Home 2021 July (Page 4)

Month: July 2021

Building Permits

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Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2021.

AMHERST

Aspen Chase Woodbridge, LP
615 Main St.
$5,500 — Install fire-alarm system in Building 1

Central Amherst Realty Trust
51 East Pleasant St.
$196,000 — Building two new bars and new service counter, install new subfloor for existing bar, remove wall tiles and add drywall

Pulpit Hill Partners
110 Pulpit Hill Road, Unit 134
$41,000 — Install solar panels on roof

CHICOPEE

Elms College
291 Springfield St.
$32,500 — Roofing on Devine Hall

Germain Properties, LLC
22 Marcelle St.
$8,720 — Roofing

Meadow Street Partners, LLP
307 Meadow St.
$5,000 — Interior refresh of existing office/warehouse space

EAST LONGMEADOW

Center for Human Development
22 Porter Road
$25,800 — Repair car damage to house

Center for Human Development
22 Porter Road
$4,200 — Demolish garage

Marthe, LLC
37 Prospect St.
$2,000 — Roof repair

The Pizza Shoppe
134 Shaker Road
$50,000 — Renovate women’s and men’s rooms

LEE

Deborah White
880 East St.
$2,686 — HVAC, insulation

LENOX

Lenox Club
111 Yokun Ave.
$22,000 — Roofing

Morgan Manor
0 Morgan Manor
$21,500 — Remove failed retaining wall and stairway, construct block wall and fill in existing stairwell, add additional emergency lights to basement

St. Vincent DePaul Church
29 Crystal St.
$24,995 — Roofing

WS Management Inc.
489 Pittsfield Road
$9,950 — Tenant fit-out for Lucky Nails

NORTHAMPTON

Paul D’Amour
162 North King St.
$9,200 — Construct new structure

Drawing Board Brewery Co.
36 Main St.
$2,500 — Non-illuminated wall sign

Nicole Fritz
190 Nonotuck St.
$50,000 — Add exterior canopy and entry modifications

Hill Institute
83 Pine St.
$13,460 — Replace seven basement windows

Nine Pearl, LLC
9 Pearl St.
$50,000 — Increase loading capacity

Seven Sisters Midwifery Land, LLC
74 Maple St.
$1,000 — Illuminated wall sign

Smith College
4 Tyler Dr.
$45,500 — Replace door and window, building repairs at Young Library

Smith College
53 West St.
$17,500 — Repair porch, deck, and railings

PITTSFIELD

City of Pittsfield
70 Allen St.
$6,383 — Install smoke detectors for new elevator recall functions

El Gato Grande, LP
457 Dalton Ave.
$5,000 — Install new exterior door and change swing of existing door

Thomas Pecoraro
265 Bradford St.
$18,400 — Roofing

Seven Oh Three Nominee Trust
703 West Housatonic St.
$17,000 — Reconfigure Offices

SPRINGFIELD

Ace Signs, LLC
477 Cottage St.
$44,000 — Roofing

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
759 Chestnut St.
$88,488 — Alter Emergency Department shower and restroom on first floor

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
3400 Main St.
$108,678 — Alter medical office space on first floor of Northern Edge Adult Medicine

Baystate Medical Practices Inc.
2 Medical Center Dr.
$947,132 — Alter interior space for general surgery office on third floor

Christ Church Cathedral
37 Chestnut St.
$10,000 — Add insulation to attic and exterior walls

Cornel Forbes
320 Wilbraham Road
$60,000 — Repair fire damage at Talk of the Town restaurant

Gulmohar Hospitality, LLC
711 Dwight St.
$29,940.86 — Repair damaged exterior wall finish on 12th floor of La Quinta Inn & Suites

Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
1023 Parker St.
$8,000 — Add insulation to attic of St. Catherine of Siena Church

Springfield Lodge of Elks
440 Tiffany St.
$71,200 — Remodel existing men’s and women’s bathrooms, alter closet into new ADA bathroom

Venture Properties, LLC
254 Worthington St.
$30,000 — Roofing

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Castle Pines, LLC
7 Upper Church St.
$9,500 — Repair chimney

Northeast IT Systems Inc.
2107 Riverdale St.
$142,114.47 — Renovate existing warehouse space, converting to office space

Randy Rindels
874 Memorial Ave.
$380,110 — Renovate existing building for new auto dealership

Round Two, LLC
320 Park St.
$12,000 — Siding

Business Confidence Rises Again in June

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Daily News

BOSTON — Confidence among Massachusetts employers rose for the fifth time in six months during June amid signs that the recovery of the labor market is gaining momentum.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 1.5 points to 63.4 last month, leaving it 14.4 points higher than a year ago. The increase was driven in part by the brightest assessment of the employment picture since April 2018. Hiring appears to be picking up after companies struggled for months with one of the tightest labor markets in decades.

