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Year: 2020

Home-improvement Businesses Thrive During Pandemic

By Contributor
Coronavirus

Safe at Home

By Mark Morris

Keiter Homes’ ‘project of the month’

This before-and-after view of Keiter Homes’ ‘project of the month’ is just one of many jobs keeping crews busy recently.

When COVID-19 began spreading earlier this year, it forced everyone to make adjustments. Or, as Brian Rudd put it, “The pandemic lets you know how prepared you are for change.”

Rudd, owner of Vista Home Improvement, said his company handles around 700 projects every year, and keeps everything straight by following an organized process. Once the pandemic hit, those processes had to change on the fly.

“Thanks to our staff and our company culture, we were able to adapt quickly, especially in the way we interact with our customers,” Rudd said, adding that some of the changes, such as heavier reliance on technology to interact with customers and employees, will benefit the business long after coranavirus is under control.

Amid such changes, though, several home-improvement contractors who spoke with BusinessWest tell a similar story about 2020.

Specifically, they all experienced downtime in March and April; even though they were included among ‘essential’ workers, the home-improvement business suffered a severe slowdown, as most people were not comfortable with any outsiders in their home during the early months of the pandemic.

But as more precautions have been put in place, business has returned to most companies — and, in some cases, increased over last year.

Back in December, Ger Ronan, president of Yankee Home, organized what he calls a ‘mastermind’ group of 11 home-improvement companies from all over the U.S. The point of the group is to network and share ideas about what’s working and what’s not.

“In the early days of the pandemic, members of the group came together and wanted to help in any way they could,” he said. “I got lots of ideas and strategies from companies much larger than mine, and they really helped.”

Ronan expressed a common observation as to why home renovation work has picked up. With people spending so much time at home, they are looking at faded siding, worn-out roofs, and other needed repairs. On top of that, fewer people are going away on vacation this year, opting instead to invest money in their homes.

With everyone staying put, homes are simply getting more use — and attention — than in the past.

“There’s more wear and tear on rooms in the house, especially bathrooms,” he said. “Our bathroom-renovation sales are really strong.”

Scott Keiter, president of Keiter Homes, said his company is working on a wide range of home projects. From new additions to kitchens, bathrooms, and especially outdoor living spaces, he said people want to make their houses more user-friendly in this time of increased isolation.

“We’re doing a huge deck for a client who just had a swimming pool installed,” Keiter said. “Because they are spending so much time on their property, I think people are reinvesting in their homes for their own enjoyment.”

Safety First

All three contractors follow state guidelines for COVID-19 in terms of masks, sanitizing worksites, and keeping a safe distance from clients. They also emphasized the importance of safety for their employees and clients.

“Every morning, we give all of our employees the option to not work that day if they do not feel safe,” Rudd said. “That’s become part of our daily routine, and it’s worked great.”

When working on exterior projects such as siding and roofs, Keiter said, it’s fairly easy to maintain a safe distance from the homeowner.

“It’s a little more complicated when we have to work inside the home,” he said. “A simple solution like a plastic partition wall allows us to segregate our work area from the client’s living space.”

Yankee Home uses red carpets to protect clients’ floors when working inside the home. In addition to having the carpets cleaned frequently, Ronan said, project managers from his company visit every job site to make sure all safety protocols are in place.

These contractors told BusinessWest that having people at home during renovation projects was definitely a help and not a hindrance to the job. They all pointed out how much easier it is to discuss changes to a project while the owner is on site, rather than trying to reach them at work and waiting for a reply.

Ger Ronan

Ger Ronan says people have been spending more time at home — and finding more reasons to invest in their home.

“We do a lot of customization, so it’s nice to have people there so they can tell us exactly what they want,” Ronan noted.

At a recent siding and window installation, Rudd added, the homeowner appreciated the details of the work and enjoyed seeing the job from start to finish. “We love people being home because they can see the craftsmanship and what goes into the investment they’ve made with us.”

One trend developing as a result of so many couples working from home involves ‘his and her’ home-office spaces. Keiter, who builds new homes as well as additions, said he has not worked on such projects, but expects he might get requests in the near future. Long before the work-at-home explosion, his clients have wanted home-office setups either for work or to stay in touch with distant family members online.

Scott Keiter

Scott Keiter

“We’re doing a huge deck for a client who just had a swimming pool installed. Because they are spending so much time on their property, I think people are reinvesting in their homes for their own enjoyment.”

“Whether it’s a dedicated office space, flex space, or a study, many plans call for one room in the house that’s being dedicated for computer use,” he explained, noting that the next trend in home offices will likely involve upgraded wireless infrastructure. “From parents working at home to kids trying to go to school online, and all the other laptop and iPad use, I think we will be seeing more sophisticated wireless access points in the home.”

Security Blanket

Though business is booming now, Ronan predicts that the pent-up demand caused by COVID-19 will eventually dissipate, but won’t reduce business too much.

“You know the old adage of, no matter how bad the recession might be, you’ll always get your haircut,” he said. “Well, we’re not quite up there with hairdressers, but you’re always going to take care of your home.”

Rudd said 2020 reminds him of the period right after 9/11 when people saw the home as a security blanket. Similar to that time, his clients are focused on ‘nesting’ in the safety of their home — so it’s not surprising his business is up 32% over last year.

“Anything related to the home is booming,” he noted. “Friends of mine who are landscapers are having record years, too.”

Homeowners have long been advised to make renovations to their kitchens and bathrooms because money spent on those two rooms will provide the best return on investment if the house ever goes up for sale. While kitchen and bathroom renovations remain popular, Keiter said, he’s finding that people are investing in those spaces for a different reason: quality of life.

“We’re staying at home because the virus has made the world unpredictable in so many ways,” he told BusinessWest. “With all this uncertainty, putting money into our homes seems like a pretty safe bet.”

Governor Pauses Phase 3 of Reopening as Infections Tick Upward

By
COVID-19

A Temporary Setback

Several weeks of good news about COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts were no reason to party. In fact, parties were probably a bad idea.

Citing a proliferation of large parties as one likely factor in Massachusetts’ recent uptick in infections, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a temporary pullback of the state’s reopening efforts.

On Aug. 7, the governor not only postponed the second stage of phase 3 — affecting a range of businesses that cater to groups of people — but called for increased enforcement efforts to crack down on violations of the state’s COVID-19 regulations.

Postponing the second stage of phase 3 means theaters and performance venues still can’t hold indoor shows, and activities like laser tag, roller skating, trampolining, and obstacle courses remain on hold as well. Businesses expecting to reopen in phase 4, such as bars, overnight camps, and arcades, will obviously remain closed as well.

Baker also signed an order reducing the limit on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people, while the limit on indoor gatherings remains at 25 people. Face coverings are required at gatherings where more than 10 people from different households will interact.

On Aug. 7, the governor not only postponed the second stage of phase 3 — affecting a range of businesses that cater to groups of people — but called for increased enforcement efforts to crack down on violations of the state’s COVID-19 regulations.

The local chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business called Baker’s decision to pause the state’s reopening “extremely disappointing,” adding that, “instead of delaying the opening of certain businesses, many taking every step imaginable to keep workers and customers safe, the administration should pursue the private gatherings that are causing the problems.”

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts rose nearly 25% between July 29 and Aug. 5, and new COVID-19 infections are once again outpacing recoveries. As of last week, there have been 8,519 deaths and 112,673 cases reported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, is down slightly at 1.8%.

In other guidance, Baker reiterated that restaurants may serve alcoholic beverages only for on-site consumption if accompanied by orders for food prepared on site. The administration will take measures to ensure that bars masquerading as restaurants will be closed.

The administration also announced a targeted, cross-agency team responsible for ramping up enforcement statewide and coordinating local intervention efforts at the local level in higher-risk COVID-19 communities. Those supports will include:

• Targeted interventions and inspections by a range of member agencies;

• Cease-and-desist orders for businesses and organizations in violation of the COVID-19 orders;

• Support for local and state officials in exercising their authority to fine restaurants or suspend or cancel liquor licenses when restaurants do not comply with required safety measures;

• Targeted public messaging (like road signs and PSAs) to alert residents of higher-risk COVID communities;

• Technical support to local government officials to support enhanced local COVID-19 prevention efforts, such as assistance in accessing CARES Act funding;

• Potential restrictions or shutdowns for parks, playgrounds, businesses, or other entities believed to be contributing to COVID-19 spread in higher-risk communities; and

• Additional public-health support, such as testing, tracing, and quarantining.

Additionally, previously announced free COVID-19 testing in 17 communities, including Springfield and Agawam, has been extended through Sept. 12.

Finally, a travel order, which went into effect Aug. 1, stipulates that all visitors and residents returning to Massachusetts from high-risk areas must either quarantine for 14 days or produce negative COVID-19 test results upon return into the state.

Individuals who have not received test results prior to arrival are required to quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Violators may face a $500 fine per day.

States considered lower-risk, and thus exempt from the travel order, include Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii. Other exemptions to the travel rules include people passing through, people who commute across state lines for work or school, and people coming to the state for medical treatment or military purposes.

Rhode Island was initially exempt from the travel order, but is now considered a higher-risk state. Still, Baker said people on either side of the border may make trips back and forth for errands or work.

— Joseph Bednar

Businesses, Employees Face Range of Back-to-school Challenges

By Contributor
Coronavirus Law

A Stern Test

By Marylou Fabbo

With schools reopening, parents and employers will be in a difficult boat together as they attempt to juggle parenting with personal and professional responsibilities.

Parents are understandably anxious about how they will meet their obligations to both their children and their employers. Several school districts have announced hybrid returns with students alternating between attending school and remote learning. Some jobs just can’t be done from home, and some parents who would otherwise be able to work at home will be needed to help their children with remote learning (or breaking up arguments).

To make matters worse, schools that are already back in session have shown us that, despite precautions that are being taken, school-based COVID-19 outbreaks are a real concern.

Employment-law Compliance

There is no question that many parents will be working from home in some capacity once the school year starts. Businesses should keep in mind that laws that are applicable in the workplace don’t go out the door simply because the workplace has moved to an employee’s home.

Marylou Fabbo

Marylou Fabbo

“Does workers’ compensation insurance apply when an employee trips over a toy during the workday and fractures her ankle?”

For instance, Massachusetts employers must continue to make sure their employees take their 30-minute meal break and keep records of all hours worked, which may not look like the normal 9-to-5 workday. State and federal laws that require employers to provide a reasonable accommodation to disabled employees in the workplace apply to remote employees as well.

To meet these requirements, employers may need to do things such as make adjustments to equipment or the manner in which work is completed. Notices that must be posted in the workplace should be electronically distributed or mailed to an employee.

Still, there are many unanswered questions, and businesses are advised to consult with legal counsel before taking any risky actions. For example, employers are required to reimburse employees for required business-related expenses, but what does that mean when employees use their own laptops and internet for at-home work?

Does workers’ compensation insurance apply when an employee trips over a toy during the workday and fractures her ankle? How does an employer prevent and address sexual harassment in the remote workplace? Is it discriminatory to distribute extra or different tasks that can’t be done at home to older employees who no longer have kids at home? All these issues should be discussed with your employment-law advisors.

Job-protected, Paid Time Off

Not all employees will be able to work when their children are taking classes from home. Employers should be prepared to work with a reduced staff for the foreseeable future. Federal laws will provide many parents with job-protected time off when school is closed, which includes situations where some or all instruction is being provided through distance learning.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) generally requires employers to provide paid time off to employees who cannot work (or telework) because their child’s school is closed. However, it’s not enough that a child is attending class remotely. The parent must be needed to care for the child, and the child must be under 14 absent special circumstances.

Still, the FFCRA does not cover all employees or all employers. Employers with 500 or more employees are not covered by the law, while small employers and healthcare providers may be exempt from certain requirements. Also, employees who have been employed for less than a month are only eligible for a maximum of two weeks of ‘emergency sick’ leave, while employees who have been employed for at least 30 days may be able to take up to an additional 12 weeks of expanded family and medical leave (EFML), including on an intermittent basis, assuming that the leave hasn’t already been taken for other permissible purposes.

Eligible employees can earn up to $200 per day when taking childcare EFML, subject to certain maximum dollar amounts. Lawmakers in several states, including Massachusetts, are considering legislation that would fill the gaps in the FFCRA’s paid-leave provisions, and several states have already extended virus-specific paid leave. Employers whose employees aren’t eligible for protected leave will have to decide whether to allow job-protected leave or lay off or otherwise separate with the employee.

School-related Exposure

Unpredictable, illness-related absences can pose another challenge for employers and employees. Children may be exposed at school and bring the virus home.

Employees may be needed to care for their children who are ill and may even test positive themselves. The FFCRA provides up to two weeks paid time off for COVID-related illnesses. The Massachusetts paid-sick-leave statute and the FMLA may also provide employees with paid time off. Employees may also be able to take protected time off (or time at home) as a reasonable accommodation for the employee’s own disability that makes it risky for the employee to go into the office.

Plan Ahead

There’s never been a return to school quite like 2020. The only certainty is that employers could not possibly plan for all potential scenarios. Businesses should make sure they have effective remote-work policies, practices, and procedures in place, be prepared to operate with fewer employees on an intermittent and possibly long-term basis, and designate one or more people within the organization to whom management and employees can direct their questions.

Marylou Fabbo is a partner with Springfield-based Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a law firm that exclusively practices labor and employment law. She specializes in employment litigation, immigration, wage-and-hour compliance, and leaves of absence. She devotes much of her practice to defending employers in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. She also regularly assists her clients with day-to-day employment issues, including disciplinary matters, leave management, and compliance; (413) 737-4753 ; [email protected]

A Lesson from the Great Depression

By
Opinion

Editorial

Eric Lesser might be on to something.

In fact, we’re pretty sure he is.

During a recent installment of BusinessTalk, the podcast produced by BusinessWest in conjunction with Living Local, Lesser — the state senator from Longmeadow and staunch advocate for high-speed rail linking Western and Eastern Mass. — was asked about that project, which has lost some of its visibility, if not its traction, in the midst of the pandemic. In short, people seemingly have other things to worry about right now.

He was asked specifically if the project might still be needed given the way the pandemic has clearly shown that people can work remotely and, thus, may not have to physically get from Western Mass. to Eastern Mass. in order to work for a company in Boston or Cambridge.

He answered first by saying the rail line might be needed now more than ever because people will — eventually — need to see one another again, albeit perhaps not as often. High-speed rail would enable them to do so in a manner that is efficient, would help take cars off the road and thus reduce congestion, and might level the playing field between east and west in this state by helping to reduce one of the boundaries to high-paying jobs in emerging fields like IT and biosciences.

But he went further, arguing that building the rail line now would not only accomplish all that, but would help move this region and the entire state out of a pandemic-induced recession that will likely be with us for years.

“The economy desperately needs this,” he said. “At the height of the Great Depression, our country built 78,000 bridges, we built 800 airports … we need to be ambitious about where we’re going, and the economy is going to need the investment, the stimulus. East-west rail would inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy almost immediately from construction alone.”

He’s right, and this is the way state and federal officials need to be thinking moving forward as they go about finding ways to help individuals and businesses — and the nation as a whole — dig out of this hole created by the pandemic.

The comparisons to the Great Depression are appropriate — we are now in an economic downturn comparable to what happened 90 years ago in many ways: everything from the long lines at the unemployment office to the long lines at what were then soup kitchens and are now food pantries.

While World War II eventually ended the Great Depression, massive construction projects launched during the mid-’30s created millions of jobs that enabled families to survive those years. But those projects did much more than that. Indeed, they addressed needed infrastructure issues, vastly improved the nation’s transportation system, and paved the way for development of many western and Sun Belt states.

Projects ranging from the Hoover Dam to the Triborough Bridge in New York to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco were game changers in many different ways — especially the way they provided jobs at a time when people desperately needed them.

State and national leaders should be thinking about projects like east-west rail in the same light. Such initiatives can not only solve recognized problems, they can help lessen the already-crippling damage from this pandemic. And there are many other projects that can be undertaken, right here in this region, from repairing roads and bridges to renovating parks and bike trails.

There is a tendency among some to look at the damage from the pandemic as temporary, something that will be fixed once the virus has run its course. The accumulating evidence would seem to indicate otherwise — that it will take years to repair damage done to individual communities and a wide range of business sectors. The key to repairing this damage is jobs, not stimulus checks or even PPP money.

Lesser’s right. The high-speed rail project is more important now than it was before, and there are many projects that fit that description. The state and the nation can learn from what happened 90 years ago and make needed, prudent investments, even at a time of extreme challenge, to help all of us through this crisis.

Cannabis Is an Economic Bright Spot

By
Opinion

Editorial

In the 21 months since recreational marijuana became legal in Massachusetts, the industry has raked in about $150 million in tax revenue for state and local coffers.

Of that, $30 million — about 20% of the total — has poured in just since Memorial Day, when the state ended several weeks of COVID-19 restrictions on dispensaries as part of its reopening plan.

Talk about pent-up demand.

And talk about an opportunity.

In our cover story this month, Marcos Marrero, Holyoke’s director of Planning & Economic Development, drew a comparison between current demand for cannabis with the lifting of prohibition during the Great Depression. Though times were still tough, alcohol sales surged, and have rarely let up since.

In short, some industries are more resilient amid shifting economic tides than others, and cannabis — judging by these latest tax-revenue numbers, and by the customer lines outside dispensaries even as more competition springs up around the region — may be one of them.

Indeed, cannabis sales in the Bay State have totaled $785 million since November 2018, when adult use became legal here. The tax rate in the state is 6.25%, with a 10.75% excise and a 3% local tax in most areas. It adds up.

“This tax-revenue milestone is a big moment for the Massachusetts cannabis business community because it shows not only the great demand for safe, regulated cannabis, but also affirms the meaningful value this industry brings to cities and towns every single day,” David Torrisi, president of the Commonwealth Dispendary Assoc., noted in a statement following the news.

“We know the hardship that COVID-19 has imposed on local and state budgets,” he added, “and we are proud to help provide steady revenue streams that can hopefully reduce the need for difficult choices and maintain services.”

Such talk cheers Marrero and other municipal officials in Holyoke, the city that, more than any other in the region, has fully embraced the economic potential of cannabis, with a few businesses already open and many more in the pipeline.

And it’s not just tax revenue, although that is critical right now. It’s also jobs and business growth — both in new and growing enterprises that grow, manufacture, and sell cannabis products, and at companies that provide services to those entities, whether legal, security, maintenance … the list goes on.

It’s what Marrero called “economic contagion,” a positive and kind of delightful use of that latter word during this time of pandemic. Holyoke wants to create a cannabis cluster that will boost the entire city’s — and region’s — economy, and other communities might take heed of the lessons learned so far.

The main one is that cannabis appears to be a hardy sector, no matter what the broader economic conditions are. At a time when communities are looking for bright spots, this one ranks high on the list.

Picture This

By
Picture This

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

 

Tourism Boost

State Sen. Eric Lesser (center) recently joined John Doleva (left), president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Mary Kay Wydra (right), president of Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, to announce $250,000 in funding for tourism marketing in the Pioneer Valley. “This funding for tourism marketing will help us begin to rebuild and bring business to our restaurants, attractions, and hospitality industry across the board,” Lesser said. The funding is part of a $1.1 billion coronavirus-response package signed into law on July 24.

 

Supporting Community Health Workers

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (pictured with Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal) recently visited HCC to announce the awarding of a four-year, $1.89 million federal grant aimed at helping families impacted by opioid use. The funds — $399,676 in the first year — will enhance HCC’s existing Community Health Worker training program with the goal of increasing the number of CHWs qualified to work on integrated opioid-use-disorder teams in area health centers in medically underserved communities.

