite office. “But it brought all sorts of challenges. As a satellite office, it’s tough to merge cultures, which was a tough stumbling block. It also turned out that a lot of our existing clients didn’t fit in with this new company’s business model, and those clients were let go in favor of bigger ones. A lot of us were upset about it; that wasn’t part of the expectation.”

After a year, it was clear that the acquisition wasn’t bearing fruit for either side, and Winans was given the opportunity to take his firm back. And he did, in February 2015, bringing his five employees with him.

“It’s not a scenario where everyone looks back and says, ‘that was a fantastic time,’” he told BusinessWest. “But, in retrospect, we learned who we are and what we’re good at — and what we don’t want to be, which I think was a really helpful part of that process. Thankfully, we came out of it with all the same team; that’s one of the things that really helped us become stronger.”

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Taking the company back was also a chance to reassess the company’s direction, he went on. He and his employees wanted to stress the team aspect of the operation, hence the name change to Rhyme Digital. They also sensed increasing opportunity in not only building websites for companies, but teaching them how to turn their online presence into an effective marketing tool with measurable results.

“We were great at building and designing websites, and a lot of times clients think a website is the end-all, be-all,” Winans said. “But a lot of what we do revolves around helping people market themselves and build an online brand presence and sustain that over the long term. That’s where we shifted the focus — not just building these tools, but helping people understand the different pieces to it.”

That’s an issue today, he said, for companies that have websites and receive reports back from digital marketing firms that don’t really tell them anything. Rhyme’s goal is to track and clearly communicate not just a website’s hit count, but where the traffic is coming from, which campaigns potential customers are responding to, and what they’re doing on the website once they’ve arrived.

“We’ve had clients come to us saying, ‘I signed up for this digital marketing package, and I get reports of how many clicks are coming through my website, but not much more than that. Can you help me?’ We sit down and show them what’s happening once people come through. Once you make the connection, you can really put a dollar amount on the traffic coming onto your site.”

In other words, there’s a technical component to setting up a website and its features, but the end result has to bring return on investment, and ways to effectively measure it. “The question a client needs to ask,” he said, “is not ‘can you build me a website,’ but ‘I need my website to do x, y, and z.’ Or, ‘I need my website to be a lead-generating tool.’ We’re going to give you all the data to help your company continually improve what it’s doing online and in all its marketing.”

Come Back Home

After the failed acquisition, Winans said he was gratified — but perhaps not totally surprised — when Rhyme reached out to the clients it been forced to drop and was met warmly.

“The response was fantastic,” he told BusinessWest. “We’re really thankful we have a loyal client base; we’ve been working with some of them for more than 10 years. They see us as a partner and a resource. That always makes us feel good.”

The most successful relationships between Rhyme and its clients are the ones that have grown over time to the point where Winans and his team understand everything about the client and its marketing goals — both in online and traditional advertising.

Blair Winans

Blair Winans says constant advances in website coding, graphic design, and marketing strategy lends his work variety and keeps it fun.

Rhyme’s clients run the gamut from manufacturing to retail (both brick and mortar and purely online); from outdoor adventure sports (Zoar Outdoor is one of its longest-running clients) to publishing and nonprofits.

“We end up treating each client as its own specific case. We’re never going to be a one-size-fits-all solution,” Winans explained. “We do a bit of e-commerce development, and no e-commerce store does things the same way another one does; they have very specific differences and needs.”

Rhyme helps its clients consider the many possible facets of an online campaign — banner ads, search-engine optimization, Google AdWords, and, especially, landing pages with optimized content that gets visitors to take action, not just click on through. Then there are newer, cutting-edge tools such as radio-frequency identification and geofencing, which are used to target potential customers by location.

“The possibilities are enormous right now, better than they ever have been before, and we help clients set up these types of campaigns,” Winans said, noting that, for one of his clients, a publisher targeting first-year law students, he used geolocation to focus mobile pitches around college campuses. “One of the best things about digital marketing is that fluidity, and the ability to pivot based on the data that comes in.”

