Month: July 2020

Coronavirus Special Coverage

Solid Proof

Mike Quinlan says the pandemic has ratcheted up online orders and curbside pickup, while generating an increase in overall consumption of alcohol.

Some are calling it the ‘drinking at home’ phenomenon — a reference to how people who can’t go to bars, nightclubs, or (until recently) casinos have been doing all or most of their imbibing at their residence instead.

Others are calling it the ‘drinking while working at home’ phenomenon, and that’s another story, one that has a number of employers understandably concerned.

Whatever it’s called, it’s a fact that people are not going out to drink nearly as much as they did BC — before COVID. And they’re drinking more, by most all accounts — according to a Morning Consult poll of 2,200 U.S. adults conducted in the spring, 16% of all adults said they were drinking more during the pandemic, with higher rates among younger adults — and for reasons ranging from coping with all the additional stress from the pandemic to not being in the office for eight or nine hours a day, to being able to stay up later on ‘school nights’ because they don’t have to dress for or commute to work in the morning.

All this has created opportunities for some area business owners, especially liquor-store owners — always deemed essential by the governor — who have seen sales volumes rise (in some cases dramatically) and a number of trends emerge.

That list includes everything from more bulk purchases to buying less-expensive items to keep overall spending down; from ordering online to getting items delivered or picking them up at curbside.

“April, May, and June were just … crazy,” recalled Sean Barry, owner of Four Seasons Package Store in Hadley. “It was just constant — the phone ringing off the hook some days, and you never knew when your busy days would be.”

Mike Quinlan, fine wines manager at Table & Vine in West Springfield, agreed. He said overall business volume has increased, as have visits to the store, but what has really ratcheted up has been online ordering and curbside pickup. The company has always featured the former — it’s been especially popular with wine buyers — but not the latter until the pandemic created a huge need for it.

“April, May, and June were just … crazy. It was just constant — the phone ringing off the hook some days, and you never knew when your busy days would be.”

“The impact on our business for online orders went up dramatically — it was a huge increase in the number of orders we were getting,” he said last week, noting that, while it has tapered off lately as restaurants have reopened, recent holidays, such as the Fourth of July, saw huge volume, and orders continue to flow in. “There’s a stack of orders for us to pick today, and then we keep up with it throughout the day.”

For others, this trend, which would appear to have some staying power — because, in this state, bars won’t open until there’s a vaccine, and in others where they’ve opened, they’re closing down again — is simply shifting business from one type of client to another.

Indeed, Paul Kozub, founder of Hadley-based V-One Vodka, said that, while his sales to liquor stores are certainly up — 30% to 40% over last year, by his estimation — sales to restaurants and bars are way down. And the scale is not exactly balanced because the latter has traditionally been the source of more business than the former, especially at certain times of the year, like spring, when COVID-19 shut most everything down.

Paul Kozub says that, while the pandemic has certainly increased sales of his vodka in liquor stores, that hasn’t made up for the losses he’s incurred at bars, restaurants, and events.

“In March and April, I lost 50% of my business because I do so much in bars and restaurants during those months, while I do a lot more in liquor stores in November in December, so that was quite a shock,” Kozub said. “The package stores are up, but that certainly doesn’t make up for what we’ve lost in those bars and restaurants.”

Overall, as with most sectors of the economy, the pandemic has created some opportunities for those making and selling spirits, and also eliminated others. For this issue, we take a look at how the numbers provide some hard proof — yes, that’s an industry term — of how buying and consumption habits have changed.

Case in Point

Barry, like many liquor-store owners, reduced his hours early in the spring and closed earlier at night. There were many reasons for this, he said, listing fewer people being on the roads, the fact that almost all surrounding stores were closed, and a desire to limit the risk of exposure to customers and employees alike.

But there was also what he called simply the “fatigue factor.”

“My staff was just overworked, so we needed to cut back,” he explained, noting that, while things have settled down somewhat since then, with restaurants now open, many people are still wary about going to such eateries, and in the meantime, large numbers of people continue to entertain and, yes, work from home.

Which means they’re buying more at the liquor stores. And their buying habits are changing in all kinds of ways, said Barry and Quinlan, noting that in-person visits are still popular, but curbside is flourishing as an option, and delivery, offered by some but not all, has certainly gained significant traction as well.

And while business is up generally, there have been periods of especially heavy volume, including some holidays that have historically been dine-out occasions but are now, like most things, stay-at-home affairs.

“When Mother’s Day came, and Father’s Day … those are occasions where a lot of people go out to a brunch or something like that — but not this year,” Quinlan said. “And so we saw our business jump significantly during those weeks when people would be having meals at home instead.”

Barry noted that, while it’s logical to assume that the closing of the five colleges located near his store in the middle of the spring semester would certainly have impacted his bottom line, he said that’s not really the case.

That’s because the vast majority of students are underage, he noted, and also because his store, unlike some in that area, does not directly market to the college crowd.

But the crowd it does cater to is definitely buying more these days, adding that he’s seen several trends develop. One is that many people — meaning those who can — are buying in bulk, on the theory being that, as with trips to the supermarket, many are trying to make as few as possible.

“What’s of note to us is that, in the wine department, the average price of a bottle that we’re selling has gone down a little bit. People who would drink a bottle or two of wine a week were now drinking three or four bottles a week, so they’re spending less on those bottles.”

So they’re coming less often, and they’re also buying in larger quantities, which is better for them than it is for the liquor-store owner.

“Sales are up, customer counts are pretty flat, and overall, net profit is slightly down,” Barry said. “That’s because everyone is buying bulk items and taking advantage of case discounts and all that stuff.”

Quinlan concurred, to a point. He noted that, while buying the large, economy sizes, or full cases of products, is less profitable for the store, Table & Vine — and other stores, he presumes — have been able to sell more in fewer hours, thus yielding greater overall productivity and profitability.

But while consumption of alcohol is increasing — statistics nationally confirm that — overall spending in individual households may not be. People are buying in bulk, as noted, but they’re also buying less-expensive items in some cases.

“What’s of note to us is that, in the wine department, the average price of a bottle that we’re selling has gone down a little bit,” Quinlan said. “People who would drink a bottle or two of wine a week were now drinking three or four bottles a week, so they’re spending less on those bottles; the number of bottles we’re moving has increased significantly.”

Mixed Results

As for what people are buying … it’s generally across the board, said Barry, noting that wine and vodka probably represent the biggest increases.

Speaking of vodka, Kozub, while referencing the shifts in consumption and buying and some changes at his company as it expands nationally, said the pandemic has certainly helped his business in some ways — but definitely hurt it in others.

Indeed, while he’s done much better with liquor-store sales — in large part because the company is now working with a distributor, which has opened a number of new doors — he’s suffered greatly from not having bars, restaurants, and other gathering spots — from the Hadley American Legion to the South Deerfield Polish Club; from MGM Springfield to the Big E — open for business.

And there are other missed opportunities as well.

“We were going to be the official vodka of the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” said Kozub, noting the company’s current push into Ohio, where that shrine is located (in Canton). “And we were going to sell a lot at the induction ceremony and Hall of Fame Game, but that just got called off.”

As for his liquor-store business, he’s been helped by the work-from-home and stay-at-home trends, and also by ‘Zoom mixology’ sessions, as he called them, Zoom happy hours, and other vehicles to educate the public, bring them together (online, at least), and share experiences somewhat like being in their favorite bar.

Meanwhile, as noted, the distributor he’s hired has certainly reduced the profitability of each bottle he sells in his liquor store, but it has greatly increased volume.

“Without the change to a distributor, we would be down 40% overall for the year,” Kozub said, emphasizing, again, just how much he’s lost through restrictions on people gathering in large numbers or confined spaces.

And this ongoing trend — and even taking steps backward in some states, including Florida, Texas, and others — is slowing V-One’s efforts to go national.

“We’re going to do Ohio and Michigan next, but we’re going to wait a little bit for Florida, Texas, and California,” he said, adding that those states, among the current hot spots, are closing many of the bars and restaurants that were open just a few weeks ago. “The timing of us going national is good in some ways, but tough in others.”

Meanwhile, in the current climate, getting into new liquor stores and expanding that footprint, which is among Kozub’s many goals, is somewhat of a challenge.

“The liquor stores are so busy that they’re not necessarily excited about bringing in new products right now,” he explained. “Because they’re selling everything they have, they’re selling a lot of the staples — the brands people know.”

Beer with Us

This is yet another emerging trend at a time when there have been many changes when it comes to what people are buying, when, where, how, and in what quantities.

The pandemic has certainly changed the landscape in so many business sectors and aspects of society — and alcohol is just one of them.

For some businesses, this will be a vintage year — another industry term — while for others, like Kozub, it will be a mix of new opportunities and lost opportunities, with the former hopefully outweighing the latter.

And, as with those other sectors, it’s a matter of waiting and seeing what happens.

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

ESE Searches for Revenue Streams After 2020 Big E Is Canceled

Coronavirus Special Coverage

Coping with a Lost Year

Gene Cassidy says the Eastern States Exposition is much like the farmers it helps promote; one lost season can spell disaster.

As he talked with BusinessWest about the cancellation of this year’s Big E and how the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) will respond to that huge loss of revenue, Gene Cassidy stopped and pointed to a picture at the opposite end of the company’s large conference room.

“That’s J. Loring Brooks, son of Joshua L. Brooks, founder of the Eastern States Exposition,” said Cassidy, president and CEO of ESE. “He was the Big E’s chief development officer. When the Eastern States had rainy fairs or fairs where, for one reason or another, we didn’t make any money, he would get on the phone and fundraise; when we had difficult times, he would find the funding to make ends meet.”

J. Loring Brooks died in 1984, Cassidy went on, and it’s been a long time since the fair has needed to try to raise money in that fashion — and it would be difficult do it that way now. “That’s not an aircraft carrier you can turn on a dime,” he noted, adding quickly that he did hire a development officer last year, and is looking into various strategies to perhaps do some fundraising.

Action of various kinds — from a development campaign to borrowing to discovering new revenue streams — is needed because 2020 has been the rainiest of years — figuratively, if not literally — in the fair’s 102-year history, and the assignment of making ends meet, as he put, is going to be a very stern challenge.

“We’re not unlike the farmer — if he loses a season, he can go broke,” said Cassidy, who quickly went from that analogy to another one. “I cavalierly refer to the Big E as the church bazaar for this nonprofit; if you don’t have your annual fundraiser, how can you execute on your mission?”

The Big E, he noted — originally known as the Eastern States Industrial and Agricultural Exposition — was created to be that church bazaar, the method for raising money needed to support a mission of promoting agriculture.

Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has done more than close the fair for the first time since World War II. It has put the Eastern States Exposition on precarious financial ground; put plans for rehabbing and modernizing some of the buildings on the grounds, especially the obsolete Coliseum, on ice; left large questions marks about how the ESE is going to respond to the agricultural community’s ongoing need for a platform; and even raised some doubts about the fate of the fair in 2021.

“We’re not unlike the farmer — if he loses a season, he can go broke. I cavalierly refer to the Big E as the church bazaar for this nonprofit; if you don’t have your annual fundraiser, how can you execute on your mission?’”

But while those at the Big E are certainly moving full steam ahead with planning for next year’s fair, they must also contend with a massive hole in the budget — the Big E accounts for 85% of the yearly revenue, and much of the remaining 15% (all the many types of shows on the books after mid-March) has been wiped off the calendar as well.

Grounds for Change

That makes this year decidedly different, said Cassidy, noting that, in a typical year, his staff would be on what amounts to cruise control as it enters the final six or seven weeks of lead-up to the Big E. This year, these employees are searching imaginatively for ways to generate revenue and close the budget gap.

“We’re in a phase now of trying to discover how we can do smaller types of events that can generate some resources in order for us to sustain ourselves through to next season,” he explained, noting that the fair, despite its wealth of space, buildings, parking, and amenities, is still limited in what it can do. Put another way, it’s limited by what it can’t do, according the governor’s reopening plan — bring large numbers of people together in close proximity to one another.

When he was the Big E’s chief development officer, J. Loring Brooks would get on the phone and raise money when the fair had bad years, usually as a result of weather.

Options, most of which involve keeping visitors in their cars and taking full advantage of the Big E’s sprawling, 59-acre main parking lot, include everything from a drive-in theater — a cost-benefit analysis is currently underway — to concerts to events like the recent ‘Taste of the Big E,’ a gathering that was eye-opening in a number of ways.
Indeed, the Taste, which involved visitors driving onto the Big E property and then staying in their cars to sample some of the food that would have been offered at this year’s fair, drew far more people than organizers were expecting, said Cassidy, adding that traffic was backed up the full length of Memorial Avenue. “People drove for hours to get here, and then they spent hours waiting in line to get in.”

Ultimately, the Taste helped convince Big E organizers that they simply couldn’t control the turnout for this year’s fair, said Cassidy, adding that the event showed that, if you open for the doors for something people want, they will come.

“When we saw the response to the food show, we knew there was no way to control the number of people on the fairgrounds for the Big E,” he explained. “And knowing that really helped make the decision that staging the fair would not in the best interests of the people who came.”

But the Taste also provided ample evidence that different types of revenue-generating events can possibly be staged at the fairgrounds during the pandemic. These won’t generate anything approaching the income the fair did, but they may help limit the flow of red ink in a year no one could have comprehended just five months ago.

“We’re in a phase now of trying to discover how we can do smaller types of events that can generate some resources in order for us to sustain ourselves through to next season.”

A drive-in theater is among them, said Cassidy, noting that, decades ago, there was one just a half-mile or so down Memorial Avenue, and other one on Riverdale Street. Drive-ins have staged something approaching a comeback during the pandemic, but the startup costs are considerable — $90,000 to buy the camera to project the movies, for example.

“We’ve done a lot of due diligence to discover if there’s a way we could actually turn a profit,” he noted. “That’s one of many things that are on the table.”

Another is the possibility of bringing carnival rides — which are not discussed anywhere in the reopening plan, according to Cassidy — to the fairgrounds. Others include finding new uses for the state buildings (or the grounds outside them), and staging concerts where attendees stay in their cars.

“There are some challenges to putting these on, and some limitations, but they’re a viable option for us,” he noted. “People want to get out to events like this, and a lot of entertainers are dying to work; they’ve lost a lot of opportunities, and they need to work.”

Daunting Challenge

While optimistic that some revenue streams can be created in the midst of the pandemic, Cassidy is also realistic and knows that, collectively, these efforts will generate only a fraction of what a solid Big E would.

“My goal is to get this organization through this very difficult time and run a Big E in 2021 that brings people together again,” said Cassidy, adding, again, that this will be a stern challenge not unlike that faced by a farmer who loses a year’s worth of crops.

Or a small fundraiser that loses its annual bazaar.

Those analogies might not seem appropriate for an organization, and an event, that brings 1.5 million people to the region every year. But for Cassidy, they work, and they illustrate just what he and his staff are up against.

—George O’Brien

Westfield Leaders Take Optimistic View

By Contributor July 21, 2020

Community Spotlight

By Mark Morris

While communities nationwide continue to grapple with what he calls the “grumpy cloud” of COVID-19, Westfield Mayor Donald Humason is looking to project a little sunshine.

“A lot of it has to do with the attitude in Westfield,” the mayor said. “We’re optimistic, and we want people to come to our community because it’s a great place to live, work, go to school, and run a business.”

Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, agreed, and wants everyone to know Westfield is open for business.

Kate Phelon says the Greater Westfield Chamber remains strong and active, and has even welcomed some new members.

While the chamber remains strong with more than 5,000 members, two new businesses have recently joined. Play Now, a new toy store on Silver Street, and Results in Wellness, a health and wellness clinic on Springfield Road, were both planning ribbon-cutting ceremonies at press time. Also scheduled to open is a Five Below store, where everything is priced between $1 and $5.

“New business openings are a great thing to see, especially during these times that are so challenging for everybody,” Phelon said.

After many months of not being able to hold any chamber events, she’s also excited about hosting the annual chamber golf tournament, scheduled for Aug. 31 at East Mountain Country Club. “We will, of course, be following all the guidelines for masks and distancing. It certainly helps that this is an outdoor event.”

Speaking of outdoor events, the Westfield Starfires began their Futures Collegiate Baseball League season on July 8. The team modified Bullens Field to provide a safe experience for fans and staff by following state guidelines for COVID-19 safety. Phelon attended as part of a contingent of chamber members and reported that fans simply wore their masks and were able to enjoy refreshments at properly distanced picnic tables.

“We’re optimistic, and we want people to come to our community because it’s a great place to live, work, go to school, and run a business.”

Considering what’s already been lost in this unprecedented year, the shout of ‘play ball!’ was certainly welcome — and city and chamber officials hope it heralds the start of a back half of 2020 that’s far more promising than the first half.

Full Power

While it was uncertain if the Starfires would be able to play this season, the crew at Westfield Gas & Electric never stopped.

General Manager Anthony Contrino said his crews have consistently provided essential services for customers of the municipal utility. After a crash course on handling COVID-19 in the workplace that kept people safe and followed state guidelines, G & E crews have handled only emergency situations for the last several months. More recently, the utility has been able to handle non-emergency work like in-home gas and electric installations.

Contrino said the many disaster-recovery drills he and his colleagues have done in the past helped prepare them well for COVID-19.