J-Camp in a Box

The Jewish Community Center of Springfield and Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts have partnered to provide “J-Camp in a Box” this summer to over 400 children, ages 5-12, including 250 refugee and low-income youths. The first box was distributed in July, and the second box went home to campers earlier this month. With summer camps closed across the state due to COVID-19, these ‘campers’ are staying busy with two boxes full of activities to do at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Started

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Follow These Five Steps When It’s Time to Talk About Care

Whether your loved one needs full-time care or you’re just beginning to anticipate a need, here’s a series of steps you’ll need to take, with some thoughts on each from leading voices in the field. Just take it one step at a time.

1. Start the Conversation

“Talking with your parents about their future will not be a one‐time conversation, but an ongoing process,” says Catherine Hodder, author of Estate Planning for the Sandwich Generation: How to Help Your Parents and Protect Your Kids. “You must be patient and willing to wait until your parents feel comfortable. They will need to be ready to talk with you or to make certain decisions about their future. The hardest part will be for them to admit they need help and that you will be taking on more responsibility for them. Understand they still see you as their child who they should be helping, not the other way around. Try to feel out the right times to talk about healthcare concerns and when to talk about finances. Depending on your parents’ personalities, one may be an easier conversation than the other.”

2. Consider How Much You Can Take On

“For many, our responsibilities extend beyond the needs of our aging parents and carry over to our own families,” says Amy Osmond Cook, author of Things to Discuss with Aging Parents Before Becoming Their Caregiver. “Those obligations don’t end when a parent needs extra care. By discussing a schedule with your loved one, you can establish a balance between his needs and the needs of your family. For example, you may have a nurse stay in the home on certain days with an understanding you will take your aging parent to all of the doctor’s appointments. A routine can provide comfort to your loved one because he will know when to expect you or other helpers when care is needed.”

3. Build a Team and Make a Plan

“Family meetings are a way for siblings, parents, and other concerned relatives or friends to try to clarify the situation, work out conflicts, and set up a care plan that, ideally, all can agree upon,” says  Bonnie Lawrence, author of A Sibling’s Guide to Caring for Aging Parents. “If the meeting is likely to be contentious, or if you want an experienced, objective voice to guide it, involve a facilitator such as a social worker, counselor, geriatric care manager, or trusted outside party who will ensure that all participants have a chance to be heard. You may need more than one meeting.”

4. Discuss How You Will Pay for Care

“What is the truth about your parent’s situation — finances, health, and what they want for care?” asks Catherine Flax, author of Aging Parents and Money: Difficult Conversations That Need to Be Had. “The reality is that, when it comes to finances, most people (parents and their children) are largely in the dark. What are the rules around Social Security? How much do they currently spend on healthcare, and how do Medicare and insurance supplements work? What is the optimal, tax-efficient draw-down schedule for their retirement assets — and how far will these assets take them? Do they have other assets that they could manage to their advantage (like a home that could be downsized) to give them a higher quality of life, and would they want that?”

5. Make the Transition — and Follow Up

“Once your mother selects a place and settles in, visit frequently — by whatever means possible,” says Kerry Patterson, author of Preparing for a Crucial Conversation with an Aging Parent. “Check to see what is working and what isn’t. Where possible, make further changes to match her needs to the facility. Finally, live up to the promise you made to yourself. You meant it when you decided that you wanted what’s best for your mom/dad or loved one. Whether this turns out to be true depends a great deal on how often you make contact with him/her once she’s/he’s found a new place to live.”

Ten Tips on How to Approach a Difficult Topic

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Start the Conversation

From the AARP FOUNDATION

The reality is that some conversations are just plain difficult — even with the people to whom you feel the closest. When preparing to discuss a difficult topic like senior care needs, it helps to follow the ground rules below to ensure that everyone’s feelings are respected and viewpoints are heard. To help make the conversation as productive and positive as possible:

1. Try not to approach the conversation with preconceived ideas about what your loved ones might say or how they might react. “Dad, I just wanted to have a talk about what you want. Let’s just start with what is important to you.”

2. Approach the conversation with an attitude of listening, not telling. “Dad, have you thought about what you want to do if you needed more help?” — as opposed to “we really need to talk about a plan if you get sick.”

3. Make references to yourself and your own thoughts about what you want for the future. Let them know they are not alone, that everyone will have to make these decisions. “Look, I know this isn’t fun to think about or talk about, but I really want to know what’s important to you. I’m going to do the same thing for myself.”

4. Be very straightforward with the facts. Do not hide negative information, but also be sure to acknowledge and build on family strengths. “As time goes on, it might be difficult to stay in this house because of all the stairs, but you have other options. Let’s talk about what those might be.”

5. Phrase your concerns as questions, letting your loved ones draw conclusions and make the choices. “Mom, do you think you might want a hand with some of the housekeeping or shopping?”

6. Give your loved ones room to get angry or upset, but address these feelings calmly. “I understand all this is really hard to talk about. It is upsetting for me, too. But it’s important for all of us to discuss.”

7. Leave the conversation open. It’s okay to continue the conversation at another time. “Dad, it’s OK if we talk about this more later. I just wanted you to start thinking about how you would handle some of these things.”

8. Make sure everyone is heard — especially those family members who might be afraid to tell you what they think. “Susan, I know this is really hard for you. What do you think about what we are suggesting?”

9. End the conversation on a positive note. “This is a hard conversation for both of us, but I really appreciate you having it.”

10. Plan something relaxing or fun after the conversation to remind everyone why you enjoy being a family. Go out to dinner, attend services together, or watch a favorite TV program.

These are just a few suggestions of things you, your loved ones, and other family members can do to unwind after a difficult conversation.

Does Your Loved One Need Help? Some Scenarios

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Having the Talk

From VISITING ANGELS

Here are sample conversation starters and strategies to introduce home-care services to your loved one. Each scenario is a catalyst to take action and start talking. Prior to talking, prepare and arrange with a reliable friend or your spouse to take part in the plan.

SCENARIO: Your loved one mentions plans to drive to the grocery store. He’s shown signs of unsafe driving (getting lost or confused or unexplained dents on the car). Coordinate with a trusted neighbor, friend, or spouse to serve as a driver for one trip. 

SAY: “I see you’re planning to go to the grocery store.  I think it would be a great idea to ride with [the neighbor/friend/spouse] next time or even hire a professional who can take you where you need to go. You could tell her exactly where you want to go, and she’ll get you there. You’d be in control.”

SCENARIO: You noticed your mom or dad isn’t eating.  

SAY: “I don’t have the time to stay and cook tonight, but [neighbor/friend/spouse] loves to cook, and said she would love to cook with you tomorrow night, and she won’t have to leave early. Then you won’t have to worry about making dinner, and the family will feel good knowing someone’s with you to help you out in the kitchen. You can tell them what you’d like to eat, and you’ll be in total control. Let’s at least try it and talk about it afterward to see if it’s an arrangement you’d like.”

SCENARIO: Your loved one forgets to take her medicine repeatedly. (Alert the doctor first.)

SAY: “I’m worried that you forgot to take your medicine again. I spoke with your doctor, and he’s especially concerned about missing doses. He suggested we find a way prevent it from happening. I thought a professional caregiver would be really helpful. Let’s at least give it a try and see how you like it. Then we can talk about it and see if it’s something you want going forward.”

SCENARIO: Your elderly loved one is struggling to get dressed, whether it’s a fall or a misbuttoned shirt. You’ve realized they need help in the bedroom to get dressed.

SAY: “I’ve noticed you’re wearing the same clothes again. What if we got you a helper for the mornings — someone who can stop by and help get you ready for the day? She could even do a load of laundry or two; that’s completely on your terms. Think of how nice it’ll be knowing there’s one less thing you have to do. Mind if we give this a try?”

SCENARIO: You notice a high pile of dishes in the kitchen sink. 

SAY: “I know you care about keeping your place clean and tidy. But your dishes have piled up again, and the kitchen’s getting dirty. I’ll help you get those done, but what if we explored getting someone in here to keep the dishes done and the place clean? We’d love to take that off your plate, and then everyone can feel good knowing your house is clean and the way you like it. Let’s at least give it a try and go from there.”

Is It Dementia or Normal Aging?

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Understand the Difference, and Seek Help If It’s Needed

By Beth Cardillo

As Baby Boomers are getting older and representing the largest age group, the questions concerning dementia, as opposed to normal aging, continue to crop up in medical offices.

In the Greater Springfield area, 16.9% of residents over age 65 are living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. The national average is 13.6%.

Someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds, with 5 million Americans affected, and the number expected to increase to 20 million by 2050.

Given these numbers, it’s understandable when loved ones become concerned when they notice a family member having memory issues. It’s also understandable when people start to wonder themselves if they a problem. So how does one know if it’s dementia or simply normal aging?

“Someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds, with 5 million Americans affected, and the number expected to increase to 20 million by 2050.”

Let’s discuss normal aging first, so you can have a sigh of relief. We all have occasional word-finding difficulties, but you can come up with the word given a bit of time. Not remembering someone’s name if you don’t see them often, or see them out of context, is normal. That is something we all do. Misplacing an item, but having the ability to retrace your steps and locate the item, is also normal. How many times do we all walk into a room and not remember why, then walk out and immediately remember, ‘oh yeah, I was getting the book I left on the couch’?

Rest assured, these are all normal signs of aging. Have any of you purchased ‘the tile’ so you can keep track of your keys, work keys, iPad, and whatever else you need? It can even help you find where you parked your car, which is extremely helpful in New York City, where there’s alternate parking every day.

What isn’t normal is having new problems finding words when speaking or writing (more than being on the tip of your tongue) and you just can’t bring them up. Or forgetting things more often, such as appointments, events, and your way around familiar places. Perhaps you can’t remember or keep up with conversations, books, movies, or newspapers. Are you stopping in the middle of the conversation because you can’t remember what was just said, or the thread of the conversation?

Also, are decisions harder to make? Is your judgment a bit skewed? Are friends and families asking if you are OK? Are you showing up to people’s homes or appointments on the wrong date? Is your mood and behavior a bit unstable or unpredictable? Are you withdrawing from social activities because you don’t want people to notice that you are having difficulty, but instead they notice you aren’t showing up?

These are symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to a full dementia diagnosis.

There are more than 100 types of dementia. People are very reluctant to use the ‘A’ word. They quickly point out it’s not Alzheimer’s or they have just “a little bit of dementia.” The reality is that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 75% of all dementias. It could be vascular dementia, frontotemporal lobe dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or the 97 other types, and often they are concurrent. If you feel like this could be you, contact a neurologist, or a neuropsychologist, or the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at (413) 787-1113.

Today, there is no cure, but there are medications that can slow down the progression of the disease. Diet, exercise, genetics, and co-morbidities all play a part in the diagnosis, and it is said that those physiological changes could be forming in the brain 10 to 20 years before the actual symptoms start to show. There is no shame in asking for help if you feel you may have increased symptoms or you suspect them in a loved one.

On a side note, worth mentioning is that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with the senior population, and the virus could be a new type of dementia. It has many side effects consistent with dementia if the virus has traveled to the brain. People are experiencing physiological and neurological changes within the brain, causing confusion, seizures, emotional dysregulation, and strokes that are having long-term effects.

Beth Cardillo, M.Ed., LSW, CDP is a licensed social worker, certified dementia practitioner, and executive director of Armbrook Village, and has worked in the dementia field for more than 20 years. Previous to working with dementia, she opened the nation’s first state-funded traumatic brain injury program in Westfield. She was named Western New England Social Worker of the Year in 2016, and was the 2019 Friends of the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Honoree of the Year; [email protected]; www.armbrookvillage.com

Reading the Signs

By Contributor
Senior Planning

How Will You Know If Your Older Parents Need Help?

By Brenda Labbe

Many experience aging as a joyful time in their life, filled with retirement, travel, and spending more time with family. But for some, aging represents a series of losses — loss of employment, health and energy, friends, mobility, and independence.

As such, it is not uncommon for older adults to resist reaching out for help. To help start the conversation, we have listed some common signs that might indicate your loved one may need some extra support.

“Stacks of unopened mail, late-payment notices, unfilled prescriptions, and the lack of general upkeep of the house can all be signs that your loved one may need someone to assist with bill paying or homemaking.”

1. Neglecting household responsibilities. Stacks of unopened mail, late-payment notices, unfilled prescriptions, and the lack of general upkeep of the house can all be signs that your loved one may need someone to assist with bill paying or homemaking. Lack of interest in eating or preparing nutritious food and/or lack of food in the home can be a sign that they may need help with grocery shopping or meal prep.

2. Frequent falls. If your loved one experiences frequent falls or you have observed new bruises on their face or body, chances are they should be evaluated by their physician for illness, dehydration, or infections, or X-rayed for fractures. Other items that can increase the risk for falls include the lack of proper medication management and the lack of proper safety equipment in the home. You may want to consider having a safety evaluation of the home to look for any other factors that may be contributing to their falls.

3. Unsafe driving. As our bodies slow down in the aging process, so too will our reflexes, which can make driving even more difficult. Observe your loved one’s car for new scrapes, scratches, dings, or missing mirrors. Avoiding driving or not being able to tolerate any changes in directions may indicate some cognitive changes which signal that now might be the time to consider transportation assistance.

4. Listen for clues in conversation. Many seniors will state they do not want to burden their busy adult children with requests for help. They describe feeling foolish for not being able to keep up with cleaning, medications, or repairs. However, if you listen closely, you may hear repeated areas of concern. Your loved one’s close friends or neighbors may also have input to offer, if asked in confidence.

Finally, consider the old adage “it is all in how you wrap the gift.” In this case, the gift is the offer of help and support. Try asking the question in a manner that is non-threatening and neutral. For example: “gosh, I would be so overwhelmed if I got all this mail — how about I help you go through it?”

Unfortunately, many people will experience a traumatic event before realizing that they need assistance. One way to help better prepare for any emergencies is to monitor your loved one’s physical and mental abilities and start researching care options before you need them. Greater Springfield Senior Services is your local resource to find help, support, and care for your loved one.

Call our office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and ask to speak with one of our highly trained information and referral specialists to find out more. Knowledge is power, and we are here to help.

Brenda Labbe is the caregiver specialist at Greater Springfield Senior Services and specializes in assisting caregivers in accessing respite and support services for their loved ones.

The Next Phase

By Contributor
Senior Planning

It’s Important to Understand Your Alternatives

By Eric Aasheim

Moving from home to a senior-living community is one of the most consequential decisions elder loved ones may be faced with in their lifetimes.

The move is usually permanent; is unfortunately often made in crisis mode or under duress, and involves a host of emotional and psychological implications around declining physical capabilities, perceived loss of independence, and financial worry.

“Moving from home to a senior-living community is one of the most consequential decisions elder loved ones may be faced with in their lifetimes.”

Knowing the answers to these commonly asked questions will help seniors and their adult children plan ahead and ultimately put themselves in a position to make thoughtful and informed decisions about the most appropriate living and care options for their needs.

What is the difference between independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing?

Independent living (IL) is intended for seniors who do not need assistance or supervision with independent activities of daily living (IADLs) like showering, dressing, toileting, eating, or transferring (mobility, bed to standing, sitting to standing, etc.).

Most IL communities provide apartments with full kitchens, and the monthly fee includes one main meal per day in the dining room. Independent living in Western Mass. ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per month.

Assisted living (AL) communities are appropriate for seniors who require some level of assistance with two or more IADLs and help with medication management; apartments are typically equipped with a kitchenette only because the monthly fee includes three restaurant-style meals per day. Assisted living in Western Mass. ranges from $4,000 to $9,000 per month.

Memory care (MC) is intended for individuals who have dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other neurogenerative diseases and require an intensive or specialized program of care and supervision. Memory-care communities are secure settings with passcode entrances and enclosed outdoor spaces to keep residents on site, and can be stand-alone facilities or a separate wing or ‘neighborhood’ within a traditional assisted-living community. Memory-care communities most often provide private studio or shared companion suites for their residents. Memory care in Western Mass. ranges from $3,500 (companion suites) to $11,000 per month.

Skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) are licensed healthcare residences for individuals who require a higher level of medical care than can be provided in an AL setting. Skilled-nursing staffs consisting of RNs, LPNs and CNAs (certified nursing assistants) provide 24-hour medical attention for their long-term and short-term rehabilitation residents. While private rooms are available in many SNFs, shared living arrangements with two or three residents to a hospital-style room are much more common. Skilled-nursing facilities in Western Mass. range from $250 to more than $500 per day.

Can I receive care at home rather than moving to a senior-living community?

Absolutely. There are any number of quality home-care companies that can provide a wide range of custodial and healthcare services in the comfort of your own home. Home care is often referred to as non-skilled care (grooming, dressing, bathing, cleaning, and other everyday tasks) and home health care as skilled care (skilled nursing and therapy).

Seniors who are largely independent but can benefit from limited home care or home-healthcare services may choose to continue living in their homes as long as these services help them do so safely. Unless you hire a full-time live-in, skilled and non-skilled care are typically provided for only a few hours per day a few days per week, meaning family members often are called upon to supplement the home-care schedule on their own.

Seniors who are at risk for (or have experienced) frequent falls or who require consistent overnight supervision or assistance may find that moving to an assisted-living community provides them with a more secure living environment.

The choice between home care and senior living is highly personal and almost always comes down to a question of safety, location, the desire and need for socialization, and finances.

What is a continuing-care retirement community (CCRC), and what are the benefits compared to other senior-living communities?

Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRCs) are senior-living communities that offer a complete continuum of care (IL, AL, MC, and SNF), usually on a single campus. The primary benefit of a CCRC is that you can stay in the same community and never have to move, even as your care requirements change as you age. CCRCs (also referred to as life-plan communities) do typically require a substantial up-front community fee that can range from $10,000 to $300,000 or more depending on the community, the structure of the life-care plan, and the size and type of apartment.

Many CCRCs offer declining, refundable options that can return 70% to 90% of the up-front community fee to the resident when he or she moves, or to her estate when the resident passes away. CCRCs do still charge monthly fees, but they are often lower and increase less from one level of care to the next than traditional senior-living communities. CCRCs also offer a potential tax-deduction benefit that many non-CCRCs do not provide.

Will my health insurance cover the cost of assisted living or memory care? What if I am eligible for Medicaid?

Medicare and private insurance plans do not cover the cost of assisted living or memory care. Medicare will cover short-term and intermittent home care or rehabilitation stays in a SNF following hospitalization, but will not pay for either long-term. Seniors generally must pay for assisted living, memory care, and home care privately unless they have long-term-care insurance with benefits specifically designed to cover these services.

Qualifying veterans and their spouses may be eligible for the aid and attendance benefit from the VA to help pay for the cost of assisted living, memory care, home care, and skilled-nursing facilities.

Some, but not most, assisted-living and memory-care communities do participate in programs administered by Medicare and Medicaid that are designed for low-income seniors who could otherwise not afford senior-living communities.

Medicaid does cover the cost of long-term care in Medicaid-certified skilled-nursing facilities and home healthcare services for recipients who would qualify for nursing-home care.

What other senior-living and care options are there?

• Residential care facilities (also called rest homes) provide meals, housing, supervision, and care for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living but don’t yet require skilled nursing care.

• Congregate housing is a shared-living environment that combines housing, meals, and other services for seniors but does not provide 24-hour care or supervision. Public congregate housing is administered by municipal housing authorities and is partially subsidized by the state and federal government.

• Adult foster care is an alternative to residential care and matches seniors who can no longer live on their own with individuals or families who provide room, board, and personal care in their homes.

• Respite care is short-term care and supervision provided for seniors at home or in assisted-living or skilled-nursing facilities to provide family members who need some time off from their caregiver duties.

