Day: December 22, 2021

Banking and Financial Services Special Coverage

Daily News

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that its employees have raised more than $16,000 for the UMass Cancer Center through participation in the 23rd annual UMass Cancer Walk and Run at Polar Park in Worcester.

Supporters of this event for more than 20 years, UMassFive employees join together annually as Team UMassFive to raise funds for the cause, both personally and in branch locations. In 2021, fundraising efforts included the Hadley branch hosting its annual Crafting for a Cure Boutique, where employees donated artwork, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, which were sold in the branch lobby. Other branch efforts included raffle baskets, bake sales, candy sales, and jewelry sales.

UMassFive debit cardholders were welcomed to redeem their ‘Buzz Points’ as a charitable donation to the UMass Cancer Walk and Run. Donations were also sought from the credit union’s corporate partners, whose support helps bolster efforts each year. Including funds raised so far in 2021, Team UMassFive is proud to have raised more than $158,000 in donations to the UMass Cancer Center over the lifetime of their participation.

“Cancer is something that touches nearly every family in some way,” said Cait Murray, Community Outreach manager at UMassFive. “Our employees participate in the Cancer Walk each year because it’s near to their hearts, and they know the funds will support local cancer research and clinical trials at the UMass Cancer Center in Worcester. The generosity of our employees, members, and community is truly astounding and makes such a big impact in the fight for a cure.”

Anyone who wishes to support Team UMassFive may donate before the end of 2021 by visiting support.umasscancerwalk.org/teamumassfive.

Myke Connolly Excels at Getting the Message Across

By George O'Brien December 22, 2021

Cover Story

Standing Out in His Field

Myke Connolly is a serial entrepreneur who has always understood — and always preached — the power of marketing.

Myke Connolly, known to some as Mr. Stinky Cakes, is a serial entrepreneur who has always understood — and always preached — the power of marketing. His latest venture is a business that brings that message to light, figuratively but also quite literally. Stand Out Truck has now attracted clients ranging from parents of high-school graduates to the local shop to President Biden — or at least one of his marketing teams. The goal is to make this a national brand, and he’s well down that road.

Myke Connolly says the e-mail found its way into his inbox around 2 that Monday afternoon.

The firm handling some marketing and promotion work for the Biden administration wanted to know if Connolly and his team at Stand Out Truck could have one of his vehicles — pickup trucks outfitted to carry digital wording and imaging — in New Hampshire the next day to present a message promoting the president’s Build Back Better plan of action.

The quick answer, as it almost always is with such inquiries, was ‘yes.’

By early that evening, the message “Better Roads. Better Bridges. Better Jobs. — Brought to you by Joe Biden” — complete with a picture of the 46th president — had been readied, and before dawn the next morning, a crew was on its way to the Granite State.

“We spent some time in Manchester, then we went to Woodstock, where the president spoke in front of that bridge, and then we went back to Manchester, and then back to Springfield — it was an eight-hour campaign,” he noted, adding that, other than the name on the account, this was much like most of his gigs to date.

The assignment from the Biden camp gives Connolly and Stand Out Truck (SOT) a new and impressive top line for its growing list of clients, and a new example of how quickly the company can respond to client needs and present a message to an intended audience.

And since this serial entrepreneur known to some as ‘Mr. Stinky Cakes’ launched this venture just as the pandemic was arriving in this region (more on that later), there have been all kinds of messages — and all kinds of audiences.

In that first category, there’s been everything from birthday wishes and congratulations to a high-school or college graduate to last-minute messages from political candidates; from invites to a pitch contest to welcome messages from a bank with a new branch in the neighborhood. The audiences, meanwhile, have ranged from families to groups attending a VFW-sponsored car show to cities and counties, as in New Hampshire.

Stand Out Truck landed a high-profile assignment helping President Biden promote his Build Back Better plan.

And while the concept is gathering speed, as well as clients, Connolly believes he’s just getting started. Indeed, while he has one eye on the present and his two trucks on the road, his other is on the future and prospects for taking the business to the regional and even national levels, with perhaps licensing options (there’s already one of those in place) and franchising.

“The goal is to build a national brand — eventually, I want to take my company public,” he said, adding that he’s building for the long term and striving for steady growth.

Meanwhile, Connolly, 39, lives by what he encourages his clients to do — aggressively marketing his business. He said the Biden camp found him not by accident, but because he’s visible and always promoting what he does. And he advises businesses — and those politicians — to do the same; indeed, Stand Out Truck is an offshoot, or expansion, of a marketing business he started called Launch and Stand Out Agency. That’s the same title he put on a book he wrote in 2013.

“We make ourselves so visible and so accessible, we have some high-profile people that reach out to us all the time,” he explained, he said, adding that his business model is all about getting a message across — figuratively, but, in the case of his trucks, also quite literally.

“The goal is to build a national brand — eventually, I want to take my company public.”

And this new venture is the culmination of three decades (yes, he started when he was in grammar school) of being in business and marketing himself and his products and services.

“I always tell people … it’s not the truck,” he said. “It’s everything behind it; that’s why it works.”

For this issue, BusinessWest talked at length with Connolly about his latest venture, a lifetime (almost) of entrepreneurship, and how, in his words, he’s marketing “in slow motion.”

Seeing His Name in Lights

Connolly’s relatively new mailing address is a small suite in the Venture X complex — a co-working space — in Holyoke. Along one wall of that space is a collection of more than 100 photos of his Stand Out Trucks in action.

The wall is almost entirely full, and these framed images speak to just how far this venture has come in almost two years. And as he talked, Connolly kept gesturing … to the Biden assignment. To his message to an employee enjoying a birthday — “his phone was ringing all day because people were seeing the truck.” To at least a half-dozen political candidates and their messages. To several corporate clients with various messages. To high-school graduates … the list goes on.

One wall of Myke Connolly’s space at Venture X is covered by photos of his Stand Out Trucks in action.

The road to filling that wall has been a long one, with a number of twists and turns.

As noted earlier, Connolly is a serial entrepreneur. He’s been in business and marketing, and also studying business and marketing, to some extent since he was 9.

Connolly grew up in the Bahamas and spent a lot of his time with his stepfather, who owned a pest-control business. He remembers a lot about those days, but especially what he saw on the coffee tables and TVs of clients, especially the wealthy ones. The coffee tables boasted business magazines, and the TVs had shows with the stock-market crawler at the bottom.

“I would go home and watch the TV show with the ticker,” he recalled. “I understood nothing, but I knew enough to know that all these successful people were doing the same thing — and watching that ticker — so there had to be something to that.”

While watching, he did a lot of reading and learned about successful entrepreneurs like Yankee Candle founder Mike Kittredge, Vermont Teddy Bear founder John Sortino, and many others — stories he said he could understand as a young person and draw inspiration from.

When, in 2008, he started his first business, Stinky Cakes, which offered practical gifts to new parents such as cakes shaped from diapers (hence the name), he would call on Kittredge, Sortino, and some of the others to talk about marketing, brand building, and much more.

“In month two, they started canceling graduations. So I said, ‘forget about selling ad space to businesses … I’m just going to go celebrate all these kids that I know.’ I turned it into a graduation truck.”

“These guys were in my phone; when I had questions, I would call them,” he told BusinessWest. “And that’s why I encourage kids today to read and to learn about entrepreneurs, and to reach out to them; truly successful people always want to find a way to help.”

As for marketing, Connolly says he’s been doing that since he was 9, when he would take some of the candy his grandmother would bring back from trips to Florida and sell it to classmates in school.

“I had flavors, like Jolly Ranchers, that the school store didn’t have,” he explained. “I didn’t know it was marketing at the time, but I started giving the candy to kids in my class. That’s how simple marketing is — showing people that would buy what you have that you have what they want.”

As a result of his success in business and marketing, Connolly was asked to do some teaching, guest lecturing, and mentoring of young entrepreneurs by groups like Valley Venture Mentors and EforAll Holyoke.

He focuses heavily on building credit, creating solid cash flow, and sound money management. “If you don’t know how to manage your money, none of this will ever work,” he said. “I say, ‘you can be making $1 million a year, but it you’re spending $1.5 million … then you’re in big trouble.’”

One course he’s taught is called the “100 Grand Plan,” which, as that name suggests, advises those taking it on how to make their first $100,000. Among the keys to doing so, and one that is often overlooked, is marketing.

“In order to make money, you have to understand marketing, but no matter how much we laid it out and taught them, some of them just didn’t get it,” he told BusinessWest. “So some of them started asking me to do their marketing for them.”

This led to the creation of the Launch and Stand Out agency, he went on, adding that one of his clients wanted to feature children on billboards across the country and hired him to do some of the buying of space on those boards.

This experience prompted him to want become part of what’s known as the ‘out-of-home’ advertising business, and, specifically, digital billboards — in this case, ones that move.

“I had a group of really intelligent engineers put together the truck … and we just started,” he said, joking that he could have bought two Ferraris for what he spent on the trucks and the related equipment.

The Road to Success

A big component of any business venture is timing, said Connolly, adding that, with Stand Out Truck, his was awful. For the most part, anyway.

He launched on March 9, 2020, a carefully chosen date that coincides with the death (in 1997) of rapper Biggie Smalls. Unfortunately, it also coincided with the arrival of COVID-19. Indeed, just as he was putting his trucks on the road, the state and most all businesses were shutting down, and people across the region were hunkering down.

Myke Connolly’s clients run the gamut from local organizations to national brands.

It was a tough time to start, but Connelly, again practicing what he preaches — in lectures to college students, advice to young entrepreneurs, and also in the book he wrote called Launch and Stand Out — made sure he started out with enough capital to withstand what he expected would be a few soft months of getting his name and product out and building up the business.

Business turned out to even softer than he anticipated. But he was helped by some of those connections he made teaching and lecturing in area colleges.

“In month two, they started canceling graduations,” he recalled. “So I said, ‘forget about selling ad space to businesses … I’m just going to go celebrate all these kids that I know.’ I turned it into a graduation truck.”

Elaborating, he said he essentially covered half the cost of hiring one of his trucks to celebrate a graduate himself, charging the rest to families looking for a unique way to honor a son or daughter not able to walk across a stage to pick up a diploma.

“I made it super affordable,” he recalled. “Kids were being celebrated on the truck for $75, and that included photography, editing the photos, everything; we gave them something really special. We probably did more than 500 of those.”

Since that adventurous start, the company has been steadily building its client base, which now includes everything from the local pizza shop to national brands (Texas Roadhouse, for example) to the president, and the goal is the same with all of them — to help get the message out, but in a unique and somewhat powerful way.

The concept caught the attention of PeoplesBank, which first used one of Connolly’s trucks to drive applications to the EforAll Holyoke class last spring. The bank used the company for its own business for the opening of a branch in West Hartford, hiring SOT to generate awareness around the banking-center location prior to its official opening, and also to appear at the grand-opening party and a nearby ‘build day’ undertaken in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity in Hartford.

“Mychal is a ‘hustler’ in the very best sense of the word,” said Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility for the bank. “He has endless energy and enthusiasm, tremendous work ethic, and a strong focus on getting results for his customers. The SOT allows us to bring our message to places it might not ordinarily reach, and the quality of the images on the truck is a good representation of the brand.”

Moving forward, Connolly, who now boasts a team of 10, including designers, drivers, and those managing the equipment, wants to earn more testimonials like that. With them, he believes his goal of taking the company national — and eventually going public — are perhaps within reach.

“Some people think we’re a guy with a truck. We’re not — we’re a startup, and we’re looking to build the right way,” he said, adding that, while there are digital billboards in virtually every market, his concept is relatively unique. Meanwhile, he brings strong marketing experience to the table that can help clients create a strategy, not merely a message on wheels.

“I’m not just a guy with a truck — I’ve been doing marketing since I was 9 years old,” he went on. “I love marketing, and I respect the craft of marketing, and I love giving that to my clients. It’s not just about putting a picture on a truck and driving around.”

To a Higher Gear

In addition to all those framed pictures of his trucks in action, Connolly’s office also sports a small sign that serves to inform and inspire both his students and himself.

It features numbers breaking down what $1 million a year in revenue equates to, as in … $83,333 a month, $19,230 a week, and $2,739 a day. There’s then a poignant tagline: ‘Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do.’

Connolly has lived by that credo all his life, and Stand Out Truck is the latest example. He doesn’t know where he can go with this concept, but he’s allowing himself to think, and dream, big.

That’s the message he drives home to his students and mentees, and now … well, he’s driving home all kinds of messages. And, in doing so, writing another stirring chapter in the book that is his life.

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

COVID and Its Many Side Effects Dominate the Headlines

By George O'Brien December 22, 2021

Features Special Coverage

The Year in Review

You could have called it ‘COVID — year 2.’ Many people did. It was supposed to be the year the pandemic was put in the rear view. But it didn’t work out that way. Instead, 2021 was a year in which COVID-19 not only stayed with us, but multiplied its impact in numerous ways, especially within the business community. The shutdowns, heavy restrictions, canceled events, and long lines for testing in 2020 gave way to vaccinations, a general reopening of the economy, and the return of many events and institutions — from the Big E to the Thunderbirds to the local chambers’ After-5 gatherings — in 2021. But there was also inflation, supply-chain issues, a workforce crisis, profound changes in how and where work is done, and something that came to be known as the Great Resignation. But it was also a year when the local cannabis industry continued to grow and broaden its already significant impact on the region, Smith & Wesson announced it was moving its headquarters to Tennessee, tourism bounced back in a big way, and the region lost one its iconic entrepreneurs and restaurateurs. It was another year to remember — or forget, depending on your point of view. With that, here’s a look back at the biggest stories of the past year.

COVID-19

Actually, COVID wasn’t one story; it was perhaps a dozen different stories all happening at once, some of which you’ll read about below. There was the virus itself, which evolved into different variants, including Delta and, most recently, Omicron. But there were many side effects from the pandemic, each one being a big story in its own way.

That list includes vaccinations — and there are several different aspects to that story — and also ongoing changes to the workplace, a workforce crisis spawned in many ways by the pandemic, supply-chain shortages, inflation generated by huge amounts of money being infused into the economy at a time when there were shortages of many items, and much more.

The news that everyone had been waiting for — the lifting of all restrictions placed on businesses as a result of COVID — came just before Memorial Day. BusinessWest announced this critical turn with the cover headline ‘The Next Stage.’ In actuality, the next stage wasn’t all that most businesses thought it would be, as many of them were now facing new challenges, such as severe labor shortages, the inability to order parts and supplies, lingering issues regarding remote work, and, much later, matters regarding vaccination (more on all these later).

“In most all respects, things were much better in 2021 than they were in 2020, but ‘normal,’ as in pre-COVID, was elusive for many businesses, large and small.”

Still, in most all respects, things were much better in 2021 than they were in 2020, but ‘normal,’ as in pre-COVID, was elusive for many businesses, large and small. From car dealerships with very few new cars on the lots — and used cars taking up showroom space — to restaurants having to close an extra day during the week because they couldn’t get enough help, there were many signs that the pandemic wasn’t going to be relegated to the past tense any time soon. And with the number of cases and hospitalizations spiking this month, it seems certain there will be a ‘year 3’ of COVID — and, for now, great uncertainty about what that will bring.

The Workforce Crisis

Perhaps the most enduring image from this past year, at least within the business community, was the help-wanted sign. It appeared in the window of every kind of business imaginable, from restaurants to manufacturing plants; from roofing companies to landscapers; from golf courses to supermarkets. The list goes on. Everyone was looking for help. And most of them still are.

Indeed, what can only be called a workforce crisis shows no signs of letting up, with signs saying ‘Help Wanted,’ ‘Join Our Team,’ and ‘We’re Hiring’ still dominating the landscape. BusinessWest covered the story extensively and from many different angles in 2021, interviewing everyone from law-firm managing partners to hospital administrators to restaurant owners. They were all saying the same thing: good help is very hard to find, and for many reasons.

For much of the year, one of the presumed factors was attractive (many would say too attractive) federal unemployment benefits. But when those benefits ended in September, the problem did not improve appreciably. Meanwhile, the workforce crisis has had a number of side effects of its own, including higher wages, the need for sign-on bonuses and other incentives, and, most importantly, lost business opportunities from simply not having enough help. And the matter of finding help became greatly complicated by the growing need for help.

“Perhaps the most enduring image from this past year, at least within the business community, was the help-wanted sign. It appeared in the window of every kind of business imaginable.”

That’s why the phrase ‘Great Resignation’ entered the lexicon in 2021, a reference to the millions of people who left their jobs over the course of the year for reasons ranging from the ability to retire early to job dissatisfaction to mandated vaccinations. Overall, it was a good year to be looking for work, and a very difficult year for those looking for help.

Inflation and the Supply Chain

‘The Rising Cost of Everything.’ That was the headline on a BusinessWest cover story in late May. That same headline could have worked in every month since. Indeed, the price of just about everything, from steak to lumber to used cars, kept heading skyward.

Last month, in fact, inflation hit its highest point in almost 40 years. The Consumer Price Index, which tracks the price of a broad range of goods, rose 0.8% in November and is up 6.8% from a year earlier. The biggest risers included food, housing, cars (both new and used), and gasoline. Energy costs in November were up 33% over a year earlier, food costs were up 6%, and used car and truck prices climbed 31%.

The most recent echo of such severe inflation took place in the 1970s, a situation spurred by disruptions in global oil supplies. Inflation rose from below 3% in 1972 to above 13% in 1979, prompting the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates to as high as 20%. By 1982, inflation had receded, but the experience shaped monetary policy for decades.

“One of the main drivers to the current inflation crisis, of course, has been a broken global supply chain — an issue with so many interlocking factors, it’s hard to see it resolving any time soon.”

One of the main drivers to the current inflation crisis, of course, has been a broken global supply chain — an issue with so many interlocking factors, it’s hard to see it resolving any time soon. The earliest factor was a widespread economic shutdown in the spring of 2020; when the economy began reopening at high speed later that year, supply chains — for products like steel, lumber, and other key supplies — were slow to respond to growing consumer demand, and never caught up.

Add in serious delays in freight shipping, a bottleneck of shipping containers across the globe, and a persistent shortage of workers, and the result is additional strain on businesses and soaring prices all the way down the supply line — which eventually reach consumers in the form of, you guessed it, inflation. Untangling all of this will be one of the big challenges facing policymakers and business leaders in 2022.

Changes in the Workplace

If 2020 was the year of remote work, then 2021 was the year of deciding if, when, and under what circumstances people would continue to work remotely. And for many businesses, deciding just what to do became a stern challenge.

Many arrived at a hybrid format as the most common-sense solution, a mixed approach that had employees working remotely most days but in the office at least one or two. However, many employees, citing how well they worked at home, questioned whether the hybrid approach was needed or even effective.

Meanwhile, the changing dynamic created still more challenges for those confronting the ongoing workforce challenge. Indeed, beyond salary, benefits, and workplace culture, many job seekers put the ability to work remotely high on their wish list — or demand list, as the case may be.

Sarah Rose Stack, recruiting director for Holyoke-based Meyers Brothers Kalicka, summed things up poignantly in a piece she wrote for BusinessWest in October. “Employees are actively seeking remote or hybrid work opportunities just as many companies are now demanding that employees return to in-person work,” she explained. “Some have even pre-emptively started seeking flexible work opportunities out of fear that their current remote-work situation might change. Many are expressing that the ability to work from home and have more flexible work schedules in general have helped to prevent burnout. People have enjoyed ditching the morning commute and 5 p.m. rush hour. The returned pockets of time have come with myriad benefits, including more sleep, more time with family before and after work, less wear and tear on vehicles, more time with pets, and an overall more comfortable environment.”