Nationally, the government announced that U.S. employers added 850,000 jobs in June, well above the average of the previous three months and a sign that companies may be having an easier time finding enough workers to fill open jobs.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate fell to 6.1% during May as employers created 9,200 jobs. Massachusetts has gained an estimated 357,000 jobs during the past 12 months.

“The June Business Confidence Index and the most recent government reports suggest that hiring is accelerating as employers attract workers with higher pay. Wages nationally jumped 3.6% last month from a year ago,” said Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and executive director of Global Economics at IHS Markit. “At the same time, there are 6.8 million fewer jobs in the United States than before the pandemic, meaning we still have a long way to go in the employment recovery.”

The AIM Index, based on a survey of more than 140 Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative.

The constituent indicators that make up the Business Confidence Index were mostly positive during June. The Employment Index rose 2.5 points as companies finally began to locate workers to fill open jobs and boost output. The employment reading has increased by more than 11 points since June 2020.

The confidence employers have in their own companies rose slightly to 64.7, 13.1 points more than it was a year ago. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth increased 2.9 points to 63.6, up 16.8 points since June 2020. The U.S. Index measuring conditions nationally gained 1.3 points in June and 15.2 points for the year.

The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, gained 3.0 points to 63.3. The Future Index, measuring projections for the economy six months from now, was almost flat, losing 0.1 point to 63.4. Confidence among manufacturing companies declined 0.8 points, but remained 11.5 points higher than its year-earlier level.

Large companies (66.4) were more bullish than medium-sized companies (62.0) or small companies (60.7). Companies in Eastern Mass. (67.1) were significantly more confident than those in Western Mass. (59.6)

Michael Tyler, CFA, vice chair of BEA and chief Investment officer at Eastern Bank Wealth Management, said the risk of sustained long-term inflation remains low despite the near-term upward pressure on wages and some commodities.

“There is some inflation, to be sure, but mostly it’s due to base effects (that is, low prices a year ago when lockdowns were in place) or supply-chain disruptions that can be resolved.,” he said. “Today’s inflation should not be misinterpreted as a fundamental shift in the current economic climate.”

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said the recent debate over whether the Massachusetts Legislature or Gov. Charlie Baker should control distribution of $5.3 billion in federal stimulus money from the American Rescue Plan Act should not obscure the importance of using some of the money to stabilize the unemployment-insurance system. The Legislature and governor froze unemployment-insurance rates and separately spread out an unexpected surge in solvency rates over the next 20 years.

“The unemployment system will still be burdened for decades by the fallout from COVID-19 and the economic shutdowns of 2020,” Regan said. “The one step that remains is for policymakers to use some of Massachusetts’ federal stimulus money to stabilize the unemployment system for the long term.”

Women’s Fund Awards $135,000 to 20 Organizations Advancing Gender, Racial Equity

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) announced $135,000 in grant awards to organizations working with women and girls that address safety and anti-violence; gender-based sexual violence; parity in leadership, representation, and power; and economic security.

Reinforcing a commitment to racial equity, WFWM prioritized awarding grants to organizations fronted by women and black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) leaders. These grants will support efforts across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties and work with a broad range of entities, including small startups, grassroots organizations, and well-established nonprofits.

Individual committees formed to review more than 70 applications and recommend a slate of grant awardees through participatory grantmaking — a process that puts the power into the hands of those most impacted by funding decisions — in which girls, women, people of color, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse were at the table. Additionally, the WFWM has been working to address power imbalances within philanthropy by employing a trust-based philanthropy model that includes simplifying the application and reporting processes, offering unrestricted funding, remaining transparent, and supporting organizations beyond the awards.

