Home 2022 July (Page 2)

Month: July 2022

Forging a Stronger Economy

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

When Laura Teicher was hired as director of Greentown Learn in 2018, one of the first things she did was push for a rebrand, a new name that better represented what the enterprise — an offshoot of Greentown Labs in Somerville that connects startups with manufacturers — is all about.

The team tried to get some variation of the word ‘connect’ into the name, almost calling it KINECT before realizing that was the name of a failed Super Nintendo app, as well as too close to K’Nex building toys.

What they eventually settled on was FORGE, which isn’t an acronym; the capital letters are used for emphasis. It was simply, elegant, and forceful, speaking to the way the agency forges relationships between innovators looking to produce and then scale up their big ideas, and manufacturers looking for new, local lines of business.

And that’s exactly what it has done, helping more than 500 startups since 2015, currently engaging more than 450 manufacturers, and supporting more than 4,500 jobs in innovation and manufacturing along the way. The startups in the program boast more than a 90% survival rate; the national average is around 10%.

But, in some ways, FORGE’s name took on a new meaning during the past two and a half years of economic upheaval churned up by the pandemic. It reflects the way this agency forged on, not only continuing to make connections, but re-emphasizing the importance of what it does.

Take the supply-chain crisis. The disruptions of those global production and shipping networks, which continues today, caused many manufacturers to localize their supply chains as much as possible, at the same time that startup companies were increasingly looking to manufacture their products close to home. In that sense, FORGE has become an even more valuable part of the innovation and manufacturing ecosystem.

But even in more stable times, an enterprise like FORGE is simply a good idea, on many levels. So many startups with good ideas fail because they don’t have this kind of resource to guide them into the production and scaling phases that are critical to a business success story. And so many manufacturers aren’t aware of the potential new lines of business sprouting up in their own backyards.

The greatest beneficiary is the regional economy itself. These connections are not only helping businesses grow and thrive, but do so in Massachusetts, and in many cases Western Mass., and that’s good economic news for everyone.

FORGE’s Western Mass. director, Kevin Moforte, told BusinessWest that he loves entrepreneurship, partly because of the role it plays in building not just individual wealth, but prosperous, stable communities. That’s something to celebrate during an era that has been anything but stable.

Use Common Sense with Marijuana

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Pam Thornton

 

The legalization of marijuana across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and now Rhode Island has further increased the complexity of how we manage drug use in our workplaces. Employers are being forced to re-evaluate their position and practices around maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace.

Although employers may need to revise their drug-testing and accommodation policies, no state law requires employers to tolerate on-the-job drug use, intoxication, or impairment. Communication with your employees, a solid workplace drug policy, and enforcement of your practices can go a long way to keeping your workplace drug-free.

The recent mindset of some employees has really surprised many leaders and HR practitioners. Employees have always known that they can’t come to work under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance, for that matter, but with the sweeping legalization of recreational marijuana, employees are taking liberties and showing up to work impaired because “it’s now legal.”

It’s important for employers to educate and overcommunicate. Putting it out there, that even though it’s legal, it’s not acceptable to possess or use in the workplace, really needs to be said from the top down, across all functions and in multiple ways. Practically speaking, this means even having conversations to confirm that marijuana isn’t allowed in the workplace smoking area or at the outdoor company picnic, for instance. Clear communication with some specific examples can really help to get everyone on the same page.

Employers are trying to get qualified employees in the door to do the work in this tight labor market and are thinking long and hard about whether or not they really need to drug test for marijuana. They are weighing the upside of drug testing with the multiple requirements varying by state, with the downside being the risk of not being able to attract or retain talented people. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, however, and companies that have these specific requirements still need to adhere to these standards.

Developing and implementing a policy that outlines the specifics of the law required by your state and clearly defines use and possession parameters is critical. Properly training managers to be able to identify the signs of impairment will assist in the applicability and enforcement of the policy and can protect everyone. These are different times that we are living in and complicated at best when it comes to this subject, but the employer still has the right to require a drug-free workplace. The burden of outlining and reinforcing common-sense guidelines is one that the employer will bear, but the advantages are sure to be beneficial in the long run.

 

Pam Thornton is director of Strategic HR Services at the Employers Assoc. of the Northeast. This article first appeared on the EANE blog; eane.org

Picture This

By
Berkshire Bank
Picture This

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

 

Sharing the Wealth

Berkshire Bank recently presented a total of $205,000 in funding last month to Springfield nonprofit organizations, including $75,000 to the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, $25,000 to Revitalize CDC, $5,000 to Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence, and $100,000 to Common Capital, a subsidiary of Way Finders (pictured).

Berkshire Bank

From left: Jason Niles, My Banker team lead at Berkshire Bank; Nitin Mhatre, CEO of Berkshire Bank; Raymond Lanza-Weil, president of Common Capital; Callie Niezgoda, vice president of Lending at Common Capital; Keith Fairey, CEO of Way Finders; and Ellen Stenfield and Rosemary Morin of Berkshire Bank.
Photo courtesy of Berkshire Bank.

 

Community Support

Florence Bank announced that it recently donated $50,000 to the Easthampton Community Center through its Florence Savings Easthampton Branch Charitable Foundation Inc.

Florence Savings

Pictured, from left: Robin Bialecki, executive director of the Easthampton Community Center; Nancy LaBombard, Florence Savings Easthampton Branch Charitable Foundation board member; Anita Sedlak, vice president and branch manager of Florence Bank’s Easthampton office and a foundation board member; and Virginia Smith, also a board member.

 

 

Preserving a Moment in Time

 

As part of an ongoing commemoration of Monson Bank’s 150th anniversary, employees joined together to bury a time capsule that will be excavated and opened in 25 years at the bank’s 175th anniversary in 2047. Some of the items included were photos, business cards, brochures, a piggy bank, letters, deposit slips, 150th-anniversary articles, and, of course, Monson Savings branded masks and hand sanitizer.

Monson Savings Bank

Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank (pictured), led the crew to the time capsule burial location for a brief ceremony.

 

 

Agenda

By
Agenda

Healthcare Heroes Nominations

Through July 30: In the spring of 2017, the Healthcare News and its sister publication, BusinessWest, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes. It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. That theory has certainly been validated. Nominations for the class of 2022 are due July 30, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in Western Mass. in one (or more) of seven categories. For details on each category and information on how to nominate someone, visit businesswest.com/healthcare-heroes/nominations.

 

Hoophall Hangouts

All Summer: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the return of Hoophall Hangouts, which will replace “60 Days of Summer,” the museum’s annual summer program featuring family-oriented fun. Running through Aug. 31, the Hall of Fame will host various appearances from basketball players, personalities, and Hall of Famers. On Aug. 12, Bob Hurley Sr. (Hall of Fame class of 2010) will accompany his son, Dan Hurley, head coach of UConn’s men’s basketball team, for a special father/son appearance. Throughout the summer, museumgoers will also have the opportunity to hear from class of 2022 inductees Tim Hardaway, Bob Huggins, and George Karl, as well as Hall of Famers Grant Hill from the class of 2018 and Jay Wright from the class of 2021. Head coach Frank Martin from UMass will also be making an appearance. Hoophall Hangouts appearances are free of charge to museum guests; however, some appearances will have select VIP opportunities. Hoophall Hangouts will be scheduled throughout the summer and will occur at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.hoophall.com/hoophallhangouts or follow @hoophall on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

MOSSO Celebrates John Williams

July 21: MOSSO, the Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, will celebrate the film music of John Williams at 7:30 p.m. in Springfield Symphony Hall. Under the direction of Maestro Kevin Rhodes, MOSSO will perform excerpts from Williams’ scores to ET, Schindler’s List, Superman, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and more. Some popular classics, including Rossini’s “Overture to The Barber of Seville,” Massenet’s “Meditation from Thaïs,” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” will open the program. Rhodes was music director and conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for 20 seasons before the pandemic. He returned to Springfield to conduct his musicians last October in front of a packed house at Symphony Hall, featuring many musical highlights from his tenure as their music director. Tickets for the concert, a MOSSO benefit, are priced at $60, $45, $25, and $10, and are on sale at springfieldsymphonymusicians.com. MOSSO sponsors include BusinessWest and the Healthcare News, the Republican/MassLive, WWLP-22News and the CW Springfield, the Sheraton Springfield at Monarch Place, New England Public Media, and the Bolduc Schuster Foundation. MOSSO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which is not a subsidiary of nor affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc.

 

Friday Night Summer Concerts

July 22 to Aug. 12: The Amherst Business Improvement District announced the lineup for the second annual Friday Night Summer Concert Series on the South Common. The series is sponsored by Encharter Insurance. On July 22, the BID presents local artists Dawn Lepere and Jeff Starns opening for blues singer-songwriter Eric Lee. On July 29, UMass will return to the Common for the second year of Jazz in July in downtown Amherst, an event featuring UMass staff, students, and a couple of ‘ringers.’ On Aug. 5, Grammy-winning children’s performer Mister G will take the stage before the Soul Magnets appear. Wrapping up the series on Aug. 12 will be the classic country act the Rosie Porter Trio, followed by the pop-rock Maxxtones. These events will be free for all, starting at 6 p.m. These evenings will also host local brewery White Lion Brewing, local cider maker Artifact, and wine from Black Birch Vineyard for over-21 guests. CremeBru.LA will be joining the fun, and there will be a charcuterie station as well.

 

New Year’s Eve Party (Take 2!)

Aug. 5: The pandemic may have canceled its planned New Year’s Eve celebration last year, but local comedians are having the last laugh. Happier Valley Comedy is throwing a New Year’s Eve Party (Take 2!) and annual fundraiser where people are invited to come ring in the improvised New Year. Tickets include entry to the party, two tickets to the raffle, finger food, and something fizzy to toast. The festivities take place at Happier Valley Comedy’s Next Door Lounge in Hadley, where partygoers can choose from a curated selection of mostly local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Ginger Love Cafe Food Truck will be on site, and raffle prizes include goodies from Bueno Y Sano, Animal Alliance Dog Training School, Ecstatic Rabbit Tarot, the Ekus Group, Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, and more. To purchase tickets to the event and raffle, visit www.happiervalley.com.