“If 2020 was the year of remote work, then 2021 was the year of deciding if, when, and under what circumstances people would continue to work remotely. And for many businesses, deciding just what to do became a stern challenge.”

But while remote work presents challenges, there are opportunities for businesses as well; managers in many different sectors told BusinessWest that remote work gives them the opportunity to recruit talent from across the country, not simply from within the 413. That same opportunity could be a boon for this region and, especially, rural areas like the Berkshires and Franklin County, which offer quality of life, lower cost of living, and, now, an opportunity to live there and work almost anywhere. Like many of the stories on our list, this one will take some time to play out.

Smith & Wesson Heads to Tennessee

The press release found its way into the inbox of area media outlets early in the morning of Sept. 30. And it was a bombshell. Smith & Wesson President Mark Smith was announcing that the company was moving its corporate headquarters — and roughly 500 jobs — from Springfield, where the company was launched more than 150 years ago, to Blount County, Tennessee.

The stated reason was that the company did not want to remain headquartered in a state where legislation had been filed that would ban the manufacturing of more than half the products (specifically assault weapons) made by the company. Smith & Wesson’s new home is a county that bills itself as a ‘Second Amendment sanctuary.’

While the stated case for leaving was greeted with significant skepticism — many elected officials stated that the company was simply taking advantage of huge tax breaks and other incentives — there was considerable discussion about just what Springfield and this region would be losing. The 500 jobs were at the top of that list, obviously, but some were saying the city was also losing some of its business and manufacturing heritage (even if 1,000 of the company’s jobs were staying in the city) and some bragging rights, given that S&W is among the most recognizable brands in the world.

As for the lost jobs, some elected officials, and some area manufacturers as well, see this as an opportunity for the region, given the ongoing workforce crisis and shortage of good help (see how the stories on this list are all interconnected?). One firm, Indian Orchard-based Eastman, actually started advertising directly to those impacted Smith & Wesson workers, welcoming them to seek work at that firm.

Cannabis Continues to Flourish

In the three years and one month since NETA opened on Conz Street in Northampton and became the state’s very first dispensary for legal, recreational cannabis, almost 200 cannabis businesses — not just retail shops, but growers, manufacturers, labs, and wholesalers — have cropped up across Massachusetts. Last month, total sales in Massachusetts crossed the $2 billion mark … and the second billion arrived in a much shorter timespan than the first billion.

What this tells industry proponents is that constant expansion of competition isn’t simply spreading out a limited pool of customers; it’s creating more, and many believe there remains a significant well of individuals who haven’t yet turned on, but will eventually, as they hear good things from friends and family and the last barriers of stigma fall.

Locally, that’s good news on a couple of economic fronts: municipal tax revenues and jobs. In Northampton, for instance, which boasts at least 20 cannabis-related businesses, excise taxes have brought in more than $4.3 million over three years, to help pay for much-neede city services. And just down the road in Holyoke, a surge in employment in this new industry — hundreds of jobs and counting in that city alone — has led to new job-training programs to feed the growing demand.

If there has been one hiccup, the Cannabis Control Commission’s stated commitment to social-equity opportunities — with the goal of helping communities and demographics negatively impacted by the war on drugs to access entrepreneurship opportunities in cannabis — has met with inconsistent results. But commissioners have heard those complaints, and the conversation continues.

“Last month, total sales in Massachusetts crossed the $2 billion mark … and the second billion arrived in a much shorter timespan than the first billion.”

Meanwhile, the sheer number of cannabis businesses in Massachusetts is actually making it easier for all players — even small ones — to succeed, because of the cross-pollination making vertical integration less of a necessity these days. It’s an industry of many niches, and every niche is reporting tremendous oppportunity.

Tourism Industry Rebounds

While full recovery is still a ways off, the region’s large and vital tourism and hospitality industry staged an inspiring comeback in 2021. The biggest story, on many levels, was the return of the Big E after a one-year hiatus due to COVID. The 17-day fair drew large crowds — nearly 1.5 million in total — and on the final Saturday, it topped the all-time single-day attendance mark with 177,238 visitors.

Meanwhile, the fair boosted the fortunes of a number of other businesses, from hotels and restaurants to tent-renting companies. But there were other signs of progress as well, including solid visitation numbers at a renovated Basketball Hall of Fame, the return of live performances at Jacob’s Pillow and a host of other cultural venues, a steady if unspectacular year for MGM Springfield, and, of course, the return of the Springfield Thunderbirds, which were in first place as of this writing.

As for restaurants, they rebounded as well, with patrons returning in large numbers, especially after the state lifted all restrictions on such businesses just before Memorial Day. But for most all restaurants, reopening came with challenges, especially on the workforce side, with many forced to close more than one day a week (the traditional number) because of a lack of workers.

“While full recovery is still a ways off, the region’s large and vital tourism and hospitality industry staged an inspiring comeback in 2021. The biggest story, on many levels, was the return of the Big E after a one-year hiatus due to COVID.”

As for hotels and event venues, weddings and similar events returned in full force, but the story was different on the corporate side, with travel and events still well below pre-COVID levels. So, while the tourism sector has recovered to some degree, there is still some work to do.

The Vaccination Issue

Businesses already facing a number of challenges as a result of COVID were handed another with the arrival of vaccinations to combat the virus.

The efficacy of vaccines isn’t in doubt. While they don’t totally prevent spread or infection, their impact on severity is well-documented, with hospital ICUs reporting that 95% or more of the most severe cases — and deaths — in 2021 have been among the unvaccinated. And those deaths are nothing to scoff at. As the pandemic approaches the end of a second year, the U.S. is about to surpass 800,000 deaths from the virus, hitting the elderly the hardest; roughly one in 100 older Americans has died from the virus, while, for people younger than 65, that ratio is closer to 1 in 1,400.

So it’s natural that business and political leaders have been frustrated by vaccine hesitancy among wide swaths of Americans. While the vaccines have certainly prompted decreases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID, they have left employers with hard decisions — and some dilemmas.

“While the vaccines have certainly prompted decreases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID, they have left employers with hard decisions — and some dilemmas.”

Many business owners didn’t want to be in a position to require vaccinations, but this fall, the Biden administration made the decision for them, requiring vaccinations for all businesses with more than 100 employees and those working on federal contracts (or subcontracts), healthcare workers, and federal government workers.

Legal challenges have gone back and forth on these vaccination mandates, putting the mandate for federal workers in limbo for a time (though it’s back on for the time being), while private employers moving forward with the mandate must cope with employees leaving because they don’t wish to be vaccinated, adding to an already-difficult workforce environment. It’s another story that will play itself out over the coming weeks and months.

Data Center Proposed in Westfield

It’s being called the largest private-sector development proposal in the region’s history. That some of the language attached to a plan to build a $2.7 billion data center on a 165-acre parcel off Servistar Industrial Way in Westfield.

The proposal’s developers, Servistar Industrial Realties, have presented plans calling for a complex of 10 buildings totaling more than 2.74 million square feet, with projected customers expected to include the likes of Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook. The project, which still has a number of hurdles to clear before it becomes reality, has received approval from the Planning Board and City Council, with the state now considering a 40-year tax-abatement package.

The developers focused in on Westfield and the large parcel in question — actually, several smaller parcels knitted together — because the site could check a number of boxes, including the ability to draw power, and large amounts of it, directly from the grid, as well as access to a reliable, high-speed fiber communications network. Competitive cost of doing business is also high on the list, as is a skilled workforce and easy access to major markets.

Area economic-development officials note that, while sites for such massive initiatives, called ‘hyperscale’ projects, are rare, there is the potential for smaller-scale data-center ventures, and success with the Westfield project could create other opportunities for the region.

Housing Prices Soar

Have you tried to buy a house lately? How frustrating has it been?

Probably plenty frustrating, because of a simple supply-and-demand equation: there are far fewer available houses on the market, especially in Western Mass., than there are buyers, and that’s caused prices to soar. Homes are often publicly on the market for a day or two before they’re snapped up, often at more than the asking price, sometimes without an inspection.

Statistics from the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley bear this out. Last December, home sales in the Pioneer Valley were up 29.2%, and median price was up 10.1%, from December 2019. And the trend has continued through 2021, with sales down slightly from 12 months earlier, but the median price up another 15%.

A few different factors have been in play. Since the start of the pandemic, especially since the advent of widespread remote work, families have been trying to escape urban areas, driving sales in Berkshire and Franklin counties, but also in more populous Hampden and Hampshire counties as well. Demand has outpaced supply, and home buyers aren’t putting their own houses on the market until they’ve got a new home nailed down.

Meanwhile, interest rates have been at historic lows, even creeping below 3%. “The rates are so low that a lot of people are realizing it’s much cheaper than renting,” Realtor Tanya Vitale-Basile told BusinessWest earlier this year, adding that sellers from the Boston area find they can get much more living space for their money in the Pioneer Valley.

In short, families spending much more time at home have decided they want a different one — and for many, it’s been tough to buy one.

Banks and Credit Unions Steer Back Toward Normalcy

By Joseph Bednar December 22, 2021

Seeking a Return

Paul Scully says customers are feeling more optimistic about the future.

While year one of the pandemic taught banks how to constantly pivot — to remote work, new modes of serving customers, and multiple phases of PPP loans — year two has brought more stability, even normalcy, but also new challenges, particularly inflation and supply-chain disruption that has made it more difficult for customers to save, borrow, and invest. That they’re doing all these things, to some degree, lends a healthy sense of optimism to 2022.

There’s nothing wrong with normalcy, Paul Scully said.

And if nothing else, the business of banking in 2021 was more stable than in 2020. That doesn’t mean all the economic issues individuals and businesses are dealing with have gone away, just that banks, and businesses in general, had to do less pivoting. Or at least have learned to roll with the punches.

“With vaccination rates increasing — or at least the availability of vaccinations up — we saw business picking up and customers feeling more confident coming into the banking centers,” said Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank. “And with commercial business picking up, people were feeling a little more optimistic with what the future has in store for them — where 2020 was all about trying to figure out what the heck was going on.”

What was going on last year were the early throes of a pandemic with no vaccines available, widespread shutdowns of economic activity, and banks more involved in PPP loans than normal commercial activity. “But we started to see, probably by the second quarter of this year, a normalizing, with customers feeling more confident and feeling more optimistic about the future and for their business.”

“With commercial business picking up, people were feeling a little more optimistic with what the future has in store for them — where 2020 was all about trying to figure out what the heck was going on.”

That’s a positive trend for commercial lending. Glenn Welch, president and CEO of Freedom Credit Union, was on an economic-outlook call with Visa recently, which projected a 7% uptick in 2022 in business investments in fixed assets, which means more borrowing. “That’s pretty healthy growth,” he told BusinessWest. “People are looking to borrow out there. Corporations’ financial statements are looking pretty strong the last couple of years, and a lot of consumers are sitting in pretty good financial shape; we’ll see whether they want to pull the trigger or not.”

On the consumer side, they have, with 2021 being the second straight year of double-digit growth on the mortgage-lending side at Freedom, along with healthy business in auto and home-equity loans. “And last year, deposits were up over 20%; this year, it was 10%. Our balance sheet, like many institutions, has grown pretty significantly since COVID hit.”

Tony Liberopoulos, Liberty Bank’s senior vice president and regional manager for Commercial Banking, said the bank’s new commercial-lending push in Western Mass. — it opened a loan-production office in East Longmeadow in June and has added three more employees since then — has gone well.

“We’ve been very happy. We had a very strong year; we’ve been very busy,” he told BusinessWest, noting that much of that success can be attributed to customers craving normalcy — in this case, face-to-face dealings with a stable team.

“With the amount of market disruption between mergers, community lenders leaving their jobs for other opportunities, and, in many instances, competitors still working from home, we’ve had opportunities to meet prospects and clients to grow our business,” he explained.

Tony Liberopoulos says borrowers want access to digital tools, but mainly prefer face-to-face interactions.

“We’re firm believers that, while businesses have been struggling with things like COVID and supply chains, things will bounce back,” he went on. “And we’re seeing a lot of opportunities just by being in front of the clients. They want to see familiar faces; they don’t want to deal with just Webex and phone calls.”

Liberty’s lending numbers have borne that out, with 2021 figures close to what they were pre-COVID, Liberopoulos added. “That’s all we can ask for at this point. We’ve found customers and prospects still want face-to-face meetings; they want a normal relationship with banks.”

With that in mind, “I think the trend is toward more confidence in 2022 than there was in 2021,” he went on. “I think companies have seen their business come back since late May, early June, when a lot of COVID restrictions were lifted. We’re seeing businesses thrive again, and now they’re starting to invest in 2022. That’s what we’re counting on.”

Into the Digital Age

While many customers do, indeed, prefer to bank in person, Scully said, one of the big industry stories of the pandemic was how customers who had avoided digital banking options embraced them when they had to — and then stuck with them.

“More and more people developed a comfort level with technology,” he explained. “Many had a fear of the unknown — ‘will my money be safe?’ But the last 20 months allowed people to recalibrate a little bit, and we’re seeing more and more reliance on technology, which is great.”

Country even converted a small branch in the Ware Walmart to an interactive banking office with two interactive teller machines (ITMs). “They can absolutely do anything on the machine. The customer response has been really positive.”

Technology has helped banks in other ways — including combating a workforce shortage that has affected every industry and has not spared banks and credit unions.

“The fact that there aren’t a lot of employable people out there is taking its toll on businesses. Anyone in a customer-service business is looking for people; it doesn’t matter whether if you’re running a bank or a local coffee shop.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter what business you’re in these days, the fact that there aren’t a lot of employable people out there is taking its toll on businesses. Anyone in a customer-service business is looking for people; it doesn’t matter whether if you’re running a bank or a local coffee shop.

“But that customer expectation still exists for us, so technology has helped quite a bit,” Scully went on. “Customers during the pandemic became more familiar with doing their banking through technology, and their reduced reliance on coming into the branch reduced some of our traffic.”

At Country, while the banking centers operate five or six days a week with in-person staff, in the back-office areas, employees remain on a hybrid schedule, three days in the office, two remote — with Wednesdays mandatory for everyone to come in. “That’s more of a cultural thing for us, so folks would still be connected to one another.”

And the hybrid model has worked well, he noted. “We recognized early on, as we started to look at the reopening process, there are a lot of benefits to having a hybrid workforce. It’s like 2020 allowed us all to recalibrate, and ask why you’re spending an hour twice a day commuting to the office just to do work you were able to do at home for a year. We decided, ‘let’s rethink this.’”

Staffing has also been a challenge for Freedom, Welch said, which had to close down a branch or revert to drive-up only on occasion to deal with it.

Glenn Welch says workforce issues have not only affected staffing for banks and credit unions, but have begun to put pressure on wages.

“We’ve seen other institutions have the same issue. We’re certainly trying to hire people, but it’s been difficult. People leave, and it’s hard to get people interested in coming in and working. I don’t know if it’s because it’s a retail environment — that’s where most of our openings are, in branches — or it’s just people retiring or finding other things they want to do.”

The crunch has started to put pressure on wages, Welch added, which not only affects the banks themselves, but often doesn’t do enough to balance surging inflation for those earning the paychecks.

Liberopoulos said the shift toward digital banking options is a good one, and even though many of his commercial clients have wanted to do business in person, they, too, also want to be able to access the same digital experience — with its speed, flexibility, and personalization — that consumer clients have.

“Innovation is always the key to growth and sustainability. To survive, you need to invest not only in talent, but in products and services,” he said, noting that there’s certainly a need for both online options and a bricks-and-mortar presence.

Back to the Street

Communities and nonprofits saw their needs soar during the pandemic, too, and that’s one area community banks and credit unions continued to focus on in 2021. For example, over the summer, Country Bank — which has traditionally focused its giving on basic needs like food insecurity, homelessness, and healthcare — donated a total of $1 million to two regional food banks.

“To be a healthy community, residents in the community need to be in good health. Nutrition should be a right and not a privilege,” Scully said, noting that needs became more dire due to the pandemic, job losses, inflation, and an increase in addiction.

“If you have a heartbeat, you enjoy giving back, and it doesn’t have to be a certain size,” he said, turning the topic around as a challenge to others. “You may be able to donate only a dozen boxes of pasta, but that’s a dozen more boxes of pasta available for someone in need. What we like to do is partner with organizations and get their stories out there, so other people can jump on the bandwagon and be a part of it too.”

That speaks to Liberty’s priorities as well, Liberopoulos said. “We’re very in tune with our community and helping out the non-for-profits; we’ve done a lot of good things so far and continue to do that. That’s very important to us. We live, work, and lend in this area, and we want to support this area as well.”

Welch said Freedom has not only supported nonprofits, but gotten others involved by choosing a charity each month — A Bed for Every Child, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and Unify Against Bullying are just three recent examples — and involving members in the giving.

“We have been advertising that on our website and trying to get donations not only from the credit union, but from members who find the causes worthwhile and have the ability to donate,” he explained.

As for member business in the coming year, Welch knows inflation remains a drain on savings and assumes interest rates will rise at some point in an attempt to slow it down. “That could have an impact on people being able to borrow. Student-loan payments are starting up again, too, so people will have $300 or $400 coming out of their pocket for that in addition to increased prices and increased rates.”

These are problems that affect businesses, too, Scully said.

“With inflation and the cost of goods going up, and so many businesses looking at inflated utility expenses, now, with the shortage of qualified, available help, payroll tends to go up as well,” he noted. “Clearly there are a lot of challenges for folks in the business arena — which is why you really want to encourage people to shop local and keep Main Street storefronts occupied.”

Many businesses struggling with higher costs are still looking to borrow and invest, he added. While the PPP loans of 2020 were about keeping the lights on and keeping employees paid, for more traditional loans going forward, borrowers need to show a continuation of revenue streams without the PPP revenue to bolster them.

“For the most part, that’s exactly what happened. Businesses have returned to a good level,” Scully said. “Certainly, some are still taking their hits — hospitality was one of the hardest-hit, whether it’s food services, hotels, or entertainment venues. They had tough restrictions put on them last year. Those restrictions were lifted for the most part, but now they can’t rehire enough workers.”

These are all factors that might cause individuals and businesses to pull back from borrowing, he added.

“What will the impact of inflation be? When will interest rates start to rise a little? The big piece that looms for me is employment: where is the workforce going to be? Will there be enough employable people for all of the jobs? We’ve heard about this Great Resignation. It’s real.”

Still, like other financial leaders we’ve spoken with recently, Scully remains optimistic. “All indications suggest 2022 should be an OK year from a business perspective.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Activities Are a Critical Element of Life in Senior Communities

Business of Aging Special Coverage

Cheryl Moran supervises a balloon volleyball game

‘We’re Like a Cruise Ship’

By Mark Morris

Cheryl Moran supervises a balloon volleyball game at the Atrium at Cardinal Drive.

Visit any senior-living community and it’s easy to notice all the activities residents take part in. But there’s more to all that activity than just fun and games.