• Adult day health programs (also called adult day care) provide a wide array of community-based services for seniors during the day (skilled nursing, supervision, direct care, nutrition and dietary services, and therapeutic, social, and recreational activities) so that family members can work or attend to other responsibilities.

• Hospice care is available for individuals with life-threatening illnesses or a life expectancy of six months or less and can be provided in the home, in assisted-living or skilled-nursing facilities, in the hospital, or in specialized hospice facilities. When curative treatment is no longer an option, hospice professionals work to make a patient’s life as dignified and comfortable as possible and provide critical emotional and spiritual support services to the patient and family members.

How have senior-living and care options been impacted by COVID-19?

In short, the impact has been profound, and the ‘new normal’ is taking shape as we speak. Most home-care providers and senior-living communities have resumed services to current and new clients at some level. However, the provision of these services is governed by strict protocols to protect the health and safety of residents, staff, and family members.

For instance, many assisted-living communities are not currently offering in-person tours and assessments and instead facilitating these interactions virtually. Since most senior-living communities are observing social-distancing guidelines, new residents must quarantine for 14 days after move-in, and residents are dining in their apartments rather than in the community dining room. Social activities and outings have largely been modified or canceled, and visits from family members have been curtailed for the time being.

Eric Aasheim is a certified senior advisor and owner of Oasis Senior Living of Western Massachusetts. He assists seniors and family members through the entire process of transitioning from home to senior-living communities in Hampden, Hampshire, and Berkshire counties and surrounding areas.

There’s No Place Like Home

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Some Questions and Answers About Home-care Services

By Tania Spear

What is home care?

Home-care services are delivered to clients wherever they call home. There is a wide variety of assistance available, including everything from occasional help with housekeeping, meal preparation, companionship, and errands to skilled services such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and hospice care. The goal is to support clients who prefer to remain at home, but need care that cannot easily or effectively be provided by family or friends.

Who provides home care?

Home-care services can be provided by an agency or an individual. Support can be provided from one hour to up to 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. There are many reputable agencies in the area. Your physician, area Council on Aging, hospital-discharge planner, or geriatric-care manager will be able to refer you to a home-care provider most appropriate to assist you.

“The goal is to support clients who prefer to remain at home, but need care that cannot easily or effectively be provided by family or friends.”

How do I pay for home-care services?

Government and private insurance may pay for services under specific circumstances such as after a recent hospitalization when skilled nursing or therapy services are needed. Ongoing assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.) and housekeeping are generally not covered by insurance and are often private pay. It would be best to contact your provider for more information.

Are there benefits to using an agency?

While you may pay more using an agency caregiver, there are some advantages. An agency will offer pre-screening of workers, liability protection, workers’ compensation, and backup care in the event a particular caregiver isn’t available. An agency handles scheduling, payroll, and taxes, resulting in less paperwork.

How do I evaluate a home-care agency?

You will want to know if the agency works with you to develop a written plan of care and/or service contract and, if so, how often it is updated. How does the agency screen and evaluate employees? Are caregivers and supervisors available 24/7/365? How does the agency resolve concerns or complaints? Can the agency provide a list of local references?

What about COVID-19?

While accepting help at home from an agency may cause some fear during the pandemic, there are some things to consider that may help make you feel more confident in your decision to refuse or accept care as well as minimize risks. First, you want to assess the need for care. For many, care is essential, and refusing assistance in not an option. If you’ve determined help is necessary, check with the agency to determine what infection-control protocols are in place and if the agency has enough personal protective equipment (PPE) available. In addition to following CDC guidelines, you may want significant details related to how the agency is protecting staff and clients.

Are there any other things I should consider before receiving home care?

If a client or family hasn’t ever had help at home in the past, it can create some distress. The loss of independence and privacy can be factors. Oftentimes, if a competent caregiver with the right skills is placed, even the most seemingly resistant client may begin to look forward to the caregiver visits. Establishing expectations based on an appropriate plan of care and a goal for each visit is important for both the client and caregiver. With the right blend of care and compassion, a bit of support can make a world of difference in allowing someone who wishes to remain home to stay safe and healthy.

Tania Spear, MSN, MBA, RN is the owner and administrator of Silver Linings Home Care, LLC. She is a registered nurse and an Elms College graduate with a master of science degree in nursing and health services management and an MBA in healthcare leadership; (413) 363-2575; [email protected]

A Dose of Good Advice

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Eight Tips for Medication Management for Seniors

By Kara James

In general, as we age, our need for a variety of medications increases. This includes everything from prescriptions to over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamins and supplements.

Unfortunately, as the number of remedies we take increases, so too does the difficulty in managing them, which can lead to problems such as potential interactions and missed doses. Here are eight tips to help properly manage medications.

1. Check for interactions. Talk to your pharmacist and let them know about all the medications you are taking, including natural remedies and over-the-counter products. Your pharmacist can let you know in advance about any potential for interactions that could have serious health consequences.

“As the number of remedies we take increases, so too does the difficulty in managing them, which can lead to problems such as potential interactions and missed doses.”

2. Make a written schedule. It’s important to take medications as prescribed so they work effectively. Write down which medications you need to take, and at what time of day (morning, noon, evening, or bedtime). Be sure to include any important reminders, such as if you are supposed to take a medication with food or on an empty stomach. Keep this schedule in a visible place. Use an alarm to set reminders, if necessary, to stay on schedule.

3. Pre-sort medications weekly. A pill organizer makes it easy for you to see what medications you need to take and when, and also lets you easily see if you already took a dose so you don’t accidentally take it twice. Our MediBubble medication-management system does this for you with monthly pill-pack organizers.

4. Create a comprehensive list. Make a list of all your medications and supplements and keep it on your phone or in your wallet for easy reference. Include the medication name, dosage, frequency, and purpose.

5. Store medications appropriately. Many people store their medications in the bathroom; heat and humidity can cause medications to degrade. They should be kept in a cool, dark place, out of the reach of children.

6. Ensure accessibility. Some seniors struggle with opening child-proof bottles, so make sure you can actually access the medications you need to take. If you must put them in another container, make sure the container is labeled with the medication name, dosage, and other instructions.

7. Understand side effects. Make sure you understand the potential side effects of medications you take, and be sure to let your provider know if you experience any that are serious. They can often provide advice or change the medication or dosage to minimize issues. You can also talk to your pharmacist with questions and concerns about side effects.

8. Plan ahead for refills. Make sure you order refills well in advance to avoid missed doses. Some pharmacies now offer medication-management programs allowing for routine refilling of your prescriptions, and will notify you when your refill is ready. n

Kara James, Ph.D. is pharmacy manager and co-owner of Louis & Clark Pharmacy in Springfield.

Cost of Living

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Many Options Are Available for Seniors and Their Families

From the NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

Many older adults and caregivers worry about the cost of medical care. These expenses can use up a significant part of monthly income, even for families who thought they had saved enough.

How people pay for long-term care — whether delivered at home or in a hospital, assisted-living facility, or skilled-nursing facility — depends on their financial situation and the kinds of services they use. Often, they rely on a variety of payment sources, including personal funds, government programs, and private financing options.

Out of Pocket

At first, many older adults pay for care in part with their own money. They may use personal savings, a pension or other retirement fund, income from stocks and bonds, or proceeds from the sale of a home.

“How people pay for long-term care — whether delivered at home or in a hospital, assisted-living facility, or skilled-nursing facility — depends on their financial situation and the kinds of services they use.”

Professional care given in assisted-living facilities and continuing-care retirement communities is almost always paid for out of pocket, though Medicaid may pay some costs for people who meet financial and health requirements.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal government health-insurance program that pays some medical costs for people age 65 and older, and for all people with late-stage kidney failure. It also pays some medical costs for those who have gotten Social Security Disability Income (discussed later) for 24 months. It does not cover ongoing personal care at home, assisted living, or long-term care.

Medicaid

Some people may qualify for Medicaid, a combined federal and state program for low-income people and families. This program covers the costs of medical care and some types of long-term care for people who have limited income and meet other eligibility requirements.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

PACE is a Medicare program that provides care and services to people who otherwise would need care in a nursing home. PACE covers medical, social-service, and long-term-care costs for frail people. It may pay for some or all of the long-term-care needs of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. PACE permits most people who qualify to continue living at home instead of moving to a long-term care facility. There may be a monthly charge.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

SHIP, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, is a national program offered in each state that provides counseling and assistance to people and their families on Medicare, Medicaid, and Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) matters.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide long-term care or at-home care for some veterans. If your family member or relative is eligible for veterans’ benefits, check with the VA or get in touch with the VA medical center nearest you. There could be a waiting list for VA nursing homes.

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)

This type of Social Security is for people younger than age 65 who are disabled according to the Social Security Administration’s definition. For a person to qualify for Social Security Disability Income, he or she must be able to show that the person is unable to work, the condition will last at least a year, and the condition is expected to result in death. Social Security has ‘compassionate allowances’ to help people with Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, and certain other serious medical conditions get disability benefits more quickly.

Private Financing Options for Long-term Care

In addition to personal and government funds, there are several private payment options, including long-term-care insurance (see story on this page), reverse mortgages, certain life-insurance policies, annuities, and trusts. Which option is best for a person depends on many factors, including the person’s age, health status, personal finances, and risk of needing care.

Reverse Mortgages for Seniors

A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert part of the ownership value in his or her home into cash. Unlike a traditional home loan, no repayment is required until the borrower sells the home, no longer uses it as a main residence, or dies.

There are no income or medical requirements to get a reverse mortgage, but you must be age 62 or older. The loan amount is tax-free and can be used for any expense, including long-term care. However, if you have an existing mortgage or other debt against your home, you must use the funds to pay off those debts first.

Trusts

A trust is a legal entity that allows a person to transfer assets to another person, called the trustee. Once the trust is established, the trustee manages and controls the assets for the person or another beneficiary. You may choose to use a trust to provide flexible control of assets for an older adult or a person with a disability, which could include yourself or your spouse. Two types of trusts can help pay for long-term-care services: charitable remainder trusts and Medicaid disability trusts.

Life-Insurance Policies for Long-term Care

Some life insurance policies can help pay for long-term care. Some policies offer a combination product of both life insurance and long-term-care insurance.

Policies with an ‘accelerated death benefit’ provide tax-free cash advances while you are still alive. The advance is subtracted from the amount your beneficiaries will receive when you die.

You can get an accelerated death benefit if you live permanently in a nursing home, need long-term care for an extended time, are terminally ill, or have a life-threatening diagnosis such as AIDS. Check your life-insurance policy to see exactly what it covers.

You may be able to raise cash by selling your life-insurance policy for its current value. This option, known as a ‘life settlement,’ is usually available only to people age 70 and older. The proceeds are taxable and can be used for any reason, including paying for long-term care.

A similar arrangement, called a ‘viatical settlement,’ allows a terminally ill person to sell his or her life-insurance policy to an insurance company for a percentage of the death benefit on the policy. This option is typically used by people who are expected to live two years or less. A viatical settlement provides immediate cash, but it can be hard to get.

Using Annuities to Pay for Long-term Care

You may choose to enter into an annuity contract with an insurance company to help pay for long-term-care services. In exchange for a single payment or a series of payments, the insurance company will send you an annuity, which is a series of regular payments over a specified period of time. There are two types of annuities: immediate annuities and deferred long-term-care annuities.

‘The Unsolved Problem’

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Five Things to Know About Long-term-care Insurance

By ELLEN STARK for the AARP BULLETIN

By the time you reach 65, chances are about 50/50 that you’ll require paid long-term care (LTC) someday. If you pay out of pocket, you’ll spend $140,000 on average. Yet you probably haven’t planned for that financial risk. Only 7.2 million or so Americans have LTC insurance, which covers many of the costs of a nursing home, assisted living, or in-home care — expenses that aren’t covered by Medicare.

“Long-term care is the unsolved problem for so many people,” said Christine Benz, director of Personal Finance at Morningstar, an investment research firm in Chicago. Here’s what you need to know about long-term-care insurance today.

1. Traditional policies have fewer fans. For years, long-term-care insurance entailed paying an annual premium in return for financial assistance if you ever needed help with day-to-day activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating meals. Typical terms today include a daily benefit for nursing-home coverage, a waiting period of about three months before insurance kicks in, and a maximum of three years’ worth of coverage.

“This is a classic story of market failure. No one wants to buy insurance, and no one wants to sell it.”

But these stand-alone LTC policies have had a troubled history of premium spikes and insurer losses, thanks in part to faulty forecasts by insurers of the amount of care they’d be on the hook for. Sales have fallen sharply. While more than 100 insurers sold policies in the 1990s, now fewer than 15 do. “This is a classic story of market failure,” said Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, and the author of Caring for Our Parents. “No one wants to buy insurance, and no one wants to sell it.”

2. You might not need insurance  …  but you need a plan. Premiums for LTC policies average $2,700 a year, according to the industry research firm LifePlans. That puts the coverage out of reach for many Americans. (One bright spot for spouses: discounts for couples are common —  typically 30% off the price of policies bought separately.)

If your assets are few, you may eventually be able to cover LTC costs via Medicaid, available only if you’re impoverished; if you have lots of money saved, you likely can pay for future care out of pocket. But weigh factors other than cash: do you have home equity you could tap? Nearby children who can be counted on to pitch in? Or do you have a family history of dementia that puts you at higher risk of needing care?

3. There’s a new insurance in town. As traditional LTC insurance sputters, another policy is taking off: whole life insurance that you can draw from for long-term care. Unlike the older variety of LTC insurance, these ‘hybrid’ policies will return money to your heirs even if you don’t end up needing long-term care. You don’t run traditional policies’ risk of a rate hike because you lock in your premium up front. If you’re older or have health problems, you may be more likely to qualify.

4. But old-school policies are cheaper. If all you want is cost-effective coverage — even if that means nothing back if you never need help — traditional LTC insurance has the edge. “Hybrid policies are usually two to three times more expensive than traditional insurance for the same long-term care benefits,” said Scott Olson, an insurance agent and co-owner of LTCShop.com in Camano Island, Wash. With hybrids, you’re paying extra just for the guarantee of getting money back.

A hybrid policy may make the most sense if your alternative is to use your savings, or if you have another whole-life policy with a large cash value.

5. Speed and smart shopping pay off. If you want insurance, start looking in your 50s or early 60s, before premiums rise sharply or worsening health rules out robust coverage. “Every year you delay, it will be more expensive,” Olson said. Initial premiums at age 65, for example, are 8% to 10% higher than those for new customers who are 64.

As for where to shop, seek out an independent agent who sells policies from multiple companies rather than a single insurer. For extra expertise and a wider choice of policies, Olson suggests looking for agents able to sell what are known as long-term-care partnership policies — part of a national program that has continuing-education requirements for insurance professionals.

Ellen Stark, a former deputy editor of Money, has written about personal finance for more than 20 years.

Be Prepared

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Consider These Important Estate-planning Documents

By KEN COUGHLIN

Making sure you have the right estate-planning documents is one of the simplest ways to have a positive impact on your family’s future. Proper planning ensures that your wishes will be followed and that your family will have less to worry about after you are gone.

Estate planning does not need to be difficult; a few documents can make a big difference. Here are the five legal documents, in order of priority, that everyone should have in place:

1. Durable Power of Attorney. This appoints one or more people to act for you on financial and legal matters in the event of your incapacity. Without it, if you become disabled or even unable to manage your affairs for a period of time, your finances could become disordered and your bills not paid, and this would create a greater burden on your family. They might have to go to court to seek the appointment of a conservator, which takes time and money, all of which can be avoided through a simple document.

“Estate planning does not need to be difficult; a few documents can make a big difference.”

2. Healthcare Proxy and Medical Directive. Similar to a durable power of attorney, a healthcare proxy appoints an agent to make healthcare decisions for you when you can’t do so for yourself, whether permanently or temporarily. Again, without this document in place, your family members might be forced to go to court to be appointed guardian. Include a medical directive to guide your agent in making decisions that best match your wishes.

3. HIPAA Release. While the healthcare proxy authorizes your agent to act for you on health care matters, you may appoint only one person at a time. It may be important for all of your family members to be able to communicate with healthcare providers. A broad HIPAA release — named for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 — will permit medical personnel to share information with anyone and everyone you name, not limiting this function to your healthcare agent.

4. Will. Your will says who will get your property after your death. However, it’s increasingly irrelevant for this purpose, as most property passes outside of probate through joint ownership, beneficiary designations, and trusts. Yet, your will is still important for two other reasons. First, if you have minor children, it permits you to name their guardians in the event you are not there to continue your parental role. Second, it allows you to pick your personal representative (also called an executor or executrix) to take care of everything having to do with your estate, including distributing your possessions, paying your final bills, filing your final tax return, and closing out your accounts. It’s best that you choose who serves in this role.

5. Revocable Trust. A revocable trust is icing on the cake and becomes more important the older you get. It permits the person or people you name to manage your financial affairs for you as well as avoid probate. You can name one or more people to serve as co-trustee with you so that you can work together on your finances. This allows them to seamlessly take over in the event of your incapacity. Revocable trusts are not as simple as the prior four documents because there are many options for how they can be structured and what happens with your property after your death. Drafting a trust is more complicated, but also more nuanced, giving you more say about what happens to your assets.

Unless your situation is complicated, these documents are straightforward, and the process to create them is not difficult. By drafting an estate plan, you can save your family a great deal of strife, difficulty, and cost at an already-tough time.

Ken Coughlin is editorial director of ElderLawAnswers.

Senior Resources

By
Senior Planning

These regional and statewide nonprofits can help families make decisions and access resources related to elder-care planning.