 

Brew at the Zoo

Aug. 6: After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Zoo in Forest Park is bringing back its popular Brew at the Zoo, presented by PDC Inc., from 1 to 5 p.m. The 21+ event features beer samples from local craft breweries, a home-brew competition, food trucks, live music, games, a raffle, and animal interactions. Attendees can choose from four ticket types: VIP, VIP Designated Driver, General Admission, and Designated Driver. Attendees with a VIP ticket will enjoy an extra hour of sampling beginning at noon, the opportunity to participate in up-close animal encounters, and grain to feed the animals. All attendees must be age 21 or over. The current list of breweries attending the event include Loophole Brewing, One Way Brewing, Vanished Valley Brewing Co., Broad Brook Brewing Co., Connecticut Valley Brewing Co., Berkshire Brewing Co., Rustic Brewing Co., Iron Duke Brewing, Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co., Brew Practitioners, and New City Brewery, in addition to nine home brewers. The zoo will be closed to the public on Aug. 6. Advanced tickets are required to attend this event, and IDs will be checked at the door. Tickets are limited and on sale at www.forestparkzoo.org/brew.

 

Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival

Aug. 12-13: The Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival will be staged over two days this year with a broad mix of music; arts activities; talks on arts, culture, and social justice; and local pop-up crafts, food, and beverages. The internationally heralded festival features national stars and local talent playing jazz, blues, funk, Latin, and African music. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. This year’s full musical lineup can be found at springfieldjazzfest.com. The festival will also offer a sneak peek (or an unveiling, depending on its progress) of the iconic Worthington Street mural project celebrating Springfield history. The mural is being painstakingly restored by Springfield artist John Simpson, who has studied old photographs of the building’s wall in an effort to accurately recreate as much of the original mural as possible. Musical performances on Aug. 12 feature soul and R&B legend Shor’ty Billups, valley legends FAT with Peter Newland and special guest Scott Murawski from Max Creek, Valley blues/rock icon Mitch Chakour and friends, popular Valley blues rockers the Buddy McEarns Band, and soulful blues belter Janet Ryan and her band. The festivities on Aug. 13 commence at 12:30 p.m. with a parade led by New Orleans ensemble the New Breed Brass Band starting from the Wood Museum of Springfield History, where attendees will have free access to the “Horn Man: The Life and Musical Legacy of Charles Neville” exhibit. The parade will end at the stage for the kickoff performance of the Saturday shows. In addition to the musical performances, the multi-faceted festival will feature various arts activities and presentations and workshops. Puerto Rican jazz trombonist William Cepeda will lead a workshop about traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music on Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Hispanic American Library. Cuban jazz vocalist Dayme Arocena, will lead a workshop about traditional Afro-Cuban music on Aug. 13. Attendees can also participate in a mural paint party (a separate mural project from the one on Friday) and a presentation by Puerto Rican mural artist Betsy Casanas, and conversations connecting arts with food and climate justice.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Kevin Day

Kevin Day

Florence Bank announced that president and CEO Kevin Day will retire on Nov. 25, and a focused search is underway for a new leader. Day took over as president in January 2020 and became CEO in May of the same year. When Day took the helm at age 64, he promised that nothing would change at the bank. Little did he know he’d be called upon to usher Florence Bank through some of the most tumultuous times in history, including a pandemic and the resulting financial strife. Day led the bank in ensuring that countless homeowners and businesses were able to defer their payments during the pandemic and in helping business customers connect to grants and other available funding. These measures helped customers navigate the financial turmoil and gave them much-needed time to adjust to new financial situations. The bank also expanded over these past two years, opening a branch in Chicopee, creating a work-from-home program for employees, and granting hundreds of thousands of dollars to nonprofit organizations in the Valley. Day joined Florence Bank in 2008 as chief financial officer, responsible for finance, facilities, and risk management. His responsibilities expanded to include compliance in 2013, residential lending in 2014, and retail banking in 2016. He was also promoted to executive vice president in 2016.

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Aieshya Jackson

Aieshya Jackson

Karon Forde

Karon Forde

The board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services has elected Aieshya Jackson as president, and the organization announced that Karon Forde has been appointed director of Youth Programs. Jackson is a business manager for the Springfield Library Department and has more than 15 years of financial-services experience. She is a graduate of Bay Path University, where she earned a master’s degree in healthcare management. She also attended the Connecticut School of Finance and Management. Forde had served as the Community Center director for the Police Athletic League in Brooklyn, N.Y. She has more than seven years of experience working directly with youth as well as serving as an administrator of after-school programs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in values, ethics, and social action from Allegheny College.

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The Dowd Agencies announced the promotion of Jack Dowd from account executive to vice president of Personal Lines. Dowd has been with the agency since 2016 and represents the fifth generation to join the family business. He graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received his MBA from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business. A licensed property and casualty insurance producer, he achieved his certified insurance counselor (CIC) designation in 2019. In addition, he has participated in the 18-month Agents Sons & Daughters Training Program for underwriting at Quincy Mutual Insurance. In his community, he serves on committees for the Brightside Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is also a member of the board of directors for Boys Scouts of America, Western Massachusetts Council, where he serves as the risk management chair.

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Lisa Wray-Schechterle

Lisa Wray-Schechterle

Holyoke Medical Center announced the appointment of Lisa Wray-Schechterle as the hospital’s director of Community Benefits. Wray-Schechterle joins the hospital from Pyramid Management Group, where she served as the marketing director of the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside for more than 20 years. She holds both a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University. She serves as a marketing committee member for Girls Inc. of the Valley, a board member of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and an advisory board member for the Holyoke Community College School of Business. Holyoke Medical Center Community Benefits provides programs and services to improve health in communities and helps to increase access to healthcare. Wray-Schechterle succeeds Kathy Anderson as director of the department following Anderson’s retirement.

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William Burke III

William Burke III

The Springfield College board of trustees recently announced the outcome of its 2022-23 board election results during its annual spring meeting. William Burke III was re-elected as chair of the board of trustees. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola College and an MBA from Loyola College Sellenger School of Management. Other trustees elected to the board include Mark Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia in Alpharetta, Ga.; Pia Flanagan, chief of staff to the CEO at MassMutual in Springfield; Peter Pappas, a wealth management associate at Morgan Stanley in Springfield; Suzanne Robotti, founder and president of MedShadow Foundation in New York, N.Y.; Terry Powe, principal of Elias Brookings School in Springfield; Anthony Sarage, a podiatrist and partner at Western Massachusetts Podiatry Associates in East Longmeadow; Denise Alleyne, retired vice president for Student Services at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill; Douglass Coupe, retired vice president of State Street Global Investor Services of Boston; Samantha Hourihan, student trustee and a physical therapy major; Gizzelle Abanador, student trustee-elect and a biology major; and David Henke, student trustee-elect and a secondary education major.

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Tiffany Appleton has been named president of the board of directors at Dakin Humane Society in Springfield. Appleton joined the board in 2017 and served as its secretary from 2020 to 2022. She is currently the associate director of Employer Relations at UMass Amherst, a position she has held for the past two years. Prior to that, she was a director of the Accounting and Finance Division at Johnson & Hill Staffing Services in West Springfield from 2016 to 2020. Appleton earned both a master’s degree in science education and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UMass Lowell. She previously served as a board member at the Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley from 2018 to 2020.

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Adam Hogan

Adam Hogan

Adam Hogan has joined Bulkley Richardson as the firm’s controller. In this management role, Hogan will execute all financial and tax-related activities for the firm, including development of the annual operating budget; partnership reporting; successful collaboration with his team for billing, payables, and receivables; and working closely with firm leadership to contribute to the growth and overall success of the firm. Previously, Hogan held the positions of CFO, controller, and staff accountant at several area businesses. He holds both a master’s degree in accounting and financial planning and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Elms College.

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Elizabeth Hillis

Elizabeth Hillis

The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) welcomed Elizabeth Hillis, Business Development associate at WWLP-22 News, to its board of directors. “I’m excited to share my skills with the board and learn new things about the area,” Hillis said. “I’m thrilled to be able to help with the amazing events our organization has to offer. Being a Springfield YPS member is a great way to develop your network, meet other professionals, and become more involved in your community. I can’t wait to get started.”

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Evan Collins joined Lee Bank as a mortgage originator and will be working out of the Pittsfield branch. Collins was previously employed as a sales associate at Piretti Real Estate and Stone House Properties. He has been involved in real-estate sales in Berkshire County for seven years and said he is looking forward to exploring a different side of the local real-estate market in his new position.

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BK Investments Hotel Group announced the promotion of Karen Warren to regional director of Operations. Warren will be responsible for the management of the hotel portfolio. She will have responsibilities for a range of brands, including Residence Inn Chicopee, Hampton Inn Chicopee, Tru by Hilton Chicopee, and Holiday Inn Express in Brattleboro, Vt. Vickie Maryou has been promoted to general manager of Residence Inn Chicopee to succeed Warren.

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Gisenia Stewart

Gisenia Stewart

ServiceNet’s diversity coordinator, Gisenia Stewart, will join a group of experts, leaders, and community members to spearhead the Baby Bonds Task Force, a group charged by the state treasurer, Office of Economic Empowerment, and Economic Empowerment Trust Fund to provide recommendations for creating a Baby Bonds initiative in Massachusetts. Baby Bonds is an initiative that provides government-supported trust funds for children. When account holders reach adulthood, they can access their fund and spend it on assets that can grow over time or generate wealth (e.g., higher education, buying a home, starting a business, etc.). Studies show that Baby Bonds can help close the racial wealth gap. The Task Force’s diverse, cross-sector group includes people who have expertise and lived experience in racial wealth equity, community engagement, child welfare, and asset-growth initiatives. The Task Force will be chaired by former Massachusetts State Treasurer Shannon O’Brien.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Bay Path Gets High Marks for Online Master’s in Cybersecurity

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has been ranked as one of the top online cybersecurity master’s degree programs by Fortune magazine. Fortune, which covers global business topics, ranked Bay Path 11th in the nation for its online master’s program in cybersecurity. Rankings were determined by a program’s selectivity score, which measures the undergraduate GPAs and years of work experience of its students, along with the program’s acceptance rate. In addition, Fortune evaluated retention and graduation rates, as well as the size of each graduating class. In addition to its cybersecurity graduate program for men and women, Bay Path offers a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity to undergraduate women. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to grow by 33% over the next decade, more than four times faster than the average for all occupations. In 2020, the median annual salary for cybersecurity analysts in the U.S. was approximately $104,000.

