Home 2017 (Page 17)

Year: 2017

WNEU School of Law Adjusts to an Altered Landscape

By
Law Sections

Courting Change

Eric Gouvin

Eric Gouvin says law students, like the customers of any business, want return on their investment.

Enrollment was already declining at law schools nationwide when the Great Recession hit, drying up the legal job market and driving the applicant count even lower. That forced a mass contraction at institutions across the U.S., including Western New England University School of Law. But its dean says the strategies undertaken to provide more return on investment for students has brought stability, and the future looks brighter than it has in years.

Few law-school leaders are surprised that enrollment is slightly higher nationally than it was a few years ago — if only because it couldn’t get much lower.

In fact, said Eric Gouvin, dean of Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law, 100,600 individuals applied to law schools during the 2003-04 cycle. In 2014-15, the number was 55,700.

That’s a stark decline, but the numbers are starting to tick up — slowly. Still, no one expects them to soar anytime soon, meaning this has become a new normal across the country — with a few exceptions, like Harvard, which will always have its pick of top applicants.

One reason for the enrollment drop was a declining job market for lawyers, one that began before the Great Recession but accelerated quickly after the 2008 financial crisis. By 2012 or 2013, graduates were finding it very difficult to secure positions right out of school.

To be honest, we were probably making too many lawyers for too long. In the good old days, we just kept saying, ‘we’ll take you; we’ll teach you law,’ but there weren’t necessarily enough jobs for those people. Then, in the Great Recession, people were graduating into an economy that was close to failing. Not only were there no jobs, but existing jobs were being eliminated. Those new graduates were devastated.”

“To be honest, we were probably making too many lawyers for too long,” Gouvin said. “In the good old days, we just kept saying, ‘we’ll take you; we’ll teach you law,’ but there weren’t necessarily enough jobs for those people. Then, in the Great Recession, people were graduating into an economy that was close to failing. Not only were there no jobs, but existing jobs were being eliminated. Those new graduates were devastated.”

That job-market crisis has alleviated significantly, if only because fewer students are seeking a career in the legal field, and law schools — again, with a few, high-profile exceptions — have been forced to contract.

“We can engage in magical thinking, wanting to bring back the good old days, or we can be realistic,” Gouvin told BusinessWest. “The market is saying fewer people want to go to law school. If you’re not Harvard or Georgetown, you have to take that reality into account.”

Just before Gouvin became dean in 2013, the school launched a strategic plan to assess its current situation amid the national enrollment crisis, and where it needed to be given that environment. Part of WNEU’s strategy focused on giving students more return on investment, including a tuition freeze, instituted during the 2013-14 school year and extending through 2017-18.

“A lot of our competitors didn’t do that, so we have essentially cut tuition by not raising it,” he said. “We’re 15% to 20% lower than Quinnipiac, Suffolk, and New England Law, so we’re producing on that end of return on investment.”

The school has been generous with scholarships, too, he said, so its $39,400 annual tuition actually translates to an average of $21,000 per student. “That’s is a pretty darn good deal today.”

With the lowered revenues, of course, WNEU had to keep a close eye on expenses, and it was able to shrink staff through retirements, so that the school, staffed for 550 students when Gouvin arrived, is now staffed for 300 — a notable contraction, he said, but typical of what’s happening across the country.

“With some smart planning on the expense side, we figured out how to offer the same programs with fewer people,” Gouvin said. “As the student body contracted, we needed fewer teachers. One concern some alums might have had was replacing tenured faculty with adjuncts, but that’s not true; since I’ve been here, we’ve had 32 adjuncts a year, all teaching upper-level electives. The core programs are taught by full-time, tenured faculty members.”

The school has also tried hard to avoid unnecessary debt to keep overhead down, he added. “There’s a lot of competition out there to build these incredibly beautiful, palatial buildings, but I don’t have that hanging over my head. I have staff and program expenses, but I don’t have huge debt service.”

Still, keeping tuition down by reducing expenses is only one way to provide that much-discussed ROI that today’s law students crave. The other is to give them more of what they need to secure employment, and on that front, WNEU hasn’t let them down.

Case Studies

For instance, the school has added new programs, some of them to attract students who aren’t necessarily looking to pursue a career practicing law. Such initiatives include a master of laws and letters (LLM) degree in estate planning and elder law, introduced in 2004. More recently, the school added a master’s-degree track in the same discipline.

“We identified that need early on, with the population aging, and a lot of wealth still to be transferred from Baby Boomers to their kids,” Gouvin explained. “We’ve been in a good spot with the elder-law and estate-planning programs we’ve offered, and have expanded them.”

Another focus has been on what Gouvin calls student-centered professional education.

“Student-centeredness is in the water here. I think the students care about each other and have the chance to get to know their professors pretty well. They have an incredible support system, very customer-friendly, problem-solving-oriented,” he explained. “I can’t take credit for that; it was already part of the culture. It’s a real selling point for Western New England.”

But he has led efforts to “up our game” in that area, particularly through the use of clinics — in areas such as criminal defense, criminal prosecution, elder law, and immigration (the latter in cooperation with Community Legal Aid), in which students blend classroom instruction with work on real cases, under the guidance of local attorneys.

The newest clinic centers on family-law mediation. “We’re the only school in the Commonwealth working with the family courts. It’s groundbreaking, and we’re quite proud of it.”

In fact, Gouvin said, about 88% of all students get involved in clinics and externships, understanding the value of developing not only real-world legal knowledge, but the soft skills that will make them more employable.

WNEU School of Law

Eric Gouvin says WNEU School of Law has raised its game by adding new programs and clinics aimed at giving students real-world experience.

In making these community connections, Western New England benefits from its position as the only accredited law school in the Commonwealth west of Greater Boston, Gouvin noted. This uniqueness ensures a broad range of opportunities in the form of internships and clerkships.

“That’s one of our strengths; we have many quality placements with federal judges, state courts, law firms, nonprofits. It’s not like we’re competing with six other law schools to get those spots. And it’s the kind of experience employers find valuable and relevant. For a small school, we nail that.”

I’ve got a police officer, an HR person, a computer tech person, an insurance guy who does construction litigation … none of those want to be practicing lawyers, but they see they can be more effective in their roles by knowing more about the law. A lot of people out there realize law is handy, even if they don’t want to be lawyers.”

WNEU School of Law has also expanded its appeal by launching a master’s degree in law for students who have no intention of becoming lawyers, but who take classes alongside juris doctor students to develop an expertise in legal matters to bring to their chosen career, be it accounting, insurance, banking, journalism, fund-raising, or any number of other disciplines.

“I’ve got a police officer, an HR person, a computer tech person, an insurance guy who does construction litigation … none of those want to be practicing lawyers, but they see they can be more effective in their roles by knowing more about the law,” Gouvin said. “A lot of people out there realize law is handy, even if they don’t want to be lawyers.”

Meanwhile, dual-degree programs like WNEU’s JD/MBA aim for the same type of cross-disciplinary expertise. “It’s never just law; it’s always law and something,” he said. “For students to gain knowledge in their fields and marry that with a law degree, I think that can give them a boost.”

After all, he added, “it’s hard to imagine any aspect of human activity that doesn’t have a legal component to it. We’ve never made less law; we’re always making more.”

Making an Appeal

That simple truth will always provide a stream of young people interested in practicing law, even if that stream has weakened in the new millennium.

“The market four years ago was in shambles, and we’re seeing that it has come back — not to where it was prior to the Great Recession, but it’s probably more sustainable now,” Gouvin told BusinessWest. “The good news is that Western New England and just about every other law school have contracted; instead of pumping 200 graduates a year into a market that can’t absorb them, we’re now graduating 100 into a market that can absorb them.”

Academically, the school must be doing something right, he added, noting that, despite a recent preference for applicants with high GPAs over high LSAT scores, WNEU ranks fifth in the state on percent of students passing the bar, behind only Northeastern, Harvard, Boston University, and Boston College. “That’s with students whose LSATs would have predicted they’d have trouble with the bar.”

Furthermore, Gouvin expects graduates’ job prospects — and, as a result, interest in a law degree — to increase as older lawyers, whose assets were battered by the Great Recession and may have postponed retirement because of it, start seriously considering life after law.

“Many waited until housing and the stock market recovered,” he said, “but now, it may be that more folks see their way clear to retiring.”

At the same time, he was quick to add, the industry is changing, and retiring lawyers won’t be replaced by the same number of newcomers. Technology has reduced some of the workload for attorneys, while paraprofessionals are performing many of the duties lawyers handled a generation ago.

“That being said, there should be a net outflow from the profession,” he went on. “The median age of lawyers has been increasing for the past two decades.”

In other words, the future seems bright for WNEU, which started in 1919 as the Springfield branch of Northeastern, holding classes at the YMCA on Chestnut Street.

“Like I tell alums, we’ve been here 100 years, and we’ll be here another 100 years,” he said, and that’s plenty of time to cultivate new relationships between students and the legal community they one day hope to work in.

He cited a survey UCLA conducts each fall with its incoming freshmen, asking them what they want to do with their lives. Since 2000, the percentage saying they wanted to practice law has been on the decline, from 5.2% in 2000 to a recent low of 3.2%. But in the past two years, the number shot back up. It’s just another data point, Gouvin noted, to encourage those, like him, who are invested in the legal profession.

“Again,” he said, “these are hopefully signs not only that people think going to law school is a good idea, but that going to law school actually is a good idea.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

There’s No Better Time Than Now to Audit Your I-9s

By
Law Sections

Foreign Affairs

By Marylou Fabbo, Esq.

Marylou Fabbo

Marylou Fabbo

Although a new version of the Form I-9 became mandatory only earlier this year, on July 17, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued yet another revised Form I-9. On Sept. 18, 2017, use of the new Form I-9 will be mandatory, but employers who want to do so can start using it now.

For many companies, a new I-9 presents a new opportunity to make an I-9 error, and those errors can be costly. Just using the wrong version of the Form I-9 can subject an organization to fines or penalties. On top of that, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interprets its regulations to allow a fine for every single error on an I-9, and it may fine a company based on the percentage of I-9s that have errors.

I-9 Audits Are on the Rise

Form I-9 audits often begin with ICE’s unexpected visit to the workplace with a demand to see the company’s I-9 file. Along with increased focus on immigration enforcement, it is anticipated that ICE will increase Form I-9 administrative audits, making it more likely that a wide variety of employers will be subjected to an audit.

The newest I-9 appears straightforward to complete. However, there are 15 pages of instructions on how to complete it that contain many specific details, increasing the risk that a mistake will be made. ICE is not likely to be hesitant to impose a fine for those mistakes.”

Fines for knowingly hiring an unauthorized alien can be more than $20,000 per person, and fines for improper completion of the form can range between approximately $200 and $2,100. The newest I-9 appears straightforward to complete. However, there are 15 pages of instructions on how to complete it that contain many specific details, increasing the risk that a mistake will be made. ICE is not likely to be hesitant to impose a fine for those mistakes.

Buffalo Transportation Co. made copies of employees’ identifying documents required to complete their I-9s but did not actually complete the I-9s in a timely manner, resulting in a $75,000 fine. Panda Express recently paid $600,000 to settle claims that it discriminated against immigrant workers when verifying them for employment. Panda Express is alleged to have required immigrant workers to provide documents that they were not legally obligated to provide and also made some immigrant employees re-verify their work eligibility even though they were not required to do so.

The use of the newest Form I-9 is designed to help employers eliminate errors, but will provide employers with fewer reasons to complete it incorrectly.

Should Your Company Conduct a Form I-9 Audit?

I-9 errors are very common. It is not unusual for employers and employees to speed through the hiring paperwork. Companies should take a look at a few of its I-9s. Errors that might be discovered may be as simple as an employee reversing his or her first and last name or forgetting to date the form. An employer may neglect to insert the first day of employment, which, prior to the newly revised form, was easy to do because the request for the date was among other text, making it easy to miss. It is also not uncommon for the company’s authorized representative to sign but not enter his or her title, name, or the date.

More serious (yet just as easy to make) errors relate to verification documentation. Frequently, employers do not enter an acceptable List A document or acceptable List B and List C documents. On the other hand, some companies have both A and B or C documents, which is also an error. Something as simple as not entering the document title, issuing authority, number(s), or expiration date for the documentation presented can be costly.

So, take a look at your audit files. Is every section that needs to be completed fully and accurately completed? Is Section 1, the section the employee is required to fill out, complete, dated, and signed? Does your authorized representative know the difference between a lawful permanent resident and an alien authorized to work? Is the Employer’s Section, Section 2, completely filled out? Does the List A document or the List B and C documents section contain all information, including the Issuing Authority? Are photocopies of the documents the employee presented attached, and, if so, why?

If you find even a few incorrect I-9s, you should conduct a full Form I-9 audit. If you are not knowledgeable about I-9 requirements, you should consider working with an attorney to conduct the audit and provide confidential legal guidance on how to correct them.

An employer could also get into trouble for incorrectly fixing the error. ‘Correcting’ an I-9 incorrectly defeats the purpose of an audit. While an internal audit does not insulate companies from penalties for violations, an audit that accurately identifies problems can provide guidance for employers going forward.

Marylou Fabbo is a partner and head of the litigation team at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. She provides counsel to management on taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of legal liability that may be imposed as the result of illegal employment practices, and defends employers who are faced with lawsuits and administrative charges filed by current and former employees; (413) 737-4753; [email protected]

Opioid Crisis Expected to Get Worse Before It Gets Any Better

By
Health Care Sections

Problematic Projections

opioiddpartEven with media and government now intently aware of the opioid crisis, a recent report still projects that 500,000 people may die from these drugs over the next decade. But the groundwork is being laid, through multi-pronged strategies, to stem the tide of overdoses and deaths. It’s a tall order, those in healthcare say, but they’re hopeful.

The projections are, well, to use a term from this realm in healthcare, quite sobering.

Indeed, a report issued by STAT, a national publication focused on healthcare, medicine, and scientific discovery, noted that a team of experts forecasts that the opioid crisis in this country will get worse before it gets better, and that 500,000 people could die from opioids over the next decade.

Dr. Peter Friedmann

Dr. Peter Friedmann says the culture around opioid use and abuse must change if real progress is to be achieved.

And, unfortunately, that’s not the worst-case scenario.

Those same experts project that the toll could spike to 650,000 over the next decade if potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil continue to spread rapidly and the waits for treatment continue to stretch weeks in hard-hit states.

Most of the forecasts produced by STAT predict the annual death toll will increase by at least 35% between 2015 and 2027. Under the gravest scenarios, it could triple — to more than 93,000 deaths per year.

The report’s alarming projections prompted BusinessWest to reach out to some of those in this region working to stem this tide for input about what will ultimately drive the numbers over the next decade, and what path this crisis will take — toward improvement, or, as those experts quoted in the STAT report suggest, toward even more grave statistics.

There was general agreement that, while there have been some forms of progress with regard to this crisis — in arenas ranging from awareness to treatment — far more profound change will have to come to keep those dire projections from becoming reality. And this change must come in many forms, they said — from reducing the stigma attached to this disease and the proven methods of treating it to curbing the number of opioids prescribed; from allocating far more resources to the fight to compelling more individuals and constituencies to take ownership of the problem.

“The real issue, from my perspective, is that the culture around this disease has been very slow to change,” said Dr. Peter Friedmann, chief research officer and endowed chair for clinical research at Baystate Health, an addiction researcher funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and an addiction-medicine clinician. “There are a lot of people who still view this as a disease that you’re going to cure — you can put someone in the detox for a week or a few weeks, and then you put them in an outpatient program with no medication or anything, and they’ll come, and they’ll be cured.”

Realization that medication-free treatment, or ‘drug-free’ treatment, is not going to stem the tide of overdoses and is, in fact, harming individuals by reducing their tolerance to the drug and leaving them more susceptible to overdose is only one of the factors that go into this needed culture change, said Friedmann, adding that, overall, there is preoccupation (among legislators and others) with creating more ‘beds’ and detoxification, when the focus should be on proven forms of treatment.

Dr. Robert Roose

Dr. Robert Roose says individual states and regions have opportunities to fare better than the projections nationally for opioid deaths.

These include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, he said, adding that there is also a real stigma about these treatments, which ultimately limits access to them.

But amid all the dire projections, there is some room for optimism, said Dr. Robert Roose, vice president of Behavioral Health for Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. He noted that the STAT report and others like it are national in scope, and that individual states and regions have opportunities to create their own, more impressive patterns for opioid-related deaths.

And he believes that both Massachusetts and Hampden County could be ahead of the curve in some areas, including opioid prescriptions. He cited statistics showing improvement in total Schedule II prescriptions and individuals receiving prescriptions, both statewide and in Hampden County, thanks in large part to the Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT).

decreased-number-of-schedule-ii-opioid-prescriptions

“The hope that I have is that, with some of the strategies that have been implemented in Massachusetts and other states, while we have certainly been hard-hit, we are laying some groundwork to stem the tide and reduce the rate of increase in overdoses in the short term, and in the long term, reduce the rate of overdose deaths,” he said.

Katherine Cook, vice president of Adult Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the Center for Human Development (CHD), agreed, but added that, to achieve progress and a better-case scenario moving forward, cultural changes must take place on many levels, starting with prescription practices and the basic approach to treating illnesses.

“We’re a culture where, for the common cold, for which there is no cure, you can walk into in any drugstore, and there are aisles of remedies,” she said. “That’s how we’re taught to care for ourselves, with a medication.”

There are many components to this opioid fight, said those we spoke with, but overall, the goals are to keep more people from becoming addicted, to treat them properly when they do become addicted, and to provide them with all the tools and resources needed to remain sober.

And these are all very tall orders.

Overall, the experts we spoke with said this country knows what works when it comes to this crisis — everything from stemming the flow of super-deadly synthetic opioids to getting more people access to medications that can reduce cravings — it just needs to do much more of it.

Dose of Reality

As he talked about the opioid crisis and the many projections about what could and probably will be in the decade to come, Friedmann drew many striking comparisons to another crisis that unfolded nearly 40 years ago.

This was the HIV/AIDS epidemic, he told BusinessWest, adding that, during that crisis, as with this one, people were dying, there was a strong stigma attached to the disease (and a reluctance to call it a disease), fear, no shortage of projections about how many people would die in the years to come, and a general reluctance on the part of many parties to take responsibility for what was going on.

“There was a lot of unwillingness on the part of many doctors to deal with those patients,” he said of the HIV/AIDS crisis. “And the notion that it was a disease really only took hold when they identified the retrovirus.”

There is no retrovirus with the opioid crisis, he went on, adding that the stigma attached to this problem persists, and it is only one of the many hurdles to turning the proverbial corner with this epidemic.

Katherine Cook

Katherine Cook says one of the keys to achieving progress with the opioid crisis is removing stigmas and the ‘us and them’ philosophy.

But it is a huge hurdle, said Cook.

“We have come a long way, but there’s still judgment and a devaluing of people, and that’s not just in the U.S.,” she noted. “With substance use, it becomes a moral judgment that people impose on others; we need to show that this isn’t an ‘us and them’ situation — we’re all human.”

Like all those we spoke with, Cook said there are a number of factors that will ultimately determine just which trajectory the graphs charting opioid-related deaths will take in the years to come. These include prevention and treatment efforts, obviously, but also issues such as access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and safe, affordable housing.

“It’s not just mental health and substance abuse,” she told BusinessWest. “It’s all of the social indicators of health, and if we don’t look at that, we’re not going to be able to make a difference.

“And it’s not just treatment beds,” she went on, adding, again that more of those certainly are needed. “It’s also recovery homes, what we used to call ‘halfway houses,’ or ‘three-quarter-way houses’ — ongoing support, and the ability for the community to care compassionately about individuals who are struggling with addiction and making sure those resources are there so people can be successful after treatment or recovery. The ability to maintain recovery will ultimately determine if we see a change and maybe the best-case scenario.”

Rose Evans, vice president of Operations in the Substance Use Division for Springfield-based Behavioral Health Network (BHN), agreed. She arrived at the agency only a few months ago after spending the previous four years working for the Patrick and Baker administrations to address individual and family homelessness.

Rose Evans

Rose Evans says one key to addressing the opioid crisis is removing the silos around programs involved with prevention, treatment, and recovery.

In that role, she saw some of the enormous toll taken by opioid addiction and the many elements to the state’s opioid crisis.

She said BHN has developed a broad portfolio of substance-use programs over the years, including everything from prevention initiatives in area schools to acute treatment services to outpatient recovery programs. In recent years, it has worked diligently to remove silos and integrate such services. And in many ways, she noted, this is what must happen across the broad spectrum of opioid-use prevention and treatment.

“We’ve been mindful of the impacts that substance use and abuse can have on people and not treating it separately from significant mental-health issues,” she explained. “We’re looking at the social determinants in one’s life and treating it in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary way.

“What we saw in my previous employment was the intersection of opioid use and homelessness,” she went on. “We understand that there’s a relationship and a correlation between one’s use of substances and the impact it can have on employment, education, housing, family life, relationships, and much more.”

Prescription for Progress

Overall, Roose believes the rate of increase in overdose deaths has at least begun to slow in Massachusetts, a dose of positive news he points to as evidence that individual states and regions can defy the most dire projections. And such deaths, while not the only statistic to chart when it comes to this crisis, is easily the most poignant.

“There’s no question that this is about saving people’s lives,” he explained. “And if we can reduce early death related to this disease, we should be doing everything we can to achieve that.”

Friedmann agreed, but noted that opioid-related deaths are, in every respect, like the tip of an iceberg. They are what can be seen, and they are the focus of the front-page newspaper headlines, but there is so much more lying beneath the surface.

Indeed, there are other important elements and forms of data that must be considered when it comes to the broad efforts to stem the powerful opioid tide, he said, and these include the number of people who struggle with opioid-use disorder or addiction and who don’t have access to treatment, as well as the outcomes from treatment.

The healthcare community currently lacks sufficient data in such areas, Friedmann said, adding that better numbers could help in the formation of specific strategies for dealing with the crisis moving forward.

One statistic that he can track is the number of beds, which has increased significantly over the past several years, both statewide and in this region. And the beds have come in several varieties, he noted, including those related to inpatient psychiatric care, detox care, and in-patient stabilization and longer-term transitional support.

“That is definitely providing more access to people who did not have access before,” he said of the increase in beds. “It doesn’t mean that we’ve caught up to the demand by any means, or that there aren’t other areas of the system that need to be increased, but there has definitely been a significant investment on the part of the state to provide more access to care.”

But access is still an issue — waiting lists prevail in this state, and they are considerably longer in harder-hit states such as West Virginia and New Hampshire — as is the matter of providing the right kind of care.

Friedmann said he is currently writing a paper on the broad subject of ‘beds’ in relation to the opioid crisis. The thesis, he told BusinessWest, is that the detoxification system for opioids should be re-engineered, as he put it, with creation of a “system of induction centers,” rather than a system of detoxification centers.

We need to remove from our bodies what we can by way of detox. But then, to send someone back out into the same pasture to eat the same grass is not going to do that individual any good. We need to be able to look at the person holistically to see what they need, and if medication-assisted treatment is what’s going to help them develop the skills to manage in the world and in the environment where they’ve been using, then that’s going to be a lifeline for them.”

“What we should be doing is getting people to get on medication and stay on medication,” he explained, adding, again, that detoxification generally leaves individuals more susceptible to overdose if they relapse, and a huge percentage of such patients eventually do.

Cook agreed. “We need to remove from our bodies what we can by way of detox,” she said. “But then, to send someone back out into the same pasture to eat the same grass is not going to do that individual any good. We need to be able to look at the person holistically to see what they need, and if medication-assisted treatment is what’s going to help them develop the skills to manage in the world and in the environment where they’ve been using, then that’s going to be a lifeline for them.

There are, of course, many other ingredients in a broad formula for progress and creating greener pastures, if you will, said those we spoke with.

They include prevention, safe prescribing, more effective recognition of individuals’ opioid problems, taking immediate steps to curb the availability of fentanyl and carfentanil, and also the development of a qualified workforce to care for those with opioid issues.

The sheer number of hurdles and the complexity of each one combine to create an enormous challenge and, indirectly, those dire predictions moving forward.

“There are so many moving parts when it comes to this disease, and that’s what I find so fascinating about it,” said Friedmann. “And we have to address all of them simultaneously.”

Moving the Needle

Summing up matters succinctly and poignantly, Cook said that, to stem the tide of opioid use and abuse, “we have to keep working hard every day.”

And keep working on a number of fronts all at once, she went on, speaking for all those we interviewed, because there are many layers to this crisis. Only by slicing through all those layers, experts say, can this region and the nation keep the worst-case scenarios from becoming reality.

Friedmann might have said it best when he told BusinessWest, “this is a crisis people talk about, and increasingly we’re seeing some action, but it can’t really come fast enough.”