“We’ve had a lot of remote-workforce capabilities in place, but they’ve never been tested to this degree,” he said, calling it a “blessing in disguise” as the last several months confirmed that the processes they had set up work when they are most needed.

Administrative staff returned to their offices at the end of June after the building was reconfigured with the latest pandemic protocols in place.

“I commend my co-workers, who have done a very good job during this time for their service to the city and all of our customers,” Contrino said, adding that Westfield G & E received the Reliable Public Power Provider Award for excellence in operating efficiently, reliably, and safely.

Westfield Mayor Don Humason says he has heard from business, both downtown and elsewhere, looking to expand once they feel they can.

Whip City Fiber, a separate business that provides fiber-optic internet service, is also run by Westfield G & E. Contrino said 70% of Westfield now has access to the utility’s fiber-optic network. “In 2020, we have continued to add customers to areas that have access to fiber optics in their neighborhood.”

The plan going forward is to expand the network to the remaining 30% of the city. “Customer demand will determine where we build out the remainder of the network,” he noted.

In addition to serving Westfield, Whip City Fiber is working with 19 towns in Western Mass. to establish their internet service, Contrino added. “We are working in places like the hilltowns that were underserved with internet service, so they are appreciative that we can help them get up and running.”

Once established, customers in the hilltowns will have access to gigabit service, or 1,000 megabits coming into their homes. By installing fiber optics, Contrino said, these towns are “future-proofing” their internet systems. “We already had the competencies in place to build fiber-optic networks, so by expanding our services to other towns, we become more cost-effective for Westfield residents.”

Getting Around

On the recreation front, the Greenway Rail Trail, an elevated bike path, is expanding across the city. By the end of next year, bike paths and five bridges will be added to the trail.

“The completion of the bike trail will be a real economic driver for Westfield,” Humason said. “I think it will attract cyclists from other parts of the country, as well as the state.”

Phelon added that serious cyclists will be able to ride continuously from Westfield to New Haven, Conn., and the trail is a valuable asset for casual cyclists as well.

“Bike riders will now have a way to quickly get across town because the trail goes through the center of Westfield,” she noted. “Because it’s elevated and above all the traffic, they will be able to go from one end of town to the other, complete with off-ramps into different neighborhoods.”

“New business openings are a great thing to see, especially during these times that are so challenging for everybody.”

The mayor is hopeful that enterprising businesses will locate near the bike trail to serve the bikers, walkers, and others who use it.

“The bike trail fits in nicely with the flavor of old Westfield and our history of industry and agriculture,” he said. “Even if you’re not interested in all that, it’s an easy way to get across town.”

Humason said he’s pleased to see that a number of road improvements over the years now connect the downtown area from the south side of the city all the way to the Mass Pike exit.

The latest road project near completion involves widening and adding sidewalks along Western Avenue. The project also improves traffic flow with turning lanes into Westfield State University, as well as pull-off areas for PVTA buses.

“Western Avenue is one of the longest streets in the city, and it deserved to get this treatment,” the mayor said, adding that certain parts of the road also have traffic islands to separate the east and west lanes. “It’s an easier road to drive now, and it looks really nice.”

The mayor said the city completed a similar project on East Mountain Road, another long street. “If we continually work on the longer streets and keep them in good order when we have the revenue, we can work on the smaller streets in the neighborhoods and the downtown corridor, so we can keep the city in good shape.”

Future projects coming to Westfield include a new entry gate to the military side of Barnes Airport to service the both the Army Aviation facility and the Air National Guard base. The new entrance will allow the base to modernize function and security for everyone entering the base.

A public park is also planned just outside the gate that will feature one of the F-15 fighter jets that flew over New York City on 9/11. A plaque to tell the story of the jet’s mission on Sept. 11, 2001 will also be part of the display.

Moving On

Also in the near future, Phelon will be retiring from the Greater Westfield Chamber. Before she leaves on Sept. 25, her plan is to work with the new executive director to ensure continuity in the many chamber projects.

“I want to make sure the next director understands our community, as well as our members, and can work with our public and private partners at the local and state level,” she said.

Despite the tough economic times of the last six months, prospects for Westfield look strong, she told BusinessWest, adding that she’s encouraged by the fact that no businesses have decided to not reopen. Meanwhile, Contrino said his crews have not been asked to shut off any business customers because they are permanently closing. Humason said he’s heard only from businesses looking forward to expanding once they can.

“Like many towns, we’re going through the COVID economy, but that’s not going to last forever,” the mayor said. “We’ll be ready to grow when the restraints have finally been taken off because the people in Westfield have put a lot of time, attention, and money into its city and its downtown.”

New Bay Path President Says School Will Be a Leader in Time of Crisis

Education

‘This Is Our Moment’

While the pandemic presents a number of challenges, Sandra Doran says, it might also create opportunities for Bay Path University.

Sandra Doran says her family has long been attracted to careers in education and the law.

One great-grandfather traveled from New York to Colorado and set up the first one-room schoolhouse in that state, she noted, while her grandfather was superintendent of a school district in New York City, and her mother was a music teacher. And her other great-grandfather was a bankruptcy lawyer, kept especially busy during the Great Depression.

So it’s logical she would take one of those career paths. Actually, she took both.

Indeed, after serving as chief legal officer for Shaw’s supermarkets, she later served as vice president, general counsel, and chief of staff at Lesley University in Cambridge. And it was that position that eventually inspired a full shift to higher education — although she always calls on her legal background — and put her on a path to … Bay Path University and its president’s office.

“At Lesley, I came to realize that higher education was my passion, and my calling,” said Doran, who’s been handed the attractive, but perhaps also daunting, assignment of succeeding Carol Leary and building on the strong foundation she built during a 25-year tenure that saw the college become a university and expand in every way imaginable.

She arrives at Bay Path at a critical juncture, when several powerful forces are colliding — stern challenges in higher education that started emerging years ago; the COVID-19 pandemic, which is exacerbating those challenges and creating new ones; a financial crisis; and a nationwide focus on racial justice.

“This is a historical leadership opportunity for all of us — how we lead through the months and years ahead is really going to define what kind of community we are, how resilient we are, and now adaptive and nimble we are.”

This collision of crises, as Doran called them, presents a real test — actually, several of them — but also opportunities for the school, and higher education in general.

“This is a historical leadership opportunity for all of us — how we lead through the months and years ahead is really going to define what kind of community we are, how resilient we are, and now adaptive and nimble we are,” said Doran, adding that she believes Bay Path is well-positioned to be a leader during this time of crisis, introspection, and profound change, and that she is looking forward to the challenge of helping it play that role.

As she talked with BusinessWest at a small table positioned on the lawn behind the college’s administration building, Deepwood Hall — a nod to social distancing and keeping safe during the pandemic — Doran talked about the college’s plans for reopening this fall. It will embrace what many are calling a hybrid model blending online and in-person classes, with far more of the former. The plan, overall, is to “de-densify the campus,” as she put it, with a limited number of students living on campus, all in single rooms.

But mostly, she talked about this convergence of crises and how, rather than be a roadblock or even a speed bump, it could serve to accelerate the process of Bay Path’s emergence as a leader not simply in remote learning — only she doesn’t call it that; she prefers ‘technology-assisted learning’ — but in guiding students to fulfillment of their goals and ultimate success in the workplace. And also accelerating the process of creating systemic change in how higher education carries out its mission.

For the school, this opportunity to further cement its reputation as a pioneer and frontrunner in remote learning has been confirmed by the large number of colleges and universities calling to seek assistance as they establish or build their own programs (more on that later).

And for higher education, the pandemic presents a unique if not entirely welcome (at some schools) opportunity to rethink and perhaps reinvent many aspects of a college education and put more (and much-needed) emphasis on cost, access, and pathways to success in the workplace, and less on the on-campus experience (more on that later as well).

For all of this, Bay Path is well-positioned, if not uniquely positioned, to grasp these opportunities.

“This is our moment at Bay Path,” she said with noticeable energy in her voice, “because we’ve always been that place where students come to further their career ideals, and we’re going to continue to provide that opportunity.”

For this issue and its focus on education, BusinessWest talked at length with Doran about what she ultimately called “an exciting moment in time,” and all the reasons that make it so.

School of Thought

When asked what appealed to her about Bay Path and its presidency, Doran said, in essence, that there was little, if anything, that didn’t appeal to her.

Indeed, she said the once-struggling two-year college that was resurrected and then taken to dizzying new heights during Leary’s tenure represents an opportunity that brings together her collective passions and many of the initiatives that have marked the latter stages of her career.

These include women’s education, technology and technology-assisted learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Sandra Doran, seen here with a student on Feb. 27, the day she was introduced to the campus community, embraces the challenge of building on the foundation built by her predecessor, Carol Leary.

“This opportunity is a perfect fit and really the culmination of all my professional work,” she explained. “I’ve had the opportunity to lead a women’s college, so I understand the value of a women’s education. But another part of my background involves adaptive learning and the power of online education to really bring out the best of everyone in terms of mastering the subject matter and ensuring that everyone has a voice. I’ve also led a software company and been an entrepreneur. This opportunity brings all that together, and that’s why it’s a perfect fit.”

A quick recap of her career to date will explain why she said that.

We start at Shaw’s, where Doran, in addition to her work as general counsel, oversaw the company’s portfolio of mergers and acquisitions, which included the acquisition of Star Market Inc.

Later, at Lesley, which she also served as general counsel, she came to that realization that higher education was a passion, one that led her to pursue and then garner the role of president of American College of Education, an online doctoral institution serving more than 3,500 students.

From there, while serving as an entrepreneur in residence at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., she served as the CEO of Castle Point Learning Systems, a Stevens Institute-supported educational technology startup that had developed an instructional framework for calculus, enabling students and teachers to develop a more robust foundation for higher-level mathematics.

Concurrently, she took a position as National Policy director for the New England Board of Higher Education, where, among other responsibilities, she created and implemented an innovative initiative for multi-state collaboration to increase educational attainment and access for students through online, hybrid, and distance education.

Her career then took another intriguing turn when she was appointed president of Salem Academy and College in North Carolina, the country’s oldest women’s college, founded in 1772. There, she put the school on firm financial footing, developed a strategic plan, and initiated several new programs, including an entrepreneurial makerspace in downtown Winston-Salem where students could work directly with the city’s innovation ecosystem.

As noted earlier, while education has become her career, she calls on her background in law on an almost daily basis, and finds that the two professions coexist effectively.

“One of the great roles of lawyers is to educate,” she explained. “It’s to educate clients, to educate themselves, to mediate, to bring people together, to critically analyze the data and synthesize the data, and communicate. Lawyers are problem solvers, except for the high-profile ones, which are litigators; most lawyers are solving problems.”

When a search firm called last year to gauge her interest in the Bay Path position, she responded enthusiastically, and for the reasons — and passions — mentioned earlier.

“I was familiar with the pioneering aspects of Bay Path — it was one of the first institutions to immerse themselves in the online education experience and understand what that could provide for our students,” she explained, adding, again, that she viewed this opportunity as the culmination of all the career work that had come before it.

“Many schools don’t have an online presence at all, and so imagine their consternation when faced with this pandemic. It’s interesting that other liberal-arts colleges are reaching out to us and looking to us as being able to provide that kind of education.”

Since arriving on campus late last month, Doran, while working with staff on the reopening plan, has also been trying to meet with local leaders and the campus community alike — in COVID-mandated ways, especially phone calls and Zoom meetings.

It’s not the same as meeting people in person, but it’s been effective in that she’s getting to know and better understand the community the school serves. And this work continues with an initiative she calls “Let’s Come Together: Virtual Conversations with President Doran.”

“I’m eager to get to know my colleagues, and they’re eager to get to know me,” she said. “So these are conversations we’re conducting virtually, almost one a day — so faculty and staff have an opportunity to sit and talk and learn about each other. It’s a great opportunity for me to learn about our staff and faculty and what excites them about Bay Path, and, frankly, to learn about areas of strength and areas we need to improve.”

Course of Action

Doran was introduced to the Bay Path community on Feb. 27, just before the school sent its students home for the semester and essentially closed the campus. By the time of that announcement, it was already becoming clear that the approaching pandemic could alter the calendar and impact lives — but no one could really have predicted just how profoundly the landscape would change or how schools would be challenged by the virus.

As the story on page 17 reveals, schools have been spending the past several weeks carefully putting together reopening plans for the fall that incorporate a host of different strategies.

For Bay Path, the assignment, while not easy by any stretch, was made less complicated by what could be called the school’s head start when it came to online programs. Its first fully online graduate program was the MS in Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy, launched in 2007, followed by other online graduate programs for men and women and the fully online bachelor’s-degree program offered by the American Women’s College.

SEE: List of Colleges

Bay Path’s plan, blueprinted with the help of a 75-member task force, calls for essentially cutting the number of students living on campus by half — down to roughly 200 — and conducting most courses, except those with some lab component, online. It’s a plan the school feels comfortable with because so many of its students were already learning remotely.

“It’s an environment where we’re making decisions with imperfect information — our environment is changing on a weekly basis, if not on a daily basis,” Doran noted. “So we’re going to be ready to pivot if we need to, but we feel strongly that we’ve got the right plan in place.”

This head start with remote learning has certainly caught the attention of others in academia, she added, noting those phone calls and e-mails seeking Bay Path’s assistance with online programming and inquiring about potential partnership opportunities.

“We’ve had several schools reach out to us to ask if they can enroll their students in our courses or think about ways we can partner,” she told BusinessWest, noting that inquiries are coming from institutions across the country. “Many schools don’t have an online presence at all, and so imagine their consternation when faced with this pandemic. It’s interesting that other liberal-arts colleges are reaching out to us and looking to us as being able to provide that kind of education.

“They want to learn from what we’ve learned,” she went on. “So it’s exciting to be in that position of being able to share what we know, what we’ve learned about how to provide the best opportunities for students.”

And these phone calls represent just one of the opportunities, a strange word to use in this climate, to arise from the pandemic, said Doran, adding that she chooses to look upon them in that light.

“We have an opportunity to rethink how we meet the needs of students whose ideals and thoughts around higher education are changing in the midst of everything that we’re dealing with,” she said. “So, just as the pandemic is impacting every single person in terms of how they think about their own career and their own lives, our students are doing the same thing.”

Elaborating, she noted that fewer than 20% of those attending college today are having what would be called a traditional college experience, meaning a four-year school and living on campus.

“The other 80% attend a very different — and have a very different — college experience,” she went on. “And one’s not better than the other, but I think there’s a new reality that higher education is embracing that’s focusing on the academic part of the experience, the part of the experience that enables students to have productive careers and move forward with their life goals and their life dreams.

“And that’s what Bay Path has always been — our mission is rooted in this idea that we want to provide career paths,” she continued, noting, again, that the school is well-positioned to embrace this new reality, as she called it, and this is reflected in enrollment numbers for the fall, which are quite solid at a time when many schools are struggling.

“We have — and this is another strength of Bay Path — a very diverse set of students,” she said. “We have students who are only online students, so they were never contemplating coming to campus, so we feel secure in those enrollments; we have graduate students, many of whom are online, so we feel secure in those enrollments; and our undergraduate enrollment is up for this fall in terms of deposits and commitments. We’re feeling very confident, and we’ve had a good response to our plan.”

Overall, the school is on solid financial ground, Doran said, and in a good position to withstand the challenges created by the pandemic.

“The finances around higher education are always challenging,” she explained. “The pandemic has certainly raised another level of gauze around all this, because it’s hard to see through and see what the next steps are. But we have a number of task forces looking at the long-term aspects, and, overall, we see some opportunities.”

Bottom Line

Looking ahead … well, Doran acknowledged it’s difficult to look very far ahead in the era of COVID-19.

Her immediate goals are to continue building on the foundation that Leary has built and develop new growth opportunities for a school that has come a long way in the past quarter-century.

And rather than somehow slow or stifle those efforts, this convergence of crises that greeted her upon her arrival may, as she said, actually serve to accelerate that process.

As she noted, “this is our moment.”

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

What Is Massachusetts Doing Right? And Can This Be Sustained?

Health Care

Improved State

Dr. Andrew Artenstein says the state’s slow, cautious reopening has effectively blocked some of the paths COVID-19 might take, thus slowing transmission of the disease.

In many respects, Dr. Andy Artenstein says, the COVID-19 virus acts like water in the home in that, if there are leaks, it can go where you don’t necessarily want it to go and cause major problems.

“Water will always find a path,” Artenstein, chief physician executive and chief academic officer at Baystate Health, told BusinessWest. “But if you block off all the paths, you have a chance; it’s the same with the virus.”

With that, he worked to explain why it is that Massachusetts, more than most of the other 50 states at this particular moment in time, is seeing the number of hospitalizations and deaths stemming from the virus decline sharply. In short, and in his view, the residents of the Commonwealth are essentially, and somewhat effectively, blocking off the paths the virus might take.

“We live in a society where there’s free mobility — that’s one of the things we love about our society. But it’s also one of the things that puts us at risk when there’s a transmissible agent rooted in this society,” he explained. “And this one is clearly here; it’s clearly transmitted in our community. It has not gone away; it’s just that, if viruses don’t get transmitted from person to person … if the virus has nowhere to go, it puts a wall from that root of transmission. You start to block off transmission paths.”

This was Artenstein’s way of explaining why, as one looks at a map of the country charting cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from the pandemic, Massachusetts is colored or tan or pink, while so many other states, especially in the South and Southwest, are dark shades of red, indicating they are hot spots.