 

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Expands with New Location

EAST LONGMEADOW — Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, a global residential real-estate brokerage franchise network, announced its further expansion in the state of Massachusetts with the addition of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals. This addition marks the brand’s continued growth in the region with its 48th franchisee, led by President Robert Molta, who has been an industry leader in the market for more than 30 years. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals is a full-service real-estate brokerage serving Western Mass. and Northern Conn. By joining the network, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ active referral and relocation networks and its FOREVER Cloud technology suite, a powerful source for lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production and distribution, and more. The brand also provides an exclusive Luxury Collection marketing program for premier listings. Its Prestige magazine showcases network members’ premium listings with a strong lineup of feature stories covering topics that appeal to high-end real-estate clients.

 

Tighe & Bond Earns Two Awards for Coonamessett River Restoration

WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond, Inter-Fluve, the town of Falmouth, and project partners have been recognized with two awards for the Coonamessett River Restoration and John Parker Road Bridge project. The project team received the Bronze Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts and the Nicholas Humber Outstanding Collaboration Award from the Environmental Business Council of New England. The awards recognize the successful transformation of 56 acres of abandoned cranberry bogs, which established a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem supporting wildlife, increasing coastal resiliency, and providing educational opportunities. Numerous barriers to fish passage were removed, and 5,560 feet of the river were reestablished to closely match the historic natural flow of the river. Project partners spanning local, state, and federal organizations collaborated with the technical engineering and construction teams to successfully complete this project. The restoration serves as an example for other Cape Cod communities transforming former cranberry bogs across the region into thriving wildlife habitats and educational and recreational opportunities.

 

MassDevelopment Puts 1550 Main St. on Market

SPRINGFIELD — Colliers Capital Markets announced that it has been retained by MassDevelopment to sell 1550 Main St., the 128,900-square-foot office building in Springfield’s downtown corridor. Colliers Executive Vice President Jeanne Pinado will lead marketing efforts of 1550 Main, with Vice President Rob Schlesinger providing additional support, and the firm will issue a call for offers in mid-July. The five-story office building is 97% leased and underwent a complete $9 million renovation in 2010. Capital improvements included creating a high-quality building entrance with an open atrium with 70-foot ceilings, as well as building an outdoor plaza and improving landscaping, elevators, restrooms, and more. Formerly a federal courthouse, 1550 Main St. is home to tenants such as the administrative offices for Springfield Public Schools, the U.S. General Services Administration, and Baystate Health. The building has a 103-space below-grade garage and connects via a pedestrian skywalk to the 28-story Tower Square. MassDevelopment purchased 1550 Main from the federal government in 2009 and revitalized the campus to position it as a Class A office building with an expansive public plaza as part of an economic-development initiative.

 

BankESB Commits $30,000 to Girls Inc. of the Valley

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that the bank has pledged $30,000 over three years to Girls Inc. of the Valley. The money will be used to help support the organization’s “Her Future, Our Future” campaign, a $5 million fundraising effort designed to help the organization better meet the needs of girls from under-resourced communities in Hampden County and beyond. Through this campaign, Girls Inc. seeks to triple the number of elementary and teen girls served, reaching more than 1,000 girls annually. Efforts include renovating a state-of-the-art headquarters and program center in Holyoke; expanding geographic reach in public schools in Springfield, Chicopee, and beyond; and supporting the innovative Eureka! STEM program that prepares girls for college and career. The donation was made as part of the bank’s charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, which reflects the roots the bank has in its communities, its commitment to making a real difference in the neighborhoods it serves, and the belief that everyone’s quality of life is enhanced by working together to solve communities’ biggest problems.

 

Lee Bank Foundation Distributes $70,700 in Second Grant Round

LEE — Lee Bank Foundation has awarded $70,700 to 13 Berkshire-area organizations in its second round of 2022 community funding. Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $12,500 to support local programming. Included in the awards are a series of Arts Access Grants for arts and culture organizations to expand access to programming for underserved audiences. Organizations receiving funding from Lee Bank Foundation include Berkshire Black Economic Council, Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Berkshire Bounty, Community Health Programs, Construct, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Flying Cloud Institute, Goodwill of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, Link to Libraries, and South Community Food Pantry. Additionally, Arts Access Grants of $1,000 each were awarded to Berkshire Theatre Group, BODYSONNET, and Norman Rockwell Museum. The deadline for the next round of 2022 foundation funding is Sept. 1. The application and more information can be found at www.leebank.com/community-impact/donations-sponsorships.html. To be considered for grant awards, an applicant must be a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The foundation is focused on funding programs that work to bridge income and opportunity gaps.

 

T-Birds Earn Award for #WeAre413 Campaign

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds were recognized for their business excellence in a variety of departments at last month’s AHL team business meetings. For their season-long #WeAre413 campaign, the Thunderbirds organization took home the league award for Marketing Campaign of the Year. The Thunderbirds returned to the ice in 2021 after opting out of the 2020-21 shortened season. This campaign’s messaging goal was to speak to the pride felt by every resident of the Greater Western Mass. region, as well as the longstanding hockey history of the city. The club also received the award following the 2018-19 season for its #RiseUp campaign. In addition to Marketing Campaign of the Year, the Thunderbirds achieved a pair of milestones in both ticket sales and corporate sales. As part of the award recognition at the team business meetings, AHL member clubs that hit benchmarks pertaining to tickets sold and corporate sponsorship revenue were honored.

 

Six Flags New England Fulfills Bet Against Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

AGAWAM — Six Flags New England and its sister park Six Flags Discovery Kingdom located in San Francisco set a friendly wager for the recent NBA Finals series. While both parks are proud of their local Celtics and Warriors going head to head, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship game series. Six Flags New England begrudgingly fulfilled its wager against its sister park, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom this past weekend, renaming its iconic New England SkyScreamer to the Golden State SkyScreamer. “We tip our hats to our friends and colleagues at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and the recent win of their beloved Warriors,” said Park President, Pete Carmichael. “We New Englanders are all too familiar with being crowned champions (17 titles) and welcome a rematch between the two coasts very soon.”

 

Monson Savings Donates $2,250 to Shriners Hospitals for Children

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently presented a $2,250 donation to Shiners Hospitals for Children – Springfield as a part of the 2022 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative, in which the public casts votes to support their favorite local charitable organizations. “Monson Savings Bank is extremely proud to donate to the Springfield Shriners Hospital for Children,” President and CEO Dan Moriarty said. “We know that our donation will support the patient care, medical research, and education that directly benefits children living in local communities. It is essential to have a nearby hospital that parents and guardians can turn to when their child needs specialty care.”

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

AMHERST

The World Dialectical Behavior Therapy Association Inc., 26 South Middle St., Amherst, MA, 01002. Shelly McCain, 115 Ava Road, Toronto, ON M6C, 1W2 Canada. Non-profit organization organized for the advancement of education and science in the field of dialectical behavior therapy.

BELCHERTOWN

Raingutter Specialists Inc., 421 West St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Stephen Rehbein, same. Installation and repair of rain gutters.

Sailors of Old Ironsides Association Inc., 70 South Liberty St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Jeff Lawn, 805 Degree Court, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Non-profit organization.

CHICOPEE

Pridextended Inc., 659 Prospect St., Apt. C4, Chicopee, MA 01020. Mercedes Loving-Manley, 238 Shadybrook Lane Springfield, MA 01118. Non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to black transgender individuals.

Sweet Babu’s Inc., 821 East Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Chelsea A. Beaudry, same. Sale of baked goods.

GREAT BARRINGTON

DHB 7 & 23 Inc., 892 Sheffield Egremont Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Daniel J Bell, same. Motor vehicle service, sales, repair & consulting.

HADLEY

Aclarity Inc., 220 Russell Street, Suite 200, Hadley, MA 01035. Julie Bliss Mullen, same. Development of water-purification systems.

HAYDENVILLE

Sam Chaplin Psychotherapy Inc., 4 Mountain St., Haydenville, MA 01039. Samantha Chaplin, same. Psychotherapy services.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Lumsden Convenience and Beauty Inc., 49 Pinevale St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Garrett George Lumsden, 107 Oak St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Sales of convenience products and beauty products.

LONGMEADOW

Bruuer Inc., 24 Knollwood Circle, Longmeadow, MA, 01106. Rick Theberge, same. Film production supervisor and payroll supervisor.

LUDLOW

Tony Nails Inc., 263 East St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Anh Tran, 14 Scarsdale Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Nail salon.

NORTH ADAMS

CJ Tremblay Electric Inc., 57 Harris St., North Adams, MA, 01247. Christopher Tremblay, same. Electrician.

PITTSFIELD

Milbornn Corp., 471 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. George Bornn, same. Landscaping and property management.

National Association for The Acceptance Of Gay People Inc., 90 West Union St., Suite 101, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thomas Andrew Keeler Jr., 178 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10023. Non-profit organization designed to act as a social justice organization, bringing awareness to the lgbtqia+ community around the world.

Oakland Business Bootcamp Cooperative Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Rani Langer-Croager, 2323 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612. Provides business consultation, educational and advising services to entrepreneurs.

Shepard Painting Inc., 48 Thomson Place, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Paul Shepard, 44 Andover St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Painting contractor.

Stem Hub For Industry/Innovation Networking And Exchange Inc, 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Donmonique Leronda Chambliss, 7828 Day Creek Blvd., Apt 136 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739. Provide mentoring and networking relationships for underrepresented students in higher education that enable them to overcome barriers in STEM careers in industry and develop mentee mentor networks that improves employee retention.