AARP Massachusetts
1 Beacon St., #2301, Boston, MA 02108
(866) 448-3621
states.aarp.org/region/massachusetts
Administrator: Mike Festa
Services: AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social-welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million that advocates for the issues that matter to families, such as healthcare, employment and income security, and protection from financial abuse

The Conversation Project and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
53 State St., 19th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 301-4800
www.theconversationproject.org
Administrator: Kate DeBartolo
Services: The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care; its team includes five seasoned law, journalism, and media professionals who are working pro bono alongside professional staff from the Instititute for Healthcare Improvement

Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc.
877 South St., Suite 4E, Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499-0524
www.esbci.org
Administrator: Christopher McLaughlin
Services: Identifies and addresses priority needs of Berkshire County seniors; services include information and referral, care management, respite care, homemaker and home health assistance, healthy-aging programs, and MassHealth nursing home pre-screening; agency also offers housing options, adult family care, group adult foster care, long-term-care ombudsman, and money management, and oversees the Senior Community Service Aide Employment Program

Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.
66 Industry Ave., Suite 9
Springfield, MA 01104
(413) 781-8800
www.gsssi.org
Administrator: Jill Keough
Services: Private, nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining quality of life for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities, through programs and services that foster independence, dignity, safety, and peace of mind; services include case management, home care, home-delivered meals, senior community dining, money management, congregate housing, and adult day care

Highland Valley Elder Services
320 Riverside Dr., Florence, MA 01062
(413) 586-2000
www.highlandvalley.org
Administrator: Allan Ouimet
Services: Services include care management, information/referral services, family caregiver program, personal emergency-response service, protective services, home-health services, chore services, nursing-home ombudsman services, adult day programs, elder-care advice, bill-payer services, options counseling, respite services, representative payee services, local dining centers, personal-care and homemaker services, and home-delivered meals

LifePath
101 Munson St., Suite 201
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 773-5555
www.lifepathma.org
Administrator: Barbara Bodzin
Services: LifePath, formerly Franklin County Home Care Corp., an area agency on aging, is a private, nonprofit corporation that develops, provides, and coordinates a range of services to support the independent living of elders and people with disabilities with a goal of independence; it also supports caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren

Massachusetts Assoc. of Older Americans
19 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-0804
www.maoamass.org
Administrator: Chet Jakubiak
Services: Aims to improve the economic security of older Massachusetts residents through research and advocacy on policies that may reduce risk and hardship; fights against the dual stigma of being old and mentally ill, to preserve Medicare and Social Security, to ensure access to community-based long-term care, and to obtain mental healthcare for elders suffering from depression and other brain disorders; organizes regular conferences on important issues throughout the state and collaborates with councils on aging to hold training sessions for senior advocates

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
1 Ashburton Place, Unit 517
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7750
www.mass.gov/elders
Administrator: Elizabeth Chen
Services: Connects seniors and families with a range of services, including senior centers, councils on aging, nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels, exercise, health coaching, and more; supports older adults who may be somewhat frail through programs in nursing homes, such as the ombudsman program, volunteers who visit residents, and quality-improvement initiatives in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities; caregiver programs offer support to people with mild Alzheimer’s disease or those caring for someone with more advanced Alzheimer’s

Massachusetts Senior Legal Helpline
99 Chauncy St., Unit 400, Boston, MA 02111
(800) 342-5297
www.vlpnet.org
Administrator: Joanna Allison
Services: The Helpline is a project of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Boston that provides free legal information and referral services to Massachusetts residents age 60 and older; the Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon

MassOptions
(844) 422-6277
www.massoptions.org
Administrator: Marylou Sudders
Services: A service of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassOptions connects elders, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers with agencies and organizations that can best meet their needs; staff can also assist with determining eligibility for and applying to MassHealth

VA Central and Western Massachusetts Healthcare System
421 North Main St., Leeds, MA 01053
(413) 584-4040
www.centralwesternmass.va.gov.
Administrator: Andrew McMahon (interim)
Services: Provides primary, specialty, and mental-health care, including psychiatric, substance-abuse, and PTSD services, to a veteran population in Central and Western Massachusetts of more than 120,000 men and women

WestMass ElderCare Inc.
4 Valley Mill Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 538-9020
www.wmeldercare.org
Administrator: Roseann Martoccia
Services: Provides an array of in-home and community services to support independent living; interdisciplinary team approach to person-centered care; information, referrals, and options counseling as well as volunteer opportunities available; primary service area includes Holyoke, Chicopee, Granby, South Hadley, Belchertown, Ludlow, and Ware, as well as other surrounding communities

Making the Change

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Five Steps to Take When Your Parents Need Assisted Living

By MERRITT WHITLEY

Many families look to assisted-living facilities to provide essential care and peace of mind when it comes to their aging parents. Finding the best senior-living community means matching your parents’ needs, lifestyle, and budget with communities in their desired area. The process is easiest and most successful when you ask the right questions, prepare, and have open conversations with your family.

If you’ve noticed signs your parents need help, it may be time to look for assisted-living options. Follow these six steps to find the right senior-living facility for your parents.

Determine Cost and Payment Options

Decide what your family can afford on a monthly basis, and look for assisted-living communities that fit your budget. Some people have savings or long-term-care insurance to help fund senior living, while tthers need to be creative. You may consider options such as Social Security, VA benefits, cashing out a life-insurance policy, selling a home, or reverse mortgage to help pay for care.

Have a Conversation with Your Aging Parents

You can do much of the legwork for your parents, but have regular discussions with them about their desires and preferences. When you have a list of options ready, talk to them about communities you think are a good fit and why you like them. The more your parents know and are involved, the smoother their transition to senior living will be.

Visit or Virtually Tour a Community

No amount of time spent viewing brochures, floor plans, photos, or reviews can substitute for an in-person visit to or virtual tour of an assisted-living community. Visit at least three communities for comparison. Schedule visits for you and your parent, and try to tour during mealtimes. This allows you to interact with staff and residents, and sample the food. Overall, you’ll get a good feel for the environment and culture of the community.

Consult a Variety of Sources

You can always bounce ideas off of a senior-living advisor during the decision-making process. When making a decision, talk to those in the know to learn as much as you can. Read reviews of senior communities on senioradvisor.com to help you make an informed and confident decision. Check the background of an assisted-living community you’re considering with the state licensing agency tasked with monitoring facilities.

Prepare for the Transition

Do not delay the move — it’s risky to procrastinate, especially when a parent needs care. Delays can lead to avoidable accidents and medical problems. When preparing for a move, it’s important to:

• Consolidate possessions. Is your loved one downsizing? Can you help them sell or donate any items?

• Plan and coordinate the move. Are you hiring a company or helping on your own? Set up a schedule and plan to ensure the move goes smoothly to alleviate stress.

• Gather and manage legal documents. Locate medical documents, tax returns, or any important information your parents may need. Make sure they’re in a safe place so they don’t get lost or misplaced during the move.

Bottom Line

Whether your parents are choosing the community themselves, or you’re helping decide for a parent, the above steps should help ensure everyone in your family feels good about the assisted-living facility selection. When possible, have conversations with your parents, discuss the pros and cons of each option, and try to come to a consensus together.

Merritt Whitely is an editor at A Place for Mom.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets

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

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

East Coast Builders Group, LLC v. Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Inc. d/b/a Pecoy Cos. and Sturbridge Development, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract: $27,500
Filed: 7/20/20

East Coast Builders Group, LLC v. Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Inc. d/b/a Pecoy Cos. and Sturbridge Development, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract: $24,349
Filed: 7/21/20

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Francesca Torsiello, Cassandra Torsiello, and Kimberly Torsiello v. Trustees of Hampshire College, Five College Consortium Inc., Kevin Fournier, Raymond Labarre, Dianna Williams, Eva Rueschmann, and Byron McCrae
Allegation: Breach of contract, breach of civil rights: 871,000
Filed: 5/4/20

Easthampton Precision Manufacturing Inc. v. Samson Manufacturing Co.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $68,300.20
Filed: 5/8/20

Susan Lee Hanley, personal representative of the estate of Triona Hanley v. Athena Health Care Associates Inc. d/b/a Highview of Northampton; Malcolm Dean; Gina Ianacone, RN; Jane/John Doe 1; Jane/John Doe 2; Lara D’Benedetto, LPN; Margaret Russo, MD; and Jane/John Doe 3
Allegation: Medical malpractice, wrongful death: $1,000,000
Filed: 6/5/20

Jane Doe and John Doe v. Smith College, et al
Allegation: Willful negligence; willful infliction of pain, suffering, and emotional distress; fraud, mistake, duress, and undue influence; breach of contract and warranty: $15,000,000
Filed: 6/10/20

Western Builders Inc. v. Russell Street Hospitality, LLC and Gator Pearson, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract: $416,983.35
Filed: 6/20/20

East Coast Builders Group, LLC v. Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Inc. d/b/a Pecoy Cos., et al
Allegation: Breach of contract, unjust enrichment: $50,548
Filed: 7/21/20

What Is Hospice Care?

By Contributor
Senior Planning

It’s Not About Giving Up, but About Quality of Life

From the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

There may come a time when efforts to cure or slow an illness are not working and may be more harmful than helpful. If that time comes, you should know there’s a type of palliative care — called hospice — that can help ensure your final months of life are as good and fulfilling as they can be for you and your loved ones.

Hospice is not about giving up. It’s about giving you comfort, control, dignity, and quality of life.

Insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid will generally provide coverage for hospice care if your doctors determine you likely have six months (a year in some cases) or less to live if your illness follows its normal course.

“Requesting hospice care is a personal decision, but it’s important to understand that, at a certain point, doing ‘everything possible’ may no longer be helping you. Sometimes the burdens of a treatment outweigh the benefits.”

So, how do you know when it’s time for hospice care? Requesting hospice care is a personal decision, but it’s important to understand that, at a certain point, doing ‘everything possible’ may no longer be helping you. Sometimes the burdens of a treatment outweigh the benefits. For instance, treatment might give you another month of life but make you feel too ill to enjoy that time. Palliative doctors can help you assess the advantages and disadvantages of specific treatments.

Unfortunately, most people don’t receive hospice care until the final weeks or even days of life, possibly missing out on months of quality time. This may be out of fear that choosing hospice means losing out on a chance for a cure. Sometimes doctors fear their patients will feel abandoned if they suggest hospice.

Hospice care can help you continue treatments that are maintaining or improving your quality of life. If your illness improves, you can leave hospice care at any time and return if and when you choose to.

The following are some signs that you may experience better quality of life with hospice care:

• You’ve made several trips to the emergency room, and your condition has been stabilized, but your illness continues to progress.

• You’ve been admitted to the hospital several times within the last year with the same symptoms.

• You wish to remain at home, rather than spend time in the hospital.

• You are no longer receiving treatments to cure your disease.

Hospice care can free you up to ensure a time of personal growth and that you get the most you can out of your time left, allowing you to reflect on your life; heal emotional wounds and reconnect with a loved one with whom you have been estranged; visit favorite places or those with special meaning, such as a school, house, or location with a beautiful view you’ve always loved; put your financial affairs in order; create a legacy, such as a journal, artwork, or a videotaped message; or simply be with the people you love and who love you.

There are other benefits of hospice care, too:

• Hospice care allows you to remain and receive medical care in your own home, if desired and possible.

• It prevents or reduces trips to the emergency room for aggressive care that you might not want. Although you still might go to the hospital for tests or treatments, hospice allows you and your loved ones to remain in control of your care.

• Members of the hospice team can clean, cook, or do other chores, giving your loved ones a chance to run errands, go out to dinner, take a walk, or nap.

• Hospice programs offer bereavement counseling for your loved ones, often for up to a year.

Hospice care may not be appropriate if you are seeking treatments intended to cure your illness. Whether receiving hospice or palliative care, you should make a plan to live well so that your wishes for care and living are known.

Dispelling Estate-planning Myths

By Contributor
Senior Planning

It’s Important to Act Based on Facts, Not What You Think You Know

By Gina M. Barry

In the realm of estate planning, the following myths are rampant. You may have heard them, or even believe them, yourself.

As it is not possible to make proper decisions with incorrect information, it is important to dispel these myths.

Myth 1: “If I need to go into a nursing home, Medicare will pay for my care.”

This myth may very well be perpetuated by the fact that ‘Medicare’ sounds very much like ‘Medicaid,’ which does pay benefits for nursing-home care for qualified applicants. Medicare Part A will pay for medically necessary inpatient care in a skilled-nursing facility, but only following a three-day hospital admission.

Gina M. Barry

Gina M. Barry

“The best estate-planning legal advice comes from a qualified estate-planning attorney, who will explain the options that best suit your unique situation and help you choose the best option for you based on correct information.”

In this case, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled-nursing care or rehabilitation services. The actual length of benefits could be much shorter than 100 days if those services are no longer required.

When Medicare benefits are available due to a qualifying hospital admission, Medicare pays 100% of the cost for the first 20 days, but only 80% of the cost for the next 80 days. Most Medicare recipients also have Medigap insurance, which will pay the balance not covered by Medicare. When Medicare benefits are exhausted, an alternative payment source is needed to pay for ongoing nursing-home care.

This alternative source could be long-term-care insurance benefits, private payment from income and assets, and/or Medicaid. For qualifying individuals, benefits from the Veterans Administration may also be available.

Myth 2: “I can give away assets and then obtain Medicaid benefits to pay for my nursing-home care.”

When faced with a nursing-home bill of approximately $13,000 per month, many people seek Medicaid benefits to pay for this care. In order to obtain Medicaid benefits, an asset limit must be met; therefore, assets valued above this amount must be reduced to the asset limit before benefits will be paid.

To reach this asset limit, most hope to give away excess assets, usually to their children. The Medicaid program imposes a penalty when any assets are given away within five years of the application for benefits, except in very specific circumstances. This penalty results in the applicant being unable to obtain Medicaid benefits for at least five years after such a gift is made.

There are planning options available at the time of a nursing-home admission, but in most cases, gifting will not be one of those options. Gifting options can exist if undertaken five years prior to nursing-home admission or earlier.

Myth 3: “I can give away $10,000 to as many people as I want each year, but if I give more, then I have to pay gift tax.”

This myth emanates from the federal gift-tax system. There is currently no gift tax in Massachusetts. In 2020, you may give up to $15,000 to as many people as you want without having to file a federal gift-tax return. The amount that can be gifted is stated incorrectly in the myth, as most people remain unaware of the ongoing increases in the allowable gift amount, which is known as the annual gift-tax exclusion. Also, in 2020, even if a gift-tax return must be filed because more than $15,000 is given to one person in one year, the giver of the gift will not pay any gift tax until they have gifted more than $11.58 million during their lifetime.

All gifts made that exceed the annual gift-tax exclusion will reduce the estate-tax exclusion available at the death of the giver of the gift. Thus, if you have $115,000, and you give all of it away in one year to one person, then you will need to file a federal gift-tax return. You will not owe any gift tax because the gift itself does not exceed the lifetime threshold, but when you die, the amount of assets you would have been allowed to pass without paying estate tax will be reduced by $100,000 (the amount of the gift that exceeded the annual exclusion amount).

Myth 4: “When I die, if I have a valid will, my estate does not have to go through probate.”

The assets in your probate estate are those that, when you pass away, are held in your name alone and do not have a designated beneficiary. Whether probate is needed is not based upon whether you have a will; rather, it is based upon how your assets are owned when you die. If you leave probate assets, then in order for your will to ‘speak,’ a probate estate must be opened. To avoid probate, you would need to have all assets held jointly or in a trust or with a designated beneficiary.

Although the above myths remain popular, they are not accurate. The best estate-planning legal advice comes from a qualified estate-planning attorney, who will explain the options that best suit your unique situation and help you choose the best option for you based on correct information.

Gina M. Barry is a partner with the regional law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. She is a member of the National Assoc. of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council, and the Western Massachusetts Elder Care Professionals Assoc. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate and asset protection planning, probate administration and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, and residential real estate; (413) 781-0560; [email protected]

Agenda

By
Agenda

‘Heroes in Healthcare’ Exhibit

Through Jan. 24: The Springfield Museums will present “Heroes in Healthcare: Celebrating Springfield’s Medical Community” at the Wood Museum of Springfield History from Aug. 3 through Jan. 24, 2021. As a complementary exhibit to Hall of Heroes, located on the first floor of the Wood Museum of Springfield History, “Heroes in Healthcare” pinpoints the deep appreciation we all feel for those who put themselves in harm’s way in order to help others. From the Civil War through present day, doctors and nurses, public-health employees, social workers, and philanthropists have contributed significantly to improving the health of this community with their skills, compassion, and vision. This exhibit examines that history in Springfield. As stewards of the Baystate Medical Center archives, including materials from its Training School for Nurses, museum staff were able to gather a rich history of healthcare in Springfield. The Visiting Nurses Assoc. archives are also held at the Wood Museum. Exhibit organizers delved into that collection to share remarkable stories of how visiting nurses traveled to the homes of people of all economic backgrounds to not only treat disease, but also to offer wellness training, childcare advice, and, often, a sympathetic ear. With the World Health Organization’s declaration of 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the museums dedicate a part of this exhibit to specifically celebrating the city’s nurses. The museums will also present a Wall of Healthcare Heroes to honor the courageous and dedicated work of area hospitals’ frontline responders. The Springfield Museums are also grateful for the assistance of Mercy Medical Center and the archives of the Sisters of Providence in documenting the history of their organization.

Knights Of Columbus Golf Tournament

Aug. 21: The Greenfield Knights of Columbus Council #133 will host its seventh annual charity golf tournament at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston. This year, the Greenfield Council #133 recognizes the United Arc as its tournament partner. The event will be an 18 hole, four-person scramble with tee advantages for senior golfers. The entry fee of $125 per person includes greens fees, carts, use of the practice range, and prizes for the winners. A $35 gift card will be given to all golfers, which can be used at any time for meals, merchandise, or golf-related items. Raffle tickets will be sold, with prizes including a three-day Cape Cod vacation, a sports package, golf certificates, a ‘mystery box’ provided by the United Arc, restaurant certificates, auto packages, and much more. A hole-in-one contest will offer a chance to win a new car or other significant prizes. In addition to the United Arc, the proceeds from the event will be used to fund a number of Council #133’s worthy causes in Greenfield and Franklin County, including the Pan Mass Challenge, Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Wheeling for Healing, Farren Hospital’s Gift of Light, the Greenfield Homeless Shelter, monthly community meals, high-school scholarships, honoring veterans on Memorial Day and having Wreaths Across America wreaths placed on graves at Christmas, several youth sports programs, and more. To sign up or for more information, call Lou Grader at (413) 774-2848, Dan Arsenault at (413) 774-5258, Bob Wanczyk at (413) 774-2465, Paul Doran at (413) 522-1800, or Joe Ruscio at (413) 768-9876.

Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series

Aug. 26, Sept. 30, Oct. 28: On July 29, Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal and Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement, kicked off a reimagined monthly Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series. The 2020 Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series, postponed from spring due to COVID-19, will now take place virtually over Zoom on the last Wednesdays of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The series is sponsored by HCC and Training and Workforce Options (TWO), a collaboration between HCC and Springfield Technical Community College. Each lunchtime event will feature two presenters leading discussions on different topics. On Aug. 26, “Empowering Women in the Workplace” will be presented by Denise Jordan, executive director, Springfield Housing Authority; and Julie Quink, managing partner, Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C. On Sept. 30, “Comfortable in Your Own Skin, Finding Your Voice” will feature Tanisha Arena, executive director, Arise for Social Justice; and Pam Victor, owner, Happier Valley Comedy. On Oct. 28, “Women Leaders in Non-Traditional Businesses” will be presented by Colleen Loveless, president and CEO, Revitalize Community Development Corp.; and Nicole Palange, vice president, V&F Auto. Each session costs $20 each, or $50 for the full series. Registration is required. Space for each luncheon is limited to 25. To register, visit hcc.edu/womens-leadership.

Real-estate Licensing Course

Sept. 9 to Oct. 15: The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class, sales-licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. Tuition is $400 and includes the book and materials. For an application, call the (413) 785-1328 or visit www.rapv.com. The Realtors Assoc. has taken all necessary COVID-19 sanitary precautions in accordance with CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines to ensure the safety of its students. Classes are limited to 18 students.

Gap-semester Course on Social-justice Issues

Sept. 21 to Dec. 21: Bay Path University has put together a unique course for recent high-school graduates looking to explore ways they can impact movements for social justice. The course, “Exploring Pathways to Social Justice,” will combine lectures, discussions, videos, readings, and virtual, experiential learning through the context of history, legal studies, and communications. In addition, the students will participate in presentations by professionals who have channeled their visions for a more just world into careers advocating for social justice and leading their communities. The three-credit course runs from Sept. 21 to Dec. 21 and is open to recent high-school graduates and college students, whether enrolled at Bay Path University; its online program, the American Women’s College; or any other institution, as well as students who are taking a gap semester while they evaluate their college options. Registration runs until Sept. 16. The class is a collaboration between several faculty members and will explore social-justice movements, trace the historical roots of the civil-rights struggle, investigate how race factors into the contemporary criminal justice system, and consider strategies for change. Students will be challenged to apply their passion for social justice while learning to express themselves and developing practical skills for academic and professional settings. Through the course material and ongoing opportunities for conversation, they will connect with other students and become part of an inspired, motivated network. “We created this class for students who may be using this time away from their schools to contemplate how and where to channel their voice and their passion for social justice, as they begin to think about their long-term goals, personally and professionally,” said Gwen Jordan, director of Bay Path’s Justice and Legal Studies department. She will be teaching sections on the criminal justice system, including a focus on the movement devoted to exonerating the wrongly convicted and reforming the system. Additional course information and a registration link are available at www.baypath.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/the-american-womens-college-online/academics/gap-semester-course.