Indeed, while providing entertainment, activities also contribute to the well-being of seniors in every setting, from independent living to assisted living and memory care, and even in skilled-nursing facilities.

It all begins with crafting an activities calendar. Sondra Jones, chief marketing officer for the Arbors Assisted Living communities in Amherst, Chicopee, Greenfield, and Westfield, said residents have a full schedule of activities from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. They can take part in anything from exercise sessions to religious services to food classes and lectures. On one sunny day in October, residents in Chicopee took part in an outdoor drumming circle. Calendar offerings change all the time based on the types of activities that interest residents the most.

“Because people live here, we’re in essence an apartment building,” Jones said. “And in some ways, we’re like a cruise ship, because residents have all their meals and activities here, too.”

Even with nearly a dozen scheduled activities available each day, some residents might want to take part in something that’s not on the calendar. That’s OK with Cheryl Moran, executive director at the Atrium at Cardinal Drive in Agawam, who noted that this is their home and the staff are visitors in the home.

“The activities our residents take part in are all geared to keeping these skills a part of their everyday life. When they begin to struggle with a skill, we step in and help them find a different way to succeed.”

“One woman likes to spend her time doing crossword puzzles, and another just likes to paint because it makes her feel like an artist,” Moran said.

Heidi Cornwell, director of Marketing & Sales for Kimball Farms Life Care in Lenox, said most facilities make sure they cover five key areas when planning an activities calendar: gross motor skills, socialization, self-care, sensory, and memory. Specific activities are usually modified to fit a particular setting to help everyone keep moving and engaging as part of their daily routine.

“The activities our residents take part in are all geared to keeping these skills a part of their everyday life,” Cornwell said. “When they begin to struggle with a skill, we step in and help them find a different way to succeed. We work very hard to be a failure-free environment.”

According to Lori Todd, executive director for Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield, when a person needs medical attention in a skilled-nursing setting, activities remain an essential factor in the patient’s recovery.

“Activities definitely help patients by encouraging the kind of wellness behaviors that contribute to the healing process,” she said.

Meanwhile, in settings such as assisted living, the level of functioning varies from person to person. Moran said she likes to have everyone together because it creates a dynamic in which people of different levels of function help each other with activities or just daily life.

Residents at the Arbors in Chicopee participate in an outdoor drumming circle.

“Our high-functioning residents enjoy helping people in wheelchairs or those who need help in some other way,” she told BusinessWest. “For the person who functions on a higher level, it gives them a sense of purpose.”

Much More Than Bingo

In the past, senior-living activities usually concentrated on gathering for bingo. While bingo remains popular, Todd said many group activities now aim to incorporate exercise so they can combine something fun with meeting a patient’s rehab needs at the same time.

“When setting up the calendar, we make sure to include plenty of wellness activities, whether they are emotional, physical, social, reminiscing, basically anything that helps memory or keeps people physically active,” Todd said. They also insert fun social activities such as a happy hour with an entertainer. “We strive for feel-good activities as well as ones that promote healing.”

Physical and social activities are certainly not limited to schedules on a calendar. Cornwell discussed how the actions of a resident leaving their apartment, walking down the hall, perhaps taking an elevator, and then walking to the dining area all contribute to physical activity. Once they arrive, they sit with a friend or neighbor and then engage in conversation, which adds to their social experience.

“When setting up the calendar, we make sure to include plenty of wellness activities, whether they are emotional, physical, social, reminiscing, basically anything that helps memory or keeps people physically active.”

“This is where senior living provides much more physical movement than if the person was at home,” she added, “where a caregiver brings them a meal and they might not leave their chair all day.”

Activities involving music are popular in every senior-living setting. While singers are not yet allowed in most places due to COVID-19 concerns, Cornwell said it’s a form of therapy when violinists, pianists, and other musicians come to play.

“Studies show music touches a part of the brain and leaves a positive impact,” she noted. “Music goes a long way toward self-care and helps people feel better about themselves.”

Jones credits her activities staff for finding an innovative way to include singers into music performances while still following COVID mandates.

“We had singers outside in the courtyard area while the residents gathered in the library with the doors open so they could see and hear the entertainment from a safe distance,” she said.

As mandates continue to gradually ease, everyone who spoke with BusinessWest expressed gratitude for all the difficult work the staff at senior-living communities performed during the worst days of the pandemic.

At the height of COVID, residents were essentially quarantined in their apartments, so staff at each facility made an extra effort to stay engaged with them.

Residents at Kimball Farms engage in tai chi.

“Our resident-care attendants and activity teams all turned into nail technicians, hairdressers, and personal stylists,” Cornwell said. “They did everything to keep residents looking good, feeling good, and feeling like someone cared.”

At the peak of the pandemic, when frequent temperature taking was essential, staff would dress up as a lion or some other whimsical costume just to get a laugh out of the residents.

One common practice at several facilities involved opening apartment doors and encouraging residents to socialize from the entrance of their unit. Staff would also use the hallway as the focal point for a bingo game and, in one instance, as a socially distanced bowling alley. “All the staff found creative ways to keep things social,” Jones said.

Added Cornwell, “the pandemic has been difficult and extremely challenging. Our residents rallied, and I give our staff 100% props for their out-of-the-box thinking to keep people safe and engaged.”

Before vaccines were available and while COVID was rampant, Todd said patients at the skilled-nursing facility at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing could not have any visitors in their rooms. Fortunately, that unit is located on the first floor.

“Families were able to visit their loved ones through the window and could communicate by phone or iPad through the glass,” she explained. “We wanted to address social isolation while at the same time keeping everyone safe.”

Without that effort to engage with residents, the lack of socialization can quickly lead to depression, Jones noted. “Once they could leave their rooms again, I heard one woman say to another, ‘I haven’t held anyone’s hand in so long.’ Social interaction is a good distraction.”

For nearly four years, Gladys Fioravanti has lived at the Arbors in Chicopee. She believes activities are an important part of staying healthy.

“If you sit in your room day after day, you start thinking too much,” Fioravanti said. “You think of your loss, then you break down and cry and need some pills to calm you down, so I think it’s good to have something to do.”

She takes part in a number of activities because they keep her busy, but not too busy.

“I like the exercise class in the morning followed by the Mass right after,” she said. “After exercise, the Mass allows you to cool down.”

One afternoon, Fioravanti was sitting in the library area with several friends, including Claire Henault, whom Fioravanti met at the Arbors.

“We play cards together,” Fioravanti told BusinessWest. “We cheat together — I mean, Claire cheats.” At which point Henault chimed in, “I can’t be cheating because I never win.”

Moving Toward Normalcy

While residents are free to move around their facilities, families are not yet allowed in common areas but may visit loved ones in their apartments, where they can eat in the unit or take the resident out for dinner. Before COVID, families could join the loved ones during activity time.

“Recently, a family member called just to ask when they can attend the activities again because they enjoyed it too,” Moran said.

All the managers praised the patience families showed during the worst days of COVID. Since the beginning, Cornwell said, they have educated families on the latest protocols and good safety habits. “And we’re still educating them.”

The use of iPads and other tablets were a key to connecting families with their loved ones when no visitors were allowed. Cornwell said Kimball Farms parent Berkshire Healthcare Systems invested in tablets so residents could speak to family members on Skype or FaceTime. Even for residents who were aphasic and had trouble with verbal communication, that connection was still important for all involved.

“Even if the resident couldn’t verbally express their feelings, they could at least see the faces of their loved ones and hear their voices,” Cornwell explained. “Family members were able to see the resident’s smile and maybe even some blush on their face when our care attendants would put some makeup on them to help them look beautiful for the camera.”

As more people receive the COVID vaccine and booster shot, Moran hopes to eventually see families back inside the Atrium at Cardinal Drive.

“It’s enjoyable when we have lots of people here with the residents and the families are all talking with each other,” she said. “I don’t know when we’ll be able to invite everyone back in, but I hope we eventually can because I miss them.”

Like many industries, senior care is always looking to add more staff. Still, Jones noted, while the Arbors had some challenges, staffing is not a big issue.

“We have several staff members who have been with us for more than 20 years,” she said. “We will always have turnover, but we also have a core of stable employees, so that’s a real positive.”

During the height of COVID, Moran hired a number of Harbor Universal Associates (HUAs) to accommodate residents who may want coffee before 9 a.m. when breakfast is served. By having this extra staff person to help and engage with residents, Moran can offer what she called parallel programming.

“We may have one main activity going on in the center of the room, while several smaller groups are doing what they want around the perimeter,” she said. “The HUAs provide that added level of support for our residents who want to do their own thing.”

When a family comes to visit a new resident, Jones said, her goal is to be able to tell them, “your mom is busy right now.”

Ultimately, she added, all the activities available for seniors creates what she called a healthy distraction. “It beats having dinner with Pat and Vanna every night.”

HomeCare Hands Enjoys Steady, Profound Growth and Diversity

Business of Aging Special Coverage

Breaking Through

By Mark Morris

Sina Holloman has grown HomeCare Hands to more than 200 caregivers and employees.

Back in 2003, Sina Holloman discovered she loved working with seniors in a one-on-one setting. That passion eventually inspired her to start HomeCare Hands, one of the fastest-growing homecare agencies in Western Mass.

Initially trained as a nurse, Holloman was looking to make a career change and began to work privately for several families in an elder-care role.

“I managed all aspects of the senior’s care from mental, physical, financial, everything that had an impact on the individual,” Holloman said. “I did that for several years, then decided to try my hand at business.”

In 2013, she stayed up many nights with her laptop computer studying how to start a home-care agency, how to understand the needs of the community, and what it means to be a woman in business.

After several months, she took out a “tiny ad” in the Reminder offering in-home care for seniors, listing her cell phone as the contact.

“That first call had me jumping for joy,” she said. Her elation was quickly replaced with concern when she heard the specific demands of the assignment. Located in Southington, Conn., this family needed a live-in caregiver for three months for their loved one. The family specified they wanted a mature person, which they defined as 45 to 55 years old, and this person must speak Italian.

“That was our first call,” Holloman said. While uncertain she could find someone to meet all those criteria, she made it work, and the three-month assignment lasted a year.

“We know this is more than a business — these are lives we’re responsible for. We come to work to take care of folks and to make sure caregivers and clients alike are getting what they need.”

“This was our first client, first caregiver, first anything,” she said. “Since then, we’ve built on that success and haven’t stopped.”

These days, HomeCare Hands boasts more than 200 caregivers and employees. Headquartered in Springfield, the agency has offices in Northampton, Greenfield, Boston, and Hartford, with coverage extending to communities surrounding those locations.

While providing caregivers for the home remains its core business, HomeCare Hands has also branched out as a staffing agency for hospitals, assisted-living communities, and other medical facilities.

The arrival of the pandemic aggravated an already-challenging situation with healthcare staffing.

“We saw the needs during the worst of the pandemic and asked how we could help,” said Angie Thornton, marketing coordinator for HomeCare Hands. “The answer was to do something about the lack of staff in all these facilities.”

Achieving this level of growth, diversity, and reputation within a highly competitive market has not come easily. Overall, Holloman attributes the company’s success to going the extra mile when it comes to helping the caregivers they hire — quite literally, as we’ll see — and finding creating ways to meet client needs.

“We know this is more than a business — these are lives we’re responsible for,” she said. “We come to work to take care of folks and to make sure caregivers and clients alike are getting what they need.”

At Home with the Idea

It was not so long ago that Holloman developed a formal business plan for HomeCare Hands and faced constant rejection from banks and other avenues of funding.

“As a result, we have no government contracts, and we have no debt,” she said. “We have no back-up plan, and we run on grit.”

It was with this grit and that aforementioned passion for working with seniors that Holloman started her business from a small office on Main Street in Springfield in 2015. After a number of years, as the business grew, she moved to new quarters on State Street. In October, HomeCare Hands took over a larger space that she knows is already too small for their future plans.

The office staff at HomeCare Hands, which has branched out beyond home care and become a staffing agency for hospitals and other facilities as well.

“We’re now looking for our own building,” she said. “We need the extra space because we continue to grow and we are hoping to open a CNA training school in 2022.”

How HomeCare Hands has grown so quickly and profoundly is an intriguing business story, one about a company adapting to meet merging needs and diversifying to find new ways to not only generate revenue, but serve seniors and area healthcare providers.

And in many ways, the company has the right services at the right time.

Indeed, demand for in-home senior services has seen huge growth simply because of demographics. U.S. Census figures show nearly 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, a trend expected to continue until 2030.

On top of that growth, Holloman said more people are looking for home-care services since the pandemic. Meanwhile, concern for personal safety has reduced the number of available healthcare workers, as many will no longer work in medical facilities or in people’s homes.

All this has made the pandemic a time of both opportunity and challenge.

At the height of the pandemic, clients and families were cancelling in-home services, and caregivers were as hard to find as many of the supplies needed to keep them safe. Holloman worried about her agency’s survival.

“When we didn’t have enough coverage, our whole management team got into scrubs and went to see clients,” she said. “We also made our own hand sanitizer and other supplies when they were hard to get.”

As they worked through the many challenges of the pandemic, HomeCare Hands gradually placed caregivers, as well as certified nursing assistants and home health aides, for their clients. Recruitment is an ongoing process because the need for staffing never stops.

“We have become the go-to agency for those who are not able to find professionals to meet their needs,” Thornton said, adding that the phone keeps ringing because of solid word-of-mouth referrals.

One key to the company’s success is its willingness to work with caregivers to help them succeed in their jobs with matters such as transportation.

“When necessary, we will pick up our caregivers for their shift and bring them back home. If they are willing to work, we will make sure to support them.”

Agencies commonly require in-home workers to have a dependable vehicle as a job requirement. That’s not an unreasonable demand because clients live in many different areas, most of which are not on a bus line.

Nicole Grimes, chief operating officer for HomeCare Hands, heard about caregivers who were willing to work but had no means to get to people’s homes. This challenge led to the company creating what she called a transportation division.

“When necessary, we will pick up our caregivers for their shift and bring them back home. If they are willing to work, we will make sure to support them,” she explained, adding that, while she will drive caregivers herself in a pinch, this service is offered only until the caregiver can get back on their feet and afford their own car.

Meanwhile, in-home work often requires someone to cover limited hours for only a few days a week. That can be difficult for caregivers seeking a full-time paycheck. Grimes works with caregivers to schedule multiple shifts for those who want more hours. It’s all part of helping people succeed and become independent.

“Caregivers know they can come to us, even for personal matters such as finding an apartment or help with arranging childcare,” she said.

Making that extra effort is all part of the culture Holloman wants to build.

“We take time to get to know each caregiver who joins us,” she told BusinessWest. “When people come here, we want them to stay and be part of the team.”

To help clients and caregivers feel safe, Thornton said vaccinations are a must.

“Anyone new who joins us must be vaccinated,” she noted. “At this point, none of our clients wants someone in their home unless they are vaccinated.”

Because the need for services can often occur outside of business hours, Holloman and her team rotate who is on call to provide 24/7 coverage.

“It could be a Saturday afternoon and someone calls us because they just visited their mom or dad and realize they need services, but don’t know what to do,” she said. “We are there so they don’t have to wait until Monday to get answers to their questions.”

Bottom Line

On Jan. 1, HomeCare Hands will celebrate its seventh anniversary. Holloman reflected on the challenging, scary, and ultimately satisfying journey so far. “In 2015, I was asking, ‘how am I going to do this?’ and now, as we approach 2022, I’m asking, ‘OK, what are we doing next?’”

Needless to say, she will answer that question with creativity, enthusiasm, and, yes, a healthy amount of grit.

Projects Keep Longmeadow’s Momentum Going

Lyn Simmons says the town’s former adult center may become the future home of municipal offices.

Community Spotlight

By Mark Morris

Lyn Simmons says the town’s former adult center may become the future home of municipal offices.

While two major construction projects reached completion in 2021, it’s no time to slow down for Longmeadow officials, who are planning several more projects for 2022 and beyond.

In June, Department of Public Works staff moved into their new $24 million facility on Dwight Road. Town Manager Lyn Simmons said the new location provides a cleaner, safer work environment with amenities that save money for the town over time.

“The DPW now has vehicle wash bays to clean dirt and salt off their equipment as well as lifts that are appropriate for the vehicles we have,” Simmons said. “We also have covered storage for everything, which, in New England, is critical for maintaining all this expensive equipment.”

Marybeth Bergeron, who chairs the Permanent Town Building Committee, said the DPW facility has come a long way from its old location on Pondside Road. After operating out of a couple buildings constructed in the early 1930s that she described as “incredibly poor condition,” the new location improves efficiency and morale.

“Our new DPW director, Geoff McAlmond, is working to unify all the entities in Public Works, and it’s much easier to do that with all the staff and department heads in one place,” Bergeron said.

Simmons said the new facility will have a positive impact on town business beyond the DPW. “Police, fire, and other departments that have town vehicles now have a fueling facility they can use as well.”

“People who never set foot in the old center are coming to the new one because it is, quite frankly, gorgeous, and it offers people what they want.”

In early November, Simmons cut the ribbon for the new Longmeadow Adult Community Center on Maple Road. The $14 million building features plenty of space for seniors looking to take part in exercise, activities, or one of the many other programs available.

Bergeron pointed out that older residents use fewer town resources, such as the school system and even trash pickup, because their households are smaller. At the same time, their numbers are growing as more people retire every day, and they are looking to stay active and social. For all those reasons, she said many communities are investing in their elders.

“People who never set foot in the old center are coming to the new one because it is, quite frankly, gorgeous, and it offers people what they want,” she added.

Thanks to a $250,000 donation from S. Prestley Blake toward the end of his life, the center has something few such facilities have: a dedicated gymnasium at one end of the building, featuring a full court that can be used for basketball or volleyball and an elevated walking track around the perimeter. On the day BusinessWest toured, three pickleball courts were set up, with games in progress.

The new facility is located less than 100 yards away from the old adult center, which was a former elementary school at Greenwood Park. In the immediate short term, the commercial kitchen in the old center will be used by staff from Armata’s Market to prepare holiday meals for their customers after a fire in November destroyed the market, a longtime fixture in Longmeadow (see story on page 15).

Looking ahead, the former adult center may be the future home for the town municipal offices. Currently, municipal staff are located in Town Hall and the adjacent Community Hall. Town Hall offers limited space, and Simmons said bringing it into compliance with current standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) would be cost-prohibitive. A recent feasibility study looked at reusing the Greenwood site as combined office space for the town.

“We would move municipal employees from Town Hall and Community Hall to one location and consolidate under one roof,” Simmons said. If the plan is approved, Simmons said the town can pay for renovations to the Greenwood site out of the $4.6 million allocated to Longmeadow under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Before the town can consider re-using the former DPW site, Simmons said the first goal is to demolish the old buildings which are deemed unsafe.

“We’ve done a feasibility study to see if ground mounted solar panels would make sense for us financially,” she said. “It looks like that would be a good use, but we have a ton of work to do before it can go out to bid.” Right now, it looks like the town will tackle this project in the spring or summer of 2022.

Doing Their Homework

Though mask measures are still in place and students are still adjusting to daily in-person learning, Longmeadow Schools Superintendent Martin O’Shea said having students back in class full-time makes it feel more like a typical school year.

In addition to what he termed as “the ebbs and flows of the school day,” he also recognizes the town is at a crossroads when it comes to deciding the future of its two middle schools.