SOUTH HADLEY

2086 South Hadley Corporation, 2086 Memorial Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. Rajeshkumar K. Patel, 6 Danforth Farm Road Wilbraham, MA 01095. Package store.

SPRINGFIELD

KC Sign and Graphics Corp., 196 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA 01108. Thi M. Tai, same. Signage and graphics products and services.

Kibbe House Restoration Inc., 1030 Worthington St., McKnight Historic District, Springfield, MA 01109. Elisha Colgram, 1105 Worthington St., Springfield, MA 01109. To preserve and restore the historic George Kibbe House in Springfield, Mass.

Mo & Drew’s Billiards Inc., 391 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Maureen Snook, same. Own and operate a pool hall.

Reflections Ink Corp., 35 Willow St., Suite 110, Springfield, MA 01103. I Am Tasha Jones, same. Social services writer.

Reparadores De Portillos, 147 Santa Barbara St., Springfield, MA 01104. Merilyn Bermudez, same. Nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for spiritual (religious) purposes.

Roblero Construction Inc., 86 Ranney St. Apt 2, Springfield, MA 01108. Leodan Roblero Lopez, same. Carpentry and siding business.

Rubio S Construction Corp., 138 Davinston St., Springfield, MA 01108. Agustin Rubio Suarez, same. Home-improvement services.

Western Mass Youth Basketball Organization Inc., 1570 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Randolph H Lester III, same. Nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Western Massachusetts Black Nurses’ Association Inc., Ms, Khadijah Tuitt, 273 Naismith Road, Springfield, MA 01104. Khadijah Tuitt Ms., P.O. Box 90246 Springfield, MA 01139-0246. Professional association organized to teach and educate black consumers for optimum quality of care; act as a change agent in restructuring existing institutions to meet the needs of our community and serve as the local nursing body to influence legislation and policies that affect blacks.

Worthy Living Inc., 32 Gladstone St., Springfield, MA 01109. Alasia Burton-Estrada, same. Charitable youth group designed to undertake projects to benefit needy and the community to encourage leadership, character, compassion, and good citizenship.

WEST HATFIELD

R & R Farm Inc., 183 Linseed Road, West Hatfield, MA 01088. Richard Parasiliti, Jr., same. Tree services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Kenetic Transport Inc., 47 Wilder Ter., West Springfield, MA 01089. Sergey Yakimov, same. Long distance transportation services.

MDH Trading Inc., 89 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. Zamel N Al Haron, same. Trading company.

Vardayinikrupa Inc., 3 Central St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Minalben K Vyas, 284 Sand Springs Road Williamstown, MA 01267. Convenience and grocery store.

WESTFIELD

Advanced Farba Inc., 16 Harold Ave. B, Westfield, MA 01085. Siarhei Shyshla, same. Interior and exterior painter.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of June and July 2022. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

AMHERST

R. Jackson/Expanded Metals
23 Flintlock Lane
Robert Jackson

BELCHERTOWN

Ben’s Brickstore
442A State St.
Erik Homstead

C.B. White Law
45 North Main St.
Carrie White

Family Produce
Adjacent to 31 Federal St.
Gidget Jolly, Gylan Gamache

Help Is on the Way
85 Jackson St.
Justin Ritter

Krispy’s
146 State St.
Voyiatzis Anna

Northern Insulation Services LLC
22 Sherwood Dr.
Anthony Roy

P & L Machine
382 South Washington St.
Paul Barrows

Plated MA
117 Clark St.
Nathan Cartel

Shannon Pasture Forest Products
404 Allen Road
Henry Martin

Summers Services
39 Summit St.
John Summers

GRANBY

The Pampurred Puss
149 East St.
Karen Belanger

NORTHAMPTON

Ann Vaughn, DC
25 Main St., #337
Ann Vaughn

Art Star: Women’s Creative Arts Lounge
219 Main St.
Marie Westburg

Quality Cars
345 Damon Road
Ronald Gardner

Sugar Maple Trailside Inn
62 Chestnut St.
Craig Penna

PALMER

Cutting Corner Inc.
1022 Central St.
Carol Henriques

Wayne’s Truck Service
21 Wilbraham Road
Wayne Chapin

SOUTH HADLEY

Halloran Woodworking
144 North Main St.
David Halloran

The Paper Kitchen
138 College St., Unit 4
Adrian Anderson

Rovelli Construction
43B North Main St.
Rovelli Construction

SOUTHAMPTON

Flo Digital Marketing
172 College Highway
Brian Gagnon

SPRINGFIELD

Angel Shine Bright LLC
84 Entrybrook Dr.
Angel Aviles

Bermudez Transport
18 Pomona St.
Angel Bermudez

Bibiloni Auto Detailing
104 Leyfred Ter.
Luis Bibiloni

Bibiloni’s
104 Leyfred Ter.
Carolyn Perez

Crispy Wings and More
17 Rutland St.
Nilsa Hernandez

Cultivating Better Mind
48 Driftwood Road
Dallas Clark

Fred’s Northeast Mountain
459 Breckwood Blvd.
Algeni Enterprises

Industrial Roofing Co.
24 Burlington St.
Salvatore Circosta

JD Distribution
82 Marble St.
Jose Rivera

Main Street Mobil
3111 Main St.
Zahoor Haq

Nibo Transport
62 Margaret St., #1L
Jose Rosado

Peking House
844 Liberty St.
Yidi Dong

Springfield Stretching
191 Chestnut St.
Deon Smith

Spruce Hill Veterinary Clinic
4 Plumtree Road
Veterinary Innovative

Winchester Liquors
800 State St.
Chirag Patel

WEST SPRINGFIELD

966 Union Street Construction
966 Union St.
Andrew Baker

Blinks by Jojo
2260 Westfield St.
Julianna Driscol

Bourque Real Estate
1233 Westfield St.
Wilfrid Bourque

Comfort Inn and Suites
106 Capital Dr.
Shailesh Patel

Conca Sport and Fitness
170 Elm St.
Stephen Conca

European Wax Center
935 Riverdale St.
Michael Umbro

The Flying Locksmiths
425 Union St.
Michael Faubert

Law Office of Mary A. Samberg
93 Van Deene Ave.
Mary Samberg

Natalia’s Alterations
20 LaBelle St.
Nataliya Filistovich

Obeda Upholstery
847 Piper Road
Obeda Alkabaz

Over the Moon
208 Norman St.
Pauline Delton

Quality Inn
1150 Riverdale St.
Janak Dhabuwala

Total Fitness Equipment LLC
1267 Riverdale St.
Jon Valles

Westside Bar & Grille
95 Elm St.
Tyler Saremi

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

31 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Kaytlyn Bland
Seller: Paul Kocot
Date: 06/14/22

BUCKLAND

140 Ashfield Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Robert J. Spencer
Seller: Susan Atherton
Date: 06/17/22

5 Laurel St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Amanda RT
Seller: Imogene E. Beasley
Date: 06/14/22

DEERFIELD

33 Elm Circle
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $178,500
Buyer: Monique R. Gagnon
Seller: Lynn A. Olynik
Date: 06/17/22

147 Mill Village Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $2,400,000
Buyer: 147 MVR LLC
Seller: Bars 1720 LLC
Date: 06/14/22

33 Thayer St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Bradley S. Wallace
Seller: Jason Viadero
Date: 06/13/22

GILL

1 Center Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Stanislav Harag
Seller: Eugene A. Rice
Date: 06/21/22

7 Grove St.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Matthew P. Gibson
Seller: Kevin P. Gibson
Date: 06/22/22

GREENFIELD

269 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jacob J. Elwell
Seller: James M. Elwell
Date: 06/15/22

32 Chestnut Hill
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Robert Ambrose
Seller: Marilyn V. Petrin
Date: 06/17/22

55 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Suzanne L. Goffredo
Seller: Paul A. Powell
Date: 06/21/22

597 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Norman Laemond
Seller: Susan M. Emond
Date: 06/21/22

16 Pierce St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Irina Mihailicenco
Seller: Patrick M. Murphy
Date: 06/16/22

2-4 Prentice Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Shai Kuper
Seller: William C. Phelps
Date: 06/22/22

225 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Aung K. Ko
Seller: Anne M. Henry
Date: 06/17/22

26 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Perry Esquer
Seller: David Pederson
Date: 06/14/22

12 Warner St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Marilyn V. Petrin
Seller: Mroz, Marie E., (Estate)
Date: 06/17/22

30 Warner St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Emily H. Lowe
Seller: Mathew C. Beaudoin
Date: 06/17/22

LEVERETT

45 Richardson Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $337,000
Buyer: Earle H. Sexton
Seller: Jean A. Williams
Date: 06/17/22

MONTAGUE

112 Old Mountain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Timothy D. Kang
Seller: Sweet Nestled LLC
Date: 06/13/22

9 Rattlesnake Gutter Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Steven J. Gilardi
Seller: Richard P. Karsten
Date: 06/16/22

94 South Prospect St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Raeann E. Chadwick
Seller: Tyler G. Hobbs
Date: 06/17/22

31 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Amy M. Kirchner
Seller: Deborah A. Sazama
Date: 06/15/22

2 Wentworth Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Timothy S. Trask
Seller: Scott R. Bruso
Date: 06/15/22

NEW SALEM

34 Blackinton Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Chue Lor
Seller: Michael F. Welch
Date: 06/14/22

NORTHFIELD

27 Aldrich St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Matthew T. Witz
Seller: Janet A. Morris
Date: 06/21/22

32 Aldrich St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Samantha L. Wood
Seller: Knowlton J. Hodgkins
Date: 06/17/22

ORANGE

455 Tully Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: James Gosson
Seller: Kevin P. Blake
Date: 06/21/22

39 Winter St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $285,500
Buyer: John A. Chapin
Seller: Happy Homes REI LLC
Date: 06/14/22

SHELBURNE

314 Little Mohawk Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: John L. Wheeler
Seller: Kathleen G. Ainsworth
Date: 06/15/22