It’s also more cost-effective to test multiple messages digitally before deciding on the best one and launching it through larger, traditional-media campaigns, he went on. “We’re helping people make the most of their budgets, looking at how technology plays a role, and helping them figure out where they should be spending money.”

Websites weren’t Winans’ first career path, or even his second. He enrolled in college looking to be a lawyer, but then switched gears and transferred to the Boston University College of Communication to study advertising, marketing, and public relations. It was a field where he could put his graphic-art skills to good use, doing branding and design for a number of companies.

This was the late ’90s, a time when websites were first coming online, and he had a chance to play around with early marketing models, including working with Dunkin’ Donuts on its first website. “It’s kind of the equivalent to what’s happening now, with all these different technologies, seeing which ones are panning out,” he said. “I learned a lot of different stuff very early on; actually, I taught myself how to do it.”

In addition to leading a team that now numbers seven, Winans characterizes his day-to-day work at Rhyme as half coding, half design, and appreciates the variety offered by both — and the challenge of keeping abreast of the latest developments in the world of dynamic websites.

“For my development team, every week there’s a new platform or technology or script or language they need to be aware of,” he told BusinessWest. “We don’t just want to sell our clients a bunch of tools, but the right set for what they’re trying to do. It puts a lot on our shoulders — but it’s fun. We love learning about different types of technologies and seeing what these capabilities are. It’s an ongoing process.”

What makes it work here is, we’re all interested in the same thing: to make our work the best it can be and push each other — and in the process have fun. In our business, you never know what kind of work you’ll get on any given day. You could be coding something one day, working on the checkout process for an e-commerce site another day.”

But one, he said, made easier by the closeness and longevity of his team. “Everyone here is excited about coming to work every day, excited about who they’re working with and what they’re doing for clients. We’ve been through some ups and downs as a team as part of the whole process, but we’ve built something we feel is more than just a business. That’s important.”

There’s the Rub

That’s not to say website design and marketing it’s sometimes stressful, Winans added, but the team at Rhyme — based out of an airy space in the Eastworks complex — has created an environment where everyone encourages each other and helps each other out, and nobody is afraid to step up and ask for help.

“What makes it work here is, we’re all interested in the same thing: to make our work the best it can be and push each other — and in the process have fun,” he said. “In our business, you never know what kind of work you’ll get on any given day. You could be coding something one day, working on the checkout process for an e-commerce site another day.”

The reward, he went on, is seeing the sites go live.

“There’s a pretty big sense of excitement when we look at all the projects we’ve done and hear the way our clients talk about them, when they come back and tell us, ‘we get nothing but praise for our site now.’ A couple of clients go back 10 years, and they’re on the fourth iteration of their website, and you see the transformation. We have archives of sites we’ve done, and it’s fun to see the progressions in them. When we can help businesses utilize their sites to their fullest capacity, that’s what really makes what we do worthwhile.”

In other words, Rhyme Digital is certainly not going to the dogs — unless you count Winans’ two furry friends, a yellow lab named Butters and a pug named Flora, who join him at work every day. The other employees are encouraged to bring their dogs occasionally as well.

“They provide some comic relief,” he said. “When things get stressful or we’re under a heavy deadline, and Butters is upside-down on the floor, wagging his tail hard, you realize we’re not doing brain surgery. Sure, you’re dealing with deadlines, but there’s always time for a belly rub.”

For someone who’s been coding websites going on two decades and still finds excitement in the details, it’s a healthy perspective.

“You get to learn something new every day here,” he said. “It’s a good spot to be in.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Information Is Driving Innovation, Ingenuity at All Levels

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Sections Technology

Small Businesses: Embrace Big Data

By John Costello

John Costello

John Costello

The term ‘big data’ is wearing out its welcome.