Glenbrook Middle School, built in 1967, and Williams Middle School, built in 1959, are two well-maintained buildings, neither of which has had any significant renovation work since they were completed. Despite all the care and maintenance, time has a way of catching up with many of core systems, and the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure in both buildings have reached the end of their useful life. A study by Colliers Project Leaders identified more than $30 million of essential maintenance and repair issues at the two schools.

O’Shea said the Longmeadow School Committee has petitioned the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to help answer the question: should Longmeadow repair the two schools or bring all the middle-school students into one new building?

“If we commit to the repairs Colliers identified, we would make critical improvements to the two schools, but we’re left with the old footprint and the old design,” he explained. “We still wouldn’t have the types of learning spaces we think would be best for students for the next 50 years.”

Longmeadow at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1783
Population: 15,853
Area: 9.7 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $24.74
Commercial Tax Rate: $24.74
Median Household Income: $109,586
Median Family Income: $115,578
Type of Government: Open Town Meeting; Town Manager; Board of Selectmen
Largest Employers: Bay Path University; JGS Lifecare; Glenmeadow
* Latest information available

Working with the MSBA can be a six- or seven-year process. That’s why O’Shea believes Longmeadow is at a crossroads right now. He and others in town support building new rather than investing in the old.

“Our sense is that it would be more cost-effective and more educationally effective to build a new school,” he said, adding that modern schools are built to be fully accessible, with rich digital-learning spaces, as well as spaces for small-group support and intervention.

O’Shea recognizes many residents value having two neighborhood-based middle schools in town, but both need extensive repairs and modernization to continue to serve today’s students. One new middle school can easily accommodate the 648 students currently attending Glenbrook and Williams.

“If we combined our two middle schools under one roof, we could potentially create educational economies of scale, and the new building would reflect a more typically sized middle school,” he said. “The average middle school in Massachusetts accommodates right around 600 students.”

Unlike many communities, Longmeadow does not experience significant school-enrollment swings, but instead stays fairly steady over many years. O’Shea said that’s an important consideration when going through the MSBA process.

“The whole building project begins when MSBA engages the community in demographic studies to better understand enrollment and population trends,” he noted. “That way, they can make sure the school that is eventually built is positioned for future enrollment.”

The middle-school project represents another chapter in Longmeadow’s continued commitment to academic excellence. O’Shea said education is an important part of the town’s economic engine.

“Longmeadow places a premium on education,” he told BusinessWest. “It’s the reason people move here and why it’s a great place to raise a family.”

Great Outdoors

Longmeadow also prides itself on its many recreation areas. Simmons is looking to bring in a consultant to assess all swimming pools, basketball courts, playgrounds, and other sites to assess their condition. Once the town has a baseline on the needs for each area, Simmons’ goal is to have a community conversation with town departments and committees as well as with residents to identify the most pressing projects.

“We want a roadmap so we can get strategic on how we eventually fund that work and complete those projects,” she said.

With these projects and others on the horizon for Longmeadow, Bergeron acknowledged she and the Building Committee will have plenty of work ahead. “I’m looking forward to the next five to 10 years as we get some of these projects off the ground and up and running.”

Businesses Leveled in Fire Start Writing New Chapters

By George O'Brien December 22, 2021

Features

Picking Up the Pieces

The aftermath of the Nov. 23 fire that ravaged the Maple Center shopping plaza.

Alexis Vallides has some experience bouncing back from disaster.

Actually, it was her bother who had that experience. His business, Latino Food Distribution, was one of many in West Springfield that were leveled by the tornado that tore through many area communities in 2011.

Vallides has been leaning hard on her brother, and certainly gaining inspiration from his comeback, as she embarks on one of her own.

Indeed, Vallides is one of many business owners who were left homeless by the massive fire just before Thanksgiving that engulfed the plaza in Longmeadow that unofficially took of the name of her business, Armata’s Market.

She was called early in the morning on Nov. 23 to let her know about a fire in the neighboring liquor store. Less than a few hours later, her store was almost completely leveled.

Like others impacted by the blaze, she is starting to write the next chapter in her business story, and, while there are many emotions attached to this rebuilding process, she is, well, very businesslike about it.

“As a business owner, things happen; we take a lot of risks,” she said. “Every day, we’re susceptible to catastrophes and disasters like that; you have to cope and move on.”

That’s what her team did the morning of the fire — she recalls employees standing and watching the fire, and also conceiving ways to prepare and distribute prepared meals for customers.

Armata’s was one of five businesses impacted by the fire at the Maple Center shopping plaza, which left 74 people unemployed initially. The others are the Bottle Shop liquor store, Iron Chef Asian Cuisine, Longmeadow Salon, and Dream Nail and Salon. Most, if not all, have expressed a desire to reopen — in Longmeadow if they can, said Lyn Simmons, town manager, noting, as others did, that there isn’t a large inventory of retail space, and especially vacant space, in this mostly residential community.

One business, the salon, has already reopened in East Longmeadow, she said, adding that, as these business owners grapple with the many challenges facing them, the town, the state, and several area business and economic-development-focused agencies are bringing resources to bear aiding in the recovery process, and connecting impacted business owners with grants, loans, and whatever else is needed to start anew.

Grace Barone, who leads one of those agencies, the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, knows firsthand what it’s like to claw back after a fire has destroyed a business and left dreams in a state of perilous limbo. Indeed, she owned Bridal Reflections, one of 20 ventures left homeless by a massive blaze in a retail plaza in Palmer.

She told BusinessWest that, in the wake of such a disaster, business owners go through a wide range of emotions, from the initial shock to what amounts to grief concerning their loss, to the frustration that comes from dealing with insurance companies and the myriad other issues related to getting back on one’s feet.

“As a business owner, things happen; we take a lot of risks. Every day, we’re susceptible to catastrophes and disasters like that; you have to cope and move on.”

“This is a challenging time, and it can be so overwhelming,” she said, adding that, in such a situation, the best her agency and others can do is stand by those impacted by it and provide whatever support they can.

“You go through the shock of ‘oh my gosh, everything I’ve worked for is gone; what do I do next?’” she said. “You try to formulate a plan and determine whether you’re going to rebuild and where you will conduct business in the meantime. And you go forward from there. But every time you think you’ve taken a few steps forward, there’s always something that pops up, and then you have a setback. We want to make sure we’re there for our members when those times come.”

As for Vallides, she is moving forward with plans to find both a temporary location and, if the Maple Center owners rebuild, as she expects they will, return to Shaker Road in the future.

“I’m checking out places in Longmeadow and Enfield for a temporary location, but, unfortunately, Longmeadow doesn’t seem to have anything quite big enough for our needs,” she said, noting that the operation requires roughly 5,000 square feet. “There are a few potential landing spots in February, and maybe by February we can get something up and running.

“We’re in it for the long run, and if we can set up something temporarily, close to our customers, we’ll do that,” she went on. “But, ultimately, we want to be back on Shaker Road.”

As for what she learned from her brother’s experience and is using to help her in her comeback efforts, she said there were many lessons from that story.

“It’s important to be strong and hang in there, not just for myself, but my employees as well,” she said. “Everyone counts here.”

And with that, she spoke for everyone impacted by that fateful fire.

—George O’Brien

This Debacle Is a Perfect Example of How Not to Do Things

Features

Thinking About Better.com

By John Gannon

A few weeks ago, about 900 employees working at Better.com were asked to simultaneously attend a virtual Zoom meeting. They were probably expecting information about updated company policies or perhaps some sort of holiday bonus. Instead, Better.com CEO Vishal Garg notified all attendees during the three-minute video call that their employment was terminated “effective immediately.”

Apparently, Better.com, which is a popular online mortgage-lending service, claimed that hundreds of the employees who were let go had been “stealing” from the company by working remotely only a few hours a day. After videos of the termination meeting surfaced on social media, Garg faced significant criticism for his seemingly crass and heartless actions during the holiday season. He subsequently apologized, saying he “failed to show the appropriate amount of respect and appreciation for the individuals who were affected and for their contributions to Better.” He then took a leave of absence from work.

John S. Gannon

“The bigger issue here seems to be that Better.com was not doing an effective job monitoring and motivating their remote workforce. This can certainly be a challenge when employees are home in their pajamas instead of in the office.”

There is a lot to unpack here from an employment-law perspective. For starters, was there anything unlawful about Better.com’s actions? Coldness aside, the answer is no, assuming none of the more than 900 employees were let go for discriminatory reasons, such as age, race, or taking medical leave (just to name a few). However, given the media spotlight on Better.com right now, I would not be surprised if at least a few of those fired employees brought lawsuits contending they were let go for unlawful reasons.

Let’s move on to the suspected stealing — can you fire employees who steal from you? That’s an easy one. Of course you can. But were these folks stealing by working less than an expected eight-hour day while at home? I don’t think they were. Employees often fail to work their expected hours in a day, week, or month, while being paid their full salaries at the same time. This is not stealing. Instead, it sounds more like a performance and time-management problem that should be addressed by managers and supervisors. If there is a significant gap between expected and actual hours worked, this could be a problem that warrants discipline or even termination from employment if particularly severe. But it should not be labeled or viewed as company theft.

The bigger issue here seems to be that Better.com was not doing an effective job monitoring and motivating their remote workforce. This can certainly be a challenge when employees are home in their pajamas instead of in the office. I have talked to executives who feel strongly that people simply are not going to get as much done at home because the temptation to slack off is too great. That may be so, but there are tools that businesses can implement to track and monitor employee work habits and productivity while at home.

For starters, daily Zoom meetings, or at least a few video calls per week, put people in the mindset of being at work while giving colleagues a chance to see and interact with their peers, even if it is through a video screen. Second, if a business has real concerns about employees slacking off at home, there are all sorts of employee-monitoring software products out there that do everything from tracking keystrokes to measuring time away from the computer. Just be sure these tracking tools do not run afoul of workplace privacy laws.

In order to satisfy these laws, you generally have to disclose to the employee that they are being tracked and/or monitored, which undoubtedly will cause concern to some of your workforce who feel ‘Big Brother’ is looking over their shoulder.

“The final and most important lesson brought to us courtesy of Better.com was how not to communicate a 900-person layoff to your workforce.”

The final and most important lesson brought to us courtesy of Better.com was how not to communicate a 900-person layoff to your workforce. Losing your job over a three-minute video chat alongside 900 peers is just awful. Many of those employees undoubtedly provided numerous years of service to Better.com. They were rewarded with no chance to ask questions about the layoff decision, no chance to talk about other opportunities within the organization, and apparently no offer of severance to get them through the holidays. Garg faced severe criticism in the media for his callous approach to firing 900 people at once — and deservedly so.

But is there an easy way to tell people they are getting laid off? No, there is not. But there is a right way and a wrong way. The wrong way was illustrated by Garg — cold and impersonal, and showing no signs that you care in any way about the employees’ future endeavors.

Based on my experience, the right way to conduct a layoff involves three things. First, employers need a polished communication strategy that involves one-on-one meetings with affected employees that gives them an opportunity to have some real dialogue about the decision-making process and suggestions for future success with another company.

Second, consider offering outplacement services to all employees who are part of a reduction in force. Outplacement services are coaching and mentoring programs that help separated employees find a new position. These services are typically affordable and demonstrate that the business cares about its workforce.

Finally, providing some severance to affected employees is always recommended. This may not be an option if the reason for the layoff is driven by financial considerations, which is often the case. Even so, severance should absolutely be part of the conversation when thinking through a layoff, and, in my opinion, should be offered as a gesture of goodwill unless the bottom line just will not allow for it.

John Gannon is a partner with Springfield-based Skoler, Abbott & Presser, specializing in employment law and regularly counseling employers on compliance with state and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act; (413) 737-4753.

PeoplesBank Builds a Presence in Commercial and Industrial Lending

By Joseph Bednar December 22, 2021

Some Moves of Interest

For a bank that’s been around for 136 years, PeoplesBank came across commercial lending fairly recently.

“My predecessor, Doug Bowen, started commercial lending at PeoplesBank probably 35 years ago,” Tom Senecal, the bank’s president and CEO, told BusinessWest. “We didn’t do any commercial loans until then, and we started out with just commercial real estate. And we stayed conservative with real estate, and never went into the C&I side because we didn’t have a lot of expertise. Just by virtue of what our comfort zone was, we focused on the real-estate side.”

That’s all changed, as PeoplesBank has made a strong push into the realm of C&I (commercial and industrial) business lending over the past two years.

“A little over two years ago, we started talking about our strengths and weaknesses and who we are are and what we do as the largest mutual institution in Western Mass.,” Senecal explained. “We have a very successful commercial real-estate portfolio. What we didn’t have was the C&I side. So we started talking about how to get into the C&I business.”

The reason the bank hadn’t done so sooner came down to expertise, which it had in spades on the real-estate side but much less so in C&I, where “you’re financing equipment, you’re financing lines of credit, there’s different types of collateral, it requires more monitoring, more analysis … we didn’t have that experience,” Senecal said. “It’s a very complex and very different lending skillset than commercial real estate.”

That’s why Senecal started talking with Frank Crinella, who has decades of experience in lending in the region, about bringing over a group of individuals from a large regional bank to spearhead a push into C&I lending.

“We have a very successful commercial real-estate portfolio. What we didn’t have was the C&I side. So we started talking about how to get into the C&I business.”

“We talked for several months about his group of people coming over, and we brought over five people that have an enormous amount of experience on the C&I side,” Senecal said. “Real estate is much more transactional, and we wanted to develop relationships in our home market much better than we ever had in the past, and C&I, to us, was the way to do it.”

Crinella is now the bank’s senior vice president and senior lender, and will also take the title of senior credit officer when Mike Oleksak, the institution’s longtime senior lender and senior credit officer, retires at the end of the year.

“C&I typically brings over the relationship more than just the real-estate transaction. And now that we have the group of people that we have, I think it’s going to be tremendously successful, not just for the Western Mass. market, but for our growth strategy going down into Connecticut as well,” Senecal said. “Frank and the group of people who came over have been here just over a year and have been enormously successful in that period of time, starting to build relationships here in Western Mass.”

Crinella saw great potential in what PeoplesBank was trying to do.

“What attracted us to Peoples was really the culture,” he said. “And C&I is all about relationship lending, the team approach. We have a very strong credit culture, but we also have a lot of depth on the cash-management side, and our branch network is very strong and plays well to the companies here in Western Mass. and Northern Connecticut.”

The commercial-lending department is now up to 50 people, Crinella noted. “The team complements each other so well. They brought in a lot of credit analysts that have C&I experience, so we’ve got depth now on the underwriting side.”

He was also drawn to a lending model at Peoples that prioritizes the ability of lenders to make quick decisions (more on that later).

“We talk about speed to market around here — we make all our decisions here on Whitney Avenue, so we can turn around a loan request quickly, and kind of outmuscle the big boys in that way … and, with the depth that we brought, outmuscle the local competition as well.”

Lending Support

Senecal said he knew PeoplesBank could excel at C&I lending based on its culture and ability to forge relationships through its branches.

“C&I is small business,” he explained. “And the interconnectivity between our branch network and our C&I lending is extremely important. It’s very difficult to develop a relationship on the small-business side without a branch network. So, in a lot of my conversations with Frank, we’re focused on our growth strategy and continuing to have the brick-and-mortar strategy, which complements the C&I side.”

Retail banking, Senecal noted, is moving in the direction of digital modes like mobile banking, online bill pay, and ITMs.

“When you talk C&I lending and small-business lending, you can’t do all that digitally online. You need a relationship. Accounts are very different for small businesses than they are on the retail side, between needing cash-management services, wires, positive pay … there are a lot of different functionalities small businesses utilize, more than the typical retail customer. A lot of services need to be communicated, and you can’t do that necessarily digitally. So the branch network has a huge impact.”

Crinella called it “delivering the bank.”

To explain that concept, he noted that, “when a relationship lender goes out to visit a customer, oftentimes they’ll bring the banking-center manager as well as the cash-management professionals, so the customer gets the entire bank when they’re meeting with the relationship lender. That’s really the difference between C&I and commercial real-estate lending. That’s what we’re trying to capture when we talk about relationship lending.”

The relationships customers already had with the lenders who moved to Peoples have generated some business as well, Senecal said.

“When you transition a group of five people from one institution to another, you create some loyalty from those customers who had relationships with them, and you can tell that the relationship means a lot. We’re getting great, positive feedback as a result of that.”

Crinella agreed. “They become valued advisors to the customer,” he said. “They take the time to understand their business and make informed decisions. Again, I think speed to market has been a huge competitive advantage. We get there quick. We can get a term sheet out in 48 hours, and that’s something, competitively, the big boys have a tough time competing with.”

With Oleksak, and soon with Crinella, it was important that both titles — senior lender and senior credit officer — fall under the same individual, Senecal said.

“From a customer’s perspective, when Frank shows up at the table, he has the decision-making authority for quite a few loans. Certainly, when loans get larger, we have a committee, we meet and talk, but Frank has the ability to sit at the table and make decisions immediately with customers based on what he sees.

“That doesn’t occur at most larger institutions,” Senecal went on, “where the lender goes out and gets the loan, develops the conversation, and then goes back with all the information and says, ‘OK, this is the deal. This is the terms of the deal I’d like to do.’ And they sit around with other people — adjudicators, other credit people, who say, ‘yeah, I don’t like that deal. You need to do this, you need to get that.’ And it becomes a group decision.”

That’s not the best or most efficient experience for the customer, he said.

“When you sit in front of a customer and you make the customer believe we’re going to do the deal, then you go back to the office and all of a sudden five different people have their opinions on what it should look like, it’s really hard to go back to the customer and say, ‘yeah, the deal’s changed.’”

That’s why it’s important to empower people, not committees, to make decisions, Senecal explained. “If the loan is a large loan, yes, it goes up to committee discussion. But in my 25-plus years at the bank, maybe two loans didn’t get through loan committee — because the lenders know what they’re doing.”

By All Accounts

When commercial lenders at PeoplesBank were focusing solely on real estate, they excelled at deals for warehouses, multi-family facilities, mixed-use properties, and strip malls. With C&I, they’re talking to manufacturers, healthcare practices, nonprofits, lawyers, accounting firms, and many more entities. And that requires specialized knowledge and, yes, strong relationships.

“You’re not lending on the building, you’re lending on the business,” Senecal said. “In real estate, we lend the money and hope to get paid back. If we don’t, we have the real estate. On the business side, it’s a whole different aspect of trying to understand, ‘how are you going to pay the loan back?’ When you get into all these other industries, it takes a unique skillset to identify whether or not it’s viable and the loan is a good loan or not.”

It’s a skillset the bank plans to further grow as it evolves its lending presence in the region’s C&I landscape.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Polish National Credit Union, Premier Source Credit Union to Merge

‘A True Win-Win’

By Mark Morris

Jim Kelly says PNCU and Premier Source offer services and expertise that benefit each other.

Polish National Credit Union started in 1921 with an investment of $325 and has grown to more than $700 million in assets today. But there are always ways to improve and expand its services, said President and CEO Jim Kelly, who describes PNCU’s recently announced merger agreement with Premier Source Credit Union as a joining of two forces.

“No one at Premier Source will be losing their job,” he said. “In fact we are counting on their expertise on offering credits cards to members which is a business we’re not in right now.”