Robert Roose, chief medical officer at Mercy Medical Center, gave essentially the same account.

“Massachusetts, along with a few of the other states here in New England, like Connecticut, New Hampshire, and a few others, seem to be solid, if not shining, examples of how a state encompassing multiple different communities can effectively slow down the rate of transmission of the coronavirus,” he said. “More than 40 other states are seeing significant increases in numbers of new infections, while here, over the past several weeks, we have not seen that increase; rather, we’ve seen a plateauing at a very low level.”

“Massachusetts and other states now doing well have been cautious in giving guidance to residents about limitations on travel and quarantining of individuals who have come from other states where there are increasing numbers of infections.”

He punctuated those comments with some statistics from his facility. Indeed, he noted that hospitalizations stemming from COVID-19, which numbered in the 50s daily on average in April, the height of the surge in this region, were down in the 20s in May, then the single digits in June. Starting in early July, there were several days when there were no hospitalizations.

Clearly, the state is doing something right, or several things right, when it comes to blocking paths for the virus, and we’ll get to those. But this begs a number of questions — especially, ‘is this sustainable?’

The quick answer, said Roose and Artenstein, is ‘yes.’ But there are a number of caveats, especially as more segments of the economy reopen in more cities, including Boston, and as the new school year is poised to begin. In their view, the Commonwealth has acted prudently in not opening too much of the economy too quickly. Staying that course is essential, they said, adding that it appears the state is committed to the slow, steady, and safe method.

Meanwhile, travel is another key factor in this equation, both people from this state traveling to others and people from other states coming here — actions that create paths for the virus, rather than block them.

“Massachusetts and other states now doing well have been cautious in giving guidance to residents about limitations on travel and quarantining of individuals who have come from other states where there are increasing numbers of infections,” Roose said. “To me, that is likely to be the most significant factor going forward, because of the rates of infection in other parts of the country; interstate travel represents one of our most significant risks in terms of keeping our rates of transmission is this local community low.”

Dr. Robert Roose says caution regarding travel will be one of many factors that will determine if the Bay State can continue its pattern of falling hospitalizations as a result of the pandemic.

But the biggest factor might be fatigue.

“It’s exhausting — for all of us; I’m not just talking about the healthcare side, I’m talking about life,” said Artenstein. “There are certain things that you just miss having as social human beings. But the longer you can sort of wait this out and stretch this out, the better off we’ll be.”

In other words, people can’t relax or think for a moment that maybe it’s time to start talking about the pandemic in the past tense.

As they talked about the state’s current status as a … let’s call it a cold spot for the virus, both Roose and Artenstein praised the Commonwealth’s approach to reopening, which has been described by both those supporting and criticizing it as slow and careful.

Pain Threshold

Artenstein had another word for it.

“It’s painful, because we all want to get back to a sense of normalcy,” he explained. “It’s exhausting that you can’t do what you like to do the way you used to do it, and eventually we will be able to. But this approach has paid dividends; you get used to a little bit of a new normal, but you also know that you’re moving toward something.”

Roose agreed.

“What I think Gov. Baker and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services have done very well is be cautious, rely very clearly and directly on the key data points, and move slowly but consistently through a phased reopening,” he explained. “In other states, governors had moved much more quickly, and we’re seeing the effects of that now; in many states, they’re seeing such significant increases that they’re moving backward and rolling back some aspects of their reopenings.

“It’s not to say that this same type of thing couldn’t happen here,” he added quickly. “But relying consistently on key data and reinforcing consistently the important public-health and safety strategies that we know are effective in reducing transmission — that has not wavered, and I think that has sent a very consistent and strong message to residents to continue to wear masks, be cautious with increasing your social circle, practice hand hygiene, and quarantine when you’re sick.”

As a result of the slow reopening plan and diligence with things like mask wearing, contact tracing, social distancing, and testing, the Commonwealth has effectively moved past the first wave of the pandemic — while other states have clearly not, said those we spoke with. It is now in what Artenstein called a “window,” where, he said, residents must be diligent about not backsliding when it comes to mask wearing, hand washing, keeping one’s distance, and other preventive measures, while also preparing for the second wave that most say is almost certain to come in the fall or winter.

“That’s just historically what pandemics do,” he explained. “They don’t all do that, but statistics will tell you that there will be at least a second wave if not more waves.”

What will those waves be like? It’s difficult to say at this point, said Roose and Artenstein, adding that a number of factors will dictate the level of infections and how well the healthcare community can respond to the next surge.

But in the meantime, and while still in this window, the state’s residents and business owners alike must continue to stay the course, the experts said.

“We still could do better in terms of how often people wear masks in pubic and follow the public-health recommendations,” said Roose, adding that state leadership must continue to reinforce those messages. “We know that when we give those recommendations and that guidance and it’s clear and connected to science, it helps, and it’s certainly important to be consistent about it, or people will have less inclination to follow them.”

Meanwhile, as the state proceeds with phase 3 of its reopening plan and eyes phase 4, testing will be another critical key to closing off paths the virus might take.

“I believe strongly that adequate capacity and widespread testing are critical for us to continue to move forward into phase 4 and into a state where the community is engaging as fully as it can,” Roose said. “That allows us to ensure that, if we do identify infections, we can mitigate the spread; widespread testing is really critical, and we’re not yet where we need to be, as state and as a country. We still could be doing more, and I think the ways we do testing will continue to get easier and more readily available, and that will help quite a bit.”

Artenstein agreed, but quickly noted that all the steps people have been taking — and hopefully will continue to take — only serve to slow or inhibit the spread of the virus. The virus is still there, and it will remain there until a vaccine is developed.

“You can temporarily shut down or limit transmission,” he said, “and then you have the chance for other things to kick in, such as therapies and better approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Those things take time, but they can get a chance to take root once you’ve already established those public-health principles.

“It’s pretty obvious that limiting public gatherings and staying the course has helped,” he went on, returning to the thought that, however painful and exhausting the last few months have been, the strategy moving forward for the state and all its residents has to be to continue to wait it out and, as he said, “stretch it out.”

Bottom Line

Turning the clock back 100 years, to the so-called Spanish flu, Artenstein said the second wave of that pandemic was more severe than the first in many parts of the country simply because communities eased off on restrictions and returned to what life was like before it struck.

“A lot has changed in 100 years — science, technology, people, etc.,” he told BusinessWest. “But one thing that hasn’t changed that much, in my opinion, is behavior. We may be able to further mitigate any future surge, just as we mitigated this surge, by adhering to public-health guidelines. If we can keep that up, and then get some help with testing, better contract tracing, better therapies, which will happen, and maybe a vaccine…”

He didn’t completely finish the thought and instead stressed that this ‘if’ is a very large one, and there are really no certainties when it comes to this strategy.

But the very best strategy at the moment, he stressed, is to string this out and close off those pathways the virus can take.

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

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Real Estate

For Sale, for Lease

A listing of available commercial properties

<<GO HERE>>

Commercial Real Estate

Region Needs MGM Open for Business

By Editorial July 21, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

If you read between the lines when scanning or listening to the comments made by MGM Springfield officials in the run-up to the reopening of the facility this week, it’s easy to see that they have some real concerns about whether the restrictions they’ve been placed under will enable them to succeed.

“We’re excited to be here in this moment,” Chris Kelley, president and COO told members of the press being given a tour of the pandemic-adjusted facilities. “We have significant occupancy constraints that the business will be opening with, but we approach this moment with gratitude for the opportunity to serve our guests and this community again.”

We’re not sure how much gratitude, but we are sure that these occupancy constraints and other restrictions, put in place to keep guests and employees safe, are going to present stern challenges for the casino operators.

Roughly two-thirds of the slot machines will be disabled in the name of social distancing; many table games, including roulette, craps, and poker, will be shut down; capacity in the restaurants will also be limited, again in a nod to social distancing; the bars will be closed and drinking will be limited to those playing the games that are still open; large gatherings, such as concerts and shows, are still prohibited.

Add it all up, and then add in the cost of retrofitting the casino for play in the middle of a pandemic, and it’s fair to wonder whether opening is even a sound business decision given the high overhead at such facilities. That question remains to be answered.

What isn’t in doubt, though, is whether the city and the region need this facility open for business. To that question, there is a resounding ‘yes.’

Indeed, the tourism industry has been absolutely battered by the pandemic, perhaps harder than any other sector. Hotels, restaurants, bus companies, tourist attractions, and other businesses, have been crippled by this. And the announcement that there will be no Big E this fall dealt that sector another huge blow.

We’re not sure how much reopening MGM Springfield will help those businesses — many visitors to the casino don’t make any other stops before or after they do their gambling — but any help would certainly be appreciated.

There’s also the support the casino provides to other businesses, especially its vendors. We’ve written much over the past few years about how important MGM’s business is to these vendors — from the sign makers to the dry cleaners — and the trickle-down, while limited in some respects, is very real.

And then, there’s the psychological factor. Much of Main Street in Springfield was shut down by the pandemic, from shops to restaurants to businesses in the office towers. It’s starting to come back somewhat, with outdoor restaurants on Fort Street, Worthington Street, and by One Financial Plaza, and the office towers slowly (as in SLOWLY) but surely coming back to life.

MGM is another, very important, piece of the puzzle. With the casino again welcoming guests, Springfield, the region, will seem all the more open for business after a dreadful spring.

We’re under no delusions here. Reopening MGM is not going to dramatically alter the fate of many of the businesses that have been decimated by the pandemic. But it might provide a spark — another spark to be more precise — as the region tries to fight its way out of a disaster unlike anything it’s ever seen.

MGM’s managers are certainly not thrilled with the hand they’ve dealt, as they say in this business, but perhaps they can do something with it, show they can operate safely, and eventually build their capacity back up. In the meantime, the city and the region get another boost when they so badly need one.

For Colleges, the Sternest of Tests

By Editorial July 21, 2020

Opinion

As the calendar turns to late July, area colleges and universities are getting set to welcome students back for a fall semester that will, like the spring semester before it, be unlike any they’ve ever experienced.

It will be that way for the students, but also for the institutions themselves as they try to cope with a pandemic that is testing them in every way imaginable, starting with the not-so-simple task of simply reopening.

Indeed, there are a number of strategies being deployed by the schools in this region and well beyond — everything from mostly or entirely online (something many community colleges are favoring) to in-classroom learning, to an increasingly popular hybrid approach that blends both .

And there are twists on those themes, such as UMass offering online education in all programs, but also giving students the option of living on campus — with a whole lot of rules that will have to be followed in an attempt to keep people safe from the virus.

But as schools scramble to reopen, deeper discussions are taking place — or should be taking place — about how the pandemic may bring about systemic change in how colleges provide an education to students.

With that, we return to those reopening strategies, because they provide ample evidence of an ongoing debate concerning what’s important to students and what a college education is or should be.

Many are of the opinion that in-person, in-the-classroom learning is critical and more effective than online, or remote, learning, and this is why some colleges are working diligently to maintain this element, even during a pandemic. Meanwhile, others consider the campus experience an integral part of a college education.

This leads to the larger question — just what is a college education? Is it merely gaining skills that could enable one to succeed in the workplace? Or is it much more? Is it also about making lifelong friendships, learning about people and about life, working in a collaborative environment, and, yes, going to parties and football games and concerts?

The easy answer is that it’s all these things. The challenge for each institution is figuring out how to provide the best mix of all that to its students. As the story on page 17 makes clear, no two strategies among the region’s schools are exactly the same, and that makes the fall semester a fascinating experiment — one higher-ed leaders promise to take lessons from, even as they hope for a more traditional fall of 2021.

Picture This

Picture This

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

Camp Days

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke opened its seven week, in-person summer camp on July 6, serving up to 75 youth a day. The camp will help kids combat summer learning loss while focusing on one primary theme: diversity. With the topic of racism at the forefront of the country and Holyoke being a community of color, the club will continue to create a platform to educate children on inclusiveness, acceptance, and equality for all. Program activities will incorporate elements of diversity, and additional activities will include project-based learning, targeted literacy support, STEM and coding, arts and crafts, daily challenges, sports and recreation, gardening, culinary arts, dance, non-contact boxing, and more.

Food Donations

The United Way of Pioneer Valley recently received its first food shipment — 11 pallets of shelf-stable food items, pre-packaged in boxes, made to feed a family of four for several days — secured through a relationship with MEMA as part of pandemic-response efforts. If a family needs assistance and isn’t covered by one of the community agencies receiving food, they can call (413) 737-2691 for assistance. Pictured: Jennifer Kinsman, director of Community Impact, and Emmanuel Reyes, Thrive financial coach, unwrap a pallet of food.

Agenda

Agenda

Nominations for Humane Awards

Through July 31: Dakin Humane Society is accepting nominations from the public for its Dakin Humane Awards until July 31. Nominees should be people who go out of their way to care for animals in need, people who volunteer to help animals, or people and/or animals who have provided significant public service or shown courage in a crisis. Finalists in each of the award categories will be picked from among the nominees and notified of their selection in August. The award ceremony will be livestreamed at a later date in the fall, and one winner in each of the categories will be announced. There are five awards to be bestowed: the Frances M. Wells Award, given to an individual recognized for notable contributions to the health and welfare of animals; the Youth Award, honoring a hero, age 16 or younger, whose extraordinary care and compassion makes a difference in the life of an animal, and makes the world a kinder and gentler place; the Champion Award, given to a public servant who makes life better for tens of thousands of animals and people in their community, and recognizing their dedication and compassion on behalf of animals and people in need; the Richard and Nathalie Woodbury Philanthropy Award, paying homage to an individual who displays a remarkable sense of stewardship in sharing time, talent, and financial resources to improve the lives of animals and people who love them; and the Animal Hero Award, recognizing an exceptional animal and handler (when applicable) whose valor and extraordinary devotion to people proved life-saving in disastrous or challenging heath circumstances. Nominations are being accepted online only at bit.ly/2NOcgps. Mail-in nominations will not be accepted. Nominees should be residents of Central or Western Mass. or Northern Connecticut.

MCLA Gallery 51 Virtual Artist Series

Through Aug. 8: MCLA Gallery 51 will continue its online program, the G51 Virtual Artist Series, live via Zoom at noon on alternating Saturdays. Local, regional, national, and international artists will give virtual tours of their studios and discuss their practices. Discussions with the artists will also be recorded for later viewing. The series kicked off on May 16. The gallery’s full spring programming schedule is available on its website. Upcoming artists include Kim Faler (July 25), a local, multi-disciplinary artist working in painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, and photography, whose art practice unpacks the emotional weight found within everyday objects and architecture; and Anina Major (Aug. 8), who works with topics of identity, slavery, the female body, Bahamian culture, and more. She considers her creative practice to be a response to continuous erasure and a culture that is constantly being oversimplified.

Submission Period for Virtual Art Show

Through Aug. 13: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NAMI Western Massachusetts will present a virtual art show this year, and is now accepting artwork for the show. Submissions are limited to individuals living with a mental-health diagnosis, and the artwork will be displayed on the organization’s website and social-media pages for a limited time, then switched out for new artwork. To submit, e-mail a picture of the art to [email protected]. Note the size of the piece, the medium, and the price if it is for sale. The artist should also specify if they want their name used. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 13.

People on the Move

People on the Move

Katherine Dugan

Springfield College Assistant Professor of Religion Katherine Dugan has accepted the position of director of core curriculum at the college. Dugan will oversee the implementation of the new core curriculum at Springfield College starting during the 2020 fall semester. As part of her responsibilities, she will be responsible for providing clear communication methods with faculty, administrators, and students about the what and why of the Springfield College core curriculum. Dugan joined the Springfield College humanities faculty in 2016 with a focus on American religions with a specialization in contemporary Catholicism in the U.S. She teaches courses on world religions, religion in the U.S., Catholicism, women and religion, and introduction to Christianity. Her research interests are in religious experience, women in religion, and the intersection of religious practice and American culture. Her first monograph, “Millennial Missionaries: How a Group of Young Catholics Is Trying to Make Catholicism Cool,” was published by Oxford University Press in 2019. Her current research is on Catholics who practice natural family planning in the U.S.

•••••

Kate Burke

Westfield State University (WSU) appointed Kate Burke associate director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. In her role, she will be responsible for the development, management, and oversight of alumni outreach and engagement initiatives as well as providing leadership to the Alumni Relations team for the management of the Alumni Association and the Lifetime Owls program. In addition, she will provide oversight of the annual-fund communications, campaigns, and giving programs. Burke comes to WSU with a wealth of external, alumni-relations, and development experience in both higher education and intercollegiate athletics. She has previously made an impact at Colorado School of Mines, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Oakland University, University of Virginia, and Xavier University. Burke earned a bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree from Indiana State University.

•••••

Antonio Dos Santos

The Westmass Area Development Corp. board of directors has elected Antonio Dos Santos its new chairman, replacing Carol Campbell as her term expires. Dos Santos joined the board in 2011 and has served in numerous roles, most recently as vice chair. He is a partner at the Springfield-based law firm Crear, Chadwell, Dos Santos & Devlin, P.C., specializing in business, commercial real estate, and commercial lending. Dos Santos brings years of leadership and commitment to the Westmass board as Campbell’s term concludes after three challenging years. Amid the unexpected passing of former President and CEO Eric Nelson in 2019 and hiring new President and CEO Jeff Daley in October 2019, Campbell’s management and commitment to Westmass has ushered in a strong financial and operational base for success in the years to come. She will assume the role of immediate past chair and continue to serve on the executive committee.