From Silicon Valley to Madison Avenue, big data has been in the collective conscious of the business community for the better part of the new millennium. At this point, it has been relegated to buzzword status in the minds of many eye-rolling small-business owners. The inability to see how big data can actually make an impact on the bottom line has led many to dismiss it rather than embrace it.

However, big data isn’t a term that deserves the disdain associated with hollow boardroom jargon. It’s time for big data to earn back the reverence it deserves.

Whether by texting our friends, posting a video to Facebook, or buying a product online, we’re all creating tons of data. IBM has noted that 90% of the world’s data was created in just the past two years. IDC predicted that, by 2020, there will be more than 44 zetabytes of data in existence. That number falls into a category alongside ‘infinity’ and other quantities that are large beyond human comprehension.

This data is driving more innovation and ingenuity than at any point in history. Researchers are poised to use big data to enable monumental scientific and technological breakthroughs that will uncover details about pre-human existence and explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence. Projects that have their roots in the scientific community are using an unfathomable amount of data to fundamentally alter the course of humanity and science. Small-business leaders need to take note of the science community’s devotion to big data.

The first and only non-human Jeopardy! contestant exemplifies big data’s crossover from scientific research to truly impactful business application. IBM Watson is a technology platform that uses artificial intelligence to reveal insights from large amounts of unstructured data. Most people think of data in the binary sense, but 80% of all data today is in the form of things like text, sounds, photos, and videos which computers could never easily read. IBM is using Watson to solve that problem and give researchers and businesses the ability to quickly extract insights, patterns, and relationships from this data. Its database consists of more than 200 million pages of documents taking up four terabytes of disk space. At one point, its database was home to a copy of Wikipedia in its entirety.

Watson has mastered big data and the necessary management of that data to search millions of documents to find thousands of possible answers, and redefine our understanding of the possibilities of artificial intelligence. Even if it yielded a couple of goofy incorrect responses on Jeopardy!

One key differentiator between the commercial and scientific approach to big data is that the scientific community has mastered the management of these unfathomably huge databases. But you don’t need to be an enormous enterprise with high-powered server farms and a staff full of STEM PhDs to make data work for you in the digital age. In fact, if you’re a small-business owner, you’ve probably already used the one tool that will help you embrace big data. You probably used it several times today.

Mary Shea, vice president of digital strategy at Springfield marketing agency GCAi, puts it simply: “the most powerful tool available to marketers is right at their fingertips: Google.” All that data that everyone is creating through their online habits is logged, categorized, and made accessible by Google. While it can’t tell you exactly who searched for what, it can aggregate data into highly targeted personas that can give marketers insight into what a specific segment of users tends to search for.

Google allows marketers to reach users based on their inferred interests and demographics. This is helping small businesses refine customer-acquisition strategies, pivot to new product offerings, and gain valuable competitive intelligence. Google even lets marketers advertise directly in its search platform. With all the data it has available, it enables a level of targeting and personalization that no billboard or 30-second TV spot could ever achieve.

It lets marketers and small businesses shift from a ‘spray and pray’ model of traditional advertising to reaching a precise buyer persona in a non-interruptive way that increases the likelihood of them making a purchasing decision. Google uses behavior and search history to categorize users as pet lovers, running enthusiasts, foodies, beach-bound travelers, political junkies, and more. Marketers are then able to use the platform to put the right ads in front of the right audience at the right time.

“While users browse websites, like JCPenney or Porter Airlines, Google stores an advertising cookie on the user’s browser to understand the types of pages that user is visiting,” Shea said. “For example, if a user views a lot of recipe pages or watches cooking videos, Google may put them in the foodie category and show them a more food-related ad.”

Terms like big data are used regularly in the media and in boardrooms, but small-business owners may not have realized how accessible data is and how much value they can extract from it. As more organizations learn to use data, it will be the most valuable currency in the coming years. Big data is truly one of the most significant and dynamic forces shaping the course of science, business, and humanity.

