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Month: January 2020

Agawam’s Bridge Becomes an Attention Span

By
Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

The Morgan-Sullivan Bridge project is ahead of schedule, and with a new acceleration agreement in place, it is due to be completed by late summer next year.

Mayor William Sapelli said he received the text late on a Friday afternoon earlier this month, and it was somewhat unexpected; he was anticipating word coming later.

But it was very, very welcome.

It came from state Lt. Gov. Karen Polito, and it said, in essence, that the state had approved what’s known as an acceleration agreement for the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge project. What that means is that money has been apportioned that will allow the general contractor, Palmer-based Northern Construction, to pay crews overtime to work on nights and weekends to accelerate (hence the name) the timeline for completing what amounts to a full replacement and widening of the 74-year-old bridge over the Westfield River.

As a result, the anticipated completion date, originally May 21, 2022, is now August 9, 2021.

And what this means is that the 2020 edition of the Big E will be the last that will have to contend with this all-important span, which links Agawam with West Springfield, being under construction.

That’s why that text was so welcome. Even though the two communities, the Big E, tens of thousands of people who visited it, and those who live, work, and do business near the bridge somehow made it through the 2019 exposition without major incident, doing so presented a serious challenge.

It’s not something they’d want to do again, but they’re quite grateful to only do it once more, to be sure.

“This is great news regarding the bridge,” said the mayor. “With this acceleration plan, we’re going to cut almost a year off the completion time.”

The bridge project has been the dominant topic of conversation in this city (remember, it has a mayor) that is still officially called the Town of Agawam since well before construction began. And Sapelli has been part of many of those conversations as he continues a daily ritual of eating breakfast — and often holding court — at different eateries in the community.

“We’ve expedited our permitting process to try to make it easier; we certainly don’t look the other way or cut corners, but there are things we can do to expedite the permitting process and make it less complicated for people to come to town.”

As was noted in this space last year, this rotation includes Partners, Giovanni’s, and a somewhat new addition, the Pride station on North Westfield Street in the center of Feeding Hills.

“There, it’s a bunch of old-timers — a great bunch of guys; I’m the youngest one there,” Sapelli, the retired school superintendent who just started his second two-year term as mayor, noted. “We used to meet at the McDonald’s, but with the renovation at Pride, they moved over there. That’s on Mondays; I’m there at 7 and then in City Hall by 7:30. We sometimes take up as many five tables, and there’s always a lot to talk about … beyond the bridge.”

Indeed, while that project has complicated things at and for the Big E and also caused some initiatives to hit the ‘pause’ button, including redevelopment of the Games & Lanes building on Walnut Street Extension and the site of a former motel on Suffield Street, there are still things happening.

Indeed, the shopping plaza on Springfield Street once dominated by a FoodMart that saw its roof collapse and has struggled with vacancies in recent years is now essentially full. The latest additions include Still Bar & Grill — now occupying space that was briefly home to a satellite location of the YMCA of Greater Springfield — and a small but intriguing market called Kielbasa and Dairy. It sells more than those items, but they are the headliners. Which explains why they’re on the sign.

Agawam at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1636
Population: 28,718
Area: 24.2 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $16.83
Commercial Tax Rate: $31.61
Median Household Income: $49,390
Family Household Income: $59,088
Type of government: Mayor; City Council
Largest Employers: OMG Inc., Agawam Public Schools, Six Flags New England, Whalley Computer Associates
* Latest information available

Meanwhile, a new tenant — TW Metals, a subsidiary of O’Neal Industries — has taken over roughly half the sprawling space once occupied by Simmons Mattress in the Agawam Regional Industrial Park, a Westmass property located on the site of the former Bowles Airport.

Also, another new business, Vanguard Renewables, an organic recycler, has broken ground on Main Street, said Sapelli, adding that a new over-55 housing development is being planned for a large parcel on South Westfield Street, and a number of vacancies in the myriad strip malls and small shopping centers that populate the city are being filled.

And perhaps the best news for the business community is that the business tax rate has come down slightly, a step that Sapelli believes speaks loudly about this community’s commitment to being business-friendly.

For this, the latest edition of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest talked with Sapelli about all these matters and what they mean moving forward for a community that is very much looking forward to life after this bridge project has been completed.

Food for Thought

Getting back to those gatherings over breakfast, Sapelli said the tone has been generally positive lately — and it hasn’t always been so, especially in the ramp-up, if you’ll pardon the expression, to the start of the bridge project.

The improved mood can be attributed in part to the bridge work already being ahead of schedule — thanks to a considerable amount of work on nights and weekends — and the fact that, while there have been inconveniences, they haven’t been as bad as many anticipated.

“What I’m hearing — and believe me, they wouldn’t be afraid to tell me otherwise — is how smoothly they think things are going,” said the mayor. “It’s not as congested as they thought it would be, and things are moving pretty well and they’re on schedule, which never happens with projects like this.”

That held true, generally speaking, for the 17 days of the Big E last September, he went on, adding that a great deal of collaboration and early planning efforts paid off handsomely.

“It wasn’t as bad as many people thought it would be, and I heard that not only from residents but police officers working details,” said Sapelli. “And we attribute this to the fact that we met — with ‘we’ meaning the police, the administration, West Springfield police, and the Big E — and came up with a plan of action.”

Elaborating, he said the Big E printed materials instructing motorists how to get to the fairgrounds without using Routes 75 (Suffield Street) and 159. And visitors — most of them, anyway — heeded that advice. The Big E also used park-ride facilities in Agawam that helped ease traffic on and around the bridge, despite record attendance at the fair.

And for the 2020 edition … well, things will go a little more smoothly because the three lanes to the south of the bridge (now under construction) will be open, as opposed to the two lanes on the north side currently being used.

But enough about the bridge. There are other things happening in the community, starting with that important vote on the commercial tax rate, said Sapelli.

Mayor William Sapelli

Mayor William Sapelli says Agawam is making progress on many economic-development fronts, from filling vacant storefronts to zoning reform to workforce-development initiatives in its schools.

The town’s split rate now looks like this: $16.83 residential and $31.61 commercial. Last year, the numbers were $16.65 and $31.92. Commercial rates don’t generally go down at the expense of the residential side, Sapelli acknowledged, and the decrease was only 31 cents.

But that’s an important 31 cents, perhaps on the tax bill and certainly from the standpoint of sending a message, said the mayor, adding that some historical perspective is in order.

“Years ago, when the split in the tax rates originally started, the rates were fairly close; now, the commercial rate is almost double,” he explained, adding that he and other city officials decided it was time to move them closer together.

“At my presentation to the City Council, I talked about how we, as public officials, talk about being business-friendly,” he recalled. “It’s one thing to say it; it’s another thing to do it.”

He believes the unanimous vote in the council is a solid example of ‘doing it,’ and he believes it might help bring more new businesses to consider Agawam moving forward.

In addition to that lower rate, the community boasts good schools, available land, plenty of parks and recreation (three golf courses, for example), and, as noted, ample opportunities for retail operations.

There have already been some intriguing additions, he said, noting that the Still and Kielbasa and Dairy are solid additions to the plaza on Springfield Street, and they’re helping bring more people to that section of Agawam.

Meanwhile, TW Metals helps fill a troubling vacancy in the industrial park, he noted. The company signed a 10-year lease for 65,000 square feet, half the nearly 130,000-square-foot building, now owned by Agawam 320 TGCI LLC, an affiliate of the Grossman Companies.

“I think we’re doing well because of our location and because we’re business-friendly,” said Sapelli. “We’ve expedited our permitting process to try to make it easier; we certainly don’t look the other way or cut corners, but there are things we can do to expedite the permitting process and make it less complicated for people to come to town.”

Bridging the Gap

As noted earlier, the bridge project has put some initiatives on hold in this community, including efforts to revitalize and modernize the Walnut Street Extension area, which includes the Games & Lanes parcel, and also redevelopment of the parcel off Suffield Street.

But in most other respects, things are moving forward, and the talk over breakfast at the Pride store, Partners, and Giovanni’s has been generally positive. And with that text from the lieutenant governor, there was certainly more good news to discuss around those tables.

In short, this community isn’t waiting until the ribbon is cut on the new bridge to create momentum, more jobs, and new opportunities.

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

St. Germain Acquires Assets, Experience from Gage-Wiley

By
Banking and Financial Services

A ‘Natural Partnership’

Chris Milne, left, and Mike Matty both say the union of St. Germain and Gage-Wiley is a natural partnership.

Mike Matty says the talks with Chris Milne began roughly two years ago.

And as they often do in such cases, these discussions were somewhat intermittent in nature and came in varying degrees of intensity.

“With those first preliminary talks, you talk, then you stop talking about it for a little while, you revisit it … it’s been percolating for a while,” said Matty. “Half the time, it’s just … you grab dinner or you grab a beer and chat about business more than anything else, primarily because the companies are so similar and dealing with the same issues and you want to see how they’re dealing with these issues. And then, the talk would turn to ‘are we still thinking about this, or are we not thinking about this?’”

‘This’ was a proposed acquisition of Northampton-based Gage-Wiley & Co., which Milne served as president and CEO, by Springfield-based St. Germain Investment Management, which Matty has led for a number of years now. And eventually, the talk led to a deep dive and a decision to go forward.

The combined company has close to $2.4 billion in assets (Gage-Wiley had nearly $800 million), and four offices overall — St. Germain has a second office in Lee, and Gage-Wiley has a second office in Plymouth. This means it has much-needed size at a time of increased — and more complex — regulation, but also a small-enough size to remain nimble. Just as important, it now has nearly two centuries of time in the investment-management business.

Indeed, Matty joked that Gage-Wiley was a little on the young side in comparison to St. Germain, with the former being only 87 years old and the latter 96.

“I realize they’re a fairly new upstart, since they only started in 1933,” said Matty, who then turned serious and called this a “natural partnership.”

Natural because the companies are so similar — they both were started in Springfield, they’ve both remained locally owned and privately held, and they have similar operating philosophies.

Milne agreed. He actually initiated those talks two years ago, not thinking they might eventually lead to this union. Like Matty, he said the early discussion was focused on simply how to do business in a changing environment.

Eventually, though, it became clear that coming together made far more sense than staying apart and competing with each other.

“It’s a case where one plus one equals three,” said Milne. “It seemed like the right thing to do at the right time and for the right reasons; the similarities and compatibility were just too good not to get married.”

The name ‘Gage-Wiley’ will remain over the door of the facility in Northampton, and Milne will serve as managing director, because that brand is well-established, and it made no sense to change it, said Matty.

“I realize they’re a fairly new upstart, since they only started in 1933.”

“There’s a lot of good will built into that name and client relationships built up over time,” he told BusinessWest. “It’s very strong name, and we have no intention of disrupting things and taking all that away from them.”

Thus, in many ways, that office will operate much like October Mountain, St. German’s subsidiary in the Berkshires — a firm with its own name and its own staff, but with a bigger organization behind it.

“Very little, if anything, will change,” said Matty. “From the Gage-Wiley client standpoint, their statements look almost identical to the way they looked before — there just happens to be a new line that says ‘securities offered through St. Germain Securities’ on it. The phone number is the same, they’re talking to the same people … from the client standpoint, it will be almost invisible.”

Beyond the size and wealth of experience the combined firm now boasts, however, it also has what Matty described as a deeper pool of talent and expertise that it can bring to the table to better serve investment clients.

Elaborating, he said the teams at the respective companies bring experience in different areas that will complement each other effectively.

“We bring to the table for them a fixed-income expertise that they didn’t have, and we also bring more resources on compliance, legal matters, and human resources,” he explained. “And that comes with being a bigger company and having to tread these waters for a longer time with more people — we’ve had more experience at it.”

Meanwhile, Gage-Wiley brings different elements to the table, starting with some operational processes and ways of doing things that are in some ways better than those at St. Germain, Matty noted.

Gage-Wiley also brings an expertise in what is known as ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing, a mindset that is growing in popularity, especially among the younger generations.

“Many people are looking to invest according to their ethics,” said Matty, noting that years ago the acronym for this philosophy was SRI — socially responsible investing.

But there is a difference, he went on, adding that SRI was mostly an exclusionary approach — ‘here’s what we’re not going to buy’ — while ESG is more of an inclusionary approach.

“People will say, ‘here’s a company I want to see a change at — I’m going to buy some of its stock, see if I can be a shareholder activist, and see if we can make some changes from within,’” he explained. “It’s a more comprehensive approach than the old SRI.”

And the team at Gage-Wiley, based in Northampton, has developed an expertise in this realm that St. Germain did not possess.

It does now, though, because of this ‘natural partnership’ that Matty described, one that brings nearly two centuries of local ownership together under the same umbrella — if not the same name and same roof.

As noted, this union gives the combined company more size and the important element of flexibility. But it also provides something else — stability and staying power during an ongoing time of consolidation within this industry.

“We’re going to stay independent,” Milne said. “And we’re now the perfect size — we’re not too big, and we’re not too small, and we’re not going anywhere.”

—George O’Brien

Having a Policy in Place Is a Key Step for Any Healthcare Practice

By
Banking and Financial Services

A Primer on Record Retention

By Emily White

Emily White

Emily White

These days, it’s hard to imagine holding on to paper copies of every paid bill, invoice received, or other financial document. Today’s society has moved from paper copies of documents to digitized, searchable files — all within the click of a mouse or stroke of a keyboard. Many practices even have copies of important documents secured by fingerprints or facial recognition on iPhones or tablets.

However, while the methods of retaining documents have changed, having a record-retention policy is still important and should serve as a guide within a practice, no matter where or how files are kept.

Retention of specific documents should be easily identifiable in a practice’s record-retention policy. A basic record-retention policy should include a listing of recommended retention periods for specific financial items. The length of time certain records should be maintained depends on services offered by the practice, types of files, and any specific regulations that may determine the holding period.

“While the methods of retaining documents have changed, having a record-retention policy is still important and should serve as a guide within a practice, no matter where or how files are kept.”

The retention policy should be reviewed by a practice’s legal counsel to ensure proper compliance with all laws and regulations.

Records retention generally falls into four general time-specific categories: two years, three years, seven years, and permanently. Documentation to be retained for two years includes items such as bank reconciliations and general correspondence. Typical three-year retention-policy items include bank statements, insurance policies, internal reports, and employment applications. Records to be kept for seven years include items such as payroll records, personnel files (for terminated employees), sales records, and subsidiary ledgers. Items to be retained indefinitely include audit reports, active contracts, legal correspondence, meeting minutes of board of directors and stockholders, retirement and pension records, and union agreements.

In addition, specific guidelines provided by the IRS govern retention of income-tax returns and related documents. Generally, income-tax returns are kept indefinitely, along with related depreciation schedules, financial statements (audited or unaudited), and year-end trial balances.

As the world becomes more technologically advanced, it is becoming easier for practices to store files on the ‘cloud.’ Cloud-based storage has become the newest method of storing records and files. Keeping files on the cloud not only frees up physical space, but also significantly reduces the risk of potential for loss of work and crucial documents. Medical practices are recommended to back up their computerized files to the cloud daily, at a minimum.

Record retention on the cloud is a secure and paperless way to keep all required files. Many practices opt to scan in all paper copies of files, support, or related documents and keep these files on the cloud. This method of record retention is a great way to reduce physical paperwork but remain in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies on record retention. As e-mails have become a significant form of communication, their storage timelines have also become important. E-mails are subject to discovery as evidence in the event of a lawsuit, so ensuring that e-mails are retained for an appropriate amount of time is crucial.

The storage of e-mails should be outlined in a practice’s record-retention policy, dependent upon the nature of the e-mails. Some may need to be kept indefinitely if they include significant legal correspondence or other agreements. Practices should refer to the general guidance for these matters.

Practices should consider the necessary requirements for record retention based on their service offerings and areas of expertise. Practices should also consult with legal counsel to develop an appropriate record-retention plan that follows all appropriate laws and regulations, including specific IRS guidance for tax-related items. In today’s digital world, it is easier than ever to engage in cloud-based storage for the purpose of complying with record retention. Additionally, a record-retention policy should be reviewed annually for possible changes and updates. After all, who knows when paper copies will come back in style?

Emily White is a senior audit associate for the Holyoke-based public accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.; (413) 322-3531; [email protected]

New Year and New Decade Mean New Mindset About Money

By
Banking and Financial Services

Dollars and Sense

By Steve Siebold

It is now not only the start of a new year, but also the beginning of a new decade. Maybe the last 10 years weren’t exactly your greatest, financially speaking. Maybe you are still dragging around an excess amount of credit-card debt, or you simply haven’t done a good job putting enough money away for retirement.

Whatever the case, the new decade can be different, and it starts with what goes on between your ears.

If you are really serious about taking control of your financial situation in the coming years, start by examining your relationship with money. Here are six changes to make when it comes to how you think about money.

Money Is Your Friend

If you have struggled financially your entire life, chances are you have a bad relationship with money. You may even see it as an evil force that you associate with greed or crooks. The more you see it as a negative, the harder it’s going to be to acquire any of it.

Start by changing your outlook on money, and see it for the positives it really presents, like possibility, opportunity, and freedom. Money isn’t everything, but it does make life easier.

Money Is Infinite

Sadly, most people are stuck with the limited belief that they can only make so much money in a year. They’ve been led down this path by well-meaning but misguided people their entire lives who sold them on the notion that this is the way it has to be.

This is so untrue. In a free-market economy, you can earn as much as your heart desires. The key is solving problems for people. The more problems you solve and the more value you bring to the marketplace, the more money you make.

It Starts with Your Expectations 

The majority of people believe the only way they will ever get wealthy is by guessing the lottery numbers or going to the casino. In the new decade, self-made millionaires expect to make even more money than they made in the previous decade, and there’s no talking them out of it.

“The more problems you solve and the more value you bring to the marketplace, the more money you make.”

You have to expect big things to happen, and this will make you bold, aggressive, and fearless in the pursuit of wealth. Even if you don’t know how it’s going to happen just yet, it starts with a belief that it will.

Separate Logic and Emotion 

Most people use emotion when making financial decisions, and this is one of the worst things you can do. Self-made millionaires, on the other hand, use emotion to motivate them, but stick to pure logic when it comes to money.