Why Make a Will?

By Contributor
Senior Planning

It’s Helpful … Like Driving with Google Maps

By Liz Sillin

It is a product of the COVID-19 era, but we have found that many people are thinking about wills and other estate-planning issues this year. The truth is that people of all ages should be thinking about a will, and not just during a pandemic.

What is a will, and why would you want one?

A ‘last will and testament’ is a document that spells out who it is that you would like to receive certain assets of yours — your ‘probate assets’ — at your death. In it, you name a ‘personal representative’ (formerly known as an executor/executrix) who oversees the directives in your will.

If you have minor children, you name a guardian and conservator for them. A will is a formal document, signed in front of two disinterested witnesses and a notary who attest to your apparent soundness of mind and that you appear to be over the age of 18 and signing willingly.

It’s a little like having Google Maps for those you leave behind — it lays out where you want your assets to go and how to get there. You can say who you want to receive specific assets, be it your mother’s wedding ring or your house, and you can direct assets to family, friends, and charities in whatever proportions you wish.

“It’s a little like having Google Maps for those you leave behind — it lays out where you want your assets to go and how to get there.”

If you die without a will, state law takes over. The state has tried to determine what most people would want in the absence of a will, but it is not nuanced. For example, if you are married and all your children are from that marriage, state law presumes that you want all your probate assets to go to your spouse — no direct gifts to your children, no charitable gifts, no gifts to friends. By contrast, if you are married and have children from a prior marriage, then state law presumes that the first $100,000 of your probate assets should go to your surviving spouse, and the rest of the probate assets are split 50/50 between the spouse and the children of the prior marriage.

State law cannot know that you have a disabled child who needs a special-needs trust or a house that you really want your surviving spouse to have. State law also sets forth who has priority to serve as your personal representative if you don’t have a will.

We should pause to talk about ‘probate assets.’ These are assets that you own in your own name — not jointly with someone else and not owned in a trust — and assets as to which you have not made a beneficiary designation or a pay-on-death payee. You own a house in your own name — it’s a probate asset. You own a house jointly with your spouse — it transfers to the spouse by operation of law at your death and is not a probate asset. If you have a retirement asset, such as a 401(k) or an IRA, or a life-insurance policy on which you have filled out a form designating a beneficiary, the asset passes to that beneficiary at your death and is not a probate asset.

If you make a will and in it you say your life insurance proceeds go to Joe, but your life-insurance beneficiary designation form says they go to Jane, the proceeds go to Jane. It is important to understand that the will only deals with your probate assets.

Why is a will helpful?

• It is easier to sell real estate from your probate estate if you have a will.

• You may not want your assets to go the way that state law directs. In Google Maps talk, state law provides directions to Boston, and you are thinking more about Alaska, with stops in Ohio and California along the way…

• You may not want the person state law prescribes as your ‘driver’ (the personal representative); perhaps you love your spouse dearly, but your sister is much more organized and would be much better at following directions.

• You want to name your neighbors to serve as guardians for your children if your spouse is unable to do so, because it is important that they stay in the neighborhood and stay in their current schools through high school.

• It provides certainty among those you leave behind that the map you have drawn is going to direct your heirs to where you want your assets to go, with the driver you have selected. It provides you, as well as your family, with certainty. And certainty, in this COVID-19 era, is a very nice thing.

Liz Sillin is an estate-planning specialist with the law firm Bulkley Richardson; (413) 272-6200.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
M. Susan Guyer

M. Susan Guyer

Springfield College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Martha Potvin announced that M. Susan Guyer has been named dean of the School of Physical Education, Performance and Sport Leadership. Guyer had been serving as interim dean since January 2020. Guyer has been a faculty member at Springfield College since receiving her doctor of physical education degree from Springfield College in 2003. Four the past four years, she has served as chair of the Springfield College Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training. In 2017, Guyer was named the Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics and focused on a year-long vision to foster collaborative relationships and leadership on campus between exercise, health, and other disciplines. Her vision brought together campus and community members across multiple disciplines to discover, share, and adopt the principles of the ‘exercise is medicine’ program, and assisted in helping change the culture of chronic-disease prevention and management. During Guyer’s time at the college, she has built strong community partnerships and has hosted multiple symposiums benefiting the health of the campus community members and surrounding community neighbors. She has annually collaborated with Baystate Rehabilitation Care to lead programs that highlight the importance of fitting exercise into a person’s daily routine. In addition, she also has worked with health experts from Baystate Medical Center, the New England Center for Functional Medicine, and the Springfield College Nutritional Sciences Program to host an annual Heart Health Symposium on campus. In October 2018, Guyer was honored by the Springfield City Council with a proclamation recognizing her commitment to creating collaborative health initiatives within the city of Springfield to improve the overall health of all citizens. She has also received numerous national accolades from her professional associations, including the National Athletic Training Assoc. Service Award, the National Athletic Training Assoc. Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, and the Gail Weldon Award of Excellence. These awards represent her continued contributions to service, professional development, mentoring, and leadership. Guyer earned her master’s degree in athletic training from Old Dominion University, and her bachelor’s degree in athletic training, with a dual minor in sports science/fitness and coaching, from Castleton State College.

•••••

Nicles Lefakis

Nicles Lefakis

Asnuntuck Community College Accounting Professor Nicles Lefakis recently retired after 41 years of teaching at ACC. Part of a two-person team in the early years, he and Esther Alaimo built an accounting program that boasted the highest percentage of students in the state’s community-college system. They also negotiated the first transfer agreements with four-year colleges that provided for all degree requirements to be transferred. Lefakis was also key to development of the first accounting course specifically aimed at assisting small-business owners with their bookkeeping needs, again a model for the state’s community colleges. Lefakis was a faculty leader at Asnuntuck, often elected by his peers to serve on committees related to personnel, curriculum and academic standards, and improving instruction. He was also selected by college management to serve on various committees related to accreditation, college management, and course transfer. Always interested in helping the community, Lefakis and Alaimo brought the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to Asnuntuck in the early 1980s and ran it for a number of years. Lefakis was key in helping long-time colleague Bill Searle recently get ACC to once again be the host for VITA in Enfield. On the state level, Lefakis was deeply involved with the state Center for Teaching since its inception. Selected to the staff of the prestigious Barnes Seminar in its second year, he was selected as a staff member more often than any other person in the state.

•••••

Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law Dean Sudha Setty announced the appointment of nationally renowned legal scholar and advocate Jennifer Taub to the School of Law faculty. An authority on the 2008 mortgage meltdown and related financial crisis, Taub’s research and writing centers on ‘follow the money’ matters, promoting transparency and opposing corruption. Her new book, Big Dirty Money: The Shocking Injustice and Unseen Cost of White Collar Crime, will be published on Sept. 29. Taub was a co-founder and organizer of the April 15, 2017 Tax March, where more than 120,000 people gathered in cities nationwide to demand President Trump release his tax returns. She will join the School of Law faculty in August, teaching white-collar crime, civil procedure, and other commercial and business law subjects. Taub’s 2014 book, Other People’s Houses: How Decades of Bailouts, Captive Regulators, and Toxic Bankers Made Home Mortgages a Thrilling Business, was praised by Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller in his 2015 edition of Irrational Exuberance and won a “must-read nonfiction” honor at the Massachusetts Book Awards. She is also a co-author of the sixth edition of Corporate and White Collar Crime: Cases and Materials. Taub’s scholarly writing on corporate governance, financial market regulation, and banking law reform has been published in law journals and peer-reviewed volumes, and she has testified several times before U.S. congressional committees as an expert, including as an invited witness for the Senate Banking Committee and a House Financial Services subcommittee. Taub has been the Bruce W. Nichols Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and a visiting professor at the University of Illinois College of Law and the University of Connecticut School of Law. She also served as a visiting fellow at the Yale School of Management. Before joining Western New England University School of Law, she was a professor at Vermont Law School. Prior to joining academia, Taub was an associate general counsel with Fidelity Investments. She received her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Yale University, with distinction in the English major, and her juris doctor, cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where she was the Recent Developments editor at the Harvard Women’s Law Journal. Taub has appeared on cable news programs including MSNBC’s Morning Joe and CNN Newsroom to discuss legal matters, including the special counsel investigation into links between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. She has written opinion pieces for a variety of platforms, including the Washington Post, the New York Times, the CNN opinion page, Dame Magazine, the Baseline Scenario, Race to the Bottom, Pareto Commons, the Conglomerate, and Concurring Opinions.

•••••

Rebecca Albro

Rebecca Albro

Florence Bank announced that Rebecca Albro was recently selected as a recipient of its President’s Award. The President’s Award was established by the bank in 1995, affording employees the annual opportunity to nominate their peers for this prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Albro, who was nominated by numerous colleagues, is a teller operations manager and customer-service representative in the main branch in Florence. She began work at Florence Bank in 2014. “For nearly six years, Becky has been a reliable asset to our organization,” Florence Bank President Kevin Day said. “Her ability to manage and encourage others is admirable. Becky is the consummate employee to receive the President’s Award.”

•••••

Michael Matty, president of St. Germain Investment Management, announced the appointment of Christopher Mainard to Operations specialist and Amanda Limero to Client Services and Operations associate. Mainard has a strong working knowledge of trading, client services, financial operations, and data analysis, with more than 20 years of experience in those fields. His career began in the compliance division of Hartford, Conn.-based Advest Inc. His experience there included responsibilities in retirement operations, subsequently becoming the Operations supervisor for the Investment Management department. His career continued to expand with experience gained from other investment-management firms in Boston. While at Taylor Investments, he was a Trading and Portfolio specialist. Limero, who will be working out of St. Germain’s d/b/a Gage-Wiley office in Northampton, has more than 18 years of banking experience and brings a wide range of skills in operations, administration, corporate communications and customer relationships. She spent the past 13 years at United Bank, with the last five of those years as a Payment Operations manager. She holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. She recently passed the Securities Industries Essential Exam, a new-for-2020 requirement pertinent to the securities industry.

•••••

Maggie Balch

Maggie Balch

Westfield State University appointed Maggie Balch dean of students. She will report to Vice President for Student Affairs Gloria Lopez, and will oversee student activities and leadership, student conduct, residential engagement, and the Career Center. An accomplished student-development professional, Balch has more than 20 years of experience in the field. She most recently served in a similar position for the past five years at Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to that, she held progressively advancing positions in student life at Brandeis University for 12 years, ranging from director of Residence Life to associate dean of Student Life. Balch earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pennsylvania State University and master’s degree in higher education administration: student affairs at the University of Connecticut. She later held positions in residence life at Washington University in St. Louis, Indiana University, and UMass Dartmouth.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

First American Insurance Acquires Morin & Foy

CHICOPEE — First American Insurance Agency, an independent insurance firm, announced it has acquired Morin & Foy, a property and casualty firm situated in Brimfield. Located on Route 20, Morin & Foy serves its surrounding communities by providing clients with personal and commercial insurance. The joining of the two companies allows for the growth of First American Insurance Agency’s portfolio and building the business client groups. First American Insurance Agency is acquiring only the Brimfield location. “When I first met Sharon and the team in Brimfield, it was clear from our very first conversation that First American Insurance Agency could build on what we both have in common: the client-first mentality,” said Corey Murphy, First American president. Added Sharon Morin, manager at Morin & Foy, “we are a dedicated team committed to serving our community and treating people with respect and kindness. I know that First American Insurance will continue to build and grow that culture.”

St. Germain Named to List of Top Registered Investment Advisers

SPRINGFIELD — For the fifth consecutive year, St. Germain Investment Management has been named to the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers (RIA). The 2020 list recognizes top independent RIA firms from across the U.S. This is the seventh annual FT 300 list, produced independently by the Financial Times in collaboration with Ignites Research, a subsidiary of the FT that provides business intelligence on the asset-management industry. RIA firms applied for consideration having met a minimum set of criteria. Applicants were then graded on six factors: assets under management (AUM), AUM growth rate, years in existence, advanced industry credentials of the firm’s advisers, online accessibility, and compliance records. There are no fees or other considerations required of RIAs that apply for the FT 300. The FT 300 is one in series of rankings of top advisers by the Financial Times, including the FT 400 (DC retirement-plan advisers) and the FT 400 (broker-dealers).

Gift From Bulkley Richardson Gives Parents Peace of Mind

SPRINGFIELD — During COVID-19, the world has turned upside down. For parents with babies at the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baystate Children’s Hospital, the pandemic brings especially tough choices. Due to the coronavirus, Baystate Health’s NICU allows just one parent to visit at a time. To ease the stress of separation, the NICU team keeps families connected through personal webcams attached to many of the bassinettes. Using a unique password, parents can log onto a secure website anytime, day or night, to visit their baby virtually. Recently, Bulkley Richardson generously donated $10,000 to support the purchase of additional cameras. Peter Barry, former managing partner at Bulkley Richardson, knows firsthand the difference these resources make for families. His grandchild was in the care of Baystate Children’s Hospital Neonatal Continuing Care Unit when he was born. “The skill and caring of the team were truly impressive,” Barry said. “These cameras will make a very difficult situation a bit easier for parents and grandparents. Bulkley Richardson is proud to provide philanthropic support for this level of life-saving expertise in our region.” The Davis Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is the only one of its kind in Western Mass., providing the highest level of care available for sick or premature newborns. NICU patients often have prolonged hospital stays of weeks or months.

UMass Amherst to Make Standardized Tests Optional

AMHERST — Beginning with the spring 2021 term, and continuing for each spring and fall term through spring 2023, UMass Amherst will make standardized tests optional for its first-year entering applicants. For the past several months, the university has monitored how possible, safe, and secure it will be for students to take the SAT or ACT. In recent weeks, said James Roche, vice provost for Enrollment Management, it has become obvious that the challenges to testing presented by the coronavirus pandemic will persist in the months ahead. Historically, UMass Amherst has used a holistic review to evaluate applicants. The quantitative assessment component of that review was done using a formula that combined the applicant’s high school GPA and the best combination of test scores. Roche said the university’s research shows that, of the separate components, the high-school GPA is a stronger predictor of student performance, persistence, and success; however, it is also known that the combination of the two components provides an even stronger predictor than either the GPA or test score alone. The university has analyzed three years of data and more than 100,000 applicant records to develop a formula for its test-optional assessment that uses the high-school GPA as the base. For applicants who either have or will submit test scores, UMass Amherst will compare the result of the formula with and without the test score included and give the applicant the highest value of the two. This test-optional approach applies to all majors. As it always has, UMass Amherst will continue to consider the rigor of students’ high-school coursework in its assessment, especially for courses that apply most directly to the applicant’s intended major.

STCC Launches New Water-distribution Course

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer an online course this fall to prepare students for careers in the drinking-water industry and to help those working in the field enhance their skills. The course, called “Concepts & Practices of Drinking Water Distribution,” is being offered through the Workforce Development Center at STCC in partnership with the Massachusetts Water Works Assoc. and the Springfield Water & Sewer Commission. The training, which runs from Sept. 14 to Dec. 4, is free for students enrolled in any community college in Massachusetts. Individuals not enrolled at a community college, as well as employees at water utilities, can register for the class for a fee. This is the second in a series of courses designed for careers in the water industry. Last fall, a water-treatment course was offered in a similar self-paced online format. Students who completed the training last fall touted the course’s effectiveness and flexibility. The water distribution course will include weekly videos, readings, discussion topics, and quizzes. The 12-week training will help prepare students to take the Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator Grade 2, 3 and 4 Distribution license exams. Licensure is necessary for beginning a career in the drinking-water industry. This course is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Certification of Drinking Water Operators. Material covered includes hydrology, source waters, basic math and chemistry, regulations, water sampling, hydraulics, distribution-system components (pipes, valves, pumps, tanks, meters), equipment operation and maintenance, safety, and administrative duties. Someone with a Massachusetts water operator distribution license can work in such positions as water construction and repair technician; construction foreman; equipment operation and maintenance specialist; water-quality technician; SCADA, GIS, or instrumentation specialist; or water-systems manager. Students who complete the water course can consider continuing their education in fields such as civil engineering, urban studies, software development, business administration, and more. To enroll online, visit stcc.edu/water. To enroll in person or for more information, call (413) 755-4225 or e-mail [email protected].

Wellfleet Launches ‘Back to Work’ Educational Series

SPRINGFIELD — Wellfleet has launched a “Back to Work” education series, offering virtual programs designed to give business leaders from all sectors advice, ideas, and best practices for returning to the office — and to a sense of normalcy. Wellfleet’s “Back to Work” series, a collection of live and on-demand webinars and online resources available at wellfleetinsurance.com/backtowork, kicked off this spring with a “Healthy Buildings” webinar featuring Dr. Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Allen shared valuable insights on how business leaders can improve workplace buildings to enhance productivity, engagement, and retention among employees, and offered a hierarchy of controls for a safe, multi-faceted approach to repopulating office spaces. Worried parents can get peace of mind from Sarah Brown Wessling, 2010 National Teacher of the Year, whose on-demand webinar offers perspective, strategy, and support to parents-turned-educators navigating long-term social distancing and the potential for continued remote learning this fall. Parents can also take advantage of Wellfleet’s Summer Education & Activity Pack, a resource rich with activities, tips, and tools for keeping kids educated and entertained over the summer. Insurance-industry-specific webinars round out the “Back to Work” series offerings, including a conversation on “Overcoming Challenges Facing Voluntary Benefits Engagement & Enrollment,” led by Erik Gray, Wellfleet Workplace’s head of Enrollment Experience. For a complete listing of events and to register, visit www.wellfleetinsurance.com/backtowork.

Common Capital Approved as Lender for Community Advantage Recovery Loans

BOSTON — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed a new, temporary loan product called Community Advantage Recovery Loans (CARL) for eligible lenders to provide technical and financial assistance to support small businesses located in underserved areas. The SBA issued a document in the Federal Register, providing specific requirements for Community Advantage Recovery Loans. In addition to getting funded, the underserved small businesses will also receive technical assistance to build financial resiliency against future business disruptions. Community Advantage Recovery Loans can be approved through Sept. 27 and must be fully disbursed no later than Oct. 1. The CARL Participant Guide is available on SBA’s website and outlines all other loan terms and conditions. “Common Capital appreciates the opportunity to participate in this new program, which will help us increase the flow of loan capital to underserved businesses in Western Massachusetts,” Common Capital President Raymond Lanza-Weil said. “Combined with our existing SBA loan programs, we look forward to expanding our assistance to businesses that have a concrete plan for adapting to the COVID-19 economy.”

New EV Charging Stations Available in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — Whalen Insurance, located at 71 King St. in Northampton, now has six new electric-vehicle (EV) chargers installed beneath and powered by its solar canopy. These charging stations are operational and available for public use, charge up to 7.2 kW of power at a cost of $2 per hour, and require no parking fees to access them. The EV chargers and 62.64 kW solar canopy were both installed by PV Squared, a local solar design and installation company based in Greenfield. The EV project was funded primarily by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, as a result of the Volkswagen diesel-emissions settlement. In 2015, Volkswagen admitted to secretly and intentionally installing software in vehicles to cheat state emissions tests, which raised the levels of smog-causing nitrogen oxides up to 40 times higher than permitted. Massachusetts received a partial settlement, and the money is being used to increase the amount of EV charging and infrastructure and promote more electric-vehicle usage throughout the Commonwealth. The goal is to increase air quality and reduce particulate pollution by creating a cleaner transportation sector. The EV charging station at Whalen Insurance is contributing to the larger environmental goals of the state, while also directly benefiting the local community. Peter Whalen and Janna Ugone own the EV chargers. In addition to the EV charging station, Whalen has invested in six solar projects, totaling 127.92 kW, on various properties in Northampton. On an annual basis, these solar arrays produce a combined 141,591 kWh of electricity, which is equivalent to 110 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This translates to an environmental offset of CO2 emissions from 11,265 gallons of gasoline consumed and 110,308 pounds of coal burned. Whalen also loves driving his electronic vehicle.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Kinase Health Inc., 23 Woodlot Road, Amherst, MA 01002. Byung Hoon Kim, same. Cancer related health monitoring service.