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

Harmony House Is an Exceptional Woman’s Dream Come True

By
Health Care Sections

A Home for the Dying Finds Life

Ruth Willemain

Ruth Willemain says her decade-long mission to open Harmony House has been a “journey,” during which she’s learned many lessons and met countless wonderful people.

Almost since the day she retired from teaching, Ruth Willemain has been providing hospice care as a volunteer.

And almost from the day she started that second career, she began thinking about ways to provide more and better care to those who don’t have what would be considered a traditional support system as they contend with daunting end-of-life issues and emotions.

It was a poignant, heartfelt plea from one of those who came into her care that, in many respects, turned thought into truly inspirational action.

“This woman said, ‘Ruth, would you please come to my funeral — I don’t want to be alone in the church,’” Willemain recalled, adding that as she pledged to honor that request she understood even more fully that much more was needed for such people than her presence at that service.

So began a decade-long adventure, if you will, that has tested her in more ways than she could have imagined, but also left her fulfilled in ways that few could likely understand.

“It’s been a journey,” said Willemain, using that word for the first of many times. “It’s been 10 long years — I’ve learned many lessons along the way and met many wonderful people.”

This journey is the story of Harmony House, and while getting to here — meaning the grand opening of this unique home — is a great accomplishment in itself, this is really just the first chapter.

Indeed, the small, nondescript, three-bedroom ranch home on Pendleton Avenue in Chicopee is intended to be only a temporary home for Harmony House, with a much larger, six-bedroom dwelling a few miles away eyed as a better, more permanent solution. Meanwhile, opening the home is only the first of many tests; there will be a constant need for volunteers, meals, supplies, and, of course, funding.

But more on all that later.

That ranch house is almost indistinguishable from the dozens of others like it on this quiet street off Memorial Drive — until one ventures inside.

Even then, aside from scattered medical equipment, it looks like a typical home — which is exactly the point. In fact, when this writer referred to it as a ‘facility,’ Willemain recoiled and delivered a rather direct lesson in healthcare terminology — at least her take on it.

“This isn’t a facility — it’s a home,” she said, meaning a home for people who don’t have a home or don’t have anyone who can care for them in their home.

To be more specific, this is what’s known as a ‘social-model hospice home,’ the first in Massachusetts and probably the first in New England. As that name implies, sort of, this is a home essentially operated and funded by the community and staffed entirely by volunteers.

When I walked into that home, I felt like love was in the air — it was something I had never experienced before. Everything told me, ‘this is what you’re supposed to do.’”

Willemain first experienced such a home when she traveled to Cleveland, Ohio years ago for her sister’s birthday, and was asked to pay a visit to an individual in hospice care.

“When I walked into that home, I felt like love was in the air — it was something I had never experienced before,” she explained, adding that it became her mission in life to bring that same feeling to Western Mass.

“Everything told me, ‘this is what you’re supposed to do,’” she said.

As she talked with BusinessWest a few weeks back, Willemain was excitedly looking forward to June 20. This was the day the ceremonial ribbon was to be cut at Harmony House. The mayor had pledged to be there, and so had many area news outlets. There would be a few speeches, and many opportunities to thank what grew into an army of contributors and volunteers that made it all possible. It was to be an important day, to be sure.

But not as important, she noted, as June 26, when the first resident — a woman who had long been on dialysis and decided to end those life-prolonging treatments — would arrive on Pendleton Avenue.

“This is why we’re here — this is what we worked for more than a decade to create,” she noted. “It’s a dream come true.”

For this issue, BusinessWest visited Harmony House and its creator to find out how it came to be, and how there are many chapters still to be written in this remarkable story.

A Dying Wish

As she posed for a few pictures for BusinessWest, Willemain, ever the marketer and fund-raiser as well as the visionary and care provider, quickly added a layer to her outfit — a Harmony House T-shirt, complete with the nonprofit’s very carefully chosen logo.

This would be the trillium flower, and the explanation behind its choice as a symbol for this endeavor goes a long way toward shedding needed light on the home’s mission and how it will go about carrying it out.

Indeed, the three purple petals on the trillium flower represent the three areas of support provided by Harmony House — physical, emotional, and spiritual. And the three sepals represent the three groups of people who will supply that support — hospice teams, support staff, and volunteers.

But to fully explain Harmony House and all that went into its creation, one needs to go well beyond the logo.

For that, we need to turn the clock back to 1999, when Willemain was wrapping up a 45-year career in teaching — one that included stops in New York, Connecticut, and Michigan — at Tatham Elementary School in West Springfield.

“I knew that after teaching I wanted to do something to serve others,” she told BusinessWest, adding that ‘something’ became hospice care, a unique form of healthcare devoted to those who are terminally ill. “I did the training, became a hospice volunteer, and have never been without a patient since.”

As noted earlier, Willemain provided such care for years before embarking on her mission to meet what she saw as an emerging need within this region: to serve those who are — in most ways or all ways — alone as they confront the end of their life.

And there are more individuals in this category than most would think, she said, adding that she knows this from her 16 years of experience as a hospice volunteer.

“Many of the people I cared for didn’t have company,” she noted. “They would say, ‘Ruth, if you didn’t come visit me, I wouldn’t have any company at all.’”

She said this was the case both for people in their homes — if their spouse or other caregiver wasn’t able to care for them — and those in nursing homes.

“For those placed in nursing homes, they were always in a room with a roommate,” she went on. “And there were many times when the roommate would say, ‘no one ever comes to visit me … would you visit me as well?’”

Over the years, Willemain would spend five, six, and sometimes seven days a week visiting those who didn’t have anyone else to visit them. It was immensely rewarding work — “most were just so happy that you found some time to give them some joy” — but also somewhat frustrating.

And such experiences, and especially that woman’s plea to attend her funeral, led Willemain to begin creating that vision for a home that such people could come to.

“This is what broke my heart — I left the nursing home with tears rolling down my cheeks,” she said of that dying woman’s request. “I said, ‘God, we’ve got to do something.’”

As she began her mission to create a home for those in need of such services, Willemain recalls that there were many doubters, those who thought her vision was laudable but the goal was out of reach.

nondescript house on Pendleton Avenue in Chicopee

This nondescript house on Pendleton Avenue in Chicopee is not a ‘facility,’ Ruth Willemain insisted, but a home — and all that term implies.

She listened, but preferred to focus on those who said this would no doubt be challenging, but certainly doable. And they were right.

She started raising money through sales of candy bars and other means, and along the way gathered both supporters and momentum for the social-model hospice home, a concept that certainly needed to be explained because of its uniqueness, even if it isn’t exactly a new concept.

Indeed, as Dr. Karen Wyatt, author of What Really Matters: 7 Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying, explains in a recent blog post advocating for this model, it can trace its roots to the AIDS epidemic of the ’80s.

“The first social hospices were created to house AIDS patients as they were nearing end of life and in desperate need of terminal care,” she wrote. “Many of these were literally private residences with multiple bedrooms where a number of patients could be cared for and comforted through the dying process.”

Upon reviewing the current landscape and future issues surrounding end-of-life care, Wyatt noted that the social-model hospice homes may offer solutions to many of the problems she believes lie ahead. They include:

• A shortage of family caregivers: Wyatt noted a study referenced by the AARP Public Policy Institute predicting there will be a severe shortage of family caregivers as the Baby Boom generation ages and faces end of life. While there are currently seven potential caregivers for every patient, the study noted, this ratio is expected to drop to 3 to 1 by 2050.

• A shortage of paid caregivers: Wyatt cited a study published in Health Affairs indicating that at least 2.5 million more long-term-care workers will be needed to look after older Americans by 2030. Social-model hospice homes, she noted, are offering certified training with continuing-education credit for professional caregivers for the terminally ill. These programs will increase the number of workers available to meet the long-term needs of society.

• Need for family respite: Wyatt noted that the Institute of Medicine’s 2014 report “Dying in America” points to a current need for respite and support for family caregivers to help avoid burnout and resulting emergency hospitalizations.

• Cultural barriers to hospice care: Wyatt referenced comments from Dr. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, who stated in a published interview that cultural barriers to hospice care needed to be addressed in the future. These barriers include a lack of cultural diversity in hospice staffs, mistrust of the healthcare system, and worry about insurance coverage and cost of care. The social-model hospice home has the potential to overcome some of these barriers by utilizing volunteers and caregivers from the patient’s own cultural group and neighborhood by functioning largely outside the healthcare system.

• A reduction in Medicare payments for hospice and home care: That Institute of Medicine report mentioned above also indicates that hospice payments from Medicare will be reduced by 11.8% over the next decade, which will likely create financial stress for smaller hospices and lead to decreased access to care.

At Home with the Idea

While Wyatt uses the future tense as she makes her case for the social-model hospice home, Willemain notes that some of these issues are already manifesting themselves.

And in that respect, Harmony House is somewhat ahead of its time, she noted, adding that the home itself, and the model of care to be delivered, have both been designed to maintain a peaceful atmosphere of respect and compassion that honor the dignity of each resident.

This is the essence of hospice care, she went on, adding that this is in many ways an acquired skill, one that involves thoroughly understanding the individual and what they want and need as they confront the end of their life.

“We just want to do whatever they would like us to do for them,” she explained. “For some, it’s simply holding their hand; for others, it’s playing a game with them. It all depends on the individual and what stage they’re at in their lives.”

This is what Willemain wanted to bring to Harmony House, and after years of moving the process forward, she was close to realizing the dream in a large home on View Street in Chicopee. But several legal issues arose concerning that property, which was in foreclosure, she noted, adding that a local family donated the vacant house on Pendleton Avenue to enable Harmony House to open its doors.

That home needed a large amount of work to meet its new purpose, and it received help from a large group of individuals and businesses that handled everything from new wiring to landscaping to the building of a wheelchair ramp.

As Harmony House opens its doors, it is providing what amounts to a home and a surrogate family in the form of trained staff and volunteers who will provide care around the clock.

The home is intended for individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness who have a maximum of three months to live and are under the care of a hospice services provider, which will administer those services at Harmony House instead of a nursing home or other facility.

Care will be delivered by licensed nursing caregivers, food-service personnel, and administrative assistants, but the hallmark of the home will be that around-the-clock volunteer  service.

Each volunteer will work one eight-hour shift a month, meaning there will be a need for more than 90 such individuals, said Willemain, adding that assembling this team of volunteers has been just one of many challenges facing organizers, and the work continues.

It takes many forms, everything from the training of volunteers to recruiting of individuals, families, and restaurateurs to cook meals, to raising the estimated $4,000 a month it will take to pay for a host of expenses, including insurance, utilities, snow plowing, and much more.

To meet these needs, administrators are turning to the community and inviting people to support the home in any way they can. A full wish list of needed items — everything from personal-care items to a small TV for one of the bedrooms — is on the home’s website, for example.

In addition, a meal-a-month program has been launched. It invites churches, families, restaurants, and individuals to follow the lead of Jack Ng, owner of Gnow’s Place in Chicopee, and commit to providing a meal for four to six people each month.

Willemain said the response from the community has been overwhelming, but the need for help will be constant, and will, therefore, pose a stern challenge.

But the need for the Harmony House is real, she said, and she believes the community can and will support the home and its mission.

Final Thoughts

As she talked about Harmony House, the care to be provided there, and her own lengthy career as a hospice volunteer, Willemain said she was probably due for a refresher course in this blend of science, art, and especially compassion.

“So much has changed over the years, including HIPAA and everything else,” she said, adding that she made a point of making sure her training was up to date and up to speed.

What else would one expect from someone who first made hospice care a second career, then made it a passion, and then created and fulfilled a vision to take such care to a new, cutting-edge level?

A level, specifically, where individuals won’t be alone in the church after they die, or — more importantly — during those last few months before they die.

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

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the months of June and July 2017.

AGAWAM

LRB Realty Trust, LLC
1804 Main St.
$50,000 — Install new antennas and new cabinet for existing cell tower

Palatium Realty Inc.
270 Maple St.
$1,000 — Install wall signs for Sultan Family Restaurant

AMHERST

Amherst College
155 South Pleasant St.
$118,000 — Roofing

Amherst Inn
30 Boltwood Ave.
$41,000 — Roofing

The Boltwood Group
166 Main St.
$15,998 — Replace existing HVAC unit for main dining area

Shankara Shakti Inc.
460 West St.
$16,245 — Create new café in existing business-use space, build new accessible bathroom, and reconfigure front entrance

CHICOPEE

C and C Mass Ventures, LLC
33 Haynes Circle
$17,000 — Install fire-alarm system at Randolph Products

Chicopee Housing Authority
25-27 Benoit Circle
$6,250 — Construct small office

iStar Bowling Centers I, LP
291 Burnett Road
$143,663 — Reconstruct exterior walls at areas detatched from hotel, add new water and fire service including back-flow devices, and build new wall at south side of building

Ocean State Job Lot
1503 Memorial Dr.
$24,500 — Build-out for tae kwan do center

EASTHAMPTON

Cheharkrupa Inc.
26 Cottage St.
$1,000 — Interior build-out

EAST LONGMEADOW

East Longmeadow Wellness Center
250 North Main St.
$1,000 — Construction trailer

GREENFIELD

Edward Williams
14 Main St.
$31,000 — Roofing

Greenfield Corporate Center, LLC
101 Munson St.
$4,200 — Rework sprinklers to new ceiling layout

LONGMEADOW

Bay Path University
539 Longmeadow St.
$79,400 — Elevate existing porch, install new concrete ramp and railings at Hatch Library

GPT Longmeadow, LLC
720 Bliss Road
$300,000 — Interior non-structural remodel of Talbot Store

NORTHAMPTON

100 King Street, LLC
242 King St.
$2,000 — Reface illuminated pole sign

100 King Street, LLC
242 King St.
$2,200 — Reface illuminated wall sign

Coolidge Northampton, LLC
249 King St.
$5,600 — Install non-bearing load partition

Cumberland Farms Inc.
53 Main St.
$3,000 — Illuminated wall sign

Smith College
102 College Lane
$10,990 — Install interior doors, remove and patch existing door, install shelves, paint

PALMER

Yolanda and Stephen Dion
234 Wilbraham St.
New windows, front door, roof to cover front door, siding, renovate bathroom, and accessible ramp

Pride Limited Partnership
1003 Thorndike St.
$10,000 — Install kitchen exhaust for Yummy Asian Cuisine

SOUTHWICK

Jeff Bliss
320 College Highway
$29,000 — Roofing

SPRINGFIELD

City of Springfield
52 Rosewell St.
Roof replacements, ADA upgrades, and elevator addition at Thomas M. Balliet School

City of Springfield
315 North Branch Parkway
$1,094,000 — Roof replacement, accessibility upgrades, and associated work

City of Springfield
1250 State St.
$45,000 — Replace existing curtain-wall entranceway and doors

City of Springfield
15 Catharine St.
$197,000 — Roof replacement

Colvest/State St., LLC
600 State St.
$79,800 — Interior remodel to CVS Pharmacy, including relocated fixtures, equipment update finishes, relocated sink, electrical work, and relocated sprinkler heads

Derf Realty
190 Carando Dr.
$90,000 — Minor renovations to State Police Task Force suite

GELW Mass, LLC
1331 Main St.
$9,500 — Separate existing space, create corridor to access handicap restroom

R.F. Realty Group
447 Sumner Ave.
$17,000 — Replace drop ceiling, skim coat walls, repair glass back exterior

Ilusa Shaikh
270 Cooley St.
$3,250 — Install fire panel and components

NHP Springfield Trust
215 Bicentennial Highway
$12,944 — Replace Verizon antenna panels and add remote radio heads

Tereza Ouchida
1089 Columbus Ave.
$150,000 — Renovate coffee-service line area, fixtures, and finishes at Starbucks, construct new partition walls

Solutia Inc.
730 Worcester St.
$192,247 — Roofing

Springfield College
210 Alden St.
$5,000 — Divide office with partition wall

Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Road
$62,000 — Create three offices from one current office in Delbridge Welcome Center

WARE

Hamidul Hoq, Walmart Stores
352 Palmer Road
$168,000 — New pickup parking canopy, new checkout equipment, update interior finishes, revise back-of-house racking

WESTFIELD

City of Westfield
40 Turnpike Industrial Road
$25,000 — Replace existing panel antennas

Joseph Colette
200 Southwick Road
$45,000 — Replace shingles on entrance overhang, replace second-floor windows, new vinyl siding

WEST SPRINGFIELD

380 Union, LLC
380 Union St.
$35,000 — Demolition of building

T.P. Daley Insurance Agency
1381 Westfield St.
$14,520 — Roofing

Vermont Department of Buildings
1305 Memorial Ave.
$145,000 — On Vermont building at Eastern States Exposition, build new deck with roof, concrete walks and patio, landscaping and plantings, demolish horse barn

WILBRAHAM

Brownstone Quarry, LLC
39-41 Main St.
$13,000 — Roofing

Wing Memorial Hospital Corp.
2377 Boston Road, Suite 101
$1,100 — Install sign

YMCA of Greater Springfield Inc.
1004 Stony Hill Road
$5,000 — Replacement windows

Filling the Big E’s Concert Bill Is Equal Parts Art, Science, and Hustle

By
Sections Travel and Tourism

Strike Up the Bands

 

John Juliano and Anne-Alise Pietruska

John Juliano and Anne-Alise Pietruska say procuring musical talent for the Big E is a year-round challenge, and several acts have already been booked for 2018.

John Juliano has been booking entertainment at the Big E for almost 30 years, but his first job for the fair was a little less glamorous. Specifically, it was a part-time gig cleaning out horse stalls in 1982.

He didn’t mind, though, because it was money in his pocket, and a chance to be a part of a regional icon he’d loved from his childhood.

“It was always my favorite thing to do,” said Juliano, senior director of Sales, Marketing & Entertainment for the Eastern States Exposition. “When I was in junior high school, across the street in Agawam, I’d hop the fence and sit in the bleachers. My buddy would be chasing girls, and I was on the bleachers, waiting to see a show.”

Given his predilection for live music, it wasn’t surprising that Juliano moved on from the horse barn to a job in fair operations in 1984, and started booking acts five years later. It’s a role that affords him creativity and the ability to shape the musical atmosphere of the Big E, but also a challenging, year-round effort — some acts have already been booked for 2018 — that requires a good deal of hustle.

So, when fairgoers hear that Grand Funk Railroad, Cole Swindell, Cam, Smash Mouth, and Night Ranger will perform this year in the 6,300-seat Xfinity Arena, or peruse a list of 23 free concerts on the Court of Honor Stage, ranging from up-and-comers to big names like the Lovin’ Spoonful, Sheila E., and the Sugarhill Gang, they might not realize the amount of research, legwork, and networking it takes to secure them — particularly at a time when many artists are simply out of the Big E’s price range.

“Our budget, despite what most people believe, is not astronomical,” said Anne-Alise Pietruska, whose business card reads ‘brand content / entertainment,’ three words that don’t quite illustrate the number of hats she wears, from social-media marketing to graphic design to article writing. A few years ago, Juliano learned of her passion for — and knowledge of — the live-music realm, and welcomed her into his world — and gave her another hat.

If we feel an act will sell tickets, that’s somebody we’re going to go for. We sit here with issues of Pollstar and Billboard and go back and forth about every single act — where they’ve played, what their gross is, what their attendance is, and how they would play here. Some acts that wouldn’t play well in South Dakota will go over well here.”

“If we feel an act will sell tickets, that’s somebody we’re going to go for,” he said. “We sit here with issues of Pollstar and Billboard and go back and forth about every single act — where they’ve played, what their gross is, what their attendance is, and how they would play here. Some acts that wouldn’t play well in South Dakota will go over well here.

“We know our demographic pretty well. We’ll get an agent who’ll call and pitch us an act, but we know it wouldn’t work well. Or we’ll call them, and they’ll say, ‘that’ll work at the Big E?’ And I say, ‘yeah, I think it will work.’ We’re always trying to find something new,” he went on, singling out two of this year’s free acts — roots rocker Martin Sexton and R&B dynamos Vintage Trouble — as examples of artists who make up in stage presence what they may lack in the household-name department.

Even something as simple as last year’s decision to cover the Court of Honor stage with a tent is making a difference, as some acts would rather not play while exposed to possible — well, Pietruska almost said rain, before admitting that’s not a word folks like to say out loud in the Eastern States offices. She did call the tent a big hit, however, one that makes the venue more attractive to performers and attendees alike.

“It allows us to expand our lineup by bringing in more diverse bands covering all genres of music, and tap into artists who have strong followings in this area.”

But crafting each year’s musical lineup takes much more than a tent and some phone calls. It also requires plenty of foresight, a dollop of passion, and an occasional leap of faith.

The billboard at the West Springfield-Agawam line only scratches the surface of the variety of music on tap for this year’s fair.

The billboard at the West Springfield-Agawam line only scratches the surface of the variety of music on tap for this year’s fair.

Crystal Ball

The foresight and leaps of faith often collide, actually, in an annual game of ‘buying low’ on an act that’s just about to make it big.

That was the case with Cheat Codes, an electronic-music trio from California that was among the final acts booked for the 2017 fair; Juliano, who came across the band in Billboard, is convinced their fee will double by next year.

Sometimes, landing a band on the cusp of stardom for a reasonable price backfires. Take the country act Midland, with whom Juliano admits he became a little obsessed when he heard they would be at South by Southwest, the massively influential annual music festival in Austin, Texas (one of many he and Pietruska visit each year).

He scored a meeting with their manager, struck up a relationship, and nailed down a date for Midland to play in West Springfield. But two months later, their record label cancelled the gig.

“Their album was dropping the week they were going to perform at the fair, and the label would rather have them out at radio stations than playing before 6,000 people,” he recalled. “That was frustrating, to lose out on an act after putting in a lot of time and effort.”

Pricing itself has become frustrating in recent years, with some acts charging $50,000, $100,000, or more to play the fair, which is why the Big E — which, for generations, offered all concerts as part of fair admission — started charging extra for several shows each year (the vast majority remain free).

That said, as one of the most well-attended fairs in the country — typically ranking between fifth and seventh on that list each year — the Big E is a draw for many performers. A veteran of several music-association boards, like the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Assoc., and the International Entertainment Buyers Assoc., Juliano knows from conversations with artists, managers, and agents that the Big E has plenty of credibility in their industry.

“If they didn’t want to play here, my phone wouldn’t be ringing off the hook,” he told BusinessWest, adding that performers are treated well, if not exactly in luxury, this being, after all, an outdoor agricultural fair. “We’re not a billion-dollar casino, so we can’t afford fancy dressing rooms, flatscreen TVs, and all those niceties, but when they come to the fair, we treat them like they’d want to be treated.”

In the end, however, it’s about the fan experience, and the Big E is tossing in a few extra wrinkles this year, like the Twine Country Fest in the Xfinity Arena on Saturday, Sept. 30, featuring four hot touring acts: Granger Smith, Parmalee, the Cadillac Three, and Lindsay Ell.

“It’s been exciting for me to add my marketing perspective and creativity and develop events that take on a life of their own under the Big E umbrella, and Twine is one of those,” Pietruska said. “Our country fans are so loyal.”

That loyalty to music can benefit the Big E in the long run, Juliano said, noting that more than  90% of fair attendees on any given year eventually come back. If the 17-day gala can draw a few newcomers because of a band they want to hear, perhaps they’ll have a good time walking around the fairgrounds, gorging on fried food, or perusing crafts and animal exhibits, and decide they want to be among that 90% who return.

“With any new show or event we bring in, we want to attract a new audience that might not typically come to the Big E, but might come for that particular entertainer,” Pietruska said. “And we’re seeing that pay off.”

Word of Mouth

Clearly, the Big E’s entertainment team members have put their hearts into a key aspect of New England’s famous fair, which is why it’s discouraging, Pietruska said, when critics read booking updates online and lash out as Internet trolls do; one, clearly unimpressed with the music slate, recently called Juliano “a waste of space.”

“Because I manage the social media, that can be painful for me,” she said. “But my focus is on making the Big E even more of an entertainment venue than it already is.”

Juliano agreed. “I get so much gratification from this, and we work so hard on this, you can’t let the critics get to you.”

Then it was back to the phones, chasing down 2018’s next big thing — before the price doubles.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Paradise City Festival Has Become a Regional Success Story

By
paradisecity-0817a
Cover Story Sections Tourism & Hospitality

Art of the Deal

By Kathleen Mellen

Crowds at Paradise City Arts Festival

Crowds at Paradise City Arts Festival

Linda and Geoffrey Post

Linda and Geoffrey Post say the festival’s early success snowballed and took on a life of its own.

It’s tough to make a living as an artist, and no one knows that better than Linda and Geoffrey Post, who made a go of it for 20 years, much of it on the art-show circuit, before deciding, in 1994, to switch gears. That’s when they founded the Paradise City Arts Festival.