Logic means not buying the million-dollar mansion that you can’t afford. Emotion is dangling that big house in front of you like the proverbial carrot in front of the rabbit to make you work harder.

Focus on Your Reason

Behind any defined goal there is always a reason. Why do you want whatever it is you are after? In this case, why do you want more money? Is it for your family? Do you want to take a big trip next summer? Do you finally want to be financially free? When you focus on your ‘why,’ it’s going to push you to take action in achieving those financial goals. Figure out your why and never take your eyes off of it.

Watch Your Dialogue

Begin monitoring everything you say to yourself and others. When you talk about money, is the way you use your language programming you for success or failure? Next, begin listening to the way people around you use their language when it comes to money. Ask yourself the same question about them.

This is an eye-opening experience. What you’ll find is that the masses are always talking about running out of money. The self-made wealthy, on the other hand, are always talking about how to make more of it.  

The Takeaway

As we enter a new decade, make the decision to take control of your finances once and for all. Your thoughts and beliefs about money won’t make you rich on their own, but it all starts here.

If you are rich, keep thinking the way you are thinking. If not, it’s time to change the way you look at money in 2020 and beyond.

 

Steve Siebold is author of the book ‘How Money Works,’ and a self-made millionaire who has interviewed more than 1,300 of the world’s wealthiest people over the last 35 years; www.howmoneyworks.com

AMP Electrical Has the Tools to Get the Job Done

By Kayla Ebner
Construction

Powered Up

Mike Ostrowski says having the right tools and resources for each job matters, but so does a focus on the personal service and small details.

Mike Ostrowski says having the tools and equipment to be able to do any job is at the top of his priority list.

In fact, it has been that way since the day he started his business. 

Right after high school, Ostrowski went to work for an electrical company in Westfield. For 10 years, he gained extensive experience beyond what many believe is the typical job description of an electrician. 

“When people think of electricians, they think lights and plugs and stuff like that,” said Ostrowski. “While that’s part of it, my specialty and what I got into is automation controls and machinery.”

While he felt he gained an ample amount of experience at this position, he did not feel appreciated for what he brought to the table, so he left the company to start his own business in 2004.

“I went out to see my dad and said, ‘hey, can I borrow enough money to buy a van?’” Ostrowski told BusinessWest. “So, I went out and bought a van and put tools in it.”

“When people think of electricians, they think lights and plugs and stuff like that. While that’s part of it, my specialty and what I got into is automation controls and machinery.”

The rest is history.

This van — and Ostrowski’s dream‚ turned into Ostrowski Electrical, which became AMP Electrical in 2006. He gained a partner that year, and before they parted ways in 2010, they were still able to grow the company from seven employees to 35.

AMP has since downsized to 12 staff members, and while the company has taken some twists and turns over the years, Ostrowski continues to promote the same values he started with, specifically focusing on delivering strong personal service to customers.

“Quality and neatness still count for us,” he said. “Sometimes that’s missed in projects that I’ve seen. Even though we’re a smaller company, we have all the tools and equipment that it takes to do big projects, which a lot of smaller guys don’t have.”

Around the World

As Ostrowski said, many tend to view electricians as just that: people who install lights. But one way AMP Electrical is able to stand out from the crowd is its automation and support services, which have taken Ostrowski everywhere from local cities and towns to all the way to Egypt.

“I like watching the whole process run from start to finish,” he said. For example, beginning in 2005, he picked up a couple projects for Qarun Petroleum Co., based in Cairo, where he designed, built, and tested control panels and wired pump skids locally. He then shipped them off to Cairo, flew there himself, and ran the startup process.

While this is certainly not a regular occurrence, Ostrowski says this is a process that he encounters locally as well.

More recently, AMP Electrical worked on a bleach-dilution process for KIKCorp, a leading independent manufacturer of consumer packaged goods. Ostrowski and employees programmed the valves and controls so the bleach could be diluted to whatever temperature the company wanted.

Of course, AMP is capable of much more than these complex jobs. The company also offers complete electrical construction services, municipal water and wastewater controls, building electrical maintenance, telecommunications solutions, complete service to industrial manufacturing, electrical testing, and bucket-truck services.

The key, as Ostrowski said, is having the tools for every job.

But this field does not come without its challenges. With the wide array of services they offer, AMP has managed to stand out from area competition, but has struggled, as many in this and related industires have, with a lack of skilled workers. “There are not enough skilled people out there,” he said. “There’s a gap in knowledge.”

This, he noted, is partially due to the solar boom, which has created a deficiency in electricians. When people go into solar as apprentices, they come out with the skills to put solar panels on, but often lack basic electrical skills.

“The biggest challenge today, being in this field, is finding talented electricians,” he told BusinessWest. “The solar industry has created a lot of electricians that don’t have a lot of the basic pipe-bending skills and electrical knowledge that you would get working for a traditional electrical contractor.”

Ostrowski himself has quite a few more skills than the average electrician. Moving from business owner to employee, he’s had to do some research to strengthen his expertise in areas including finances, estimating, and business management, all without a college degree.

“I’m a licensed electrician that basically figured it out and made it happen,” he said.

Getting the Job Done

No matter what hat Ostrowski may wear at any given time, electrician or business owner, he makes sure his employees have the tools to get the job done and sets an example of what quality service should look like.

“You’re still going to see my face on job sites,” he said. “When the phone rings and everyone’s busy, my boots are in the corner. I’ll grab my tools and go out and fix somebody’s piece of equipment, or I’ll plug my laptop in and be able to look at somebody’s process and take care of them.”

Kayla Ebner can be reached at [email protected]

STCC’s Civil Engineering Technology Grads Entering Robust Field

By
Construction

Building a Bridge

Cynthia DeSellier instructs Aleah Pannell, second from right, and other students in a classroom at STCC.

Civil engineers help design bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure projects. In fact, “we make civilization possible,” Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Assistant Professor Cynthia DeSellier tells her first-year students.

“You turn on the water in your house — a civil engineer made that possible,” DeSellier added. “Engineering truly does make civilization possible. Without us, the standard of living we enjoy wouldn’t be there.”

The civil engineering technology (CET) program at STCC prepares students for robust careers as technicians who help civil engineers to plan, design, and build highways, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They play a key role in commercial, industrial, residential, and land-development projects.

With a two-year associate degree, a civil engineering technology graduate is poised to work in a growing field where the median pay in 2018 was $52,580 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Graduates typically search for jobs in industries such as construction, engineering, planning, design, and management.

The bureau projects that jobs for civil-engineering technologists will continue to grow over the next several years. “The need to repair, upgrade, and enhance an aging infrastructure will sustain demand for these workers,” according to the BLS.

“CET is a hallmark engineering technology program at STCC,” said Professor Beth McGinnis-Cavanaugh, an STCC graduate who chairs the department and earned a master’s degree in civil engineering. “The program was founded in 1968, and our graduates have always been in demand. That speaks to the consistency of overall demand and growth in the field. The need to build new infrastructure or upgrade existing infrastructure is constant. Local employers are eager to hire our graduates in a range of civil engineering sectors.”

First-year students enrolled in STCC’s civil engineering technology program will acquire skills in computer-aided design (CAD), construction estimating, and construction materials and methods. In the second year of the program, students will study structures, hydrology, surveying, quality control of materials like concrete, asphalt production, and roadway construction.

“Our graduates have always been in demand. That speaks to the consistency of overall demand and growth in the field. The need to build new infrastructure or upgrade existing infrastructure is constant.”

DeSellier graduated from STCC’s CET program in 2000. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from a four-year institution. After working in the field for several years, she joined STCC as an assistant professor. Since then she has been able to combine her passion for civil engineering with her love of teaching.

“I went into the civil engineering technology program as a young student at STCC not knowing anything about the field, but I came out with my degree loving it,” she said. “After working as a civil engineer for several years, I started teaching. Civil engineers specialize in areas such as structural analysis, transportation, soils and foundations, water resources, and environmental engineering. Our jobs are extremely important.”

While there have been great strides toward gender equality in the workforce, female engineers continue to be underrepresented at companies and in classrooms. According to the Society of Women Engineers, only 13% of working engineers are women, and only 3.7% of female college freshmen plan to major in engineering. Latinos and African-Americans make up about 12% of the engineering workforce, according to U.S. News & World Report.

McGinnis-Cavanaugh, who is the faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers, said the college would like to see more overall diversity in the classroom and in the field.

“We have several women teaching engineering at STCC, which is terrific,” she said. “There’s a misconception that civil engineering is a man’s field, but that’s not the case. Women successfully manage large construction and engineering projects and make significant contributions to the planning, design, construction, and sustainability of buildings, bridges, dams, water and wastewater facilities, and road and highway systems.

“The work of the civil engineer helps society by ensuring clean water, safe structures, and innovative transportation systems, among other civil works,” she added. “Women who enter this field are passionate about helping society and applying their knowledge and training to improve the quality of life for all. I would love to see more women and people of color enrolled in the civil engineering technology program. It’s important to bring diverse backgrounds to the field to offer different perspectives and better solutions to critical infrastructure and sustainability problems.”

Aleah Pannell, who graduated from STCC in May and was sometimes the only woman in a class, said women should not feel intimidated by engineering or any of the science majors.

“Some other programs might be easier than engineering, but I like the challenge,” Pannell said. “I would say to any woman — or anybody — take the chance. At the end of it, you will be able to say you accomplished something that was challenging.”

Dodge Data & Analytics Sees Construction Starts Slipping in 2020

By
Construction

Slowing Trend

Dodge Data & Analytics recently released its 2020 Dodge Construction Outlook, predicting that total U.S. construction starts will slip to $776 billion in 2020, a decline of 4% from the 2019 estimated level of activity.

“The recovery in construction starts that began during 2010 in the aftermath of the Great Recession is coming to an end,” said Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “Easing economic growth driven by mounting trade tensions and lack of skilled labor will lead to a broad-based but orderly pullback in construction starts in 2020. After increasing 3% in 2018, construction starts dipped an estimated 1% in 2019 and will fall 4% in 2020.”

However, he was quick to note, “next year will not be a repeat of what the construction industry endured during the Great Recession. Economic growth is slowing but is not anticipated to contract next year. Construction starts, therefore, will decline, but the level of activity will remain close to recent highs. By major construction sector, the dollar value of starts for residential buildings will be down 6%, while starts for both non-residential buildings and non-building construction will drop 3%.”

The pattern of construction starts for more specific segments is as follows:

• The dollar value of single family housing starts will be down 3% in 2020, and the number of units will also lose 5% to 765,000. Affordability issues and the tight supply of entry-level homes have kept demand for homes muted and buyers on the sidelines.

• Multi-family construction was an early leader in the recovery, stringing together eight years of growth since 2009. However, multi-family vacancy rates have moved sideways over the past year, suggesting that slower economic growth will weigh on the market in 2020. Multi-family starts are slated to drop 13% in dollars and 15% in units to 410,000.

• The dollar value of commercial building starts will retreat 6% in 2020. The steepest declines will occur in commercial warehouses and hotels, while the decline in office construction will be cushioned by high-value data-center construction. Retail activity will also fall in 2020, a continuation of a trend brought about by systemic changes in the industry.

• In 2020, institutional construction starts will essentially remain even with the 2019 level as the influence of public dollars adds stability to the outlook. Education building and health-facility starts should continue to see modest growth this year, offset by declines in recreation and transportation buildings.

• The dollar value of manufacturing plant construction will slip 2% in 2020 following an estimated decline of 29% in 2019. Rising trade tensions has tilted this sector to the downside with recent data, both domestic and globally, suggesting the manufacturing sector is in contraction.

• Public-works construction starts will move 4% higher in 2020, with growth continuing across all project types. By and large, recent federal appropriations have kept funding for public works construction either steady or slightly higher — translating into continued growth in environmental and transportation infrastructure starts.

• Electric utilities and gas plants will drop 27% in 2020 following growth of 83% in 2019, when several large LNG export facilities and new wind projects broke ground.

Dodge Data & Analytics is North America’s leading provider of analytics and software-based workflow-integration solutions for the construction industry.

Nominations Sought for the 40 Under Forty Class of 2020

By
Features

In Search of Rising Stars

Five hundred and twenty.

That’s how many men and women from across Western Mass. — yes, some of them now with AARP cards, or at least a few invitations to sign up — are members of a fairly exclusive club.

These are the individuals with BusinessWest 40 Under Forty plaques on their desks or their framed profile on their wall.

It’s a club that includes entrepreneurs and nonprofit managers, educators and legislators, lawyers and accountants, restaurant owners and fitness-club founders. There was even a high-school student who managed to impress the judges enough to become a member of the class of 2011.

But enough about the members of first 13 classes of honorees. We’re looking for the next group — the 40 who can call themselves members of the class of 2020.

It all starts with nominations. If you’ve nominated someone before, you know the drill. If you haven’t — and you should, because you undoubtedly know some rising stars in this region and need to let us know about them — the form can be found by going HERE.

But whether you’ve nominated someone before or not, you need to understand the importance of a thorough, complete nomination, one that will capture the attention of the judges, bring the qualifications and talents of the individual to the forefront, and ultimately bring that nominee to the stage at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in June.

As BusinessWest Associate Publisher Kate Campiti explains, “in recent years, we’ve seen the number of nominations rise steadily — in some years to nearly 200 individuals. That’s why it’s important to be detailed with one’s nomination and explain in clear, direct language why the individual in question is deserving of this honor — deserving of having that plaque on their desk.”

As noted earlier, honorees have come from all sectors of business and also from public service and the nonprofit realm. The only prerequisites are that nominees be under age 40 as of April 1, 2020 and that they be standouts in their field — and in the community.

The deadline for submitting nominations is end of day on Feb. 14. That’s right, Valentine’s Day. Those nominations will be sent to a panel of five judges (they will be announced early next month), and the scores will be tallied. The 40 highest scorers (after ties are broken) will comprise the class of 2020.

And, of course, 40 Under Forty is just one component of what promises to be a very exciting year of BusinessWest programs.

Indeed, the Difference Makers for 2020 have been chosen, and they will be profiled in the Feb. 3 edition of the magazine. In all, seven individuals and groups were chosen for the honor, making this a very large, diverse, and intriguing class of winners who will be celebrated on March 19 at the Log Cabin.

The 40 Under Forty event will follow in June, with Healthcare Heroes, which honors those in this region’s large and very important health and wellness field, slated for October, and the Women of Impact, now in its third year, in December.

Nominations for all of these programs are accepted year-round; the deadlines for the specific programs will be printed in BusinessWest.

Acting on a Vision

By
Opinion

Editorial

Twenty-three years ago, BusinessWest launched a new recognition initiative called our ‘Top Entrepreneur’ award.

We would have called it ‘Entrepreneur of the Year,’ but that phrase was, and still is, copyrighted. Besides, most of the people we’ve honored over the years weren’t recognized only for accomplishments in a given year, but instead for what they’ve done over a lifetime — or at least to that point in their career. And, in many cases, we also honored their compelling vision for what might be, and their ongoing work to achieve it. Past, present, and future.

Cinda Jones, our Top Entrepreneur for 2019, falls into all three categories.

Indeed, she has already spearheaded a transformation of the North Amherst neighborhood her family business, W.D. Cowls Inc., calls home, moving on from an unprofitable sawmill a decade ago and cultivating a period of both significant land conservation — like the 3,486-acre Paul C. Jones Working Forest in Leverett and Shutesbury and an adjacent, 2,000-acre conservation project in Leverett, Shutesbury, and Pelham — and community-development initiatives.

The latter is best represented these days by North Square at the Mill District, a still-evolving mixed-use project that’s attracting residents, eclectic retailers, eateries, and what she calls ‘experiences’ (fun ones — she’s not soliciting dentists or accountants).

But perhaps the most intriguing element of this project is the vision that sustains it. It’s a vision of how people, especially young people, want to live in the 21st century — their longing for more face-to-face contact, their growing awareness of climate change, and their general desire to live in a hive of activity, not a long drive from it.

Any developer can invest in modern, well-appointed buildings and sign up whatever tenants show interest; Jones and her team aren’t settling for anyone, though. They want North Square to be an economic success, but also a rich way of life for those who choose to live and work there.

Western Mass. has been home to plenty of entrepreneurial vision over the decades and centuries, from legends like Milton Bradley and gunmakers Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson to the names BusinessWest has profiled as Top Entrepreneurs for the past quarter-century. Those range from Pride CEO Bob Bolduc, V-One Vodka President Paul Kozub, and Paragus Strategic IT President Delcie Bean — people who started companies from scratch and brought them to regional prominence — to Big Y’s D’Amour family and Balise Motor Sales President Jeb Balise, who built significantly on the work of multiple generations before them.

Again, Cinda Jones represents both models in some ways, stewarding a nine-generation family business but doing it in completely different ways, and with totally new enterprises, than in the past.

What all 24 years of honorees share, despite their vastly different achievements, is vision — to see opportunities that others had not — as well as the work ethic to act on that vision and a desire to see people’s lives improved in some way by the end result.

That sort of vision and energy is what much of the Pioneer Valley’s economy is built on, and, from our perspective, it’s not in short supply. v

Wage Increases Lag National Pace

By
Opinion

Opinion

By Gretchen Harrison

Massachusetts employers project lower wage and salary increases, a consistent level of recruitment activity, and moderating health-insurance premium increases for 2020 after navigating a solid but volatile economy during 2019.

Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) recently published its 2020 HR Practices Report, showing that companies project a 2.77% salary-increase budget for 2020, consistent with the 2.71% actual increase reported for 2019 but down from the 2.86% reported in the 2018 HR Practices Report.

Meanwhile, national salary-increase projections for 2020 have risen slightly from the prior year to 3.3%. Salary-increase trends in Massachusetts have tended to lag national numbers in recent years, and the gap has begun to widen.

How does a state with a 2.9% unemployment rate, a persistent shortage of skilled workers, and an impending demographic cliff show slower wage growth than the rest of the nation? Survey data suggest several reasons.

First, escalating regulatory costs (minimum wage) and non-wage compensation costs (health insurance and paid family and medical leave) are making employers cautious about increasing pay. Companies generally have a set compensation budget, so increases in these ancillary costs may put downward pressure on wages. In addition, the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act may be limiting the degree to which employers are able to offer compensation incentives to ‘superstar’ job candidates.