•••••

Justine Dymond

Springfield College Associate Professor of English Justine Dymond has been selected by the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) Artist Fellowships Program as a finalist in the category of fiction/creative nonfiction on the strength of her lyrical essay titled “Brave of Worms.” Dymond teaches courses in writing and multi-cultural literature at Springfield College. Her short prose and poetry have appeared in numerous literary journals, including Massachusetts Review, Pleiades, Briar Cliff Review, and Cimarron Review. Her short story “Cherubs” was selected in 2007 for an O. Henry Award, a highly prestigious recognition in the art of the short story. In 2018, she received the the Eludia Award presented by Hidden River Arts, an inter-disciplinary, independent arts organization located in Philadelphia, for her collection of stories titled The Emigrant and Other Stories. Forthcoming from Sowilo Press, the collection ranges widely in setting and era, including France during World War II, Maine in the early 18th century, and Tennessee in the 21st century.

•••••

Wendy Fitzgerald

HUB International New England, LLC announced that Wendy Fitzgerald, strategic account executive, received the Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor (CPRIA) certificate, completing an intensive, 18-month program designed to enhance the knowledge of professionals who serve high-net-worth clients. Nearly 600 professionals from leading insurance organizations in the U.S. have graduated from the program since its inception in 2015. The CPRIA program is offered by the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA) and is endorsed by the Tobin Center for Executive Education of St. John’s University in conjunction with St. John’s School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science. The CPRIA program is unique in that it provides real-world scenarios, addresses current and complex industry trends, and predicts needs of the future. The program also aims to further the knowledge of participants by providing them with access to high-net-worth industry veterans and leading insurance executives.

•••••

Michael Paysnick

Michael Paysnick, CEO of Springfield Jewish Community Center (JCC), has announced his retirement. Initially intending to retire in September, Paysnick has agreed, in light of COVID-19, to remain until a replacement is hired or until the end of the year. Paysnick began his career at the JCC as assistant executive director in 1988. In 2008, he succeeded Mark Dindas, now executive director emeritus. During his tenure, Paysnick helped establish the JCC as the central meeting place of the Jewish and general community. He set the organization on a path to financial sustainability, a goal achieved by working closely with the board of directors. Paysnick was instrumental in expanding existing programs, as well as overseeing the initiation of new and creative programs and services, in a fiscally responsible manner. He successfully achieved the creation of the special-needs program Kehillah and oversaw the expansion of the after-school program and infant program in the Early Learning Center. In 2011, he achieved the successful hosting of the 2011 JCC Maccabi Games held at the Springfield JCC. During his time at the helm, he presided over numerous renovations and infrastructure improvements to the center’s facility. The Springfield JCC received several recognition awards under Paysnick’s leadership, including one from Human Resources Unlimited (now Viability), which recognized the JCC for its employment practices of hiring individuals with special needs. The JCC also received the Brianna Award for its commitment to providing quality programs and services for individuals with special needs and their families.

•••••

Toastmasters International announced that Steve Lanning was selected as Toastmaster of the Year by district leadership during its annual officer meeting. Lanning is the current president of Toastmasters of Downtown Springfield, and the outgoing Division F director for District 53 of Toastmasters International. This annual award goes to the District 53 Toastmaster who has demonstrated year-long dedication to, and leadership within, District 53; committed to assisting other members in making their own progress; and upheld the core values of Toastmasters International: integrity, respect, service, and excellence. Lanning is a six-year Toastmasters member who earned the Distinguished Toastmaster Award, the organization’s highest award, in 2019. He also earned seven educational awards in the just-ended club year. Lanning stepped down as Division F director on July 1 to assume the role of Area F63 director for the next club year.

•••••

Wesley Church II

Wesley Church II has been named dean of the Springfield College School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. His professional background includes more than 20 years of experience in the field of social work, primarily in criminal-justice settings. “Springfield College will benefit from the broad experiences and accomplishments that Dr. Church brings to the dean’s role,” said Martha Potvin, Springfield College’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “His spirit of innovation and collaboration, as well as successes in growing enrollments in online and continuing-education programs in social work and in child and family studies, bode well for successful leadership across all departments in the year-old School of Social and Behavioral Studies.” Church has been the J. Franklin Bayhi endowed professor, the special assistant for assessment, and formerly director of the Louisiana State University School of Social Work. He succeeds Francine Vecchiolla, who is retiring after 30 years of service at Springfield College.

•••••

John Whalley, CEO of Whalley Computer Associates (WCA), announced the appointment of Michael Sheil as the company’s new president. Whalley has led the company as president and CEO for the past 41 years and will remain in his role as CEO moving forward, working closely with Sheil and the senior leadership team. Sheil brings to the position a wealth of knowledge and a wide range of experience in the information-technology industry, with expertise in sales for higher education, healthcare, finance, enterprise, and state and local governments. He has more than 32 years of experience in sales and 27 years of IT sales with WCA, most recently as a senior account manager, where he was an integral part of WCA’s success. In his new role, he will be responsible for presiding over the entire workforce, managing budgets and making sure resources are allocated properly to meet the overall goals and initiatives of the company. Tom Hanson, vice president of Operations; Doug Moglin, vice president of the OEM Division; and Paul Whalley, vice president, will remain in their current roles.

Company Notebook

Company Notebook

Melanson Heath Rebrands as Melanson

NASHUA, N.H. — Melanson Heath, one of the fastest-growing accounting firms in the U.S., announced that the company will begin operating under a new name and will be known as Melanson, effective immediately. This rebranding strategy reflects both the evolution of the company and its vision for the future. Along with this change, a newly redesigned company logo has been revealed, and a new website, melansoncpas.com, has been launched. “As part of our focus on expansion and business development, our leadership team and I believe it was appropriate to rebrand our firm to more specifically reflect who we are,” said Managing Partner Scott Toothaker, CPA. “We are very excited about the introduction of our new company name, Melanson, because it allows us to better represent our business to our clients and community. We are also very happy about the launch of our new website, which features our own employees and better reflects the personality found at Melanson. We are not just an accounting firm; we are a partner for our clients.”

Phoenix Project Launched to Assist Struggling Businesses

PIONEER VALLEY — The DiStefano Group and Seven Roads Media announced the Phoenix Project, a movement to collaborate and create opportunities within the Pioneer Valley business community based on the principles of kindness and understanding. The goal is to provide a broad range of assistance to businesses that are struggling as a result of the unprecedented happenings of 2020. The two companies, in direct response to the inequities and hardships that so many in the community are facing, will seek to gain a genuine understanding of what local business owners need and address those needs immediately and for free. The process will begin with a video interview to gather raw, first-hand knowledge. Seven Roads Media and the DiStefano Group will provide business and media coaching on the spot, but support for the business won’t end there. The Phoenix Project also includes the expertise of an established group of ‘masterminds’ — local professionals at the top of their fields — to provide coaching in banking, marketing, financial management, real estate, photography, hospitality, events, human resources, psychology, IT, and more. Gina DiStefano, president and CEO of the DiStefano Group and Phoenix Project co-founder, explained that “the video is just the beginning. From there, we will connect the business with our group of masterminds, who will continue to provide pro bono advice. We intend to have a real impact on businesses that have been hit hard. We are willing and able to help.” The project’s model will build supportive relationships not just for the chosen business, but among all of the those represented by the masterminds, said the third co-founder, Jess Roncarati-Howe, a nonprofit consultant and coach with the DiStefano Group who formerly served as president of the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. “An entrepreneurial spirit who truly cares about what’s going on around them can foster tremendous impact,” she added. “It is the driving force behind the Phoenix Project. We will help our community to heal — one interaction, one relationship at a time.”

IALS at UMass Amherst Joins Digital Health Sandbox Network

AMHERST — The Massachusetts eHealth Institute at MassTech (MeHI) selected six new healthcare research and development (R&D) hubs to join the Digital Health Sandbox Network, including UMass Amherst’s Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS). The Sandbox Network program connects digital-health startups to cutting-edge R&D facilities in the Commonwealth and allows Massachusetts startups to apply for funding to test their innovations at one of the networks’ labs, now including IALS. Sandbox R&D facilities provide a range of services supporting validation and testing for digital health companies throughout their life cycles. “Establishing a translational institute at UMass that provides startup lab space; more than 30 industry-friendly, staffed core equipment facilities; and individualized venture-mentoring services creates an exciting environment for digital-health companies in Western Massachusetts,” IALS Director Peter Reinhart said. IALS helps to shepherd and translate fundamental research into new product candidates, technologies, and services that benefit human health and well-being. IALS also helps users address both basic and translational questions, deliver technologies and product candidates more rapidly, and become more competitive in obtaining funding. Facilities include a state-of-the-art test bed for mobile health experiments at scale, the Center for Human Health and Performance, a roll-to-roll fabrication and processing facility, and research laboratory space for lease. In 2019, Gov. Charlie Baker announced $500,000 in funding for the Sandbox program as part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to boost the digital-health ecosystem under the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative.

Captain Candy to Open Second Store in Holyoke

NORTHAMPTON — Levi Smith, owner of Captain Candy in the lower level of Thornes Marketplace, announced he is opening a second store in the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. “I’ve survived the COVID-19 shutdown, and I’m excited to be opening a second store in Holyoke,” Smith said. Captain Candy offers eclectic candies that are not the norm in grocery and convenience stores — everything from gumballs to candy cigarettes, wax bottles full of juice, Turkish taffy, Pop Rocks, and Zotz. Smith was contacted in January by the owners of Pyramid Management Group, which owns more than a dozen malls in the Northeast, including the Holyoke Mall. Smith’s Holyoke store opening comes a little over a year after he purchased the Northampton shop from former owner Nolan Anaya. Smith was 18 at the time. Currently, he is a business student at Holyoke Community College. In the early months, Smith will operate the new store to ensure a smooth start, and then he will hire as needed. Currently, he and six part-time employees operate the Thornes location, which opened in 2013.

Smith College Team Wins Ventilator-design Challenge

NORTHAMPTON — The SmithVent team of engineering alumni, staff, and faculty are the winners of the CoVent-19 challenge to design an easily manufacturable ventilator for use during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Grécourt Gate, Smith College’s online news portal. The team’s breathing device was chosen from more than 200 submissions to the competition launched on April 1. “In two months, we went from knowing nothing to having a functional prototype,” said team co-leader Susannah Howe, director of Smith’s Engineering Design Clinic. “To see that trajectory in such a short period of time, with people who are volunteering their time on top of their other jobs, is amazing and heartwarming and so rewarding.” Smith College President Kathleen McCartney added that “I could not be more proud of the SmithVent team for winning the CoVent-19 Challenge. This win speaks volumes about the power of a liberal-arts education, grounded in experiential learning, to find innovative, collaborative solutions to complex, urgent problems. SmithVent is Smith at its best: a lasting example of our community coming together for the betterment of the world.”

Springfield Library & Museums Assoc. Wins $100,000 NEA Grant

SPRINGFIELD — National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $84 million in grants as part of the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2020. Included in this announcement is an Our Town award of $100,000 to the Springfield Library & Museums Assoc. in partnership with the Springfield Cultural Partnership for Spark!: Igniting Our Community, a project in the newly renovated Pynchon Park to envision and create public art that serves to connect the city, residents, and visitors. This is one of 51 grants nationwide that the agency has approved in this category. Spark: Igniting Our Community is a two-year public art project that will transform recently reopened Pynchon Park into a vibrant public space through innovative multi-media art installations created by local and national artists. City residents, community stakeholders, and cultural institutions will be involved in a collective process to imagine, select, and commission public art that celebrates Springfield’s citizens, culture, and heritage. The park, closed for 40 years, will use the arts to connect neighborhoods and people, creating equitable partnerships that demonstrate the power of civic engagement for more vibrant and livable communities. The park’s reopening offers an opportunity to continue momentum by celebrating public art in this passageway and creating a programming and civic-engagement space. This project will create a walkable pathway between the museum district and the commercial downtown, spurring retail and public-space projects along these avenues and encouraging greater tourism throughout the city.

Webster Bank Offers Financial Program for Frontline Heroes

WATERBURY, Conn. — Webster Bank became one of the first financial-services companies nationwide to introduce Frontline Heroes, a program for essential healthcare workers and first responders that enhances the financial well-being of those who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In gratitude for their selfless service, Webster’s new Frontline Heroes program offers a range of financial benefits, including checking accounts free of a monthly maintenance fee and free checking withdrawals at any ATM through December 2021. The program provides new customers with the ability to earn a cash incentive, as well as additional discounts and benefits. Frontline Heroes includes any full-time or part-time employee currently in essential healthcare, including hospitals, nursing homes, medical and dental practices, and home healthcare. The program is also available to first responders. For every new Frontline Heroes customer, Webster will also donate $250 to United Way COVID-19 Response Funds, making a minimum donation of $100,000.

Incorporations

Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

AC Auto Transportation Inc., 322 Meadow St, Apt. 12, Agawam, MA 01001. Alexei Ciocalau, same. Long distance transportation.

AMHERST

Amherst Cognitive Therapy Inc., 24 South Prospect St., Amherst, MA 01002. Caroline Aller, 31 Montague Road, Leverett, MA 01054. Psychotherapy.

BELCHERTOWN

Belchertown Cultural Alliance Inc., 19 Jackson St., Belchertown, MA 01007. AprilEve Jasak-Bangs, same. To enrich the community of Belchertown, MA through repurposing underutilized landscapes. To preserve Belchertown’s history while providing a space for artistic, technical, and educational pursuits.

BERNARDSTON

Aedz Inc., 30 Deanne Road, Bernardston, MA 01337. Abaz Cecunjanin, same. Restaurant, bar, food service, and catering.
DEERFIELD

Chen Family Holdings Limited, 228 Lower Rd., Deerfield, MA 01342. Sharon Laisum Chan, same. Real estate.

FEEDING HILLS

Belchertown State School Friends Association Inc., 926b Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Katherine Marian Benson, same. Support planning with the town of Belchertown and the Belchertown economic development industrial corporation for the continued use of certain land parcels of the former Belchertown State School.

GREENFIELD

26 Clark Street Inc., 26 Clark St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Tyler Nolan, same. Rental property.

PITTSFIELD

Cafe Dexter Corp., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite. 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Sangyul Lee, same. Sale of coffee materials and machinery.

Cash Cloud Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Christopher Mcalary, same. Virtual currency kiosk operators.

RICHMOND

Anita Chapman Scholarship Fund Inc., 3050 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254. Janice Hartford, same. To organize, promote and conduct the giving of educational scholarships from donations collected by the corporation for the sole purpose of assisting young people with their education or training following high school graduation.

SPRINGFIELD

Crane Edmund Family Inc., 654 Newbury St., Springfield, MA 01104. Robert F. Crane, same. To help high school students pursue college courses and credit at local community colleges while attending high school.

WARREN

Brian Oshea Services Inc., 192 Old West Warren Road, Warren, MA 01083. Brian Oshea, same. Sale of flooring.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Chartiers General Carpentry Inc., 78 Rogers Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Donald N. Chartier, same. General carpentry.

WESTFIELD

B-Ton Construction Inc., 120 Mullen Ave., Westfield, MA 01085. Olessya Kondratyev, same. Construction.

WILLIAMSBURG

Brewmasters Inc., 4 Main St., Williamsburg, MA 01096. John J. Lucey, 14 Chapman Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027. Restaurant.

Doing Business as Certificates

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2020. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

DEERFIELD

Mass Food Delivery
75 Stillwater Road
Julia Coffey

HADLEY

ASAP Painting Inc.
117 Russell St.
Jim Boyle

Berkshire Mountain Clinic
216 Russell St.
Charlene Patenaude

Country Nissan
40 Russell St.
TommyCar Corp.

Gardener’s Supply
285 Russell St.
Innovative Gardening Solutions Inc.

Holiday Inn Express
400 Russell St.
Hadley Hospitality, LLC

Joy Bowl
344 Russell St.
Ru Jing Zhao

River Valley House Call Vet
286 River Dr.
Amy Wanczyk

Smithland Supply
335 Russell St.
CT Gardens

Sports Clips Haircuts
355 Russell St.
Lawnwood Enterprises Inc.