“We are so grateful to be selected for support by the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. This grant is very important for our immigrant women workers and mothers,” said Hodaliz Borrayes, a community organizer with Pioneer Valley Workers Center. “Many women live with psychological or emotional abuse, in the workplace or at home. We want every woman to know her rights and feel strong in expressing what she feels and thinks — to be herself and live her dreams.”

WFWM distributed $70,000 through this initiative to organizations whose work aligns with one or more strategic pillars (economic security, parity in positions of power and leadership, and freedom from gender-based violence, harassment, and abuse). Grant recipients for this general funding include Flying Cloud Institute, New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, New North Citizens Council, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Sow Well Tots Early Education Center, Voices from Inside, and WAM Theatre.

Additionally, the WFWM continues to support organizations through the Fund for Me Too Movement and Allies for the prevention and intervention of sexual-based violence. Grants awarded through this fund total $50,000. This year’s recipients include Breathing Space, Elizabeth Freeman Center, the Rites of Passage Project, Root Studio, Safe Passage, the Salasin Project, Survivor Arts Collective, and the Women of Color Health Equity Collective.

For the grants awarded through the Springfield Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) of WFWM, members of the current cohort and alumnae convened over two months to make nominations for funding. The YWI distributed $15,000 in grants to Springfield-serving organizations whose programs address safety and anti-violence, economic security and prosperity, or leadership and visibility. Recipients of this grant include a summer-camp program focused on leadership development, an initiative that provides public-speaking coaching for young people, and a healthy-relationships outreach program partnering with local schools. YWI grant awardees include Alianza (formerly known as Womanshelter/Compañeras), the Care Center, Lady Soldiers, A Queen’s Narrative, and Take the Mic.

Fly LUGU Flight Training to Host Open House on Aug. 7

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Daily News

WESTFIELD — Fly LUGU Flight Training will host an open house on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westfield-Barnes Municipal Airport, located at 110 Airport Road in Westfield.

The flight school will celebrate its reopening after the pandemic, and the public is welcome to attend a meet-and-greet with instructors, learn about discounted discovery flights, and enjoy food and music. Interested individuals can call (833) 359-5848 for more information on flight training.

ManeHire Awarded $25,000 Power Forward Small Business Grant

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Polite, the owner of ManeHire, a staffing and recruiting agency, was recently awarded $25,000 through the Power Forward Small Business Grant. This grant is an extension of Boston Celtics United for Social Justice, a multi-focus commitment to addressing racial injustice and social inequities in the Greater Boston area. The program offers recipients the opportunity to be featured on national co-branded platforms and receive marketing and design resources customized to their specific needs to help their business grow and thrive.

“It has always been my goal to ensure that the best of the best diverse candidates are well-represented in every executive search we conduct,” Polite said. “We measure and track diversity every step of the way.”

With a focus on helping firms realize their potential through workplace diversity, ManeHire believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce enables innovation and that employers should be reflective of the communities in which they serve.

“This grant will help us provide workshops and training on ‘Diversity Sensitivity in the Workplace,’ ‘Getting Back to Work,’ and ‘Résumé-building Tips,’” Polite noted. “Our community needs this. They need a little extra support to rise up after a challenging year.”

Colebrook Realty Services Brokers Sale of Former Faces Building

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Colebrook Realty Services Inc. announced the sale of the 33,228 square-foot retail building on Main Street in Northampton between Main Street, LLP and 175 Main Street, LLC — a subsidiary of Redstone. The property is located at 175 Main St. in Northampton.

Redstone is a property management and development company based in Burlington, Vt. It has been investing in properties that inspire pride and interaction for nearly 30 years, with a particular focus on commercial real estate, multi-family, and student housing throughout New England. The acquisition of 175 Main St. represents Redstone’s affinity for the former Faces building and Northampton’s strong downtown area, said Joe Engelken, Senior Vice President of Acquisition & Development for the company.

“Redstone is delighted to have the opportunity to acquire a prominent piece of Northampton’s Downtown and become a part of the community,” he said. “We are excited for the coming years and will strive to recreate the sense of destination that Faces once had.”

Half of the property has remained vacant since the iconic Face’s store shut down in April, 2019. TD Bank leases space at the building across from Thornes Marketplace. The sale of the property was handled by Mitch Bolotin and Jack Dill of Colebrook. “The Faces building is an important landmark for Northampton’s Main Street,” said Mitch Bolotin, “and Redstone is the right development group to manage the property growing forward.”