Geoffrey Post, a fiber artist, and Linda Post, a painter, say they took an enormous leap of faith when they started the festival at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton. They gathered work from fellow artists, put notices in local newspapers, and set up in the Fair’s largest building, the Arena, whose lopsided dirt floor was better designed to show horses, pigs, and sheep than sculpture, ceramics, and fine jewelry.

And they wondered if anyone would come.

Well, people did. Now, 22 years later, the festival is one of the premier such events in the nation, with 250 artists and craftspeople and some 10,000 customers flocking to the site twice a year, in May and October, to immerse themselves in works by some of the nation’s finest craft makers and independent artists, along with a sculpture garden, fund-raisers for local charities, and a wide array of victuals from local restaurants — all to the accompaniment of lively jazz melodies.

Visitors to the award-winning festival have come from all 50 states, and five continents, to partake of what Boston Magazine calls “a unique visual arts institution.”

How it all came to be this institution, and how it continues to grow and prosper, is an intriguing story, one in which the Posts and a number of other players have remained focused on the big picture — figuratively, and quite literally.

Brush with Fame

The very first thing the Posts had to do, back in 1995, was to establish a working relationship with the fair, which was established in 1817 for the purpose of promoting agriculture, agricultural education, and agricultural science in the Commonwealth — a far cry from what the Posts were proposing.

Even with the fair’s blessing, which they received, there was much to be done before a single artist could set up — including making significant investments in the site so it could support such a venture. First up was the installation of an electrical system big enough to power the festival. Plus, they added, when it rained, the whole place, which sits in a floodplain, turned to mud, so they had to fix that.

“It was really an experience trying to transform that space,” Linda Post said. “It took a lot of time, effort, money, planning, faith, and hope.”

But, once they got started, things began to cook.

“In ’95, we were successful enough so that we could have a ’96, and ’96 was a little better than ’95,” Geoffrey said. Then, in 1997, things really took off, when they attracted the attention of the New York Times and the Boston Globe, which wrote features about the event.

“Things just exploded. It was one of those Woodstock-type scenarios, where they’re backed up on Route 91, all the way to Hartford,” Post said. “After that, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Terry Evans

Terry Evans

That success signaled to the city and the fairgrounds that there might be uses for the site other than traditional agricultural events. In 2010, a committee was formed, which included representatives of the fair, the city, and the festival, to consider improvements to the site, with an eye toward expanding its use as a year-round venue for events like the Paradise City Arts Festival. A consulting firm was hired to analyze potential economic gains of an upgrade to the fairgrounds, and the results were impressive: it was projected that such a shift would add 500 jobs and result in an economic output of nearly $63 million, up from $25.9 million.

That got the ball rolling. A $42 million expansion was planned for the 55-acre site, which would include two phases: first, the demolition of old stables and the construction of three new horse barns, and, second, the construction of an 80,000-square-foot exhibition hall, as well improvements to the stormwater drainage, roads, and sidewalks.

Phase one was completed in 2011, when the fair was awarded $4 million by the state to build the new barns and to improve drainage on the site. But then, things stalled, and plans for the exhibition hall were put on hold, says the fair’s general manager, Bruce Shallcross, especially in light of a changed local market, including the addition of a new casino in Springfield and a still-recovering economy.

“We’re not sure, now, that we can support an 80,000-square-foot hall, but the Redevelopment Committee is still looking at alternatives,” he said.

All the while, the festival has stepped up, Shallcross told BusinessWest, sharing expenses for infrastructure improvement, including paving part of the grounds to deal with the mud problem.

Nnamdi Okonkwo

Nnamdi Okonkwo

“They’ve been very good partners over the years,” he said. “They are our anchor event in the spring and the fall, and we have an excellent working relationship with them.”

The Posts also say they have a good relationship with the city of Northampton, and while there’s no official, fiscal partnership, they do enjoy a symbiotic relationship. For example, it is common for the city’s mayor to write a welcome letter for the festival’s catalogue, and the Posts hire police and fire details for security and traffic control. They also bring tens of thousands of patrons from around the region, and across the country, to Northampton.

Indeed, a marketing survey the festival requisitioned about 10 years ago showed that some 70% of the people who attend the show come from outside the Pioneer Valley.

“The restaurants are full, the hotels are full. We think it’s good for the fairgrounds, good for the festival, and good for Northampton,” Shallcross said.

In a gesture of thanks for the city’s support, the Posts offer the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce space at the festival each year, where they can promote the city, its restaurants, events, and tourist attractions. That’s a boon for Northampton and the chamber, says its executive director, Suzanne Beck.

“The festival draws thousands of people to Northampton, and once they’re here, people are naturally curious about the area,” Beck said. “By having a pop-up visitor center at the festival, we can share everything about cultural events, dining offerings —what to see and do in the area — and fulfill that curiosity.

In a Different Mold

Fast-forward to 2017.

Not content to rest on their laurels, in May, the Posts decided to “redo everything.” They moved out the 23-year-old Arena building into the three relatively new barns, which are better equipped to house artists’ display booths — although they are still mainly intended for agricultural use.

“At least they have concrete floors,” Linda Post said.

The festival also utilizes more of the surrounding, outdoor areas, for its sculpture promenade, a dining tent, and entertainment.

It’s a move that has paid off.

“Whenever you make a big change like that, it makes you nervous, but we got great feedback from the exhibitors and the customers,” Linda Post said. “People stayed longer, and they really enjoyed the new layout.”

After more than two decades, the Posts say, they have to work diligently to keep the festival fresh. Each year, they combine new artists with the old, always with an eye toward curating an event that includes different price points and aesthetics, and new trends.

“If we don’t get fresh new artists to every show, it gets stale,” Geoffrey Post said.

Turns out, that’s not a problem: Far more artists and craftspeople apply to the festival than the Posts can accept.

“Every year, we’re getting new generations of artists and new generations of patrons,” he noted. “It has a life of its own.”

Looking to the future, the Posts say, they are finding ways to use the Internet to their advantage. They recently developed the Paradise City Membership Program, a partnership which allows artists to market their work year-round, through the festival’s website.

They produce a glossy magazine that gets mailed out to 60,000 households, and they are developing email newsletters and other promotions that go out to patrons on their email list, which is more than 40,000 strong.

Finally, while they don’t have a Paradise City Arts Festival app, they’ve made sure their website is optimized for cellphone use.

“We’re trying to figure out the right model for using all the new technologies.” Linda Post said.

The next Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton will be Oct. 7-9, when artists and craftspeople will have on the display, and for sale, a wide variety of mixed-media art, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, photography, works on paper, wearable fiber art, and much more.

As is their tradition, there will be a “show within a show,” which invites participating artists to create work related to a special theme: This year, it’s “Life of the Party.”

And, in keeping with another annual tradition, the Posts will invite participating artists to donate a piece for an auction to raise money for a local non-profit organization. Since 1996, more than $400,000 has been raised in support of such causes as the Cancer Connection, the International Language Institute, and the Breast Form Fund. This year, the money will go to WGBY Public Television for Western New England.

Nice Work, If You Can Get It

As the Posts prepare for the next show in Northampton (they also produce a smaller, sister festival in Marlborough), things are heating up at their offices in Northampton’s Industrial Park.

“People don’t realize how much work goes into the shows; we start preparing months in advance,” Linda Post said. But she doesn’t mind. “Every day, we’re surrounded by all these beautiful objects and creative people. That’s a really good way to have to work.”

If one were to call it work. The Posts prefer to call it their passion.

Mill 1 at Open Square Blends History with Modern Look and Feel

By
mill1-feature-0817a
Meetings & Conventions Sections

Echoes from the Past

John Aubin

John Aubin says the space in Mill 1 at Open Square is modern, but also comfortable.

It’s called ‘industrial modern.’

That’s the phrase attached to a genre of interior design, one that takes cues from old factories and industrial spaces — or uses such facilities themselves — and blends them with modern fixtures and furniture to create a unique working and playing environment that blends the past with the present.

That look and feel — which John Aubin, owner, developer, and chief designer at Open Square in Holyoke, also described with the phrases ‘accessible modern’ and ‘comfortable modern’ — are becoming increasingly popular with a host of constituencies. They include people in business, and especially those involved in creative work, who find such spaces inspiring and conducive to imagination and forward thinking.

And Aubin believes this helps explain why Mill 1 at Open Square, the meeting and event space he carved out of one of oldest mill buildings in Holyoke, has become popular not only as a wedding-reception site — there are 40 to 50 of those a year — but also as a place for strategic-planning sessions and other types of corporate gatherings.

“A number of major corporations have rented this space for brainstorming,” he explained. “They’ll rent it for anywhere from one to three days, and sometimes it’s as few as 10 people. They find it a very creative space; they’ll set up whiteboards and displays, and they’ll just brainstorm.”

Indeed, over the past several years, several regional and national corporations, including Hasbro, PepsiCo, and the New York City-based global design firm IDEO, have found Mill 1, said Aubin, who put extra emphasis on the word found. That’s because there hasn’t been much, if any, direct marketing of this space to the business community, and many who have chosen it have done so after Internet searches of unique meeting facilities.

A number of major corporations have rented this space for brainstorming. They’ll rent it for anywhere from one to three days, and sometimes it’s as few as 10 people. They find it a very creative space; they’ll set up whiteboards and displays, and they’ll just brainstorm.”

Overall, the Mill 1 space, which came online roughly at this start of this decade, has shown itself to be quite versatile, hosting everything from performances of the Enchanted Circle Theatre to Common Capital’s annual meeting; from the EDC’s announcement of the new branding slogan for the region (‘Western Mass’), to induction ceremonies hosted by the Volleyball Hall of Fame, headquartered just a few blocks away. Deerfield-based Yankee Candle has even used it as a staging area for a photo shoot involving its products.

“Around this time of year, late July, they shot their Christmas catalog here,” said Maggie Bergin, communications director for Open Square Properties. “It was weird … you walked in, and there was a living room and a den; they created little scenes, and they had actors and models come in, and they’d shoot people enjoying Yankee Candle products.”

This versatility is due to the fact that the space is, in many ways, like a blank canvas to be filled in by those who rent it out for a day, or two, or for just a few hours. In fact, there is an actual blank canvas in the form of a white wall, 11 feet by 40, at one end of the room. Companies have used it to project images such as charts with sales projections, and marrying couples have used it to post pictures that tell the stories of their lives.

The International Volleyball Hall of Fame’s induction ceremonies

The International Volleyball Hall of Fame’s induction ceremonies have been one of many events and meetings staged at Mill 1.

“It’s a neutral canvas onto which people can apply their vision,” said Bergin. “Sometimes, a country-club feeling or something traditional works for businesses when it comes to conferences and social gatherings, but others want a more modern feel or something that isn’t already stamped with a particular look or feel. And I think that’s why we’ve had companies coming here for creative work with their staff.”

For this issue and its focus on meetings and conventions, BusinessWest paid a visit to the blank canvas that is Mill 1 to learn about the many ways that clients, and especially businesses, are coloring things in and thus bringing a new dimension to their corporate outings.

Weaving in Some History

When asked about the history of Mill 1 and, specifically, the space converted into a meeting and event facility, Aubin started by pointing to the floor — the one painstakingly refurbished and brought to an admired luster with the application of four coats of industrial-strength polyurethane.

“This was called the loom room; there were two holes in the floor where a belt looped through,” he explained. “And there were holes in the beam in the ceiling that held pulleys; the belts would loop up and back and connect to looms.

“There’s a loom room in Lowell that’s still active,” he went on, referring to the industrial city north and west of Boston that, like Holyoke, was a textile-manufacturing hub (paper making came later in Holyoke). “They have these massive machines with the original belts spinning; they give you earplugs, and the noise is deafening with earplugs — I don’t know how anyone could work there without them.”

The loom room at Mill 1 is quiet now, obviously, except during events, but there are echoes from the past that can be seen and felt. The brick walls, a foundation of the ‘industrial modern’ look, are obviously prevalent, and the many windows present views of today’s Holyoke, but also, and especially, its past, with mill buildings, canals, and the bridges over them coming into focus.

We chose Mill 1 at Open Square because it was a true taste of Holyoke’s history and a glimpse into what life was like back in the 1890s when Holyoke was heavy into manufacturing and volleyball just invented.”

The views at Mill 1 are a selling point, but it’s the interior space itself that draws clients, especially businesses like Pepsi and institutions like the Volleball Hall of Fame, said Aubin, adding that those two words, ‘industrial’ and ‘modern,’ coupled with the history that is so palpable, create a unique venue.

Consider these comments from George Mulry, executive director of the Volleyball Hall of Fame: “We chose Mill 1 at Open Square because it was a true taste of Holyoke’s history and a glimpse into what life was like back in the 1890s when Holyoke was heavy into manufacturing and volleyball just invented.”

This is what Aubin had in mind when he set about creating this space. Well, sort of.

The space inside what’s known as Mill 1 — then wide-open, not finished or polished — was being rented out on an occasional, informal basis, mostly for community-based endeavors and events, said Aubin. From these events, the team at Open Square saw considerable potential for a far more refined space that could host weddings and other gatherings and become an important revenue stream for the larger mill-redevelopment initiative.

Mill 1, with its ‘industrial modern’ look

Mill 1, with its ‘industrial modern’ look, has become a popular site for companies looking to do some brainstorming.

“But we knew we needed to make a considerable investment in that space,” said Aubin, adding that one was made, and it has certainly given the facility that ‘industrial modern,’ ‘blank canvas’ look and feel.

Work was undertaken including refurbished floors, new glass in the windows, construction of an accompanying kitchen, and other facilities, such as a bar (designed by Aubin) that was fashioned from cypress wood used to make a water tower that once sat atop one of the mills in the complex.

Like the bar, the Mill 1 space blends old with modern to create an environment that resonates with people, said Aubin.

“It’s modern materials and a modern look, but it’s very comfortable to be in,” he told BusinessWest. “A lot of modern stuff looks great in pictures, but then people think, ‘if I sat in there, I’d feel like I was from outer space.”

The venue has certainly become popular with marrying couples — Mill 1 made BuzzFeed’s list of the 15 best wedding venues in the country for under $3,000 in 2015 — but, as noted, the business community is finding it as well.

And, moving forward, Aubin says there are a number of factors that should inspire more corporate business.

They include affordability and the uniqueness of the space, he noted, but also Open Square’s status as a zero-net-energy venue (actually, it produces more energy than it consumes through use of hydroelectric generators), a character trait that may resonate with environmentally conscious businesses and business owners.

And then, there’s accessibility, in the form of the train service that has returned to Holyoke after being absent for several decades. The Vermonter, a north-south line, stops in the town once a day, and the city’s new train station is only a few hundred yards from Open Square.

The service is limited, although it is due to be expanded in 2018, Aubin noted, adding that the train does make Holyoke and Mill 1 more accessible to companies in the Northeast corridor, including those in New York.

“We’ve already had some companies come up to do some photo shoots — it’s much less expensive to do that here than in New York,” he explained. “And we’re hoping that the train makes it easier for people to get to us.”

Looming Large

Aubin and Bergin both noted that there are many unique spots within the broad Open Square complex for wedding photos. These include the bridges and canals, the wide-open hallways on the office floors in nearby Mill 4, the brightly painted doors on some of the mills, the stairwells in those facilities, and many more.

And not only do marrying couples and their bridal parties find all of them, but they identify new ones seemingly with every ceremony.

This is what happens when the past and the present come together in ways that inspire optimism about the future and foster determination to turn dreams into reality.

It works for couples on their proverbial big day, and, increasingly, it works for companies of all sizes trying to generate some creative thinking.

This is the power of ‘industrial modern,’ and it certainly bodes well for Mill 1 at Open Square.

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

MGM Ushers In a New Era at the MassMutual Center

By
mgmfeature-0817a
Meetings & Conventions Sections

Meeting Expectations

mmcdpartOn July 1, MGM Springfield took over exclusive venue management at the MassMutual Center, thus beginning an intriguing new chapter in the history of a facility that was first opened almost a half-century ago and was expanded in 2005. The hope and expectation, locally and at the state level, is that MGM’s name, reputation, and strong track record in the entertainment industry will enable the facility to realize its considerable potential.

Alex Dixon calls it “a sleeping giant we plan to unleash.”

He was referring to the MassMutual Center, or the MMC, as it’s sometimes called, in downtown Springfield. And with those few words, Dixon, general manager for MGM Springfield, actually said quite a bit.

With ‘sleeping giant,’ he succinctly and poignantly noted both the MMC’s considerable potential as an event and convention venue — and the fact that, since it opened in 2005, not all of that potential has been realized. In fact, ‘underperforming’ is the word you often hear in relation to the track record for this facility, created through a $70 million investment from the state and now part of the portfolio of venues owned and overseen by the Mass. Convention Center Authority (MCCA).

We have an extremely walkable downtown, easy access off I-91, a great hotel product, and an emerging entertainment corridor. If you stand at the corner of State and Main streets and look to your left and right, you can see the palette that’s there for a bustling corridor over the next several years.”

And that reference to waking it up, to “unleashing” it? That was an equally effective and economical means to sum up the hope — most would actually categorize it as an expectation — that MGM, now venue manager at the MMC, will, through its name, reputation, resources, and the $950 million casino it is building across the street, enable the facility to elevate its game.

Dixon, who arrived in Springfield just a few months ago from the Horseshoe Baltimore Casino, understands these expectations, and believes they are realistic. More to the point, he knows that it is now part of his job description to make them reality.

And he believes a confluence of factors, from MGM’s track record in the entertainment business to the game-changing nature of the casino when it comes to drawing meeting and convention goers to Springfield’s broad, ongoing resurgence, will allow him to succeed with that mission.

“We have an extremely walkable downtown, easy access off I-91, a great hotel product, and an emerging entertainment corridor,” he said in offering a partial list of the city’s many assets. “If you stand at the corner of State and Main streets and look to your left and right, you can see the palette that’s there for a bustling corridor over the next several years.”

Nate Little, director of Communications & External Relations for the MCCA, agreed, and said MGM Springfield’s management — and the neighboring casino — should enable the MMC to improve its performance in what has always been an extremely competitive market for events and conventions in the Northeast.

Alex Dixon

Alex Dixon says MGM — and a host of other constituencies — are looking forward to the next chapter in the story of the MassMutual Center.

“With MGM’s pipeline of talent and leadership in the entertainment industry, we hope and expect that the company will bring an entirely new level of performance to the MassMutual Center,” he told BusinessWest. “And with the resort opening across the street, there is a good chance for a kind of symbiosis; we expect and hope that it will be a beneficial relationship.”

Both Dixon and Little said it will take time for the MMC to ramp up and dramatically improve its overall performance, in large part because many events are booked several years out. But Dixon noted that there are already signs of progress, especially when it comes to the number of inquiries about the facility and available dates.

“I’m pleasantly surprised by the number of in-bound calls already, well in advance of having a sales team in place,” he said. “There are a number of people expressing interest in the facility.”

For this issue and its focus on meetings and conventions, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at MGM’s role as manager of the MassMutual Center and what it means for the future of that all-important regional asset.

Dates with Destiny

When it was announced back in February that MGM had finalized a deal to take over exclusive management of the MMC, staff members at the facility became some of the very first MGM employees in Springfield.

“They’re our first team members,” said Dixon, noting that the occasion was a milestone of sorts and part of an ongoing, quite comprehensive transition to put the MMC onto MGM’s systems and fully integrate that facility with the casino resort complex due to go online roughly 13 months from now.

We’re really getting our house in order so that we can put our best face forward once we begin to market the facility as one big campus.”

“We’re really getting our house in order so that we can put our best face forward once we begin to market the facility as one big campus,” said Dixon, adding that such work will continue for several more months.

It represents a key turning point in the history of the facility previously known as the Springfield Civic Center, which opened 45 years ago and underwent a significant expansion and renovation project starting in 2003.

That project, which included renovation of the arena and the addition of 100,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, was strongly supported by area legislators, especially those representing Springfield, on the theory that it would be a key component in efforts to bring greater vibrancy to the city’s downtown and become a catalyst for progress in a city suffering economic decline and on the brink of receivership.

But while the MMC has had its moments over the years and has played host to a wide variety of events and meetings — everything from college commencements to Bay Path University’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference to the Western Mass. Business & Innovation Expo (scheduled for Nov. 2) — it has not, by most barometers, performed as the MCCA hoped it would.

Indeed, Little said that other venues in the MCCA portfolio, such as the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, are running events — or “are occupied,” as he put it — between 50% and 60% of the days in a year. That is roughly the industry standard and a good number, because many events require setup before and cleanup after they happen. Meanwhile, the MassMutual Center has historically performed well under those numbers, although he didn’t have exact figures at his disposal.

It was with an eye toward improving this track record that the MCCA awarded a contract involving joint management of the facility to MGM Springfield and Spectra (formerly Global Spectrum) last year, with the understanding that the former would eventually assume exclusive venue management, with Spectra continuing to handle the food and beverage side of the operation. That happened on July 1.

Earlier this year, employers at the MassMutual Center became the first MGM team members in Springfield

Earlier this year, employers at the MassMutual Center became the first MGM team members in Springfield, and there were was a ceremony at the MMC to mark the occasion. MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis is second from left; General Manager Alex Dixon is at far right.

Elaborating, Little said the market for events, meetings, and conventions, especially in smaller markets like Springfield, is extremely competitive. The hope and, again, the expectation, is that MGM Springfield’s management will provide a strong leg up in this marketplace.

“The huge advantage to having MGM on the scene is that there are very few venues of that regional size and quality that are attached to a name like MGM,” he said. “We think that’s going to be a huge benefit for us, and the goal all along was to maximize the performance of the MMC, which we think has huge potential as a venue.

“And we can’t imagine anyone better than MGM to help us unlock that potential,” he went on, adding that the simple goal is to have the building be used much more than it is currently being used.

Gathering Momentum

For his part, Dixon isn’t particularly interested in past performance at the MMC, although he is aware of it. Instead, he’s clearly focused on the present and future.

“We’re looking forward to the next chapter,” he told BusinessWest, adding that MGM has already commenced writing it.

As he discussed this next chapter, Dixon said there are many pieces to this puzzle, including work to ensure the highest quality for events already on the books — many were scheduled months if not years ago — while also going about filling more dates on the calendar.

And MGM will bring vast experience and resources to both sides of this equation, he said.

MassMutual Center employees celebrate their entry into the MGM family.

MassMutual Center employees celebrate their entry into the MGM family.

“This year, we’re really going to be enhancing what we already have,” he said, referring to everything from scheduled banquets to presentation of the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey team as it gets set to begin its second season. “And over the next year, we’ll be working to get the frequency and quality of events firing on all cylinders; we are working hard to make sure we get this right.”

By that, he meant both the quantity and quality aspects to this mission to improve the performance of MMC and fulfill an obligation within the host-community agreement to produce four marquee events a year in Springfield.

But Dixon said he considers those events to be merely a baseline, and he anticipates bringing more and better events to the city across the wide spectrum of entertainment. And he said the city has many things going for it in this regard, starting with the MMC itself, which has “great bones and a great staff.”

Beyond that, there is the casino complex itself, a comprehensive “downtown refresh,” as he called it, with many moving parts, and a partner at the state level (the MCCA) willing to invest time, talent, and resources into efforts to take the MMC to the next level.

“Considering all that, you can’t help but be positive about the days ahead,” said Dixon. “We’re getting ready to welcome people to the show — that’s our mantra.”

And the ‘show’ will take many forms, he said, adding that the facilities and amenities he mentioned could help attract a host of shows and conventions to downtown Springfield, and especially the latter.

“What’s great about our environment here is that, if you have a mid-size convention here mid-week, you can really take over the downtown core,” he explained. “Between the hotels, our facility, and the restaurant product, there’s a rollout that we can do that you just wouldn’t see in a bigger market.

“In Boston or some of the other larger markets, you’re a drop in the bucket,” he went on. “Here, we can roll out the red carpet. I’m a big believer in using what you have to the best of your ability. We’re going to hustle to find mid-week convention business, and we’re going to hopefully unlock some groups and businesses that have gone elsewhere.”

At the same time, he went on, MGM and partnering groups will work to convince area organizations that might historically look outside this region (and specifically downtown Springfield) for sites for corporate retreats and other gatherings to “conduct business at home.”

Conventional Thinking

This reference to ‘home’ brings Dixon to what would have to be considered the big picture, or at least the bigger picture.

“Everyone is not just rooting for the success of the building, the MassMutual Center, they’re rooting for the success of Springfield,” he explained. “And if you get that right, it creates a momentum that just builds on itself.”

Creating momentum is what state leaders had in mind when they invested $70 million in the expansion of the Civic Center almost 15 years ago. The facility has generated some of that precious commodity, but the expectation is that, with MGM’s name, reputation, and cache behind the facility, there will be much more in the years to come.

As Dixon said, ‘welcome to the show.’