Members of the AIM Board of Economic Advisers offer additional explanations:

• Wages are already much higher than the national average in Massachusetts, meaning increases represent a smaller percentage of total wages.

• Massachusetts is aging quickly. Older workers are at a steadier place in their careers and see slower wage growth. As they retire, they are replaced by less expensive younger workers. This is a natural drag on overall wage growth.

• The higher-skill workers who dominate the Massachusetts economy get a significant portion of their compensation in non-wage forms like bonuses, commissions, and stock options. Projected recruitment activity for 2020 is expected to be comparable with actual recruitment experienced in 2019, which saw a significant increase over 2018 volumes.

The wage and salary increase projections come as unemployment in Massachusetts remains at record low levels. And while the state economy contracted by 0.2% during the third quarter, analysts say the downturn does not appear to indicate the beginning of a recession, but rather the capacity limits against which the state is bumping.

These include the barriers to labor-force growth presented by an aging population as the departure of Baby Boomers from the regional workforce continues.

Gretchen Harrison is director of AIM HR Solutions.

Picture This

By
Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Coats of Arms

Employees at Smith & Wesson collected gently used coats during a recent on-site coat drive, and will distribute them to people in need Western Mass., with the help of the United Way of Pioneer Valley. “Our employees are continually looking for ways to give back to our community,” said Lane Tobiassen, president of Firearms at Smith & Wesson. “Knowing these new and gently used coats will be distributed locally makes this event even more special.”

Another Term Begins

Domenic Sarno, the 54th and longest-serving mayor of Springfield, was inaugurated for the fifth time on Jan. 6 at Springfield Symphony Hall. Denise Jordan, executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority, served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The Youngest Fans

Mercy Medical Center and the Springfield Thunderbirds announced a partnership to gift babies born at Mercy’s Family Life Center with a Mercy/Thunderbirds branded onesie. Every year, the Family Life Center welcomes more than 1,000 babies into the world. In their admission packets, parents will be given the onesie, along with instructions on how to enter a monthly drawing. A winner will be chosen each month to win a Boomer’s Kids Club membership, a plush Boomer, and four tickets to a Thunderbirds game. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide each newborn a special gift to welcome them to this world along with Mercy,” said Nathan Costa, president of the T-birds. “It’s never too early to start loving hockey.”

Workplace Pledge

Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank recently donated $61,000 to the United Way of Hampshire County. The bank directly pledged $25,000, while the bank’s employees contributed another $36,000 of their own funds in support of the United Way’s workplace campaign.  That campaign provides employees with the opportunity to donate and direct funds, volunteer time, and advocate for causes that are most important to them.

Toast to the Season

The Hampden County Bar Assoc. (HCBA) recently held its annual Toast to the Season at the Sheraton in Springfield. Members were asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots.

HCBA President-elect Thomas Wilson, Esq.; HCBA Executive Director Noreen Nardi, Esq.; and HCBA President Kathleen Cavanaugh, Esq.

 

Judge Barbara Hyland, Hampden County Probate & Family Court; and Judge William Hadley, Holyoke District Court.

 

Assistant Clerk Magistrate Michael Wallace, Holyoke District Court; Clerk Magistrate Nathan Byrnes, Westfield District Court; and Charles Casartello Jr., Esq.

 

 

 

 

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets

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

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT

Massachusetts Fire Technologies Inc. v. Consumers Petroleum of Connecticut Inc.

Allegation: Failure to pay for services: $13,950

Filed: 11/22/19

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Jorge Alvarez v. Recovery Zone Inc.

Allegation: Loss of vehicle, property damage: $25,000

Filed: 12/4/19

Benjamin Maddison v. Big Y World Class Market

Allegation: Defamation: $30,000

Filed: 12/5/19

Dmitriy Sidoryuk and Irina Sidoryuk v. G & I Forbes Whitney, LLC and DRA Advisors, LLC

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $85,000+

Filed: 12/6/19

Laurie Wojtowicz v. Lan-Oak Realty, LLC

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $300,484

Filed: 12/10/19

Rene Pomales v. AT&T Mobile Services, LLC

Allegation: Breach of employment contract: $25,000

Filed: 12/10/19

Anita Chmura v. Smith & Wesson Corp.

Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury: $2,238,594

Filed: 12/11/19

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Robin Warner v. Big Y Foods Inc.

Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury: $3,868

Filed: 12/12/19

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Troy David Mercier v. 24 Hour Theater Project, Mark Gaudet, Myka Plunkett, and Susanna Apgar

Allegation: Tortious interference with prospective business relationship, negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, publication of private facts: $316,000

Filed: 12/5/19

John Sheehan v. Big Y Foods Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; trip and fall causing personal injury: $9,290+

Filed: 12/16/19

Agenda

By
Agenda

40 Under Forty Nominations

Through Feb. 14: BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2020. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 14. Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form. Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 27 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 25 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The event’s presenting sponsor is PeoplesBank, media sponsor WWLP22 News, and partner YPS of Greater Springfield. Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Howdy Award Nominations

Through March 1: Through March 1, the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) is providing an opportunity to thank individuals who provide great service by nominating them for a Howdy Award for Hospitality Excellence. To nominate someone, visit explorewesternmass.com and click on the Howdy logo. For 25 years, the Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence program has recognized outstanding restaurant servers, attraction attendants, bartenders, hotel personnel, retail clerks, and others across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Official categories include accommodations, attractions, banquets and meetings, beverage, food casual, food tableside, public service, retail, transportation, and people’s choice (a category voted on by the public via social media). Since the program’s inception, she noted, dozens of winners have taken home a trophy from the annual awards dinner. This year’s dinner is Monday, May 18 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Howdy sponsors for 2020 include Yankee Candle Village, Eastern States Exposition, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, MGM Springfield, MassMutual Center, Aladco Linen Service, Freedom Credit Union, New Belgium Fat Tire, Baystate Health, People’s United Bank, iHeartMedia, WWLP, the Republican, and MassLive.

Valley District Dental Society Winter Membership Meeting

Jan. 22: The Valley District Dental Society will hold its winter membership meeting at Hotel Northampton, 36 King St., Northampton. The event will begin with cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and a business meeting from 6 to 7 p.m., and a seminar, “Transitioning: Planning Your Future,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Practice owners and doctor associates will learn about how owners prepare for transition and how associates evaluate a practice for associateship or purchase. Doctors will hear from the professionals who position private practices for transition and advise associates on how to choose a practice that will help them grow and thrive. Presenters include Carolyn Carpenter, CPA, Rosen & Associates; Stefan Green, Bank of America Practice Solutions; Matt Kolcum, CARR Health Care Realty; Maria Melone, MORR Dental Transitions; and Patricia Sweitzer, Sweitzer Construction (facilitator). The cost to attend is $55. To register and select a meal option, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4475373.

Chefs for Jimmy

Jan. 24: From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., the Student Prince & the Fort Restaurant will join nearly 30 other restaurants to participate in the 30th annual Chefs for Jimmy at Chez Josef in Agawam. Chefs for Jimmy is an annual fundraising event that, since 1990, has raised more than $1.8 million for adult and pediatric cancer care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Boston. Chefs for Jimmy offers a delicious way to raise funds because it features dishes created by more than 30 chefs from 30 different local restaurants. It’s a fun culinary tasting tour, and the event also includes an ‘opportunity drawing’ and a silent auction. The theme for 2020 to be reflected in the décor and the food presentation is “one night of peace, love, and food.” Participating restaurants will include 350 Grill, Burgundy Brook Café, Cerrato’s Pastry Shop, the Chandler Steakhouse, Chez Josef, Dana’s Main Street Tavern, Delaney’s Grill & the Mick, Elegant Affairs, Fazio’s Ristorante, Johnny’s Tavern, Leone’s Restaurant, Longmeadow Country Club, Max’s Tavern, Murphy’s Pub, Nadim’s Downtown, Nina’s Cookies, Nosh Restaurant & Café, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Pierce Brothers Coffee Roasters, Pintu’s Indian Restaurant, Rondeau’s Dairy Bar, Shortstop Bar & Grill, the Starting Gate at GreatHorse, Steaming Tender, Storrowton Tavern Restaurant & Carriage House, the Student Prince & the Fort, Tekoa Country Club, Tokyo Asian Cuisine, and Tucker’s Restaurant.

Workshop on Wage and Hour Laws

Jan. 28: MassHire Holyoke Career Center will present a free workshop on the laws enforced by the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, including the payment of wages, minimum wage, overtime, and earned sick time. At the event — slated for 8 to 10 a.m. at 850 High St., Holyoke — guest speaker Barbara Dillon DeSouza will also discuss the broad powers of the Fair Labor Division to investigate and enforce violations of these laws and explain the various ways a company can become the subject of an investigation. Finally, she will note some resources available to companies to keep informed of the laws. DeSouza is an assistant attorney general in the Fair Labor Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. She focuses on enforcing Massachusetts wage and hour laws, including prevailing-wage laws. She has been with the office since March 2010. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited, so attendees are encouraged to reserve a seat early. Register by contacting Yolanda Rodriguez at (413) 322-7186 or [email protected].

All Ideas Pitch Contest

Feb. 5: Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Berkshire County is holding an All Ideas Pitch Contest from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Green at 85 Main St., Suite 105, North Adams. EforAll’s first Pitch Contest at the Berkshire Museum in October created a lot of community buzz, with more than 100 attendees and 11 companies competing. The big winner that night was Kaitlyn Pierce of Binka Bear. Described as “Shark Tank without the teeth,” EforAll’s friendly, free event features a business showcase and then pitches from six pre-selected contestants and two more that are added the night of the event. Each participant is given two and a half minutes to pitch a business or nonprofit idea to a panel of judges and the audience. At the end of it, EforAll gives away seed money to help launch these ideas. The first-place finisher wins $1,000, second place gets $750, third place wins $500, and the audience favorite also wins $500. Applications and audience registration are both available online at www.eforall.org/berkshire-county.

Black History Month Event at Bay Path

Feb. 5: Vocalist, strategist, and speaker Traciana Graves believes people have the ability to change the world with the power of their voice, and she’ll bring that inspirational message to Bay Path University as the keynote speaker for its Black History Month celebration. Having presented to more than 300 Fortune 500 companies and colleges, including Forbes, JPMorgan, American Express, and the WNBA, Graves strives to make the potentially uncomfortable conversation about diversity and inclusion safe, engaging, and effective. Voted one of America’s Most Fearless Women by the Huffington Post, Graves’ will bring her unique perspective to Bay Path with a discussion focusing on hopes, dreams, and social justice. The talk will begin at 7 p.m., with a reception to follow. This free event is open to the community and will be held on the Bay Path Longmeadow campus at Mills Theatre in Carr Hall, 588 Longmeadow St. For more information and to register, visit tracianagraves.eventbrite.com.

Difference Makers Gala

March 19: The 11th annual Difference Makers gala will take place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. BusinessWest launched its Difference Makers program in 2009 to celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, and families that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley and are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. The class of 2020 will be revealed in the Feb. 3 issue of BusinessWest. Tickets cost $75. To reserve spot, e-mail [email protected] or visit HERE. Event sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsored by Royal, P.C.

Women’s Leadership Conference

March 27: Bay Path University’s division of Strategic Alliances announced that producer, author, entrepreneur, educator, and, of course, top model Tyra Banks will bring her bold attitude, unique style, and well-honed business acumen to Springfield as the keynote speaker at the 25th annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC). This year’s theme, “Own Your Now,” will encourage conference guests to examine the forces that have shaped their careers, relationships, and aspirations; recognize what drives them and what holds them back; and empower them to confidently move forward. Suzy Batiz, who will deliver the morning address to open the conference, earned a place on Forbes’ list of most successful self-made women — and an estimated net worth of $260 million — by creating of a suite of eco-minded household products, including Poo-Pourri, a toilet spray she developed to combat bathroom odors. Patrice Banks (no relation to Tyra) will address the audience at lunchtime. She is the owner of the Girls Auto Clinic and Clutch Beauty Bar, an auto mechanic shop and beauty bar staffed by women, and the founder of the SheCANics movement, which looks to demystify car repair and engage more women in the automotive industry. Breakout sessions — focused on navigating the complicated relationships, personalities, and dynamics of the workplace and the impact those have on our careers and opportunities — will be led by bestselling authors and researchers including Laura Huang, Harvard Business School professor and author of Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage; Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning; Dr. Ramani Durvasula, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Don’t You Know Who I Am: How to Stay Sane in the Era of Narcissism, Entitlement and Incivility; and Jennifer Romolini, author of Weird in a World That’s Not: A Career Guide for Misfits. For further information on the conference and to register, visit www.baypathconference.com.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.amherstarea.com

(413) 253-0700

• Jan. 22: Annual Member Meeting & Luncheon, 12-2 p.m., hosted by the Red Barn at Hampshire College. Executive Director Claudia Pazmany will present our 2019 impact statement and unveil our 2020 vision for the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. We will salute outgoing board members and ambassadors and welcome new ones. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit amherstarea.com.

• Jan. 31: Hadley Dental Care Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening, 5-7 p.m. Learn all about the state-of-the-art technology and client-centric care offered by Dr. Tapan Pujara and Dr. Chaitalee Ganatra and celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hadley Dental Care with an after-party, including a champagne toast, next door at the Taproom. Free and open to the public. For learn more and to register, visit amherstarea.com.

• Feb. 6: Amherst Pitch Night with Valley Venture Mentors, 5-7 p.m., hosted by AmherstWorks. A collaboration with Valley Venture Mentors, the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, the Amherst Economic Development Department, and AmherstWorks, this will be an opportunity to network, meet new and upcoming businesses, and possibly win some cash prizes. Cost: $5 and optional donation to best pitch prize pool. For more information and to register, visit amherstarea.com.

• Feb. 12: Going Green & Saving Green Luncheon, 12-2 p.m., hosted by Hitchcock Center for the Environment. Panel discussion and lunch featuring local experts in sustainability sharing strategies to implement sustainable practices that will save organizations dollars and protect the planet. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit amherstarea.com.

BRADLEY REGIONAL CHAMBER

bradleyregionalchamber.org

(860) 653-3833

• Jan. 29: Legislative Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 a.m., hosted by Doubletree by Hilton Hartford-Bradley Airport, 16 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks. State representatives and senators will hear what’s on your mind regarding regional business issues. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members.

• Feb. 11: TVCA Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Luppoleto Brewing Co., 20 Main St., Windsor Locks. Networking with six chambers, beer or soda drink ticket, appetizers, raffle prizes, and cash bar. Spotlight your business with a sponsorship. Cost: free for members, $20 for non-members.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org

(413) 527-9414

• Jan. 30: Celebrate Success, 5-8 p.m., hosted by Northampton Country Club, 135 Main St., Leeds. Join us as we celebrate the past year, what we’ve learned, and where we are headed. We will honor Liz Paquette, Businessperson of the Year; Glendale Ridge Vineyard, Business of the Year; Casey Douglas, Community Service Person of the Year; and Chris Gallivan, Ambassador of the Year. Cost: $45 per person. Pre-registration and dinner selection are required, and space is limited. There will be no at-the-door registration. Deadline for refunds is Jan. 25. Unpaid no-shows will be invoiced. To learn more and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• Feb. 13: In the Know, 8:30-10 a.m., hosted by the Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Ave., Amherst. Continuing the popular series begun last year, In the Know will feature panelists Jeff Bujak, Prodigy; Michelle Zimora, Z Wraps; and Dan LiBissionnault, Dan’s Power Plant, Fauxmaggio Cheese. They will share what keeps them up at night, how they deal with those issues, and how they handle their quick success. A light breakfast and coffee will be served. Cost: $15 for members, $30 for future members. Pre-registration is required; there will be no at-the-door registration. To learn more and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• Feb. 20: Books & Joe with Moe, 8:30-10 a.m., hosted by the chamber office, 33 Union St., Easthampton. This will be the second in a series of four meetings. Join like-minded individuals for an intellectual discussion sparked by reading books. Sponsored by Richard’s Fuel & Heating Co. and Freedom Credit Union. Cost: $99 per person for the entire series. Coffee and a light breakfast will be served. Participants are required to obtain their own copy of the book explored. For more information and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com

(413) 584-1900

• Feb. 5: Arrive@5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Artifact Cider Project. Monthly networking and connection presented by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. Come when you can, stay as long as you can. Featuring libations and flatbreads from Artifact Cider Project in its new taproom in Florence. Cost: $10 for members, $14 for non-members. RSVP at www.northamptonchamber.com/chamber-events/arrive5.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.westfieldbiz.org

(413) 568-1618

• Jan. 28: Block Party, 4-6 p.m., hosted by Westwood Restaurant and Pub, 94 North Elm St., Westfield. Join us for an open house and meet Westwood and chamber businesses for drinks, appetizers, networking, and more. Chamber members are welcome. Marketing tables are available. For more information and to register, e-mail [email protected] or call (413) 568-1618.

• Feb. 10: After 5 Connections, 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Pottery Cellar, the Mill at Crane Pond, 77 Mill St., Westfield. Refreshments will be served. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the chamber scholarship fund. Bring your business cards and make connections. Chamber members and non-members are free. For more information and to register, visit westfieldbiz.org/events or call (413) 568-1618.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER

www.springfieldregionalchamber.com

(413) 787-1555

• Feb. 10: PWC Headline Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Featuring Karla Medina, retired Hartford police sergeant and owner and founder of Sudor Taino Fitness. Cost: $35 for PWC members, $40 general admission, $25 for students. To make a reservation, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

www.springfieldregionalchamber.com

(413) 787-1555

• Jan. 28: “The Buzz About Cannabis: Marijuana in the Marketplace and the Workplace,” 12:30-5 p.m., hosted by Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield. Featuring leading business, legal, and medical professionals, distributors, and entrepreneurs. Cost: $60 for early-bird registration until Jan. 14, $75 after Jan. 14. To register, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

• Feb. 5: “The 2020 Elections: Fasten Your Seatbelts — From Massachusetts to the Beltway, It’s All on the Line” Rise & Shine Business Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. Featuring political consultant Tony Cignoli. Cost: $25 for members in advance ($30 at the door), $35 general admission in advance ($40 at the door). To register, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

• Feb. 20: Third annual Fire & Ice Craft Cocktail Competition, 5:30-8 p.m., hosted by Springfield Country Club, 1375 Elm St., West Springfield. Cost: $50 for members in advance ($60 at the door), $60 general admission in advance ($70 at the door). To register, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

(413) 426-3880

• Feb. 5: Wicked Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, West Springfield. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events, hosted by various businesses and restaurants, that bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880, or register at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD

springfieldyps.com

• Feb. 20: YPS Third Thursday Networking Night, 5-7 p.m., hosted by BarKaya! Enjoy complimentary, handcrafted appetizers and a cash bar. Cost: free for YPS members, $10 for non-members. Register at springfieldyps.com.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move

Steve Lowell

Daniel Moriarty Sr.