Tran’s World Market
50 Russell St.
Sockha Son

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Alina Express
502 Union St.
Ilhom Mamedov

Black Box Dance & Theater
51 Colony Road
Mallory Wray

Bouchy Hair
33 Westfield St.
Lauren Boucher

Brittany Barry
33 Westfield St.
Brittany Barry

Christina O’Keefe-Giebner
33 Westfield St.
Christina O’Keefe-Giebner

Hair Vibes by Tia
33 Westfield St.
Tia Maniscalchi

Jennifer LaChapelle
33 Westfield St.
Jennifer LaChapelle

LaptopZone USA
83 River St.
Mohamed Muzammil

MCL Mechanical Services Inc.
26 Kelso Ave.
Marc Lichwan

Pearly Paints
33 Westfield St.
Wendy Pereira

Tanya Hemingway Hamel
33 Westfield St.
Tanya Hemingway Hamel

Westside Check Cashing
205 Elm St.
Rajesh Rayonia

Workstation for Hair
33 Westfield St.
Lauren Boucher

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies

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

Can, Alphonso
a/k/a Can, Thoai Thanh
28 Pemaquid St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/10/2020

Caputo, Michael J.
72 Mobile Home Way
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/08/2020

Haley, Christine L.
16 Demond Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/12/2020

Hill, Tyler S.
128 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/11/2020

Neal, Linda J
52 Seminole Dr.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/08/2020

Ocasio, Theresa J.
123 Cross Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/12/2020

Runyon, Stephanie M.
9 Hanward Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/01/2020

Santiago, Melissa C.
a/k/a Rivera, Melissa
46 Hampden St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/05/2020

Real Estate Transactions

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

770 Watson Spruce Corner Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Carter J. Carter
Seller: Ronald Gorevic
Date: 04/10/20

BERNARDSTON

30 Deane Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Leanda M. Fontaine-Gagnon
Seller: Abaz Cecunjanin
Date: 06/18/20

37 Deane Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $234,900
Buyer: Judith Griggs
Seller: Robert C. Herrick
Date: 06/17/20

24 Harwood Dr.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Karen A. Kelly
Seller: Christal L. Cutler
Date: 04/10/20

BUCKLAND

45 Ashfield Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Beth A. Martin
Seller: Burrows, Richard L., (Estate)
Date: 06/24/20

CHARLEMONT

520 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Bouyea
Seller: Michele Seyler
Date: 06/19/20

COLRAIN

136 West Leyden Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Scott Denison
Seller: Gail R. Hall
Date: 06/26/20

CONWAY

53 Main St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Debra A. Horton
Seller: Phyllis G. Labanowski
Date: 06/26/20

2528 Main Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Jocelyn A. Forbush
Seller: Debra Demuth
Date: 06/24/20

765 North Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Benjamin M. Wormgoor
Seller: Aronson IRT
Date: 06/22/20

DEERFIELD

10 Gromacki Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Jordan R. Bashaw
Seller: Tami J. Kokoski
Date: 06/17/20

GREENFIELD

307 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Justin A. Slicer
Seller: Thomas Richardson
Date: 06/25/20

96 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $320,640
Buyer: Mary Pomeroy
Seller: Michael B. Hassay
Date: 06/22/20

22 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Gregory London-Nephew
Seller: Clough INT
Date: 06/26/20

43 Harrison Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. George
Seller: Olivia C. Hickey
Date: 06/24/20

296 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Christina Clark
Seller: Daniel D. Garant
Date: 04/08/20

21 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Cherie L. Semanie
Seller: Eric M. Mosher
Date: 06/25/20

56 Lincoln St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Kyle Sheldon
Seller: Thomas E. Gale
Date: 06/25/20

49 Lunt Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $229,435
Buyer: Matthew Llewelyn
Seller: Todd R. Wiles
Date: 06/22/20

67 Meadow Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Amanda L. Doster
Seller: Martha R. Swanson RET
Date: 06/19/20

125 Meridian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Paul Yager
Seller: Carol L. Derose
Date: 06/23/20

132 Meridian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Robin F. Weingarten
Seller: Paul A. Yager
Date: 06/23/20

52 Newell Pond Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Michelle Y. Carleton
Seller: John T. McConnell
Date: 06/19/20

29 Woodleigh Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Emily Hildebrand
Seller: Luna L. Greenwood
Date: 04/10/20

HAWLEY

26 Dodge Corner Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ronald Gorevic
Seller: William R. Harris
Date: 04/10/20

7 Grout Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Nelson R. Oliveira
Seller: Suzanne Aubrey
Date: 06/25/20

HEATH

34 Deer Run Path
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Leslie Evans
Seller: Howard M. Pond
Date: 06/19/20

Hosmer Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Franklin Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Scott A. Gudell
Date: 06/25/20

LEYDEN

859 Greenfield Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $183,400
Buyer: Thomas E. Raffensperger
Seller: Emily D. Goodwin
Date: 06/26/20

MONTAGUE

6 Bridge St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Michael L. Burten
Seller: Urban Veneer LLC
Date: 06/22/20

32 Center St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Laura A. Deluca
Seller: Vicki E. Stoddard
Date: 06/17/20

Turnpike Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: William D. Ingram
Seller: Paul D. Viens
Date: 06/22/20

NEW SALEM

300 Petersham Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Brian J. Uphold
Seller: Julie M. Lemay
Date: 06/26/20

NORTHFIELD

40 North Lane
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $249,678
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: Edward M. Orcutt
Date: 06/17/20

80 West Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Deliso
Seller: Jared R. Gibson
Date: 06/26/20

ORANGE

112 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Kelly M. Melanson
Seller: Scott Savoy
Date: 04/10/20

WENDELL

Jennison Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Whetstone Wood T. Fund
Seller: Massachusetts Audubon Society
Date: 06/17/20

Salem Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Whetstone Wood T. Fund
Seller: Massachusetts Audubon Society
Date: 06/17/20

WHATELY

27 Grey Oak Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $565,888
Buyer: Jerry D. Lemmon
Seller: Todd G. Picken
Date: 06/26/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

57 Bessbrook St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Edward E. Rodriguez
Seller: Thelma A. Gardner
Date: 04/10/20

14 Briarcliff Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Jie Chen
Seller: Daniel Hickok
Date: 04/10/20

67 Cesan St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Daniel V. Gibbs
Seller: Sandra Linder
Date: 06/18/20

32 Columbia Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Lloyd C. Sutton
Seller: Nicole A. Ward
Date: 04/10/20

70 Elmar Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Adrienn Sibrizzi-O’Connor
Seller: J. Craig White
Date: 04/14/20

191 Franklin St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Bonnie Merrifield
Seller: Charlene M. Trombley
Date: 06/26/20

4 Hunters Greene Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $521,000
Buyer: Christopher H. Stearns
Seller: Christopher C. Peucker
Date: 06/26/20

89 Kensington St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: James D. Newsome
Seller: Eric Stevens
Date: 04/10/20

126 Lancaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Jason R. Fiore
Seller: Ronald E. Benoit
Date: 04/10/20

215 Leonard St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Traci Gallerani
Seller: James M. Messier
Date: 06/26/20

20 Marlene Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: James Messier
Seller: Pamela Camerlin
Date: 06/26/20

37 Nile Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Lindsay E. Strole
Seller: Peter J. Tilden
Date: 04/10/20

37 Oak Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Heather Roberts
Seller: Timothy S. Lockwood
Date: 06/24/20

82 Rising St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Sergey N. Vasilevich
Seller: Lori A. Connaughton
Date: 06/25/20

1159 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Craig J. Spjute
Seller: Real Estate Investments NE LLC
Date: 06/19/20

242 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Turcotte
Seller: Mark A. Berman
Date: 06/23/20

52 Windermere Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $564,000
Buyer: William H. Cullen
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 06/26/20

57 Windermere Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $612,500
Buyer: Thomas J. Jendrysik
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 04/10/20

38 Zacks Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $432,500
Buyer: Francis X. Kennedy
Seller: William H. Cullen
Date: 06/26/20

81 Zacks Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Catherine Hedges
Seller: Jason E. Freeman
Date: 06/26/20

BRIMFIELD

85 Marsh Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Kenneth D. Bellucci
Seller: Krystyna Sikorska
Date: 06/24/20

60 Saint Clair Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Keri Lemay
Seller: Thomas G. Riemer
Date: 06/25/20

Tiderman Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Seller: Raymond Serrenho
Date: 06/25/20

CHICOPEE

67 7th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Linda S. Kobylanski
Seller: Casandra Kobylanski
Date: 06/26/20

51 Bay State Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,900
Buyer: Glen Gladstone-White
Seller: Mathew Bean
Date: 04/14/20

306 Bostwick Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Webber
Seller: Kenneth A. Stacy
Date: 06/17/20

596 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Gabriel D. Suarez
Seller: Timothy L. Brodeur
Date: 06/26/20

114 Chapel St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Carlos J. Ramos
Seller: Campagnari Construction
Date: 06/22/20

32 Charbonneau Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Derrick O. Nembhard
Seller: Ambrosius A. Francisco
Date: 06/22/20

30 Cherryvale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: David R. Larkin
Seller: William J. Snow
Date: 06/18/20

186 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Luz M. Cardona
Seller: Ryan F. Bialka
Date: 06/24/20

88 Cora Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $127,200
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Steven J. Morin
Date: 04/09/20

106 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Husam Jaber
Seller: Ann J. Mierzwa
Date: 04/10/20

53 Davenport St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Samantha Gingras
Seller: Kiersten N. Korona-Moreau
Date: 04/09/20

37 Deane St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Timofey Korobkov
Seller: Susan M. Nagine
Date: 06/17/20

330 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: TM Real Estate LLC
Seller: Marcia Podgurski
Date: 06/19/20

107 Edward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Jonathan S. Dean
Seller: NAR Realty LLC
Date: 06/25/20

33 Factory St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Ivonne Reyes
Seller: John Occhialini
Date: 06/24/20

29 Fredette St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Amount: $401,000
Buyer: Harry T. Gao
Seller: N. Riley Development Inc.
Date: 06/26/20

32 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Rosa E. Calderon
Date: 06/24/20

292 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Miguel Rodriguez-Cortes
Seller: Alliance Real Estate Solutions
Date: 06/18/20

525 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: 525 Grattan Street LLC
Seller: Roger E. Fournier
Date: 04/14/20

22 John St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Prime Living Properties
Seller: Couture Partners LLC
Date: 06/25/20

18 Laurel St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Luissonel Velez
Seller: Shirley Alvira
Date: 04/09/20

150 Lawndale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Guillermo G. Colon
Seller: Justin A. Nevins
Date: 06/26/20

105 Nutmeg Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Zachary Gates
Seller: Mary E. Murdock
Date: 06/19/20

24 Paul Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $179,500
Buyer: Gretcher A. Rivera
Seller: Russell S. Annis
Date: 06/19/20

37 Spring St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Lianetzy Diaz
Seller: Orange Park Management
Date: 04/10/20

20 Thomas St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Victor C. Colon-Vazquez
Seller: Joseph R. Rosinski
Date: 06/18/20

95 Ward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Michael J. Gibson
Date: 04/09/20

34 Whitman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jeremy Rodriguez
Seller: Robert A. Getto
Date: 06/25/20

9 Woodcrest Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Timothy E. Dostie
Seller: Michael J. Rahilly
Date: 06/22/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

71 Fernwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $288,500
Buyer: Joseph Trombley
Seller: Madeline T. Encalade
Date: 06/26/20

38 Garland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Terry Peckham
Seller: Anthony M. Ferrero
Date: 04/13/20

15 Greenacre Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Stephanie Pray
Seller: Maureen A. Shea
Date: 06/23/20

340 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Quercus Properties LLC
Seller: White, Lorraine M., (Estate)
Date: 04/09/20

104 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Paul Ganieany
Seller: Kenneth R. Birchall
Date: 06/24/20

7 Melody Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: 35 Day Avenue LLC
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 04/10/20

549 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Rebecca L. Walsh
Seller: Kevin J. Aliengena
Date: 06/19/20

16 Ramonas Way
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $519,000
Buyer: Gabriel E. Ryb
Seller: James J. Zera
Date: 06/25/20

45 Saint Joseph Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Abel Lee
Seller: Shannon M. Murphy
Date: 06/26/20

HAMPDEN

228 Allen St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Matthew Eaton
Seller: Theresa Y. Beane
Date: 06/17/20

122 East Longmeadow Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: DJS Automotive LLC
Seller: SMP Management Services
Date: 06/24/20

20 North Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $305,700
Buyer: Keith T. Cotter
Seller: Annalisa Condon
Date: 06/26/20

108 Sessions Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Timothy Gallant
Seller: Siano, Carolyn B., (Estate)
Date: 06/22/20

HOLLAND

23 Over The Top Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Keith R. Butts
Seller: Jennifer J. Barsaleau
Date: 06/25/20

101 Vinton Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: James Peret
Seller: James E. Wettlaufer
Date: 06/26/20

HOLYOKE

5 Acorn Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Elizabeth E. Lempke
Seller: Ann T. Warwick
Date: 04/09/20

15 Liberty St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: John D. Fleming
Seller: Margaret Ducheney
Date: 06/24/20

5 Merkel Terrace
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: James B. Farrell
Seller: Mark Lauer
Date: 04/10/20

2-4 Rene Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Nelson R. Amalbert
Seller: MJ Homes LLC
Date: 06/18/20

12 Roosevelt Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,400
Buyer: Bank Of America
Seller: Jovanny Feliciano
Date: 04/08/20

51-53 Samosett St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Perez
Seller: Kdomain LLC
Date: 04/08/20

251 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Liz M. Espada
Seller: Rondey Allen
Date: 06/26/20

5 Shawmut Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $144,127
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Joan M. Koszela
Date: 04/13/20

11 Sherwood Terrace
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Alex W. Rodriguez
Seller: Edward C. Brunelle
Date: 06/18/20

44 Sterling Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $355,500
Buyer: Kristen Isham
Seller: Michael E. McMahon
Date: 06/17/20

25 Vadnais St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $348,900
Buyer: Rondey Allen
Seller: Dylan P. Mawdsley
Date: 06/26/20

131 Vermont St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Wyatt-Ephraim A. Akiva
Seller: John P. Brunelle
Date: 06/26/20

344 Wdxg Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Chelsea S. Scott
Seller: Hillary M. Sackett-Taylor
Date: 06/26/20

141 Whiting Farms Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $159,650
Buyer: Juan V. Romero
Seller: Gary Rome
Date: 06/25/20

LONGMEADOW

30 Barbara Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Baciak
Seller: Robert R. Danio
Date: 06/17/20

90 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $285,500
Buyer: Christina L. Parziale
Seller: Beth E. Palmer
Date: 04/09/20

7 Briarcliff Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $449,000
Buyer: Marissa Cuff
Seller: Maria Ingani
Date: 04/14/20

258 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $314,900
Buyer: Patrick J. Sullivan
Seller: Carrieann Michael
Date: 06/22/20

263 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Bennett
Seller: Stephen Ehrenberg
Date: 06/26/20

413 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: John R. Mclean
Seller: Raymond K. Zhu
Date: 06/26/20

45 Kenmore Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $331,500
Buyer: Michael Robare
Seller: Amy L. Cairy
Date: 04/14/20

81 Knollwood Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Jeffrey R. Bloom
Seller: Josefa Toirac
Date: 06/26/20

82 Knollwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Brandon Stepp
Seller: Ann H. Sturtevant RET
Date: 06/24/20

99 Knollwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $384,900
Buyer: Charlotte H. Beers
Seller: Maximilian J. Bennett
Date: 06/26/20

733 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Tiantian Wang
Seller: Mark G. Morisi
Date: 06/25/20

75 Lawnwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Robert R. Danio
Seller: Kevin J. Korney
Date: 06/17/20

1355 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Eamon Walsh
Seller: Steven E. Fitzek
Date: 06/26/20

148 Warren Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Cathleen Harty
Seller: Rebecca G. Feinberg
Date: 06/26/20

110 York Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: John R. Dineen
Seller: James M. Klatte
Date: 06/19/20

LUDLOW

14 Bucknell St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $181,125
Buyer: Raev LLC
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 06/19/20

318 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $392,500
Buyer: Wayne F. Hayes
Seller: Rita Hogan
Date: 06/18/20

57 Emma Way
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Kiersten Korona-Moreau
Seller: K. Bonanno-Sotiropoulos
Date: 04/09/20

476-478 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Jordan W. Paull
Seller: Schmeider, Leland P., (Estate)
Date: 06/19/20

82 Gaudreau Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jason L. Rosario
Seller: George M. Maksymiw
Date: 06/22/20

252 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Martinez
Seller: Lila Pardo
Date: 04/09/20

23 Power Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Tanner J. Kowalski
Seller: Danielle M. Lombardi
Date: 06/26/20

21 Ronald St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $207,600
Buyer: Theodore A. Suzor
Seller: Andrew T. Zrakas
Date: 06/19/20

72 West Orchard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Josue Lugo-Delgado
Seller: Dimar LLC
Date: 06/22/20

32 Wilno Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Haley A. McGinnis
Seller: Tammie A. Black
Date: 04/08/20

MONSON

58 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kristina M. Hawley
Seller: Theresa S. Martin
Date: 04/14/20

269 Hovey Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Bao J. Hang
Seller: Cheryl A. Pereira
Date: 06/25/20

16 Lower Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $170,500
Buyer: Lauren J. Fograshy
Seller: Freeman, Robert G., (Estate)
Date: 06/17/20

114 Maxwell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Ibrahim Knidel
Seller: Richard H. Degnan
Date: 04/09/20

163 Town Farm Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $426,164
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Cairy
Seller: Theresa Thompson
Date: 04/08/20

PALMER

1069 Baptist Hill Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $256,500
Buyer: Benjamin R. Belden
Seller: Paul Brandt
Date: 06/18/20

267 Burlingame Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Nichelle M. Liquori
Seller: Gary H. Fountain
Date: 06/19/20

110 Longview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Danielle M. Flebotte
Seller: Grosz RT
Date: 06/26/20

4063 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Aimee B. Fyfe
Seller: Mireille Bolduc
Date: 06/17/20

26 Oakland St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Dylan Carvalho
Seller: Patrick S. Pica
Date: 06/19/20

1542 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $189,500
Buyer: Thomas G. Hadley
Seller: John V. Desroches
Date: 06/19/20

2186-2188 Palmer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gisela Elias
Seller: Whitney M. Russo-McRobbie
Date: 06/24/20

1 Pioneer Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: B. A. Bassilakis-Wegrzynek
Seller: Laurence Vincent
Date: 04/09/20