Meanwhile, confronted with rising costs to keep up with technology, compliance, and talent retention, Premier Source had begun looking into a merger as its best way forward. CEO Bonnie Raymond said that, after considering a number of factors, Polish National emerged as the best fit.

“As a larger organization, Polish National offers in-house mortgages and commercial lending, while we bring our credit-card portfolio to expand to their membership,” Raymond said. “Along with the credit-card business, they will benefit from the expertise of our staff, so it’s a true win-win.”

Kelly added that organic growth in Western Mass. is not easy. That’s why he called the merger with Premier Source a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” The current Premier Source headquarters on North Main Street in East Longmeadow will become the ninth branch for Polish National, which is headquartered in Chicopee. That location also addresses one of Kelly’s strategic goals in finding additional space.

“We’re a growing credit union, and there’s not much room left at our headquarters in Chicopee or at our operations center in Wilbraham,” he said. “The Premier Source building is large and beautiful, so it helps us in a huge way.”

What has become known across the U.S. as the Great Resignation has also affected the two credit unions. Between retirements and just leaving the job due to COVID-19 concerns, both organizations felt the impact of people leaving. Raymond noted that the merger will help address staffing issues for both.

“This was another win-win because our staff will stay employed while Polish National will be able to bring on experienced help to fill any openings they might have.”

“This was another win-win because our staff will stay employed while Polish National will be able to bring on experienced help to fill any openings they might have,” she explained.

In recent years, both organizations have grown through mergers with smaller credit unions. On a national level, Kelly told BusinessWest, approximately one credit union per day is involved in a merger.

Strategic Partnership

Premier Source began in 1941 as Kelko Credit Union, founded by employees of the Kellogg Envelope Company. Over the years, Premier Source acquired employee credit unions from companies such as Spalding, Hasbro Games, and Western Mass Electric. While membership now exceeds 4,500, Raymond said its growth still doesn’t provide the economies of scale of larger institutions.

“For example, interactive teller machines have become popular, but they are extremely pricey, and just buying one doesn’t recoup the investment,” she said. At $80,000 each, an institution needs to own several ITMs to find any economies of scale.

By agreeing to the merger, Premier Source will not be investing in ITMs, but its members will see a direct benefit. A common practice when a credit union merges involves paying a dividend to its members. Raymond explained that members are the reason Premier Source has a strong capital foundation, so the board will soon vote for a special dividend to compensate members for staying with the credit union.

“It’s a way to reward members for their longevity. Members who have been with us for more than 10 years will receive the largest dividend,” she said, adding that most members have belonged to Premier Source for more than 10 years.

Far from a cold and calculated business deal, Kelly said a credit-union merger is typically a more personal type of transaction, done only with people who have earned one’s trust.

“You don’t merge with someone you’ve only met a few months ago,” he noted. “It usually involves people you’ve known for at least several years because you want to make sure your members and employees are taken care of as a result of the merger.”

Kelly said he and Raymond go way back, having crossed paths many times because they work in the same industry. “I’ve known Bonnie for a long time. She is a high-quality and talented person.”

The next step in the merger process involves regulatory approval from the Massachusetts Division of Banks, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corp., as well as approval from the memberships of both credit unions.

A recent news release suggested the merger could be completed by the spring of 2022. Kelly, a former regulator, said he would not offer a timetable because it’s completely in the hands of the regulators as to when they complete their work on the merger.

Healthy Outlook

Polish National ranks 174th among the top 200 healthiest credit unions in the country, according to the Cooperative Credit Union Assoc. Kelly is proud of this accomplishment and noted that it’s positive news considering there are 5,164 credit unions in the U.S.

For now, the numbers Kelly looks forward to involve the 4,500 Premier Source members joining the 25,000-plus members of Polish National. It’s a fitting way to start the next 100 years of the credit union,” he said.

“While our founders were Polish, we have always been a community credit union and will continue that tradition,” he added, noting that the quote credited to the revered TV22 meteorologist John Quill still rings true: “you don’t have to be Polish to be a member.”

Mistakes in Classifying Your Workers Can Be Costly

Contractor or Employee?

By Sarah Rose Stack

Even prior to the pandemic, the ‘gig economy’ was growing at unprecedented rates. That growth has only been accelerated with more traditional companies relying on remote workers and hiring more contractor workers. Freelancing is big business, with nearly $1 trillion of income generated. However, although that total number is impressive, independent contractors earn 58% less than full-time employees (FTEs), and more than half don’t have any employer-provided benefits.

From a business perspective, there are advantages and disadvantages to how a company classifies its workers. With employees, you’ll have more control, but that comes with more compliance obligations. With contractors, you’ll have fewer compliance obligations, but you will also have less control.

“From a business perspective, there are advantages and disadvantages to how a company classifies its workers.”

Some tax advantages to hiring independent contractors include the ability to avoid several tax obligations that apply to employees. For example, a company generally isn’t required to withhold federal or state income taxes, pay the employer’s share of Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes, withhold the workers’ share of FICA taxes, or pay federal or state unemployment taxes.

In addition, companies that use contractors may avoid other obligations, such as the requirement to pay minimum wages and overtime under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and similar state laws, furnish workers’-compensation insurance (in many states), make state disability-insurance contributions, or provide employee benefits.

Keep in mind that simply having a written agreement or labeling a worker as an independent contractor doesn’t make them so. The IRS and other government agencies look at all the facts and circumstances to determine whether workers are misclassified.

When someone is hired, they must be classified as either an employee or an independent contractor. Here’s how the IRS determines worker status.

Behavioral Control

If the company has a great deal of control over the behavior of the worker — for example, where they work, when they work, or how they perform their jobs — the worker should be classified as an employee. If the company is giving the worker evaluations, conducting extensive or ongoing training about procedures and methods, or demanding that the worker attend daily meetings or set hours, then the worker is more likely an employee. Independent contractors will customarily set their own hours, decide on how to implement a project, and dictate where they work.

Financial Control

If a company provides equipment for the worker (tools, software, computers, phone, etc.), often reimburses expenses, and/or pays on regular and ongoing basis, then the worker is more likely to be an employee. The IRS clarifies by considering the following:

• Significant investment in the equipment the worker uses in working for someone else;

• Unreimbursed expenses, which independent contractors are more likely to incur than employees;

• Opportunity for profit or loss, which is often an indicator of an independent contractor;

• Services available to the market, as independent contractors are generally free to seek out business opportunities; and

• Method of payment. An employee is generally guaranteed a regular wage amount for an hourly, weekly, or other period of time even when supplemented by a commission, while independent contractors are most often paid for the job by a flat fee.

Relationship

Perception of the relationship is considered, but the interactions between workers and employees is what ultimately defines the relationship. Written contracts are considered; however, an employer cannot classify their workers as independent contractors when they, in fact, treat them like employees. If the company is providing employee benefits, insurance, paid time off, sick days, or pension plans, then the worker is most likely an employee.

Another area to consider is the permanency of the relationship. Employees are more likely to be hired indefinitely, and either party can terminate the relationship at any time, for any legal reason. Independent contractors’ rights are subject to a contract.

Penalties for Misclassifying Workers

The consequences for misclassifying employees as independent contractors can include IRS penalties and other non-tax implications. The IRS may assess back taxes against the company and demand that the company pay the employees’ share of unpaid payroll and income taxes, regardless of whether or not the independent contractors met those tax obligations. Companies can also expect to pay IRS penalties and interest. Further, workers can file a lawsuit against employers to demand back pay, overtime, and benefits.

Review Your Current Workers’ Status and Hiring Policies

The potential tax and non-tax savings do not outweigh the significant cost of misclassifying workers. It’s important to review your hiring policies, even if you are comfortable with your classification of current workers, to ensure that you are meeting all applicable standards for classification. Talk with your advisors if you believe you may have misclassified an employee or have questions about the standards.

Sarah Rose Stack is the Marketing manager for Holyoke-based accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

The Death of Long-term Thinking

And Why Investors Should Consider Re-evaluating This Strategy

By Jeff Liguori

Humans are historically bad at long-term thinking. In the world of finance, that behavior has dramatically worsened over the past 50 years.

Today, the average investor holds an individual stock for less than six months; in the late 1990s, that period was approximately two years. Go back to the 1950s, and investors were holding individual stock for nearly eight years on average.

What has caused such a drastic shift in investor behavior? First, access to markets has never been greater, which creates ample amounts of liquidity for trading. Second, ever-growing reams of information are disseminated at lightning speed, preying on our psyches. Finally, the cost to trade shares of a stock is negligible — in many cases, zero. Each of these trends is quite beneficial to the average investor. However, the combination of these factors promotes behavior that does not support a long-term view of investing.

For the sake of analysis, let’s look at the performance of Target Corp. (symbol: TGT). From July 1, 2013 through Nov. 30, 2021, the total return of Target’s stock (price appreciation and dividends) was 350%. During that same timeframe, the S&P 500 had a total return of 230%. However, shares of Target largely underperformed the broader market in the five years following July 1, 2013, returning 29% vs. 86% for the S&P 500.

Jeff Liguori

“Ever-growing reams of information are disseminated at lightning speed, preying on our psyches.”

There was no lack of bad news in that five-year period, including a change in leadership with a new CEO and a failed plan to expand into Canada that cost the company more than $5 billion. But a patient investor with a long-term view, who believes in owning solid businesses, has been handsomely rewarded by staying with Target.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted a little-known mutual fund manager, Wilmot Kidd, who has had exceptional investment performance.

“Over the past 20 years,” it notes, “Mr. Kidd’s Central Securities Corp. … has outperformed Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Over the past 25, 30, 40, and even nearly 50 years under Mr. Kidd, Central Securities has resoundingly beaten the S&P 500. The keys to his success? Patience, concentration, and courage.

“If you had invested $10,000 in Central Securities at the end of March 1974, when Mr. Kidd officially took over,” the article continues, “you would have had nearly $6.4 million by the end of this October, according to the Center for Research in Security Prices. The same amount put into the stocks in the S&P 500 would have grown to $1.9 million.”

Analysis on Kidd’s fund suggests an average holding period north of 10 years. But some of the companies in which Central Securities is invested have been part of the fund for more than 30 years. And during Kidd’s tenure, the fund has underperformed the S&P 500 several times. But having the courage of his convictions, and staying invested through market cycles, has served his clients very well, despite periods of underperformance.

Investing today is about constant measurement. Companies produce quarterly earnings reports, compelling Wall Street analysts to change projections and adjust ratings, which forces investors to rethink their investment ideas. Add in exogenous events to amplify anxieties, and it is no surprise that the investing public has become so shortsighted. No, I don’t worry about the potential ramifications of Russia invading Ukraine on my stock portfolio (an actual assertion from a client!).

As a kid, I remember my grandfather diligently keeping track of the few stocks he owned, writing the end-of-month prices in a journal. He didn’t have the luxury of technology; his analysis was straightforward and pragmatic. He invested in companies with which he was familiar. He had no formal degree, having to forgo college to support his family during the Depression. The son of immigrants, he owned and operated a small grocery store whose customers were almost entirely working-class or even working poor.

One of his suppliers was a company called Corn Products Inc. The company still exists, now called Ingredion (symbol: INGR). For him, investing was about owning a piece of this company that he had a personal connection to, in the hopes of growing a nest egg. Whenever there was ‘extra’ money from his earnings, he would add to his positions. My grandfather retired in 1982 having never earned more than $30,000 in any given year. The value of his portfolio exceeded $600,000 prior to his death in 2011.

He didn’t know he would live for nearly a century, passing at age 97, but he sure invested like it. u

Jeff Liguori is the co-founder and chief Investment officer of Napatree Capital, an investment boutique with offices in Longmeadow as well as Providence and Westerly, R.I.; (401) 437-4730.

Reflecting on an Uncertain Year

By Editorial December 22, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Well, that year was … something.

It was certainly something different than 2020, when COVID-19 took everyone by surprise, not only launching a serious health crisis, but disrupting the economy in ways both immediate — many businesses were shut down for weeks and even months — and in the longer term (the broken supply chain).

Everyone learned to pivot — yes, the word everyone got sick of in 2020 — and that made us all more resilient during 2021, a year when business began getting back to normal in some ways, while in other ways, we wondered if we’d ever see normal again.

Take remote work, which may prove to have the longest legs when it comes to trends that emerged from COVID. By the fall of 2020, employers were crafting plans to bring homebound workers back to the office. Plenty of those workers didn’t want to return, and made it clear they were perfectly productive without a commute or face-to-face contact with co-workers. More than a year later, many of those employers have backed off and have made remote work, or at least a hybrid schedule, a more or less standard model.

We certainly hope supply-chain and inflation challenges don’t prove to have the longest legs, because those are problems no one can afford to live with forever. We’ll see what the federal response is in 2022 — rising interest rates seem inevitable — and how these issues continue to depress the ability of businesses to invest and grow.

The other factor suppressing business growth, of course, is an ongoing workforce crunch — a combination of older workers retiring early and younger ones wielding newfound leverage in surprising ways. Whatever the factors, the Great Resignation is real, and will continue to reverberate into 2022.

That said, all that pivoting created a more resilient business culture in Western Mass. this year, one that has become more nimble, more adaptable, and more entrepreneurial. Sectors like tourism rebounded nicely, while cannabis continued its unimpeded progress. .

But back to that hard-earned sense of resilience. Whatever industry we covered this year — construction, auto sales, manufacturing, nonprofits, you name it — when we spoke with business leaders, no one shied away from the lingering pandemic and its global side effects, and how those factors continue to make it difficult to do business.

But there’s a sense of optimism in the air, too. Many feel like, if they’ve made it this far, 2022 can only get better, even if no one can be sure when the pandemic and its ill effects will recede. They’ve survived, they’ve rebounded, they’ve learned — and they know their customers want to get back to normal, to buy and invest and experience as they used to.

In some ways, it’s frustrating to think we’d be in better shape than we are now, on many levels. But for most, things did get a little better in 2021 — and we’re sensing plenty of optimism for 2022. And we’ll stay on top of it, as always. Happy holidays from BusinessWest.

Picture This

Picture This

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

Delivering Holiday Cheer

American Eagle Financial Credit Union celebrated the season of giving by delivering baskets of holiday cheer to Hampden County families with loved ones who faced challenges from the pandemic or illness this past year. AEFCU representatives presented baskets filled with holiday treats, gifts, and Bright Nights tickets to special-education teachers at West Springfield High School, families staying at Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, and patient-care staff at Baystate Children’s Hospital. In addition, Bright Nights tickets and gift cards were delivered by Springfield radio stations on the credit union’s behalf to Shriners Children’s New England and the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield.

AEFCU representatives presented baskets filled with holiday treats, gifts, and Bright Nights tickets to special-education teachers at West Springfield High School

Families staying at Ronald McDonald House of Springfield

Patient-care staff at Baystate Children’s Hospital

Touring Small Businesses

On Dec. 12, state Sen. Eric Lesser hosted a small-business holiday tour with Grace Barone, executive director of East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5), visiting several member businesses of ERC5. The pair, joined by state Reps. Brian Ashe and Jacob Oliveira, visited Pete’s Sweets in East Longmeadow, the Scented Garden Gift Shoppe in Wilbraham, Vanished Valley Brewing in Ludlow, Rosewood Home & Gifts in Hampden, Center Square Grill in East Longmeadow, and the Longmeadow Shops.

Pete’s Sweets in East Longmeadow

Scented Garden Gift Shoppe in Wilbraham

People on the Move

People on the Move

Darlene Rodowicz

The Berkshire Health Systems board of trustees announced that a leadership transition will take place at BHS early in the new year. David Phelps, president and CEO, announced that he will leave BHS in early 2022, concluding a 31-year career of service to the local community, with 28 as the system’s chief executive. The 20-member board unanimously voted to appoint Darlene Rodowicz as the next president and CEO. Bart Raser, chair of the board, highlighted key successes from Phelps’s distinguished career as CEO, including rehabilitating the financial resources of the once-troubled health system, implementing substantial technological and facility improvements such as the Crane Center for Ambulatory Surgery and the BMC Cancer Center, building BHS’s affiliated long-term-care company, developing important clinical partnerships like Berkshire Medical Center’s membership in the Dana-Farber Cancer Care Collaborative, and cultivating important relationships with local and state leaders that elevated the status and reputation of Berkshire Health Systems across the Commonwealth. Raser also praised Rodowicz as a strong leader with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, a deep knowledge of the Berkshire community, and a sterling reputation among government leaders and healthcare colleagues across the Commonwealth. He particularly highlighted her leadership in orchestrating BHS’s successful pandemic response over the past two years. Rodowicz joined BHS in 1984 and served in various positions of increasing responsibility, including as chief financial officer from 2005 to 2020, when she was appointed executive vice president. She holds an MBA from Western New England College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst.

•••••

Tyler Humphrey

Viktoriia Protsyk

Troy Tanzer

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Tyler Humphrey, Viktoriia Protsyk, and Troy Tanzer have joined the firm as associate attorneys. Humphrey is a member of Bacon Wilson’s business, corporate, and finance team. He has significant experience in business matters, including real-estate transactions, business formations, and dispute resolution. He has been practicing law for seven years, having earned his juris doctor degree cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in 2015, and a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State College in 2012. He was named to the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for 2021-22 in the area of banking and finance law. Protsyk is a member of Bacon Wilson’s estate planning and probate team. She is licensed to practice in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, and will sit for the Florida bar exam in February 2022. Fluent in both Russian and Ukrainian, she received her juris doctor degree cum laude in 2021 from Western New England University School of Law, and earned a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Central Connecticut State University in 2018. Tanzer is a member of Bacon Wilson’s land use, zoning, and development team. He earned his juris doctor degree in 2021 from Western New England University (WNE) School of Law, having also earned an MBA the same year from WNE. He received his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from WNE in 2017. He volunteers his time to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance clinic in Springfield, providing assistance with tax-return preparation and electronic filing. He works primarily from Bacon Wilson’s Amherst location.

•••••

Henry “Joe” Long Jr.

American International College announced that Henry “Joe” Long Jr. joined AIC as associate vice president for Institutional Advancement on Nov. 29. Long will oversee all development operations, including major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, grants, advancement services, and constituent records. With more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, team building, and securing major and planned gifts, he comes to AIC from UMass Amherst, where he served as the executive director of Development for Libraries. At UMass Amherst, he partnered with a dedicated staff to enhance philanthropic support for all three library locations and strengthen donor stewardship and communication. Prior to UMass, Long worked at Springfield College for more than a decade with success in major giving, athletics development, and parent giving. Additionally, he has held numerous advancement leadership roles at Plymouth State University, including alumni director and interim director of advancement. Long served as a member of the board of directors for the Council of Advancement and Support of Education, District I, from 2009 to 2016, and currently serves on the African American Development Officers (AADO) network and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Diverse Philanthropy and Leadership Conference committee. His wife, Moira Long, is the head women’s volleyball coach at Springfield College.

•••••

Douglas Scanlon

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Douglas Scanlon to the college’s Institutional Advancement team as its first development and external communications coordinator. Scanlon comes to HCC after serving for seven years as communications specialist in the Development office at Springfield College. Before that, he worked as assistant director of Institutional Marketing for Elms College in Chicopee. At HCC, he will be responsible for creating print, digital, and event-related messaging to support donor engagement, community engagement, and fundraising. He started on Nov. 29. Scanlon holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from St. Bonaventure University in New York.