Michael Rouette

Steve Lowell, who has served as president of Monson Savings Bank (MSB) for the last nine years, announced his retirement effective February 2021. He is looking forward to continuing to serve with the bank as chairman of the board. The bank’s board of directors announced that Daniel Moriarty Sr. has been named the bank’s president effective February 2021. Moriarty has been with MSB for 22 years, serving as senior vice president and chief financial officer since 2011. He joined the bank in 1998 as an accounting manager, became controller in 2002, assistant vice president in 2004, vice president-controller in 2006, and was promoted to vice president-chief financial officer in 2009. An alumni of Monson High School, Moriarty went on to graduate with honors from both Providence College and the National School of Banking at Fairfield University. The board of directors also announced that Michael Rouette has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer, a newly created position. Rouette has been with MSB for more than 30 years, serving as senior vice president and chief loan officer since 2016. He began his career there in 1987 as a teller. He became loan officer in 1989, assistant vice president-loan officer in 1996, vice president-loan officer in 1996, and senior vice president-loan officer in 2011. He is a graduate of Monson High School, as well as Old Dominion University, the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies at Babson College, and the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado.

•••••

Mary Walachy

The directors of the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation announced the retirement of Executive Director Mary Walachy, who has been associated with the foundation for the past 23 years. Upon her formal retirement in June, Walachy will continue to represent the Davis Foundation in its role as philanthropic lead for the new Educare Springfield early-education center, which is the 24th Educare in the country and the first in Massachusetts. Hired in 1997 as the first executive director of the foundation, Walachy’s responsibilities have included development of the organization’s strategic direction, general oversight of its administration, and developing new and proactive funding initiatives. Under Walachy’s leadership, the foundation established several signature initiatives, including Cherish Every Child, the nationally recognized Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative, the Funder Collaborative for Reading Success, the establishment of Springfield Business Leaders for Education, and the launch of Educare Springfield. Walachy was named a Woman of Distinction by the Pioneer Valley Girl Scout Council in 2005. She received an honorary degree from Springfield Technical Community College and was awarded the 2015 Humanics Achievement Award from Springfield College. Walachy currently serves as vice chair of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of directors of Libertas Academy Charter School, former board member of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and on the steering committee of the Massachusetts Early Education for All Campaign.

•••••

Dawn Forbes DiStefano

Heather Barrett

Square One, a provider of early-learning and family-support services, announced the promotion of two senior-level executives. Dawn Forbes DiStefano has been named executive vice president, and Heather Barrett has been named vice president of Finance. Following a 25-year career with the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, DiStefano joined the Square One team in January 2016 to lead the agency’s grant-research, grant-writing, and program-compliance efforts. She was quickly promoted to chief Development and Grants officer, where she added oversight of the agency’s financial team to her list of responsibilities. In her new role, DiStefano will continue with her responsibilities for grants and foundations, as well as program compliance. She will also oversee the early-education and care programs and family-support services, and will manage many areas of operations, including transportation, food service, and IT. She received her bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from Westfield State University. She serves on the boards of directors for the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, the Springfield Regional Chamber, the Baystate Community Benefits advisory committee, and Businesses to End Human Trafficking. She is the vice president of Community Relations at Westover Job Corps and chair of the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Barrett joined Square One in June 2017 as a senior accountant, managing the agency’s payables, receivables, and employee payroll. In her new role, she is responsible for building and tracking the agency’s annual budget, as well as managing the agency’s facility needs, procurement, and human resources. She earned her master’s degree in accounting at Bay Path University and a bachelor’s degree at Earlham College. She has an extensive background in nonprofit administration, strategic planning, and fiscal management.

•••••

Andre Motulski

Florence Bank has hired Andre Motulski as assistant vice president and controller in the Finance department. Prior to joining Florence Bank, Motulski had served as a financial-institution examiner at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. He studied at Central Connecticut State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting. Additionally, he earned a designation as a commissioned risk management examiner.

•••••

PeoplesBank has announced the promotions of several key associates. Alexander Hoyo has been promoted to data management and analytics officer. He has more than seven years of analytics and banking experience. In his new position, he will oversee and participate in the construction and maintenance of reliable, secure, and innovative information systems to support the organization’s data needs. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the analytics team as it facilitates the acquisition of information from multiple sources and manages the custodianship and distribution of information to business units. Clare Ladue has been promoted to assistant vice president, banking center regional manager in the Holyoke region. She has more than 25 years of financial-services and banking experience. In her new position, she will oversee the growth and development of banking-center associates and customer relationships. Amos McLeod III has been promoted to assistant vice president, commercial credit officer. He has more than 18 years of financial-services and banking experience. In his new position, he will underwrite new loan requests, review existing borrowing relationships, and assist with training junior credit analysts. Jeanna Misischia has been promoted to customer solutions officer. She has more than 20 years of financial-services and banking experience. In her new position, she will have oversight of the bank’s call center and VideoBanker staff as well as day-to-day operations of both departments. Patricia O’Brien has been promoted to assistant vice president, consumer lending. She has more than 21 years of financial-services and banking experience. In her new position, she will assist in running the daily operations of the residential underwriting department, as well as analyzing residential and consumer applications. Cassandra Pierce has been promoted to vice president, data management and analytics. She has more than 18 years of data-management and banking experience. In her new position, she will lead the data management and analytics team in constructing and maintaining effective, reliable, secure, and innovative information systems to support the organization’s data needs. She will also provide leadership for effective strategic and tactical planning in the use of information, and will oversee the acquisition of information from one or more sources and manage the custodianship and the distribution of that information to those who need it. Mike Raposo has been promoted to digital marketing officer. He has more than seven years of financial-services and banking experience. In his new position, he is responsible for end-to-end management of all digital platforms, including website content and improvements, outbound e-mail marketing, digital message boards, online banking advertising, as well as related analytics and analysis. Christopher Scott has been promoted to assistant vice president, portfolio manager. He has more than eight years of financial-services and banking experience. In his new position, he will continue to support relationship managers in addition to managing his own commercial portfolio. Tracy Sicbaldi has been promoted to vice president, commercial and institutional banking. She has more than 30 years of financial-services and banking experience. In her new position, she will identify, develop, and manage new municipal, commercial, and institutional deposit relationships. Karen Sinopoli has been promoted to first vice president, controller. She has more than 15 years of financial-services and banking experience. In her new position, she will maintain the financial records of the bank, supervise all accounting and financial-reporting functions of the bank and its subsidiaries, and prepare all requisite corporate tax filings to conform with federal and state law. Aaron Sundberg has been promoted to assistant vice president, portfolio manager. He has more than 10 years of financial-services and banking experience.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Charter Oak Financial Merges with Two Firms

HOLYOKE — Charter Oak Financial, MassMutual Greater Long Island, and MassMutual Greater Hudson have combined. The expanded firm will operate as Charter Oak Financial and will be led by managing partners Brendan Naughton and Brad Somma. The consolidation is part of a strategic plan to extend Charter Oak’s reach and leverage highly skilled resources to create the scale and infrastructure needed to deliver an enhanced client experience. Charter Oak now includes 375 advisors and a team of more than 100 specialists and staff servicing clients from offices across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. The combination also bolsters existing presence in the Chinatowns of Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. Naughton and Somma have been industry colleagues since 2001 and bring a combined 30 years of financial-services expertise to their leadership roles. Naughton joined Charter Oak in 2005 as a managing director for the firm’s Stamford office. He filled that role until 2009, when he was appointed managing partner. Somma was a managing director with Charter Oak from 2008 until 2012, when he was appointed managing partner of MassMutual Greater Long Island.

Big Y Donates $215,742 to Breast-cancer Groups

SPRINGFIELD — In order to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, all Big Y supermarkets donated proceeds from their October initiative “Partners of Hope” to 29 breast-cancer treatment and support organizations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. During the month-long campaign, Big Y raised $215,742. The 29 recipients included eight organizations in Western Mass.: Protect our Breasts in Amherst; the Pink Way in Ludlow; Survivor Journeys in Longmeadow; Cancer Connection and Cooley Dickinson Hospital, both in Northampton; Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield; and Baystate Health Foundation/Rays of Hope and Mercy Medical Center, both in Springfield. Big Y donated a portion of the proceeds from both the Floral and Produce departments during October, and 5 cents for each Big Y, Top Care, Full Circle, Simply Done, Paws Happy Life, Pure Harmony, @Ease, Tippy Toes, and Culinary Tours brand products purchased between Oct. 4 and Oct. 10 (excluding random-weight items). The Big Y Butcher Shops also donated 10 cents from every pound of all-natural angus beef and Big Y Smart Chicken sold during the entire month of October. Big Y Pharmacy & Wellness Center donated $5 for every flu shot given. Every store promoted Partners of Hope pink ribbons for $1 for the month of October as a way of generating additional proceeds for local breast-cancer organizations throughout the two states. In addition, Big Y’s dietitian team, Carrie Taylor and Andrea Luttrell, devoted a portion of their fall newsletter to cancer prevention. Since 2007, Big Y has raised more than $2 million to support local breast-cancer initiatives.

The Starting Gate at GreatHorse Honored by WeddingWire

HAMPDEN — The Starting Gate at GreatHorse was announced a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire. For its 12th annual Couples’ Choice Awards, WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers, to find the most highly rated vendors of the year. These winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the millions of consumers who turn to WeddingWire each month to help ease their wedding-planning process. Wedding professionals who win WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards are members of WeddingPro, the leading B2B wedding brand.

EANE Offers Study Classes for HR Certification Tests

AGAWAM — Perfect distance vision is commonly referred to as 20/20 vision. As a new year begins, the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) wants to help those in the human resources (HR) field sharpen their visions for career growth. HR certifications from HRCI or SHRM indicate that an individual possesses a knowledge and understanding of what HR professionals at various levels are expected to know and do on the job. The certification exams require a combination of experience and preparation in order to be successful. EANE provides a proven study process for these exams. The national pass rates for the HRCI or SHRM certification tests is about 50%. That pass rate increases to nearly 90% for those who have studied with an EANE HR certification study group. EANE’s winter study group sessions begin in February. The $995 registration covers enrollment in the 10-week class that meets from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, as well as all necessary study materials. Dinner is provided at the study classes, which are led by EANE’s certified HR professionals. Learn more about EANE’s study classes at www.eane.org/hr-certification-study.

Swift River Building New Pharmacy at Home Campus

CUMMINGTON — Swift River, a member of the Addiction Campuses treatment centers, announced the opening of a new pharmacy. The construction project began in 2019 and is expected to be completed this month. Swift River has teamed up with Keiter Builders Inc. based in Florence, and Kuhn Riddle Architects of Amherst to lead in the design and construction of a new, 1,690-square-foot addition. The addition is a B-use occupancy including a nurse’s station, patient-service portals, exam rooms, and a pharmacy for the storage and dispensing of narcotic addition-treatment substances. The project is regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and meets relevant standards, including an alarm system, security cameras, motion and sound detectors, and limited key-access entry points.

GCC, Double Edge Theatre Announce Collaboration

GREENFIELD — This spring, Greenfield Community College (GCC) and Double Edge Theatre will embark on a formal collaboration to grow the role of visual and performing arts within the college and Franklin County. Kicking off with an experimental-performance class taught by Double Edge at GCC next semester, this partnership will evolve into a multi-year endeavor to engage a diverse mix of students and community members in longer productions and spectacles. Founded in Boston in 1982 as a feminist ensemble and laboratory for the creative process, Double Edge has been an integral part of the community in Ashfield for the past 25 years. Located on a 105-acre former dairy farm, the theatre welcomes people from around the world to come study, move, perform, produce, and explore the intersection of art and social justice. Over 700 students have come through the company’s rigorous and intensive training. Artistic home to a multitude of passions, skills, and interests, Double Edge attracts thousands of theater-goers every year. Shows are sold out months in advance, and the company has brought its imaginative and visceral work across the U.S. and as far as Central Europe, South America, and Norway.

Cosmetology Student Salon at STCC Accepting Clients

SPRINGFIELD — Need a haircut or manicure? How about a scalp treatment? Consider stopping by the Cosmetology Student Salon at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The salon, located in Building 20, Room 217, is open to clients Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for walk-ins 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a nominal fee for services. No appointment is necessary. Students can assist with haircuts, styling, scalp treatments, conditioning treatments, manicures, and paraffin hand treatments. A Redken Professional School, the student salon uses and sells Redken and Matrix professional products. Students in the salon are enrolled in the cosmetology program at STCC, which teaches the art, science, and business aspects of the cosmetology profession. Students who successfully complete the two-semester program will receive a certificate in cosmetology. All students who work in the lab have completed certain requirements mandated by the Massachusetts Cosmetology Rules and Regulations. For more information, call the salon at (413) 755-4837. To learn more, visit stcc.edu/explore/programs/cosm.crt.

Fresh Paint Releases Economic-impact Report

SPRINGFIELD — Fresh Paint Springfield, the first-ever downtown mural festival that took place in June 2019 and transformed 10 large exterior walls into art, has released a report on the positive economic impact that occurred in Springfield from last year’s festival. Fresh Paint Springfield has also announced plans for a 2020 festival, which is set to take place June 1-13, 2020 and will paint exterior walls in Mason Square and downtown Springfield. Nominations for 2020 murals on walls in Mason Square or downtown can be made at www.freshpaintspringfield.com/walls. The economic-impact study involved a team of specialists from the UMass Design Center and Jessica Payne Consulting to measure concrete participatory, financial, cultural, community, and environmental outcomes of the festival. The full report can be downloaded at www.freshpaintspringfield.com. The study found that Fresh Paint Springfield stimulated new investment in the downtown community and showcased the connection between public art and economic development. The resulting economic impact to Springfield was $361,481. The study also found that business owners benefited from an uptick in revenue during the festival, and the murals permanently improved the walkability of downtown. All business owners reported that sponsoring the festival was a good use of city and state economic-development funds, and would like to see Fresh Paint Springfield happen again. Respondents also overwhelmingly agreed that the murals and festival events valued public art and built a greater sense of community. The festival drew 12 sponsors, including foundations, nonprofits, municipal agencies, and businesses.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Amherst Youth Football Inc., 170 Chestnut St. Suite 1, Amherst, MA 01002. Michael Isabelle, 7 Cadwell St., Pelham, MA 01002. To promote youth football and to provide instruction related to the game of football in an environment that is positive and safe for children.

BARRE

Barre Food Pantry, A Non-For Profit Corporation, 167 Grogan Road, Barre, MA 01005. David Petrovick, same. To collect and provide food and to serve members of our community who face insufficiency, food insecurity, or hunger.

BELCHERTOWN

All Connections Electric Inc., 91 Eskett Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. Cory Mckenna, same. To provide electrical contract and service work to businesses and residences.

CHICOPEE

Western Mass Distance Project Inc., 27 Reed St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Joseph Czupryna, 1325 Commonwealth Ave., Apt 25, Boston, MA 02134. To foster national and international amateur sports competition; to support and develop amateur athletes for participation in national and international competition in track and field and long-distance running events.

Black Cat Theater Inc., 60 Pembroke Place, Chicopee, MA 01020. Richard S. Matteson, 9 Pine Grove Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. Real estate.

Chicopee Dentistry and Braces, P.C., 591 Memorial Marketplace , Chicopee, MA 01020. Patrick Assioun,10 Museum Way, Unit 2424, Cambridge, MA 02141. General and orthodontic dentistry.

HOLYOKE

Webmaster — Tri-County Baseball Inc., 287 Essex St., # 601, Holyoke, MA 01040. Kevin McGurk, 74 Overlook Dr., West Springfield, MA 01040. To provide publicity and promotional activities for the tri-county baseball league.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Deep Cleaning Auto Detailing Inc., 337 Main St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Nehemias Enrique Rodriguez, same. Auto detailing.

LONGMEADOW

C.F. Murphy & Associates Inc., 39 Oakwood Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Caroline F. Murphy, same. Real estate appraisal.

ORANGE

CJ Asian Inc., 326 East Main St., Orange, MA 01364. Kan So, same. To engage in restaurant business.

SUNDERLAND

Country Strong Fitness Inc., 231 Plumtree Road, Sunderland, MA 01375. Brennan Mckenna, same. Training and fitness.

CVA Soccer, Inc., 52 Kulessa Cross Road, Sunderland, MA 01375. Ailton R. Monteiro, 30 Colonial Village, Amherst, MA 01002. To promote and execute programs that increase awareness and participation in soccer, culture, and education initiatives within the community and internationally.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

American Sport A+ Inc., 99 Pine St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Asif Bayramov, same. To improve judo and other sports, write and print books, as well as to produce a documentary in the area.

Cannabis Matters Inc., 4 Wilder Terrace, West Springfield, MA 01089. Michael Anthony Skowron, same. Marketing, online t-shirts, advertising, education.

Car Shipped Inc., 96 Kings Highway, West Springfield, MA 01089. Vitaliy Dipon, same. Transportation.

WESTIFELD

300 Union Street Inc., 300 Union St., Westfield, MA 01085. Armand R. Cote, 149 Birnie Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. To own and operation commercial and residential real estate.

Cannabis Connection Inc., 48 Elm St., Suite 3, Westfield, MA 01085. Thomas P. Keenan, same. Retail sale of consumer products.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2019.