SUNDERLAND

3 Bears Den Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Richard Kleeman
Seller: Suzanne Scallion
Date: 06/21/22

WHATELY

174 Conway Road
Whately, MA 01039
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Erik T. Debbink
Seller: Pamela A. Dickinson
Date: 06/14/22

21 Poplar Hill Road
Whately, MA 01039
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Erik T. Debbink
Seller: Maxwell W. Bland
Date: 06/14/22

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

23 Capua Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Ilhom Mamedov
Seller: Ahmet Gunay
Date: 06/15/22

47 Day St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: William J. Egan
Seller: Frederick F. Borrelli
Date: 06/15/22

27 Emerson Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Siarhei Shyshla
Seller: Michael J. Ferrero
Date: 06/14/22

30 High Meadow Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Patrick Kelleher
Seller: Walter D. Szemela
Date: 06/17/22

19-21 Letendre Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Aaron A. Merriam
Seller: Alan E. Bouley
Date: 06/17/22

540 Meadow St. Ext.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $1,500,000
Buyer: MS Agawam LLC
Seller: Meadow Realty LLC
Date: 06/14/22

47 Michele Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Piyush M. Patel
Seller: Kalpanaben Patel
Date: 06/22/22

718 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jeannine Huey
Seller: O’Donnell, Cheryl, (Estate)
Date: 06/15/22

386 Poplar St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Alyssa Ridley
Seller: Joshua D. Laporte
Date: 06/17/22

173 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Robert Sweatland
Seller: Hillside Development Corp.
Date: 06/14/22

BLANDFORD

84 Main St.
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: James S. Start
Seller: Matthew P. Chabot
Date: 06/17/22

6 Wyman Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Frappier
Seller: James Start
Date: 06/17/22

BRIMFIELD

50 Chamberlain Mountain Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Marianna Kleyman
Seller: Jeffrey L. Paulin
Date: 06/14/22

30 Paige Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Denise Cabral
Seller: Louise M. Dickinson
Date: 06/13/22

140 Paige Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Samuel Edvalson
Seller: Huijuan Chen
Date: 06/21/22

322 Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Tyler J. Trainor
Seller: Mackenzie Warren
Date: 06/13/22

CHESTER

177 Goss Hill Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christian Wilkinson
Seller: National Farm & Forestry LLC
Date: 06/17/22

179 Goss Hill Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christian Wilkinson
Seller: National Farm & Forestry LLC
Date: 06/17/22

180 Goss Hill Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christian Wilkinson
Seller: National Farm & Forestry LLC
Date: 06/17/22

CHICOPEE

138 Acrebrook Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Barbara Galindo
Seller: Barbara Galendo
Date: 06/17/22

88 Cora Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Kyle Cerez
Seller: R. M. Blerman LLC
Date: 06/22/22

536 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Luis A. Rodriguez-Figueroa
Seller: William Martinez
Date: 06/13/22

11 Emerald St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: LG Homes LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 06/16/22

86 Empire St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $210,002
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Christine Grainger
Date: 06/21/22

212 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Minnal LLC
Seller: Fernando D. Goncalves
Date: 06/21/22

28 Labelle Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Edward C. Cole
Seller: Stanley Kosinski
Date: 06/21/22

31 Madison St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Gerome J. Rodriguez
Seller: Marlene M. McHugh
Date: 06/16/22

25 Mayflower Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $337,000
Buyer: Brittany A. Morse
Seller: Mikhail G. Chikrizov
Date: 06/17/22

588 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Michael J. Morrissey
Seller: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Date: 06/21/22

23 Morgan Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $561,000
Buyer: Steven C. Reeves
Seller: Nicole M. Blanchard
Date: 06/17/22

88 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $279,500
Buyer: Lydia Diaz
Seller: AMTD LLC
Date: 06/17/22

130 Oakridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Waseem Mudasar
Seller: Miguel A. Rivera
Date: 06/13/22

15 Old Farm Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Brett Cosby
Seller: Episcopal Missions
Date: 06/21/22

39 Swol St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: Susan Stjohn
Seller: Jared A. Laravee
Date: 06/17/22

EAST LONGMEADOW

105 Bayne St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Jonathan Seiler
Seller: Theresa A. Danieli
Date: 06/13/22

14-16 Center Square
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: 2 Center Square LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 06/17/22

135 Dwight Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Z. Rivera
Seller: Vladimir Kostenko
Date: 06/16/22

18 Edmund St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sarah A. Kofke-Egger
Seller: Lawrence R. Garvey
Date: 06/22/22

20 Ericka Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $865,000
Buyer: Steven Nguyen
Seller: Steven E. Grande
Date: 06/15/22

9 Fairway Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Jaquaine Coe
Seller: Michael Carabetta
Date: 06/22/22

60 Fernwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Michelle Triggs
Seller: Rita M. Stearns
Date: 06/17/22

355 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $664,000
Buyer: Anthony Malave
Seller: Adeleke A. Thomas
Date: 06/22/22

21 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ashley Smith
Seller: Wanda S. Serafin
Date: 06/13/22

120 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Mathew J. Hilario
Seller: Gary Hunt
Date: 06/21/22

5 Robin St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Benjamin C. Pellegrini
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 06/15/22

HAMPDEN

61 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Christina Mateer
Seller: Susanne Metatos
Date: 06/21/22

135 East Longmeadow Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Christine Vaicius
Seller: Nicola Dempsey
Date: 06/17/22

11 Old Coach Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Annabel Gubelman
Seller: Jennifer Devine
Date: 06/16/22

308 Somers Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Eric D. Ainsworth
Seller: Stephen W. Carabetta
Date: 06/15/22

HOLLAND

11 Hamilton Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jonathan Weaver
Seller: Devellis, Margaret R., (Estate)
Date: 06/15/22

HOLYOKE

44 Argyle Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Victoria Vanzomeren
Seller: Laura E. Smith
Date: 06/21/22

59 Berkshire St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Carlos Adorno-Baez
Seller: Harris A. Colon
Date: 06/22/22

114 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: NE Properties LLC
Seller: Jasper R. Chin
Date: 06/22/22

1594 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: AG Brothers LLC
Seller: William M. Radner
Date: 06/13/22

301 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: New Man Ventures LLC
Seller: High St. Holyoke Properties 2
Date: 06/16/22

50-52 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Sashel Nova
Seller: Bernard M. Poirier
Date: 06/22/22

398-400 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: 398 Main Holyoke Mass. LLC
Seller: Posiadlosc LLC
Date: 06/13/22

137 North East St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Nasir I. Haider
Seller: Gizenia G. Stewart
Date: 06/22/22

1244 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Kokoleka RT
Seller: Wanda Zabawa
Date: 06/17/22

342 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Beverly R. Haramut
Date: 06/14/22

58 Saint James Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Christopher W. Byler
Seller: Arlene Swartz
Date: 06/22/22

3 Valley Heights
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Henry Cash-Jackson
Seller: Joseph W. Dickinson
Date: 06/17/22

LONGMEADOW

20 Ashford Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Dino M. Bedinelli
Seller: Vidya B. Ramasamy
Date: 06/22/22

38 Churchill Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: James A. Pittman
Seller: Jane S. Feinberg
Date: 06/17/22

164 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Lisa Y. Howard
Seller: Michael M. Darby
Date: 06/15/22

207 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $839,000
Buyer: Brennan E. Tougias
Seller: Alexander G. Haldopoulos
Date: 06/13/22

164 Westmoreland Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $536,000
Buyer: Brandon R. Dobro
Seller: Lane B. Dybdahl
Date: 06/22/22

72 Wilkin Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Samuel J. Rickless
Seller: Anna Bidyuk
Date: 06/21/22

LUDLOW

17 Baker St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: CPN&J Realty LLC
Seller: Doreen S. Rae
Date: 06/13/22

58 Jackie Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: Scott Daigneault
Seller: Richard H. Maynard
Date: 06/21/22

Lawrence St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Musante FT
Seller: Walter J. Martowski
Date: 06/22/22

193 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Brandon M. Tavares
Seller: Thomas M. McCarthy
Date: 06/14/22

Turning Leaf Road Lot 84
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $144,900
Buyer: Marco A. Gomes
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 06/16/22

329 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Coelho Holdings LLC
Seller: Midwoods LLC
Date: 06/14/22

MONSON

30 Butler Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jonathon Frame
Seller: Eric Ciborowski
Date: 06/16/22

1 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Alexzandra R. Dickey
Seller: Keith Dusoe
Date: 06/17/22

48 Robbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Jennifer Genco
Seller: Sean L. Judkins
Date: 06/13/22

13 Silva St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Nicholas Markopoulos
Seller: Sandra J. Martin
Date: 06/15/22

7 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Heather L. Kofke-Egger
Seller: Amber L. Thorpe
Date: 06/17/22

PALMER

7 Allen St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Zachary M. Nadaud
Seller: Robert A. Brisard
Date: 06/17/22

17 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Amanda M. Babinski
Seller: Elaine Fortier
Date: 06/17/22

258 Old Warren Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Vanessa Marrero
Seller: Jingzhan Mai
Date: 06/13/22

749 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Ferris
Seller: Fareed Hanania
Date: 06/21/22

68 Rondeau St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Mary Cunningham
Seller: Jerod R. Laflamme
Date: 06/15/22

RUSSELL

75 Highland Ave.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Daniil Misiruk
Seller: Timothy P. Lafreniere
Date: 06/17/22

445 Westfield Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Jamie Jonassen
Seller: David E. Janik
Date: 06/21/22

SPRINGFIELD

125-127 Alderman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Minnal LLC
Seller: Luis E. Izquierdo
Date: 06/21/22

59 Anne St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Marilyn M. Molina
Seller: Joni L. Suprenant
Date: 06/21/22

34-36 Bartlett St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Todd Miller
Seller: Frank Herrera
Date: 06/16/22

501 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Isabel Lucero-Martinez
Seller: Vincenzo Amore
Date: 06/17/22

Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: PS Springfield LLC
Seller: Nicholas L. Graham
Date: 06/14/22

85 Brickett St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Joseph Kerrill
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 06/13/22