•••••

Rosey Mazza

LUSO Federal Credit Union recently announced the appointment of Rosey Mazza as vice president of Lending, as well as the promotions of Wilbraham staff members Timothy Tracy and Stephen Lopes to branch manager and assistant branch manager, respectively. Mazza has close to 20 years of retail banking experience and previously served as LUSO’s Lending department manager for more than 14 years. As the newly appointed vice president of Lending, she will oversee the planning, directing, and organizing of the strategic and operational activities of LUSO’s retail and commercial lending programs. LUSO also promoted two Wilbraham-based member service representatives. Tracy has served the community as a senior member service representative at the Crane Park branch for the last four years. As branch manager, he will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the branch with Lopes’ assistance. Lopes began his career with LUSO in 2017 as a member service representative at the main branch and transitioned to the Crane Park location in 2020 as the head teller.

•••••

Steve Herrell, founder of Steve’s Ice Cream in Somerville and Herrell’s Ice Cream in Northampton, announced the release of his new book, Ice Cream and Me. The book is somewhat biographical and contains stories from his 41 years as an innovator in the ice-cream industry. It is illustrated by local artist Allie Martineau. Herrell started ice-cream making at his business, Steve’s Ice Cream, in 1973, offering a creamy and dense ice cream and originating the mix-in. He created such notable flavors as Cookies ‘n’ Cream and Heath Bar Crunch. These innovations revolutionized the ice-cream industry. Ice Cream and Me is available at Broadside Books, A2Z Science and Nature, and Booklink Booksellers, all in Northampton; Amherst Books in Amherst; Odyssey Bookstore in South Hadley; and on Amazon.

•••••

Yamilca Nogué

The Children’s Study Home (CSH) announced that Yamilca Nogué has been named the new director of Community Relations and Development. She joins the CSH senior leadership team and will work closely with the Executive Director and CEO William Dávila. Nogué brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit and human services. Prior to joining the Children’s Study Home, she worked as a fundraising event coordinator for a large Western Mass. program and during that time also supervised its homefinding team, recruiting foster homes. She has a passion for working with and advocating for children. In addition to her professional experience, she has remained actively involved in her community and serves as a volunteer for the WNBA Her Time to Play program. Nogué is the first woman of color and first Latina to hold this position. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in counseling foundations and her MBA at Bay Path University. She is also a licensed social worker in the state of Massachusetts.

•••••

Mary Cate Mannion

Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) announced that Mary Cate Mannion has joined the school’s board of trustees. Mannion works for Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) and is a former news anchor and reporter for Western Mass News. Mannion said her hard-of-hearing sister is part of the inspiration behind her joining the school’s board of trustees. Her sister underwent surgeries and gained more language access through hearing aids and the use of American Sign Language (ASL), and is now an educator at a school for the deaf and hard of hearing on the West Coast. Mannion is a public relations analyst and video producer with eight years of storytelling experience. She previously worked as a news reporter for WMTW-TV in the Portland, Maine area, and prior to that was at Western Mass News. She earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Emerson College.

•••••

Mary Akers

The board of directors of Work Opportunity Center Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with developmental disabilities obtain employment in the community and promoting social inclusion, has appointed Mary Akers as its new executive director. Akers replaces long-term Executive Director Robert MacDonald, who retired after 40 years. Following a 15-year career at American International College, where she served as associate athletic director and senior woman administrator, Akers joined Work Opportunity Center as its first assistant executive director in February 2015. She has held the position of interim executive director since January 2021. Akers holds an associate degree in business management from Elizabethtown Community College, and she received both her bachelor’s degree in business and MBA from American International College.

•••••

Carolyne Hannan

Comcast has named Carolyne Hannan senior vice president of the company’s Western New England Region, leading a team serving more than 300 communities across Connecticut, Western Mass., Vermont, Western New Hampshire, and New York. In this role, Hannan is the top executive responsible for all aspects of the business, including customer experience, sales, marketing, operations, and financial performance. Hannan, who has held a series of progressively more senior management positions at Comcast over the past 17 years, returns to the Western New England Region, where she previously served as vice president of Sales and Marketing from 2008 to 2010. In her most recent role, Hannan served as vice president of Sales & Marketing for Comcast’s Freedom Region, which serves customers across Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Northern Delaware.

•••••

United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region has added four new members to its staff team, allowing it to enhance its work with partner organizations, donors, and general operations. The new hires will augment the organization with their combined experience in leadership, education, marketing, donor relations, database management, and accounting. They are all eager to be part of a nonprofit that impacts the community in a positive way. Jenny Coeur will serve as United Way’s program coordinator, Jenna Farrell as donor relations manager, Jennifer Nhong as database assistant, and Cathy Zimmerman as the organization’s bookkeeper. Coeur, who began her work at United Way in mid-July, was previously a teacher and Math Department chair at Applewild School in Fitchburg. She has 13 years of experience in public and independent education as a community-focused teacher, program developer and coordinator, and department chair. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Hampshire College and a master of education degree from UMass Amherst. Farrell took on her role as donor relations manager in mid-September and will apply the experience she gained in the nonprofit world at UMass Amherst and skills she honed while working at for-profits in marketing and event management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University. Nhong started in her new role in early October and will help manage United Way’s database. She worked for 13 years at MicroTek, a nonprofit cable manufacturing company in Chicopee, in production, quality, and planning and management. Zimmerman has worked as an accountant for Temp-Pro, Argotec, Sisters of Providence, and Holyoke Medical Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Elms College. She began her new role in early October.

Court Dockets

Court Dockets

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

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Elvira Torres, Juan Torres, Alesandra Sosa p/p/a Elvira Torres, Lisandra Vega p/p/a Elvira Torres, and Juan Carlos Torres p/p/a Elvira Torres v. Adrienne Tran, M.D.; Ravnet Thind, M.D.; Keith Reisinger-Kindle, D.O.; Shiva Niakan, D.O.; Sarah Nathan, M.D.; Megan Miller, M.D.; Ian Goldsmith, M.D.; Eilean Attwood, M.D.; Carolyn Delk, D.O.; and Sophia Bachilova, M.D.

Allegation: Medical malpractice, wrongful death: $50,000+

Filed: 11/4/21

Jane Wolchuck v. Dollar Tree Stores Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $96,151.90

Filed: 11/16/21

Clover Marsh v. Blue Tarp Redevelopment LLC d/b/a MGM Springfield

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $9,295.43

Filed: 11/17/21

Chacon Trucking LLC v. Northeast Industrial Diesel Inc.

Allegation: Breach of contract, fraud in the inducement and misrepresentation: $52,215.85

Filed: 11/19/21

Jorge Baez v. Baymark Detoxification Services Inc.

Allegation: Employment discrimination: $50,000+

Filed: 11/23/21

Alton E. Gleason Co. Inc. v. Dietz Construction Corp.

Allegation: Breach of contract: $189,163.58

Filed: 11/24/21

Agenda

Agenda

Winter Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday: Hampshire Mall has welcomed back the Winter Farmers’ Market this season. It will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Target wing, through April 2. The market will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day. All winter long, fresh vegetables and fruit, meat, cheese, bread, crafts, and more will be available from local farmers and artisans. Some of the vendors participating this season include Atlas Farm, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Chase Hill Farm, Quabbin Hill Farm, and many more. EBT/SNAP and HIP benefits are accepted. A list of participating vendors will be updated at wfmhm.com/our-vendors.

The Fort Carolers

Through Dec. 24: The famous Fort Carolers have returned to the Student Prince and the Fort Restaurant, where Christmas caroling will take place every night in the dining area through Christmas Eve. For more than eight decades, Christmas caroling has been part of the holiday festivities at 8 Fort St. For many families, friends, and companies, it has become an annual tradition to visit the Student Prince and the Fort this time of year to hear the Fort Carolers sing the classics while enjoying the restaurant’s authentic German and American fare, along with lots of good cheer. This year they are back with ‘snow’ bubbles and lights. The Student Prince and the Fort Restaurant has hosted Christmas caroling for more than 80 years. What once started out as a few carolers at the door has turned into an annual nightly performance of Christmas caroling for the many generations of customers who visit Springfield’s landmark restaurant for the holidays. Reservations are necessary, and can be made by calling (413) 734-7475.

Asnuntuck Wintersession

Dec. 27 to Jan. 14: Asnuntuck Community College (ACC) is once again offering a three-week wintersession. Registration is currently underway for 15 online accelerated courses that will be taught during the college’s winter break. The courses include Art Appreciation, Art History II, Introduction to Nutrition, Principles of Genetics, Principles of Management, Introduction to Software Applications, Spreadsheet Applications, Leadership in Early Childhood Programs, Introduction to Human Services, Massage Theory & Practice, Medical Terminology, Law and Ethics for Health Careers, General Psychology I, General Psychology II, and Principles of Sociology. Art History II and Principles of Sociology require either no or a low-cost ($40 or less) textbook. Phlebotomy Externship is also being offered. Visit the website www.asnuntuck.edu for more information. Current non-students can click ‘Become a Student’ at the top of the page to begin. The session provides a way for students at other colleges to earn credit to be transferred back to their home institution. Students are advised to check with their college regarding transferability of courses.

Company Notebook

Company Notebook

STCC Receives $55,000 from Community Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) received two grants worth $55,000 from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. A $30,000 Flexible Funding Grant awarded to the STCC Foundation will be used to boost the student-empowerment fund, which was created as a resource for students facing a variety of barriers standing in the way of their ability to complete their education. Students in need of support for short-term housing, transportation, childcare, academic program resources, and nutritious meals can apply for the help they need through the empowerment fund, freeing them to focus on their studies and complete their programs. A separate $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation will be used to fund the STCC’s COVID-19 vaccine video. STCC has created a video to promote vaccinations. All community colleges in the Commonwealth are requiring students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated by the start of the spring semester in January. This vaccine requirement is aimed at ensuring the safest learning and working environment possible for all members of the STCC community. The STCC Foundation, a nonprofit organization, helps STCC meet its goals and commitment to provide superior educational opportunities to the community.

U.S. Tsubaki Supports Innovation, Entrepreneurship at WNE

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNE) announced that Chicopee-based U.S. Tsubaki Automotive (USTA) made a gift of $12,500 to support the university’s colleges of Business and Engineering’s Product Development and Innovation (PDI) course over the next five years. Taught in the fall semester, PDI is comprised of business and engineering students who develop an idea at the onset of class and grow the concept into a limited, functional prototype supported by a business plan. Student teams demonstrate their project innovations at the annual PDI Showcase held the first week of December. Attending the event are members of the university’s board of trustees and several area economic-development leaders and investors. The attendees invest ‘Golden Bear investment dollars’ into the innovations they believe have the most commercial potential. Some of the innovations continue as senior design projects, while others compete in the Grinspoon Spirit Awards and the Draper Competition. The university patents select innovations that have the most potential.

Springfield WORKS Wins $100,000 Grant in Partnership with Home City Development

SPRINGFIELD — A $100,000 Urban Agenda Grant was recently awarded to Springfield WORKS, the lead applicant in a team including Home City Development Inc. as the primary partner. The funds will be used to facilitate a community-wide collaboration, with the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council to manage, coordinate, and support the work of numerous participating program partner organizations, in efforts to help families in Springfield achieve economic stability. The funds will go toward the 2Generation/Whole Family Approach to Pathways to Careers and Home Ownership Program, which is a holistic, creative, and collaborative approach that helps low-income families access career-development tools and training to successfully position individuals on a positive career trajectory. This program will focus on adults and children, addressing the gaps and barriers within multiple systems, including the ‘cliff effect,’ which makes transitioning out of state assistance programs challenging. This project also brings a gender- and racial-equity lens to workforce strategies. Home City Development is the main partner in this project, which means all program participants are Home City Development residents. The program will incorporate the Springfield WORKS’ 2Generation/Whole Family Approach with Home City Development’s HUD Family Self Sufficiency program. Other partners include Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts, HCS Head Start, EforAll, Families First, Springfield Partners for Community Action, and MassHire Springfield. Springfield WORKS leverages employer partners including Baystate Health, MGM Springfield, United Personnel/Masis, Springfield Public Schools, and others for career pathway opportunities.

MCLA Department of Business Administration Earns ACBSP Accreditation

NORTH ADAMS — MCLA’s Department of Business Administration has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This accreditation covers all the department’s business-degree paths, as well as the college’s MBA program. A global accreditation agency, ACBSP focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. ACBSP’s student-centered teaching and learning approach, which is measured and analyzed for quality, ensures that students gain the right skills from their educational investment. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want. MCLA’s Department of Business Administration already has an excellent track record for job placement. Recent graduates have secured full-time work at major national companies like BDO Consulting, General Dynamics, and Google. MCLA accounting majors who sit for the certified public accountant exam currently have a 100% pass rate.

Hancock Associates Acquires Sherman & Frydryk

DANVERS — Hancock Associates, a leading provider of land-surveying, civil-engineering, and wetland-science services, recently announced it has acquired Sherman & Frydryk, LLC, a land-surveying and civil-engineering firm located in Palmer. With roots dating back to 1950, Sherman & Frydryk’s long list of clients includes residential and commercial developers, municipalities, service utilities, MassDOT, hospitals, and more throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties and the surrounding areas. Sherman & Frydryk will operate as a division of Hancock Associates. Don Frydryk will serve as regional office manager, and the current staff will continue to be part of the Sherman & Frydryk team. The acquisition assists Hancock in expanding services to Central and Western Massachusetts. It also adds historical survey records from W.H. and H.W. Brainerd, John Casey, Nathaniel Clapp, Charles Dingman, R.O. and G.F. Dingman, Kenneth Sherman, Sherman and Woods, Sherman & Frydryk, Richard Stowe, and Arthur Sullivan to Hancock’s collection of land-surveying and civil-engineering resources.

Junior Achievement Gets Support from Balise Auto Group

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts is getting assistance from a local auto dealer for one of its educational programs about car ownership. Balise Auto Group volunteers will present JA All About Cars, a Junior Achievement program that explores the personal-finance considerations that go into purchasing a vehicle, to nearly 200 students in six area high schools during December. JA All About Cars programs are funded by a grant from American Honda Finance Corp. Through the program, students make a real-world connection to the car-buying experience, motivating them to make good financial decisions when buying or leasing. Following participation in the program, students will be able to consider whether a dream car is a realistic purchase for most people, explore their driving needs and things to consider when choosing a car, identify a car that meets their needs, and research the cost and understand the pros and cons of financing or leasing a car.

Frontier Launches Non-stop Service From Bradley to Cancun, San Juan

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced the debut of new, non-stop service from Bradley International Airport to Cancun, Mexico and San Juan, Puerto Rico on Frontier Airlines. The service to Cancun International Airport will commence on Feb. 17 and will operate seasonally, three times a week. The service to San Juan Airport will commence on Feb. 18 and will operate year-round, three times a week. To view flight times and booking options, visit www.flyfrontier.com. In addition to the service to Cancun and San Juan, Frontier offers non-stop service from Bradley to Atlanta, Denver, Miami, Orlando, and Raleigh-Durham. The airline has been operating at Bradley since 2018.

Incorporations

Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

A Ceramic Studio Corp., 7 Southbridge Dr., Agawam, MA 01001. Laura Destin, 10 Strawberry Hill Road, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Paint your own pottery and clay classes.

Advanced Structural Concrete Co., 72 Riverview Ave., Agawam, MA 01001. Oleg Aliyev, same address. Concrete services.

CHICOPEE

JLP Business Consulting Inc., 196 Fletcher Circle, Chicopee, MA 01020. Jennifer Perry, same. Business consulting.

JR Service Corp., 76 Sheridan St. Rear, Chicopee, MA 01020. Nahor Santos De Souza, same address. Janitorial and cleaning services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Ichiban 422 Inc., 422 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Ming Chen, 17 Maynard St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Restaurant.

NRC Holdings Inc., 94 Maple St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Seth J. Goodman, same address. Holding company.

HOLYOKE

ICC Brokerage Inc., 110 North Bridge St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Daniel J. Searles, 45 Lexington Circle, Southwick, MA 01077. Hauling scrap metal.

La Primera Iglesia De Dios Inc., 637 South Summer St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Pastor Luis P. Martinez, 49 Edward St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Church.

NORTHAMPTON

Higgins Way HOA Inc., 51 Higgins Way, Northampton, MA 01060. Thomas W. Cain, 63 Higgins Way, Northampton, MA 01060. District association.

PALMER

Ola Greek Corporation, 1 Chamber Road, Palmer, MA 01069. Emmanuel Maherakis, 21 Keenan St., Watertown, MA 02472. Sales of food products.

SPRINGFIELD

Hamidov Corporation, 82 Beaumont St., Apt 2., Springfield, MA 01108. Bakhtiyar Hamidov, same address. Transportation.

Harriett’s House Inc., 208 Groveland St., Springfield, MA 01108. Christina Huff, same address. Transitional support for youth.

S.A.F.E Inc., 33 Osceola Lane, Springfield, MA 01201. Jennifer C. Grom M.D., same address. Financial scholarships.