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

Helping an Asset Reach Its Full Potential

By
Opinion

Editorial

In the dozen or so years it has been open, the MassMutual Center has a been a solid asset in Springfield — a great addition to the skyline and an important piece of the large, intricate puzzle that involves the revitalization of a city and its downtown.

But in most all respects, it has underperformed in its primary role — to bring new energy, vitality, and dollars to downtown Springfield and its businesses. You won’t hear elected officials or economic-development leaders use these exact words, but the center has, by most measures, been a disappointment as a ‘catalyst.’

Which is why MGM Springfield’s new role as sole venue manager at the facility should be greeted as very encouraging news for Springfield and this city moving forward. In simple terms, we feel, and the Mass. Convention Center Authority feels, that MGM Springfield has the ability to take the MMC, as it’s called, to a new and much higher level.

Alex Dixon, MGM’s energetic general manager, said it best, and very succinctly, when he told BusinessWest that the MMC is “a sleeping giant we plan to unleash.”

We think he’s right, and for many reasons. They include MGM’s connections in and reputation throughout the entertainment industry; its solid track record in managing similar venues (traditionally located within its facilities), continued progress in the revitalization of downtown Springfield, and, last but certainly not least, the $950 million MGM casino going up just across the street from the MMC, which will be a huge boost in efforts to bring meetings and conventions to Greater Springfield.

But let’s back up a minute. The MMC has not been a failed initiative in Springfield. Far from it, actually; it has been a much-needed addition to the region’s inventory of hospitality-related venues, and one that has brought a number of events to downtown Springfield, or back to downtown Springfield, as the case may be. And downtown hasn’t always been an easy sell for events.

Indeed, many of the significant events on the calendar — Bay Path’s Women’s Professional Development Conference, the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Outlook Luncheon, BusinessWest’s annual Business & Innovation Expo, Valley Venture Mentors’ Accelerator awards dinner, a host of college-commencement ceremonies, Springfield Thunderbirds games, and many other gatherings — now take place at 1277 Main St. And they will, in all likelihood, continue to happen at that address.

It’s the other 275-300 days of the year that have been the problem, for the most part. There have been some significant events, but, for the most part, it’s been smaller, budget-conscious groups that have been bringing their acts — literally and figuratively — to the City of Homes.

There is nothing wrong with cheerleader and dance competitions, basketball tournaments, and many of the other meetings and events that have been coming to the MMC, but this facility can and must do better. It’s an issue of both quality and quantity, and MGM Springfield will be of considerable help with both.

Regarding quantity, the casino will bring another dimension to Springfield’s already-successful efforts to sell itself to groups looking to convene for a day or a week. And quality does attract quality. MGM is a quality company that does quality work. Its name and reputation should be of enormous benefit in the ongoing work to prompt groups of all sizes to ‘think Springfield.’

Things are not going to change overnight — if only because many meetings and conventions are booked years, and even a decade or more, in advance. But certainly by the time MGM Springfield opens 13 or 14 months from now, there should be a discernable change in the quality and quantity of events coming to downtown Springfield.

A sleeping giant will be waking up.

Town Officials Say Wilbraham Is Open for Business

By
Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

By Kathleen Mellen

Ask Wilbraham Selectman Bob Russell what his town’s main business is, and he’ll tell you: quality of life.

The town of nearly 15,000, located about 12 miles northeast of Springfield, has an abundance of protected open space, parks, recreation facilities, and other features that can be enjoyed by its residents, and a small-town feel that hearkens back to its origins as a close-knit farming community.

“It’s a bedroom community,” Russell said, and townspeople revel its neighborly activities, like summertime concerts and community-wide flea markets held at Fountain Park, gatherings of moms and dads and their young charges at the popular Wilbraham Children’s Museum, coffee klatches at the newly renovated Rice Fruit Farm, or swimming and splashing at the town’s ‘backyard beach’ at Spec Pond, just off Boston Road.

But things aren’t all sunshine and smiley faces: As residents enjoy the pleasures of living in a small, at times sleepy community, he said, there are real-world concerns, many of them economic, that need to be addressed: For example, Wilbraham has seen some erosion of its economic base over the past couple of decades, as businesses have closed, leaving vacant spots in the town’s two main areas of commerce — along Boston Road and in the town center.

Russell says this is something the town is working on, and he hopes to fill in those gaps with businesses that are carefully selected to blend with the town’s character and charm.

“New businesses can be a win-win for the town: they bring in tax revenue, but generally don’t overly tax the town’s resources. They don’t put a demand on the school system, they generally don’t require police calls, and they don’t generally catch on fire,” Russell said. “It’s a good value when we bring business into town, and we’re very much aware of that.”

Although some residents say they like the relative quiet of the underused business district in the center of town, Planning Board Chairman Jeff Smith says he’d rather see the hustle and bustle there that he recalls from his youth.

“When I was a kid, growing up here, I’d ride my bicycle to the town center — my dentist was right there in a building that’s unoccupied now,” said Smith, a lifelong resident of Wilbraham. “My pediatrician, the post office, orthodontists, banks — it was all right there. But these buildings are vacant now, and it’s been quiet.”

There are projects in the works in the center of town, at the intersection of Main and Springfield streets, Russell said. Developers have purchased a number of small properties there that they propose to fill with businesses on the first floors and apartments on the second. That will necessitate a change in zoning, from strictly business to mixed use — a proposal that will be brought before a special town meeting in October. If it passes, “it will make the center of our town a lot nicer than it is right now, from a design standpoint,” said Russell, adding that property values will go up.

On Boston Road, another important business district for Wilbraham, things are also happening. While Friendly’s Ice Cream has long had its corporate headquarters there, there’s a new Balise Ford dealership, a remodeled Lia Toyota dealership, a Home Depot, and a Big Y Supermarket. Also, a new transfer station for trash is about to reopen in a spot that’s been unoccupied for some time — and that, Russell said, will be good for the town.

“There will be an improvement for the building, we’ll have a discount for our own tipping, and the town will enjoy a tipping fee. This is a revenue strain that doesn’t come from the residents’ tax bills.”

Down the Road

Even with all that, there are still vacancies on Boston Road waiting to be filled, and Smith says the Planning Board is looking at a number of ways to address them, including adjusting the zoning bylaws to accommodate some types of businesses that haven’t been allowed to open in town for several years.

“We’ve had moratoriums on certain things because the architects of the town have wanted it to look a certain way — the idyllic New England town,” Smith said. “They didn’t want gas stations, and they didn’t want used-car lots.” But now, the Planning Board is suggesting that some of those bans be lifted.

Chalk it up to changing times, he said.

“When Boston Road was laid out, it was with the mindset that there would be some service facilities and a lot of retail opportunities, but those retail opportunities are dwindling,” Smith told BusinessWest. “Look at the UPS and USPS trucks on Boston Road right now — it’s all Amazon deliveries, and that has changed the retail potential in areas like Wilbraham. We’ve had to adapt the zoning accordingly to go along with the changes.”

Wilbraham at a glance:

Year Incorporated: 1763
Population: 14,837
Area: 22.4 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $22.00
Commercial Tax Rate: $22.00
Median Household Income: $65,014
MEDIAN FAMILY Income: $73,825
Type of government: Open Town Meeting
Largest employers: Baystate Wing Wilbraham Medical Center; Friendly Ice Cream Corp.; Big Y; Home Depot
* Latest information available

As a result, he said, the Planning Board will propose that the town allow limited and restricted opportunities for gas stations in its commercial zones. The same holds true for used-car sales. But, he stressed, everything will be brought before the voters, who always have an opportunity to weigh in on the board’s proposals.

“I always tell people, ‘we’re your Planning Board, and these are your bylaws,’” Smith said.

One thing residents are not likely to see on Boston Road are big retail chain stores, because there simply isn’t enough traffic to support them.

“In our small-town way of thinking, we see it as a really busy road, but in the scheme of busy roads, it’s not that busy,” Smith told BusinessWest.

As the town continues to rethink its position vis-à-vis business, Russell says, the Select Board is considering the possibility of establishing an economic-development committee.

“We’re looking at ways to bring as much of the town’s resources to bear as possible to improve development,” he said. “It’s something we’re all focusing on.”

Indeed, the town’s economic health is something that’s long been a priority for the Planning Board, Smith said.

“We see the people who come to the town and want to locate businesses here. If we don’t have zoning for what they want to do, but if it seems like it would fit in Wilbraham, we say, ‘OK, maybe we should add a provision in our bylaws.’”

But that can be a lengthy process, he added, which can take up to a year, by the time residents vote at a town meeting and the town secures the state attorney general’s mandatory approval.

A case in point: recently, a local brewery considered relocating to Wilbraham, but the town didn’t have zoning in place that would allow it. So the Planning Board developed zoning, and it was approved at town meeting. But by that time, the company had decided to stay where it was. Smith says the effort will not be wasted — the town can move quickly the next time a brewpub or microbrewery expresses an interest.

“Others have approached us,” he said. “Now the zoning is there.”

In other cases, the town has gotten a jump on zoning changes even before interest has been expressed by potential business owners. For example, after imposing an initial moratorium on the establishment of registered medical-marijuana dispensaries (RMDs) — a time used for review of federal and state laws — voters decided to allow such establishments.

“We did put zoning in, subsequently, in an industrial zone,” Smith said. “But, to be honest, I didn’t think anyone would want to locate an RMD in the town of Wilbraham.” So far, he says, he’s been right.

And, just to be clear, he added, recreational marijuana establishments are still prohibited in town.

It’s important to note, Smith says, that the town’s elected officials rely on Town Hall experts, like Planning Director John Pearsall and Building Inspector Lance Trevallion, to help them with their duties.

“There’s a lot to learn, and our decisions have legal ramifications,” he said. “We’re guided by these town officials.”

Getting Down to Business

As Smith and Russell see it, revitalizing Wilbraham’s business base is an ongoing process — and one that must be responsive to both the changing economic realities and the wishes of its residents.

That said, Russell added, “Wilbraham is open for business.”

Institute for Applied Life Sciences Connects UMass with High-tech Industry

By
umassfeature-0817a
Features

A New Experiment

umasslifesciencelabsPeter Reinhart, director of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences at UMass Amherst, said there’s a tendency in academia to think of private industry as the enemy. As one of the nation’s foremost public research institutions, however, UMass has become increasingly engaged with industry, most recently through an expansion of the institute’s core facilities with high-tech equipment that companies can use to help bring ideas to market. It’s a true win-win, UMass officials say, and an example of how public-private partnerships are changing the face of higher education.

UMass Amherst may be renowned for cutting-edge scientific research, but when it comes from turning published papers into public benefits, the transition hasn’t always been smooth.

“What we don’t do well is move the results of our research into society,” said Jim Capistran, executive director of the UMass Innovation Institute. “We’re not good at that. We’re not out there working with industry.”

That’s changing, though, as some 120 representatives from advanced and precision manufacturing firms, research and development companies, commercial lenders, and community colleges learned during a recent visit to UMass Amherst’s Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS, pronounced aisles) to learn about how its newly opened core facilities can help them boost the state’s manufacturing economy.

We want all the precision manufacturers and related industry in the state to know that we are open for business.”

“Now, we have this pathway to commercialization, to take our research and work with industries of all sizes,” Capistran told BusinessWest. “We now have this vehicle to bring research to fruition and make an impact on society.”

Located inside the IALS building, these core facilities — now numbering 30 — and their high-tech equipment are available not only to UMass researchers, but to companies that want to rent the space and equipment.

Peter Reinhart

Peter Reinhart says the core facilities at IALS can help UMass researchers turn academic papers into public benefit, while helping companies solve problems for customers.

The four newly opened core facilities offer additive manufacturing, 3D metal and plastic printing, roll-to-roll manufacturing, device characterization, materials testing, modeling, simulation, computer-assisted design, and other analytical core research facilities that will be available for advanced manufacturers to test designs and prototypes, for example, that could lead to a new product, land a new customer, or add jobs, Capistran explained.

“We want all the precision manufacturers and related industry in the state to know that we are open for business,” he told the visitors. “Today, they can see for themselves what we have to offer.”

Among Capistran’s roles is serving a point of contact for university engagement with industry, which has become an increasing priority over the past decade, he told BusinessWest.

“All these companies have this big research institution in their backyard, but they don’t use it,” he noted, ticking off reasons why they should. “They have their limitations; they can’t buy the latest and greatest tools, and they don’t have the people to use them. As we’re getting to know these companies, they’re finding we’re approachable; we’re not mad scientists running around an ivory tower. They can come here for help with introducing them to new technologies and new ways to approach solutions.”

Manufacturers are listening; among the attendees at the open house were product designers, research engineers, and others from not only large firms such as Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, Saint-Gobain, General Dynamics, and General Electric, but scores of smaller, local precision- and advanced-manufacturing firms.

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy expressed to them his commitment to partnering to with industry to support their growth, asserting that, “when Massachusetts manufacturers are successful, the whole state benefits.”

At the same time, the benefits to UMass researchers are obvious, said Peter Reinhart, IALS director. “They’re thinking, ‘I can get more than a great paper out of this.’ They may not have thought that before, but this campus is becoming more industry-friendly. They’re not the enemy. They can help us.”

Next Big Thing

IALS was created in 2013 with $150 million in capital funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) and the university itself. Its mission is to accelerate life-science research and advance collaboration with industry to effectively shorten the gap between scientific innovation and technological advancement.

Reinhart, a veteran biopharmaceutical executive and researcher, said the institute achieves this goal through three translational centers: the Models to Medicine Center, which harnesses campus research strengths in life science; the Center for Bioactive Delivery, which seeks to discover new paradigms for the discovery of optimized delivery vehicles for drugs; and the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, which aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of low-cost, wearable, wireless sensor systems for health and biometric monitoring.

The goal, Reinhart said, is to realize a broad range of societal benefits that are practical and accessible for the average person.

We’re generating next-generation drug delivery, so the drug itself has the ability to target the inflamed cells. For instance, instead of the drug sloshing all throughout the body, it can target just the cell types in the body that need medicine, which keeps the concentration at the target site high and low elsewhere.”

“We don’t want to develop the next $1,000 or $2,000 home-monitoring device,” he explained, “but the next $20 device that sticks on the skin and measures information about your individual, personal trajectory.”

Meanwhile, in the Center for Bioactive Delivery, “we’re generating next-generation drug delivery, so the drug itself has the ability to target the inflamed cells,” he told BusinessWest. “For instance, instead of the drug sloshing all throughout the body, it can target just the cell types in the body that need medicine, which keeps the concentration at the target site high and low elsewhere.”

In short, IALS wants to create connections between research and the marketplace, and the new core facilities that focus on high-tech manufacturing will be a key step in that process.

Kristen Carlson, president of Peerless Precision Inc. of Westfield and president of the Western Mass. chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Assoc., told open-house attendees that more than 200 precision-manufacturing firms operate in the state’s four western counties, supplying many thousands of high-quality precision parts each year to the aircraft, aerospace, medical-device, fine-finishing, and robotics industries, among others.

Jim Capistran

Jim Capistran says UMass researchers aren’t “mad scientists running around an ivory tower,” but a practical resource manufacturers can tap into.

Increasingly, this requires sophisticated design and small-batch production of customized components made on extremely high-tech equipment. Among many other services, the IALS core facilities will assist in design and testing to such standards, she added. “I cannot stress enough how beneficial it is to have such innovation centers available to us. I am thrilled to see UMass expand the resources available to us.”

Matthew Koons of Boyd Technologies in Lee said customers approach advanced manufacturers with ideas, many of which require testing and experimentation. “This kind of facility allows us to expand our ability to translate ideas into a product, and more quickly, so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Anything that speeds the process and allows more rapid innovation is very valuable.”

Oh-Hun Kwon, director of external relations for Saint-Gobain’s Northboro R&D Center, added that the international firm, which specializes in construction and high-performance materials, appreciates the access to new talent it finds in Amherst. “We’ve enjoyed a long-term relationship with UMass for almost 10 years now,” he noted. “We find the faculty and facilities are top-notch, and we find them a powerful partner in meeting many technical challenges.”

Getting on the Same Page

The very existence of IALS owes a lot to the concept of partnerships. Its creation was funded by $95 million from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, a quasi-public agency that oversees a $1 billion investment made by the Deval Patrick administration in 2007. UMass kicked in another $55 million to IALS for a total seed funding of $150 million.

“We call it the ‘triple P’ — public-private partnerships,” Capistran told BusinessWest. “We’ve been doing this in Massachusetts for a number of years, and more and more, other states are doing it as well.” For instance, he noted, the state of New York has poured billions into the SUNY Binghamton area in an effort to create another Silicon Valley, while Ohio has invested heavily in the Edison Project. And those are just two examples.

“I think we’re doing it a little bit better here,” he went on. “The state doesn’t put as much money into it because it’s a public-private partnership. The governor has said, ‘I put up money, but you put up money, too; it’s not a free ride.’ I think that’s a good idea.”

But the effort takes more than just funding; it requires an aggressive outreach to the business world.

“I think we’re doing a good job,” Capistran said. “We could do better, and I think people are realizing that we have to engage different partners early, making sure everyone is on the same page, and everyone’s interests are heard.”

Equally important, Reinhart said, is making it easy for industry partners to collaborate.

Western Mass. is much more affordable, and quality of life here is really nice, so we’re doing a lot to get more businesses to spin out from these collaborations and get them to put down roots in Western Mass.”

“We have made the process of getting access to our core facilities as easy as we can,” he told BusinessWest. “We can turn contracts around in a matter of days, not months. We’re geared toward providing access to equipment and faculty expertise in a very streamlined, fast way.”

For companies, IALS provides a key resource and equipment they might not be able to afford on their own — and it could make a difference whether they invest in Western Mass. or go elsewhere. After all, lab space in Cambridge can cost four times as much as in Amherst.

“Western Mass. is much more affordable, and quality of life here is really nice, so we’re doing a lot to get more businesses to spin out from these collaborations and get them to put down roots in Western Mass.,” Capistran explained.

He added that the university also coordinates with other innovation centers, such as the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology in Enfield, to make sure UMass is investing in complementary equipment to what’s already available. It has also connected with vocational schools to introduce students to the latest technological advances and prime the pump of interest in advanced manufacturing.

“Whether it’s from their parents or guidance counselors, some have the perception of manufacturing as a dirty, grease-under-the-fingernails trade. It’s not like that; all these shops now computerized, high-tech, clean, and pay good money. We want to help clarify perceptions.”

Into the Future

As to what the next core facilities might be at IALS, well, it can be tough to predict years ahead.

“Ten years ago, you didn’t even hear about 3D printing,” Capistran said. “What’s going to happen 10 years from now? Technology you haven’t even heard of yet.”

As challenges go, it’s an exciting one, and he’s looking forward to seeing more breakthroughs on the UMass campus turn into real-world products, and more companies helping clients with solutions using technology they normally wouldn’t be able to access.

“Like many universities, the way we worked with industry was broken,” he said. “But we fixed that.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Real Estate Transactions

By
Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

502 Bug Hill Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $597,000
Buyer: Samuel P. Perkins
Seller: Kathleen B. Kerivan
Date: 06/29/17

BERNARDSTON

42 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Stanley K. Wood
Seller: Mark D. St.Hilaire
Date: 06/28/17

155 West Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $259,745
Buyer: Anderson INT
Seller: Barry N. Anderson
Date: 07/03/17

BUCKLAND

30 School St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Alexander D. Meade
Seller: Catherine M. Snyder
Date: 06/30/17

CHARLEMONT

42 Burrington Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Brandon T. Long
Seller: Hal K. Schechterle
Date: 07/06/17

COLRAIN

200 Ed Clark Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Linda J. Baker-Cimini
Seller: Scott J. Sarich
Date: 07/06/17

CONWAY

Maple St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Robin Karson
Seller: William J. Sheehan
Date: 06/29/17

368 Newhall Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $468,000
Buyer: Robert J. Morena
Seller: David I. Chichester
Date: 07/06/17

DEERFIELD

44 Graves St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Susanne Recos
Seller: Rene W. Fifield
Date: 06/26/17

608 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Deerfield Academy
Seller: Cynthia L. Tuttle
Date: 07/07/17

707 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Two Feathers Properties
Seller: Michael L. Zabre
Date: 07/07/17

6 Gromacki Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Timothy O. Guy
Seller: Carol C. Corron
Date: 06/30/17

34 King Philip Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Wissmann
Seller: Donald F. Moro
Date: 06/30/17

10 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $427,000
Buyer: Kirk J. Woodring
Seller: Kevin A. Wissmann
Date: 06/30/17

20 Settright Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Melissa Eich-Richardson
Seller: Kris L. Weeks
Date: 06/27/17

11 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Catherine M. Snyder
Seller: Donna M. Gilman
Date: 06/30/17

GREENFIELD

20-1/2 Beech St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Jaksik
Seller: Francis Becchetti
Date: 06/30/17

24 Cypress St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Garrett Connelly
Seller: Jennica Petrik-Huff
Date: 07/06/17

15 Jefferson Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Kori A. Ferris
Seller: Alberta M. Tolin IRT
Date: 06/26/17

505 Lampblack Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Edward L. Howle
Seller: Rian D. Graves
Date: 06/28/17

65 Lovers Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Joanne M. Graves
Seller: Marjorie J. Dunn
Date: 06/28/17

31 Madison Circle
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Sarah J. Pilzer
Seller: Cheryl A. Holmes
Date: 06/30/17

18 Mary Potter Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $283,250
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Moreland
Seller: Alan J. Tatro LT
Date: 06/29/17

94 Meridian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $257,500
Buyer: David T. Hildt
Seller: Greene, James M., (Estate)
Date: 06/29/17

19 Prospect St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Diane M. Harte
Date: 07/03/17

69 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Paul A. Grimard
Seller: Jody I. Wilcox
Date: 06/30/17

LEVERETT

19 Drummer Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Nicholas F. Gaubinger
Seller: Mary P. Aubrey
Date: 07/06/17

124 Jackson Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Julian Nickerson
Seller: Peter A. Nice
Date: 06/26/17

24 Old Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Melissa Colbert
Seller: Charles H. Dauchy
Date: 06/28/17

LEYDEN

135 George Lamb Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Ricki Newman-Benzie
Seller: Anthony J. Romano
Date: 06/30/17

MONTAGUE

59 Center St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Kathleen G. Berry
Seller: Carol J. Noyes
Date: 06/28/17

18 Central St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Orange Park Management
Seller: Orange Park Management
Date: 06/26/17

58 Central St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Sumwin Corp.
Seller: Allen Fowler
Date: 06/28/17

29 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Jarad Weeks
Seller: Donovan A. Parker
Date: 06/30/17

14 Marshall St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $268,700
Buyer: Tyler M. Pless
Seller: Nora J. McAuliffe
Date: 06/28/17

Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Western Mass. Electric Co.
Seller: Rocky River Realty Co.
Date: 07/07/17

NEW SALEM

35 Orange Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Gregory G. Gould
Seller: Joseph G. Sinagra
Date: 06/29/17

56 Wendell Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Duke L. Lewis
Seller: Peter Vanderpoel
Date: 06/30/17

NORTHFIELD

2 Adams Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: William A. Richardson
Seller: Roland E. Deane
Date: 06/30/17

10 Myrtle St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Keri Gauvin
Seller: John K. Tolley
Date: 06/28/17

ORANGE

37 Highland St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Lauren Boudreau
Seller: Sean Bardsley
Date: 06/30/17

330 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Robert A. Woodard
Seller: Paul D. Gervais
Date: 07/06/17

SHELBURNE

474 Little Mohawk Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $228,500
Buyer: Bruce A. Biagi
Seller: Michael D. Parry
Date: 06/30/17

SUNDERLAND

410 Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $325,900
Buyer: Adam J. Dahl
Seller: Paul B. Stewart
Date: 06/26/17

19 Meadowbrook Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Hyojin Wang
Seller: Richard W. Peterson
Date: 06/29/17

24 Old Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Hui K. Hsieh
Seller: Hamill, M. Irene, (Estate)
Date: 06/28/17

62 South Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Christopher Tejirian
Seller: Kenneth G. Macdicken
Date: 07/06/17

248 South Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: James J. Toth
Seller: Klisenbauer, John S., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/17

WHATELY

Dry Hill Road (WS)
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $253,250
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Robert Boone
Date: 06/30/17

283 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Donald N. Bates
Seller: Kenneth E. Handfield
Date: 06/30/17

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

38 Albert St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Rhonda K. Blanton
Seller: Evangiline O. Kammerer
Date: 06/30/17

2 Colonial Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $225,200
Buyer: Michael McGill
Seller: David A. Chase
Date: 06/30/17

20 Haskell St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jacob I. Baskin
Seller: Kimberly M. Legros
Date: 07/06/17

20 Hastings St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $214,500
Buyer: Paul R. Byrne
Seller: David R. Lessard
Date: 06/29/17