135 Bulat Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $260,500
Buyer: Ana C. Burgos
Seller: Michael P. Verteramo
Date: 06/22/22

951 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Makay Abdi
Seller: Carmen L. Mena
Date: 06/14/22

983 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: John Alicea
Seller: Feliciano, Carmen I., (Estate)
Date: 06/13/22

1105 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Ericdeshawn Austin
Seller: Margarita Nieves
Date: 06/15/22

121 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Marsha X. Qian
Seller: Serg W. Abramchuk
Date: 06/16/22

246 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Delva M. Barrett
Seller: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Date: 06/15/22

37-39 Cloran St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Alfred Azar
Seller: Patrick O’Neil
Date: 06/16/22

60 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Sara Eklund
Seller: 2 Stone Homes LLC
Date: 06/14/22

37 David St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $153,470
Buyer: Go America LLC
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/17/22

120 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Jason M. Smith
Date: 06/15/22

149 Devens St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Cynthia Pierra
Seller: Kenneth G. McDonald
Date: 06/16/22

3-5 Dorchester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Christina Henry
Seller: Aishia Springer
Date: 06/14/22

72 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Mvuyekure Elaste
Seller: Lismel Luciano
Date: 06/22/22

19 East Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Mark J. Botelho
Seller: Marco A. Barbuti
Date: 06/21/22

229 Emerson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: William Dane
Seller: Ellen Rainville
Date: 06/17/22

201 Fair Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Patrick Buckley
Seller: Buckley, Francis P., (Estate)
Date: 06/15/22

161 Garland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kristine Tanon
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 06/14/22

402 Goodwin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $198,750
Buyer: Edwin G. Morales
Seller: Hurst, Warthingston B., (Estate)
Date: 06/22/22

524 Goodwin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Roberto Rivera-Negron
Seller: Americo Freitas
Date: 06/22/22

99-101 Granby St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: JMB Property Management LLC
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 06/16/22

193-195 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $325,500
Buyer: Huang Family Property LLC
Seller: Wesley R. Crouch
Date: 06/13/22

34 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Stephan J. Maldonado
Seller: Burris, Joyce A., (Estate)
Date: 06/15/22

112 Laconia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Latoya A. Smith
Seller: Kaylina Green
Date: 06/22/22

160 Louis Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Xavier Martinez
Seller: A&T Home Improvement LLC
Date: 06/17/22

185 Louis Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Isabel Dejesus
Seller: Highridge Real Estate LLC
Date: 06/17/22

68 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Freedom Season LLC
Seller: Brico Properties LLC
Date: 06/16/22

83 Magnolia Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Angela Bellas
Seller: Holly N. Mott
Date: 06/22/22

87 Maplewood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Robert Planutis
Seller: Thomas Lemay
Date: 06/17/22

36-40 Marble St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Vanavil Properties TR
Seller: Jacob J. Savageau
Date: 06/14/22

74 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Junior R. Marte-Ortega
Seller: Sandy J. Rodriguez
Date: 06/21/22

141 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Derrick Davidson
Seller: Nicketo A. Allen
Date: 06/21/22

26-28 Maynard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Adaku Chikezie
Seller: Eddie C. Tsang
Date: 06/16/22

30 Merrick Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Indalina Lopez
Seller: Anthony E. Gibbs
Date: 06/16/22

28 Moore St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Horaida Cardona
Seller: Yelitza M. Fernandez
Date: 06/17/22

5-7 Newman St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Irvin Co.
Seller: Nabil Maataoui
Date: 06/17/22

11-13 Newman St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Irvin Co.
Seller: Nabil Maataoui
Date: 06/17/22

62-64 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Manning Capital LLC
Seller: Hyacinth C. Henry
Date: 06/17/22

117 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $326,400
Buyer: Miguel Rivera
Seller: Darlene Ryan
Date: 06/17/22

369 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Mendez
Seller: Property Advantage Inc.
Date: 06/15/22

35 Park Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Lourdes Balestier
Seller: Aura Marcille
Date: 06/15/22

1847 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Evelyn Rosa
Seller: Muhammad Akbar
Date: 06/22/22

50 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Patricia F. Daviau
Seller: Patricia F. Daviau
Date: 06/21/22

104 Phoenix Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Ichel L. Berly
Seller: Roque Vargas
Date: 06/16/22

59 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Wanda Rivera
Seller: Adam P. Morgan
Date: 06/22/22

111 Princeton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Wilmer B. Gomez-Jimenez
Seller: Abraham Lincoln-Davis
Date: 06/13/22

65 Rittenhouse Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Jose Delgado
Seller: Eich Estates Inc.
Date: 06/22/22

58 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Marcus Adorno
Seller: Barrington A. Tucker
Date: 06/17/22

19 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Minuteman Property & Acquisitions
Seller: Charles M. Healey
Date: 06/21/22

104 Rowland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Limaris Vazquez-Huertas
Seller: German Rosado
Date: 06/21/22

55 Sherman St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Ivan Mercado
Seller: Noelia Machado-Beniquez
Date: 06/17/22

45 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Mark Mayweather
Seller: David J. Jolicoeur
Date: 06/17/22

49 Sylvester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $145,350
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 06/22/22

61 Thornton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Vargas
Seller: Andrew M. Kochis
Date: 06/14/22

33 Villa Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Ricky B. Horner
Seller: Marcia S. Scott
Date: 06/17/22

Wallace St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Dusza
Seller: Oscar J. Obando
Date: 06/16/22

45 Wallace St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Dusza
Seller: Oscar J. Obando
Date: 06/16/22

212 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Margarita Nieves
Seller: Genesis Arekeria
Date: 06/15/22

2306 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Robert Flowers
Seller: Colin D. Tracy
Date: 06/15/22

78-80 Windemere St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $301,068
Buyer: Veronica P. Aguirre
Seller: Cynthia I. Storozuk
Date: 06/22/22

SOUTHWICK

44-R North Lake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Zachary Smith
Seller: Sergey Yanyuk
Date: 06/17/22

44 North Lake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Zachary Smith
Seller: Sergey Yanyuk
Date: 06/17/22

8 Reservoir Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Tarek Farousi
Seller: Travis T. Keiderling
Date: 06/13/22

10 Sawgrass Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Charles Lippert
Seller: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Date: 06/13/22

37 Summer Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Zachary Smith
Seller: Sergey Yanyuk
Date: 06/17/22

TOLLAND

894 Burt Hill Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Catherine Crochiere
Seller: Camellia W. Polzun
Date: 06/21/22

WALES

16 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: C&K Holland LLC
Seller: 16 Holland Road Inc.
Date: 06/16/22

57 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Christopher Figueroa
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 06/13/22

60 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Albert F. Casey
Seller: Joel Wall
Date: 06/17/22

WEST SPRINGFIELD

58 Bosworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Nigar B. Yurdanidze
Seller: Linda A. Dunley
Date: 06/17/22

46 Calvin Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $285,500
Buyer: David L. Chapski
Seller: Timothy T. Lemonde
Date: 06/21/22

176 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Michael A. Christodlous
Seller: Charles L. Rogers
Date: 06/21/22

31 Clyde Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,500
Buyer: Joseph Turner
Seller: Erin M. Valencik
Date: 06/16/22

92 Country View St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Timothy Morin
Seller: Mary A. Gordon
Date: 06/16/22

52 Dorwin Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Mason Allen
Seller: Pavel, Joan M., (Estate)
Date: 06/14/22

49 Exeter St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Richard Larrimore
Seller: Paul Bagian
Date: 06/17/22

105 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Collin R. Jerard
Seller: Angela M. Boisvert
Date: 06/17/22

39 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Enes Brkic
Seller: Laura E. Gleason
Date: 06/15/22

231 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $394,000
Buyer: Mark D. Landry
Seller: Sajjan Sharma
Date: 06/16/22

17 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Ferri
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 06/21/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 2
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Ulugbek Gusenov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Kemran Lachinov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 4
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Nariman Askarov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 5
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Mustafa Gusenov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 6
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Askar Lachinov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 7
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Mazhid Bayramov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 8
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Emil Lachinov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 9
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Mardan Bayramov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 10
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Bahtiyar Agayev
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

Holly Hill Estates, Lot 11
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Anzor Sheykhov
Seller: Community Developers Inc.
Date: 06/14/22

119 Laurel Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Timothy T. Lemonde
Seller: Timothy J. Morin
Date: 06/16/22

68 Merrick St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: 502 Union Station LLC
Seller: Vladimir Zamotayev
Date: 06/16/22

256 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jessica Condon
Seller: Arthur R. Doty
Date: 06/14/22

122 Norman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Aga Brothers LLC
Seller: Janet C. Santinello
Date: 06/16/22

2371 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Christina Suheen
Seller: Charles A. Pignatare
Date: 06/17/22

WESTFIELD

85 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Laura Olmeda-Smith
Seller: Patrick J. Duffy
Date: 06/21/22

16 Cherry St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Cherry Street Building LLC
Seller: MJF 51 LLC
Date: 06/16/22

45 Day Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Justin P. Elder
Seller: Richard K. Ringer
Date: 06/14/22

15 Hampden St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Selina M. Lopez
Seller: Marisa L. Castro
Date: 06/21/22

11 Jaeger Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Timothy P. Lafreniere
Seller: Bernard A. Steben
Date: 06/17/22

19 Laurel Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Nicholas R. Beauchemin
Seller: Gregory J. Valentine
Date: 06/16/22

14 Lowell Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Peter Aloysius-Dehey
Date: 06/17/22

10 Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Team Link LLC
Seller: 10 Main WF LLC
Date: 06/21/22

19 Morningside Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: James S. Schlaffer
Seller: Robert A. Lafogg
Date: 06/21/22

10 Nancy Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $611,000
Buyer: Christopher Torres
Seller: Bent Tree Development LLC
Date: 06/13/22

19 Noble Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Deviny
Seller: Robert J. Fanion
Date: 06/13/22

30 Orchard St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Christine B. Fitz
Seller: Hagan FT
Date: 06/17/22

9 Park River Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Scott H. Labrie
Seller: Bruce S. Christenson
Date: 06/21/22