AMHERST

All Aspects Research
24 Sacco Dr.
Keri Heitner

Decoy Games, LLC
236 North Pleasant St., Suite 103-104
Khalil Abdullah, Ahmed Abdullah

Gold Global Advisors
272 Amity St.
Steven Gold

Seven Sadie Lane
39 Summerfield Road
Sarah Rayzl Lansky

Your Body Massage
800 Main St.
Ivy Woodrow

BELCHERTOWN

Re/Max Swift River Valley
3 Stadler St.
Matthew Jackson

RJM Carpentry
507 South Washington St.
Gary Decoteau

CHICOPEE

Car Credit 1st
536 East St.
Frank DeCaro

Lloyd’s Transmissions Inc.
955 Meadow St.
Sean Lloyd

Neon Shapes
263 Woodcrest Dr.
Michael Langevin, Omar Torres

Poor Richard’s Bar & Grill
116 School St.
Richard Harty

Westover Auto Repair, LLC
1653 Memorial Dr.
Jeffrey Duga, Jessica Duga

EAST LONGMEADOW

Burgess, Schultz & Robb
200 North Main St.
N. Andrew Robb

Elite Therapeutic Massage
489 North Main St.
Jennifer Nogas

HOLYOKE

Illusion Auto Sales
64 Clemente St.
Ismael Ramos

Mass Battery, LLC
12 Crescent St.
William Jergensen

Sendra Productions
1115 Main St.
Anthony Sendra

Urban Nest
14 Francis Ave.
Israel Blanco, Stacey Blanco

LONGMEADOW

Catalyst Paper (USA) Inc.
891 Longmeadow St.
Robert McKeown

East West General Counsel
32 Deerfield Ave.
Tetyana Buescher

Nan’s Attic Treasures
477 Williams St.
Christine Tamsin

Pacific Coast Outdoor Living and Landscapes
785 Williams St., #163
Richard Breeze Jr.

Silvi Salon & Spa
815 Williams St.
Paul Silvi

LUDLOW

Costa Electric
181 Wedgewood Road
Robert Costa

NORTHAMPTON

All Hands on Deck Network
20 Hampton Ave., Suite 200
William Wimsatt

Audiometrix
404 Chesterfield Road
Steven Ratchin

Breathing Deeply
39 Main St., #5
Brandt Passalacqua

Maren Brown Associates
98 Lake St.
Maren Brown

Realized Learning
160 Main St., Suite 5
Abigail Forcier

Urban Exchange
233 Main St.
Silvia Naumburger

PALMER

Kendra Ruth’s Sweeping Beauty House Cleaning
1552 North Main St.
Kendra Ballou

Mark Gilbert’s Auto Repair
24 Orchard St.
Mark Gilbert

M.G. Janitorial Services
405 Springfield St.
Margaret Guberow

New England Mini Donuts
215 Ware St.
Wayne Doyle, David-Michael Doyle

SPRINGFIELD

413 Café
1383 Main St.
Christina Raschi

Amarilis Market
14 Orange St.
I & R Food Corp.

Ameriside
62 Rittenhouse Ter.
Colby Vancoar

B & Ricks Management
235 State St.
Brittany Ricketts

Beautiful Lady
103 Westford Ave.
Ileana Velez

Faros
32 Hampden St.
Deborah Rodriguez

Gabbidon Tile Works
109 Malden St.
Ian Gabbidon

Garcia’s Painting
115 Piedmont St.
Luis Garcia

Kay’s Trucking, LLC
82 Arnold Ave.
Keisha Williams

Mark’s Oil Burner Service
64 Wakefield St.
Mark Failey

Medina’s Supermarket Inc.
2705 Main St.
Jose Medina

Mundo Cellular #6
1252 St. James Ave.
Alfredo Cellular #6

Nails by Sam
143 Main St.
Samantha Diaz

O’Connell Care at Home
1 Federal St.
O’Connell Care at Home

Retro Construction
221 Hancock St.
Enrique Domingo Cruz

Richie Rich Transport
128 Woodlawn St.
Ricardo James

Santos Tax Prep Services
30 Robert Dyer Circle
Edwin Santos

Simpli
61 Hampden St.
Austin Shitsukane

Slavic Native Orthodox Church
25 Powell Ave.
Svetlana Gorbovets

Winn Residential – Allen Park
251 Allen Park Road
Gilbert Winn

Winn Residential – Eastbrook Apartments
259 Fernbank Road
Samuel Ross

Winn Residential – Museum Park
70 Chestnut St.
Samuel Ross

WESTFIELD

Adam & Co. Landscapes & Design
43 Deer Path Lane
Adam Midura

Chartier’s General Carpentry Inc.
233 Union St.
Donald Chartier

CJF Electrical
840 Granville Road
Christopher Florek

Honor 22
42 Marla Circle
Lauren Smolkowicz

Maureen Kavanaugh Housekeeping
70 Whitaker Road
Maureen Kavanaugh

Nicolas Michael Collins
38 Taylor Ave.
Nicolas Collins

WS Power Washing
88 Notre Dame
Walter Stepchuk

WEST SPRINGFIELD

STAN
791 Piper Road
Stanley Zalewski

Santinello Construction
155 Allston Ave.
Robert Santinello

Steve’s Piping & Heating
180 Farmer Brown Lane
Stephen Bousquet

Storrowton Tavern
1305 Memorial Ave.
Vincent Calvanese

Visiting Angels
1233 Westfield St.
Michele Arduino

WILBRAHAM

Alltech Solutions Inc.
2341 Boston Road, Unit D110
Allen White

Amituofo Spa
2400 Boston Road
Robert Benjamin

Brenda Cuoco & Associates Real Estate Brokerage
2242 Boston Road, Unit D
Brenda Cuoco

Christ the King Epiphany Church
758 Main St.
Kevin Hinkamper

Coding Boston, LLC
11 Wilson St.
Adam Lopez

Collin C. Robinson Drywall
6 Pearl Dr.
Collin Robinson

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Arkoette, Victoria
115 Roosevelt Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/14/2019

Bisbee, Lilliam R.
58 East St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/12/2019

Dusza, Melissa A.
562 Alden St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/10/2019

Knybel, Christina
a/k/a Robare, Christina
83 Longfellow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/12/2019

Kohlenberger, Georgette M.
51 South Meadow Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/10/2019

Leboeuf, Colleen Marie
1533 Elm St., Apt. 215 Econo Lodge
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/13/2019

Mackechnie, Christine D.
a/k/a Palubinski, Christine D.
60 Hanward Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/06/2019

Martell, Erin Maureen Ford
29 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/11/2019

Panasian, Nicholas G.
665 Center St., Unit 208
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/11/2019

Perry, Elizabeth F.
217 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/13/2019

Rossman, Deborah Gail
a/k/a Shapiro-Rossman, Deborah G.
PO Box 238
Deerfield, MA 01342
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/11/2019

Spear, Robert
28 Andover Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/10/2019

Sullivan, John K.
3 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/05/2019

Theriault, Kristal L.
28 Adams St., Fl. 3
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/07/2019

Wiles, Laura J.
261 Ed Clark Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/06/2019

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

Beldingville Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Janet L. Castleman
Seller: Maplecrest TR
Date: 12/31/19

876 Beldingville Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Janet L. Castleman
Seller: Cape TR
Date: 12/31/19

221-A Pfersick Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bradford D. Scudder
Seller: Mary Ann Kinne Isdale TR
Date: 12/20/19

BERNARDSTON

44 Burrows Tpke.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Mark E. Gilmore
Seller: Joan G. Coombs
Date: 12/19/19

40 Gill Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: William P. Thompson
Seller: Richard J. Couture
Date: 12/27/19

BUCKLAND

5 Laurel St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Imogene E. Beasley
Seller: James G. Urell
Date: 12/23/19

COLRAIN

427 Main Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: R. E. Hackett-Dickinson
Seller: Nina M. Allan
Date: 12/23/19

CONWAY

221-A Pfersick Road
Conway, MA 01370
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bradford D. Scudder
Seller: Mary Ann Kinne Isdale TR
Date: 12/20/19

DEERFIELD

7 Graves St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: William E. Eckel
Date: 12/31/19

Mountain Road #4
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Peter A. Burakiewicz
Seller: Helen V. Miecznikowski
Date: 12/27/19

175 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jaimie B. Allen
Seller: Robin J. Karlin
Date: 12/27/19

River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Steve & Kathy Melnik FT
Seller: William W. Melnik
Date: 12/18/19

Route 5
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Greenfield Road LLC
Seller: Yankee Candle Co. Inc.
Date: 12/20/19

Route 10
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Greenfield Road LLC
Seller: Yankee Candle Co. Inc.
Date: 12/20/19

Route 116
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Greenfield Road LLC
Seller: Yankee Candle Co. Inc.
Date: 12/20/19

6-A Snowberry Circle
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $301,450
Buyer: Kathleen C. Weston
Seller: Ragus LLC
Date: 12/20/19

10 Sunrise Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Lynne M. Paju
Seller: Elizabeth A. Wright
Date: 12/27/19

ERVING

66-1/2 Mountain Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Bryan M. Mathey
Seller: Polucci, Suzy M., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/19

GILL

West Gill Road #1
Gill, MA 01376
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Larry J. Couch
Seller: Bruce E. Krejmas
Date: 12/18/19

GREENFIELD

28 Alden St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $186,500
Buyer: Cassidy B. Shaida
Seller: Catherine A. Kostecki
Date: 12/18/19

97 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Carol L. Magnuson
Seller: Gary Hanson
Date: 12/23/19

37 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01376
Amount: $122,457
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Joyce A. Rehaume
Date: 12/27/19

46 Fairview St. E
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Timothy T. Williams
Seller: Van K. Sullivan
Date: 12/24/19

208 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Easthampton Savings Bank
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 12/27/19

5 Keegan Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Robert C. Johnson
Seller: Patricia A. Varilly
Date: 12/20/19

63 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $6,301,071
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/19/19

57 Overland Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Mark W. Colby
Seller: Wayne D. Harvey
Date: 12/30/19

28 Phillips St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Janice E. Gianino
Seller: Hassan A. Peters
Date: 12/30/19

27 Pickett Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,500
Buyer: Brittany St.Peter
Seller: Parody Builders & Sons LLC
Date: 12/23/19

9 Pierce St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $218,300
Buyer: Kenneth J. Richards
Seller: Richard Newman
Date: 12/20/19

115 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Abaz Cecunjanin
Seller: Kris N. Warner
Date: 12/23/19

44 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Jianfeng Chi
Seller: Alexander M. Bourassa
Date: 12/23/19

LEYDEN

155 Mid County Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Leigh E. Wright
Seller: Jennifer A. Paris
Date: 12/27/19

MONTAGUE

130 3rd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $6,301,071
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/19/19

136 3rd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $6,301,071
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/19/19

11 Bridge St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Zachary Wright
Seller: William Ahlemeyer
Date: 12/30/19

36 Canal St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $679,087
Buyer: Milton Hilton LLC
Seller: Southworth Co.
Date: 12/27/19

79 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $6,301,071
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/19/19

83 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $6,301,071
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/19/19

106 Montague St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Richard L. Pomeroy
Seller: Ronald P. Jaspersohn
Date: 12/23/19

168 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: Douglas R. McNamara
Date: 12/20/19

68 Oakman St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Robert G. Rueter
Seller: Christina M. Couture
Date: 12/18/19

NEW SALEM

48 West St.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Alex Acosta
Seller: Lori J. Oliver
Date: 12/30/19

NORTHFIELD

14 Ashuelot Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jacob Johancen
Seller: Meredith M. Marcoux
Date: 12/20/19

37 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $282,410
Buyer: Kevin C. Seaman
Seller: Judith A. Radebaugh RET
Date: 12/18/19

49 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Rebecca A. McManus
Seller: Louis G. Guillette
Date: 12/31/19

Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $417,612
Buyer: Mitchell Materials LLC
Seller: Mitchell Aggregate LLC
Date: 12/30/19

ORANGE

286-288 Butterworth Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Kurt M. Moisan
Seller: Curtis R. Nichols
Date: 12/27/19

Quabbin Blvd.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: New England Agriculture
Seller: Orange Economic Developmet
Date: 12/19/19

60 Stone Valley Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: James Torrey
Seller: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Date: 12/23/19

61-R West Moore Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $910,000
Buyer: Echo Real Estate LLC
Seller: Factory Echo LLC
Date: 12/31/19

231 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Erika L. Gleason
Seller: Robyn M. Leonard
Date: 12/27/19

ROWE

15 Newell Cross Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Kyle K. Shippee
Seller: Gary H. Hudson
Date: 12/20/19

SHELBURNE

107 Fiske Mill Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Dakota W. Willis
Seller: Rodney W. Willis
Date: 12/30/19

SUNDERLAND

683 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Karen E. Niedzielski
Seller: Sibley Alvah L. 3rd, (Estate)
Date: 12/23/19

215 Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Amanda Majewski-Winn
Seller: Cynthia F. Majewski
Date: 12/20/19

WARWICK

Orange Road
Warwick, MA 01364
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Massachusetts Audubon Society
Seller: Tamburrini Real Estate Co.
Date: 12/27/19

WENDELL

90 Bullard Pasture Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Margaret A. Heinle TR
Seller: Joy Brenneman
Date: 12/18/19

WHATELY

372 State Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $6,301,071
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/19/19

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

320 Adams St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Ronald Juuko
Seller: Bert A. Johnson
Date: 12/23/19

484-486 Corey St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: Richard W. Golas
Date: 12/20/19

112 Cottonwood Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mehmet Cogal
Seller: Dawn Lancour
Date: 12/23/19

30 Coventry Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Shawn Santos
Seller: Douglas M. Trevallion
Date: 12/30/19

48 Dartmouth St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: Mikaela A. Nicora
Seller: William J. Murphy
Date: 12/30/19

20-22 Gale St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Buyer: Alfonso Santaniello
Seller: Piotr Peryeu
Date: 12/20/19

24 Hayes Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Peter Winslow
Seller: Vivenzio, Patricia A., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/19

6 Lealand Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

230 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $6,175,000
Buyer: EPC Hammes LLC
Seller: HP Agawam LLC
Date: 12/26/19

54 Monroe St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Michael E. Papoutsakis
Seller: David, Jonathan F., (Estate)
Date: 12/23/19

287 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Ritchai Huth
Seller: Benjamin Bobianski
Date: 12/27/19

20 Oak Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Brandon A. James-Richard
Seller: Eric W. Gaylord
Date: 12/18/19

6 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

10 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

1246 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Eagle Cincotta LLC
Seller: Laura K. Cincotta
Date: 12/19/19

1266 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Eagle Cincotta LLC
Seller: Laura K. Cincotta
Date: 12/19/19

73 Stony Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Daniel P. Tobias
Seller: HSBC Bank
Date: 12/31/19

52 William St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Anthony Settembre
Seller: Dennis G. Lang
Date: 12/30/19

BRIMFIELD

17 East Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Christine C. Medeiros
Seller: Brenda L. Dessert
Date: 12/31/19

29 Prospect Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Raymond F. Labonte
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/20/19

37 Saint George Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Stevie L. Leblanc
Seller: Kevin D. Ragion
Date: 12/18/19

CHICOPEE

14 Bell St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: Thomas Fregeau
Date: 12/20/19

35 Buckley Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Jonathan Leary
Seller: Robare, Floyd B., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/19

87 Dayton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Ronald L. Allwood
Seller: Laurie A. St.Marie
Date: 12/27/19

23 Dixie Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Nancy A. Mulvey
Date: 12/20/19

216 Fairview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Jason J. Libian
Seller: DGL Properties LLC
Date: 12/30/19

33 Fuller St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Pamelyn P. Louis
Seller: Oksana Gavel
Date: 12/30/19

43 Luther St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Maria Gonzalez-Ortiz
Seller: Scott A. Bailey
Date: 12/20/19

334 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Yabela RT
Seller: Pamela J. Morrione
Date: 12/30/19

444 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $21,560,000
Buyer: EPC Hammes LLC
Seller: HP Chicopee LLC
Date: 12/30/19

520 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

76 Muzzy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Shayne Sweeney
Seller: Aleksandr Tverdokhelbov
Date: 12/30/19

174 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Junior P. Swaby
Seller: Robert R. Duprat
Date: 12/20/19

122 Pine St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Campagnari Construction
Seller: Campagnari Construction
Date: 12/31/19

12 Ravine St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,400
Buyer: Elizabeth M. Henchey
Seller: Charlene L. Henchey
Date: 12/30/19

126 Royal St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $157,050
Buyer: Michael Konopko
Seller: Erin Bishop
Date: 12/30/19

53 Shepherd St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Ariel Osgood
Seller: James F. O’Hara
Date: 12/31/19

Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Westside Housing Inc.
Seller: Charles M. Kulig
Date: 12/23/19

280 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: V. M. Fernandez-Velasquez
Seller: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Date: 12/31/19

281 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Francisco D. Ortiz
Seller: Trilby LLC
Date: 12/18/19

30 South St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Zachary R. Tucker
Seller: Filomena M. Ribeiro
Date: 12/27/19

29 Sullivan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $195,400
Buyer: Nicole Murphy
Seller: ARPC LLC
Date: 12/18/19

Sycamore Lane #8
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Joseph Dasilva-Julio
Seller: Grandview Development Assocs.
Date: 12/23/19

69 Thornwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Kelly M. Macintyre
Seller: Louise R. Macintyre
Date: 12/27/19

17 Warwick Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Michael P. McCool
Seller: Joan L. McCool
Date: 12/18/19

47 Westport Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Abigail I. Arriaga
Seller: Steven J. Goyette
Date: 12/30/19

EAST LONGMEADOW

91 Colony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catalina Tarabarina
Seller: Robert Torcia
Date: 12/20/19

45 Fairhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Michael P. Moore
Seller: Philip A. Gould
Date: 12/23/19

59 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Sarah Waltsak
Seller: Elizabeth R. Rennell
Date: 12/30/19

204 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

5 Park Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Tyler Kane
Seller: Laurie B. Follit
Date: 12/31/19

101 Ridge Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Thomas R. Albano
Seller: Amy L. Harris
Date: 12/20/19

19 Sanford St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Brian Calandruccio
Seller: Justin M. Simmons
Date: 12/20/19