173 High St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Alexander Shyshla
Seller: William R. Quatrano
Date: 06/26/17

1380 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Luis Santiago
Seller: Iarrusso, Linda T., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/17

144 Maple St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Vassiliy Rotin
Seller: Paul S. Gryszowka
Date: 06/30/17

46 Monroe St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Aleksandr Vasilchenko
Seller: Tracy M. Lebeau
Date: 06/30/17

205 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $195,900
Buyer: Michael A. Remy
Seller: Timothy S. Maxton
Date: 06/27/17

BLANDFORD

Harlow Clark Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $175,800
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Peter Megazzini
Date: 07/07/17

36 North Blandford Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Benjamin Sloat
Seller: Louis G. Daviau
Date: 06/30/17

BRIMFIELD

43 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Marina Imbriano
Seller: Christopher J. Ferris
Date: 06/27/17

Old East Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Sharleen M. Campbell
Seller: Esther C. Huffman
Date: 07/07/17

59 Sutcliffe Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: William L. Rowe
Date: 06/30/17

98 Wales Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: John T. Kornacki
Seller: Adam Pietrzykowski
Date: 06/30/17

CHESTER

101 Ingell Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Timothy Dunn
Seller: Charles M. Hines
Date: 06/28/17

CHICOPEE

101 Angela Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Velma Johnson
Seller: Susan Bacchiocchi-Misco
Date: 07/07/17

233 Blanchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: DGL Properties LLC
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 07/07/17

24 Bonner St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Marie I. Antonetty
Seller: Joseph Menard
Date: 06/29/17

44 Boucher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Alberto L. Velazquez
Seller: Brian C. Kellen
Date: 06/30/17

14 Carmen St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $194,900
Buyer: Heather A. Guay
Seller: Sarah D. Martineau
Date: 06/27/17

25 Carter Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Phillip Vivenzio
Seller: Robert L. Quintin
Date: 06/30/17

67 Champagne Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,500
Buyer: Gerald White
Seller: Anna M. Biermann
Date: 07/07/17

389 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Louis A. Nunez-Nunez
Seller: Richard L. Lemon
Date: 07/03/17

453 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Manjit Singh
Seller: Christine T. Sliski
Date: 06/30/17

8 Dewey St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Edgar T. Lopez
Seller: M&G Property Group LLC
Date: 06/28/17

104 Dixie Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Sandy H. Tan
Seller: Maude H. Roberts
Date: 06/27/17

74 Donlyn Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Robert J. Magnolia
Seller: Julie A. Jendrysik
Date: 06/30/17

81 Ducharme Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Michon
Seller: Lorraine V. Houle
Date: 07/05/17

29 Elliot St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Bridget K. Bathelt
Seller: Joseph Chmielewski
Date: 06/26/17

5 Grise Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: William E. Grise
Seller: David L. Pothier
Date: 06/30/17

46 Hastings St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Carmen B. Navarro
Seller: Natalie V. Kolesnik
Date: 06/29/17

91 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Mary L. Mailloux
Seller: Ryan J. Watkins
Date: 06/30/17

137 Hendrick St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Juan B. Martinez
Seller: Catherine A. Smith
Date: 06/30/17

59 Homer Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Maxim Fisenko
Seller: Dale View Apartments LLC
Date: 07/07/17

103 Huntington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Penny A. Ethier
Seller: Jean M. Laduke
Date: 07/07/17

86 Laramee St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: William Soto-Rivera
Seller: John P. Duffy
Date: 06/30/17

31 Nelson St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Aaron D. Rosario
Seller: Nancy C. Rigali
Date: 06/27/17

162 Nelson St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $199,999
Buyer: Robert E. Barrett
Seller: Pamela A. Lavarnway
Date: 07/07/17

84 New Lombard Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $2,050,000
Buyer: Estes Express Lines
Seller: XPO Logistics Freight Inc.
Date: 06/29/17

20 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Avet RT
Seller: Hampden Homebuyers LLC
Date: 06/27/17

444 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Victor M. Martinez
Seller: Luke Calvanese
Date: 07/06/17

70 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Claire A. Guimond
Seller: Rita B. Brosseau
Date: 06/30/17

108 Northwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Timothy Beauchamp
Seller: Jessica C. Jordan
Date: 06/30/17

92 Oakridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Melissa G. Leutsch
Seller: Orzechowski, Ronald J., (Estate)
Date: 07/07/17

33 Olea St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Brooke D. Hopkins
Seller: James N. Niedbala
Date: 06/29/17

40 Orchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Eduard Yanyuk
Seller: Igor Ciocalau
Date: 06/30/17

23 Pembroke Place
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Michael R. Reniewicz
Seller: Shelley A. Milbier
Date: 06/30/17

31 Pleasant St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Lachenauer LLC
Seller: Ronald A. Rurak
Date: 06/30/17

128 Polaski Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Shawn K. Kozikowski
Seller: Hazel M. Warner
Date: 06/26/17

3 Randall St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $206,500
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Haas
Seller: Scott L. Lariviere
Date: 07/05/17

72 Rimmon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Christian Marquez
Seller: Yudelkis M. Correa
Date: 07/07/17

31 Riverpark Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Grace M. Taylor
Seller: Paul D. Corbeille
Date: 06/29/17

3 Robert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Edgar Santiago
Seller: Cheryl A. Strani
Date: 06/28/17

55 Simonich St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Robert R. Lafleche
Seller: Keith A. Lussier
Date: 06/29/17

96 South St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Gabriel A. O’Fray
Seller: Christopher J. Fontaine
Date: 06/29/17

28 Ward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Laurie Rivest-Circosta
Seller: Waycon Inc.
Date: 06/26/17

76 Wellington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Mark J. Dion
Seller: Paul F. Joao
Date: 06/30/17

EAST LONGMEADOW

141 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $209,500
Buyer: Bobby Corona
Seller: Donald E. Marchand
Date: 07/07/17

247 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Antonio Berardi
Seller: William R. Gorman
Date: 06/29/17

81 Birch Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Tong To
Seller: Heather C. Procopio
Date: 06/27/17

57 Capri Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $652,831
Buyer: Steven W. Longmoore
Seller: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Date: 06/29/17

6 Chadwyck Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $356,000
Buyer: Samuel F. Ferrer
Seller: Andrew C. Rostek
Date: 07/07/17

252 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Allyssa M. Burby
Seller: Steven W. Longmoore
Date: 06/29/17

44 Dawes St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Dennis L. Waite
Seller: David A. Fidalgo
Date: 06/30/17

12 Fox Hedge Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Robert Comire
Seller: Michael K. McIntyre
Date: 06/30/17

154 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Karen D. Fritz
Seller: C&M Builders LLC
Date: 06/29/17

56 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Katrina L. Trajkovski
Seller: Donna M. Cabana
Date: 06/26/17

162 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $388,500
Buyer: Carmax Auto Superstores
Seller: Gary S. Allen
Date: 06/27/17

283 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Stephen M. Reilly
Seller: W. Paul Schwabe
Date: 07/07/17

302 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Travis W. Taft
Seller: Peter J. Dimichele
Date: 06/30/17

31 Prospect Hills Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Claudio Pannisco
Seller: Kristen M. Rate
Date: 06/26/17

44 Rankin Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jennah K. Whitcomb
Seller: Francis V. Murphy
Date: 07/06/17

4 Redin Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $183,900
Buyer: Joshua A. Senecal
Seller: Sean Coughlin
Date: 07/07/17

11 Savoy Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Paul M. Bovat
Seller: John F. Benjamin
Date: 06/28/17

41 White Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $285,882
Buyer: Donna Facchini
Seller: Derick T. Levesque
Date: 07/05/17

12 Wisteria Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Derek T. Gosselin
Seller: Ram S. Patath
Date: 07/05/17

HAMPDEN

3 Colonial Village
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $212,900
Buyer: Tyler E. Barrows
Seller: Laura K. Lander
Date: 07/03/17

34 Colony Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $274,900
Buyer: James A. Nai
Seller: Jeffry M. Shank
Date: 06/29/17

55 Colony Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: John G. Hemphill
Seller: Katherine S. Goldberg
Date: 06/30/17

212 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $143,501
Buyer: Kevin J. Czaplicki
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 06/30/17

50 Meadow Brook Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Erin K. Coughlin
Seller: Bernice W. Vautrain
Date: 06/26/17

125 Stony Hill Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: Joel A. Fuller
Seller: Dianne A. Garden
Date: 06/28/17

59 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Michelle R. Bongiovanni
Seller: James E. Gagnon
Date: 06/26/17

HOLLAND

6 Roberts Park Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Roger Brisson
Seller: Robert F. Walsh
Date: 07/03/17

12 Sandy Beach Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dennis H. Champney
Seller: Thomas P. Baltazar
Date: 06/30/17

16 Stony Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dennis H. Champney
Seller: Thomas P. Baltazar
Date: 06/30/17

101 Union Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Joel P. Murphy
Date: 06/27/17

HOLYOKE

157 Bemis Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Mary M. Tapia
Seller: Michael G. McGillicuddy
Date: 07/05/17

1 Bigelow St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: KTC Realty LLC
Seller: Massachusetts Green High
Date: 06/29/17

10 Cherry Hill
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Elaine T. Stiles
Seller: Karen E. Bernier
Date: 06/30/17

29-31 Claremont Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Nicole A. Breault
Seller: Mary E. Suchecki
Date: 06/30/17

31 Erie Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Schmidt
Seller: Luis O. Isaza
Date: 06/30/17

14 Gilman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Kevon S. Isa
Seller: Maria M. Rodriguez
Date: 06/30/17

138 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Thomas W. Boucher
Seller: Brian R. Pratt
Date: 06/30/17

79 Lawler St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Timofey V. Potapov
Seller: Brian J. Cahill
Date: 06/26/17

51 Longwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $179,400
Buyer: Kelly O’Reilly
Seller: Susan J. Beaulieu
Date: 06/30/17

882 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Blanchard Realty LLC
Seller: Fisette Realty Corp.
Date: 06/30/17

70 Merrick Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Gary J. Houle
Seller: Georgette Giuglielmo
Date: 06/30/17

5-7 Orchard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Erik A. Loomis
Seller: Dunleavy, James R., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/17

17-19 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $191,400
Buyer: Andrew T. Sirulnik
Seller: Mark W. Heafey
Date: 07/07/17

288-290 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Justin Beyer
Seller: Nathan O’Rourke
Date: 07/05/17

8 Roosevelt Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Shannon Cutler
Seller: John P. Brunelle
Date: 06/30/17

78 Rugby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Mary L. Rojas
Seller: Timothy J. Avery
Date: 06/30/17

139 Vermont St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Pamela A. Brigham
Seller: Peter K. Richardson
Date: 06/30/17

LONGMEADOW

150 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Cheryl M. Provost
Seller: Carolyn F. Paulides
Date: 07/05/17

85 Birch Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Alice M. Hodge
Seller: Leon Dubinsky
Date: 06/30/17

115 Cambridge Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Summer Williams
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 07/07/17

292 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Matthew Tyson
Seller: William T. McCarry
Date: 06/28/17

22 Colony Acres Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Kennedy
Seller: Patricia Montana
Date: 06/27/17

256 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Luke A. Calvanese
Seller: Mark A. Matteson
Date: 07/06/17

92 Dover Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $426,000
Buyer: Victor J. Costa
Seller: Gail E. Baquis
Date: 06/30/17

30 Dunsany Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Thai Phan
Seller: Queens Park Oval Asset
Date: 07/07/17

153 Englewood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Kamal Gadelhak
Seller: Susan E. Denmark
Date: 07/06/17

263 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: John C. Welch
Seller: Kenneth S. Ross
Date: 06/30/17

53 Hillside Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Henry Robinson
Seller: Daniel J. Ryan
Date: 06/29/17

108 King Philip Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: James W. Burke
Seller: Mark D. Hurwitz
Date: 06/29/17

101 Lincoln Park
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Frederick J. Burns
Seller: Peter J. Houser
Date: 06/27/17

859 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Melissa B. Ledoux
Seller: Commonwealth Title Services
Date: 06/30/17

182 Longview Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Charles J. Emma
Seller: Linda L. Lasorsa
Date: 06/30/17

174 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Marie Georgefils
Seller: Jill E. Holliday
Date: 07/05/17

944 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $254,700
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kim Achatz
Date: 07/07/17

64 Redfern Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Dominick J. Major
Seller: Carla J. Zayac
Date: 06/29/17

81 Roseland Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Aaron G. Root
Seller: Deborah M. Gebo
Date: 06/30/17

120 Shady Side Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: William T. McCarry
Seller: Petroff, Miriam J., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/17

152 Wenonah Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Pamela McGrath
Seller: Inta E. Discenza
Date: 06/26/17

84 Whitmun Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $164,350
Buyer: Kyle Rosa
Seller: Finance Of America Reverse LLC
Date: 06/28/17

LUDLOW

15 Adams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Joseph V. Casagranda
Seller: Peter R. Kochanek
Date: 07/07/17

15 Carol St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $149,500
Buyer: Kyle Barch
Seller: Jose A. Alves
Date: 07/06/17

343 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,310,000
Buyer: Ahmed Elmogy
Seller: GF Enterprise 2 LLC
Date: 06/27/17

1409 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Peter R. Kochanek
Seller: Alexandre M. Fava
Date: 06/30/17

177 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Donald E. Marchand
Seller: Cathrine Footit
Date: 07/07/17

31 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jerad P. Ostrowski
Seller: Jacqui R. Venne
Date: 06/27/17

67 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Gwendolyn O. Johnson
Seller: JJB Builders Corp.
Date: 06/29/17

185 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $425,250
Buyer: Capital Design & Dev. LLC
Seller: George E. Dupuis
Date: 07/06/17

61 Ridgeview Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,900
Buyer: Phyllis M. Accorsi
Seller: Degray, Rita M., (Estate)
Date: 07/07/17

107 Warwick Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Colin R. Scott
Seller: Jeanie M. Smith
Date: 06/29/17

118 Wedgewood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Alvaro
Seller: Wayne R. Hoppock
Date: 06/29/17

MONSON

53 Bridge St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: James R. Smith
Seller: Rietzel, Ruth A., (Estate)
Date: 06/29/17

119 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: John T. Olszewski
Seller: FNMA
Date: 07/07/17

5 Lincoln St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Coderre
Seller: Emerald City Rentals LLC
Date: 06/26/17

8 Sunny Brook Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Michael P. Ghilardi
Seller: Harold D. King
Date: 06/30/17

28 Upper Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $270,500
Buyer: Jerome M. Tardy
Seller: James J. Petrisis
Date: 06/27/17

41 Waid Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Stephen G. O’Donnell
Seller: Jacob A. Hulseberg
Date: 06/30/17

6 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Kristen H. Leach
Seller: John D. Hanic
Date: 06/30/17

23 Woodridge Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Nicholas C. Welden
Seller: Curtis A. Jones
Date: 07/07/17

MONTGOMERY

510 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01050
Amount: $175,800
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Peter Megazzini
Date: 07/07/17

PALMER

15 Birch St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Richard W. Turnbull
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 07/07/17

442 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Alacia R. Hanke
Seller: David G. Ramirez
Date: 06/30/17

3145-3147 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Zachary J. Ferrara
Seller: Arthur A. Ferrara
Date: 06/30/17

27 Old Farm Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: Thomas Peets
Seller: Gary Young
Date: 06/29/17

1059 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Steven J. Carignan
Seller: Lisa A. Bonsant
Date: 06/26/17

17-19 Rockview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Tracy L. Merrill
Seller: Steven Bonavita
Date: 07/05/17

359 Springfield St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: Elisabete M. Jusko
Seller: Victor C. Lopez
Date: 06/30/17

11 Whalen St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Joseph Landry
Seller: Elisabete M. Jusko
Date: 06/30/17

RUSSELL

420 Blandford Stage Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Kyle A. Maslak
Seller: Christian A. Auclair
Date: 06/30/17

259 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Ian R. Warner
Seller: Peter Anipko
Date: 06/28/17

100 Ridgewood Dr.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $184,500
Buyer: Christina B. Demers
Seller: Patrick Lamora
Date: 06/28/17

SOUTHWICK

16 Birchwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Travis Moszynski
Seller: Amy D. Perusse
Date: 06/27/17

34 Birchwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Lisa Heath
Seller: Michael A. Westcott
Date: 07/03/17

2 Country Club Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Richard L. Lemon
Seller: Alan D. Slessler
Date: 07/05/17

10 Eagle St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: William J. Villanueva
Seller: Terrence R. Jubrey
Date: 07/07/17

16 Grandview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $415,500
Buyer: Douglas Wentworth
Seller: Stephen G. Forest
Date: 07/03/17

32 Lakemont St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $122,500
Buyer: George R. Mock
Seller: Neil H. Thompson
Date: 06/28/17

7 Lindsay Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Christopher Hall
Seller: Patrick J. Kiendzior
Date: 06/27/17

3 Pondview Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $465,300
Buyer: Irina Krokhmalyuk
Seller: Joseph S. Cody
Date: 06/29/17

304 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Stefan J. Gadecki
Seller: Alan E. Thyberg
Date: 06/30/17

1 Sugar Maple Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Garrett O’Malley
Seller: Eva Grechka
Date: 07/07/17

105 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Mark Plasse
Seller: Chronos Solutions LLC
Date: 06/29/17

2 Wintergreen Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $541,000
Buyer: Richard H. Stewart
Seller: George S. Case
Date: 06/30/17

SPRINGFIELD

384 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $153,100
Buyer: Paul J. Sears
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/30/17

50 Albee St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Armando Gonzalez
Seller: Ashley A. Nolette
Date: 06/30/17

663 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $135,500
Buyer: Melinda S. Russo
Seller: Mary A. Murray
Date: 06/30/17

1007 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Cameron Perry
Seller: Livingstone, Irene D., (Estate)
Date: 07/07/17

132-134 Almira Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Thomas C. Shea
Seller: Richard J. Kagan
Date: 06/26/17

44 Arliss St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jenny M. Youngs
Seller: Christopher M. Lavallee
Date: 06/28/17

59 Bamforth Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Kyle A. Jarvis
Seller: Denise T. Murphy
Date: 06/29/17

90 Bellwood Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: RHL Properties LLC
Seller: Clifton C. Roberts
Date: 06/30/17

78 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Serghei Mineev
Seller: Adam Blackak
Date: 07/07/17

125 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $9,600,000
Buyer: Springfield CV 1 LLC
Seller: Glenshane 1 LLC
Date: 06/30/17

127 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $9,600,000
Buyer: Springfield CV 1 LLC
Seller: Glenshane 1 LLC
Date: 06/30/17

135 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $9,600,000
Buyer: Springfield CV 1 LLC
Seller: Glenshane 1 LLC
Date: 06/30/17

85 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $9,600,000
Buyer: Springfield CV 1 LLC
Seller: Glenshane 1 LLC
Date: 06/30/17

75 Bennington St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $197,940
Buyer: Corey A. Robinson
Seller: James G. Ryan
Date: 06/29/17

130 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Robert Frazier
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 06/30/17

224 Burt Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: James C. Adams
Seller: Claudio N. Pannisco
Date: 07/07/17

100 Champlain Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Barbara Lewko
Seller: Ellen T. Moore
Date: 07/05/17

66 Chauncey Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Steven M. Kobierski
Seller: Nancy Kobierski
Date: 06/28/17

111-113 Cherrelyn St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Adolfo Serrano-Torres
Seller: Julio C. Soto
Date: 06/30/17

105-107 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Shannan Magee
Seller: Kwaku A. Attakorah
Date: 06/28/17

67 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Terrence McDermott
Seller: Matthew D. Johnson
Date: 06/29/17

36 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $144,530
Buyer: Jordan Thayer
Seller: James B. Kelly
Date: 06/30/17

74 Dewitt St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Eduard Tsikhotskiy
Seller: US Bank
Date: 06/28/17

74 Eleanor Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $148,420
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Salvatore L. Demaio
Date: 07/03/17

29 Ferris St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Isgladia S. Vasquez
Seller: Jose L. Cruz
Date: 06/30/17

43 Flower St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $217,900
Buyer: Eric Geldart
Seller: Scott D. Noyes
Date: 06/30/17

134 Fountain St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Andrae Tait
Seller: David W. Moore
Date: 06/30/17

16 Garland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $188,900
Buyer: Alicia I. Morel
Seller: Ann E. Counos
Date: 07/07/17

18-20 Governor St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Yordy Santos
Seller: Ramon L. Melendez
Date: 06/30/17

240 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Geovanny Leon
Seller: Derrick S. McCluskey
Date: 06/28/17

80 Jeanne Marie St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Mark Deroin
Date: 06/28/17

229-231 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Richard F. Mullins
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/27/17

96-98 Kenyon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Efrain Hernandez
Seller: William Sykes
Date: 06/26/17

190 Laconia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Pagan
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 06/29/17

186 Louis Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Hernandez
Seller: Gosselin, Barbara Ann, (Estate)
Date: 06/30/17

76 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Carmen M. Jimenez
Seller: Shu Cheng
Date: 07/05/17

37-39 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Candido Borges
Seller: Laurence J. Barker
Date: 06/30/17

947 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Davenport Square I. LLC
Seller: Springfield Day Nursery
Date: 06/30/17

238 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: 238 Maple Street LLC
Seller: Caserta Co LLC
Date: 06/26/17

200 Mary Coburn Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Nostra TR
Seller: Kevin W. Richardson
Date: 06/30/17

34-36 Moulton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $141,680
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Russell G. Valiton
Date: 07/07/17

144 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Wendy S. Lara
Seller: Christopher A. Mercure
Date: 06/30/17

63 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Victoryn S. Williams
Seller: Beth M. Degray
Date: 07/07/17

111-113 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Joshua M. Cedeno
Seller: Anwar Properties LLC
Date: 06/30/17

728 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Clyde L. Stancil
Seller: Ellise Grandy
Date: 07/07/17

45 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Omar F. Vazquez
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 07/06/17

570 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Martin Burgos
Seller: Raymond A. Avezzie
Date: 06/29/17

22 Silvia St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Dawn J. Lewis
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 07/07/17

15 South Shore Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Caitlin Whitney
Seller: Peter L. Sygnator
Date: 06/26/17

179 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Larry G. Ramirez-Ferrer
Seller: JJS Capital Investment
Date: 06/26/17

116 Sierra Vista Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Amanda C. Alvarado
Seller: Amparo Colon
Date: 06/30/17

18-20 Silver St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Lizbette Hernandez
Seller: Helene F. Gruenberg
Date: 06/30/17

41 Suffolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Victor T. George
Seller: Berkshire Land Co.
Date: 06/27/17

Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Melanie Cotto
Seller: Charles B. Dunn
Date: 07/06/17

21 Suzanne St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Pedro A. Roche
Seller: Maritza Morales
Date: 06/29/17

69 Teakwood Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Kaitlyn Sullivan
Seller: Lauren E. Pauze
Date: 06/30/17

30 Viola St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: Luis Sanchez
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 06/28/17

274 Washington Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Peter J. Tivnan
Seller: Bruce W. Ernst
Date: 06/30/17

10 Welland Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kevin Windisch
Seller: Yvonne Caskey
Date: 07/07/17

22 Welland Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Erik J. Berrios
Seller: Diana Vaughan
Date: 07/07/17

189 West Weymouth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Alicia Kellogg
Seller: Vanessa Beckwith-Miranda
Date: 06/29/17

74 Wheeler Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Jorge Maldonado
Seller: Shalina B. Wray
Date: 06/29/17

64 Wilmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Luis M. Aguirre
Seller: Dawn D. McDonald
Date: 06/30/17

47 Wilton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Melvin D. Williams
Seller: Keem LLC
Date: 06/29/17

27 Woodcliff St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Pennymac Holdings LLC
Seller: Nicole Flamand
Date: 07/03/17

TOLLAND

1266 East Otis Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Friends Of Dance New England
Seller: Girl Scouts Of Conn. Inc.
Date: 06/27/17

43 Fiddlehead Lane
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jason B. Solomonides
Seller: Gregory J. Massey
Date: 06/28/17

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1124 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Denise Reyes
Seller: Robert Benoit
Date: 06/30/17

38 Clyde Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Ehrlich
Seller: Richard C. Galarneau
Date: 07/06/17

33 Day St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $119,500
Buyer: Nicole Kraverotis
Seller: Denise Reyes
Date: 06/30/17

29 Glenview Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $199,600
Buyer: Kristopher M. Carrington
Seller: Morisset, Allen E., (Estate)
Date: 06/26/17

98 Jensen Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Clark
Seller: Denise Matte
Date: 06/30/17

133 Lennys Way
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $541,000
Buyer: Thuy V. Tran
Seller: Irina Kot
Date: 06/30/17

88 Lewis Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Brett C. Berchin
Seller: Daniel Bouchard
Date: 06/27/17

20 Maple St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Eric R. Guindon
Seller: Robert N. Giustina
Date: 06/30/17