50 Roosevelt Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Jessica Gambale
Seller: Anthony Gambale
Date: 06/16/22

149 Root Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $442,500
Buyer: Shawn McNulty
Seller: Brandyn J. Peterson
Date: 06/22/22

402 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $4,650,000
Buyer: 402 Southampton Road LLC
Seller: First Choice Storage LLC
Date: 06/15/22

23-1/2 State St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Ajit K. Singh
Seller: Martina R. Haber
Date: 06/17/22

254 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: 254 Union Street LLC
Seller: Kevin A. Price
Date: 06/15/22

25 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kathryn M. Barry
Seller: Timothy M. Fouche
Date: 06/14/22

52 Woodbridge Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Darya Pchelka
Seller: Nicholas D. Fitzgerald
Date: 06/22/22

WILBRAHAM

14 Addison Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Nathan M. Pluta
Seller: Candice A. St.Jean
Date: 06/21/22

342 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Sarah Williams
Seller: Crane Hill LLC
Date: 06/21/22

720 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Zachary Preman
Seller: Suzanne E. Middleton
Date: 06/22/22

119 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Haley R. Viamari
Seller: Kantor. Dorothy G., (Estate)
Date: 06/21/22

615 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Melissa F. Burkert
Seller: William P. Fernandes
Date: 06/21/22

931 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Joseph Christofori
Seller: Gina M. Forbes
Date: 06/13/22

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

194 Amity St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $865,000
Buyer: 194 Amity Street RT
Seller: Chabad At Five Colleges
Date: 06/22/22

594 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: University Of Mass. Building Authority
Seller: 594 East Pleasant St RT
Date: 06/21/22

66 Grantwood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Eastern Realty LLC
Seller: Norman D. Brown
Date: 06/17/22

235 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Allison B. Henry
Seller: Brett J. Butler
Date: 06/15/22

635 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: M. H. Metzger Brown FT
Seller: Norman D. Brown
Date: 06/14/22

126 Shutesbury Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,002,000
Buyer: Jamie N. Class 2012 TR
Seller: Nathan T. Wilson
Date: 06/14/22

BELCHERTOWN

20 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Principle Property Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Baystate Wing Hospital
Date: 06/16/22

671 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Brian Gernux
Seller: Michael J. McMahan
Date: 06/21/22

24 Gold St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Patrick M. McMorrow
Seller: Janet S. Hurd
Date: 06/21/22

5 Lake Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $517,000
Buyer: John E. Ryan
Seller: Donald C. Ahrens
Date: 06/21/22

33 Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: KAB Properties LLC
Seller: Citizens Bank
Date: 06/17/22

160 Munsell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kenneth Conkey
Seller: John H. Conkey
Date: 06/17/22

40 Nathaniel Way
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $474,000
Buyer: Judy C. Riggenbach
Seller: Xin H. Lin
Date: 06/13/22

37 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Lucas Hall
Seller: Dabo Shi
Date: 06/15/22

362 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Hung Le
Seller: Richard W. Knapp
Date: 06/17/22

CHESTERFIELD

563 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Marcia G. Black
Seller: Lisa A. Brown
Date: 06/22/22

132 Smith Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $767,000
Buyer: Casey Schwartz
Seller: Michael G. George
Date: 06/15/22

EASTHAMPTON

4 Ashley Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Nathaniel G. Danforth
Seller: Adam Robinson
Date: 06/17/22

46 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $401,000
Buyer: Cathleen Richards
Seller: Richard R. Labombard
Date: 06/17/22

168 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $496,000
Buyer: Anastasia Day
Seller: Wayne M. MacDonald
Date: 06/17/22

304 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $438,875
Buyer: Owen J. Coursin
Seller: Barbara S. Debastiani
Date: 06/21/22

14 Old Stagecoach Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Davis Property Mgmt. Inc.
Seller: John Drewnowski
Date: 06/13/22

43 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $189,400
Buyer: Maxim W. Daviau
Seller: Therese Pietraszkiewicz
Date: 06/15/22

10 Pinebrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Matthew Kearney
Seller: Theresa M. Woods
Date: 06/15/22

11 Princeton Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Gil R. Alvarez
Seller: 3 Adams Street LLC
Date: 06/15/22

GRANBY

112 Cold Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Corinne Gartner
Seller: Christopher J. Enyart
Date: 06/21/22

54 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Michael Durham
Seller: Stanley Andrukonis
Date: 06/17/22

37 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Eric M. West
Seller: Leah Condon
Date: 06/21/22

HADLEY

102 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: John C. Toone
Seller: Peter A. Pacosa
Date: 06/21/22

7 High Meadow Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $703,000
Buyer: Lisa Horvitz
Seller: Diane Forman-Judd
Date: 06/17/22

19 High Meadow Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $639,000
Buyer: 19 High Meadow RT
Seller: John C. Morse
Date: 06/17/22

19 North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $601,000
Buyer: Christina R. Malin
Seller: Gerald F. Triggs
Date: 06/17/22

4 West St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $920,000
Buyer: John A. Kostek
Seller: Michael J. Murphy
Date: 06/14/22

HUNTINGTON

177 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christian Wilkinson
Seller: National Farm & Forestry LLC
Date: 06/17/22

179 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christian Wilkinson
Seller: National Farm & Forestry LLC
Date: 06/17/22

180 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christian Wilkinson
Seller: National Farm & Forestry LLC
Date: 06/17/22

7 Stanton Ave.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Nichole E. Bruneau
Seller: Cynthia L. Roberts
Date: 06/16/22

NORTHAMPTON

38 Birch Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Michael Daviau
Seller: Hayes, Patrick J., (Estate)
Date: 06/17/22

8 Charles St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Dawn E. Nims
Seller: Julie A. Bell
Date: 06/15/22

14-16 Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $1,725,000
Buyer: Blue Mountain Prop LLC
Seller: Timothy E. Shea TR
Date: 06/22/22

76 Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $1,725,000
Buyer: Blue Mountain Prop LLC
Seller: Timothy E. Shea TR
Date: 06/22/22

76-B Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $1,725,000
Buyer: Blue Mountain Properties LLC
Seller: Timothy E. Shea TR
Date: 06/22/22

76-96 Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $1,725,000
Buyer: Blue Mountain Properties LLC
Seller: Timothy E. Shea TR
Date: 06/22/22

397 North Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Jenny Horowitz
Seller: Brian J. Moriarty
Date: 06/16/22

213 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jason D. Fregeau
Seller: Walter Ragoza
Date: 06/15/22

8 Sherman Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: John M. Stonge
Seller: Jeffrey P. Johnson
Date: 06/16/22

99 Water St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Sarah J. Erickson
Seller: Julie A. Cardinal
Date: 06/17/22

15 Wilder Place
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Carin A. Pierce
Seller: Kathleen Miller
Date: 06/21/22

PELHAM

1 Butterhill Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $633,000
Buyer: John W. Thornbury
Seller: Victoria A. Febonio
Date: 06/22/22

SOUTH HADLEY

67 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Scott Family Properties LLC
Seller: Aleta S. Lanza
Date: 06/17/22

12 Midway St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Brenna Fitzgerald
Seller: Donald W. Lever
Date: 06/17/22

333 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $124,999
Buyer: Onstar Properties AA LLC
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 06/17/22

46 Richview Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Katherine Berry
Seller: James M. McNulty
Date: 06/21/22

51 Woodbridge Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Ryan R. Fleming
Seller: Thomas F. Sullivan
Date: 06/17/22

4 Wright Place
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Joshua McKinley
Seller: Sankar Datta
Date: 06/16/22

SOUTHAMPTON

156 County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Brandon Paul
Seller: Wujec, Halina, (Estate)
Date: 06/17/22

184 County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Traci Levinson
Seller: Katherine T. Hall
Date: 06/13/22

6 Helen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Rosemary L. Kirk
Seller: R. & Charlotte Roberge FT
Date: 06/15/22

25 Rattle Hill Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Friedman
Seller: George Ponte
Date: 06/17/22

WARE

30 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $291,725
Buyer: Javier Pagan
Seller: Kirstin N. Hoy
Date: 06/15/22

75 Coffey Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $288,450
Buyer: Christopher J. Lachendro
Seller: Coffey Hill Properties LLC
Date: 06/15/22

105 Gilbertville Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Ross E. Kendrick
Seller: James R. Robbins
Date: 06/17/22

90 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Zachary Hoy
Seller: Christine A. Campanelli
Date: 06/15/22

50 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $412,000
Buyer: Ian K. Clements
Seller: Christine Prenosil
Date: 06/16/22

12 Pine St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Allessandra Deoliveira
Seller: Kathleen A. Galford
Date: 06/22/22

97 Pleasant St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jared Walsh
Seller: Chad T. Drigo
Date: 06/21/22

WILLIAMSBURG

81 Depot Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Mary A. Cofrin
Seller: Kaye, Thomas, (Estate)
Date: 06/17/22

16 Fairfield Ave.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $366,000
Buyer: Nicholas Deysher
Seller: Joanna S. Moran
Date: 06/15/22

1 Hillenbrand Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Barra L. Cohen
Seller: Leah E. Abuza
Date: 06/22/22

WESTHAMPTON

27 Burt Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Stephen Zimora
Seller: Sally Watson-Menkel
Date: 06/13/22

 

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of June and July 2022. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

CHICOPEE

Joyce Provoda
239 Montcalm St.
$19,999 — Roofing

Joseph Ryan
76 Dwight St.
$12,500 — Two-level deck with small landing to be repaired on lower deck and rebuilt on upper deck

Alfred Shattelroe
18 Bemis St.
$120,000 — Remove and rebuild rear porch, remove and replace flooring on front porch, replace siding affected by porch

HADLEY

CBR Realty Corp.
191 Russell St.
N/A — Replace existing window with door

Francine Ness
137 West St.
N/A — Roofing

Russell 116 Partnership
423 Russell St.
N/A — Remove and replace damaged ceiling tiles

Gordon Smith
100 Mill Valley Road
N/A — Repair and replace damaged wall

LEE

Big Y Foods Inc.
10 Pleasant St.
$110,000 — Install electric vehicle charging stations