2022 Quaboag St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Demos
Seller: Pamela A. Mercier
Date: 06/19/20

RUSSELL

696 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $390,001
Buyer: Bryan A. Young
Seller: Jamie A. Lisella
Date: 06/26/20

SOUTHWICK

16 Fernwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Scott Haber
Seller: Alberta E. St.Germain
Date: 06/26/20

77 Mort Vining Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $461,000
Buyer: Debra G. Winnie
Seller: Jean Mcgivney-Burelle
Date: 06/18/20

SPRINGFIELD

53 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $142,456
Buyer: Golden Gates Realty Assocs.
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 04/09/20

48-50 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Hwpml Properties LLC
Seller: Mister Mister LLC
Date: 06/26/20

38-40 Ainsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Pedro Villafana
Seller: Jeanne M. Des-Rosiers
Date: 04/08/20

93 Albemarle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Rios
Seller: Full Service Real Estate
Date: 06/22/20

179 Albemarle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Amanda L. Rosa-Candelaria
Seller: Phylicia Morris
Date: 06/24/20

24 Ansara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Esequiel Gerena-Lopez
Seller: Victor M. Coronado
Date: 04/10/20

244 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Wanda Lebron
Seller: Justin Veillette
Date: 06/26/20

297 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $308,625
Buyer: Ricardo Santiago
Seller: Veronica L. Zaler
Date: 04/13/20

31 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $122,690
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kim M. Kilmer
Date: 04/09/20

123 Audubon St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Julian May
Seller: Randy Wilson
Date: 06/26/20

138 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Luis Rodriguez
Seller: New Vision Realty LLC
Date: 04/14/20

294 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $199,999
Buyer: Maria E. Santiago-Lopez
Seller: Michael Wilson
Date: 06/26/20

52 Bircham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Malissa Naylor
Seller: VDS Properties LLC
Date: 06/17/20

73-75 Blanding St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Maria D. Rivera
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 04/14/20

145 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jaydee Mercado
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 04/08/20

215 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Nicholas Rivet
Seller: Student Rentals LLC
Date: 06/23/20

265 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Camelia Pryce
Seller: Student Rentals LLC
Date: 06/23/20

15 Brown St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Taniesha C. Serrano
Seller: Real Estate Investments NE
Date: 04/08/20

21 Burr St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Sarah Henry
Seller: James Johnson
Date: 06/17/20

199 Cambria St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Beth E. Palmer
Seller: Angelo Deguglielmo
Date: 04/09/20

1472-1474 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Jonathan L. Serrano
Seller: Kenneth E. Scharmann RET
Date: 06/19/20

17-19 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ludmy D. Batlle-Ortiz
Seller: Domingos Barroso
Date: 06/26/20

14 Chesterfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Devon E. Shaw
Seller: Patrick J. Denault
Date: 04/10/20

850-852 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Adam J. Bourque
Seller: Carlos Aguasvivas
Date: 04/08/20

134-136 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Carlos M. Ortiz
Seller: Thomas K. Reen
Date: 04/10/20

90 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Patricia Bothwell
Seller: Abraxas RT
Date: 04/08/20

9 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $159,285
Buyer: Santander Bank
Seller: Gai T. Vo
Date: 04/10/20

35 Daytona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $246,600
Buyer: Catherine Sanchez
Seller: Mamba Capital LLC
Date: 06/19/20

127 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Osagie Efosa-Omo
Seller: Tizeta G. Fikremarim
Date: 06/18/20

849 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: John B. Barron
Seller: Matthew R. Dintzner
Date: 06/15/20

26-28 Dunmoreland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Pamela Ferguson
Seller: US Bank
Date: 06/22/20

318 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Tiffany L. O’Donnell
Seller: Ricardo Santiago
Date: 04/13/20

411 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Joshua D. Gagnon
Seller: Joseph L. Cahill
Date: 06/23/20

20 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Miguel Roldan
Seller: Brital 1987 LLC
Date: 04/14/20

149 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Heather M. Touchette
Seller: Johnny Rivera
Date: 06/19/20

100-102 Edendale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: RJL Mass Realty 1 LLC
Seller: Carlos M. Lopez
Date: 06/18/20

65 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $365,800
Buyer: James Ndungu-Ngugi
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 06/22/20

47 Ellery St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Lloyd L. Harris
Seller: Sean P. Bobbin
Date: 06/22/20

61-63 Eloise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Samuel Diaz
Seller: Jad Mourad
Date: 04/10/20

32 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Diane Denson
Seller: Patricia Rosemond
Date: 06/26/20

108 Fenway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Eliana M. Pabon
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 04/10/20

144 Fenway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Katherine Felix
Seller: Roberto Felix
Date: 06/18/20

103 Fern St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Kelvin N. Karanja
Seller: James Ngugi
Date: 06/19/20

176 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Edwin P. Rivera
Seller: Three Palms LLC
Date: 04/13/20

156 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Terry-Lee A. McCarthy
Seller: Alliance Real Estate Investment
Date: 04/08/20

107 Grandview St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Jennifer Bailey
Seller: Brian L. Bartholomew
Date: 06/26/20

140 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $278,294
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Preston J. Briggs
Date: 04/09/20

57 Hollywood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Joel Rojas
Seller: Milagro Rivera
Date: 04/14/20

47-49 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,500
Buyer: Tionna L. Downie
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 04/09/20

28 Intervale Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,587
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Dana J. Hachigian
Date: 06/19/20

89 Juniper Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Brital 1987 LLC
Seller: Eric J. Copson
Date: 06/22/20

24 Kathleen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Kerriann D. VanAllen
Seller: Ryan M. Labonte
Date: 06/25/20

30 Kay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Joansellah K. Maak
Seller: Jane W. Muthua
Date: 04/10/20

59 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Tiago Costa
Seller: Lizzie Loo LLC
Date: 06/25/20

40-42 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Oleksiy Zhyboyedov
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 06/17/20

46-48 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Edwin Ramos-Perez
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 04/09/20

9 Leete St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Waynie J. Collado
Seller: Orange Park Management
Date: 06/24/20

132 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: M. A. Carrasco-Carrasco
Seller: Liliya Bogomaz
Date: 06/19/20

146 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $137,280
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: George W. Cobleigh
Date: 04/08/20

32 Malibu Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Lionel Alsina
Seller: Stephen J. Sicard
Date: 06/18/20

166 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,054
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Jose M. Soto-Garcia
Date: 04/10/20

26 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Luis A. Rodriguez
Seller: Alonzo Williams
Date: 06/25/20

18 Meadow Road
Springfield, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kiet T. Le
Seller: Sara D. Jasak
Date: 06/23/20

71 Meredith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Jessica L. Beard
Seller: Mamba Capital LLC
Date: 06/26/20

117 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Kassandra Figueroa
Seller: Kimberly L. Arena
Date: 06/26/20

34 Navajo Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Loranger
Seller: Frank D. Roda
Date: 06/18/20

802 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Victor L. Vazquez
Seller: Ernie Estrada
Date: 06/15/20

79 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Joseph E. Luna-Torres
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 04/10/20

809 North Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Limaries Alvarado
Seller: Victor C. Colon
Date: 06/18/20

42 North Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Gabrielle Ruggiero
Seller: Donna J. Scibelli
Date: 06/25/20

21 Norwood St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Bar South Land Holdings
Seller: Chicoine, Cecile M., (Estate)
Date: 04/08/20

31 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Margarita Otero
Seller: Aveyard, Mary E., (Estate)
Date: 06/18/20

86 Pendleton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ana Zunilda-Jerez
Seller: FNMA
Date: 04/13/20

48 Pine Acre Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $227,400
Buyer: Joseph T. Ruiz
Seller: Miguel A. Martinez
Date: 04/09/20

167-169 Pineywoods Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Manning Capital LLC
Seller: Luis Correa
Date: 06/25/20

414 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Michael R. Wilson
Seller: Alberto Ayala
Date: 06/26/20

75 Regal St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,500
Buyer: Nicole L. Levine
Seller: Janine M. Prokop
Date: 04/10/20

171 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Nelba I. Rivera-Alvarado
Seller: Chase, Marie, (Estate)
Date: 06/22/20

167 Roy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $138,255
Buyer: Zadkiel RT
Seller: Plasse, Therese D., (Estate)
Date: 06/23/20

76 Russell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Omar Almodovar
Seller: Kristen I. Isham
Date: 06/17/20

86 Russell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Luz A. Vega-Hernandez
Seller: Jill C. Monson-Bishop
Date: 06/19/20

11 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Carmen T. Delgado
Seller: Juan A. Santana
Date: 06/22/20

78 Sonia St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ron Moore
Seller: William D. Powers
Date: 04/09/20

639 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Joan Prince
Seller: Global Homes Properties
Date: 04/13/20

658 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Karina Curl
Seller: Chad T. Lynch
Date: 04/08/20

52 Sunapee St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: April Vannortwick
Seller: Pamela S. Haskins
Date: 06/26/20

11 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Douglas A. Desaulnier
Seller: Nicholas F. Fiorentino
Date: 04/10/20

24 Tumbleweed Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Iliana Torres-Marquez
Seller: Mark Daviau
Date: 06/26/20

24 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Sean Mangan
Seller: Yumi Sarno
Date: 06/18/20

15-17 Watling St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Heribelto Rivera
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 06/24/20

199 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Sheng-Shiang Peng
Seller: Thomas E. Fournier
Date: 06/17/20

148 West Canton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Angel L. Gonzalez
Seller: Martin Figueroa
Date: 06/19/20

31 Winterset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Collins
Seller: Jenna T. Collins
Date: 06/19/20

869 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $148,510
Buyer: Gissel Santiago
Seller: David Elias
Date: 06/17/20

WALES

41 Lake George Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Barbara A. Stearns
Date: 04/08/20

206 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Benjamin D. Bangs
Seller: Patrick D. Soucy
Date: 04/10/20

Tiderman Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Commonwealth Of Massachusetts
Seller: Raymond Serrenho
Date: 06/25/20

185 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: John Grasso
Seller: Vannais, Jeffrey P., (Estate)
Date: 06/19/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

36 Beauregard Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Denise Vasconcellos
Seller: Anthony G. Collins
Date: 04/08/20

57 Bonair Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $259,034
Buyer: Michael J. Poirier
Seller: Walide Soufane
Date: 06/19/20

36 Braintree Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Susie Sousa-Chapin
Seller: Robert McCaffrey
Date: 04/10/20

88 Grove St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Kedar Khatiwada
Seller: Valdemar A. Johnson
Date: 06/26/20

46 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Hasan M. Roumieh
Seller: Jackie Tang
Date: 06/18/20

101 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,165,000
Buyer: Palpum Raw LLC
Seller: D&H Property Management
Date: 04/09/20

88 Janet St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Jorge Ramos
Seller: Auri M. Gibbons
Date: 04/10/20

43 Lennys Way
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Catie M. Laraway
Seller: Tandon, Ann, (Estate)
Date: 04/10/20

51 Maple Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Mohammad Kattan
Seller: James R. Kerr
Date: 06/24/20

501 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Krishna L. Kharel
Seller: Judith Powers
Date: 04/10/20

60 Morningside Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Eric N. Barnes
Seller: David P. Berube
Date: 06/25/20

165 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Dean F. Finnie
Seller: Paul F. Finnie
Date: 04/08/20

105 Pine St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Stephanie Tindell
Seller: Joel S. Baum
Date: 06/26/20

290 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Brian E. Rolph
Seller: Mario A. Sotolotto
Date: 06/19/20

74 Winona Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ruth Villar
Seller: Michael Werman
Date: 04/09/20

47 Worcester St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Suleiman Iddrisu
Seller: John E. Prenosil
Date: 04/10/20

WESTFIELD

30 Country Club Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Eugenie S. Kang
Seller: William S. Babinski
Date: 04/10/20

110 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Christy T. Kyriacou
Seller: Kenneth Ward
Date: 04/10/20

55 Deborah Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Kyle B. Young
Seller: Laurie B. Kincaid
Date: 04/10/20

17 Denise Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Sean P. Bobbin
Seller: Scott Haber
Date: 06/22/20

84 Ely St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Katie R. Fredette
Seller: Citizens Bank
Date: 06/19/20

160 Falcon Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: Huse Family Realty LLC
Seller: YRC Inc.
Date: 06/17/20

68 Hagan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Christopher Paquette
Seller: Dean T. Couture
Date: 04/13/20

36 Harvard St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Andrew Landrau
Seller: Ann L. Szymanski
Date: 06/19/20

128 Hillcrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Marc C. Lichwan
Seller: Patricia R. Barnes
Date: 06/26/20

55 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Trevor Larson
Seller: William J. Cronin
Date: 04/13/20

10 Lewis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Alessio M. Calabrese
Seller: Tunde Gyorgy
Date: 06/26/20

69 Old Farm Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kyle Leven
Seller: Alexander L. Lonczak
Date: 06/26/20

109 Park River Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,900
Buyer: Joseph J. Kelley
Seller: Pavel G. Suprunchuk
Date: 06/23/20

28 Ponders Hollow Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: DHMD Realty LLC
Seller: Ponders Hollow Properties
Date: 04/13/20

19 Pontoosic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Brenda A. Larochelle
Seller: Ralph E. Cortis
Date: 06/26/20

962 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Stephen Sicard
Seller: Tammy A. Peatman
Date: 06/18/20

27 Washington St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,700,000
Buyer: Courthouse Square LLC
Seller: University Housing LLC
Date: 06/19/20

190 Western Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Rebecca L. Granholm
Seller: HAWG Aviation LLC
Date: 04/09/20

29 Whispering Wind Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Sarah L. Bashiruddin
Seller: Christopher M. Sarat
Date: 04/10/20

111 Yeoman Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Brittany M. Egerton
Seller: Richard E. Hand
Date: 06/23/20

59 Zephyr Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jonathan J. Adams
Seller: Rebecca L. Granholm
Date: 04/09/20

WILBRAHAM

2645 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anthony Loschiavo
Seller: Robert Ward
Date: 06/26/20

81 Chilson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Kathleen S. Bishop
Seller: Gregory M. Chaconas
Date: 06/26/20

15 Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Flechsig
Seller: Alan A. Hunt
Date: 06/26/20

40 Grove St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $189,150
Buyer: Edmond J. Presz
Seller: Beverly T. Presz
Date: 06/25/20

29 Longview Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $399,999
Buyer: Raymond A. Piquette
Seller: Ronald T. Menty
Date: 06/26/20

33 Oakland St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $255,900
Buyer: Michelle R. Stallworth
Seller: Charles D. Spurlock
Date: 04/08/20

125 River Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $267,900
Buyer: Juan J. Acevedo-Cordero
Seller: Custom Homes Development Group
Date: 06/22/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

123 Blackberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Joshua A. Kaiser
Seller: Lili Hu
Date: 06/18/20

35 Harlow Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $310,500
Buyer: Lan Wu
Seller: Emily L. Maling
Date: 06/26/20

5 Poets Corner Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: David B. Wells
Seller: Kiki H. Hosea
Date: 06/22/20

BELCHERTOWN

85 Canal Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. Luz
Seller: David B. Cavanaugh
Date: 06/25/20

42 Hickory Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Keith D. Poulin
Seller: Dayle A. Bjorklund
Date: 06/23/20

44 Magnolia Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $429,900
Buyer: Robyn L. Piggott
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 06/19/20

51 North St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Lisa Hawrylow
Seller: Abraxas RT
Date: 06/19/20

345 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Greg A. Gregory
Seller: Joseph M. Agron
Date: 06/26/20

7 Old Farm Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $126,750
Buyer: EDC Real Estate LLC
Seller: USA VA
Date: 06/19/20

399 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jennifer A. Strong
Seller: Katie Bodzinski
Date: 06/18/20

606 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Justin Fountain
Seller: Richard Dexter
Date: 06/19/20

EASTHAMPTON

165 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Jessie E. Beland
Seller: Jesse D. Bemben
Date: 04/08/20

401 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Ward
Seller: Laliberte, Paul J., (Estate)
Date: 04/13/20

8 Colonial Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Maureen A. Lavallee
Seller: Cote Convertible TR
Date: 06/17/20

196 Line St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kate Dasilva
Seller: Vanessa S. Serotta
Date: 06/24/20

118 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $2,670,000
Buyer: CPI East Hampton 1 LLC
Seller: Carmi Plaut
Date: 06/24/20

108 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $268,800
Buyer: Lee Frankl
Seller: Latka FT
Date: 06/26/20

GOSHEN

26 Birch Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Judith M. Battat
Seller: Dorothy E. Bradley
Date: 06/26/20

GRANBY

413 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Rania A. Gattas
Seller: John F. Guimond
Date: 06/25/20

35 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Charles E. Moller
Date: 04/08/20

17 Smith Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Nicholas E. Lacasse
Seller: Richard J. Dent
Date: 06/26/20

HADLEY

10 Farm Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Dallas Kalbacher
Seller: Paul F. Wanczyk
Date: 06/26/20

15 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Gary M. Dupuis
Seller: Margaret Waskiewicz
Date: 06/19/20

HATFIELD

7 Linseed Hill Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Luce
Seller: Lapienski IRT
Date: 06/26/20

MIDDLEFIELD

3 Johnny Cake Hill Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nathan M. Callahan
Seller: Scott W. Smith
Date: 06/26/20

NORTHAMPTON

6 Austin Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Christopher R. Blais
Seller: AJ Capital RT
Date: 04/09/20

137 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Victoria Elson
Seller: Mark Esposito
Date: 04/09/20