WESTFIELD

LaFlamme’s Auto & Truck Services Inc., 33 Fairfield Ave., Westfield, MA 01085

Doing Business as Certificates

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of November and December 2021. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

DEERFIELD

Abacus Benefits Plus
106 North Main St.
Richard Cahillane

Alliance Partners Real Estate LLC
249 Conway Road
Donna Wesoloski

Brookside Cemetery
7 Wequamps Dr.
William Leno

HADLEY

Arizona Pizza
367 Russell St.
Phoenix Restaurant Concepts LLC

Barstow’s Dairy Store
172 Hockanum Road
Steven Barstow

Comfort Inn and Suites
400 Russell St.
Hadley Hospitality LLC

Creamy Delights
71 Lawrence Plain Road
Patricia McMarthy

Flayvors of Cook Farm
129 South Maple St.
Debra Cook

Life Dental Specialties
190 Russell St.
Anthony Quinta

Megan’s Valley
8 Mill Valley Road
Brenda Fydenkevez

Mill Valley Milk Co.
102 Mill Valley Road
Kristin Mayer

Mitch’s Marina
4 Mitch’s Way
Mervil Broussard

Primo Pizza
103 Russell St.
Ismael Alvarado

SOUTHWICK

Affordable Design and Décor
535 College Highway
Maria Michaud

Styles by Sara
320 College Highway
Sara Auclair

WESTFIELD

A.J. Virgilio Construction Inc.
86 Medeiros Way
Anthony Virgilio

Golden Peacock
1029 North Road
SQW LLC

Nails R Us
35 Elm St.
Dung Kim Le

New Leash on Life Dog Grooming
1144 Southampton Road
Rachel Kalis

O’Reilly Auto Parts #6156
609 East Main St.
O’Reilly Auto Enterprises

Tobiko
110 Airport Road
Papps Bar & Grill LLC

Wyben Orchards LLC
542 Montgomery Road
Brian Hartley

WEST SPRINGFIELD

BCS Performance
100 Doty Circle
Jason Brazee

Blue Moon Smoke Shop
353 Memorial Ave.
Blue Moon Smoke Shop

Camp Collectibles, Jewelry & Antiques
23 Bonnie Brae Dr.
David Camp

Crepes Tea House
261 Union St.
Arturas Ribinskas

Cuts by Jay
715 Main St.
Jadiel Mercado

My Lawn Guys
711 Amostown Road
My Lawn Guys

Quality Life Adult Day Services #1
52 Wayside Ave.
Gina Martin

Quality Life Adult Day Services #2
52 Wayside Ave.
Gina Martin

Super 8
1500 Riverdale St.
Dilip Rana

Supreme Brass and Aluminum Casting
210 Windsor St.
Domenico Rettura

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies

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

Calderon Orduna, Saray
45 Laclede Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/15/2021

Fournier, Cheryl Ann
36 Kaveney St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/15/2021

Jablonski, Anne Elizabeth
150 Hillside Road, Unit 19
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/22/2021

Landry, Linda M.
35 Arliss St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/19/2021

LaValley, John C.
24 Worthy Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/08/2021

Macko, Marissa N.
119 Brockway Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/10/2021

Madera-Freytes, Julio L.
78 Rittenhouse Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/17/2021

McCabe, Michael T.
56 Perrine Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/16/2021

Munford, Loretta A.
297 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/11/2021

Murray, Patricia J.
71 Kennebunk St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/17/2021

Perry, Danica R.
16 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/12/2021

Rivera, Lilia Abangan
a/k/a Scher, Lilia
6 Breman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/19/2021

Scianghetti, Kimberly
7 Clinton Ave., Apt. 2L
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/18/2021

Real Estate Transactions

Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BUCKLAND

11 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $221,500
Buyer: Ronald Cole
Seller: Theresa A. Byrd
Date: 11/22/21

92 East Buckland Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Lawless
Seller: James T. Hicks
Date: 11/15/21

103 North St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Sarah H. Buck
Seller: Parsons INT
Date: 11/19/21

21 Walker Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Anne I. Naughton
Seller: Kavita H. Hunt
Date: 11/15/21

CONWAY

South Shirkshire Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Anthony T. Rice
Seller: Stanley S. Goddard
Date: 11/19/21

3102 Shelburne Falls Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Drew H. Chapman
Seller: Jennifer Menendez
Date: 11/18/21

DEERFIELD

7 Thayer St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Teresa Beaudry
Seller: First York 2 LLC
Date: 11/15/21

West St.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ronald Gnatek
Seller: William A. Erman
Date: 11/18/21

GILL

48 French King Hwy.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Swampbass Inc.
Seller: Dennis D. Underwood INT
Date: 11/18/21

32 River Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: David J. Duprey
Seller: Brian D. Campbell
Date: 11/15/21

GREENFIELD

16 Alden St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Rebecca E. Neubardt
Seller: Beth M. Greeney
Date: 11/15/21

45 Bank Row St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Asset Row LLC
Seller: Karen M. Fritz-O’Hare
Date: 11/26/21

220 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,550
Buyer: Adam K. Phelps
Seller: Seth E. Cassin
Date: 11/23/21

100 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Fraser
Seller: Bonnie L. Bobetsky
Date: 11/19/21

30 Fort Square
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: 30 Fort Square LLC
Seller: Judith Moman
Date: 11/15/21

159 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Kelly Hanley
Seller: Erin R. Scanlon
Date: 11/19/21

10 Locust St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Bethany Mcmahon
Seller: Holewa, Edward C., (Estate)
Date: 11/18/21

101 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $228,100
Buyer: Scott Keldun
Seller: Kenneth R. Caouette
Date: 11/15/21

4-6 Power Square
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: PDV Inc.
Seller: Rose M. Sinclair
Date: 11/19/21

51 Riddell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Molly E. Barnes-Sellers
Seller: Julia A. Forrestall
Date: 11/19/21

HEATH

71 Dodge Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Vincent D. Frano
Seller: Barbara S. Weeks
Date: 11/15/21

124 East Hawley Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Lien Vuong
Seller: Andrew F. Graves
Date: 11/15/21

229 Number 9 Road
Heath, MA 01367
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Julie E. Troy
Seller: Ralph Demech
Date: 11/19/21

LEVERETT

259 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Craig Nelson
Seller: Peggy J. Feldman
Date: 11/19/21

MONTAGUE

59 Dell St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Donna M. Liebl
Seller: Heather Sheperd
Date: 11/19/21

120 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $152,600
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Peter M. Jacob
Date: 11/18/21

ORANGE

99 Burrill Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sonja D. Cooley-Johnson
Seller: Audrina Cadet
Date: 11/19/21

171 Chase St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Mellyn Costello
Seller: Alex D. Wiltz
Date: 11/22/21

42-44 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Jeremy J. Duhaime
Seller: Kevin Esposito
Date: 11/17/21

53 Fairman Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $279,990
Buyer: William E. Sword
Seller: Daniel R. White
Date: 11/16/21

20 Fieldstone Dr.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Bethany Leslie
Seller: Kevin W. Colo
Date: 11/23/21

5 Gibbs Court
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jessica J. Scribner
Seller: Robert D. Anderson
Date: 11/15/21

12 Gibbs Court
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jessica J. Scribner
Seller: Robert D. Anderson
Date: 11/15/21

54 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Russell P. Gifford
Seller: Carrie L. Look
Date: 11/19/21

24 Winter St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Timothy Thebeau
Seller: Kristen L. Dumas
Date: 11/15/21

SHELBURNE

1548 Mohawk Trail
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Tomer Frey
Seller: Janice E. McMahon
Date: 11/24/21

WARWICK

176 Orange Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Elliot D. Rosen
Seller: Lawrence A. Kilroy
Date: 11/24/21

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

130 Brien St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Phillip Streechon
Seller: Stanley B. Wright
Date: 11/19/21

33 Calico Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Rixing Wu
Seller: Christopher D. Lagac
Date: 11/15/21

60 Campbell Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: Lee J. Simmons
Seller: Anthony T. Depalo
Date: 11/19/21

6 Carol Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Imri Nuhiu
Seller: Barr, Marjorie B., (Estate)
Date: 11/19/21

27 Coyote Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Greg Burkovskiy
Seller: Dmitriy Burkovskiy
Date: 11/24/21

26 Danny Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Timothy Dean
Seller: Raymond S. Guerette
Date: 11/24/21

19 Fruwirth Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Ryan
Seller: Ryan, Janice E., (Estate)
Date: 11/23/21

7 Lango Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $689,000
Buyer: Messier TR
Seller: Jeffrey E. Harbey
Date: 11/16/21

12 Ridgeway Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Bassette
Seller: Edward G. Faits
Date: 11/22/21

60 Ridgeway Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $216,900
Buyer: Arthur Granger
Seller: Scott Bognar
Date: 11/24/21

94 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Michael Rodney
Seller: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Date: 11/19/21

43 Spring St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Raphael Nunez
Seller: Sherry E. Petrucci
Date: 11/17/21

18-20 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: P2SP Corp.
Seller: George M. Watson
Date: 11/15/21

637-639 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Tomasz Komar
Seller: Michael J. Boyster
Date: 11/18/21

CHESTER

182 Abbott Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Lynne King
Seller: Brian Nogueira
Date: 11/19/21

113 East River Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: David W. Lafogg
Seller: Zachariah French
Date: 11/24/21

82 Lyman Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Adam R. Bryant
Seller: Oliver B. Scott
Date: 11/15/21

CHICOPEE

47 Bourbeau St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Luis R. Lopez-Rodriguez
Seller: Samuel C. Bernash
Date: 11/24/21

51 Bridle Path Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Corinne E. Dumont
Seller: Helene N. Kaczowka
Date: 11/23/21

477 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Kaiying Chen
Seller: Roger E. Leblanc
Date: 11/16/21

132 Cochran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Joanne T. Sanders
Seller: Vincent J. Cole
Date: 11/23/21

12 Edward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Victoria A. Engel
Seller: Harry D. Kofidis
Date: 11/17/21

90 Gelinas Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Craig S. Carneiro
Seller: Ramona J. Roy 2019 RET
Date: 11/23/21

162 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Daritza Muniz
Seller: Krista Surprenant
Date: 11/23/21

45 Hendrick St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Marysol C. Alicea
Seller: Warren, Shirley A., (Estate)
Date: 11/18/21

8 Jennings St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Francisco Valle
Seller: Paul S. Wojcik
Date: 11/15/21

56 Laclede Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Dawn M. Szymczyk
Seller: Christine M. Perry
Date: 11/17/21

153 Lawrence Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Ismail Belhoucie
Seller: Chris Makusiewicz
Date: 11/16/21

Lombard Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Lombardz LLC
Seller: Waste Management Of Mass. Inc.
Date: 11/24/21

475 Lombard Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Lombardz LLC
Seller: Conn. Valley Sanitary Waste
Date: 11/24/21

487 Lombard Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Lombardz LLC
Seller: Conn. Valley Sanitary Waste
Date: 11/24/21

190 Marion St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Krista Suprenant
Seller: JHP Builders LLC
Date: 11/23/21

13 Montclair St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Taiye M. Ologunro
Seller: Valerie K. Daviau
Date: 11/23/21

126 Mountainview St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Erik Kaplan
Seller: Anne M. Kaplan
Date: 11/15/21

50 Orchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jerad P. Ostrowski
Seller: Ruszala, Walter F. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 11/17/21

260 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Shaina M. Rivera
Seller: Eldridge W. Lauderdale
Date: 11/19/21

466 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Michael McCusker
Seller: John F. Hurley
Date: 11/19/21

500 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: David Mullins
Seller: Mark J. Dion
Date: 11/19/21

563 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Robert Schular
Seller: Pierre J. Saintilus
Date: 11/18/21

54 Wilmont St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Allyson Grammo
Seller: Paul F. Strong
Date: 11/18/21

EAST LONGMEADOW

4 Canterbury Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Walsh
Seller: Keith J. Stone
Date: 11/24/21

45 Clareside Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Ruan P. Da-Costa-Quintes
Seller: Lincoln, Richard H., (Estate)
Date: 11/19/21

75 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,350
Buyer: Jennifer Lee
Seller: Sheriffs, Marilyn R., (Estate)
Date: 11/17/21

3 Hidden Ponds Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $557,200
Buyer: Meaghan Graham
Seller: Dark Star RT
Date: 11/24/21

115 Lasalle St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Michael Carabetta
Seller: Joan E. Ernsting
Date: 11/19/21

20 Oak Bluff Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Onexis Y. Iturrino
Seller: Verdon J. Anderson
Date: 11/16/21

242 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Peter J. Laberge
Seller: Catherine J. Clark
Date: 11/16/21

15 Powder Hill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $372,900
Buyer: Sarah Saffee
Seller: Nicole L. Collins
Date: 11/17/21

54 Savoy Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Maria Decesare
Seller: Tilli, Lola, (Estate)
Date: 11/16/21

47 Senecal Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Anthony C. Fowler
Seller: Joshua J. Wingler
Date: 11/15/21

192 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Emily Thomas
Seller: James A. Fiore
Date: 11/24/21

HAMPDEN

27 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Matthew Stacey
Seller: Michael J. Marion
Date: 11/19/21

53 Greenleaf Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: John K. Bennett
Date: 11/24/21

23 Mountain Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Brandon Houle
Seller: Boynton, Helen R., (Estate)
Date: 11/23/21

185 Raymond Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Luis D. Severino
Seller: Janis K. Degrandpre
Date: 11/23/21

HOLLAND

187 Brimfield Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Mark A. Sommers
Seller: Lauren P. Hand
Date: 11/23/21

6 Davidson Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Laurette M. Johnson
Seller: Nelson A. Rouette
Date: 11/26/21

25 Forest Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Rose A. Lauria
Seller: Matthew McNutt
Date: 11/19/21

4 May Brook Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kayleigh Nappi
Seller: William J. Fonner
Date: 11/15/21

215 Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Ricky B. Lundin
Seller: Gerald Germaine
Date: 11/24/21

HOLYOKE

12 Anderson Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Fabricio I. Martinez-Vera
Seller: David N. Plante
Date: 11/15/21

60 Berkshire St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Wilmarie Ortiz-Rivera
Seller: Darianna Cordero-Ortiz
Date: 11/15/21

122-124 Center St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Josue M. Ortiz
Seller: Acles LLC
Date: 11/15/21

126-128 Center St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Angie Guzman
Seller: Acles LLC
Date: 11/23/21

24 County Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Grayson T. Nash
Seller: Michael C. Carriveau
Date: 11/19/21

16 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Lauren A. Walker
Seller: Ashley L. Beaulieu
Date: 11/15/21

35-37 Gilman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Xin Zhao
Seller: Andre P. Tourigny
Date: 11/22/21

30 Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Alexandra Woolner
Seller: John J. Joyce
Date: 11/18/21

1074 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Frank Garriga
Seller: Janice Barna-Fontaine
Date: 11/15/21

3 Holly Grape Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $530,277
Buyer: Timothy J. Carreira
Seller: Nathan Steffenhagen
Date: 11/18/21

16 Kay Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Breyka Torres
Seller: Kevin Cruz
Date: 11/15/21

4 Lenox Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Keith R. Fisher
Seller: E. Kent Dandy
Date: 11/19/21

98 Lincoln St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Noah W. Bond
Seller: Monette, Theodore A. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 11/19/21

183 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: NJRE Property Group LLC
Seller: June, Eileen K., (Estate)
Date: 11/15/21

130 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $203,760
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Phoenix Houses Of New England
Date: 11/17/21

132 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $203,760
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Phoenix Houses Of New England
Date: 11/17/21

5-7 Portland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Solemar Mercedes
Seller: Maria M. Mercedes
Date: 11/22/21

82 Sheehan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Michael P. Coyle
Seller: William D. Ashton
Date: 11/24/21

74 Vermont St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Carole Hebert
Seller: Dmitriy Y. Bazukin
Date: 11/19/21

241-243 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Maria G. Montoya
Seller: KNC Home Renovations LLC
Date: 11/16/21

249 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: James A. Contieri
Seller: Stephanie Skowronek
Date: 11/16/21

LONGMEADOW

73 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Janee Mays
Seller: Sophie Sergentanis
Date: 11/19/21

9 Caravelle Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Kathleen Lonergan-Fehily
Seller: Charlotte Zeller
Date: 11/19/21

113 Chiswick St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $457,500
Buyer: Jessica Melaas
Seller: Anthony E. Heim
Date: 11/16/21

815 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $342,500
Buyer: Jason Morris
Seller: Robert M. Krasner
Date: 11/15/21

48 Hillcrest Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $443,000
Buyer: Shashank Kapadia
Seller: Nora S. Gerard
Date: 11/23/21

20 Kimberly Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Christopher Bushey
Seller: Sarah A. Hanson
Date: 11/24/21

107 Lincoln Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Paul D. Noreau
Seller: Anne E. Magill
Date: 11/19/21

52 Quinnehtuk Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Mark A. Suchy
Seller: D. Lertwongchatchawal
Date: 11/22/21

66 Westmoreland Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Clayton Mcgrath
Seller: Karen R. McCarthy
Date: 11/22/21

LUDLOW

206 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Erin E. Middleton
Seller: Katherine M. Dias
Date: 11/22/21

61 Dale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michelle C. Alves
Seller: Jose C. Alves
Date: 11/15/21

562 Holyoke St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $2,325,000
Buyer: Monomoy Properties Ludlow Mass. LLC
Seller: United Development Group LLC
Date: 11/16/21

24 Lillian St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Clotide Cestroni
Seller: Eduardo Sanchez
Date: 11/19/21

186 Lyon St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Matthew Nay
Seller: Mark R. Geibner
Date: 11/16/21

628 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Alyson A. Bruneault
Seller: Laurie Garrow-Harris
Date: 11/18/21

73-75 Minechoag Heights
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $360,500
Buyer: Gabrielle M. Leal
Seller: Jose A. Gonzalez
Date: 11/19/21

429 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Shawn J. Lebeau
Seller: Kym M. Sevigne
Date: 11/15/21

264 Ventura St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Torkwan Boonnag
Seller: David P. Bogacz
Date: 11/22/21

195 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Dakota M. Smith
Seller: Partyka, Joseph F. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 11/24/21

MONSON

45 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Buck Ridge Real Estate LLC
Seller: 45 Bethany Road LLC
Date: 11/23/21

15 Bridge St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Jonathan Kosnicki
Seller: Gaston M. Mengel
Date: 11/16/21

16 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Caitlyn N. Wojcik
Seller: Mary E. Bibeau
Date: 11/17/21

6 Fenton Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John Wagner
Seller: Susan M. Shields
Date: 11/23/21

26 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: AJC Investment Group LLC
Seller: Zorra, Lynn Angela, (Estate)
Date: 11/22/21

PALMER

21 Brainerd St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Timothy L. Wood
Seller: George M. Currie
Date: 11/16/21

10 Deborah St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Lucas G. McDiarmid
Seller: McKee, Robert, (Estate)
Date: 11/23/21

3030 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Joseph Martowski
Date: 11/17/21

1 Park Ave.
Palmer, MA 01057
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Miroslav Hytych
Seller: Bruce J. Charwick RET
Date: 11/19/21

4 Park Ave.
Palmer, MA 01057
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Miroslav Hytych
Seller: Bruce J. Charwick RET
Date: 11/19/21

95 Rondeau St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Stewart A. Terrien
Seller: Michael A. Robare
Date: 11/26/21

20 Searle St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: Adam Burns
Seller: Lewis E. Prentiss
Date: 11/23/21

RUSSELL

556 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: William St.Peter
Seller: Timothy L. Garwacki
Date: 11/22/21

SOUTHWICK

10 2nd St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Douglas H. Post
Seller: Town Of Southwick
Date: 11/15/21

83 Bungalow St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Bryan S. Haselkorn
Seller: Frances A. Ide
Date: 11/24/21

18 Eagle St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Robert I. Pisiakowski
Seller: Sean B. Leahy
Date: 11/16/21

41 Miller Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Jessi J. Duval
Seller: Maegan A. Leon
Date: 11/24/21

15 Patriots Way
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Jonathan M. Dunham
Seller: Todd G. Clark
Date: 11/15/21

13 Salem Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $456,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Rosenthal
Seller: Steven Matta
Date: 11/19/21

SPRINGFIELD

30 Adams St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Aurelio Daniele
Date: 11/19/21

20 Alvin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Natasha Rodriquez
Seller: Orcutt, Janet A., (Estate)
Date: 11/16/21

55 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Phantom Holdings LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 11/22/21

89 Amore Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Neffertari G. Johnson
Seller: Richard D. Little
Date: 11/22/21

653 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $279,800
Buyer: Roberto A. Perez
Seller: Global Homes Properties LLC
Date: 11/18/21

910-912 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: WMass Capital Partners LLC
Seller: Howard, James B. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 11/15/21

160 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Maria D. Sanchez
Seller: Ontour Properties Inc.
Date: 11/18/21

55 Blaine St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Delphine Kabatesi
Seller: Joseph M. Santaniello
Date: 11/18/21

1021 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $1,035,000
Buyer: Springfield Storage
Seller: M&B Revocable Bousquet TR
Date: 11/22/21

171 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Arcadio T. Alvarado
Seller: Birgit T. Velazquez
Date: 11/23/21

67 Brightwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Carlos Diaz
Seller: Victor Gomez
Date: 11/19/21

38 Bruce St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Jesus A. Molina-Pagan
Seller: Siobhan M. Rosa
Date: 11/19/21

83 Burnside Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Mae E. Humphreville
Seller: Charlotte M. Roda
Date: 11/22/21

846-848 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Angel M. Font-Perez
Seller: Gabriel Vargas
Date: 11/17/21