79 Maple Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jose Reyes-Rivera
Seller: Laurie A. Lee
Date: 06/29/17

62 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $171,813
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Garrett L. Mosher
Date: 06/28/17

334 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: 334 Park Street LLC
Seller: B&G Automotive Services
Date: 06/30/17

102 Partridge Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Eric J. Grady
Seller: David A. Coughlin
Date: 07/07/17

6 Plateau Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Adam M. Ciborowski
Seller: Donna A. Buoniconti
Date: 07/03/17

20 Queen Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Dariusz Zienkiewicz
Seller: Eric J. Grady
Date: 07/03/17

23 Webster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Mangal Magar
Seller: Margaret A. Burns
Date: 06/29/17

42 West School St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Berthony Vixama
Date: 07/03/17

2476 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Mark A. Lachowest
Date: 06/28/17

29 Wilfred St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Cynthia S. Bonsu
Seller: Yuriy Pavlyuk
Date: 06/28/17

193 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Steven H. Dung
Seller: Yuriy Renkas
Date: 06/30/17

WESTFIELD

Angelica Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Paul A. Ruccio
Seller: Angelica Development LLC
Date: 07/06/17

9 Angelica Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: John Zielinski
Seller: Angelica Development LLC
Date: 06/30/17

147 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Joseph P. Pouliot
Seller: William L. Griffin
Date: 06/28/17

17 Claremont St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Stephen E. Barnes
Seller: Mohammed B. Rajab
Date: 06/28/17

781 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Sean Harney
Seller: Global Realty Group LLC
Date: 06/30/17

104 Eastwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Rachel E. Carr
Seller: Roger E. Camp
Date: 06/28/17

59 Flynn Meadow Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $434,000
Buyer: Alan Dietrich
Seller: RSP Realty LLC
Date: 07/07/17

123 Hampton Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Joseph N. Zurheide
Seller: Sean P. Mckenna
Date: 07/05/17

40 Hawks Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Craig V. Whittaker
Seller: Thuy V. Tran
Date: 06/30/17

33 Jessie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: William E. O’Neill
Seller: Frederick J. Burns
Date: 06/27/17

79 Mainline Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Mainline Realty LLC
Seller: NWS Corp.
Date: 07/05/17

31 Mill St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Tyler D. Ritchie
Seller: Sandra L. Cardinal
Date: 07/07/17

59 Notre Dame St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Nicholas S. Tillman
Seller: Daniel R. Kinne
Date: 06/30/17

123 Old Farm Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jeffrey C. Guarnieri
Seller: Wayne Cooper
Date: 06/30/17

27 Pinehurst St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Christopher D. Avery
Seller: Craig V. Whittaker
Date: 06/30/17

26 Pleasant St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Valentin S. Covileac
Seller: Sean A. Barrett
Date: 06/30/17

461 Root Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $860,000
Buyer: Eugene R. Labrie
Seller: Bruce D. Aldo
Date: 06/30/17

100 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,950
Buyer: Wanda J. Marte
Seller: Petro Panasyuk
Date: 06/30/17

228 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $156,500
Buyer: Daniel P. Dalton
Seller: Lynda M. Cavanaugh
Date: 06/27/17

10 State St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Bouvier
Seller: James S. Hockenberry
Date: 06/30/17

37 Sunrise Terrace
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Alden G. Chisholm
Seller: George R. Estee
Date: 06/30/17

28 Susan Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Robine J. Moriarty-Tefts
Seller: Michele R. Equale
Date: 06/30/17

46 West School St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Jose L. Deleon
Seller: Victor Rodriguez
Date: 07/03/17

36 Westminster St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Pamela S. Hiser
Seller: Pavel A. Ruskevich
Date: 06/30/17

WILBRAHAM

12 Briar Cliff Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Justin Wells
Seller: Kamal M. Hakim
Date: 06/30/17

6 Daniele Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Benjamin Jackson
Seller: Mary K. Sullivan
Date: 06/30/17

9 Deer Run Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $485,450
Buyer: Brian L. Holley
Seller: Paul J. Chmura
Date: 06/26/17

22 Delmor Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Gregory J. Clewes
Seller: W. Kevin O’Donnell
Date: 06/26/17

25 Delmor Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Keith A. David
Seller: Paula Laberge-Chevrier
Date: 06/30/17

11 Leemond St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Gobeille
Seller: Bateson, Robert D., (Estate)
Date: 07/07/17

14 Red Gap Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Robert T. Kayrouz
Seller: Kenneth F. Baker
Date: 06/28/17

5 Ridgewood Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Michael P. Alexik
Seller: Linda M. Hill
Date: 06/30/17

7 Ronald Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Tony M. Harb
Date: 06/29/17

4 Sherwin Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: Claudio J. Ferrentino
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 07/05/17

75 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Thomas Rooney
Seller: Joseph A. Pellegrino
Date: 07/06/17

1051 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Theresa I. Kszaszcz
Seller: Mary L. Waterman
Date: 07/07/17

2 Swasey Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Michael P. Meunier
Seller: Richard Ross
Date: 06/30/17

Willow Brook Lane #2
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Seller: 601 Main Street LLC
Date: 06/27/17

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

148 Aubinwood Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Douglas R. Rice
Seller: Deborah M. Leonas
Date: 06/26/17

347 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Lillian Fritz-Laylin
Seller: Ashe, Dorothy A., (Estate)
Date: 06/26/17

30 Blackberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: George Ejja
Seller: F. M. Montenegro-Menezes
Date: 06/29/17

69 Columbia Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Andy S. Kang
Seller: Gary W. Davis
Date: 07/05/17

103 Concord Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: John L. Hoover
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 06/30/17

84 Grantwood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Rosemary Marangi-Marsden
Seller: Adams B. Steven
Date: 07/07/17

15 Heatherstone Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $236,400
Buyer: Lois E. Ingram
Seller: Diane E. Kelton
Date: 07/03/17

18 Hillcrest Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Amber Horning-Ruf
Seller: Patrick J. Sullivan
Date: 07/03/17

56 Hop Brook Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $745,000
Buyer: Matthew W. McCall
Seller: Zamir Nestelbaum
Date: 07/07/17

19 Lantern Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $284,900
Buyer: Rajakumar Nagarajan
Seller: Joan A. Accuosti LT
Date: 07/03/17

86 Larkspur Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Jesse McCoomb
Seller: Allan E. Byam
Date: 07/07/17

74 North Whitney St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $609,379
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Mariaelena Garcia
Date: 07/07/17

147 North Whitney St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: Matthew P. Becker
Seller: Pavers NT
Date: 06/28/17

24 Pine St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Casey J. Dufresne
Seller: Christopher A. Tarr
Date: 06/30/17

131 Pondview Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Nir Mizrahi
Seller: Stephen R. Walkowicz
Date: 06/30/17

27 Rosemary Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $504,500
Buyer: John Doyle
Seller: Elinor M. Shuman
Date: 06/30/17

439 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $462,500
Buyer: Anna C. Golding
Seller: Pamela A. Brigham
Date: 06/30/17

15 Summer St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $369,000
Buyer: Mark Rabinsky
Seller: James Perot LT
Date: 06/28/17

100 Summer St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $561,680
Buyer: Jessica Wolff
Seller: Sunwood Development Corp.
Date: 07/03/17

BELCHERTOWN

103 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $324,900
Buyer: Richard G. Catellier
Seller: Aleksandr Popov
Date: 06/30/17

1120 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Babgen Manookian
Seller: Charles D. Schewe RET
Date: 06/29/17

23 Forest Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Katherine A. Spear
Seller: Scott M. Szlosek
Date: 06/30/17

444 Michael Sears Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: David Boudreau
Seller: Brian W. Kruse
Date: 06/30/17

329 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Janine M. Connor
Seller: Stephen O’Donnell
Date: 06/30/17

2 Nathaniel Way
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $368,900
Buyer: Jason Holmes
Seller: Lissa P. Slade
Date: 07/07/17

6 Newton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Siwinski
Seller: Keith Bettencourt
Date: 06/30/17

1 Old Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Stuart G. Handel
Seller: Michael D. Horwich
Date: 07/07/17

21 Old Pelham Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Gencarella
Seller: Billie R. Bozone
Date: 06/30/17

53 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Sergio D. Figueiredo
Seller: James J. Burke
Date: 06/29/17

205 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Maria E. Fabozzi
Seller: Sara B. Trowbridge
Date: 06/27/17

21-23 Pelham Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $228,500
Buyer: Eric J. Landry
Seller: Edward J. Mientka
Date: 06/30/17

CHESTERFIELD

46 Stage Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: James S. Kolodziej
Seller: Shinn, Joseph E., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/17

CUMMINGTON

208 Trouble St.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $313,600
Buyer: Karl D. Cyr
Seller: Ernest M. Zuraw
Date: 06/30/17

EASTHAMPTON

36 Campbell Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Gina M. Brewer
Seller: Christopher B. Shattuck
Date: 06/29/17

74 Florence Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Owen M. Zaret
Seller: Alan W. Dietrich
Date: 07/07/17

36 Groveland St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $269,500
Buyer: Rebecca Lansky
Seller: Kenneth B. Davignon
Date: 06/30/17

152 Line St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Kierstyn A. Prindle
Seller: Owen M. Zaret
Date: 07/07/17

264 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Tia Polana
Seller: Jamie R. Bloom
Date: 06/27/17

312 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Matthew L. Goldman
Seller: Beth E. Mason
Date: 07/07/17

33 Meadowbrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Michael J. Polito
Seller: Keeley G. Herbert
Date: 06/30/17

78 Pleasant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Krupalu LLC
Seller: Denise B. Janci LT
Date: 07/06/17

25 Sheldon Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Marcy Bloomenthal
Seller: Christine T. Lisien
Date: 07/07/17

GOSHEN

32 Maple Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Nadine Salem
Seller: Harvey Silberstein
Date: 07/05/17

75 South Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Erin L. Bajnoci
Seller: Heidi Chereski
Date: 06/29/17

GRANBY

18 Acrebrook Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Michael R. Martel
Date: 06/29/17

20 Crescent St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Megan Szlosek
Seller: Mary Gabberty
Date: 06/30/17

22 Greenmeadow Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Nancy E. Hampshire
Seller: Manfred P. Maywald
Date: 07/06/17

6 Greenmeadow Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $197,547
Buyer: Embrace Home Loans Inc.
Seller: Melissa L. Aldrich
Date: 07/06/17

13 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Christopher W. Lenox
Seller: Stephen J. Podgorski
Date: 06/30/17

82 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Fabio Alves-Cardoso
Seller: Diane L. Costin
Date: 07/06/17

HADLEY

56 Knightly Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Thomas F. Devine
Seller: Susan E. Devine
Date: 07/06/17

12 Railroad St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $148,500
Buyer: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Seller: Mish Potato & Produce Packers
Date: 06/29/17

148 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Plumtree Real Estate LLC
Seller: 148 Russell LLC
Date: 07/07/17

HATFIELD

Old Stage Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $153,180
Buyer: Town Of Hatfield
Seller: Horse Mountain RT
Date: 06/29/17

HUNTINGTON

Harlow Clark Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $175,800
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Peter Megazzini
Date: 07/07/17

115 Norwich Lake
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Prickett
Seller: Jamie J. Prickett
Date: 06/26/17

MIDDLEFIELD

45 East River Road
Middlefield, MA 01098
Amount: $257,500
Buyer: Stephen W. Shipps
Seller: Scott H. Bray
Date: 07/07/17

16 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Commonwealth Of Massachusetts
Seller: Mellissa A. Bressette
Date: 06/28/17

NORTHAMPTON

1078 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Courtney S. Cruz
Seller: Sean M. Glennon
Date: 06/30/17

34 Cahillane Terrace
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Katherine Oberwager
Seller: Lacey A. Moore
Date: 06/27/17

185 Drury Lane
Northampton, MA 01027
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Justin Lavelle
Seller: Crescione LT
Date: 06/29/17

83 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: John A. Loughney
Seller: Douglas H. Michalski
Date: 07/06/17

237 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Rosemund LLC
Seller: Emerson Way LLC
Date: 06/26/17

23 Fair St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $417,000
Buyer: Chenyeh Huang
Seller: Deepika B. Shukla
Date: 06/30/17

111 Fern St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Miriam Tager
Seller: Sharon Alworth
Date: 06/27/17

405 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Alexander M. Bryan
Seller: Richard J. Mahaffy
Date: 06/30/17

140 Florence St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mark Chrabascz
Seller: Hannah L. Durrant
Date: 06/28/17

59 Gleason Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Victoria L. Elson
Seller: Douglas S. Woodworth
Date: 06/28/17

32 Liberty St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Michael Zink
Seller: Mikal M. Weiss
Date: 06/27/17

35 Marshall St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Emily C. Griffen
Seller: David A. Waymouth
Date: 06/30/17

30 Middle St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Erin A. Decou
Seller: James P. Doppman
Date: 06/29/17

44 North Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Heaney
Seller: John Gutowski
Date: 06/30/17

472 North King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Marjorie L. Litchford
Seller: Justin M. Pizzoferrato
Date: 06/26/17

20 Overlook Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $231,500
Buyer: Jennifer R. Propp
Seller: David B. Montgomery
Date: 06/30/17

177-179 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $512,500
Buyer: David W. Mason
Seller: Stephen C. Robinson
Date: 06/28/17

294 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Julie C. Reposa
Seller: Michael Zink
Date: 06/28/17

58 Stone Ridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Sean M. Glennon
Seller: Kimberly J. Carson
Date: 06/30/17

Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Frederick U. Fierst
Date: 06/28/17

PELHAM

202 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Andrew T. Bagge
Seller: George E. Wright
Date: 06/29/17

Arnold Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land TR
Seller: Jane G. Pemberton
Date: 06/28/17

17 Gulf Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Brad D. Arndt
Seller: Jessica A. Wolff
Date: 06/30/17

144 North Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $299,500
Buyer: Peter D. Crowley
Seller: Elizabeth S. Chilton
Date: 06/28/17

PLAINFIELD

59 North St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Valerie J. Podolak
Seller: Jenkins, Elizabeth, (Estate)
Date: 07/06/17

SOUTH HADLEY

321 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Laplante
Seller: Christopher A. Orsini
Date: 06/28/17

40 Bridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Rainbow Bridge LLC
Seller: Stephen M. Werenski
Date: 07/03/17

18 Canal St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Tyler Yvon
Seller: Dzuris, Edward F., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/17

Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Avet RT
Seller: Hampden Homebuyers LLC
Date: 06/27/17

220 Mosier St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: William E. Burkett
Seller: Susan M. Smith
Date: 06/28/17

63 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Dennis J. Donovan
Seller: Peter C. Thornton
Date: 06/30/17

22 Rivercrest Way
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Lisa A. Kramer
Seller: Rivercrest Condominiums
Date: 06/30/17

48 San Souci Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Geraldine DeBerly
Seller: Michael J. Lukakis
Date: 07/07/17

57 Searle Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Samantha I. Couturier
Seller: Cheryl C. Danek
Date: 06/29/17

2 Summit St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: Anthony Spark-Piris
Seller: Mark R. Pafumi
Date: 06/28/17

SOUTHAMPTON

6 Buchanan Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Frederick Bachteler
Seller: Shannon M. Cutler
Date: 06/30/17

5 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $382,500
Buyer: O’Reilly Auto Enterprises
Seller: Alexandria S. Moynihan
Date: 07/07/17

Cook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Town Of Southampton
Seller: Richard P. Gwinner
Date: 06/30/17

County Road #4
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Town Of Southampton
Seller: Richard P. Gwinner
Date: 06/30/17

38 High St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kathleen J. Collins
Seller: James Wiseman
Date: 06/28/17

78 Line St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jonathan D. Vershon
Seller: Dennis J. Foley
Date: 06/30/17

WARE

91 Babcock Tavern Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Richard A. Abraham
Seller: John J. Szczepanek
Date: 07/03/17

35 Beaver Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Kenneth McGee
Seller: Anne A. Stout
Date: 07/07/17

107 Beaver Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $333,307
Buyer: Mary C. Morrin
Seller: Lynn Yanis
Date: 06/30/17

44 Berkshire Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Braden M. Peyman
Seller: Christopher B. Adams
Date: 06/30/17

55 Coffey Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Daniel Miller
Seller: Patrick M. Maloney
Date: 06/27/17

22 Elm St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $185,700
Buyer: Eva J. Crosby
Seller: Janet L. Brown
Date: 06/28/17

98-A&B Pleasant St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Nicholas E. Jones
Seller: Joseph R. Shoum
Date: 07/07/17

51 Warebrook Village
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Karen A. Genereux
Seller: Stewart Terrien
Date: 07/07/17

WILLIAMSBURG

39 Henhawk Trail
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $253,250
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Robert Boone
Date: 06/30/17

5 Maple St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $334,500
Buyer: Allison R. Arbib
Seller: Markelle E. Smith
Date: 07/07/17

WORTHINGTON

24 Old Post Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Mikaela Robbins
Seller: Sean G. Duma
Date: 06/26/17

Seeking Help for Hoarding Disorder

By
Opinion

Opinion

By Lee Shuer

Recently, a mother and daughter were killed in a house fire in Westfield. News reports pointed to a lack of functioning smoke detectors in the home as a contributing factor in this tragedy. Another contributing factor mentioned was clutter, likely due to hoarding. It appears firefighters had difficulty bringing hoses into the home due to the accumulation of clutter inside.

To help our community draw something constructive from this tragedy, I want to share some information about hoarding disorder (HD), which is a struggle that I myself have experienced. The American Psychiatric Assoc. defines HD as a persistent difficulty discarding items regardless of value. The overwhelming distress caused by letting things go leads to areas of the home being filled and rendered unusable. Despite the prospect of potentially devastating consequences, such as the fire in Westfield, the fear of letting go is still too great to overcome.

Those of us with HD may feel safer surrounded by the things we cherish, but we may actually be putting ourselves in greater danger. Clutter may create fire and tripping hazards, violate health codes, and strain relationships. HD can cause problems in professional settings, too, leading to less productive work environments and ultimately, unemployment. Overwhelming clutter can also lead to isolation and loneliness.

However, contrary to negative portrayals on television shows like Hoarders, people with HD tend to be creative, intelligent, and resourceful. We tend to avoid throwing things away because we want to keep stuff out of the landfill. We want to hold on to things that remind us of good times and make us feel better. We want to save things to give to others, not just to keep.

I call myself a ‘finder/keeper’ because the ‘H word’ has become such a derogatory label. People like us who acquire and keep too much stuff are stuck, hung up on something emotional, something unseen beneath the surface of life. What can be seen is merely the tip of the iceberg. It’s complicated. But hoarding disorder is real, and so is recovery.

For individuals to heal, there needs to be a sense that their community supports them, and has hope for their success. The Western MA Hoarding Task Force, of which I am a member, is a great example, and just one of many across the state. We have brought together peers, mental-health counselors, public-health officials, police and firefighters, elder-services counselors, housing and animal-safety experts, and code enforcers to promote understanding and solutions that aid healing.

Our latest initiative is a conference that we’re calling “Hoarding Disorder: Recover Is Real.” It will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., Hadley. Jesse Edsell-Vetter, stabilization case manager with the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) hoarding team, will be the keynote speaker.

Anyone wanting to learn more or get help for hoarding and excessive finding/keeping can contact me at [email protected].

Lee Shuer is the founder of Mutual Support Consulting in Easthampton.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Acuna, Angel E.
126 Croyden Terrace
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/13/17

Blackmer, Melissa N.
887 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/17

Bobilin, Howard A.
Bobilin, Karen G.
474 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Brunelle, Kathleen Marie
416 S. Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/17

Cook, Richard A.
19 Hampton Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/17

Craze, Sophia Frances
1420 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/17

Davignon, Colleen M.
49 North Summer St.
Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/17

DC Carpentry
Carmel, David Peter
200 Hillside Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/03/17

Dechert, George E.
146 Melha Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/03/17

Dipasquale, Uta R.
21 Meadowlark Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Fontaine, Mark William
Fontaine, Diane D.
681 West Royalston Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/17

Guillemette, Kathryn J.
29 John St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/17

Hart, David Cole
Hart, Marcine Catherine
a/k/a Wynne, Marcine Catherine
228 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/05/17

Horn, Dawn M.
188 North Summer St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/05/17

Houghton, Jacquelyn Karra
42 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/10/17

Johnson, Todd F.
Johnson, Julie
a/k/a Stedfast, Julie
1401 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/09/17

Kamyshin, Gennadiy A.
Kamyshina, Lyubov F.
410 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/07/17

King, Janice L.
44 Manhattan St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Lachance, Ernest Joseph
185 South St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/14/17

Leatart, Theresa Y.
2 Gulf Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/09/17

Lotz, Marie E.
87 Beauregard Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Mailloux, Cheryl-Ann
116 Bostwick Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/10/17

Murphy, Rosalie M.
a/k/a Murphy-Carrasquillo, Rosalie M.
14 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Palazzi, Aldo L.
64 Barry St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Silver Spoon Restaurant
Doyle, Jeffrey L.
53-C Colonial Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/08/17

Sound Solution and Auto Sports
Pacheco, William R.
Pacheco, Rebecca L.
a/k/a Cuddy, Rebecca L.
115 Carroll St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/17

Tetrault, Henri A.
62 King St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/17

Thurber, Jonathan E.
579 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/17

Warzecka, Edward
59 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/01/17

Watkins, Samuel L.
115 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/13/17

Wheatley, Michelle M.
153 Old Field Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/17

Zappone, David
9 Orchard St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/06/17

Monson Savings Appoints New Vice President of Government Banking

By
Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced that Donna Easton-Vicalvi has joined the bank as vice president of Government Banking. She has more than 24 years of experience in the municipal-finance field, including 12 years as treasurer for the town of Hampden and the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District.

Easton-Vicalvi joined United Bank in 2008 to develop a Government Banking Division in Massachusetts and Connecticut as United Bank acquired branches in Connecticut. In 2016, she joined Merchants Bank in Vermont to develop a Massachusetts government-banking presence for the bank until 2017, when Merchants was acquired by Community Bank Systems.

“We are extremely pleased to have Donna join us,” said Steve Lowell, Monson Savings Bank president, adding that she brings not only a wealth of experience, but numerous affiliations and community involvement as well. “We look forward to her helping Monson Savings Bank enhance and expand our municipal products and services with her expertise.”

Amherst Area Chamber Executive Director Departs

By
Daily News

AMHERST — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has appointed Jerry Guidera to serve as interim executive director following the departure of Tim O’Brien from that role.

During his year as executive director, O’Brien oversaw the chamber’s move to the new Visitor Information Center in downtown Amherst, as well as the expansion of its policy-focused events through the BLAAST forums.

“We are grateful for Tim’s work as executive director over the past year,” said Georgia Moore, president of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to continuing Tim’s work in building up our membership and planning new events, but we shall miss his leadership and ready wit.”

O’Brien thanked the chamber for the professional opportunity, noting that “the past 12 months have been deeply satisfying on the professional and personal level. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people, including the folks at the BID, and to participate in Amherst’s thriving business community.”

Realtor Craig Della Penna Selected for 2017 EverGreen Award

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Craig Della Penna of the Murphys Realtors has been selected to receive the 2017 EverGreen Award from the Green REsource Council of the National Assoc. of Realtors.

Della Penna was selected for the honor by an independent panel of green-industry professionals and was nominated based on his commitment to developing energy-efficient homes and neighborhoods in which biking and walking are commonplace.

Known as a leader in the green real-estate community, Della Penna was the first Realtor in the U.S. to specialize in the sale of houses near rail trails and greenways. He serves a broad range of clients to help them make choices about sustainable or energy-efficient living; for instance, he is a resource for buyers who want a home in a neighborhood in which children are able to walk or bike to and from school.

Della Penna has delivered more than 1,200 lectures in 21 states on the topics of energy efficiency and the importance of greenways. He also has been a key player in helping to build over 1,000 miles of rail trails in the past 20-plus years and has made a visible difference for green buyers in his local real-estate market and across much of the Northeast.

Elms College to Host Information Session on New MBA Programs

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College has continued to grow its MBA program and add new concentrations, with its flexible/hybrid education model allowing students a way to connect and interact with classmates and professors.

To explain all this and more, Elms will host an information session on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the MBA Office on the third floor of Berchmans Hall. The session will bring together a panel of Elms College MBA graduates from a mix of concentrations and career paths including healthcare, accounting, and management.

“By adding the panel, a person considering graduate education can hear about the experience first-hand and learn how it has affected the graduate’s career and growth,” said Nancy Davis, Elms College MBA, Business Development. “Being able to recognize and evaluate what a MBA can do for you is an extremely important part of the decision-making process.”

The Elms College MBA Program has concentrations in financial planning, accounting, healthcare leadership, entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and management. To register for the information session, visit www.elms.edu/mbainfo or contact Davis at [email protected] or (413) 265-2239.