39 Butler Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Cook
Seller: Northeast Ent. Realty Partnership
Date: 06/19/20

185 Cardinal Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $479,500
Buyer: Sarah Kosofsky
Seller: James E. Gillespie
Date: 06/17/20

8 Dunphy Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $243,300
Buyer: Rowan Lupton
Seller: Daniel Breen
Date: 04/09/20

104 Dunphy Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Caitlin S. Martin
Seller: Angeline C. Chereski
Date: 04/09/20

435 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Jason C. Bolton
Seller: Roland Barbeito
Date: 04/08/20

4 Franklin Court
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Jeremie G. Davis
Seller: Ryan C. Hayward
Date: 06/26/20

204 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jason A. Richmond
Seller: Charles E. McCarthy
Date: 04/14/20

68 Ridgewood Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Peter M. Levy
Seller: Stephanie J. Arvai
Date: 04/10/20

168 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Oonagh C. Doherty
Seller: Trudel, Stephen A., (Estate)
Date: 06/25/20

116 Sandy Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $236,300
Buyer: Lee M. Michalopoulos
Seller: Claudio M. Nolasco
Date: 06/22/20

203 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Rachel J. Currie-Rubin
Seller: Richard J. Rubin
Date: 04/10/20

21 Stoddard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Marsha L. Pelletier
Seller: Carl J. Mahaney
Date: 06/19/20

176 Turkey Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $457,500
Buyer: Harvey A. Ashman
Seller: David H. McClaflin IRT
Date: 06/18/20

33 Walnut St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $463,000
Buyer: Anne C. West-Church
Seller: Hamp 33 Walnut LLC
Date: 06/25/20

178 West Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $397,000
Buyer: Dana J. Nestor
Seller: Michael S. Silipo
Date: 06/19/20

PELHAM

123 North Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $572,000
Buyer: Lynn Whittemore
Seller: Karl P. Donfried
Date: 06/19/20

SOUTH HADLEY

45 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Sean P. Morrisawa-Reilly
Seller: Dietel, John W., (Estate)
Date: 06/18/20

62 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Megan Burton
Seller: Jamroth LLC
Date: 04/13/20

295 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Diana Valenzuela
Seller: Dondley, Linda C., (Estate)
Date: 06/19/20

62 Old Lyman Road
South Hadley, MA 01020
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Stephen P. Malanaphy
Seller: Premier Home Builders Inc.
Date: 04/10/20

20 Taylor St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: John F. Guimond
Seller: Susan A. Calderon
Date: 06/25/20

2 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Angela J. Snow
Seller: Anthony B. Desjardins
Date: 06/19/20

3 Woodcrest Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Dawn L. Blyda
Seller: Timdee Rainey Investments
Date: 06/19/20

SOUTHAMPTON

1 Birchwood Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Breen
Seller: Elizabeth E. Lempke
Date: 04/09/20

378 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Christina Kent
Seller: JDK NT
Date: 06/19/20

154 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $375,200
Buyer: Dylan P. Mawdsley
Seller: David M. Florek
Date: 06/26/20

102 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Kevin B. O’Donnell
Seller: Christopher J. Graham
Date: 06/19/20

110 Middle Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: John W. Diemand
Seller: Richard E. Buck
Date: 06/26/20

WARE

113 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Tara N. McQuaid
Seller: Mary C. Nathan
Date: 06/23/20

140 Eagle St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $116,440
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Jason Ellithorpe
Date: 04/09/20

35-37 High St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Lissette Figueroa
Seller: CEP Real Estate LLC
Date: 04/09/20

24 Lower Cove Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $332,600
Buyer: Thomas Presz
Seller: Walter M. Presz
Date: 06/25/20

9 Mattson Blvd.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Jared Cantwell
Seller: Kenneth J. Kwasniak
Date: 06/24/20

11 Pine St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Lizbeth DeJesus
Seller: JNB Property Investment
Date: 04/08/20

112 South St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Whitney M. Russo-McRobbie
Seller: 112 South Street RT
Date: 06/24/20

5 Spring St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Modesta Zayas
Seller: Martha M. Vachon
Date: 06/26/20

185 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Michael Tworek
Seller: Tworek LT
Date: 06/18/20

WILLIAMSBURG

107 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Shannon M. Trzcienski
Seller: Skwira, Philip E., (Estate)
Date: 06/25/20

Building Permits

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2020. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

AMHERST

40-50 Main St., LLC
46 Main St.
$12,380 — Bathroom renovation, sheetrock and wall repair

Audrey Samek
555 Belchertown Road
$122,300 — Remodel existing structure, build greenhouse

LEE

The Cohen Group, LLC
63 Main St.
$13,000 — Roofing

The Cohen Group, LLC
10 Railroad St.
$98,000 — Interior renovation of Moe’s Tavern

Town of Lee
300 Greylock St.
$8,383 — Install 16 fire-alarm door holders on hallway doors in elementary school

LENOX

Boston University
45 West St.
$182,364 — Roofing

PRG, LLC
55 Pittsfield Road
$7,550 — Relocate and add sprinklers

Trinity Church
88 Walker St.
$70,195 — Roofing and gutters

SPRINGFIELD

City of Springfield
1840 Roosevelt Ave.
$8,000 — Saw cut exterior wall of boiler room to install new service door at Central High School

Mental Health Assoc.
995 Worthington St.
$90,000 — Repair exterior brick facade

NEPM
44 Hampden St.
$1,340 — Repair broken and chipped concrete on overhead beam above entrance of WGBY

John Sakma
1048 Wilbraham Road
$3,000 — Repair Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant damaged by car accident

Willow State, LLC
135 State St.
$3,037 — Install fire-alarm system

Willow State, LLC
135 State St.
$3,000 — Install fire-alarm system on second floor

WILBRAHAM

Wilbraham & Monson Academy
423 Main St.
$186,400 — Bathroom renovations in Rich Hall

AIC Announces Fall Reopening Plans, Substantial Cost-reduction Measures

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced plans to reopen for the fall 2020 semester amid a series of cost-saving strategies that are required to sustain the college in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the school. Revenue curtailment could result in a gap of up to $17 million, with cutbacks including reductions in the number of tenured and non-tenured faculty.

The college announced that students will return to campus for the fall semester with the majority of courses offered through a remote, synchronous delivery, with the exception of certain modules in health-sciences courses that require in-person delivery, such as labs. While the semester will remain at 15 weeks, courses will not be held on campus following the Thanksgiving break.

In March, AIC made the unanticipated move to remote learning in response to COVID-19. This resulted in extensive technology costs associated with delivering content remotely through the semester’s end and residence and meal-plan reimbursements. About one-third of the administrative staff, totaling nearly 100 individuals, were either furloughed or laid off. This initial round of reductions did not include any cuts to faculty.

In April, the college engaged in an institution-wide process to identify areas to reduce costs. Like other colleges and universities, AIC started a planning process for the fall semester anticipating fewer students would be attending college at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Both administration and faculty were advised to identify areas from which to reduce expenditures. AIC President Vincent Maniaci engaged faculty senate leadership, advising that significant cuts were required to reduce expenses in response to the needs of the 2021 budget and the pandemic-induced loss of revenue. Maniaci apprised senate leadership that these reductions could not be realized through operational cuts alone and would include tenured and non-tenured faculty positions as a last resort.

Three task forces were convened by Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mika Nash to address recruitment, retention, and faculty workload. As part of the shared-governance process, the faculty workload task force was invited and encouraged to participate in the process of identifying the $1.5 million needed in reductions from the academic budget. The recommendations of the faculty workload task force ultimately did not meet the threshold for cuts that was given to them. As a result, AIC’s administration will be implementing reductions that will result in both tenured and non-tenured faculty loss.

“Ultimately, this pandemic has forced decisions that no institution ever wants to make, and losing programs, faculty, and staff is incredibly difficult,” Nash said. “We wish the outcome were different.”

According to Frank Colaccino, who chairs the AIC board of trustees, a 1973 graduate of AIC, cuts to faculty positions are a reflection of declining enrollment in a number of programs.

“American International College is no stranger to making very tough decisions in order to secure the future of the institution,” he said. “With 72% of students enrolled in just 28% of programs offered, in order to remain viable, the college cannot continue to support programs that have experienced continually declining enrollments. The impact of the pandemic has added to the criticality and urgency of addressing this situation.”

Added Maniaci, “as American International College prepares to open this fall as it has for 135 years, it will do so in support of the academic enterprise with a focus on the future of the institution and furthering its vision of providing access and opportunity to a diverse community of students.”

Country Bank Recognizes Community Heroes

WARE — Country Bank announced several grant recipients associated with its Community Heroes campaign, an effort to recognize exceptional acts of service by local individuals in the region and the continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

After seeing the significant efforts local community members were making to help others through these challenging times, Country Bank vowed to ensure their heroics didn’t go unrecognized and created a campaign to honor them.

As part of the campaign, more than 200 heroes were nominated through an online submission process explaining why they should be chosen. A new hero was selected each week and awarded a $250 gift card to the local business of their choice. In addition, a donation to a COVID-19 relief organizations was made in their name.

“This campaign aims to commemorate local heroes while also supporting local businesses and COVID-related relief services,” said Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank. “As a longtime part of the community, we consider it our duty to stand by and be of support to our neighbors in times of need.”

The chosen Community Heroes include Noelle Grace Efantis, registered nurse at Baystate Wing Hospital; Michelle and Jay Demore of Demore’s Automotive Center; Paula Perrier, director of Child Development Services at the YMCA Tri-Community Child Development Center; Benjamin Mead, operations manager of Environmental Services at St. Francis Hospital; Alan Tracy, Pioneer Valley USO director at Westover Air Reserve Base; and the directors and transit care specialist at Beers & Story Funeral Home of Palmer.

Country Bank continues to be one of the many businesses supporting its communities throughout the pandemic. The bank has made $450,000 in donations to local COVID-19 relief efforts and continues to look for ways to give back in a meaningful way during these challenging times.

Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Creeps Up in June

BOSTON — The state’s June total unemployment rate is up eight-tenths of a percentage point at 17.4% following a revision to the May rate of 16.6%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 83,700 jobs in June. This follows last month’s revised gain of 55,000 jobs. Over the month, the private sector added 97,300 jobs as gains occurred in leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation, and utilities; construction; professional, scientific, and business services; education and health services; manufacturing; and other services. Losses occurred in financial activities and information. Government lost jobs over the month.

From June 2019 to June 2020, BLS estimates Massachusetts lost 529,800 jobs. Losses occurred in each of the private sectors, with the largest-percentage losses in leisure and hospitality; other services; trade, transportation, and utilities; and construction.

The June unemployment rate was 6.3% above the national rate of 11.1% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The labor force increased by 130,800 from 3,540,900 in May, as 79,200 more residents were employed and 51,600 more residents were unemployed over the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 14.5%.

The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased to 64.9%. Compared to June 2019, the labor-force participation rate is down by 2.7%.

Christopher Heights of Northampton Welcomes Crystal Cote-Stosz as Executive Director

NORTHAMPTON — Christopher Heights of Northampton announced that Crystal Cote-Stosz has joined its team as executive director, effective immediately.

Cote-Stosz brings a long history of elder-care experience. She began her career in elder care in 2007 as an information and referral specialist and later moved up to a geriatric resource advisor with Greater Springfield Senior Services. In 2009, she and her family relocated to Easthampton, and in 2010, she accepted a position in social work at the Northampton Senior Center.

Within a year at the senior center, she was promoted to assistant director. Her responsibilities included volunteer recruitment, scheduling, training, and supervising the social worker, activities director, and fitness center, ensuring the needs of elders in the Northampton community were met with dignity, respect, and enthusiasm.

Cote-Stosz’s commitment to serving our elders presented a new opportunity in 2016 at the Lathrop Home in Northampton, where she accepted the position of executive director in 2016 and focused her talents on expanding relationships with community partners, developing effective teams within the Lathrop community, and increasing resident census to stabilize the operations of the home. She said she enjoyed the growth opportunity and experiences she had at the Lathrop Home and is now accepting this new opportunity to expand to a larger community.

“I pride myself in communicating with dignity and respect during challenging conversations,” she added. “I challenge myself and our staff every day to care for each resident as I would want my family members cared for.”

BusinessTalk with Mayor Domenic Sarno

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times

Episode 11: July 20, 2020

George Interviews Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno

George interviews Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and they discuss how the City of Springfield is coping with the pandemic as it relates to its residents, businesses, school system, and its senior and homeless population, and how the city will regain its momentum.

Sponsored by:

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO ALL OUR EPISODES

Also Available On

Daniel O’Connell’s Sons Named Construction Manager of WSU Parenzo Hall Renovation

WESTFIELD — Westfield State University, in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Capital Assets Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), announced the selection of Holyoke-based Daniel O’Connell’s Sons Inc. to serve as construction manager for the university’s $40 million Parenzo Hall renovation project.

The construction manager selection committee — consisting of three DCAMM representatives, architect James Loftus of Miller Dyer Spears of Boston, and David Riggles, associate director for Projects and Space Management at Westfield State — received 12 responses to DCAMM’s request for qualifications and eight final proposals for the project. The final construction-manager selection was made based on the firm’s qualifications, experience, past performances, and reviews of performance records in comparison to the others.

“We are pleased to select Daniel O’Connell’s Sons through a competitive procurement process to carry out this significant enhancement to Westfield State’s facilities,” said DCAMM Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “Through this infrastructure project, we will help support the Western Massachusetts economy by creating new space for advanced and hybrid learning for students and young adults, while also partnering with a local construction business.”

The university plans to transform the 64-year-old Parenzo Hall — the oldest building on campus — into a state-of-the-art hub for student success and development. Renovations will include the creation of two new centers — the Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE) and the CoLab (collaboration laboratory). The renovation of swing space to relocate current Parenzo Hall tenants is underway and expected to be completed this winter. Groundbreaking for Parenzo’s reconstruction is anticipated in summer 2021. The renovation is expected to take approximately two years.

The CoLab will leverage technology to serve as a nexus for innovative collaboration in Western Mass., partnering with K-12 school districts, community colleges, and industry partners. It will teach students and community partners how to productively engage in online and hybrid environments that increase flexibility for students, facilitate co-enrollment, expand course choices, and provide a bridge to employment. The CoLab will work with community colleges to ease the transfer process by offering financially supported hybrid-style programs and boot camps. It will work with chambers of commerce and economic-development boards to broker relationships, inform curriculum, and secure support.

The CSSE will address the university’s goals of increasing retention and graduation rates, as well as reducing achievement gaps and the continuing decline in the number of working-age adults. In addition, it will increase student preparation for advanced learning and support exploration of career pathways in elementary and high schools to prepare them for on-the-job training. New and in-demand certificate programs and advanced study options will be offered to its business partners, utilizing technology.

The renovation project is a strategic investment for Westfield State and has been on the university’s master plan as a top priority, according to Vice President for Administration and Finance Stephen Taksar. “In addition to improving our primary instructional space, it will also significantly reduce the deferred maintenance on campus,” he said.

The Commonwealth is helping to finance the project via a $21.25 million spending bill that was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker during a July 2018 visit to campus.

Christopher Gelino Joins Bulkley Richardson as Summer Associate

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced that Christopher Gelino will be spending the next several weeks at the firm as a summer associate. During this assignment, he will have the opportunity to assist with legal work from all practice areas within the firm.

Gelino is currently attending the University of Connecticut School of Law with an expected graduation date of May 2021. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he received degrees in both political science and human rights, and was recognized as a university honors scholar. He also earned a master’s degree in international politics in 2017 from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

“Christopher’s education in political science and human rights demonstrates his commitment to justice,” said Kevin Maynard, chair of the firm’s hiring committee. “I believe this foundation, combined with his studies in political science and law, will help make him a better, more compassionate lawyer. Our goal this summer is to introduce him to the inner workings of a law firm, provide mentorship from lawyers ranging from firm leaders and retired judges all the way through the ranks to junior associates, and expose him to real-life legal matters.”

Bulkley Richardson continues to accept résumés from future summer associates and recent law-school graduates and attorneys considering a lateral move. Visit bulkley.com/careers for more information.

UMass Amherst Research Suggests Some Decontamination Processes Damage N95 Masks

COVID-19 Daily News

AMHERST — Certain methods of decontaminating medical face masks for repeated use during the COVID-19 pandemic appear to damage the masks’ integrity and protective function, according to research by a UMass Amherst environmental-health scientist.

“Some treatments for decontamination had no impact on respirator performance, while other treatments resulted in substantial damage to masks,” writes Richard Peltier, associate professor in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and lead author of the paper published July 16 in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

Peltier received a fast-track grant from the National Science Foundation in May to study the impact of various sterilization techniques authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in light of the shortage of medical face masks, also known as N95 respirators.

“Given the global N95 shortages, clinicians face a choice: wearing a used, and potentially infected, respirator, or wearing one that was decontaminated through a process that may affect the integrity of the respirator,” added Peltier, whose co-authors include doctors and researchers at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston and UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.

Peltier uses state-of-the-art pollution detection instruments and a mannequin head in his lab to measure whether microscopic particles can pass through the masks after they are sterilized. “Respirators must be effective across a range of potential conditions to provide protection since droplets that contain virus particles immediately start to evaporate and shrink,” he explained.