147 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: C&A Realty Enterprises
Seller: Donald W. Lomascolo
Date: 12/31/19

609 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Gina Salvatore
Seller: Brian Calandruccio
Date: 12/20/19

96 Windham Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Cesar Ruiz
Seller: Mohamed Mohamed
Date: 12/19/19

GRANVILLE

697 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Naomi Fetterman
Seller: John H. Woodruff
Date: 12/20/19

799 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $161,100
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Timothy H. Kellogg
Date: 12/23/19

75 South Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Nathaniel D. Senser
Seller: Donald J. Higby
Date: 12/20/19

HAMPDEN

31 Burleigh Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Mary B. Zajchowski
Seller: Munsell, Jacqueline C., (Estate)
Date: 12/19/19

31 Burleigh Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Mary B. Zajchowski
Seller: Munsell, Jacqueline C., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/19

17 Maple Grove Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Custom Homes Development Group
Seller: Leslie M. Lopardo
Date: 12/20/19

50 Mountainview Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Michael Beck
Seller: Lucille M. Beck
Date: 12/30/19

61 Sessions Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Lucille M. Beck
Seller: Michael C. Beck
Date: 12/30/19

100 Stony Hill Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $161,465
Buyer: Edward L. Muska
Seller: James Cherewatti
Date: 12/18/19

HOLLAND

160 Brimfield Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Susan Shaw-Saari
Seller: Boys & Girls Club Family
Date: 12/27/19

6 Kimball Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Daniel Maudsley
Seller: Matthew R. Grant
Date: 12/20/19

37 Kimball Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: John J. Folger
Seller: Dennis A. Chipps
Date: 12/31/19

90 Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: David N. Scaramangos
Seller: John Folger
Date: 12/30/19

88 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Amanda L. Saucier
Seller: Niles N. Robbins
Date: 12/26/19

93 Wales Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Kevin L. Tighe
Seller: David F. Dwyer
Date: 12/30/19

HOLYOKE

22-24 Canby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Paul G. Silva
Seller: Josue Colon
Date: 12/20/19

105-115 Chapin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Perez
Seller: 105 Chapin St. LLC
Date: 12/18/19

53 Clayton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Elizabeth R. Walker
Seller: Kathleen A. McMahon
Date: 12/27/19

34 Laurel St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Francisco L. Rivera
Seller: Nathan Santerre
Date: 12/30/19

36 Fairfield Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Dale E. Pariseault
Seller: Tara A. Moser
Date: 12/20/19

102 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Eric M. Rogers
Seller: Finn, Martin J. 3rd, (Estate)
Date: 12/23/19

152 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Gilbert Ramos
Seller: Sarah E. Forfa
Date: 12/20/19

19 Longfellow Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: James T. Tisdell
Seller: Richard W. Asselin
Date: 12/30/19

938-940 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: 938 Main Street LLC
Seller: William F. Leahy
Date: 12/27/19

70 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Forfa
Seller: Thomas J. McNulty
Date: 12/23/19

77 Richard Eger Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Zack Grzelak
Seller: Frain, William F., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/19

265 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Gilberto Uribe
Seller: Genevieve Construction Development Group
Date: 12/20/19

408 Southampton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $215,900
Buyer: Roman Shumeiko
Seller: Mary Y. Xie
Date: 12/31/19

17 Vassar Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Felton
Seller: Donald J. Mann
Date: 12/31/19

192 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,600
Buyer: Jennifer Dolan-Goodyear
Seller: Alfred Shattelroe
Date: 12/19/19

LONGMEADOW

73 Birchwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Thomas M. King
Seller: Kelly L. Woodhouse
Date: 12/19/19

29 Colony Acres Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Christine C. Spelman
Seller: Pasquale Scibelli
Date: 12/19/19

75 Colton Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Thomas Butcher
Seller: Christine Spelman
Date: 12/19/19

101 Colton Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $277,101
Buyer: Andrea M. Davis
Seller: Christopher Pierson
Date: 12/23/19

211 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $521,750
Buyer: Joseph Savaria
Seller: Barbara W. Carroll
Date: 12/20/19

15 Cross St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Kimberley L. Murphy
Seller: Richard J. Graveline
Date: 12/27/19

64 Elmwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Nicholas E. Hurlin
Seller: Raymond A. Burer
Date: 12/24/19

106 Englewood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Joseph Ford
Seller: Jane H. Griggs
Date: 12/30/19

25 Farmington Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: Christopher D. Pierson
Seller: Vladimir M. Petrovic
Date: 12/23/19

50 Meadow Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Sharon Connor
Seller: Witchwood Realty LLC
Date: 12/31/19

945 Shaker Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: AC Liberty Development LLC
Seller: North Harlow 6 LLC
Date: 12/23/19

18 Silver Birch Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Neda Dulaimy
Seller: Nagendra Yadava
Date: 12/23/19

33 Woolworth St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Min H. Cho
Seller: David G. Chapdelaine
Date: 12/24/19

LUDLOW

150 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Joseph W. Robinson
Seller: Thomas A. Parent
Date: 12/31/19

425 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

783-785 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Cameron Frigon
Seller: Maureen L. Nahorniak
Date: 12/20/19

1262 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Geoffrey J. Creed
Seller: Antonio F. Baltazar
Date: 12/27/19

707 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Richter
Seller: Robert J. Robitaille
Date: 12/27/19

389 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Vernon McKinney
Seller: James A. Pafumi
Date: 12/20/19

19 Grant St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $149,600
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Michelle A. Diotalevi
Date: 12/18/19

98 Nash Hill Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Michele A. Liberto
Seller: Bourcier, Fabiola E., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/19

149 Waverly Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jon P. Hastings
Seller: Kristen N. Miller
Date: 12/20/19

17 Woodland Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Timothy Q. Maples
Seller: David M. Fernandes
Date: 12/24/19

MONSON

52 Hovey Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Faith Esposito
Seller: Marissa E. Brown
Date: 12/27/19

PALMER

104 Beech St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Sally A. Peacey
Seller: James R. Lessard
Date: 12/20/19

15 Birch St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Cameron W. Prosperi
Seller: Richard L. Turnbull
Date: 12/20/19

2093 Calkins Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Michael J. Morassi
Seller: Christian J. Meyer
Date: 12/30/19

166 Chudy St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: William Walker
Seller: Robert G. Groux
Date: 12/27/19

46 French Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Matthew A. Herring
Seller: JNB Property Investment
Date: 12/23/19

75 Griffin St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Logan J. Lehman
Seller: Jonathan P. Cote
Date: 12/23/19

1061 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Miroslaw Wloch
Seller: Randy J. Dimitropolis
Date: 12/23/19

1036 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Mary-Clement Gelezunas
Seller: Jared Adams
Date: 12/23/19

1085 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Premo
Seller: Barbara Matthes
Date: 12/20/19

Route 32
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Deer Haven Farm LLC
Seller: Jeannine M. Gagnon
Date: 12/20/19

RUSSELL

27 Highland Ave.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Shane R. Maynard
Seller: Liza M. Farrelly
Date: 12/20/19

SOUTHWICK

6 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Ryan Briggs
Seller: David R. Whitelock
Date: 12/19/19

1 Kline Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Maksim Zinchenko
Seller: Joseph Burns
Date: 12/30/19

101 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gregory M. Koss
Seller: Kathleen P. McIntyre
Date: 12/27/19

Sawgrass Lane #16
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Dennis Aube
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 12/20/19

Sawgrass Lane #21
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Dennis Aube
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 12/20/19

Sawgrass Lane #22
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Dennis Aube
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 12/20/19

SPRINGFIELD

53 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $147,600
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Coleen Solin
Date: 12/19/19

136 Alderman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Roland Nkwanyuo
Seller: Andrea P. Richards
Date: 12/23/19

222 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Noemi Souza
Seller: Huan V. Huynh
Date: 12/23/19

256 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Idaliz Noble-Borges
Seller: Carrasquillo Fix Up LLC
Date: 12/23/19

25 Amore Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Carmen M. Nieves
Seller: Robert Murphy
Date: 12/31/19

50 Ashland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Carlos Aguasvivas
Seller: Juanita C. Russell
Date: 12/23/19

167 Barrington Dr.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Isaac Teresia
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/19/19

93 Bartels St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Revampit LLC
Seller: Helen R. Mojkowski
Date: 12/19/19

1650 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Greatley Realty LLC
Seller: Laguercia Family LP
Date: 12/31/19

752-754 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: 752-754 Belmont Ave LLC
Seller: Nydia E. Crespo
Date: 12/20/19

80 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Edwin E. Montero
Seller: Jorge A. Rivera
Date: 12/20/19

305 Bicentennial Hwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $9,165,000
Buyer: EPC Hammes LLC
Seller: HP Springfield Bicentennial
Date: 12/26/19

55 Blake St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Kathleen Arroyo
Seller: Lavinia Brown-Pinckney
Date: 12/19/19

1315 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

447 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Odetta Y. Williams
Seller: Daniel O’Sullivan
Date: 12/27/19

705-707 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Laguercia Family LP
Seller: SA Hldg 1 LLC
Date: 12/27/19

1727 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Laura G. Chavez
Seller: Charles Rothus
Date: 12/31/19

55 Carol Ann St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Frank Verde
Seller: Jason A. McCarthy
Date: 12/20/19

4 Chapin Ter.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Reubben Fontanez
Seller: DZD Associates LLC
Date: 12/20/19

37 Chase Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $163,221
Buyer: London Realty LLC
Seller: Janice Desarden
Date: 12/18/19

95 College St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Lucas Feliu
Seller: Gail A. Castle
Date: 12/30/19

162-164 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Riccardo Albano
Seller: Nolava LLC
Date: 12/23/19

274 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Joseph W. Powers
Seller: Angelina Geoffroy
Date: 12/30/19

22-24 Decatur St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Grace A. Muir
Seller: Reynaldo D. Rodriguez
Date: 12/30/19

45-47 Devens St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $236,500
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: Ursula I. Lazarz
Date: 12/30/19

189 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Jefferson Barros
Seller: Arch Properties LLC
Date: 12/20/19

84 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Cherie A. Rodriguez
Seller: Colin T. McNally
Date: 12/31/19

28 Drumlin Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Brian Santiago
Seller: Alba N. Gomez
Date: 12/30/19

552 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Christopher D. Masse
Seller: Thomas A. Butcher
Date: 12/19/19

75 East Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $182,900
Buyer: Kyle R. Fontaine
Seller: Hilary A. Bickford
Date: 12/20/19

487 East Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

833 East Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

22 Edgemont St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: AJN Rentals LLC
Seller: Ali M. Mourad
Date: 12/23/19

102 Fieldston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Kareem L. White
Seller: Randall R. Jarry
Date: 12/31/19

60 Garcia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Ali P. Whitehead
Seller: Robert F. Bowers
Date: 12/24/19

30 Garland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Robert Kupiec
Seller: Hieu T. Nguyen
Date: 12/20/19

26 Georgetown St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Leonard Gendron
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 12/23/19

106 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Michael R. Godek
Seller: R2R LLC
Date: 12/27/19

3 Hartford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Edward McSweeney
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 12/20/19

107 Hudson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Samuel H. Acevedo-Escobar
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 12/27/19

33 Hunt St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Olga Ortiz-Maldonado
Date: 12/30/19

302 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Shrijana Giri
Seller: Gina Daniele
Date: 12/23/19

24-26 Jenness St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Kimberly Rios
Seller: Jacob A. Saleh
Date: 12/31/19

12-14 Kendall St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Cedar Investment Group
Seller: Cedar Investment Group
Date: 12/31/19

101 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $244,800
Buyer: Angeljoy Co. LLC
Seller: Jasnia Realty LLC
Date: 12/19/19

107 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $444,000
Buyer: Angeljoy Co. LLC
Seller: Jasnia Realty LLC
Date: 12/19/19

131 Laconia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Cassie Provost
Seller: Jimmy Deleon
Date: 12/27/19

191 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Yanibel Vasquez
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 12/24/19

67 Lang St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Mirna I. Pabon
Seller: Paul J. Babiec
Date: 12/20/19

113 Lebanon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Benze Muzusangabo
Seller: Celia Alleyne
Date: 12/27/19

162 Mallowhill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Mishel M. Rivera-Carrillo
Seller: George Johnson
Date: 12/30/19

108 Manchester Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Nicole Sarno
Seller: Manchester Enterprises
Date: 12/20/19

88-90 Monmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Luis A. Ramos
Seller: Lucio E. Maldonado
Date: 12/20/19

Monticello Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $186,900
Buyer: Vanessa Bernecer-Diaz
Seller: Mister Mister LLC
Date: 12/27/19

36 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Edward Aaron
Seller: JJJ 7 LLC
Date: 12/23/19

34 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Erbact LLC
Seller: Sanmar Enterprises Inc.
Date: 12/20/19

140 Nagle St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jeremy P. Ross
Seller: Lydia D. Pacheco
Date: 12/20/19

197 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Lamar Nelson
Seller: Kelnate Realty LLC
Date: 12/24/19

214-216 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Adam Carrington
Seller: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Date: 12/24/19

64 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Wilmarie Vazquez
Seller: Sandra D. Daley
Date: 12/24/19

118-120 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Juan L. Cespedes
Seller: Magaly Colon
Date: 12/27/19

313 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Phylis Muthee
Seller: Andrew J. Crane
Date: 12/31/19

2239 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Marangely Martinez
Seller: Madelyn D. Mendez
Date: 12/30/19

76 Paramount St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Olivia L. Kearney
Seller: Steven J. Giguere
Date: 12/23/19

1715 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Natalie W. Warner
Date: 12/30/19

250 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Wileyka Lara
Seller: Pedro E. Magalhaes
Date: 12/27/19

580 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: BMO Real Estate LLC
Seller: Robert Olberg
Date: 12/26/19

31-33 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Cheyenne M. Janas
Seller: Michael A. Gardner
Date: 12/31/19

357 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Kathleen Aracena
Seller: Suzanne M. Wayner
Date: 12/27/19

85 Ruthven St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $249,888
Buyer: Arbinson Stewart
Seller: Carlos Aquasvivas
Date: 12/20/19

36 Sabin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Wyatt P. Quinn
Seller: Strati Patrakis
Date: 12/27/19

881 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $155,500
Buyer: Francisco Flores
Seller: Barbara A. Oconnor
Date: 12/30/19

11-13 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Heidy Gonzalez
Seller: KEC Properties LLC
Date: 12/23/19

118 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Eimy Holguin
Seller: Brett A. Staples
Date: 12/24/19

19 Sargon St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Michael Niemiec
Seller: Mary E. Barnett
Date: 12/20/19

43 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Mark Warden
Seller: McCarthy, Maureen C., (Estate)
Date: 12/30/19

87 Somerset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Justin M. Mestre
Seller: Ryan J. Kelly
Date: 12/30/19

730 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

149 Tallyho Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Michael Lockard
Seller: Douglas K. Fosberg
Date: 12/19/19

57-59 Tyler St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Ching-Chi Lee
Seller: Western Mass Realty LLC
Date: 12/23/19

407 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $165,900
Buyer: R. J. Cardona-Rodriguez
Seller: Jeffrey A. Bradshaw
Date: 12/20/19

96 Vincent St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Anthony W. Shepard
Seller: Angela M. Romolo
Date: 12/31/19

58-60 Virginia St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Angela Y. Banks-Jenkins
Seller: Z&M Investments LLC
Date: 12/20/19

51 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Carolina Figueroa
Seller: James T. Lawson
Date: 12/30/19

20 Warehouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Charles G. Arment
Seller: Chapdelaine, Doris C., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/19

18 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Fina J. Fulla-Kay
Seller: Robert Sternberg
Date: 12/20/19

98 Welland Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Glenn L. Wilson
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 12/27/19

166 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Christina Valle
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 12/27/19

93 West Broad St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

720 West Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

376-378 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Nathan A. Pierce
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 12/27/19

40 White Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $172,900
Buyer: Daniel Gomez
Seller: Matthew B. Herring
Date: 12/23/19

51 Whittier St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Yadira J. Jimenez-Tejada
Seller: Remo Pizzichemi
Date: 12/31/19

1200 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

WALES

3 Reed Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Niles N. Robbins
Seller: Karen L. Outlaw
Date: 12/26/19

WEST SPRINGFIELD

261 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $386,500
Buyer: Hoang M. Vo
Seller: Liliya Bogomaz
Date: 12/27/19

60 Armstrong St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $233,500
Buyer: Beda M. Bhandari
Seller: Tek Gautam
Date: 12/27/19

94 Ashley St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Dmitriy Zhupikov
Seller: Vladimir Zhupikov
Date: 12/23/19

57 Bonair Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,288
Buyer: Walide Soufane
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/31/19

14 Chester St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Marco Basile
Seller: Ralph D. Liebro
Date: 12/31/19

339 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Heidi L. Spaulding
Seller: Kathy A. Norman
Date: 12/26/19

92 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Dora I. Chavez-Saravia
Seller: Michael Donskoy
Date: 12/20/19

15-17 Herrman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Tatyan Yuryevna-Cherykau
Seller: Patricia Gorman
Date: 12/31/19

518 Memorial Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $5,835,319
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

465 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jake D. Breton
Seller: KSV Realty LLC
Date: 12/24/19

217-219 New Bridge St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $5,835,319
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

185 Overlook Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Kevin G. Elliott
Seller: Natalia W. Kidwell
Date: 12/23/19

320 Prospect Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Abdulmajid Boukraya
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 12/23/19

1130 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

76 Squire Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Konstantin P. Khodunov
Seller: Helen S. Kitchell
Date: 12/30/19

31 Upper Church St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Jasmine C. Vazquez
Seller: Property Keys LLC
Date: 12/24/19

80 Valley View Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. McGeoghan
Seller: Richard W. Abel
Date: 12/19/19

2667 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

735 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

WESTFIELD

149 Bear Hole Road
Westfield, MA 01089
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: John S. Langevin
Seller: Rheal Duquette
Date: 12/27/19

18 Dubois St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $133,599
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: FHLM
Date: 12/18/19

412 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Matthew Rogalski
Seller: Ryan Briggs
Date: 12/19/19

1199 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Nicholas G. Renschler
Seller: Richard G. Witherell
Date: 12/30/19