Picture This

By
Departments Picture This

On Track

aerial shot shows ongoing construction at the future Mercedes-Benz of Springfield

This aerial shot shows ongoing construction at the future Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, which is on schedule for mid- to late September opening. The $12 million dealership, to be operated by Peter and Michelle Wirth and Rich and Amy Hess of Springfield Automotive Partners, broke ground near exit 6 of the Mass Pike in Chicopee last September.

A Different Mayoral Race

Valley Blue Sox hosted the Running of the Mayors charity

On July 19, the Valley Blue Sox hosted the Running of the Mayors charity event during the Blue Sox vs. Winnipesaukee Muskrats game at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke. BusinessWest sponsored the event, which included, from left, Chicopee’s Richard Kos, Westfield’s Brian Sullivan, Holyoke’s Alex Morse, Springfield’s Domenic Sarno, and West Springfield’s Will Reichelt. At right is BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien, who dropped the hat to begin the race, which Morse won, edging out Reichelt. As part of the event, Polish National Credit Union contributed money to be distributed to each community’s Boys & Girls Club.

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

 

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.

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Jonathan Reichert and Elizabeth Reichert v. Trustees of Deerfield Academy
Allegation: Breach of contract, misrepresentation, negligent infliction of emotional distress: $57,000
Filed: 6/20/17

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT

Pasqualina Forte v. NiSource Inc. d/b/a Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and R.H. White Construction Co. Inc.
Allegation: Negligence causing injury: $11,835
Filed: 6/24/17

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Mildred William v. City of Springfield
Allegation: Negligence causing injury: $25,000
Filed: 7/6/17

Linda S. Gorham and William Gorham v. Maple Garage Inc. d/b/a Maple Tire Center
Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing injury: $35,173.46
Filed: 7/6/17

Ronald Anderson v. Jewell Tire Retreading Inc.
Allegation: Negligence, product liability; retreaded tire exploded due to mechanical failure, causing injury: $412,000
Filed: 7/13/17

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Jeffrey Hagen v. Hilltown Community Health Centers Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract, failure to pay wages: $12,000
Filed: 6/27/17

Wanda Deitner v. John Doe and Target Corp.
Allegation: Negligence, slip and fall causing injury: $3,751.30
Filed: 6/29/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Jennifer Lee Gilbert v. Allard’s Farm
Allegation: Negligence causing injury when plaintiff fell off rope swing affixed to tree: $108,953.56
Filed: 6/27/17

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Philip H. Shaw Jr. and Ursula W. Gibb as trustee of the S. William Whyte Trust v. Wilbraham Pizza & Restaurant, LLC and Shahriar Allahyari
Allegation: Money owed pursuant to a personal guaranty: $23,113.12
Filed: 7/17/17

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Scramble Golf Tournament

Aug. 12: I Found Light Against All Odds will present its first annual Scramble Golf Tournament scholarship fund-raiser. The festivities will include golf, food, raffles, and more. The tournament will take place at Veterans Memorial Golf Course, with tee times starting at 11 am. Tournament admission fee is $100 per player, with the top three teams awarded first-, second-, and third-place prizes. Players can register by visiting www.eventbrite.com/e/scholarship-fundraiser-scramble-golf-tournament-registration-35572044944. All money raised from this tournament will go toward awarding scholarships for the 2017-18 school year. The recipients will be formerly at-risk high-school seniors from local high schools, who have overcome the darkness in their lives, now finding the light in education and headed to college.

Summer Music Festival

Sept. 9: The first annual Springfield Jam Fest in downtown Springfield will feature dozens of local artists performing on two separate stages throughout the entire day from all genres of music, including rock, country, blues, reggae, and more. The festival will take place at Court Square from noon to 11 p.m., and will feature local food and beverage options in addition to the music. Proceeds raised by the concert will go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Mass., which is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education, and advocacy.

Walk for Love

Sept. 9: Are you ready to walk for love? Join the fun at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield on Saturday, Sept. 9th for the eighth annual Walk for Love Walkathon and Barbecue. The Walkathon begins at the hospital and continues through Van Horn Park and back to the hospital for a barbecue. It is an easy, three-mile walk and will be held rain or shine. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 10 a.m., and the barbecue and entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The $25 cost ($5 for children 10 and under, and $40 for families) includes walk registration and T-shirt (to be given on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last). Free parking is available at the Boys and Girls Club located directly across from the hospital on Carew Street. To sign up online, visit www.walkforlove.org. For more information, contact Lee Roberts at (413) 755-2307 or [email protected].

Healthcare Heroes

Oct. 19: BusinessWest and the Healthcare News will present the inaugural Healthcare Heroes Awards at the Starting Gate at GreatHorse in Hampden. This new recognition program was created by the twin publications to recognize outstanding achievement across the region’s broad and diverse healthcare sector. Nominations were accepted in a number of categories, including ‘Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider,’ ‘Innovation in Health/Wellness,’ ‘Community Health,’ ‘Lifetime Achievement,’ and many others. A panel of judges determined the winners, who will be profiled in the Sept. 4 issue of BusinessWest and the September issue of HCN. American International College and Trinity Health are the presenting sponsors of Healthcare Heroes. Additional sponsors are Bay Path University, Baystate Health, Elms College, and Renew.Calm. Tickets to the event are $85 each, with tables available for purchase. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600.

Out of the Darkness Walk

Oct. 21: Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the U.S., yet suicide is preventable. The Western Mass. Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) announced that its flagship event, the Greater Springfield Out of the Darkness Walk to Fight Suicide, has a new home, School Street Park in Agawam. Roughly 1,000 people from throughout the Greater Springfield Area are expected to participate in this annual event at its new location starting at 10 a.m. This fund-raising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local and national education and advocacy programs and its bold goal to reduce the annual rate of suicide by 20% by 2025. “We walk to raise awareness about this important health issue. Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking, we save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Heather White, area director for AFSP in Western Mass. “School Street Park is the perfect location for this event, as the outdoor space will accommodate not only more walkers, but more community partners and vendors focused on suicide prevention. Elements like the covered pavilion for registration and stage for opening ceremonies makes the logistics of the day easier for the volunteers, while special touches like the park’s Garden of Angels and expanded space for activities of hope and healing will make the event more impactful and meaningful for the walkers.” The Greater Springfield Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 375 Out of the Darkness community walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 250,000 walkers and raise millions of dollars for suicide-prevention efforts. With this walk last year, the Greater Springfield community raised almost $60,0000 for suicide awareness and prevention initiatives, and had nearly 800 participants. “These walks are about turning hope into action,” said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “Suicide is a serious problem, but it’s a problem we can solve. The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better, our culture will get smarter about mental health, and we’ll be able to save more people from dying from depression and other mental-health conditions.” Planning committees for the 2017 Greater Springfield Out of the Darkness Walk are meeting now. If you would like to help organize this inspiring charitable event, sponsor the walk, or have a booth on site, contact Heather White at [email protected] for more information. To join the fight against suicide, register to walk at School Street Park in Agawam on Oct. 21 by visiting www.afsp.org/greaterspringfieldma.

Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass.

Nov. 2: Comcast Business will present the Business & Innovation Expo of Western Mass. at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The seventh annual business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast and lunch programs, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Johnson & Hill Staffing Services and Wild Apple Design Group (executive sponsors), Inspired Marketing (show partner), MGM Springfield (corporate sponsor), Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst (education sponsor), Xfinity (social sponsor), Elms College (information booth sponsor), and the Better Business Bureau (contributing sponsor). Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $800. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

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

• Aug. 9: “Find Your Strength – Know Your Power,” 9:30 a.m., hosted by Williston Northampton School, Reed Campus Center, Dodge Room. Are you curious why you make certain decisions? Do you wonder why some things are naturally easy for you?  Would you like to become more productive in your daily life? Gain an increased self-awareness of your unique strengths and find your natural talents and how to turn them into strengths. Learn how your strengths can enhance your ability to achieve your personal and work-life goals. Register at easthamptonchamber.org or call (413) 527-9414.

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

• Aug. 9: StrengthsFinder, 8-9:30 a.m., at the Reed Campus Center — the Dodge Room —at Williston Northampton School, 19 Payson Ave., Easthampton. Sponsored by Tandem Bagel and Williston Northampton. Become aware of the natural ways you think, feel, and behave through this StengthsFinder assessment test. Millions of individuals around the world have taken this test. The cost is $25 and includes a light breakfast. Sign up online at holyokechamber.com/events.

• Aug. 16: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Fiesta Café, 305 Main St., Holyoke. Sponsored by bankESB. Business networking event on the patio. Food, networking, and 50/50 raffle. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-member guests. Sign up online at holyokechamber.com/events.

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

• Sept. 13: Arrive@5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Family Legacy Partners, 48 Round Hill Road, Suite 2, Northampton. Co-host: CheckWriters Payroll. Sponsored by Northeast Solar, Finck & Perras Insurance Agency Inc., and Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors. Cost: $10 for members.

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

• Aug. 14: Network on the Deck, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Papp’s Bar & Grill, 110 Airport Road, Westfield. Join us for an After 5 event. Bring your business cards and make connections. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a 50/50 raffle to benefit three chamber scholarships. Enjoy an August night on the Papp’s observation deck. Post-it notes will be provided so chamber members can make suggestions and comments as to what they’d like to see, do, or change, so come with ideas. Cost: free to chamber members, $10 general admission (cash or credit paid at the door). Visit www.westfieldbiz.org to register for this event, or call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

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

• Aug. 14: Annual Golf Tournament, hosted by Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. A portion of the proceeds benefit the scholarship and business grants offered through the 501(c)(3) foundation. Register or sign up for sponsorships at www.ourwrc.com.

• Sept. 13: September Breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m., hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam. The event will bring members and non-members together for a morning of breakfast, debate, and town updates. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local business people over breakfast and listen to the Agawam mayoral candidates discuss their views and ideas on how they plan to stimulate local business success. The moderator for this event will be Robert MacDonald of Work Opportunity Center in Agawam. Questions from the public and businesses can be submitted to [email protected]. In addition, West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt will be on hand to discuss business-development plans for his community. Event sponsors include United Bank and bankESB. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Tickets cost $35 for members and $45 for non-members. To register or sponsor this event, visit www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Granite City Electric Supply Relocates to Chicopee

CHICOPEE — Granite City Electric Supply Co. has opened a new, 80,000-square-foot distribution center and relocated its Springfield retail counter service to 451 Meadow St., Chicopee. This distribution center will provide service to the Western Mass., Connecticut, and New York markets. “Our new, state-of-the-art facility incorporates leading-edge innovations in material management and leverages the latest advances in automation and LEAN practices. We have implemented best practices of class-leading enterprises from several industries to give us a highly efficient and scalable platform to best serve the current and evolving needs of our customers,” said Adrian Grundy, chief operating officer at Granite City Electric. He also notes the capacity and operational efficiencies of the new facility will support expanded inventory levels to better serve all customer needs. The new location is equipped with many innovations and customer-centric enhancements. The new indoor service bay allows customers to drive indoors, so that, for example, large pipe orders can now be loaded indoors, out of the elements. The enclosed storage facility prevents rust and damage to material traditionally stored outdoors. Innovative and automated picking lanes allow for faster, accurate order fulfillment to get product to customers more quickly. And the new Chicopee facility will offer greatly expanded wire inventory, including colors and pulling-head options. The company will also deliver more to more customers, as the Chicopee location affords an expanded delivery footprint for the GCE Night Train Delivery Service, which allows customers to avoid waiting at the counter or wasting time in traffic to pick up electrical supplies.

SkinCatering Opens New Spot at D. Hotel & Suites

HOLYOKE — SkinCatering recently celebrated its grand opening at D. Hotel & Suites. The spa is located on the first floor of the hotel and features two massage rooms as well as separate spaces for manicures, pedicures, and facials. The location offers luxurious treatments as well as a selection of the high-end products currently developed and created through SkinCatering’s skin-care line. “I am very excited to provide now a health and wellness option at our Boutique Hotel,” said Linda Rosskothen, proprietor of D. Hotel & Suites. “The beauty and comfort of the spa offers locals and travelers a chance to enjoy our buildings. I am especially excited to see our guests combine their spa experience with their wedding plans, business-travel stay, exceptional dining, or just making it a special treat.” Guests are welcome to begin booking services, as well as monthly membership packages.

Thunderbird Thursdays Take Flight Downtown

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Business Improvement District and the Springfield Thunderbirds announced the start of Thunderbird Thursdays, presented by TD Bank. Each of Thunderbird Thursday will feature a guest craft brewer, live music, food, fun, and games. The Thunderbirds’ promotional team will also be on site each week with an inflatable slap-shot game, ticket information, raffle prizes, and more. Thunderbird Thursdays will run from 4 to 8 p.m. each week through Oct. 12 in downtown Springfield. They will rotate between three locations: 1350 Main St., the Shops at Marketplace at the rear of 1341 Main St., and Tower Square Park. For a full schedule of dates, locations, entertainment, and brewers, visit springfielddowntown.com/thunderbirds-thursdays.

United Financial Bancorp Announces Q2 Results

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. The company reported net income of $16.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to net income for the linked quarter of $13.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share. The company reported net income of $9.1 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Kelley and Malmborg Celebrates First Year

NORTHAMPTON — Kelley and Malmborg Investment Consulting Group recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Motivated by their desire to offer a more client-centered and consultative approach, advisors Jean Kelley and Joe Malmborg transitioned from Florence Bank’s FSB Financial Group late last spring. With a combined 65-plus years of financial and wealth-management experience, and through their consultative approach, creating personalized solutions, and a fee-based investment process, the pair’s goal is to provide comfort and confidence regarding the decisions their individual and business clients make. Kelley & Malmborg is located in the heart of downtown Northampton at 140 Main St., Suite 400.

Berkshire Hills Reports Second-quarter Earnings

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. reported second-quarter 2017 net income of $19.7 million, or $0.53 per share. Core earnings totaled $21.6 million, or $0.58 per share. Net income was up 23% year-over-year, while core earnings grew 31% due to the benefit of business expansion. Net income per share increased by 2%, while core EPS increased by 7%. Net income was impacted by net non-core charges related primarily to acquisitions.

Chemetal Installs Solar PV System in Partnership with Solect Energy

EASTHAMPTON — Chemetal, a manufacturer of metal designs and laminates, has partnered with Solect Energy of Hopkinton to install a 201.6-kilowatt solar-energy system on the roof of its Easthampton manufacturing plant. The array consists of 560 photovoltaic (PV) panels, which are projected to produce 210,686 kilowatt hours of energy annually. Chemetal anticipates the array will provide up to 33% of its facility’s annual electricity use. Solect carefully examined Chemetal’s energy-usage patterns and other factors in order to design the optimum solar-energy system. Solect then worked to make sure that Chemetal would achieve maximum ROI through myriad solar incentives. Chemetal is projected to save approximately $25,000 annually on its electricity bill, and is able to take advantage of state and federal tax and financial incentives, including SRECs (solar renewable-energy certificates), which are financial incentives based on the amount of solar energy the system generates. Electrical utility providers in Massachusetts purchase SRECs to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable-energy sources.

Pioneer Valley Realtors Build Playhouses for Boys and Girls Clubs

SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) community service committee built two custom playhouses for the Boys and Girls Club of West Springfield and the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club. The playhouses were built using specific designs put together with crayons and markers by the children who would be using them. The RAPV community service committee spent hours constructing these unique and inspiring structures, makings the kids’s designs come to life.

Home Health Aide Grads Honored at STCC Ceremony

SPRINGFIELD — Eighteen graduates of the Home Health Aide program at Springfield Technical Community College were honored with certificates at a ceremony on July 7. The program is administered by Training and Workforce Options (TWO), a collaboration between STCC and Holyoke Community College. The program was supported by a 2016 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) Program. Because the grant ended this year, Skinner’s class represented the fourth and final cohort of TRAIN home health aide graduates. Sharon Grundel, director of Healthcare Training Development for TWO, said she hopes the state will revisit funding for the program. While a stand-alone course is not currently offered, anyone seeking training as a home health aide can enroll in the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Plus program at STCC. Grundel said 50 people graduated from the four cohorts, and the majority of them have landed jobs.

People on the Move

By
Departments People on the Move
Dr. Jennifer Mark

Dr. Jennifer Mark

Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, announced the promotion of Dr. Jennifer Mark to chief medical officer at Holyoke Medical Center. “Dr. Mark is a highly skilled physician with a proven track record and expertise in leading a team to success. Her focus on patient satisfaction, in conjunction with high-quality care and open communication style, will continue to be an asset to HMC as she enters this new role,” said Hatiras. “Dr. Mark’s knowledge of the culture within the organization will continue to be appreciated and allow for a smooth transition to this position.” Added Mark, “I really like the fact that Holyoke Medical Center is very focused on patient-centered care in terms of our overall strategy and how we make improvements in safety and quality. The administration is aligned with providers and other caregivers, all of whom want what’s best for our patients.” Mark, whose extensive background includes both primary and emergency care, has been with HMC since 2008, serving for the past five years as Emergency Department (ED) medical director. During that time, patient satisfaction has increased by 85% for overall care in the ED, and the length of stay for discharged patients has decreased by about 30 minutes. These changes have been made despite increasing patient volumes and severe space constraints, which should improve in the new ED that opened earlier this month. “It is a beautiful new facility that will be wonderful for our patients,” Mark said. As director, Mark worked closely with the ED nurse manager to direct operations of the facility that treats over 44,000 patients per year, with oversight of 14 doctors and 12 mid-level providers. She also went through intensive communication training and then helped teach those skills to her team in the ED in order to raise patient satisfaction. Previously, Mark, who graduated from Yale University School of Medicine, served in various emergency and adult-medicine physician roles throughout Massachusetts. She was also a founding partner of a private Emergency Department physician group where she served as assistant medical director for five years.

•••••

Michael Oleksak

Michael Oleksak

Westfield Bank announced that Michael Oleksak has joined the bank as vice president, commercial loan pfficer. Oleksak brings more than a decade of banking experience to his new role. He previously served as assistant vice president, business banker at United Bank, where he was responsible for managing and developing small-business customer accounts and establishing new customer relationships. Oleksak is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration. He also completed LEAD NY, a leadership program through Cornell University. He currently serves on the board of the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club, and was previously on the boards of the Cooperative Development Institute and the Charlene Ann Foundation. “I’m pleased to welcome Michael Oleksak to the Westfield Bank team,” said James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank. “Over his career he’s demonstrated real skill at serving the needs of local businesses by understanding what makes them unique in order to help them realize their potential, and by relating to every customer as an individual person. He knows that better banking for local businesses requires outstanding communication, responsiveness, and the imagination to seek out opportunities for our customers.”

•••••

Calvin Hill

Calvin Hill

Springfield College announced that Calvin Hill, vice president for Inclusion and Community Engagement, is one of 24 senior-level administrators in higher education nationwide selected by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to participate in the 2017-18 Executive Leadership Academy. Individuals chosen for the year-long program are vice presidents or cabinet officers in higher education who aspire to the presidency of an independent college or university. Starting this week, Hill will participate in two seminars in Washington, DC; the opening seminar will take place July 20-22, and the closing seminar will be held June 18-20, 2018. He will also engage in readings, webinars, and a mentoring program. In addition, he will develop and follow an experiential learning plan focused on specific areas of presidential responsibility. “Competition for the available places in the program was intense,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “The review committee found the nomination materials to be most impressive. They (and I) believe that Dr. Hill has the potential for highly effective leadership as a college or university president.” In July 2015, Hill joined Springfield College as the vice president for Inclusion and Community Engagement. His responsibilities include promoting diversity and inclusion among all constituents of the college, and connecting and promoting the college’s resources to area communities. Hill arrived at Springfield College with more than 20 years of experience in higher education. Prior to his time in Springfield, he served as the university Diversity and Inclusion officer for the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Prior to that, he developed strong ties to higher education in Massachusetts working as assistant to the president and director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity at Worcester State University. He also has served as associate provost and chief Diversity officer for MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston and assistant dean and director of Diversity Programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Hill is a consultant on diversity issues and presents nationally on issues of inclusion, where he focuses primarily on providing equal access to educational opportunities for underrepresented populations. Fifty-nine percent of participants in the first Executive Leadership Academy cohort (2009-10) have since advanced in the higher-education ranks, and 24% of participants in a recent cohort (2015-16) have already moved up in the ranks. “These indicators suggest that CIC is helping to meet the leadership needs of higher education by offering highly effective leadership development programs for modest fees to member institutions,” Ekman said.

•••••

John Henderson

John Henderson

The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) announced that John Henderson has joined the EANE team as director of Learning & Development, effective June 2017. John will lead a team to design, customize, and schedule the diverse array of more than 500 substantive training programs presented by EANE each year for members and non-members. Henderson brings more than 25 years of experience working for associations and nonprofits, much of it from a global, cutting-edge perspective. Most recently, was vice president of Industry Relations and Strategy for Fixation Marketing in Bethesda, Md. For more than seven years, he was vice president for Education, Training and Professional Development for the Alexandria, Va.-based International Assoc. of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the world’s largest amusement-industry trade association, representing more than 4,000 member facilities in 93 countries. In this position, he worked with the education committee to develop and launch a three-tiered, individual global certification program and continuously increased attendance at expo-education sessions. He also led the efforts of a task force to completely redesign the Institute for Executive Education. As an accomplished member-association executive, Henderson provides EANE with a proven track record of successful strategic planning and tactical leadership. His background in education and training includes a specific focus on communications skills. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the International Assoc. of Exhibitions and Events and a past member of the American Society of Association Executives.

•••••

Christina Royal

Christina Royal

Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal has been appointed to the board of directors of the United Way of Pioneer Valley and the American Assoc. of Community Colleges’ Commission on College Readiness. Her appointment to the United Way board was unanimously approved at the regional nonprofit’s 95th-anniversary celebration and annual meeting on May 31. She began her three-year term on July 1. Her one-year appointment to the Commission on College Readiness also began July 1. The AACC, which is based in Washington D.C., is the principal advocacy group for community colleges in the U.S. Its Commission on College Readiness advises the AACC board and staff on matters related to preparing students for college-level academic work.

•••••

On the heels of a recent $1 million kitchen renovation, the Red Lion Inn recently welcomed new management and culinary talent with two strategic hires: Director of Food & Beverage Fabien Riviere and Sous Chef Jim Corcoran. Both will work with Vice President of Culinary Development Brian Alberg to continue to evolve the inn’s commitment to local sourcing and service excellence. “The continued success of the Main Street Hospitality Catering, with projects like Seeds Market Café at Hancock Shaker Village, calls for bringing in additional expertise,” said Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality Group. “Fabien and Jim will help strengthen the Red Lion Inn, our culinary hub, and continue to heighten our quality, hospitality, and service.” With more than 20 years of restaurant-management experience, Riviere joins the Red Lion Inn from Studio Restaurant at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach, Calif. This marks his return to the Red Lion Inn, where he was sommelier from 2003 to 2005. Working stateside and abroad, Riviere’s résumé includes Felix Restaurant at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, Mix Restaurant by Alain Ducasse, and Restaurant Aureole at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. In his new role as Director of Food & Beverage, Riviere will manage all aspects of food and beverage operations, as well as the supervision and direction of all restaurant staff, among other responsibilities. Corcoran joins the Red Lion Inn culinary team from Allium Restaurant + Bar in Great Barrington, where his seasonal menus reflected his passion for locally grown ingredients and the diversity of his background. Corcoran has worked at restaurants throughout New York, including Manhattan’s Delmonico’s Restaurant, Brinkley’s Broome Street, Angolo SoHo, and April Bloomfield’s Breslin, before becoming lead chef of Allium Restaurant + Bar.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

Massachusetts Adds 10,000 Jobs in June

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate increased to 4.3% in June from the May rate of 4.2%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday. The preliminary job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Massachusetts added 10,000 jobs in June. Over-the-month job gains occurred in education and health services; trade, transportation, and utilities; leisure and hospitality; other services; manufacturing; information; and financial activities. The May estimate was revised to a gain of 2,000 jobs. From June 2016 to June 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 65,900 jobs. The June state unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 4.4% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The labor force decreased by 2,600 from 3,711,100 in May, as 7,600 fewer residents were employed and 5,100 more residents were unemployed over the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased six-tenths of a percentage point from 3.7% in June 2016. There were 27,400 more unemployed persons over the year compared to June 2016. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — remained at 66.7% over the month. The labor-force participation rate over the year has increased 1.8% compared to June 2016. The largest private-sector percentage job gains over the year were in education and health services; professional, scientific, and business services; financial activities; and other services. “During the first six months of 2017, Massachusetts has experienced the largest increase in the labor force on record, and the 66.7% labor-force participation rate is now 3.9 points higher than the U.S. rate,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “These marked labor-force gains should help ease labor-market pressures and are signs of a growing economy in the Commonwealth.”