CHICOPEE

NCO Services Corp., 128 Wheatland Ave., Chicopee, MA 01020. Otavio J. Da Silva, same. Janitorial and cleaning services.

GREAT BARRINGTON

New Myths Inc., 188 East St., Unit A, Great Barrington, MA 01238. Patrick J. Toole, same. Actively engage and promote, through theatrical productions, education in the theater arts including film making.

GREENFIELD

Nolan Plumbing & HVAC Inc., 26 Clark St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Tyler Nolan, same. The installation of plumbing work and HVAC.

Shri Samar Corp., 49 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Suresh Chaudhari, same. Convenience store.

HOLYOKE

Philly Wings Express Inc., 50 Holyoke St., R113, Holyoke, MA 01040. Gui Da Pan, same. Food service.

Shepard Renovations Inc., 542 Rock Valley Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Michael Shepard, same. Home renovations, door and window installation, carpentry, trim work, and painting.

LEE

Longship Berkshire Corporation, 157 Columbia St., Lee, MA 01238. Mervyn H. Yan, same. Investment holdings.

Robin Schoen Public Relations Inc., 196 Main St., #3, Lee, MA 01238. Robin Shoen, same. Public relations.

Snap 247 Inc., 10 Pleasant St., Lee, MA 01238. Ashley M. Soules, 2776 Jacobs Ladder Road, Beckton, MA 01223. Retail exercise facility.

NORTHAMPTON

New England Institute for CPR Education Inc., 11-13 Maple Ave., Floor 3, Northampton, MA 01060. Ryan Flynn, same. Provide first aid education; train individuals in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Safe and Healthy Education Edu Inc, 247 Northampton St., Suite 1, Easthampton, MA 01027. Michelle D. Mulea, 573 Burts Pit Road, Florence, MA 01062. Safe and healthy training and education.

PALMER

Reflexology Inc., 1026 Central St., Palmer, MA 01069. Zhanhua Wu, same. Spa.

PITTSFIELD

Nantucket Rowing Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Ste 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Michael Springer, same. Increase awareness of rowing and grow lifetime participation in rowing with the Nantucket community.

SPRINGFIELD

Ramriv Inc., 263 Hancock St., Springfield, MA 01109. Jose Ramos, 56 Putnam Circle, Springfield, MA 01104. Auto detailing.

WARE

M. Mcguigan Inc., 17 Pulaski St., Ware, MA 01082. Michelle McGuigan, same. CPA services.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

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

BELCHERTOWN

BP’s Easy Living Corp.
40 Ware Road, #3
Brooke Packard

Joseph’s at Cold Spring
330 Chauncey Walker St.
Gail Craig

HADLEY

Ascent Western Massachusetts
104A Russell St.
Deborah Reed

Barn Out Back, LLC
30 Lawrence Plain Road
Gregory Dursza

Ducks vs. Dinosaurs
148 Russell St.
Tanner Wilson

Hair Shop
8 River Dr.
Ervine Laclaire

Mud Rail Farms Trapping
57 Roosevelt St.
Brandon Daniel

Shaolin Kung Fu Center of Hadley
37 Lawrence Plain Road
Jessica Grasmere

NORTHAMPTON

Alexis Design
142 Riverbank Road
Alexis Neubert

The Centered Coach
40 Landy Ave.
James Young

CS-MA, LLC
22 Hatfield St.
Robert Carroll

Dave Dersham Painting and More
16 Swan St.
David Dersham

Just Flow
73 Vernon St.
Melissa Redwin, Gabriel Immerman

Powers Lawncare and Snowplowing
579 Florence Road
Anna Powers, Myles Powers

Volvo Cars Pioneer Valley
48 Damon Road
Carla Zayac

Yoga Sanctuary
150 Main St.
Lindsay Pope

SOUTHWICK

Angelo’s Barber Shop
513 College Highway
Andrew Daley

Ballou Home Improvement
5 Grandview Ter.
Kenneth Audet

It’s Sew U.S.
21 Matthews Road
Lauri Scott-Smith

LBI Truck & Bus Repair
824R College Highway
Darrell Lecrenski

Southern Financial Group Inc.
208 College Highway
Keith Deyo

Trufit Health
5 Mallard Lane
Shane Dowd

WESTFIELD

Burke Transportation
678 North Road
A. Burke Enterprises, LLC

Community Church of Westfield
170 Elm St.
Advent Christian Church of Westfield

Dan Gordner, LLC
2 Darwin Dr.
Dan Gordner

EZ Mart
82 Franklin St.
82 Franklin Street Inc.

Kiefer Games
6 Lisa Lane
Matthew Kiefer

KS Solutions
12 Dubois St.
Kenneth Stomski Jr.

Metal Craft Manufacturing
275 North Elm St.
Peter Urbanek

North American Restore
40 Franklin St.
Harland Avezzie

Northside Creamery
519 Southampton Road
Mancino Farms Inc.

Park Square Dental, P.C.
60 Court St.
Sushma Reddy, Donthi Reddy

Precision Manufacturing
275 North Elm St.
Peter Urbanek

RJ John Roofing
1029 North Road, Suite 141
Ryan John

Tim’s Concrete Service
529 North Road
Tim Pchelka

Vast Energy Services
210 Munger Hill Road
Joseph Vaschak

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Acumen Data Systems Inc.
2223 Westfield St.
Edward Squires

Audi West Springfield
434 Memorial Ave.
Brent Hewitt

Balise Nissan of West Springfield
500 Riverdale St.
Tim Ingerson

Baron Auto Sales
195 River St.
Timothy Roberts

F45 Training Riverdale
1464 Riverdale St.
Daniel Deane

Fast Signs
91 Union St.
Stephen Lang

Fathers & Sons Volvo
989 Memorial Ave.
Brent Hewitt

Fathers & Sons VW
434 Memorial Ave.
Brent Hewitt

Paradise Lane Landscape & Maintenance
15 Circle Dr.
Jonathan Kulik

West Side Fitness
15 Mosher St.
Shan Maung

Winsome Lane Designs
235 Forest Glen
Erin Rogers

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Anderson, Lloyd George
a/k/a George Anderson
6B Mansion Woods
Agawam, MA 0100
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/13/2020

Benoit, Elizabeth Marie
104 Johnson Road, Unit 1207
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/12/2020

Berardi, Raymond Louis
143 Keddy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/08/2020

Busters Land Management LLC
B&D Land Clearing & Logging LLC
Northern Log Buyer LLC
Pelletier, Guy Alain
Pelletier, Louise Wanita
a/k/a Fountaine, Louise W.
311 River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075

Chevalier, Robert R.
Popek, Maria B.
51 Cubles Dr.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/01/2020

Conklin, George R.
PO Box 543
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/30/2020

Cookish, Ashley L.
152 Clearwater Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2020

Corey, Kristopher D.
28 Castle St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2020

Dellaguistina, Teresa L.
P.O. Box 92
Sandisfield, MA 01255
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2020

Galecki, Juliet
19 Ogden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/14/2020

Hakes, Natalie M.
a/k/a LaBonte, Natalie M.
45 Wesleyan St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/14/2020

Hinkley, Jeffrey Allen
6 Summit St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/06/2020

Jamgochian, Edward A.
a/k/a Jamgochian, Al
34 Wynnfield Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/08/2020

LaBombard, Anthony R.
158 Sykes St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/30/2020

Longtin, Stephanie M.
26 Amherst St., Unit 6B
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/14/2020

Medina, Reina I.
Moreno, Armido
21 Belle Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/02/2020

Molt, Kevin K.
1097 Worcester Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/010/2020

Montalban, Juan
85 Williams St., Apt. 107
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/01/2020

Olivieri, Wayne M.
310 New Ashford Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/09/2020

Ricketts, Jessica R.
323 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/13/2020

Rivera, Anderson
73 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/15/2020
Santos, Ana A.
185 Arcade St., Apt. 1
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/09/2020

Sibley, Robert William
207 Fairmont St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/08/2020

Speth, Adam N.
21 Newton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/15/2020

Stealth, Sean Brandon
a/k/a Richardson, Sean Brandon
Stealth, Pamela Sue
a/k/a Bassett, Pamela Sue
5 Dewey Way
Sheffield, MA 01257
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2020

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

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

 

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

1237 Baptist Corner Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Abigail L. Ferla
Seller: Krasnoselsky RET
Date: 07/20/20

BERNARDSTON

105 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kenney Deome
Seller: F. R. Foster Indenture Of Trust
Date: 07/22/20

BUCKLAND

37 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Colleen M. Bachman
Seller: Lynn Anderson
Date: 07/13/20

39 Franklin St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Riely Hogan
Seller: Donald P. Kahn
Date: 07/13/20

34 Sears St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Carly S. Vernon
Seller: Jonathan E. Kendrick
Date: 07/24/20

COLRAIN

7 New County Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $198,900
Buyer: Robin M. Greenough
Seller: Claire T. Denison
Date: 07/15/20

DEERFIELD

15 Beaver Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Maureen A. Warner
Seller: FNMA
Date: 07/17/20

82 Stillwater Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jinbyoung Nam
Seller: Jae W. Yun
Date: 07/24/20

80 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Rylan Baronas
Seller: Christine R. Baronas
Date: 07/22/20

82 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Edward L. Baronas
Seller: Christine R. Baronas
Date: 07/22/20

GILL

446 Main Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Paul Zilinski
Seller: Cathleen A. Benben
Date: 07/17/20

GREENFIELD

175 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Catherine W. Connolly
Seller: Beaudoin, Damase L. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 07/16/20

232 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Hannah M. Cardin
Seller: K&C Real LLC
Date: 07/17/20

101 Cottage St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $230,250
Buyer: Jason Rotkiewicz
Seller: Fusa Iwamoto
Date: 07/13/20

109 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $307,500
Buyer: Jesse M. Merriett
Seller: Brosky IRT
Date: 07/14/20

29 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Corey N. Kline
Seller: Vladimir Agapov
Date: 07/15/20

316 Log Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Eugene A. Rice
Seller: Thomas W. Wyman
Date: 07/20/20

46 Summer St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Joseph Shaida
Seller: Kathleen MacMunn
Date: 07/17/20

16 Woodbine St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Seth R. Ainsworth
Seller: Vickowski, Mark A., (Estate)
Date: 07/15/20

MONTAGUE

139 4th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Sean Duram
Seller: Richard G. Becker Jr. LT
Date: 07/14/20

12 Coolidge Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Hall
Seller: Paul C. Zilinski
Date: 07/15/20

282 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Christian D. Rountree
Seller: Thomas N. Tompkins
Date: 07/23/20

58-62 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Yuerong Chen
Seller: Qiu E. Liu
Date: 07/23/20

NORTHFIELD

80 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Patrick Ford
Seller: Douglas E. Farrick
Date: 07/20/20

1046 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: Paul Cameron
Seller: Nelson F. Lebo
Date: 07/17/20

40 North Lane
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Scott
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 07/24/20

852 Old Wendell Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Carol A. Shapiro
Seller: James M. Ladzinski
Date: 07/17/20

ORANGE

262 Oxbow Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Samuel P. Mercier
Seller: Michael W. Hamlett
Date: 07/21/20

25 School St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Aaron J. Sousa
Seller: John J. Cody
Date: 07/16/20

Tully Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Channel Z. Seismometry Inc.
Seller: Louise C. Dorian
Date: 07/15/20

SHELBURNE

80 Bardwells Ferry Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Margaret G. Payne
Seller: Kayel G. Deangelis
Date: 07/15/20

41 Mechanic St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Mary A. Dalton
Seller: Davenport, Sylvia W., (Estate)
Date: 07/17/20

397 Montague Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Alison M. McIntire
Seller: Andrea Fitzpatrick
Date: 07/22/20

711 Wendell Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Robert S. Clay
Seller: Julian F. Janowitz RET
Date: 07/23/20

SUNDERLAND

10 Bureks Cross Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: Scott W. Foster
Seller: Linda B. Caron
Date: 07/17/20

123 North Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Joseph W. Elias
Seller: Monika M. VanDalsen RET
Date: 07/24/20

190 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $129,500
Buyer: J2K Realty LLC
Seller: Joan M. Delano
Date: 07/17/20

152 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Raman Gudimella
Seller: Mike Chalam
Date: 07/21/20

WARWICK

63 Chestnut Hill Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Nathan D. Blehar
Seller: James M. West
Date: 07/22/20

WENDELL

61 Bullard Pasture Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Christopher G. Rice
Seller: Georgina A. Kish
Date: 07/20/20

WHATELY

129 Conway Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jaclyn J. Jones
Seller: David M. Dove
Date: 07/24/20

305 Haydenville Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Joel S. Monahan
Seller: Kyle J. Monahan
Date: 07/24/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

90 Bridge St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Anna Borisova
Seller: Scott Settembro
Date: 07/24/20

85 Broz Ter.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Dominik A. Dasilva
Seller: Albert B. Cawley
Date: 07/20/20

328 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Richard G. Davenport
Seller: Brandon J. Donovan
Date: 07/15/20

24 Frances St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Laurie A. McCaslin
Seller: Helen Pariza
Date: 07/13/20

57 Hendom Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Andrii Zhyhaniuk
Seller: Barna, David A., (Estate)
Date: 07/14/20

75 Highland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Katarzyna A. Swistak
Seller: Roy E. Tatro
Date: 07/14/20

48 Merrill Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Andrey Sholopa
Seller: Thomas J. Stanton
Date: 07/24/20

35 Mountainview St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Guiel
Seller: William C. Barker
Date: 07/22/20

75 Pheasant Run Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Joanne M. Brochetti
Seller: Richard G. Davenport
Date: 07/15/20

118 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: William J. Murray
Seller: Gilroy Prop Renewal Inc.
Date: 07/14/20

240 Valley Brook Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Kennedy
Seller: Francis X. Kennedy
Date: 07/17/20

BRIMFIELD

89 Cubles Dr.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Lisa Wong
Seller: Sean Keogh
Date: 07/17/20

28 Marsh Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Thomas W. Kane
Seller: Craig M. Healy
Date: 07/13/20

30 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: 49 Realty LLC
Seller: JMS Realty Corp.
Date: 07/13/20

138 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Marilyn M. Diorio
Seller: Kristen M. Tirado
Date: 07/13/20

CHESTER

16 Campbell Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $154,500
Buyer: Sarah E. Eddy
Seller: Mary Lafortune-Chase
Date: 07/14/20

CHICOPEE

143 Carriage Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Sang K. Choe
Seller: Darrell E. Jesberger
Date: 07/24/20

70 Chateaugay St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Edwin W. Juma
Seller: Emily C. Lobdell
Date: 07/17/20

14 Cobb Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Donna H. Goss
Seller: Ronald F. Roy
Date: 07/20/20

39 Dewey St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Loridan A. Mardukhayeva
Seller: Christopher Braese
Date: 07/17/20

76 Falmouth Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Christopher L. Reyes
Seller: Thomas J. Pappas
Date: 07/24/20

30 Henry Harris St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $220,500
Buyer: Shayla Perez
Seller: Jennifer L. Robb
Date: 07/14/20

33 Leclair Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $169,950
Buyer: Abigail K. Tait
Seller: Pensco TR Co.
Date: 07/23/20

126 Leo Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Patrick J. McAnulty
Seller: Germaine Lamothe
Date: 07/17/20

37 Moreau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Chad Beaudette
Seller: Vicki Garrity
Date: 07/13/20

49 Murphy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $279,250
Buyer: Anna L. Cody
Seller: Theodore Saletnik
Date: 07/13/20

68 Oakwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Mabell B. Teixeira
Seller: Protz, Gladys M., (Estate)
Date: 07/24/20

11 Ogden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Delmarina Lopez
Seller: Frieda K. Kaloroumakis
Date: 07/24/20

49 Pennsylvania Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Glenn E. Loiselle
Seller: John T. McGrath
Date: 07/22/20

117 Providence St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Sulaika Febles
Seller: Dorothy J. Bennis
Date: 07/22/20

50 Robbins Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Edward O’Connor
Seller: N. Riley Realty LLC
Date: 07/16/20

103 Saratoga Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Tania Davenport
Seller: Andrew Kochanek
Date: 07/17/20

67 Sunnyside St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Derek J. Langevin
Seller: Brals LLC
Date: 07/17/20

40 Taft Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Terrance J. Beusee
Seller: William E. Reid
Date: 07/24/20

8 Trafton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Amber D. Zych
Seller: Amani Group LLC
Date: 07/24/20

23 Trafton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $128,800
Buyer: Elizabeth Garcia
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 07/16/20

179 Waite Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Christie A. Scott
Seller: Brenden A. Boucher
Date: 07/23/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

119 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Charles D. Kuszinna
Seller: Joseph T. Ristau
Date: 07/13/20

62 Baymor Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jonathan A. Miorandi
Seller: Joan Storey
Date: 07/24/20

22 Bettswood Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Christopher R. Monette
Seller: Joshua J. Eldridge
Date: 07/17/20

169 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Joseph T. Ristau
Seller: Brendan Kavanagh
Date: 07/13/20

104 Franconia Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Connor
Seller: William E. Grohe
Date: 07/17/20

8 Kenneth Lunden Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Liza M. Nascembeni
Seller: Sandra A. Hubbard
Date: 07/15/20

210 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $517,500
Buyer: Jeffrey N. Carabetta
Seller: Danielle E. Damour
Date: 07/17/20

321 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Bridget Foy
Seller: Thomas E. Wolslegel
Date: 07/24/20

47 Senecal Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $459,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Wingler
Seller: Stephen K. Atwater
Date: 07/17/20

31 Shawmut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $168,150
Buyer: William J. Ward
Seller: Marino, Marilyn L., (Estate)
Date: 07/24/20

347 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Mayada H. Alhendawi
Seller: Brandy A. Hartz
Date: 07/22/20

16 Stonehill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Barton
Seller: Ming Zhao
Date: 07/21/20

77 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kendra L. Phillips
Seller: BGRS LLC
Date: 07/24/20

26 Woodlawn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Rachel Gibson
Seller: Patrick A. Gorham
Date: 07/16/20

HAMPDEN

32 Baldwin Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Gregory Dagostino
Seller: Choma, George W., (Estate)
Date: 07/24/20

HOLLAND

4 Big Tree Lane
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Jay Demartino
Seller: Ronald A. Walker
Date: 07/13/20

29 Kimball Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Positive Spin Real Estate
Seller: CNC Note Holdings LLC
Date: 07/24/20

5 Long Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Ronald M. Joseph
Seller: Andrew Shaw
Date: 07/23/20

8 Old Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Calabrian Properties LLC
Seller: Roche, Marlene J., (Estate)
Date: 07/23/20

96 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Ronald L. Zigler
Seller: Steven Kasper
Date: 07/17/20

HOLYOKE

126-128 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Albert E. Paone
Seller: Spear Sr., Maurice V., (Estate)
Date: 07/24/20

6 Cherry Hill
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Shaena A. Gubala
Date: 07/23/20

207 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: LC 2 Holyoke LLC
Seller: OneHolyoke Community Development Corp.
Date: 07/24/20

62 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Rachael Saunders
Seller: Alexis Brook-Fairlie
Date: 07/24/20

205 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $267,400
Buyer: James Mihalak
Seller: Nadia Muusse
Date: 07/24/20