77 Gary Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Sarat
Seller: Hanibal C. Tayeh
Date: 12/30/19

39 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Meaghan C. Serafin
Seller: Coffey, Michael D., (Estate)
Date: 12/30/19

24 Green Pine Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Brian W. Summers
Seller: Tse, David George, (Estate)
Date: 12/18/19

132 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Dmitriy Mayboroda
Seller: Ewa Celatka
Date: 12/31/19

66 Janis Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Tracy S. Proper
Seller: Michael W. Monahan
Date: 12/30/19

62 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Ashley Piccirilli
Seller: John N. Durkee
Date: 12/24/19

18 McKinley Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Samuel J. Scrivner
Seller: Lake Rentals LLC
Date: 12/20/19

175 Pontoosic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $284,900
Buyer: Ashley Marshall
Seller: Daniel J. Nangle
Date: 12/30/19

159 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $257,500
Buyer: Carl E. Priest
Seller: Peter M. Mitus
Date: 12/27/19

33 Springdale St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Hannah E. Graydon
Seller: Lynne A. Hannifan
Date: 12/19/19

17 Stephanie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mark S. Dupuis
Seller: Philip A. Lees
Date: 12/20/19

16 Stephen Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Diana T. Stucchi
Seller: Patricia A. Nally
Date: 12/20/19

142 Western Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Andrew Laverdiere
Seller: Jessica L. Menard
Date: 12/20/19

50 Willis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $164,697
Buyer: Vincent J. Beltrandi
Seller: Bickford, Claire E., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/19

65 Woodcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $337,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Walts
Seller: Ian C. Plakias
Date: 12/20/19

WILBRAHAM

2788 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $38,048,717
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/24/19

1016 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Robert Sarasin TR
Seller: Antonio Carvalho
Date: 12/24/19

21 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Mark A. Blais
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 12/27/19

11 Ripley St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Laurie L. Addoms
Seller: Dnepro Properties LLC
Date: 12/27/19

1183 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Sapphire Property Dev. LLC
Date: 12/27/19

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

552 Flat Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Victor E. Guevara
Seller: Matthew J. Turcotte
Date: 12/19/19

Leverett Road #A
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Tessa Smit
Seller: Amherst Real Properties
Date: 12/20/19

Leverett Road #B
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Tessa Smit
Seller: Amherst Real Properties
Date: 12/20/19

125 North Whitney St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Theresa S. Godfrey
Seller: John J. Bak
Date: 12/20/19

397-399 Northampton Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $8,638,741
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/23/19

263 South Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Amherst College
Seller: Lisa Raskin
Date: 12/23/19

Sunderland Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Sunderland Road North LLC
Seller: Szala RT
Date: 12/27/19

181 University Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $18,450,000
Buyer: CP Amherst LLC
Seller: Amherst Shopping Center Assoc.
Date: 12/18/19

32 Woodlot Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Catherine K. Seldin
Seller: Word D. Peake
Date: 12/30/19

BELCHERTOWN

154 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Cedarwood Apartments LLC
Seller: Adams-Hampshire County RT
Date: 12/31/19

276 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Caitlyn G. McGinn
Seller: Daniel P. Kramer
Date: 12/30/19

18 Dogwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $400,500
Buyer: Soonkyu Chung
Seller: Gary M. Iverson
Date: 12/20/19

101 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Mung Pham
Seller: Irving R. Rosazza FT
Date: 12/20/19

68 Jackson St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Richard B. Antos
Seller: William M. Russell
Date: 12/20/19

135 Kennedy Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Joanna L. Wilbur
Seller: Christian S. Bourdeau
Date: 12/20/19

32 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: Ronald Bercume
Date: 12/20/19

CHESTERFIELD

210 Ireland St.
Chesterfield, MA 01084
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Zachary J. Lyman
Seller: Jacob A. Chase
Date: 12/20/19

59 Sugar Hill Road
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: John O’Connell
Seller: Laraine Childs
Date: 12/27/19

CUMMINGTON

28 Trouble St.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Samuel Remington-Long
Seller: Ann E. Furciniti
Date: 12/19/19

EASTHAMPTON

32 1st Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Joseph R. King
Seller: Robert A. Church
Date: 12/20/19

40 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Shani Ofrat
Seller: Laura A. Kalba
Date: 12/20/19

54-56 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $413,000
Buyer: John P. Bonin
Seller: Kevin C. Netto Construction Inc.
Date: 12/23/19

9 Liberty St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christopher Thompson
Seller: Bixby, Thomas P., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/19

11 Lord St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $221,800
Buyer: Brennan E. Struthers
Seller: Machnik, Stanley, (Estate)
Date: 12/20/19

9 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Julia M. Keay
Seller: Chmura, Thaddeus J., (Estate)
Date: 12/19/19

1 Maxine Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Felix L. Santos
Seller: Cherie Rodriguez
Date: 12/31/19

124 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $8,638,741
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/23/19

39 Pine Hill Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Kam C. Boon
Seller: Mark J. Murphy
Date: 12/24/19

8 Wendell Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Zachary D. Virgilio
Seller: Lawrence D. Molloy NT
Date: 12/30/19

10 West Park Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Victor M. Rodite
Seller: Lucille Lussier
Date: 12/19/19

GRANBY

6 Wood Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Joshua S. Moynahan
Seller: Donald E. McGrath
Date: 12/31/19

HADLEY

27 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $305,500
Buyer: Gregory J. Rodak
Seller: Donald J. Wilda
Date: 12/18/19

6 Hawley Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: William S. Kosloski
Date: 12/23/19

3 Indian Pipe Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $609,000
Buyer: Brandi G. Labanc
Seller: Shiyue Cheng
Date: 12/27/19

Nort Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Keith A. Rehbein
Seller: D. Alden Johnson
Date: 12/30/19

6 Nikkis Way
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $669,000
Buyer: Adam Ginsburg
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 12/26/19

456 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $8,638,741
Buyer: Western MA EEN LLC
Seller: CH Realty 7&CG Mact Bird
Date: 12/23/19

HATFIELD

11 Gore Ave.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kenneth R. Balise
Date: 12/20/19

HUNTINGTON

2 Crescent St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Dominic J. Boschetti
Seller: Charles A. Firsch
Date: 12/19/19

9 Park Ridge Dr.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Angelia M. Oliveira
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 12/31/19

3 Pisgah Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michael O’Connor
Seller: Roxanne K. Golec
Date: 12/20/19

NORTHAMPTON

36 Arlington St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $536,000
Buyer: Mark R. Chrabascz
Seller: Brian Adams
Date: 12/27/19

69 Cherry St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christian Smith
Seller: Joseph R. Salvatore
Date: 12/31/19

181 Chestnut St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Gabrielle E. Hollender
Seller: Theresa E. Collins
Date: 12/20/19

181 Chestnut St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Gabrielle E. Hollender
Seller: Theresa E. Collins
Date: 12/31/19

55 Florence St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: David G. Poppie
Seller: Martin J. Rule
Date: 12/18/19

24 Hillcrest Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $505,500
Buyer: Edward Kelly
Seller: Branch RT
Date: 12/20/19

330 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,900,000
Buyer: 344 King Street LLC
Seller: Castle Pines LLC
Date: 12/31/19

209 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Douglas B. Thayer
Seller: Douglas P. Ferrante
Date: 12/23/19

28 Pine Brook Curve
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Magda M. Oiry
Seller: Linda L. Kibe
Date: 12/20/19

4 Rust Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $459,000
Buyer: Ilia Karatsoreos
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 12/20/19

447 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Lisa M. Kirouac
Seller: Janice M. Ferry RET
Date: 12/20/19

906 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Emmaline Folkins
Seller: Angela E. Perry
Date: 12/20/19

100 Turkey Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: Peter V. Crowell
Seller: Anna J. Krebs
Date: 12/20/19

SOUTH HADLEY

132 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Richard J. Cebula
Seller: Cynthia C. Long
Date: 12/31/19

11 Bunker Hill
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Anthony Barstow
Seller: Bradley F. Podliska
Date: 12/31/19

6 Eagle Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Michael S. Duperier
Seller: Nancy L. Howard
Date: 12/23/19

6 Ethan Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $481,200
Buyer: Andre D. Rousseau
Seller: Luis Builders Inc.
Date: 12/30/19

15 Fulton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: PCI Construction Inc.
Seller: Adam Tanguay
Date: 12/20/19

7 Joan St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Stephen P. Lambert
Seller: Claude D. Lambert
Date: 12/23/19

152 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $253,900
Buyer: Jennie Lamothe
Seller: Adam F. Jajko
Date: 12/30/19

6 Saybrook Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Maryalyce Dudek
Seller: Gail Pelland
Date: 12/31/19

108 Silver St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Timothy A. Chumley
Seller: E&G Joint Venture NT
Date: 12/18/19

12 Stonegate Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $427,000
Buyer: Carl A. Bellefeuille
Seller: Premier Home Builders Inc.
Date: 12/18/19

121 Sunset Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Freda Peters
Seller: Margaret Moore
Date: 12/20/19

20 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Adam F. Jajko
Seller: Christine M. Wilda
Date: 12/30/19

SOUTHAMPTON

122 Brickyard Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jacob A. Chase
Seller: Joseph R. King
Date: 12/20/19

29 Cottage Ave.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Melissa F. Bishop
Date: 12/19/19

23 Freyer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Michelle Zemba
Seller: Michael Potenza
Date: 12/27/19

11 Helen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Casey L. Ostrowski
Seller: Laura A. Pompei
Date: 12/31/19

153 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Benjamin C. Gillespie
Seller: Mark Hardy
Date: 12/30/19

5 Rosalie Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Jon W. Cooper
Seller: Elizabeth B. Musto
Date: 12/23/19

WARE

63 Babcock Tavern Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Benjamin K. Drouin
Seller: James D. O’Hara
Date: 12/19/19

24 Gilbertville Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Christopher F. Carlson
Seller: Benjamin K. Drouin
Date: 12/19/19

116 Gilbertville Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: David B. Collins
Seller: Dean G. Miner
Date: 12/30/19

16 Gould St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Jared Adams
Seller: Denise Albano
Date: 12/23/19

14 Indian Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Christina M. Girard
Seller: Kevin G. Elliott
Date: 12/23/19

Route 32
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Deer Haven Farm LLC
Seller: Jeannine M. Gagnon
Date: 12/20/19

154 Upper Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Russell Prouty
Seller: Bramble, Mary J., (Estate)
Date: 12/31/19

14 Walnut St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Ryan R. Sullivan
Seller: EDN Enterprises LLC
Date: 12/30/19

151 West Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Iris Y. Melendez
Seller: Ralph T. Worden
Date: 12/18/19

WILLIAMSBURG

6 Grove St.
Williamsburg, MA 01060
Amount: $170,500
Buyer: Luz A. Castillo-Morehouse
Seller: Michael J. Duquette
Date: 12/19/19

WESTHAMPTON

91 North Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Eric Jacobson
Seller: David G. Poppie
Date: 12/18/19

71 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: James S. Kemper
Seller: Laroche, Mary Anne C., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/19

WORTHINGTON

697 Old North Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Ira Doull
Seller: Sharon A. Guy
Date: 12/31/19

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2019.

AMHERST

87 North Pleasant St. Family Partnership
87 North Pleasant St.
$1,500 — Repair front porch decking and underpinnings at funeral home

Northland Builders, LLC
188 East Hadley Road, Unit 156A
$50,000 — Renovate leasing office

Sixty-nine Ninety-one Main St.
79 Main St.
$6,000 — Remove existing windows, frame opening for new windows

CHICOPEE

Luis DeJesus
43 West St.
$10,000 — Interior demolition of four floors

Hurricane Properties
20 Henshaw St.
$3,400 — Replace four exterior entrance doors, install three doors in common space

Hurricane Properties
51 Southwick St.
$45,000 — Windows, siding, roofing

EAST LONGMEADOW

4 Run 3
78 Center Square
$27,000 — Storage and changing rooms

Big Y
431 North Main St.
$44,000 — Demolish pharmacy and Little Y

City Line Package Store
650 North Main St.
$65,000 — Roofing

Cornerstone Church
15 Kibbe Road
$4,200 — Replace deck

Fairview Extended Care Services Inc.
305 Maple St.
$64,140 — Four signs

HADLEY

220 Russell St., LLC
220 Russell St., Suite 401
$1,500 — Replace insulation and drywall ceiling in bathroom, install new bath fan

LEE

Berkshire Marble and Granite Corp.
95 Marble St.
$9,500 — Install seven casement windows

Joseph Sorrentino
85 Center St.
$5,000 — Sheetrock

LONGMEADOW

Town of Longmeadow
693 Longmeadow St.
$19,000 — Exterior wall repairs and window replacements at Storrs Library

NORTHAMPTON

Firefly Properties
155 Industrial Dr.
$96,000 — New office partitions

Hospital Hill Development, LLC
35 Village Hill Road
$3,199,912.50 — Construct three-level mixed-use building with first-floor offices and second- and third-floor residential units

Investment Real Estate
550 Easthampton Road
$5,000 — Illuminated ground sign for Moove In Self Storage

IWG Towers Assets
790 Florence Road
$35,000 — Install three antennas and replace three existing radio heads with six remote radio heads

Northwood Development, LLC
15 Atwood Dr.
$110,000 — Build out third floor for new office space

Smith College
23 Elm St.
$36,000 — Renovate basement office and second-floor offices in Stoddard Hall

SPRINGFIELD

Boston Road/Pasco Rt. 20 Retail, LLC
1300 Boston Road
$389,825 — Remodel interior office space, including new non-load-bearing walls and ADA bathroom

City of Springfield
1000 West Columbus Ave.
$2,519,375.45 — Alter interior space at Basketball Hall of Fame, including first-floor center court and second-floor museum

Merton Cole Jr., Norma Cole
206 Gifford St.
$18,000 — Remove and replace siding on detached garage

Fitzpatrick, Moran & Costa Properties, LLP
299 Carew St.
$34,526 — Interior remodeling for new office

GELW Mass II, LLC
1341 Main St.
$52,000 — Partial interior demolition of office building

Northgate Center, LLC
1985 Main St.
$68,183 — Modify existing tenant space, partial demolition, build new partition walls, build new counter, partial new ceiling, cosmetic repair

Pentecostal Christian Church Inc.
2652 Main St.
$13,000 — Remove existing skylight, close opening to match existing roof, install new drop ceiling

MassHire Springfield Career Center Celebrates Grand Opening

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MassHire Springfield Career Center held a grand opening celebration at its new facility on Jan. 14. Located on the third floor of 95 Liberty St., the larger space better serves job seekers and business customers, due to more efficient flow of people through the space, improved meeting rooms, an upgraded computer lab, increased internet speed, and better wi-fi coverage.

Kevin Lynn, executive director of MassHire Springfield Career Center, said the new facility was well-received. “People were excited to the see our upgrades and their impact on our customers. The professional environment sends a positive message about our mission to develop our local workforce.”

About 125 people attended the event, which included guided tours of the 13,200-square-foot facility. The career center offers a variety of services designed to meet the needs of customers. People looking to advance their career can take advantage of job-search and computer-skills training workshops, and also learn about career-training programs. Businesses can post jobs at no cost as well as participate in various recruiting activities and programs.

MassHire Springfield Career Center serves 12,000 job seekers and more than 600 businesses annually. Opened as FutureWorks Career Center in 1996, a rebranding under the MassHire name took place in September 2018 as part of a statewide effort to unify the workforce-development system.

STCC to Offer Certified Auto-damage Appraisal Course

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer a certified auto-damage appraisal course for insurance-claims professionals and auto-body technicians beginning Feb. 4.

The 60-hour course is the first step to becoming an auto-damage appraiser in Massachusetts. The training through STCC’s Workforce Development Center prepares students for the exam to be a licensed appraiser.

Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., through April 9.

Approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, the training offers an in-depth discussion of insurance regulations, policy arbitration, and work-completion forms. The instructor has more than 40 years of experience in the collision-repair and insurance industry in Massachusetts and Connecticut and holds auto-appraiser licenses in both states. The course will include the use of flat-rate manual, collision diagnosis, cost estimation, and preparation of written estimates.

To become licensed, students will need to complete the course and a three-month apprenticeship with a licensed Massachusetts automobile appraiser. In addition, they will need to obtain a certified letter verifying the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship must be completed prior to applying to take the Massachusetts Automobile Damage Appraisers License Examination.

For more information and to enroll online, visit www.stcc.edu/autoappraisal. To contact the Workforce Development Center Office, call (413) 755-4225.

Elms College to Host Art Exhibit by Husband-and-wife Team

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Borgia Gallery at Elms College will present an exhibition of artwork by Andrae and Priya Nadkarni Green, married painters from Springfield.

“Ambidextrous” will be on display in the gallery from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Feb. 4 to March 2, except college holidays and school closures. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. 

“After working on their individual practices over the past decade or more, Andrae and Priya are now showing their work together for the first time,” said Borgia Gallery Curator Cecily Hughes. “The exhibition began at two locations in Springfield last year and continues to various locations in the region, including Elms College.” 

Andrae and Priya have been married for the better part of the last decade. Although they work separately in their respective styles, they find inspiration in similar experiences and concepts. The couple recently began working together through public art projects, teaching together, as well as challenging each other to ‘paint battles’ where they both paint the same image in their own styles. 

This exhibition celebrates the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and partnership. Each time the show travels, the work changes, and it is a chance to see their works in conversation with each other — to observe the similarities, differences, and the overall effect of the two bodies of work in harmony.

Admission to the Borgia Gallery is free and open to the public. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Dooley College Center on the Elms College campus at 291 Springfield St. in Chicopee.

Western Massachusetts Lions to Hold Free Vision Pre-screening During Annual Convention

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SPRINGFIELD — The Western Massachusetts Lions will hold its 61st annual Midwinter Convention on Friday, Jan. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Sheraton Springfield. Lions is an international service organization that serves its local community and supports programs within the region, state, and internationally. One of the primary goals supported by Lions worldwide is to end preventable blindness and support the hearing impaired.

In keeping with this goal, the Western Massachusetts Lions will offer a free vision pre-screening during its Midwinter Convention. Members of the community from age 2 through adult can attend this pre-screening, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third-floor lobby of the Sheraton Springfield, located at One Monarch Place.