United Way, Peter Pan Launch Annual Stuff the Bus Program

SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley and Peter Pan Bus Lines launched the annual Stuff the Bus campaign on July 28. The campaign will collect new school supplies through Aug. 16. The supplies will be distributed in new backpacks to children who are homeless in Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield, Westfield, West Springfield, and South Hadley. “All children in our community deserve to enter school feeling confident, proud, and equipped to learn. Yet, in our community, hundreds of children are without homes,” said United Way President Jim Ayers. “United Way and our supporters want to ensure that these most vulnerable children return to school with what they need: their own unique backpack, new supplies, and a symbolic message from our community that we care deeply about them and recognize their potential.” Individuals are encouraged to donate the following age-appropriate supplies: number-2 pencils, erasers, binders, paper, crayons, highlighters, pencil boxes, pens, glue sticks, rulers, two-pocket folders, and one-subject notebooks. Through August 16, 2017, donations can be brought to the United Way of Pioneer Valley, 1441 Main St., Suite 147, Springfield (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Western Mass News, 1300 Liberty St., Springfield (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Balise Kia, 603 Riverdale St., West Springfield (every day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or Six Flags New England (Wednesday, Aug. 16 only). Aug. 16 is National Roller Coaster Day. Donors who provide six to 19 items will receive a $20.17 coupon toward main-gate admission at Six Flags New England. Those who provide 20 or more items will receive a free ticket. This event concludes the Stuff the Bus campaign.

Single-family Home Sales Down Slightly in June

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were down 2.6% in the Pioneer Valley in June compared to the same time last year, while the median price rose 4.8% to $218,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. In Franklin County, sales were down 1.3%, while the median price rose 16.3% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were up 3.2%, while the median price was up 5.5%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 15% from June 2016, while the median price was up 6%.

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.

CHICOPEE

Maharajshree Inc., 67 Monroe St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Sheetal Patel, Same. Variety store with convenience items and alcohol.

HARDWICK

Lost Towns Brewing Company, 1643 Petersham Road, Hardwick, MA 01037. Curtis Stillman, same. Brewing malt beverages.

HOLYOKE

Metras Tax Services Inc, 12 Corser St., Suite 411, Holyoke, MA 01040. Lena Gauthier, 19 Berwick Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Tax preparation.

NORTH ADAMS

LT Requisitions Inc., 1544 Curran Highway, North Adams, MA 01247. Luis Teixeira, 500 Old Windsor Road, Dalton MA 01226. Distribution and manufacturing.

ORANGE

Launchspace Inc., 131 West Main St., Suite 342, Orange, MA 01364. Alec Macleod, 78 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, MA 01364. To create and operate a makerspace (a set of member-based shops), to incubate and support new businesses engaged in making tangible things, to support workforce development by providing specifically targeted instruction.

PITTSFIELD

Lenco Export Inc., 10 Betnr Industrial Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Leonard M. Light, 5 Andrea Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Commodities broker and commission agent.

SPRINGFIELD

Luxury Real Estate Inc., 30 Glenham St., Springfield, MA 01104. Charlie S. Melo-Perez . Same. Real estate.

M & J Enterprises Inc., 14 Riverview Terrace, Springfield, MA 01108. Gerald T. Adams, Same. Sales and service of over the air antennas.

WESTFIELD

Maximum Transport Inc, 38 Greenwood St., Westfield, MA 01085. Viktor Burunov, Same. Trucking.

WILBRAHAM

Kidney Care and Transplant Services Of New England, P.C., 2 Sylvan Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. George S. Lipkowitz, 24 Saro Dr., Amherst, MA 01002. Medical service.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

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

AMHERST

Christmas Cat Press
12 Teawaddle Lane
Thomas White

Desiderius Press
12 Teawaddle Lane
Thomas White

Ren’s Mobil Service
161 North Pleasant St.
Reynold Gladu

SWCA Environmental Consultants
15 Research Dr.
Julie Marcus

CHICOPEE

D & N Nail Salon
505 Grattan St.
Dung Xuan Nguyen

Dianne Carol Enterprises
139 Shepherd St.
Dianne Wuensch

The Hair Force
358 Britton St.
Janet Hughes

The Kung Fu Academy
551 East St.
Binh Quoc Nguyen

L. A. Cleaning
189 Broadway, Apt. 2
Leonardo Alvares

Pluxx Painting
21 Olea St.
Juan Torres, Mark Klyuchik

Precisions Barber Shop
97 Main St.
Alex Nieves

DEERFIELD

Drawn to Ecology
323 Conway Road
Alyssa Black

Matt Reopel Farrier Service
9 Braeburn Road
Matt Reopel

EASTHAMPTON

Competitive Roofing, LLC
229 Main St.
Matthew Carrier

Drisana Kane, Esthetician
186 Northampton St., Suite B
Drisana Kane

That’s a Wrap
2 Oliver St.
Mike Kerr

EAST LONGMEADOW

Coughlin Appraisers
57 Pease Road
Joseph Coughlin

Country Glass & Mirror
174 Shaker Road
Stephen Zepke

Louis & Clark Medical Equipment & Supply
436 North Main St.
Clark Matthews

Redstone Media Productions
579 Prospect St.
Aiden McDonald

GREENFIELD

Smoke Haven
239 Main St.
Yasin Khan

HADLEY

Hadley Farms Meeting House
41 Russell St.
Kishore Parmar

MedExpress Urgent Care
424 Russell St.
MedExpress

HOLYOKE

CVS Pharmacy
250 Whiting Farms Road
CVS Pharmacy Inc.

Finding-Time
583 Pleasant St.
Marie Sheedy

Gene’s Ford & Chevrolet
103 North Bridge St.
Christopher Wenzel

Grandma’s Attic Thrift Shop, First Baptist Church
1926 Northampton St.
Sharyn Kazunas

Hollywood Nails
5 Cabot St.
Quyen Nguyen

Ready-to-Work Construction
95 Chestnut St., Apt. 304
Edward Vanderpool

LONGMEADOW

Ascent Dental Solutions
1051 Converse St.
Kevin Coughlin

Boston Bay Consulting
39 Albemarle Road
Scott Soares

J & C Car Transport Inc.
218 Meadowlark Dr.
Juan Adorno

Lavender and Rose
247 Crestview Circle
Sarah Goetz

LUDLOW

D & C Granite & Marble
664 Center St.
Luis Serrazina

Family First Barber Shop
263 Fuller St.
Roman Burgos

Hair Haven
251 Cady St.
Nicole Afonso

Nancy Richter at From Hair On
733 Chapin St.
Nancy Richter

NORTHAMPTON

Dalco Custom Works
91 North St.
David Collins

The Hub Studio
292C Nonotuck St., Suite 202
Tracy Roth

M. Z. Drywall Services
80 Damon Road, Apt. 6109
Manuel Zaruma

OMG Tree Service
491 Bridge Road, #1102
Maria Colon, Felix Rodriguez

Tack Upholstery Studio
320 Riverside Dr.
Hannah Ray

Zee Mart
15 Locust St.
Muhammad Pazir

PALMER

The Computer Wiz
1605 North Main St.
Glen Whitney

Elite Wedding Vendors
106 State St.
Steven Henn Jr.

Millennium Die Group Inc.
2022 Bridge St.
Richard Sweeting

Route 20 Auto Sales and Service, LLC
234 Wilbraham St.
Stephen Dion

Viral Booth
106 State St.
Steven Henn Jr.

Wireless Wedding Lights
106 State St.
Steven Henn Jr.

SOUTHWICK

KG Enterprises
9 Salem Road
Keith Goyette

SPRINGFIELD

A-List Babes Fashions
67 Thompson St.
Jennifer Hogan

A-List Lashes
67 Thompson St.
Jennifer Hogan

Aary’s Variety
11 Dorset St.
Jahleea Tennyson

AKS Mesopotamia, LLC
295 Allen St.
Khaleel Alsaadi

Exercise in Disguise
166 Main St.
Jade Rivera-McFarlin

Extreme Appliance
95 Mill St., #77
Mitchell DeBlock

Franco Auto
248 Laconia St.
Thomas Connors

A Fresh Coat of Paint
22 Montcalm St.
Adam Hill

Gemtech
2100 Roosevelt Ave.
Smith & Wesson Corp.

JCS Auto
140 Michon St.
Julio Soto

Justin Time Cleanouts
159 East St.
Lourdes Mercado

L.A. Construction
16 Athol St.
Arkadiusz Dobronski

LeBest Printing
1291 Parker St.
Stephen Lemieux

Performance Center
2100 Roosevelt Ave.
Smith & Wesson Corp.

Royal Roots
27 Lyman St.
Kamisha Bryant

Samalot Chiropractic
1271 Liberty St.
Leonardo Samalot

Spartan Transport, LLC
62 Larkspur St.
Robert Harold

Splaquet Designs
93 Duryea St.
Shannon Plaquet

Springfield Power Washing
92 Euclid Ave.
Jose Hernandez

SavageALERT
1 Monarch Place
Millennium Builders

Tatiana Cole
17 Gillette Ave.
Tatiana Cole

WARE

Grid Iron Landscaping
96 Coffey Hill Road
Joshua Kusnierz

Pennington Painting Co.
18 Bellevue Ave.
Dustin Pennington

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Associated Home Care
138 Memorial Ave.
Associated Home Care

Banaru Electric
64 Ashley St.
Pavel Banaru

eRPortal Software Inc.
59 Interstate Dr.
Edward Garibian

Interim Healthcare
442 Westfield St.
William Anjos

J.H. Miller Framing & Gallery
86 Elm St.
James Hutchinson

Parsons Sewing Connection
2005 Riverdale St.
Marlene Warren

Perfect Supplements, LLC
171 Doty Circle
Paul Morelli

Pho BQ Vietnamese Cuisine
764 Riverdale St.
Kelly Huang

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

WILBRAHAM

Susie B’s Sweets-n-Treats
4 Ely Road
Susan Burke

Wingate at Wilbraham
9 Maple St.
Wingate at Wilbraham Inc.

Springfield Museums Schedules Viewing of Aug. 21 Solar Eclipse

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, Aug. 21, New England residents will have a rare opportunity to view a partial eclipse of the sun. This type of eclipse occurs during the daytime when the moon passes in front of the sun and covers part of the sun’s disc. The Springfield Museums’ Science Museum staff and members of the Springfield Stars Club will set up telescopes equipped with safe solar filters on the Quadrangle for public viewing of the event from 1 to 4 p.m.

The partial eclipse seen in New England will lack the dramatic darkening that will be experienced by observers who are stationed along the path of the moon’s shadow, which is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. From that strip of land, known as the path of totality, people will witness a total solar eclipse — the first such eclipse visible in the continental U.S. since 1979. Anyone positioned outside the path will see a partial eclipse.

In Springfield, the eclipse begins at 1:25 p.m. and ends at 3:58 p.m. At maximum eclipse, which occurs at 2:44 p.m., two-thirds of the sun’s disc will be covered by the moon. Since part of the sun will always be visible from New England during the event, observers must use filters that are specifically made for viewing the sun. The use of improper filters over the eyes or on a telescope may result in permanent eye damage. A limited number of safe ‘eclipse glasses’ will be distributed to participants.

PeoplesBank Again Named a Top Corporate Charitable Contributor

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Boston Business Journal announced the region’s top corporate charitable contributors, and for the 10th year in a row, PeoplesBank is among the companies included on the list.

The region’s top charitable companies, which in many instances include the companies’ corporate foundations, will be honored at the magazine’s 12th annual Corporate Citizenship Awards on Thursday, Sept. 7 at Fenway Park in Boston.

“We are incredibly proud of the 94 companies that qualified for the list. They are all outstanding examples of the impact and importance of giving back,” said Carolyn Jones, Boston Business Journal market president and publisher.

The Boston Business Journal’s Top Corporate Charitable Contributors list is composed of companies that gave at least $100,000 to Massachusetts-based charities in 2016.

“Our mutual charter supports everything we do and why we are succeeding as a community bank,” said Matthew Bannister, first vice president, Marketing & Innovation at PeoplesBank. “Because of our mutual charter and related values, we have a unique ability to help the communities we serve through volunteer efforts and millions of dollars in donations to charitable and civic causes.”

Hogan Technology Educates Businesses on Importance of 4G Backup

By
Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Hogan Technology announced it will launch an awareness campaign to educate small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners about the importance of having a 4G backup plan in their organizations.

With the vast majority of business owners virtualizing their infrastructure and investing heavily in cloud-based technologies to support an increasingly mobile workforce, businesses need more reliable connection to the internet than ever before. While many SMBs are routinely frustrated by incessant internet outages, especially in a wireless network environment, companies must understand the power of 4G Internet, said Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Technology. The campaign aims to teach business owners the power of 4G backup and how organizations can utilize this advancement in order to bolster productivity and ensure smooth operations at all times.

For many businesses, a WAN (wide-area network) outage is largely inevitable. Many businesses simply accept these outages as an unavoidable fact of life while they simultaneously cause damaging losses, in terms of tens of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, and missed opportunities each instance these outages occur. In the past, business owners purchased additional analog lines to circumvent the problem and to ensure that their staff wouldn’t be prevented from doing their work; however, today those extra analog lines are no longer necessary.

Hogan Technology has found that using a 4G cellular network as a backup to a traditional wireless network can serve the bottom-line goal of keeping employees going, no matter what hiccups arise in Internet connectivity. The goal of 4G backup is simple: to provide a secondary network interface for remote routers to access when the primary link is unavailable. With inevitable internet outages facing almost every organization, and the costs associated, it simply makes no sense for a business to risk its entire well-being on a single point of failure, Hogan said. While it is still advisable for an SMB to utilize its existing networks as a primary resource, it’s also prudent for organizations to have a 4G failover in place, in the event of an internet outage, so that employees can keep going no matter what happens.

As SMB infrastructure continues to migrate more and more to a cloud-based environment, nearly all SMBs have an even heavier demand on Internet connectivity than they did even only a few years ago. Employees have grown to simply expect the Internet to ‘always remain on,’ and without this in place, many employees simply cannot perform their jobs. The ubiquity of 4G cellular networks has helped to strengthen cellular networks across the nation as a whole, and this has become a cost-effective, minimally intrusive means to create redundancy in a SMB in short order. Paired with a high-performing wireless network, 4G backup simply makes sense for SMB owners who take their productivity seriously, Hogan noted.

“We advise our customers on how to create redundancy in the most cost-effective means possible,” he added. “Our goal as a technology advisor is always to innovate and find ways to leverage futuristic technology to increase our customers’ profitability today. We believe that our customers should incorporate this solution into their networks to ensure that their businesses remain in operation regardless of what’s going on in the WAN environment.”

Blue Sox Advance to NECBL Championship Series with Sweep

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Valley Blue Sox (29-18) punched their ticket to the NECBL championship series Sunday with a 2-1 win to complete a two-game sweep of the Upper Valley Nighthawks (29-17). The Blue Sox will face the Ocean State Waves today, Aug. 7, on the road in game 1, followed by game 2 on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke.

Zach Kohn earned the win Sunday, pitching into the seventh inning and allowing two hits and no runs while striking out nine batters. Tyler Smith got the four-out save. Mark Grunberg started the scoring with an RBI double in the third, which was followed by an RBI single by Joe Mercadante.

Tickets for Tuesday’s home game are $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and seniors. To purchase tickets, call (413) 533-1100 or visit valleybluesox.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

Western Mass. Employment Collaborative to Present Job Fair at HCC

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Western Mass. Employment Collaborative (a service of Riverside Community Care) and Holyoke Community College are partnering for a Job Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m to noon at Holyoke Community College’s Kittredge Center, Room 303.

The purpose of the event is for businesses to meet qualified candidates for their hiring needs and for job seekers to have multiple opportunities to speak to employers and partner agencies and to interview for competitive employment.

Western Mass. Employment Collaborative (WMEC) partners are all working toward a common goal: to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. WMEC works across all disabilities and represents hundreds of job seekers who have the skills, commitment, and desire to enter the workforce and contribute positively to a local employer. By attending this job fair, employers will discover this is a largely untapped pool of qualified job candidates and learn how to work with the vibrant partnership between service providers, government agencies, and workforce-development entities that WMEC facilitates.

The job fair will serve as both as a recruitment venue and a valuable experience for job seekers as they prepare to enter the workforce. Job developers and coaches will work with their job seekers around readiness skills and how to interact with employers. Students from the college will have an opportunity to be a part of this diverse and inclusive environment and see what employers from Western Mass. have to offer.

Contact Pam Mendes at [email protected] or (617) 360-1646 with questions.

Happier Valley Comedy Offers Improv Class for Families

By
Daily News

AMHERST — Local improv company Happier Valley Comedy announced a new addition to its Comedy School lineup of classes for the fall. Family Improv is a six-week class held on Sunday afternoons beginning in September and is open to any child-and-adult combo.

Family Improv gives families the opportunity to laugh with a loved one and bond over fun improvisation games and exercises. The Family Improv curriculum is guided by the principles of acceptance, mindfulness, quieting judgment of self and others, and strengthening communication, all while having a blast playing together.

“Improv is a powerful tool for bringing people together in a supportive environment,” said Happier Valley Comedy founder Pam Victor. “I’m thrilled to add this fun class to the Happier Valley Comedy School lineup. Now we can bring even more laughter to people of all ages.”

Family Improv will complement Happier Valley Comedy’s monthly Happier FAMILY Comedy Show, a high-energy, interactive event designed especially for families and kids ages 5-12. “Folks who come to the Happier FAMILY Comedy Show always ask if they can learn how to do some of the games we play onstage,” Victor said. “As of September, the answer is now ‘yes.’”

Any combo of adults and kids who love each other are invited to attend class together, she continued. “Kids can take Family Improv with aunts and uncles, special friends and neighbors, grandparents, or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We believe love makes a family.”

Registration for Family Improv opens on Friday, Aug. 4 on the Happier Valley Comedy website (www.happiervalley.com), with weekly classes to be held Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 on Sundays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Family Improv will be taught by Kate Jopson, a graduate of the Happier Valley Comedy’s Zen of Improv classes and a Happier FAMILY Comedy Show cast member. Every child who is registered in the class receives a free ticket to the comedy show.

Dress for Success to Host Tag Sale Aug. 18-20

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — In keeping with its mission to empower women to be more confident in their personal and professional lives, Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts is hosting a tag sale at the Holyoke Mall to raise funds and awareness, while also working to meet the needs of women throughout the community.

The sale is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers may peruse through the racks of new and gently used donated items, including suits, dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, shoes, accessories, and more. Items may be purchased by filling a shopping bag for only $25.

All proceeds will benefit Dress for Success. Anyone interested, in volunteering should e-mail [email protected].

Unlocking Potential: Five Successful Secrets to Motivating Employees

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — As a business, your most valuable assets are your employees. When your staff is happy and motivated, they’re more likely to perform at the highest levels. “The best way to create this type of environment is by giving everyone a sense of ownership,” said Margaret Lenihan, senior vice president, Cash Management at PeoplesBank.

In other words, get all your employees to think like entrepreneurs. “If your employees don’t feel they own their own spaces, they will constantly wait for your day-to-day directions and expect you to solve every problem,” Lenihan added.

The ‘owning your own space’ principle is one any business can incorporate, whether it has two or 200 employees. Here are the five steps:

1. Set Project Goals. When beginning projects, ensure your team has a clear set of goals. “Give them leeway in establishing the time frame for those goals,” said Tammy Bordeaux, asistant vice president, regional manager at PeoplesBank. “When they’re able to set the deadline, they’ll feel more accountable for meeting it.”

2. Establish Accurate Metrics. Implement both quantitative and qualitative criteria. “Letting your staff know what metrics you consider the most important allows them to decide what tradeoffs they’re willing to take when making choices on the project,” Lenihan said.

3. Provide Proper Resources. If employees don’t have appropriate resources, they won’t be able to finish the project and may feel like they’re not being given a real chance to succeed. “Especially if there may be budget constraints,” added Bordeaux, “decipher how much those restraints play into the success of the overall project and either adjust your expectations accordingly or decide if the project isn’t realistic.”

4. Monitor; Don’t Suffocate. “Just because you’re not physically hovering over your worker’s desk doesn’t mean that you’re not micromanaging,” Lenihan said.

Micromanagement is a lot subtler in reality, whether it’s taking back authority over previously delegated projects or just having an overly critical eye for details. “Instead, go over the status of a project by having meetings at midway points and making suggestions,” Bordeaux added. “But keep in mind your team should still be free to achieve the revised goals in the way they think is best.”

5. Tolerate Mistakes. If you want your employees to take chances, you need to be forgiving when they make mistakes. “You shouldn’t accept mistakes that are caused by laziness or sloppiness; however, you do need to tolerate a well-intentioned mistake,” said Bordeaux.

If a project does fail, you can then make it a teachable moment by providing feedback on what led to that mistake. “Always start with what went right before you discuss what went wrong,” Lenihan added, “and never humiliate them in front of others, or you’ll witness an intentional decrease in productivity in response to your actions.”

In conclusion, Bordeaux said, “when you’re successful at making your employees feel like they have ownership in the company, they will begin to make choices as if they’re spending their own money. They’ll also be able to adapt quickly in case anything changes along the way. Over time, this type of culture will increase motivation and help you identify star performers, which will ultimately lead to better results.”

Hampden County Bar Assoc. Offers Free Legal Help Hotline

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Assoc. will offer a free Legal Help Hotline in conjunction with Western New England University School of Law on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the law school, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. Individuals needing advice should call (413) 796-2057 to speak to a volunteer.

Volunteers will provide legal advice on a variety of topics, including divorce and family law, bankruptcy, business, landlord/tenant matters, and real estate. Additionally, in light of recent immigration developments, attorneys with immigration-law experience will also be available to answer questions. Spanish-speaking attorneys will be available.

New England Knowledge Corridor Issues 2017 Business Survey

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts and Connecticut business leaders are being surveyed about their companies’ outlook, methods to recruit and retain talent, and thoughts on how to address the region’s most pressing transportation issues.

The 2017 Business Survey is once again being conducted by the New England Knowledge Corridor (NEKC), an interstate partnership of regional development, planning, business, tourism, and educational institutions working together to advance the region’s economic progress.

“The New England Knowledge Corridor is seeking a great response from business leaders in both Connecticut and Massachusetts in order to collect the level of input needed to move forward strategically toward our collective interstate goals,” said NEKC Steering Committee Chairman and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Tim Brennan.

The survey is online and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. To access the survey, click here. All answers are completely confidential and reported only in aggregate.

The survey will close on Aug. 25, and key results will be released at the NEKC’s 2017 State of the Region Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Union Station in Springfield.

PV Squared Named Among Top 500 Solar Contractors in U.S.

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Solar Power World, the leading publication covering solar technology and development, published its annual Top Solar Contractors list in July. PV Squared, a local solar-installation company and worker-owned cooperative, was listed prominently among other top solar contractors and developers across the country.

PV Squared is a local leader in the field of solar design, installation, and maintenance. A worker-owned cooperative, the company has provided renewable-energy solutions to a range of clients, including business owners, commercial property owners, farmers, and homeowners since 2002. PV Squared currently employs 42 people, 19 of whom are co-owners of the business. In 2016, it completed 188 projects in the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas, installing 2.5 MW of solar power. It is also a certified B Corporation, demonstrating its commitment to a triple-bottom-line business model.

“It’s an honor to represent Western Massachusetts as a locally owned business on this list of top solar companies, and to be among a total of 19 companies located in the Commonwealth. We’ve put our hearts into our work for the past 15 years, so to be recognized in this way by a national publication is deeply rewarding,” said PV Squared General Manager Stacy Metzger.

While PV Squared is being recognized nationally, its focus and commitment has remained local. It is currently involved in Franklin County’s first Habitat for Humanity project in five years and will be contributing a solar array to the construction of an energy-efficient home in Greenfield. Additionally, it is also exploring opportunities to partner with the Franklin County Technical School to mentor young people through a solar installation process. The donation of this solar array will not only eliminate upfront costs for the future homeowner, but will also help strengthen the local community.

“This is our community, and it means a lot to us to help create a healthier future,” Metzger said. “Our ongoing partnerships with local organizations, such as Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, allow us to make a greater impact and find more meaning in the work we do.”

Sunshine Village Calls 28th Annual Golf Tournament a Success

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Sunshine Village held its 28th annual fund-raising golf tournament on Aug. 2 at Chicopee Country Club. The event sold out, with 38 teams participating. A reception with awards, raffles, and a silent auction followed at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee.

The winning team was from Kellco Products. Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services came in second, and a team helmed by captain Todd Rubner placed third.

On behalf of board president Ernest Laflamme Jr. and the rest of the board of directors, Sunshien Village Executive Director Gina Kos thanked the many sponsors that helped make the day a great success, including Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, PeoplesBank, and Westfield Bank. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, Sunshine Village will use the funds raised to create exciting opportunities to live and learn, work and earn, and give and grow for the more than 450 people in the organization’s day-services programs.