HCC Reopening Campus Offices, Fitness Center

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Beginning July 6, Holyoke Community College will reopen its Admissions and Advising offices for on-campus, in-person services.

The Admissions and Advising offices, located on the first floor of the HCC Campus Center, will be open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those offices, and most others, have been operating remotely since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Besides Admissions and Advising, other departments will also have in-person services at varied hours based on staff availability, and those hours will be posted on the HCC website. All offices will continue to provide remote services via email, phone, Zoom, and the “ChatNow” feature on the HCC website: hcc.edu.

The HCC Bookstore, located on the second floor of the Campus Center, has been open for in-person business since mid-May.

Due to renovations underway on the second floor of the Frost building, the Financial Aid, Student Accounts and Student Records offices will continue to operate remotely for now via email, phone, zoom, and ChatNow.

Masks must be worn in all HCC buildings.

Meanwhile, the fitness room in the Bartley Center for Athletics & Recreation is scheduled to reopen on July 16, with some restrictions for the remainder of the summer.

A maximum of 15 guests will be permitted in the fitness room at any given time. Workout time slots will run for 60 minutes with 30-minute intervals in between for cleaning and sanitizing along the following schedule: Monday-Friday: 6-7 a.m.; 7:30-8:30 a.m., 9-10 a.m., 10:30-11:30 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 4:30 -5:30 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 8-9 a.m., 9:30-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon.

Guests can pre-register for preferred workout times by calling the Bartley Center desk attendant at (413) 552–2160 during normal business hours, although pre-registration is not required.

Fitness room users may remove their masks while engaged in cardio exercises only. For the time being, the lobby, basketball courts, locker rooms and second floor areas will remain closed.

More information Bartley Center hours and regulations can be found on the HCC website: hcc.edu/bartley-center

JA of Western Massachusetts Raises $1,450 with Virtual 5K Run/Walk 

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) staged a Virtual 5K Run/Walk June 11-14 to raise funds to support its literacy, entrepreneurship, and career exploration programs. A total of 14 participants met the challenge and raised $1,450 for the cause.

“The realities of the pandemic prompted us to hold this event virtually, but we are so grateful for the participants who still made the commitment to support us,” said Jennifer A. Connolly, President, JAWM. “Every bit helps as our programs are offered at no cost to schools and youth groups. Our students need financial literacy and work readiness programs to be prepared for their futures.”

Participants paid a $25 entry fee and were encouraged to walk, run or bike with friends and family and solicit donations through their own fundraising pages. Safety Restore of Westfield was the event’s medal sponsor, and Country Bank was the certificate sponsor.

Stage Is Set for Star Spangled Springfield

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In preparation for Star Spangled Springfield on July 4, the Springfield Police Department will be detouring traffic in and around the area of the Memorial Bridge and Riverfront Park where festivities will be held.

On July 3, at 11 p.m., the Memorial Bridge will close to all traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, to allow for the set-up of the Star Spangled Springfield fireworks display. The bridge will open around 11p.m. on July 4.

On July 4, around 7:30 p.m., the Springfield Police Department will begin to close roads in the vicinity of the Memorial Bridge in anticipation of the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display.  Massachusetts State Police will close Exit 5 (formerly Exit 7) off of I-91 South as needed. Pedestrians will be restricted from sitting on I-91 Exit Ramps.

For public safety, the Springfield Police Department will enforce no bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, pets, alcohol, fireworks, sparklers, and drones in and around Riverfront Park.

Star Spangled Springfield, presented by the Spirit of Springfield since 1991, is sponsored by MassMutual. It is supported with additional support from iHeart Radio (Mix 93.1 FM), MassLive, The Republican, and WWLP-TV22.  In-kind donors include 90 Meat Outlet/Armata’s, Affordable Waste Solutions, Charlie Arment Trucking, Elegant Affairs, Joseph Freedman Company, MGM Springfield, Michael’s Party Rentals, Quality Beverage, Republic Services, Sheraton Springfield, Springfield Parking Authority, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, City of Springfield, and many others.