This pre-screening can help detect seven vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, blurred vision, unequal refractive power, eye misalignment, unequal pupil size, and lazy eye. The screening is done with the use of a non-invasive scanning device and takes only seconds to complete. If a vision problem is indicated, a report is generated for the individual to take to an eye-care professional for further testing and correction.

Lions supports any individual who may need financial assistance with vision and/or hearing services. No appointment is necessary for this pre-screening. Parking for the event is the responsibility of the attendee.

John Pember Joins Westfield Bank as VP, Commercial Loan Officer

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WESTFIELD — John Pember has joined Westfield Bank as vice president and commercial loan officer. He will be based in the West Hartford, Conn., office and will help lead the Bank’s commercial lending efforts in the greater Hartford area.

Pember has been in the financial services industry since 2006. After holding various positions in retail and credit risk, he transitioned to commercial lending in 2014 at Farmington Bank and then held a similar role at United Bank.

Pember graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Business in 2006 and was a Michael J. Piette Honors recipient from the Connecticut School of Finance & Management. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is co-chair of the Real Estate Finance Association’s Young Professionals Committee and is a member of the Hartford Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs, the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.

“We are very pleased to have John join the commercial lending team,” said James Hagan, Westfield Bank’s president and CEO. “He knows the economic landscape of the greater Hartford area and his commercial lending expertise will enhance our ongoing efforts to meet the borrowing needs of businesses in the Capital Region.”

UMass Online Programs Highly Ranked

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BOSTON – Online programs at the University of Massachusetts received high marks again in this year’s Best Online Programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

Two UMass programs ranked within the top 30 in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs category, with UMass Amherst at No. 23, and UMass Lowell at No. 29. Amherst and Lowell were also the top two online bachelor’s programs in New England for the second consecutive year. In the same category, UMass Dartmouth ranked No. 113, rising ten spots over last year’s rankings, and UMass Boston ranked No. 93.

“UMass is, and will continue to be, a national leader in online higher education,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “These rankings validate the hard work of our dedicated faculty, staff and students and emphasize the opportunity that we have at UMass to continue building on a winning high-quality online model.”

UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell were also highly ranked in the new Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans category, coming in at No. 18 and No. 22 in the nation, respectively.

Three UMass online MBA programs rank in the top 100 nationally, with UMass Lowell at No. 22, UMass Amherst at No. 28 and UMass Dartmouth at No. 95. In the Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans category, the same campuses perform even better, with UMass Lowell ranking No. 16, UMass Amherst ranking No. 22 and UMass Dartmouth ranking No. 53.

“These high rankings again underscore the excellence UMass Online provides in delivering academic programs that address the needs of adult students and employers seeking to advance skills of its workforce,” said UMass Online CEO Don Kilburn. “It’s one of many reasons students continue to choose UMass when they want a quality, affordable and relevant education.”

Online programs at UMass have been steadily growing in recent years, with total revenues reaching a record-high $116 million in Fiscal Year 2019.

The full list of rankings are available on U.S. News & World Report’s website at www.usnews.com/education/online-education/.

Florence Bank Promotes Kurt Shouse

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Daily News

FLORENCE – Florence Bank has promoted Kurt Shouse to the position of vice president, information and cybersecurity officer. 

Shouse brings extensive knowledge and skills to his new role. Prior to his recent promotion, he was the assistant vice president, information and cybersecurity officer. Shouse studied at UMass Amherst, where he received his bachelor of Business Administration in management studies. Additionally, he studied at Utica College where he received his master of Science in Cyber Operations and Computer Forensics. Shouse has his certification from the SANS Institute Global Security Essentials (GSEC) which demonstrates a high-level skillset of hands-on information technology with respect to security tasks.

Shouse serves his community as a board member of Northampton’s Dollars for Scholars.

“We are thrilled to see Kurt’s career progress with the bank,” said John F. Heaps, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Florence Bank. “His skills and expertise are invaluable, and I look forward to watching him grow in his new role as vice president.”

‘Ice Invasion’ Happening in Downtown Springfield

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Business Improvement District is again bringing more than a dozen ice sculptures to downtown Springfield for the 3rdAnnual Ice Invasion beginning today.

This ice invasion coincides with the Winter Weekend being staged by the Boston Red Sox, making an exciting time for the city and its downtown.

From the MassMutual Center and MGM Springfield up to the Springfield Museums and down to Union Station, visitors will be able to find an ice sculpture at almost every street corner. This year’s ‘invasion’ will feature a diverse lineup of sculptures, including Wally the Green Monster, baseball players, pineapples and many more.

The SBID is encouraging everyone to walk around and check out all 18 ice sculptures, take photos, and share them on Instagram using #BeDowntownSpringfield for a chance to win Springfield Thunderbird tickets or gift cards to downtown restaurants. The more photos you take with the different ice sculptures, the more likely you’ll win.

For locations of the ice sculptures and information on all things downtown visit, springfielddowntown.com.

 The 3rd Annual Downtown Springfield Ice Invasion is presented by EBS – Employee Benefit Solutions! 

 

American Outdoor Brands Corp. Announces Leadership Transition

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American Outdoor Brands Corp. announced that its board of directors has named Mark Smith and Brian Murphy co-presidents and co-CEOs of the company, effective immediately. Smith was most recently president of the Manufacturing Services Division of the company, while Murphy was most recently president of the Outdoor Products & Accessories Division.

In their co-leadership roles, Smith and Murphy succeed James Debney, who has separated as president and CEO and as a director of the company, following the determination by the board of directors that he engaged in conduct inconsistent with a non-financial company policy.

The company is proceeding with its previously announced plan to spin off its outdoor products and accessories business as a tax-free stock dividend to its stockholders in the second half of 2020, a transaction that would create two independent, publicly traded companies: Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. (which would encompass the firearm business) and American Outdoor Brands Inc. (which would encompass the outdoor products and accessories business). Jeffrey Buchanan, chief financial officer, will continue to serve as the lead executive on coordinating and executing the separation of the two businesses.

Upon completion of the transaction, and as previously announced, Smith will become president and CEO of Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., and Murphy, will become president and CEO of American Outdoor Brands Inc.

“We appreciate James’ contributions toward the growth and development of our company and its infrastructure,” said Barry Monheit, chairman of the board. “The board believes the company is fortunate to have two highly capable and experienced leaders in Mark Smith and Brian Murphy. Each has played a critical role in the development of our strategic plans, including our intention to establish each business as an independent, publicly traded company. In addition, Mark and Brian have each demonstrated, through years of leadership and service, their extensive knowledge of and passion for our company, our customers, and our industries. Their capabilities and objectives position them well to share the combined CEO role as the team completes the separation of our two businesses later in 2020. The board has every confidence that they will provide the vision and determination to lead each independent company and its highly respected brand portfolio toward a successful future.”

MGM Springfield Posts Lowest-ever Month for Gambling Revenue

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SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield reported gross gambling revenue of $18.9 million for December, the lowest full-month revenue figure in the casino’s 16-month history, the Republican reported. That follows a $19.9 million figure in November. The casino reported gross gaming revenue of $21.6 million in December 2018.

In other figures released this week by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor reported gross gaming revenues of $54 million in December, an improvement from $47 million in November, while the slots-only Plainridge Park Casino posted $10.2 million in December, down slightly from $10.9 million in November.

Angel Coriano Named Director of Programs at Homework House

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Homework House announced the hire of Angel Coriano as its new director of Programs. He will be responsible for the supervision of day-to-day program operations, including the tutoring and learning process, and will also work closely with local schools, student assessment and evaluation, along with curriculum development.

Homework House serves children ages 6 to 12 from Holyoke Public Schools and Holyoke Community Charter School. Since its beginning, it has offered free tutoring and mentoring. Today, it continues to offer its services from three different locations in Holyoke. Tutors, many of whom are volunteers from local colleges and the community, provide individualized instruction to strengthen children’s educational learning and retention.

Coriano is a lifelong resident of Holyoke and a graduate of Holyoke Public Schools. An alumnus of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, he has spent the last 10-plus years in the field of education. “I am committed to working with the local community to ensure that a rewarding educational experience is accessible to all,” he said.

Virginia Dillion, executive director of Homework House, added that “we enthusiastically welcome Angel to Homework House as our new director of Programs. Angel’s experience working within the academic community is of significant value to us and the children that we serve.”

BusinessWest Seeks 40 Under Forty Nominations

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2020. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 14.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form.

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 27 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 25 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The event’s presenting sponsor is PeoplesBank, WWLP-22News is the media sponsor, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield is a partner. Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Steve Lowell to Step Down in 2021 as Monson Savings Bank President

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Daily News

Steve Lowell

MONSON — Steve Lowell, who has served as president of Monson Savings Bank (MSB) for the last nine years, announced his retirement effective February 2021. He is looking forward to continuing to serve in a vital role with the bank as chairman of the board.

The bank’s board of directors announced that Daniel Moriarty Sr. has been named the bank’s president effective February 2021.

Daniel Moriarty Sr.

Moriarty has been with MSB for 22 years, serving as senior vice president and chief financial officer since 2011. He joined the bank in 1998 as an accounting manager, became controller in 2002, assistant vice president in 2004, vice president-controller in 2006, and was promoted to vice president-chief financial officer in 2009.

An alumni of Monson High School, Moriarty went on to graduate with honors from both Providence College and the National School of Banking at Fairfield University.

“I am truly honored, humbled, and thankful to God for this exciting opportunity to serve the bank in this capacity,” he said. “Monson Savings Bank is a special place with exceptional customers, remarkable employees, and close to 150 years of tradition and independence.”

Michael Rouette

The board of directors also announced that Michael Rouette has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer, a newly created position.

Rouette has been with MSB for more than 30 years, serving as senior vice president and chief loan officer since 2016. He began his career there in 1987 as a teller. He became loan officer in 1989, assistant vice president-loan officer in 1996, vice president-loan officer in 1996, and senior vice president-loan officer in 2011.

He is a graduate of Monson High School, as well as Old Dominion University, the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies at Babson College, and the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado.

“I am truly grateful to be working at such an amazing place with such wonderful people,” Rouette said. “I really love my job, helping my customers, and working with my co-workers. I am overjoyed about this new opportunity.”

Added Lowell, “I could not be more proud of both Dan and Michael. These two went to high school together, played sports together, and have been supporting each other at Monson Savings Bank for over two decades. They have such a strong background together not only as co-workers but as friends. Dan and Michael have spent time together outside of work, golfing, coaching sports, and even ran a couple Boston Marathons together. They will be dynamic leaders of this wonderful bank. I look forward to seeing them continue the bank’s legacy of remaining financially strong, community oriented, and meeting the changing needs of our customers with innovative products and services.”

Bay Path Adds Suzy Batiz and Patrice Banks to Women’s Leadership Conference Lineup

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LONGMEADOW — Businesswomen Suzy Batiz and Patrice Banks will join producer, investor, and media personality Tyra Banks as speakers at Bay Path University’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference on Friday, March 27.

Batiz, who will deliver the morning address to open the conference, earned a place on Forbes’ list of most successful self-made women — and an estimated net worth of $260 million — by creating of a suite of eco-minded household products, including Poo-Pourri, a toilet spray she developed to combat bathroom odors.

Patrice Banks (no relation to Tyra) will address the audience at lunchtime. She is the owner of the Girls Auto Clinic and Clutch Beauty Bar, an auto mechanic shop and beauty bar staffed by women. She is also the founder of the SheCANics movement, which looks to demystify car repair and engage more women in the automotive industry.

“These speakers are true visionaries. They’ve built businesses as women, for women, around the specific perspectives that women gain as consumers,” said Caron Hobin, vice president of Strategic Alliances, the Bay Path division that produces the Women’s Leadership Conference. “They exemplify the true power of perpetual determination, hard work, and boundless creativity, and we think this will be one of the most interesting and motivating conferences ever.”

Now in its 25th year, the Women’s Leadership Conference brings attendees together for a day of networking and professional development, delivered through keynote speeches and in focus sessions where authors and thought leaders share insight on issues that impact women’s goals and careers. The conference will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mass Mutual Center in downtown Springfield. For more information, visit baypathconference.com.

‘Branding Your Small Business in 2020’ Slated for Jan. 17

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Daily News

AGAWAM — Market Mentors is partnering with the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) to present “Branding Your Small Business in 2020” on Friday, Jan. 17 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The free breakfast briefing will be held at EANE, 67 Hunt St., #6, Agawam.

Presenters Amanda Moyer, director of Account Services at Market Mentors; Noelle Meade, client relationship manager at Market Mentors; and Allison Ebner, Membership Relations at EANE, will provide an interactive discussion about how business owners can get their companies moving in the right direction in 2020, from internal employee communication tips to identifying core values, mission, and opportunities.

Topics will include defining one’s brand; creative marketing ideas for small businesses, including social media, advertising, video, and public relations; and turning employees into brand ambassadors using communications, training, and empowerment.

The breakfast briefing is offered free of charge, but registration is required by Thursday, Jan. 16 by calling (877) 662-6444 or registering online at eane.org.

New England Business Associates Launches Learn to Earn Initiative

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — New England Business Associates (NEBA), a supported employment provider in Massachusetts and Connecticut, is celebrating the launch of its Learn to Earn initiative, thanks to a Kessler Foundation Signature Employment Grant that will fund the project for two years. The initiative, intended to introduce, train, and place four cohorts of employment candidates with disabilities to entry-level manufacturing positions, is the brainchild of NEBA CEO Jeannine Pavlak.

The need for qualified employees to fill positions in the manufacturing industry is becoming critical; in many areas of the U.S., upwards of 35% of current manufacturing jobs will become vacant due to retirement by 2022. Pavlak, who is recognized nationally as a subject matter expert in disability employment, sees this as an opportunity. Manufacturing is not currently viewed as a typical pathway to gainful employment for people with disabilities, but there’s no reason it can’t become one. Learn to Earn will give identified candidates the initial training and skills needed to succeed in a manufacturing environment.

Over the next two years, 48 candidates with disabilities and barriers to employment will be identified and receive Level 1 and 2 MACWIC manufacturing training and OSHA training, in partnership with MassMEP in Massachusetts and ConnStep in Connecticut. Candidates will also receive NEBA’s customized career-ladders training, designed to cater to individual needs in building employment skills. The goal of Learn to Earn is to place candidates in manufacturing positions that will allow them to earn a sustainable income, eliminate the need for public assistance, and foster growth and future promotions in the field.

“MassMEP is looking forward to providing basic manufacturing training to NEBA’s clients and further expanding the manufacturing pipeline,” said Kathy Mahoney, MassMEP’s center director.

After placement, employees and employers will be given access to Tooling U-SME, a customized online platform with more than 800 manufacturing courses, allowing employers to identify and customize specific trainings for Learn to Earn employees.

“Learn to Earn doesn’t stop once someone is placed in a manufacturing job,” Pavlak said. “Tooling U-SME will help employees sustain and build on their initial training, as well as learn new skills that will make them more valuable employees.”

When the grant period ends in December 2021, data will be disseminated, and results of the initiative will be shared with regional workforce boards. From there, Pavlak hopes the success of Learn to Earn can spread far and wide.

“At NEBA, we love to innovate and collaborate,” she said. “We’re proud to be part of multiple national networks, including APSE and AAIDD. We hope to share our success with others who can replicate it and to expand the Learn to Earn framework into other employment sectors, such as information technology and healthcare.”

Those interested in learning more about the Learn to Earn initiative may e-mail inquiries to [email protected] or call NEBA at (413) 821-9200.

Employer Confidence Rises at Year End

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Daily News

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers rang out 2019 on an optimistic note as business confidence rose to its highest level in 15 months.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index gained 1.6 points to 62.2 last month, leaving it comfortably within optimistic territory and 3.6 points higher than a year ago. The strong year-end results were driven by brightening views of the U.S. economy and an increasingly bullish outlook among Bay State manufacturers.

The results came during a month when the U.S. economy created 145,000 jobs to cap a decade of payroll gains that marked the longest growth period in 80 years of record keeping. December also saw an easing of the international trade tensions that had disquieted employers for much of 2019.

“Business confidence remained steady and strong throughout 2019 as employers saw underlying strength in the economy through sometimes distracting political uncertainties,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA).

The AIM Index, based on a survey of more than 100 Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative.

The constituent indicators that make up the Business Confidence Index moved mostly higher in December. The U.S. Index assessing business conditions nationally surged 3.6 points during the month and 7.7 points for the year to 62.8. The Massachusetts Index lost 1.8 points in December but remained higher than the national reading at 65.2

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, gained 2.1 points to 61.6, leaving it 4.3 points higher than a year ago. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, rose 1.1 points to 62.8, an increase of 2.8 points over 12 months.

The Employment Index was up 0.9 points in December and 1.0 points for all of 2019 amid a persistent shortage of workers that may become worse as large number of Baby Boomers retire.

Non-manufacturers (63.2) were slightly more confident than manufacturing companies (61.4). Large companies (65.2) were more optimistic than small (61.7) or medium-sized (60.5) companies. Companies in Eastern Mass. (62.7) remained more optimistic than those in Western Mass. (61.6).

AIM President and CEO John Regan, a BEA member, said employers face an eventful 2020 as state policymakers wrestle with major issues such as transportation financing, health reform, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave.

“The Baker administration and the Massachusetts Legislature have done a commendable job managing the state budget while maintaining an environment of economic growth,” he noted. “The decision to allow the MassHealth employer assessment to sunset indicates that lawmakers understand that overburdening business will ultimately constrict economic opportunity.”

The Starting Gate at GreatHorse Honored in WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards

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HAMPDEN — The Starting Gate at GreatHorse was announced a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire.

For its 12th annual Couples’ Choice Awards, WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers, to find the most highly rated vendors of the year. These winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the millions of consumers who turn to WeddingWire each month to help ease their wedding-planning process.

Wedding professionals who win WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards are members of WeddingPro, the leading B2B wedding brand. As the largest marketplace and community for wedding professionals, WeddingPro connects businesses with more than 13 million visitors per month who are planning weddings on WeddingWire and the Knot, as well as with hundreds of thousands of industry pros.

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