While the testing was limited by the availability of processed masks provided by hospitals in Massachusetts, the study draws several generalizable conclusions, he noted.

Respirators that were treated between one and 10 times with specific vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers or up to five times with shorter decontamination cycles of gas plasma hydrogen peroxide (gpHP) retain their original filtration capabilities. A decontamination process using ultraviolent germicidal irradiance slowly diminishes filtration efficiency, reaching a level that warrants caution after nine repeated treatments, the research found. “However, there are still a number of sterilizer systems that are being used on these masks which we don’t have information about and therefore can’t determine if they keep workers safe,” Peltier said.

Treatments with high concentrations of gpHP or longer processing times degraded filtration performance below the requirement for N95 masks, which should be capable of filtering 95% of 300-nanometer particles.

For comparison, Peltier also tested a KN95 mask, some brands of which have been removed from the FDA’s emergency-use list due to poor performance, and a four-ply polyester bandanna. Neither had been treated with any decontamination technique, and both performed below N95 standards. Peltier also found that immersing an N95 mask in a 10% bleach solution degraded its performance.

Peltier noted that his study did not address the masks’ fit or general integrity, including elastic function, corrosion on staples and compression of the respirator, all of which are important for proper functioning. His research highlights the importance of using decontamination techniques shown to be safe for the reuse of N95 masks.

“We hope this work supports good decision making that protects those who are on the front lines of this pandemic keeping us all safe,” he said. “Without them, none of us are safe.”

Boston Bud Factory Opens Holyoke Dispensary

HOLYOKE — Boston Bud Factory Inc., a Holyoke-based company, is opening its retail store at 73 Sargeant St. today, July 17, after working after two years in the licensing process. Boston Bud Factory is one of only a few small, locally owned and operated stores in the state of Massachusetts, holding two licenses from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, one for the retail store and one for product manufacturing. Co-owners Frank Dailey and Carlo Sarno are both long-time residents of Western Mass.

“This is an exciting day for Boston Bud Factory and everyone who has helped us along the way,” Dailey said. “There are many friends and family who have helped us make this dream come true, and we are extremely grateful for all of their support. The industry in Massachusetts is still developing, and we hope to continue seeing more social-equity and economic-empowerment businesses opening across the state. As a small business, we hope to have a more relaxed and inviting atmosphere where people are comfortable asking questions and taking longer to figure out what products really suit their needs.”

Loophole Brewing Services Announces Ludlow Mills Location

LUDLOW — Joined by state Rep. Tom Petrolati and leadership from Westmass Area Development Corp., Loophole Brewing Services announced plans for its new location at 90 First Ave. in Ludlow. The planned 21,000-square-foot brewery, taproom, and beer garden will occupy the former jute-processing building on a 2.5-acre parcel at the eastern end of the Ludlow Mills complex.

“We are extremely excited to be part of the redevelopment of the historic Ludlow Mills and join the vibrant craft beer community in town,” said Loophole co-founder Jeff Goulet. “It is a great location for our efforts to support the craft brewers and aspiring brewers while offering a unique outdoor beer-garden experience.”

Petrolati was given a ‘before’ look at the building and discussed the role Loophole can play in the overall redevelopment of the mills. “I welcome Loophole to the corporate family in our Ludlow community and the Mills,” he said. “They will be an intricate part of the growth and job creation for the town of Ludlow.”

Loophole plans to acquire the space from Westmass, which has been redeveloping the mills since it purchased the entire 150-acre complex nearly a decade ago.

“Westmass is excited to see this commitment from Loophole and the long-term investment it is making at the Mills,” said Jeff Daley, president and CEO of Westmass Area Development Corp. “Loophole Brewing will add to the changing dynamic and the vibrancy at the Ludlow Mills that we have worked on for the last 10 years.”

Added Loophole co-founder Aaron Saunders, “putting together a project like this in the midst of a pandemic is not easy, but Westmass has been a wonderful partner in working with us. The investments made by Westmass, as well as the town, state, and federal governments in the Mills, have helped make this a top-notch location for Loophole.”

In addition to the brewing operations, Loophole plans to have food offerings and more for taproom and beer-garden guests. “There are so many opportunities for growth with this space,” said Loophole co-founder Todd Snopkowski. “We have some great things planned that we think will be extremely exciting as we grow.”

Breweries and aspiring brewers interested in working with Loophole Brewing Services are encouraged to e-mail [email protected].

American International College Announces Two New Board of Trustees Members

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) recently welcomed two members to its board of trustees: E. Thomas Foster and Denise Jordan.

Foster is managing director of the Retirement Advisor University Speakers Bureau. A 1970 graduate of American International College, he also attended Suffolk University Law School. In a career spanning more than 30 years, he is well-regarded as an industry expert, educating and advising individuals and businesses on the retirement marketplace, including products, legislation, regulation, and compliance.

Most recently, Foster served as the spokesperson for MassMutual Retirement Services, working directly with financial advisors and employers to educate about 401(k) and other qualified retirement-savings plans. In 2007, he co-authored a book on practice management for advisors titled To Sell or Not to Sell … Employer Retirement Plans. He has been featured in numerous publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Dallas Morning News, the Miami Herald, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Kiplinger, Financial Planning, Investment News, and the London Stock Exchange.

Jordan was born and raised in the city of Springfield. She attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where she received a bachelor’s degree in political science, and in 2000, she earned a master’s degree in human resource development from American International College. AIC presented Jordan with an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2019, awarded for outstanding achievement in the social sciences and for significant community contributions at the local and national levels.

Jordan worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a variety of roles for more than 20 years. In 2008, she became the city of Springfield’s first African-American chief of staff, a position she held for more than a decade in the office of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. She currently serves as executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority, the third-largest public housing authority in the state. She has held seats on many boards and has won several awards for her volunteer work.

Bay Path University Launches IngenioUs Podcast

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has unveiled the premiere episodes of its new podcast, IngenioUs. Devoted to exploring relevant, provocative topics in higher education through the lens of innovation, IngenioUs is the brainchild of its host, Melissa Morriss-Olson, provost emerita of Bay Path University, distinguished professor of Higher Ed Leadership, and creator and director of the college’s new Center for Higher Education Leadership and Innovative Practices. She is also the author of the accompanying IngenioUs blog.

“Even before the coronavirus challenged institutions to rethink traditional learning paradigms, higher education was in a freefall, forcing colleges and universities to experiment with new models and ways of operating,” Morriss-Olson said. “Throughout my nearly 40-year career in higher ed, I’ve studied how leaders adapt to challenging environments, what conditions and factors make the most difference for those who are able to weather the storms and emerge more resilient and relevant than ever. With IngenioUs, I have an opportunity to speak with some of the most innovative and provocative thought leaders about the remarkable ways they’re changing their institutions and the higher-ed landscape. The hope is that our discussions will inspire deeper thought, ongoing conversation, and creative solutions to some of the biggest challenges and changes facing colleges and universities.”

Guests have included retired Bay Path President Carol Leary, reflecting on 25 years of innovative leadership; national thought leader Amer Ahmed, interim executive director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and visiting faculty at Dickinson College, discussing how to move beyond words to create lasting social-equity change; and Lenore Rodicio, executive vice president and provost at the nation’s largest community college, Miami Dade College, on how to reimagine higher education for the benefit of all students.

New episodes are released weekly. Subscribe to the podcast and blog here.

Newest COVID-19 Response Grants to Nonprofits Total $785,000

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced new grants to 36 local nonprofits through the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley totaling $785,000, targeting food insecurity, homelessness, those with disabilities, and summer programs, as well as addressing immediate needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Including this latest round, the Response Fund has awarded nearly $4.8 million in grants to nonprofits in Western Mass. that are on the front lines of serving vulnerable populations affected by the crisis. The statewide Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund has provided $2.8 million in funding to support the Community Foundation’s response to the region’s pandemic crisis.

Girls Inc. of the Valley, based in Holyoke, is one recipient in the latest grant round, using funds to transition to virtual summer programming due to COVID-19. Girls Inc. serves 5- to 18-year-old girls from the Greater Holyoke, Springfield, and Chicopee areas and other surrounding towns through after-school and summer programs at little or no cost to families.

According to Suzanne Parker, Girls Inc. executive director, “staying connected to girls is more important than ever. Responding to the need, Girls Inc. of the Valley has transitioned its summer programming to an online, virtual format. This generous grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts will help us to provide supplies in at-home activity packets to further enrich girls’ experiences. We are grateful to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their commitment to supporting girls in the Valley.”

The 36 nonprofits that received grants from the COVID-19 Response Fund from the Pioneer Valley are: Berkshire County Arc, Bethlehem House, Boy Scouts of America – Western Massachusetts Council, Boys and Girls Club Family Center, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, Christina’s House, Community Adolescent Resource and Education Center, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, the Community Survival Center, Dakin Human Society, Ellie Fund, Easthampton Community Center, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Hampshire Regional YMCA, Health Law Advocates, Holyoke YMCA, Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts, Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, New North Citizens’ Council, Open Pantry Community Services, Providence Ministries for the Needy, Rachel’s Table, South End Community Center, Somali Bantu Community of Springfield, Springfield Boys and Girls Club, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Salvation Army – Greenfield Corps, the Salvation Army – Holyoke Corps, the Salvation Army – Springfield Corps, Urban League of Springfield, West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, YMCA of Greater Springfield, and YMCA of Greater Westfield.

The Response Fund has raised $6.9 million from 630 donors, including foundations, businesses, and individuals, and resources from the statewide Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Community Foundation Welcomes Two New Staff Members

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) announced two new staff members, filling key development and finance roles at the organization. Daisy Pereira-Tosado joins CFWM as director of Philanthropy, and Didi de Almeida has been hired as account manager.

Pereira-Tosado is responsible for bolstering and diversifying the foundation’s development strategy. She brings 25 years of experience in the nonprofit arena and has led and served in leadership roles for community-based organizations, most recently as senior director of Philanthropy at New England Public Media.

Pereira-Tosado has developed many valuable resources for the local community as an active volunteer for local organizations such as Girls Inc. of Holyoke, Link to Libraries, and the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee. She is a graduate of Boston University.

Meanwhile, de Almeida brings seven years of experience in nonprofit accounting management for local nonprofit organizations, and recently earned her MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

Prior to her graduate studies, de Almeida was fiscal manager for the Center for New Americans, business manager for the Brick House Community Resource Center, and staff accountant for the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center. Her experience includes budgeting, compliance, financial reporting, expense tracking, tax filing, and audit preparation.

Drive-in Movie Night at Mercedes-Benz to Benefit Urban League of Springfield

CHICOPEE — Mercedes-Benz of Springfield is hosting a drive-in movie fundraiser on Saturday, July 18 to benefit the Urban League of Springfield. Live band Malado is performing at 7:30 p.m, and the movie, The Lion King, starts at 9 p.m. All are invited to attend, and to arrive early to secure a spot.

Suggested donation is $20 per vehicle if tickets are purchased in advance and $30 per vehicle if purchased at the door. Purchase tickets in advance by clicking here.

“We are so excited to bring this fun summer pastime back to the area,” said Michelle and Peter Wirth, owners of the dealership. “All participants can feel great about supporting those doing meaningful and important work in our local community, and have fun doing it.”

The Urban League of Springfield serves the African-American community in Greater Springfield by advocating for and providing model services that enhance the academic and social development of young people and families, promoting economic self-sufficiency, and fostering racial inclusion and social justice.

“We are extremely gratified by the philanthropic spirit of the Wirth family providing this great opportunity to raise money to support our programs and activities,” said Henry Thomas, Urban League president and CEO. “Social responsibility is critically important these days, and Mercedes-Benz of Springfield just gets it.”

Visit www.mbspringfield.com/drivein for safety guidelines and complete details.

Liberty Fox Technologies Joins GPMF Holdings Family of Companies

PHILADELPHIA — Liberty Fox Technologies, a leading software-application developer and consultancy, has been acquired by Massachusetts-based GPMF Holdings as part GPMF’s continued expansion of its national healthcare IT ecosystem. Liberty Fox joins VertitechIT (infrastructure design and implementation), Nectar (digital health strategy consulting), baytechIT (managed services), and akiro (healthcare financial and business advisory services), as part of the GPMF Holdings family of companies.

“Many software application developers in our industry are cookie-cutter, ‘tell me what you want and we’ll build it’ kinds of companies,” said GPMF Holdings CEO Michael Feld. “The folks at Liberty Fox are different, and their approach, to embed themselves within a client’s business, is a shared value among the GPMF family.”

Liberty Fox CEO Bill Evans added that “we were really attracted to GPMF’s focus in the healthcare space. We’ve had at least one active healthcare client relationship every year for the last decade, and together we have combined capabilities totaling 70 to 100 years of experience, whether it’s networking, engineering, managed services, revenue cycle and legal compliance, or the focus on the clinical process. That’s a powerful combination.”

Liberty Fox will continue to service healthcare and enterprise clients from its headquarters outside Philadelphia. GPMF Holdings is headquartered in Western Mass. with offices in Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, and Washington.

Conversation on Anti-Racism in the Arts to Be Presented on July 23

NORTH ADAMS — As the July DownStreet Art event, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC) and members of the North Adams Artist Impact Coalition (AIC) are collaborating to present a community conversation to move toward anti-racism in the arts on Thursday, July 23 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

This event is free and open to the public, and registration is required at least 24 hours in advance. Additionally, all artists and arts administrators from the Northern Berkshires are invited to participate in this hands-on conversation.

Many people who are not of color and who work within the arts express a desire to be anti-racist and move toward systemic and institutional change. Part of the process of becoming anti-racist is to understand how difficult the journey itself is and why. Members of the Northern Berkshires’ vibrant arts community are invited to engage in this discussion as a means of understanding the role they all play as individuals who make up collectives and as the members who both run and support arts organizations that want to bring about positive change.

The conversation will begin with a discussion between members of the North Adams Artist Impact Coalition facilitated by MCLA Chief Diversity Officer Christopher MacDonald-Dennis. Attendees will then split into smaller Zoom ‘breakout rooms’ to discuss personal experiences with observing and interrupting racism and individual actions they can take toward making the Northern Berkshires a welcome and safe place for all. For those unable to attend the conversation live, the session will be recorded for viewing at a later date.

BusinessTalk with Chris Thompson

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, Business Talk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times

Episode 10: July 15, 2020

Thom Fox interviews Westfield Starfires Co-Founder/Owner Christopher Thompson

Thom Fox interviews Westfield Starfires Co-Founder/Owner Christopher Thompson. Thom and Chris discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the 2020 Futures Collegiate Baseball League, fan safety measures for home games, and how Westfield is ready to ‘play ball’!

Sponsored by:

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO ALL OUR EPISODES

Also Available On

Sheraton Springfield Hotel Implements High-tech Airflow-distribution System

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2020

SPRINGFIELD — The Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel announced the installation and implementation of bipolar ionization system technology into its HVAC airflow-distribution systems, which, according to its most recent study, has been proven to neutralize coronavirus by 99.92%.

This system, the AtmosAir Matterhorn Series, is currently used by the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and SpaceX. Steve Levine, president and CEO of AtmosAir Solutions, noted that “we are delivering a socially sustainable public-health product that can deliver results so that we can start coming together again safely.”

The World Health Organization has acknowledged the possibility that COVID-19 might spread in the air, which led Paul Picknelly, owner of the Sheraton Springfield Hotel, to seek the best solutions to providing a safe and healthy environment for all hotel guests and employees. “This is cutting edge,” he said. “We pride ourselves on never settling for status quo, and while all processes recommended by the CDC are proven effective, to literally clean the air we breathe in an energy-efficient and environmentally safe method is taking next-level care of guests and employees. I felt this major investment was necessary to ensure guests feel safe staying in our hotel again.”

Stacey Gravanis, the hotel’s general manager, added that “we are thrilled to see our guests’ reaction when they walk into our lobby and can immediately recognize the clean, crisp, mountain-top-like air conditions. While we are in full compliance with all CDC and Sheraton brand COVID-19 processes — from the use of electrostatic sprayers, extensive manual disinfecting, sanitizing stations, and PPE for all guests and staff — the AtmosAir system is by far the most extensive, 24/7, non-stop method we are using to battle the spread of COVID-19 in our hotel.”

STCC to Hold Online Financial-aid Information Session on July 15

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2020

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will host an online workshop to help current and prospective students understand how to make a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.

The workshop, which will be conducted through a Zoom webinar, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 at 3 p.m. The session is free and open to the public, but participants must register in advance by clicking here.

Brendon Pohner, financial-literacy coordinator at STCC, will explain how to create an FSA ID, which is a username and password that gives a student access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as a legal signature. An FSA ID can be used to log into the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Pohner said the FSA ID allows students to access their federal student aid websites securely and is the fastest way to sign an application and have it processed.

“However, it’s complex and really hard for a lot of students to grasp,” Pohner said “It does cause problems. If you can’t make an FSA ID or you forget your information and you can’t get it back, you can’t apply for financial aid. Some people get frustrated and decide not to go to college.”

Pohner said he will show participants in the webinar how to make an FSA ID and explain the best practices for maintaining the account and keeping it secure. He will answer questions at the end of the workshop.

Approximately 79% of STCC students receive some form of financial aid. The college is accepting applications for the fall semester, which begins Sept. 8. To apply to STCC, visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

Healthcare Heroes Nominations Close in Three Days

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2020