Longtime Home Builder Alan Tabin Joins B & B Real Estate Team

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Local home builder and developer Alan Tabin announced he has joined B & B Real Estate in Holyoke as a licensed real-estate agent.

Tabin has been active in the real-estate industry throughout his adult life. As co-owner of Home Improvement Associates, LLC, he grew a successful construction business over three decades. His expertise as a builder includes custom homes, investment property, rehabbing, and residential and commercial renovations. His experience in real-estate development includes a residential subdivision of new homes and a 25-unit condominium project in South Hadley known as Jacob’s Edge.

“I am excited to offer my unique expertise as a builder to home buyers, sellers, and potential investors,” Tabin said. “My knowledge of construction, local building resources and contacts, and the real-estate market can be valuable to anyone wanting to buy, sell, or invest in real estate.”

Three County Fair Tickets Now on Sale

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Three County Fair is back, returning on Labor Day weekend, Friday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 6.

“We could not be more thrilled that everyone continues to get vaccinated and that Massachusetts businesses can operate at 100% capacity,” said James Przypek, general manager of the Three County Fair. “Like all businesses and families, we took a series of cutbacks and steps to get us to this point, and we are proud to still be here planning a late-summer experience that fairgoers can cherish.”

Last year, the COVID-19 health crisis forced the fair to be closed to the public while hosting only limited arts, baking, crafts, and livestock competitions to comply with capacity restrictions. This year, the 204th consecutive fair returns to normal operations and capacities with discounted general admission and four-day passes on sale exclusively at 3countyfair.com.

The fair’s attractions include carnival-style rides and games; adult and youth livestock, agricultural, and arts and crafts competitions; live music concerts; area food trucks; comedy variety shows; plus the ever-popular demolition derbies each day.

General admission to the fair is $15 for ages 12 and up and free for ages 11 and under, with discounts for seniors and veterans. Further discounts are available by purchasing tickets online and in advance on the fair’s website. For example, the four-day pass, sold online only for $30, is 50% off the gate price for a general-admission adult ticket for four days.

Przypek encouraged fairgoers to get their tickets in advance to save money, plus get speedy and contactless entrance onto the fairgrounds. “We also know that everyone had a rough 14 months to weather; therefore, we have made parking free at the fair this year as a way to welcome back returning guests and incentivize new ones.”

Smith & Wesson Commits More Than $20,000 in Support of Square One

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson is once again lending its support to the children and families served by Square One. The company recently committed $20,000 in corporate giving, in addition to funds donated by employees as part of their commitment to social responsibility.

The gift marks the latest addition to a long list of contributions made over the years. The company has supported the agency’s early-education and care initiatives and programs to support victims of domestic violence. It was also among the first businesses in the region to fund Square One’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Smith & Wesson and its employees are proud to support Square One’s efforts to offer tools and resources to local families,” said Mark Smith, president and CEO of Smith & Wesson. “We recognize that a strong foundation is the key to the development of all children. Through their programs, the staff at Square One has enhanced the lives of many children and families in our community. We’re happy that our partnership makes a difference.”

The funds will support Square One’s Campaign for Healthy Kids, a multi-year fund-development initiative focused on the agency’s commitment to providing healthy meals, physical fitness, social-emotional well-being, and a healthy learning environment.

“Square One has long relied on support from Smith & Wesson to support our programs and services,” said Kristine Allard, vice president of Development & Communication for Square One. “They are quick to recognize and respond to the changing needs of our community and take responsibility to support our work whenever possible. We are truly grateful to have them as our community partners.”

Dakin Humane Society Seeking Foster Caregivers for Sick Kittens

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society is currently caring for a large number of kittens at this time, and more are expected to arrive in need of urgent care for respiratory infections, digestive issues, and dehydration.

In response, the organization is seeking foster volunteers who are comfortable giving kittens hydrating fluids under their skin, as well as giving oral and eye medications regularly. Fosters will also need to track their kitten’s weight at least once per day. Dakin’s staff will provide training for administering fluids and medication. The timespan for foster care varies for each kitten based on their needs, but it typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months.

People interested in becoming a foster caregiver for sick kittens in need of medical care should visit www.dakinhumane.org/foster-a-dakin-animal.html and follow the steps to submit an application. Dakin is not placing healthy kittens in foster homes at this time.