1614 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Scott M. Cigal
Seller: Obear Construction Co. Inc.
Date: 11/15/21

85 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Natalie Sanchez
Seller: Genesis Rosario
Date: 11/24/21

240-242 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $123,280
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Phoenix Houses Of New England
Date: 11/17/21

65 Clement St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Merilda Palmer
Seller: Gabriele Darco
Date: 11/19/21

24 Cleveland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Sancha Petergay-Taylor
Seller: Taiye M. Ologunro
Date: 11/23/21

369 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Sean M. Romanski
Seller: Billy M. Pauze
Date: 11/19/21

117 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: 117 Dawes Street LLC
Seller: Njoroge Wamunyuah
Date: 11/15/21

41 Felicia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Christvie St.Jean
Seller: Colleen Markham
Date: 11/16/21

77 Firglade Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: College Rentals LLC
Seller: Gregg A. Richers
Date: 11/23/21

17 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Maynard Hamre Investments LLC
Seller: Sa Holdings 2 LLC
Date: 11/19/21

35 Gail St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Michael Molinari
Seller: OB Properties LLC
Date: 11/23/21

39 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Juan L. Rivera-Huertas
Seller: Bryan D. Trombley
Date: 11/19/21

91 Geneva St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Francis E. Leitl
Seller: Jessica Emmonds
Date: 11/18/21

44 Glenham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Phantom Holdings LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 11/22/21

20 Goldenrod St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Phantom Holdings LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 11/22/21

290-292 Goodwin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Unlimited Plus Realty LLC
Seller: Ethel L. Lord
Date: 11/19/21

146 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Joyce A. Serwaah
Seller: BRVS LLC
Date: 11/16/21

140 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Wilbraham Builders Inc.
Seller: Sonia Miner
Date: 11/15/21

81 Hayden Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Phantom Holdings LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 11/22/21

18-20 Healey St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Vignesh Vellingiri
Seller: Viktor Savonin
Date: 11/23/21

26 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Liora Lan
Seller: Nektar A. Papoutsakis
Date: 11/19/21

19 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Sean M. Lemke
Seller: Enaida F. Feinberg
Date: 11/18/21

87 Hillside Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Oral Davis
Seller: Lesley M. Williams
Date: 11/16/21

49 Hobson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Salim Abdoo
Seller: Gilbert R. Corliss
Date: 11/19/21

21 Home St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Edgardo Torres
Seller: Ronald T. Johnson
Date: 11/19/21

412 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Frank M. Marzano
Date: 11/24/21

42 Kulig St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Sandra I. Perez
Seller: Steven P. Cardwell
Date: 11/22/21

160 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Nres LLC
Seller: Katherine Spada
Date: 11/22/21

45 Lindsay Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Joseph Nowak
Seller: Linda M. Downs
Date: 11/19/21

5 Madison Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $175,120
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Phoenix Houses Of New England
Date: 11/17/21

91 Marion St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Patrick Aristide
Seller: Cassandra Miller
Date: 11/23/21

51 Mary Coburn Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Vanessa Rodriguez
Seller: Raul Quinones
Date: 11/23/21

28 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: R. L. Concepcion-Camacho
Seller: Noor Mahmdah
Date: 11/16/21

99-101 Middlesex St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: PFGC LLC
Seller: Kelnate Realty LLC
Date: 11/19/21

75 Morningside Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Tasha Henry
Seller: Home Staging & Realty LLC
Date: 11/22/21

52 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Yaquelina N. DeCarela
Seller: B2R LLC
Date: 11/19/21

84 Northway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kaitlyn R. McLaughlin
Seller: Hassan Saleh
Date: 11/24/21

408 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Christina Bastien
Seller: Siam Williams Investment Group LLC
Date: 11/22/21

185 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: 185 Oakland Street LLC
Seller: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Date: 11/19/21

403 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Squire Investments LLC
Seller: Kan Zhang
Date: 11/17/21

179 Overland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Laurie Lavoie
Seller: Ann M. Speer
Date: 11/22/21

108 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Angel R. Reyes-Rios
Seller: Carmen M. Santiago
Date: 11/22/21

380 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Sa Holding 2 LLC
Seller: Antoine V. Wilson
Date: 11/18/21

118 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Nancy L. Satas-Oteri
Seller: Ivor R. Santos
Date: 11/17/21

37 Paulk Ter.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Dorcas Torres
Seller: Janet M. Dermody
Date: 11/17/21

17 Pequot St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Luis Mathews
Seller: Luis D. Severino
Date: 11/23/21

206 Pine Acre Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: Ashley Johnson
Seller: Lisa M. Summers
Date: 11/19/21

1463 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Scuelin Necklee-Thompson
Seller: Garner, Albert Y., (Estate)
Date: 11/24/21

18 Porter St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Lewen Cotte
Seller: Donville Riley
Date: 11/23/21

87 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Hung Tien
Seller: MPower Capital LLC
Date: 11/17/21

236 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Kingsley C. Nweme
Seller: Samuel Sevelo
Date: 11/19/21

19-21 Ringgold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Yeraly Aquino
Seller: Eduardo Valentin
Date: 11/22/21

108-110 Rochelle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $181,200
Buyer: Denita E. Stone
Seller: Sharon A. Goodman
Date: 11/19/21

281 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Luis E. Santiago
Seller: Paquette, Marion, (Estate)
Date: 11/19/21

23 Saint James Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Serem Inc.
Seller: 90 Termar Property LLC
Date: 11/22/21

1375 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jason Ham
Seller: Dorothy F. Kenyon
Date: 11/16/21

146 Spear Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Chenghua Deng
Seller: Bonita Atanian
Date: 11/22/21

52 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Tree House C. LLC
Seller: Faith United Church
Date: 11/18/21

32 Sunridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Yaisy D. Melendez
Seller: Betty Y. Alban
Date: 11/17/21

71 Trafton Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Kevin Nguyen
Seller: Thuy T. Nguyen
Date: 11/17/21

159 Waldorf St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Tod W. Jackson
Seller: Maureen O’Sullivan
Date: 11/16/21

29 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Phantom Holdings LLC
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 11/22/21

40-42 Wait St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Rodimiro Mendez-Garcia
Seller: Jose Colon
Date: 11/19/21

95 Weymouth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Adin E. Vera
Seller: Jason A. Smidy
Date: 11/19/21

57-59 Windsor St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Karen F. Matlock
Seller: Sam L. Grant
Date: 11/17/21

218 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Betty Deangelis
Seller: Catherine E. Reynolds
Date: 11/17/21

1313 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Kiaranisha Ortiz
Seller: Sandra M. Pereira
Date: 11/16/21

WALES

6 Woodland Dr.
Wales, MA 01057
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jennifer Buckley
Seller: Maureen Pasquale
Date: 11/23/21

WEST SPRINGFIELD

2-4 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Hoang M. Vo
Seller: Edward M. McCaffrey
Date: 11/18/21

224 Ashley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Shane W. Dupuy
Seller: Cheryl A. Albano
Date: 11/17/21

121 Autumn Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Lea Meli
Seller: Ruth M. Henry
Date: 11/19/21

52 Baldwin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $443,800
Buyer: 52 Baldwin Street LLC
Seller: Purple Diamond Realty LLC
Date: 11/24/21

208 Bear Hole Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Eric Hernandez
Seller: Rosemarie Jakubaszek
Date: 11/17/21

153 Bosworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Ahmed A. Salame
Seller: MAA Property LLC
Date: 11/19/21

512 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Samuel Sevelo
Seller: Frederick J. Lyman
Date: 11/19/21

46 Hemlock Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Ikmet Lomanov
Seller: Lori Ann Paterwic
Date: 11/17/21

220 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Genesis Rosario
Seller: Brandon L. Carrillo
Date: 11/24/21

246 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Adrien A. Ouellette
Seller: John Bobrowski
Date: 11/23/21

4 Johnson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Marc Casey
Seller: Eric Andrews-Hernandez
Date: 11/17/21

46 Lotus Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,700
Buyer: Cody Lariviere
Seller: Gregory W. Bushey
Date: 11/19/21

327 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Harry Kalamarakis
Seller: Gabrielle Remillard
Date: 11/17/21

290 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Rudi N. Spano
Seller: Adam Bryant
Date: 11/15/21

25 Mulcahy Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $519,000
Buyer: Heather A. Garbacik
Seller: Dennis Francis
Date: 11/16/21

28 Orchardview St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $186,500
Buyer: Katelyn M. Hartford
Seller: Bryn S. Paparello
Date: 11/22/21

80 Orchardview St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kaeli E. Howard
Seller: Emmanuel Kadima
Date: 11/24/21

121 Sawmill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Dennis P. Powers
Seller: Raymond J. Stevens
Date: 11/24/21

86-88 Worcester St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Steven E. Kaufman
Seller: Eric B. Lachapelle
Date: 11/16/21

WESTFIELD

23 Atwater St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Catherine Bastein
Seller: Joshua M. Laprade
Date: 11/19/21

3 Bayberry Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Douglas Fuller
Seller: Daniel W. Murphy
Date: 11/18/21

23 Chestnut St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Robin Glover
Seller: George Phillips
Date: 11/24/21

28 East Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: TGC Investments LLC
Seller: Eastman Holdings LLC
Date: 11/23/21

8 Greylock St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $262,700
Buyer: Ricardo Medina
Seller: Jeffrey C. Keating
Date: 11/23/21

407 Hillside Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Joshua McLain
Seller: Sandra Sporbert
Date: 11/15/21

52 Knollwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $223,500
Buyer: Mikhail V. Sharakin
Seller: Agnes M. Longridge
Date: 11/15/21

75 Moseley Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Zachery Scott
Seller: Patrick W. Barrett
Date: 11/24/21

10 New Broadway
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Ceasar R. Vicenty
Seller: Angelo P. Castagna
Date: 11/16/21

65 Notre Dame St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,500
Buyer: Minas Alitbi
Seller: Melissa M. Taylor
Date: 11/19/21

118 Old Farm Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Murphy
Seller: Jennifer L. Hayes
Date: 11/23/21

97 Otis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Daniel Dubovy
Seller: Roland A. Tietze
Date: 11/23/21

137 Putnam Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Charlene Couchon
Seller: Peter C. Zaleski
Date: 11/18/21

1008 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Jeremy A. Black-Manazer
Seller: Oleg Temchenko
Date: 11/23/21

315 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Nicholas A. Roselli
Date: 11/18/21

204 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Amanda N. Carbone
Seller: 204 Springdale Road LLC
Date: 11/16/21

24 Wilson Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Nesser Yaseen
Seller: Irina Velikiy
Date: 11/19/21

13 Wintergreen Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Kristine A. Foley
Seller: James M. Burek
Date: 11/15/21

21 Woodsong Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Konrad M. Jazwierski
Seller: Robert S. Beman
Date: 11/24/21

WILBRAHAM

285 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: ASL 3 Rivers Land Holdings
Seller: Gilmar Realty LLC
Date: 11/23/21

24 Bartlett Court
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Julia Cianciolo
Seller: Michael J. Barcome
Date: 11/15/21

11 Circle Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Brian Nogueira
Seller: Shaukat Matin
Date: 11/24/21

35 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Sandra A. Martin
Seller: Inna Gordon
Date: 11/16/21

5 Oxford Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Lapointe, Elizabeth A., (Estate)
Date: 11/23/21

186 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $457,000
Buyer: Rices Fruit Farm LLC
Seller: Robert L. Matthews
Date: 11/16/21

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

92 Grantwood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Seunghun Kang
Seller: Frank A. Cable
Date: 11/23/21

409 Henry St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $791,000
Buyer: Devin R. Desmarais
Seller: Hannah Z. Meeran
Date: 11/19/21

7 Moss Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Jiamin Li
Seller: Almadan Inc.
Date: 11/19/21

36 Mount Pleasant
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Christine Bentsen
Seller: Joan L. Burgess NT
Date: 11/18/21

104 Shays St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Suzanne R. Holmes-Farley
Seller: Cheryl M. Johnston RET
Date: 11/19/21

60 Valley View Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Forrest A. Wellman
Seller: Forrest A. Wellman
Date: 11/15/21

11 Wildflower Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $632,000
Buyer: Don A. Ripley
Seller: Ethan J. Pope
Date: 11/17/21

BELCHERTOWN

168 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Benjamin P. White
Seller: Darrell P. Weldon
Date: 11/19/21

670 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Richard Lesperance
Seller: Colleen M. Duroshea
Date: 11/18/21

80 Michael Sears Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: New Foundland RT
Seller: Steeley, Donald R., (Estate)
Date: 11/19/21

227 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $439,900
Buyer: Libby Overly
Seller: Alan K. Young
Date: 11/22/21

138 Sargent St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Allison M. Brown
Seller: Elizabeth A. Hyde-Gold
Date: 11/15/21

25 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Noah Fossner
Seller: Michael J. Fine
Date: 11/24/21

181 Warner St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Rebekah Diky
Seller: Arrin B. Barnes
Date: 11/15/21

15 Westwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Paul Bessette
Seller: Raymond Marsh
Date: 11/15/21

CUMMINGTON

64 Cole St.
Cummington, MA 01098
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Fern Hearth LLC
Seller: Clemo, Nancy Ellen, (Estate)
Date: 11/24/21

91 Porter Hill Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Jean D. Clarke
Seller: Peter A. Sloan
Date: 11/16/21

52 Upper Bryant Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $1,050,000
Buyer: Benjamin B. Bederson
Seller: Bryant Farm RT
Date: 11/18/21

EASTHAMPTON

17 Adams St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $896,700
Buyer: RH Litwin LLC
Seller: Adams St. Residences LLC
Date: 11/16/21

41 Cherry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Sa Holdings 2 LLC
Seller: Jacquelyn Copperwheat
Date: 11/15/21

84 Phelps St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $189,629
Buyer: Russell Cable
Seller: Robert J. Dibrindisi
Date: 11/19/21

67 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Colleen M. Longley
Seller: Margaret Forget
Date: 11/22/21

9 Sandra Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Anthony O’Brien
Seller: Howard D. Booth
Date: 11/16/21

21 Summer St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $411,000
Buyer: Sean Abbott
Seller: Pamela S. Kennedy
Date: 11/16/21

20 West Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Hill
Seller: Michael J. Twohig
Date: 11/19/21

GOSHEN

47 Aberdeen Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Diane K. Todrin RET
Seller: Barbara A. Briotta
Date: 11/23/21

GRANBY

20 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Wayne Jarrett
Seller: Tony Almeida
Date: 11/15/21

225 Chicopee St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Beatriz Rivera
Seller: Interbartolo & Ricupero LP
Date: 11/19/21

8 Philip Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Alex R. Theriault
Seller: Drouin, Joan M., (Estate)
Date: 11/16/21

HADLEY

168 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Tiffany M. Castillo
Seller: Marlaina H. Cataldi
Date: 11/24/21

7 Maplewood Ter.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Eddy C. Augustin
Seller: Christine E. Eustis
Date: 11/23/21

HATFIELD

96 Straits Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Michael Ferraro
Seller: Robert B. Lowney
Date: 11/19/21

HUNTINGTON

12 Aldrich Ave.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Stuart Holt-Luhrmann
Seller: 12 Aldrich Ave Land TR
Date: 11/15/21

246 Norwich Lake
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $434,000
Buyer: Hampshire Regional Young
Seller: Lazy Lodge TR
Date: 11/18/21

21 Old Chester Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Bryan E. Bussler
Seller: Kathleen M. Hamel
Date: 11/17/21

NORTHAMPTON

30 Audubon Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Thomas Shread
Seller: David D. King
Date: 11/23/21

215 Brookside Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Rebecca L. Edwards
Seller: Carole A. Lafleur
Date: 11/23/21

292 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Tory Peterschild
Seller: Erika J. Laquer
Date: 11/23/21

22 Liberty St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Thomas K. Leahy
Seller: Joanne Comerford
Date: 11/23/21

13 Lilly St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Blake W. Bos
Seller: Judith Gordon
Date: 11/22/21

221 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Timothy J. Fisher
Seller: Lacroix, Donna E., (Estate)
Date: 11/17/21

177 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Pioneer Enterprises LLC
Seller: David W. Mason
Date: 11/18/21

35 West Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Sebastian Ross
Seller: Property Advantage Inc.
Date: 11/22/21

105 Willow St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Malcolm M. Harper
Seller: Adin Thayer
Date: 11/16/21

PELHAM

112 Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: S. Purkayastha TR
Seller: Ronald A. Jones
Date: 11/22/21

134 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $966,000
Buyer: Ethan Chapin
Seller: Leon J. Osterweil
Date: 11/24/21

153 North Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Martin J. Miller
Seller: Shirley F. Conant
Date: 11/15/21

SOUTH HADLEY

37 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Francisco Mejia-Leiva
Seller: Andrew Strout
Date: 11/19/21

491 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: CSI Realty Holdings LLC
Seller: DGT Realty LLC
Date: 11/15/21

94 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Yonatty Y. Abreu
Seller: David T. Daly
Date: 11/23/21

9 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $494,900
Buyer: William T. Conroy
Seller: JN Duquette & Son Construction Inc.
Date: 11/19/21

376 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: Jan Midura
Seller: Nancy C. Godbout
Date: 11/24/21

154 Old Lyman Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Josue Anibal-Torres
Seller: Thomas J. Szydziak
Date: 11/17/21

68 Ridge Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Rachel R. Breton
Seller: Barbara R. Sullivan
Date: 11/18/21

121 Sunset Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jiva Fein
Seller: Freda Peters
Date: 11/16/21

15 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: David A. Hammer
Seller: Daphne L. Hall
Date: 11/24/21

SOUTHAMPTON

14 Camp Jahn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Lucile Duncan
Seller: B9 Industries Inc.
Date: 11/23/21

141 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Kristina M. Steffenhagen
Seller: Ciejek, Stanley J. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 11/24/21

WARE

77 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Eugene M. Rich
Seller: John E. Carroll
Date: 11/19/21

178 Greenwich Plains Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Shelby M. Bauman
Seller: Interbartolo & Ricupero LP
Date: 11/22/21

28 Moriarty Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Erin A. Foss
Seller: Perrault, Sheila, (Estate)
Date: 11/23/21

70 Quarry St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Brian F. Bedard
Seller: Catherine Buelow-Cascio
Date: 11/18/21

21 Warebrook Village
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Donna M. Warburton
Seller: Sonya M. Reed
Date: 11/22/21

31-33 Williams St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Sharper Holdings LLC
Seller: Richard R. Goyette
Date: 11/24/21

WILLIAMSBURG

17 Chesterfield Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Steven Russell
Seller: Poverty Mountain LLP
Date: 11/18/21

WESTHAMPTON

Blueberry Hills Road #6
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Martin M. Downey
Seller: Patrick Properties LLC
Date: 11/19/21

133 Edwards Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Eric W. Marek
Seller: Carol A. Perman
Date: 11/17/21

46 Laurel Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $574,900
Buyer: Mark A. Fanty
Seller: M. & Tina Kerdavid TR
Date: 11/19/21

116 North Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Austin C. Hathaway
Seller: Eunice Hathaway
Date: 11/19/21

WORTHINGTON

221 Old Post Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $699,900
Buyer: Nathaniel Robinson
Seller: Edward J. Harvey
Date: 11/22/21

206 Sam Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Nancy A. Persons
Seller: Shane E. Kasala
Date: 11/16/21

Building Permits