64 Hillview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $234,900
Buyer: Manasvini Singh
Seller: G. S. Tubbs LT
Date: 07/22/20

357 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Nolan L. Fonda
Seller: James D. Fay
Date: 07/22/20

22 Moss Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Colleen M. Walsh-Barnes
Seller: David J. Fuette
Date: 07/17/20

270 Mountain Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Sattler
Seller: Ann P. Body
Date: 07/17/20

98 Pinehurst Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $276,400
Buyer: Ryan Copeland
Seller: Peter A. Magri
Date: 07/24/20

16-18 Ridgewood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Elizabeth P. Martins
Seller: Peccioli, Josephine, (Estate)
Date: 07/14/20

225 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $133,500
Buyer: Catherine L. Gobron
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 07/24/20

687 West Cherry St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jennifer A. Fairlie
Seller: Mark M. Simonich
Date: 07/24/20

LONGMEADOW

62 Birch Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Janell Sargent
Seller: Steven P. Marczak
Date: 07/13/20

132 Brookwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Yizheng Wei
Seller: Jean M. Achatz
Date: 07/15/20

Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Masha M. Sorkin
Seller: Matthew Katz
Date: 07/17/20

108 Colony Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Andrew Pieterse
Seller: Charles A. Zaremba
Date: 07/14/20

120 Crestview Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Schwarting
Seller: John Kole
Date: 07/21/20

104 Fenwood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Mark C. Henshaw
Seller: Michele Johnson
Date: 07/22/20

69 Longfellow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Kyle M. Pierce
Seller: Michael N. Sitaras
Date: 07/22/20

117 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Patrick Palafox
Seller: Mark C. Henshaw
Date: 07/22/20

40 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Cameron M. Green
Seller: Ferrero, John J., (Estate)
Date: 07/16/20

501 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Jeffrey W. Trace
Seller: Paul Gitsas
Date: 07/24/20

21 Memery Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,206,250
Buyer: Drew P. Sadowsky
Seller: Jodie B. Foster
Date: 07/15/20

55 Mill Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $348,500
Buyer: Hillary T. Dumond
Seller: Robert J. Kapner
Date: 07/17/20

59 Sunset Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Ryan C. McCarthy
Seller: John D. Warwick
Date: 07/22/20

79 Wenonah Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Glenn T. Shapiro
Seller: Patrick J. Sheehy
Date: 07/17/20

LUDLOW

764 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Fengming Li
Seller: Eric R. Otto
Date: 07/20/20

Cislak Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Michael Morais
Seller: Gois RT LLC
Date: 07/17/20

30 Clark St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Andrew N. Smith
Seller: Dominik A. Dasilva
Date: 07/20/20

56 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Joshua T. Docherty
Seller: Jacqueline A. Martin
Date: 07/14/20

657 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Michael H. Spera
Seller: Alexandre F. Mendes
Date: 07/24/20

55 Jerad Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Brenden A. Boucher
Seller: Janelle R. Zick
Date: 07/20/20

208 Munsing St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Louis P. Langlois
Seller: Larry D. Shimmell
Date: 07/21/20

266 Pine Cone Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $643,000
Buyer: Ann Hammon
Seller: Richard A. Henry
Date: 07/24/20

47 Pondview Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $162,359
Buyer: Samuel Shaw
Seller: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC
Date: 07/17/20

142 Pondview Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Sarah Byrnes
Seller: Borek, Edward T., (Estate)
Date: 07/24/20

Sunset Ridge #14
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: David M. Pise
Seller: Baystate Developers Inc.
Date: 07/22/20

110 Tower Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Kerry M. Cesan
Seller: Benjamin D. Davis
Date: 07/20/20

60 Vienna Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,500
Buyer: Adam J. Dube
Seller: Karen E. Closser
Date: 07/24/20

MONSON

10 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $342,500
Buyer: Stephen J. Bashaw
Seller: William Lamb
Date: 07/15/20

17 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Darnell Cortes
Seller: Cliste RT
Date: 07/22/20

197 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Jkel LLC
Seller: Monson Savings Bank
Date: 07/13/20

42 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Alexander Sao
Seller: Robert J. Maggi
Date: 07/15/20

PALMER

80 Beech St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Bruce E. Allen
Seller: Andrea Caporiccio
Date: 07/15/20

41 Forest St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Frederick J. Kotowski
Seller: Kari A. Gracie
Date: 07/13/20

24 Oakland St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Nikolas Diaz
Seller: Edward A. Schlesinger
Date: 07/15/20

4030-4032 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Amanda Schiltz
Seller: Alan M. Veale
Date: 07/17/20

41-43 Randall St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Fazal Badshah
Seller: Syed Hashmi
Date: 07/13/20

58 Randall St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $115,605
Buyer: Brad M. Dimiero
Seller: US Bank
Date: 07/16/20

9 Ridge Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $345,501
Buyer: Reynaldo Pedraza
Seller: James M. Hurley
Date: 07/14/20

80 Water St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Dawn Robare
Seller: Sarah J. Kazan
Date: 07/14/20

RUSSELL

75 Highland Ave.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Timothy P. Lafreniere
Seller: Leo S. Hicks
Date: 07/15/20

SPRINGFIELD

174 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $283,500
Buyer: Hien Q. Nguyen
Seller: Gentile Real Estate LLC
Date: 07/13/20

1146 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $181,711
Buyer: Connor Curtis
Seller: Michelle E. Hayes
Date: 07/13/20

390-392 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Amark 2 RT
Seller: Rosemary Moriarty
Date: 07/16/20

106 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Samantha Otero
Seller: Zakhariy Tsikhotskiy
Date: 07/16/20

128 Barrington Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $427,000
Buyer: Kimberly McCarthy
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 07/21/20

195 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Sabiha B. Ansari
Seller: Dennis C. Anghilante
Date: 07/24/20

25 Bruce St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Lakisha K. Cruz
Seller: Daniel Morais
Date: 07/24/20

78 California Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Timothy Noonan
Seller: Jennifer L. McCarthy
Date: 07/17/20

1006 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Deshaunna Henderson
Seller: Sallyanne Heneghan
Date: 07/23/20

66 Chauncey Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Carl E. Allen
Seller: Steven M. Kobierski
Date: 07/24/20

89 Cliftwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Cliftwood Realty LLC
Seller: Underpass Holdings LLC
Date: 07/14/20

Covel St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: John E. Petrone RET
Seller: John R. Lapierre
Date: 07/13/20

139 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Hector Arzuaga-Santiago
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 07/24/20

20 Dutton St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Walberto Rios
Seller: Samuel Trahan
Date: 07/17/20

1107-1111 East Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Patriot Living Properties LLC
Seller: Peter Buoniconti
Date: 07/15/20

29 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $185,500
Buyer: Mary Williams
Seller: Gelson D. Laguerre
Date: 07/22/20

51 Eleanor Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Hector I. Miranda
Seller: Brital1987 LLC
Date: 07/23/20

30 Farnsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Emily M. Cruz-Dejesus
Seller: Raymond Ricardi
Date: 07/17/20

34 Front St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $4,000,000
Buyer: Honore LLC
Seller: C. B. Property Management Inc.
Date: 07/13/20

253 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Melanie S. Avdoulos
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 07/20/20

121 Harrow Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Marybeth V. Tabb
Seller: John R. O’Donnell
Date: 07/17/20

Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Edwin M. Sanchez
Seller: Bernice Foster
Date: 07/22/20

70 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Alexandria N. Armstrong
Seller: Kevin J. Connor
Date: 07/17/20

35 Mayfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: CIG 4 LLC
Seller: Ismael C. Torres
Date: 07/15/20

116 Lang St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Alyxa M. Leon
Seller: Jane Milanczuk
Date: 07/22/20

175 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Lachenauer LLC
Seller: Marcin Wodecki
Date: 07/22/20

65 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 07/21/20

66 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 07/21/20

75 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 07/21/20

76 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 07/21/20

79 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 07/21/20

34 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Elba I. Ramos-Arce
Seller: Shu Cheng
Date: 07/24/20

68 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Juan C. Suarez-Colon
Seller: Luz M. Gonzalez
Date: 07/15/20

155 Middle St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Russell T. Paulding
Seller: June Associates LLC
Date: 07/23/20

56-58 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Chaz A. Nieves
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 07/21/20

57 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Victor Encarnacion
Seller: Sonia Cotto
Date: 07/22/20

30 Nagle St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Mary J. Soto
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 07/20/20

134 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Samantha J. Dion
Seller: Bridget A. Foy
Date: 07/24/20

103 North Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: John Stevenson
Seller: Bruce L. Tetrault
Date: 07/13/20

172 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Peter Lemelin
Seller: Joshua C. Lachapelle
Date: 07/13/20

221 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Lisa M. Merriweather
Seller: Evelyn Machuca
Date: 07/14/20

251 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Igael Rodriguez
Seller: Quazi R. Islam
Date: 07/23/20

21-23 Oakwood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Nexius LLC
Seller: Veronica Addison
Date: 07/17/20

127 Old Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: John T. Olszewski
Date: 07/24/20

101 Orchard St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Marielis Robledo-Torres
Seller: Greater Sprfield Habitat
Date: 07/17/20

32-34 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Brital 1987 LLC
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 07/13/20

34 Parkwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Shakira Howard-Ferguson
Seller: Karyn L. Bienia
Date: 07/17/20

70-72 Pinevale St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Raymond R. Descoteaux
Seller: Enio Kasmi
Date: 07/15/20

1321 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Asia M. Stewart
Seller: Timothy J. Mickiewicz
Date: 07/24/20

112-114 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $783,000
Buyer: Henry Komosa
Seller: Thomas K. Reen
Date: 07/22/20

118-120 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $783,000
Buyer: Henry Komosa
Seller: Thomas K. Reen
Date: 07/22/20

122-124 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $783,000
Buyer: Henry Komosa
Seller: Thomas K. Reen
Date: 07/22/20

128-130 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $783,000
Buyer: Henry Komosa
Seller: Thomas K. Reen
Date: 07/22/20

14 Rencelau St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Edwin L. Tarraza
Seller: Scott Demoe
Date: 07/13/20

68 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Anamarie Marrero
Seller: Anthony Bourget
Date: 07/22/20

78 Shady Brook Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jessenia Velez
Seller: Andrew Smith
Date: 07/20/20

127 Shady Brook Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Raymond K. Seaver
Seller: Douglas A. Mackie
Date: 07/17/20

64 Shady Brook Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Audrey St.John
Seller: William T. Raleigh
Date: 07/15/20

30 Skyridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Charles J. Saufler
Seller: Brian Webber
Date: 07/21/20

22 Stephanie Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Angela Harris
Seller: Chrissy Metras
Date: 07/24/20

29 Stephanie Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Jordan W. Paull
Seller: Laurie A. Trasatti
Date: 07/24/20

Surrey Road (SS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: John T. Olszewski
Date: 07/24/20

42-44 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Emilio Rivera
Seller: Eda Ema LLC
Date: 07/23/20

125 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $188,505
Buyer: Heather P. Burakiewicz
Seller: Jeffrey A. Shaw
Date: 07/13/20

31 Tumbleweed Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Kendrick Santos
Seller: Mary J. Soto
Date: 07/17/20

93 Villa Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Maurice J. Brown
Seller: A&D Property Group LLC
Date: 07/23/20

83-85 Wait St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Miguel Zapata
Seller: Robert Sullivan
Date: 07/23/20

250 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Cathlene P. Sares
Seller: Joel M. Marrero
Date: 07/15/20

188 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Z. I. Sanabria-Rodriguez
Seller: Bento Fernandes
Date: 07/17/20

64 White Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $201,500
Buyer: Sara P. Beach
Seller: Kathleen E. Powers
Date: 07/17/20

194 Wildwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Samantha Panniello
Seller: Kenyon, Mark A., (Estate)
Date: 07/17/20

8-10 Woodmont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jesus M. Franco
Seller: Abdul-Ghani Mourad
Date: 07/15/20

122-124 Woodmont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Diana Gonzalez
Seller: Sharlene J. Howard
Date: 07/17/20

SOUTHWICK

52 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Patrick L. Hope
Seller: Catherine Vadnais
Date: 07/24/20

119 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jordan T. Dewey
Seller: Michael Massai
Date: 07/21/20

45 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Adam Seaman
Seller: Richard F. Amellin
Date: 07/21/20

1 Mockingbird Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Byron Wendling
Seller: Robert S. Sullivan
Date: 07/24/20

7 Mockingbird Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $408,000
Buyer: Brian R. Webber
Seller: Kurt G. Langheld
Date: 07/21/20

38 Mort Vining Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $126,750
Buyer: RM Blerman LLC
Seller: Janet L. Mashia
Date: 07/17/20

18 Patriots Way
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $459,000
Buyer: Kristina M. Fraser
Seller: Lawrence A. Nowak
Date: 07/15/20

76 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Brandon J. Donovan
Seller: Kristina M. Fraser
Date: 07/15/20

WALES

5 Heck Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $125,500
Buyer: Sean M. Greene
Seller: Lianne M. Foster
Date: 07/23/20

105 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Shalom Villanueva
Seller: Ryan K. Kress
Date: 07/22/20

161 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ryan Kress
Seller: Andre R. Gingras
Date: 07/22/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

111 Beacon Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $278,500
Buyer: Merita Ademi
Seller: Genevieve M. Broderick
Date: 07/23/20

21 Boulevard Place
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Flint
Seller: Sherry A. Girard
Date: 07/14/20

355 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Lucindy A. Amell
Seller: Eric R. Fenton
Date: 07/17/20

175 East Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $375,500
Buyer: Patrick Felton
Seller: Nicholas L. Marsh
Date: 07/20/20

79 Ely Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $217,700
Buyer: Emma L. Harness
Seller: Kristopher M. Forrette
Date: 07/24/20

60 Forest Glenn
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Sankung Sanyang
Seller: Gregg M. Kaye
Date: 07/17/20

109 Green Meadow Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Eric S. Pouliot
Seller: Sharon S. Pouliot
Date: 07/17/20

70 Grove St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Dwight Northrup
Seller: Sharon I. Driscoll
Date: 07/24/20

738 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $309,200
Buyer: Parish Cupboard Inc.
Seller: 738 Main Street LLC
Date: 07/13/20

146 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Christine M. Caney
Seller: Christine M. Caney
Date: 07/22/20

47 Spring St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Erik Tancrati
Seller: Lake Rentals LLC
Date: 07/24/20

77 Tatham Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Michael J. Keesee
Seller: David J. Akey
Date: 07/20/20

148 Van Horn St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Kelly J. Fay
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 07/13/20

70 Verdugo St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Miriam Rubio
Seller: Mary L. Cross
Date: 07/23/20

WESTFIELD

10 Belmont St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Chap & Lane LLC
Seller: Lake Rentals LLC
Date: 07/22/20

79 Cardinal Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Thomas Scott-Smith
Seller: Gary S. Manley
Date: 07/17/20

20 Deborah Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Nataliya Bateyko
Seller: Burnickas, Thomas F., (Estate)
Date: 07/13/20

59 East Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Bujar Mallopolci
Seller: Gregory P. Strattner
Date: 07/17/20

45 Furrowtown Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Melissa E. Bodanza
Seller: G&F Custom Built Home Inc.
Date: 07/15/20

701 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Cynthia Wenzel
Seller: Carl R. Bean
Date: 07/24/20

46 Kittredge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Geoffrey Parenteau
Seller: Eric S. Pouliot
Date: 07/17/20

105 Long Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: Krzysztof D. Jandzis
Seller: David Garstka Builders LLC
Date: 07/17/20

152 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Heniek Wykowski
Seller: Joseph E. Cabana
Date: 07/23/20

3 Morgan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: JS Sampson Development
Seller: Northwest Realty LLC
Date: 07/23/20

87 Pequot Point Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Dube
Seller: Ernesto Nolasco
Date: 07/16/20

71 Putnam Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Eric S. Kusnick
Seller: Melissa A. Ancelli
Date: 07/24/20

144 Susan Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Nicole K. Puza
Seller: Seth R. Brosnan
Date: 07/17/20

113 Tannery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Emily C. Pierce
Seller: Michael E. Fregeau
Date: 07/17/20

944 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Kent
Seller: Kyle M. Pierce
Date: 07/22/20

60 White St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David J. Hearn
Seller: Michael J. Hearn
Date: 07/24/20

WILBRAHAM

2 Apple Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Christopher McCarthy
Seller: Patricia A. Vigneault
Date: 07/17/20

8 Decorie Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Matt Schafer
Seller: Joseph P. Saimeri
Date: 07/21/20

13 Joan St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Zach V. Limoges
Seller: Sean E. Casella
Date: 07/13/20

233 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Custom Homes Development Group LLC
Seller: Hayden B. Tibbetts
Date: 07/17/20

579 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Michael J. Barcome
Seller: Geoffrey F. Steil
Date: 07/13/20

4 Mark Twain Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $407,000
Buyer: Nicholas S. Munn
Seller: Lauren J. Czaplicki
Date: 07/16/20

20 Pearl Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $322,500
Buyer: Jason R. Jennings
Seller: William C. Lynch
Date: 07/24/20

4 Sunnyside Ter.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Duc H. Huynh
Seller: Derek P. Dalessio
Date: 07/24/20

8 Woodsley Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $446,830
Buyer: Joseph Ciejek
Seller: Alfred C. Piel
Date: 07/16/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

75 Aubinwood Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $538,000
Buyer: Nathan B. Green
Seller: Chocorua Realty Investment LLC
Date: 07/13/20

8 Canterbury Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Jennifer S. Pinkus
Seller: W. Bruce Croft
Date: 07/23/20

902 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kilerine Properties LLC
Seller: Lynne K. Edwards
Date: 07/15/20

137 Farview Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Kelsey Whipple
Seller: Mary E. Hocken RET
Date: 07/15/20

87 Morgan Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $431,299
Buyer: Laura Pfeffer
Seller: Bryn I. Geffert
Date: 07/13/20

36 Mount Holyoke Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Haley
Seller: Deborah J. Gilmore
Date: 07/24/20

45 Overlook Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Matthew M. Andrews
Seller: Village Of Light Inc.
Date: 07/20/20

37 Pomeroy Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Shiting Lan
Seller: Jeremy D. Ober
Date: 07/21/20

34 Potwine Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $379,500
Buyer: Felicia Sullivan-Bakaj
Seller: Benjamin M. Rau
Date: 07/13/20

1055 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Vanessa DeHarven
Seller: Sharon S. Carty
Date: 07/22/20

106 Shutesbury Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $696,000
Buyer: Alys Malcolm
Seller: Christine M. Warren
Date: 07/22/20

12 Tanglewood Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $569,000
Buyer: Sarah Nahm
Seller: Ramakrishna Janaswamy RET
Date: 07/20/20

BELCHERTOWN

374 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: William E. Lancto
Seller: Theodore M. South
Date: 07/16/20

301 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Geremias P. Encarnacion
Seller: MS Homes LLC
Date: 07/17/20

40 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Creaig Dunton
Seller: Daniel R. Hodgen
Date: 07/17/20

76 Dana Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Bikram Bhandari
Seller: Matthew J. Tudryn
Date: 07/13/20

22 Dogwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Deborah J. Gilmore
Seller: Donald R. Besancon INT
Date: 07/24/20

21 East Walnut St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: 5 Shamrocks LLC
Seller: Precise Properties LLC
Date: 07/22/20

258 Gulf Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: E. Garmon Residence TR
Seller: Debora Greenberg-Brink
Date: 07/21/20

59 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Amanda Vigue
Seller: Michael A. Demento
Date: 07/14/20

10 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Mingxu You
Seller: Gail A. Oberg
Date: 07/24/20

77 Pondview Circle
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Brandon G. Floyd
Seller: Mark Iwanicki
Date: 07/21/20