There’s no doubt that overexposure has caused the business world to grow numb to the idea of big data. But make no mistake, while big data as a descriptor is overused, big data as a practice is still vastly underrated by small-business owners and marketers — in other words, those who can benefit from it the most.

As an experienced public-relations professional working with global tech companies, John Costello has helped major brands and ambitious high-growth startups break into new markets worldwide with international launches, local market intelligence, and integrated marketing campaigns. In his current position as account executive at Boston-based Corporate Ink, he drives marketing and PR initiatives for B2B clients in enterprise IT, marketing automation, financial services, and supply-chain management; [email protected]

When it Comes to IT, Take Lessons from Cuban Auto Mechanics

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Sections Technology

Doing More with Less

By Steve Shaw

Steve Shaw

Steve Shaw

Now that we’ve begun the process of normalizing relations with our neighbors to the south, those of us in the IT world could learn a few things by talking with a Cuban auto mechanic.

Take a walk in Havana, and you’ll find dozens of pre-1960 automobiles looking shiny and new, but held together with duct tape and a tailpipe fashioned from a Cold War-era Soviet tank. For decades, Cuban mechanics have been forced by necessity to do more with less, compromising on features while focusing on efficient use of resources.

So what’s the tie to IT?

It’s no secret in just about every industry that seatbelts are being tightened. Increased government regulations, automation, the ‘Internet of things,’ and the ever-increasing threat posed by cybercriminals are putting downward pressure on IT departments to ‘make it work,’ but for less. IT budgets are leaking oil, and CIOs are finding it harder and harder to find the mechanic and the manual to fix it. The bottom line is that everyone is being asked to find ways to do more with less.

Here are a few ideas that may help.

“IT departments are inherently inefficient,” said Mike Feld, interim CTO at Baystate Health and CEO of consulting firm VertitechIT. “But if we simply looked at standardizing the tools we use, we could save time, money, and resources that would make even the most jaded bean counter sit up and take notice.”

Most large and mid-size businesses have literally hundreds of applications sitting on servers in data centers and cloud environments across their infrastructure.

The collection has grown organically over the years as software developers play the never-ending game of ‘can you top this?’ And while all may have their own unique qualities, many applications can perform many of the same functions (while we continue to use just a fraction of the features built into them). The result is more expense, more manpower needed to service them, and capital dependence to keep things current.

You may need to compromise on features, but reducing the number of vendors and making broader use of a smaller number of products can have a dramatic bottom-line impact. Feld suggests you “ask yourself if 95% of what I want from these 12 areas work with a couple of products, rather having a dozen different products fulfilling 95% of my needs.”

The standardization and weeding-out process can also have a trickle-down effect on personnel resources. More efficient programs and processes free up people to be redeployed to work on projects that have been neglected for lack of available time and manpower.

On the architecture side, standardizing computing, network, and storage on commodity hardware using software-defined methodologies will also offer up significant savings. Hyper-convergence makes your network more efficient (cutting storage costs in half by using virtual instead of traditional storage methods) and allowing for the elimination of personnel silos as teams of people dedicated to each area now work as one.  It also makes them more effective, reducing service provisioning and delivery time from days and weeks to, in some cases, just hours.

In Cuba, doing more with less is a way of life. There’s an IT lesson in there somewhere.

Steve Shaw, vice president of marketing & communications at Vertitech IT, has spent more than three decades in the marketing and communications industries; [email protected]

Tech Foundry Announces New Classes Beginning Sept. 6

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Tech Foundry is looking for new students who seek a new career in information technology. A free, 14-week program, meeting for 20 hours per week beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6, will focus its teaching skills in four technological areas: networking, data, programming, and troubleshooting.

Taking part in the program involves taking classes at Tech Foundry as well as going on field trips and doing four weeks of internships with area employers. Completing the program will help prepare participants for an entry-level position in IT.

Anyone interested in joining the program should click here and fill out the application.

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