401 Rockrimmon St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Carl R. Merrick
Seller: Erik Miller
Date: 07/21/20

41 Shea Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: William Lamb
Seller: Gail A. Collins
Date: 07/15/20

175 West St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Erica Letson
Seller: Susan M. Cox
Date: 07/20/20

238 West St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Sandra A. Wilk
Seller: Joseph N. Accardi
Date: 07/17/20

243 West St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Jonathan Cassella
Seller: Norman E. Olmstead
Date: 07/23/20

CUMMINGTON

133 Porter Hill Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: David M. Clark
Seller: Charles R. Marinus
Date: 07/24/20

EASTHAMPTON

59 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Sasha D. Starr
Seller: Aaron D. Martin
Date: 07/20/20

1 Ranch Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Autumn L. Porubsky
Seller: Christian G. Labonte
Date: 07/17/20

17 Spring St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Anna C. Clarke
Seller: Christopher Lee
Date: 07/15/20

74 Williston Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $184,500
Buyer: Corbin H. Chicoine
Seller: HSBC Bank USA
Date: 07/21/20

GOSHEN

34 Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Timothy Hutt
Seller: Leigh-Ellen Figueroa
Date: 07/17/20

GRANBY

132 Aldrich St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Ingrid L. Nelson
Seller: Wendy A. Connally
Date: 07/24/20

138 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Matthew Daives
Seller: Matthew Gross
Date: 07/21/20

317 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Brian W. Jerome
Seller: David R. Wald FT
Date: 07/21/20

18 Greenmeadow Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Johnny Rivera
Seller: Home Rehabit LLC
Date: 07/22/20

8 Trout Lily Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $599,000
Buyer: Liam Ross
Seller: R. Ira Hare
Date: 07/17/20

60 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Ayan Realty LLC
Seller: Jill A. Johnson
Date: 07/21/20

HADLEY

10 Arrowhead Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: W. G. Graham TR
Seller: David O. Patriquin
Date: 07/17/20

7 Cemetery Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Genevieve E. Higgins
Seller: Molly Smith
Date: 07/24/20

13 Frost Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Timothy E. Johnson
Seller: Ashwin Ramasubramaniam
Date: 07/13/20

139 Hockanum Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Hilary B. Price
Seller: Real A. Rouillard
Date: 07/23/20

48 Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Iain Kelly
Seller: Ervin K. Laclair
Date: 07/23/20

211 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Richard M. Fill
Seller: Joyce C. Fill
Date: 07/15/20

111 Stockbridge St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: William E. Kelley
Seller: Catherine A. Kelley
Date: 07/15/20

3 Sunrise Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Tudryn
Seller: Richard M. Fill
Date: 07/15/20

HATFIELD

66 Chestnut St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Jamison A. Bradshaw
Seller: Thomas J. Wickles
Date: 07/16/20

30 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Andrew Marciano
Seller: Richard Giedel
Date: 07/24/20

HUNTINGTON

49 County Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $413,000
Buyer: Christian G. Labonte
Seller: Denise C. Harning
Date: 07/17/20

46 Littleville Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Andrew Reynolds
Seller: Renee N. Boylan
Date: 07/14/20

79 Searle Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Matthew A. Still
Seller: Wanat, Ann E., (Estate)
Date: 07/20/20

NORTHAMPTON

44 Berkshire Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Nolava LLC
Seller: Betty J. Longtin
Date: 07/22/20

191 Brookside Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Kristolynne Crawley
Seller: Dale M. Jones
Date: 07/17/20

43 Center St. #G
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bambi M. Rattner
Seller: Safe Passage Inc.
Date: 07/20/20

40 Elizabeth St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Richard P. Marsh
Seller: Charles R. Robertson
Date: 07/16/20

60 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Scott M. Haselkorn
Seller: S. L. Haselkorn TR 2019
Date: 07/14/20

17 Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $249,225
Buyer: Peter J. Ludwig
Seller: John W. Cotton
Date: 07/13/20

46 Harrison Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Sara Farber
Seller: Karen Axelrod
Date: 07/24/20

18 Hayes Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Heather B. Breismeister
Seller: Thelma Hamilton
Date: 07/20/20

7 High Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $639,000
Buyer: Wendy W. Woodson
Seller: Peter C. Kenny
Date: 07/14/20

43 Ice Pond Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $599,000
Buyer: Samantha A. McVay
Seller: John D. Rogers
Date: 07/13/20

671 Kennedy Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Seth Brosnan
Seller: Kathryn D. Girardin
Date: 07/17/20

261 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Sajid Kahn
Seller: Y&B Realty Inc.
Date: 07/14/20

128 North St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Hamp 2020 LLC
Seller: McClellan, Elaine, (Estate)
Date: 07/22/20

78 Ridgewood Ter.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Ruth Bauman
Seller: Jerelyn Parker-Peregrine
Date: 07/15/20

66 Woodland Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Duprey
Seller: William R. Dupre
Date: 07/15/20

PLAINFIELD

24 South Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Sydney Jones
Seller: Michal C. Lumsden
Date: 07/20/20

678 West Main St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Brett Leav
Seller: Lawrence C. Jowett
Date: 07/17/20

SOUTH HADLEY

66 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $383,000
Buyer: Jenyou Hwang
Seller: Michael P. Mazur
Date: 07/17/20

652 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Conor D. Hennessey
Seller: Kimberly S. Robinette
Date: 07/21/20

11 Blueberry Bend
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Kyle T. Krow
Seller: Ronald A. Michalski RET
Date: 07/23/20

51 College View Hts.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Watson
Seller: Manuel, Richard D. Jr, (Estate)
Date: 07/17/20

369 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: John J. Hay
Seller: Lawrence D. Tower RET
Date: 07/15/20

274 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Arielle Faye-Foulds
Seller: Joanne Hay
Date: 07/15/20

192 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Benjamin K. Godek
Seller: Richard T. Stebbins
Date: 07/24/20

17 Upper River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Rory M. Pommerening
Seller: Gregory A. Schmidt
Date: 07/17/20

8 Upper River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Melissa Calhoun
Seller: Kristen J. Steele
Date: 07/17/20

SOUTHAMPTON

9 Birchwood Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Joe E. Skinner
Seller: Richard L. Truehart Jr. LT
Date: 07/24/20

34 High St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jeremy L. Harman
Seller: Pamela A. Dods
Date: 07/24/20

8 Kevin Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $499,900
Buyer: Gregory A. Schmidt
Seller: Jared A. Conaboy
Date: 07/17/20

WARE

74 Beaver Lake Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Alicia J. Alvaro
Seller: Guimond, Eleanor M., (Estate)
Date: 07/24/20

87 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $170,400
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Nicole Sicard
Date: 07/14/20

75 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: David Sajdera
Seller: Roger C. Bouchard
Date: 07/17/20

93 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $175,852
Buyer: Jeffrey W. Provost
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 07/16/20

11 Warebrook Village
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Rebecca L. Chaffee
Seller: Derek E. Shumate
Date: 07/15/20

WILLIAMSBURG

57-R Adams Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Heather R. Love
Seller: Richard P. Marsh
Date: 07/16/20

16 Fairfield Ave.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Joanna S. Moran
Seller: Heather G. Richard
Date: 07/24/20

111 Old Goshen Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Debra G. Pinucci
Seller: J. Keenan Burns
Date: 07/17/20

18 North Farms Road
Williamsburg, MA 01062
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jason T. Novak
Seller: Michael R. Labbe
Date: 07/24/20

WESTHAMPTON

32 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Aaron Martin
Seller: Yuriy Gavrilov
Date: 07/21/20

310 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Gregory C. Clausen
Seller: William F. Seney
Date: 07/15/20

WORTHINGTON

85 Cold St.
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $228,500
Buyer: Daniel Matica
Seller: Gary A. Munn
Date: 07/24/20

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

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

CHICOPEE

City of Chicopee
66 Macek Dr.
$20,946 — Roofing

Collins Electric Co. Inc.
53 Second Ave.
$74,000 — Install fire-alarm system, alarm, and generator

NORTHAMPTON

Hampshire Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society
54 Fair St.
$2,000 — Remove second-floor structure of old money room

Smith College
4 Tyler Dr.
$14,450 — Renovate room 213 of Bass Hall

Traddles, LLC
60A Masonic St.
$4,000 — Temporary pergola

PITTSFIELD

Eric Baumert
405 North St.
$1,000 — Construct new partition in single tenant space and install new wall finishes

Berkshire Omega Corp.
979 Dalton Ave.
$17,000 — Siding

Blue Chair Properties, LLC
101 Dan Fox Dr.
$12,000 — Demolish two-story pump house for waterslide and two swimming pools

Blue Chair Properties, LLC
101 Dan Fox Dr.
$3,450 — Install new chair lift

SPRINGFIELD

Bay Liberty, LLC
234 Liberty St.
$1,152,800 — Demolish portion of former commercial metal casting building

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
2 Medical Center Dr.
$19,500 — Remove two walls and install three windows and one door for receptionist area

City of Springfield
1015 Wilbraham Road
$12,000 — Alter classroom area, convert three larger classrooms into six smaller classrooms at John J. Duggan Academy

Erbact, LLC
34 Mulberry St.
$96,000 — Alter interior space for change of use from office to church assembly, install accessible ramp at entry

NPN Realty, LLC
1026 Bay St.
$4,000 — Remove two non-bearing walls, build bathroom and office

NPN Realty, LLC
1026 Bay St.
$3,000 — Remove and close off door, re-concrete sloping sidewalk

Vibra Healthcare Real Estate Co. II, LLC
1414 State St.
$20,000 — Replace three antennas and associated equipment on monopole for T-Mobile

Opinion: Springfield Needs Induction Ceremony, but It Really Needs a Healthy Hall

By
Daily News

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse…

Last week, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced it will postpone its induction ceremonies for the highly anticipated class of 2020 until next spring — and move those ceremonies to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

This is a huge blow for Greater Springfield on a number of levels and just the latest in a series of setbacks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, this is destined to be one of the most memorable induction ceremonies in the history of the hall, with a class that includes the late Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and many others. This induction ceremony was going to be star-studded, provide a huge financial boost for the city at a time when it really needs it, and help broadcast Springfield’s revitalization to the rest of the world.

And now, all of it will be at Mohegan Sun, which, according to Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva, can provide a bubble-like environment that can better protect attendees from the virus. Doleva has vowed this is a one-time move away from Springfield and insists the step is largely unavoidable and necessary to help the hall survive a year that has seen visitation plummet and revenues fall precipitously.

Like Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who has ‘Home of the Basketball Hall of Fame’ printed on his city of Springfield stationery, we’ll take Doleva at his word and admit that COVID-19 has brought about some changes that no one could have anticipated, especially in the world of sports.

Indeed, they’re playing hockey and basketball in August, and will go on playing it into September. The Toronto Blue Jays are playing baseball games in Buffalo, N.Y. because officials in Canada won’t let them play there. All the NBA teams are playing in a bubble in Orlando. The Masters will be played without fans. On it goes.

But the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Uncasville, Conn.? That certainly won’t sound right during the broadcast. Can you the imagine baseball inducting anyone anywhere but Cooperstown? Or football inducting anyone anywhere but Canton? The answer is no. Indeed, those institutions have postponed their ceremonies until next year, but kept them at their traditional sites.

Unfortunately, the Basketball Hall of Fame simply cannot afford to do that. To take a line from another sport, it is up against the ropes and in what amounts to survival mode.

Because of this, Springfield needs to swallow this bitter pill and look at the bigger picture. Yes, it desperately needs the 2020 induction ceremony in its downtown. But what it really needs, long-term, is a healthy Hall of Fame that will be a cornerstone in the years to come — after the virus is behind us.

This step, as painful as it is, might help ensure that health.

 

PeoplesBank Appoints Scott Ganhao Ludlow Banking Center Manager

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced the appointment of Scott Ganhao as the manager of its new banking center located at 450 Center St. in Ludlow. He has more than 13 years of financial services and banking experience. In his new position, Ganhao will aim to ensure the banking center meets and exceeds service and sales goals, provides excellent customer service, operates according to all bank policies and procedures, and serves as a leader within the community.

“We are excited to have Scott lead our new Ludlow team,” said Aleda De Maria, senior vice president of Retail and Operations at PeoplesBank. “With his strong connections to the community, he has been instrumental in helping us open our newest banking center and introducing customers to our innovative banking technology.”

Ganhao earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Western New England University. He is the president of the Our Lady of Fatima Preservation Society and a member of the board of directors of the Wilbraham Rotary Memorial Foundation Inc. and the Lusitania Institute. He is a member of the Wilbraham-Hampden Rotary Club and has served as chairman of the Our Lady of Fatima finance committee, president of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish council committee, and director of the Our Lady of Fatima Festa committee. He is fluent in spoken Portuguese.

HCC Unveils New Academic Programs for Fall Semester

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Cannabis cultivation, beer and cider brewing, and winemaking are just a few of the new academic programs being offered this fall at Holyoke Community College (HCC).

All three were developed as one-year, 24-credit certificate programs through the college’s Sustainability Studies department.

“As the cannabis industry has moved into Holyoke and other area towns, a number of the owners of these enterprises are asking for trained employees,” said Kate Maiolatesi, chair of HCC’s Sustainability Studies program. “Estimates for new cannabis jobs in the region range as high as 1,500.”

One new course, “Cannabis Today,” provides knowledge of the growing part of the industry. Other requirements for the certificate include classes in agriculture, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Maiolatesi said the college also developed the brewing and winemaking certificates with an eye on expanding industries. Another new course, “Fermentation Science,” explains the scientific processes of fermentation as it applies to both brewing and winemaking.

This fall, HCC is also unveiling new certificate and associate-degree programs in a range of other academic areas, including behaviorial neuroscience (degree), critical social thought (degree), geoscience (degree), child development (certificate), mental health (certiificate,) and veterinary assistant (certificate).

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, HCC continues to be innovative in creating new courses and programs that will set students up to either immediately enter the workforce or prepare them for transfer to four-year schools,” said Rachel Rubinstein, HCC’s vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.

The fall semester at Holyoke Community College begins Tuesday, Sept. 8. To enroll for fall, visit hcc.edu/admission, call (413) 552-2321, or e-mail [email protected].

Jeremy Therrien Joins Westfield Starfires Front-office Staff

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Starfires announced the addition of Jeremy Therrien to the staff as Game Operations and Promotions coordinator.

Therrien, a Westfield native and senior at Springfield College, has served in that position since late in 2019 and has spent much of the 2020 season implementing the organization’s COVID-19 readiness plan.

For three consecutive years, Therrien has served as a student leader at the Hoophall Classic, an annual, Springfield-based tournament that features the top high-school basketball players and teams from around the country. He is also a Game Operations supervisor for the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League.

“Jeremy is a rising star in the sport-management and event industry,” team owner and co-founder Christopher Thompson said. “We are thrilled to have him join the Starfires organization.”

The Westfield Starfires are members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, which offers collegiate summer baseball to fans in seven New England cities. The Starfires joined the league as an expansion franchise for the summer of 2019 and play out of historic Billy Bullens Field in Westfield.

Funding Available for Competitive Round of Brownfields Redevelopment Fund

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration and MassDevelopment announced a new round of available funding from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund to support the environmental assessment and cleanup of contaminated and challenging sites across the Commonwealth. Municipalities, municipal agencies and authorities, economic-development and industrial corporations, and economic-development authorities may apply for up to $100,000 in site-assessment funding or up to $250,000 in remediation funding.

“Converting contaminated and challenging sites into new, constructive uses like affordable housing and commercial opportunities is critical to our goal of building vibrant communities across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “Through the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, we can remove a major barrier that would otherwise inhibit our progress toward economic recovery.”

MassDevelopment oversees the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, which helps to transform vacant, abandoned, or underused industrial or commercial properties by financing the environmental assessment and remediation of brownfield sites in ‘economically distressed areas’ of the Commonwealth. Since the fund’s inception in 1998, it has supported 747 projects for a total investment of more than $108 million.
“MassDevelopment is pleased to administer the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, a critical resource for revitalizing challenging properties into new housing units, commercial space, and other productive uses,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “We thank the Baker-Polito administration and the Legislature for their continued support for this program and encourage cities, towns, and their economic -development partners to apply for funding.”

This competitive round seeks to advance the redevelopment of sites without a committed end-user where market potential has been identified. It will not replace the traditional process of accepting applications on a rolling basis for eligible proposals with an identified developer. The full request for proposals is available at massdevelopment.com/brownfields. Responses are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

BusinessTalk with John Gannon

By
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 19: Aug. 17, 2020

George Interviews John Gannon, employment law specialist with Skoler Abbott

George interviews John Gannon, employment law specialist with Skoler Abbott, and they discuss the top questions and concerns of employers during the pandemic including how companies are struggling bringing their employees back to work, and provides legal guidance moving forward. 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO ALL OUR EPISODES

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Elms College’s Center for Equity in Urban Education Welcomes Tyra Good

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College announced the appointment of Tyra Good as the college’s first faculty director of the Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE).

“I am pleased that Dr. Good, a nationally recognized educator, has joined Elms College to become our first full-time faculty director of the Center for Equity in Urban Education,” said Elms College President Harry Dumay. “In her work experience, she has addressed the persistent issue of learning gaps among students from various socioeconomic, race, and ethnic groups in the Pittsburgh area, and I look forward to working with her to decrease the achievement gap here in Western Massachusetts.”

Good has more than 10 years of experience teaching education, and, most recently, she was assistant professor of Practice in Education at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. In this new position, she is responsible for the strategic oversight and management of the college’s efforts to address this issue.

The CEUE was launched in September 2019 to increase the number and diversity of qualified teachers in the Chicopee, Holyoke, and Springfield school systems. In these school systems, the racial and ethnic composition of teachers is not representative of the students. This area also experiences an annual 800-teacher gap across K-12 schools, especially in specific roles such as special education, English-language learners, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Through a partnership with philanthropists, school districts, and charter-school networks, and with a reimagined curriculum, Elms College and Good aim to increase the pipeline of teachers, including teachers of color, who are culturally prepared to inspire the students whom they teach.

“I am elated to be leading the CEUE with students, staff, faculty, school leaders, foundations, and community members, who are also committed to creating educational equity and justice,” Good said. “Through culturally responsive course work and experiential learning experiences, a graduate of the Center for Equity in Urban Education will have expertise in both content and cultural knowledge to teach and lead in an urban setting, as well as within rural and suburban settings.”

Good is the founder and chief academic consultant for GOOD Knowledge Connections and the founder of the Black Educators Network (BEN) of Greater Pittsburgh. The BEN is a strategic team of K-12, higher-education, and community educators working across school-district and community lines to help ensure the academic and personal success of African-American youth from underserved communities.

For her dedication and commitment to diversifying the teaching pipeline and preparing pre-service teachers to work in urban settings, Good has received myriad award recognitions. Most recently, she was awarded a 2019 National Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship through Big Picture Learning and Internationals Network for Public Schools.

Good received her bachelor’s degree in business management from Howard University, a master’s degree in teaching from Chatham University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and evaluation from Duquesne University.

Florence Bank Promotes Jennifer Halpin to Employee Relations Officer

By
Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank promoted Jennifer Halpin to the position of Employee Relations officer in the Human Resources department at the main office in Florence.

Halpin joined Florence Bank in 2014. Prior to her recent promotion, she served as the Employee Relations manager. She holds a bachelor of business administration degree from UMass Amherst.

During her tenure at the bank, she has been the recipient of the President’s Award, which is awarded to employees who demonstrate superior levels of performance, customer service, and overall contribution to the bank.

“We are thrilled to see Jennifer’s career progress with the bank as she begins her new role as Employee Relations officer,” said Kevin Day, bank president and CEO. “Her consistent performance, dependability, and expert knowledge have made her an integral asset.”