Stone Burdick
800 Pleasant St.
$210,000 — Commercial equipment storage garage

Jane Falcone, Linda Searles
55 Marble St.
$12,402 — Install new walk-in shower unit

Michael Ford
1075 Fairview St.
$6,090 — Install vinyl windows and entry unit

James Hertz
114 Housatonic St.
$6,000 — Install fire-suppression systemin commercial kitchen exhaust hood

Cassandra Purdy
635 Laurel St.
$85,000 — Selective interior demolition

LENOX

Town of Lenox
65 Main St.
$4,000 — Replace rear porch on first-floor egress

NORTHAMPTON

American Tower Corp.
325 King St.
$80,000 — Replace and upgrade equipment

Anydot Realty Management LLC
70 Maple St.
$11,875 — New roof

Aster Associates
80 Barrett St.
$4,000 — Replace deck

City of Northampton
Haydenville Road
$80,000 — Replace and add antennas

Edwards Church of Northampton
297 Main St.
$100,0-00 — Roofing

Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine St.
$13,000 — Roofing

Florence Savings Bank
81 Main St.
$81,000 — Non-structural partition walls

Milo Properties LLC
177 Bridge St.
$4,000 — Replace rotted framing and decking

O’Connell Hawley LLC
10 Hawley St.
$55,000 — Elevator installation

Pramukh Corp.
117 Conz St.
$26,890 — Roofing

Smith College
126 West St.
$37,261 — Exterior trim repairs

PITTSFIELD

Allendale Shopping LLC
5 Cheshire Road, Unit 26
$41,000 — Convert two open office spaces into private offices

Blue Chair Properties LLC
101 Dan Fox Dr.
N/A — Dish Wireless to install antennas and associated equipment on existing tower, and install ground equipment inside existing lease area

K & C Agar Inc.
22 Reed St.
$7,500 — Roof repair

Conrad Wojtkowski, Frances Wojtkowski
15 Curtin Ave.
$20,000 — Roofing

SPRINGFIELD

1277 Liberty Street 10190746 LLC
1355 Liberty St.
$10,000 — Install safety equipment on telecommunications tower

Raffaele Calabrese, Anna Calabrese
489 Main St.
$311,524 — Add vestibule to front entrance, install new windows

City of Springfield
111 Seymour Ave.
$622,300 $10,000 — Alter existing bathroom space at Balliet Elementary School into new bathroom and kitchen prep area

Edgewater Tower LLC
101 Lowell St.
$15,000 — Install 12 replacement antennas on telecommunications tower

Jon Realty LLC
230 Verge St.
$40,000 — Remove six antennas and install nine new antennas on telecommunications tower

New England Farm Workers Council Inc.
1628 Main St.
$30,000 — Repair loose stucco on upper parapet area

NHP Springfield Business Trust
215 Bicentennial Highway
$10,000 — Install safety equipment on telecommunications tower

Dinesh Patel
2 Boland Way
$150,000 — Install new fire-alarm system at Tower Square Hotel

Red Diamond Properties LLC
281 State St.
$410,000 — Alter interior space for use as a daycare center

Restoration Workship Center
1492 Boston Road
$2,225,000 — Alter interior space, exterior façade, and roof covering for use change from retail to assembly

RF Realty Co. LLC
449 Sumner Ave.
$75,000 — Remove and replace doors, windows, and stucco siding at Forest Park Eyecare

Julie Copoulos to Step Down as Executive Director of Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Julie Copoulos, executive director of the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, announced that she will step down from the organization on Aug. 19.

“Since 2019, I have been supported and challenged by an adaptable and sharp board of directors, cohesive membership, and motivated municipal partners,” Copoulos said. “Together we have served the Chicopee business community in a meaningful and measurable way. I am humbled to have been in your service.”

The Greater Chicopee Chamber is actively seeking an executive director who is committed to Chicopee business and community and has a strong background in business, advocacy, and leadership, she noted. To chamber members, she added, “thank you for remaining the heartbeat of our community.”

Patrick Carpenter Joins New England Public Media as Senior Director of Development

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — With extensive experience in resource development at Holyoke Community College, Boston College, Elms College, and Westfield State University, Patrick Carpenter is joining New England Public Media (NEPM) as senior director of Development.

Most recently, he served as director in Institutional Advancement at HCC, where, under his leadership, annual giving increased dramatically, new-donor participation grew substantially, and a multi-year capital campaign was designed. Carpenter was the first Major Gifts officer at Westfield State University and increased private support of endowed funds through his major and planned giving work.

He is a sponsor liaison for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District 1, president of the Southampton Youth Athletic Assoc. board of directors, and has served as president of the Elms College Alumni Assoc.

Carpenter holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Elms College and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Bay Path University. He currently teaches sociology at Elms College as a member of its adjunct faculty.

“I am thrilled to be joining New England Public Media as the new senior director of Development. I am impressed by the work of the development team at NEPM, as well as the leadership of President Matt Abramovitz,” Carpenter said. “NEPM’s goals are quite impressive, and I look forward to working with the development team, Matt, the NEPM board, and others from within the organization to help bring the vision for the organization to fruition.”

Abramovitz added that “we’re all looking forward to working with Patrick. He has had tremendous success as a fundraiser, even during the pandemic, because he has a knack for building relationships and rallying people to a cause. He’s a creative, passionate team builder who is as dedicated to public media as he is to our region.”

HCC to Hold Registration Express Week for Fall Semester Aug. 6-12

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will be holding Registration Express for the fall 2022 semester on Saturday, Aug. 6, and Monday through Friday, Aug. 8-12, in the HCC Campus Center.

During Registration Express, prospective students can apply for admission, take the college placement test, meet with an academic adviser, register for classes, and set up financial aid — all in one day.

HCC’s Aug. 6 Registration Express event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center on the main campus at 303 Homestead Ave. Students who can’t attend on Saturday or need additional time to finish their steps can also return when Registration Express continues Aug. 8-11 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Aug. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Full-term, 14-week fall classes begin Monday, Sept. 6. HCC has two additional fall flex start dates: Sept. 26 for 12-week classes, and Oct. 31 for seven-week classes.

“Becoming a college student can feel overwhelming,” said Mark Hudgik, HCC’s director of Admissions. “Whether students are brand-new, transferring from another college, or returning to HCC, we’re here to help make everything easier. Registration Express puts all of the resources they need in one place.”

Those who can’t make it in person during Registration Express week will be able to connect with registration advisers via Zoom or visit campus another day. Outside Registration Express, the HCC Admissions and Advising offices on the first floor of the Campus Center are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Fridays).

Students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes in person for the fall semester and must submit proof of their vaccination status before they can register for on-campus classes. Students who plan to register only for online or remote classes do not have to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

For more information and instructions about accessing Registration Express via Zoom, contact HCC Admissions at (413) 552-2321 or [email protected], or visit HCC online at hcc.edu.

Beauty Batlles Lounge Successfully Hosts Comedy Fundraising Event

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Beauty Batlles recently welcomed the community to its lounge, hosting a successful fundraising event, Beauty Batlles Moving Forward. About 60 guests were in attendance, and all had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, raffles, and 50/50 drawing, all while enjoying a cash bar and food at the comedy show.

With support from clients, family, local business owners, and others in the community, the event raised about $4,000 that will assist Beauty Batlles in its move. The facility will now be able to offer a larger scale of services to its clients and offer new job opportunities at the new location.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to bring my business to the Chicopee Center, where I will have the opportunity to bring a larger scale of services to our clients, but most importantly offer up to 10 new job opportunities to our community,” said Ashley Batlle, founder of Beauty Batlles Lounge.

Beauty Batlles Lounge offers microblading, waxing, lash lift tint, facials, brow lamination, BB glow, and body-sculpting services. It uses cutting-edge technology and medical-grade products to customize treatment to each client’s specific needs. The goal is to deliver self-confidence to individuals who have been struggling with different insecurities, and the support the community has continued to show will help the facility expand to its new location, allowing it to service the community more effectively.

Nominations Sought for Healthcare Heroes Class of 2022

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.

It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. That theory has certainly been validated.

But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes whose stories we still need to tell, especially in these times, when the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many types of heroes to the forefront. And that’s where you come in.

Nominations for the class of 2022 are due July 30, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven categories:

• Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider;
• Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration;
• Emerging Leader;
• Community Health;
• Innovation in Health/Wellness;
• Collaboration in Health/Wellness; and
• Lifetime Achievement.

Nominations can be submitted by clicking here. For more information, call Melissa Hallock, Marketing and Events Director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

Bay Path University Promotes Michael Giampietro to Senior Vice President

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced the promotion of Michael Giampietro to senior vice president for Finance and Administrative Services.

Giampietro joined Bay Path in 2006 as vice president for Finance and Administrative Services following a 16-year career at Holyoke Community College. A member of the university’s executive staff since arriving at Bay Path, he oversees significant areas of the university, including budget development, human resources, student financial services, facilities and capital planning, the bursar’s and controller’s offices, campus public safety, procurement, auxiliary services, and enterprise risk management. He also serves as staff liaison to a number of Bay Path board of trustees committees and has participated on New England Commission on Higher Education teams evaluating other accredited institutions.

“Mike Giampietro has shown exceptional leadership in many of our campus endeavors,” Bay Path President Sandra Doran said. “On behalf of the board of trustees, colleagues, and the entire community, I congratulate him on this promotion.”

Currently, Giampietro serves on the finance committee at Baystate Health, and previously sat on the town of Longmeadow audit and capital planning committees, as well as the finance committee for St. Mary’s Parish in Longmeadow. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in public administration from UMass Amherst, and also attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard.

Nicole Acevedo Joins Eastern States Exposition as Communications & Social Media Manager

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced that Nicole Acevedo is the newest addition to the organization’s Marketing department as Communications & Social Media manager.

Acevedo graduated from Western New England University in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. Over the course of her collegiate career, she served as assistant editor of the Westerner, the university’s newspaper; served as hospitality chair for Spring Event, the campus’s largest music festival; wrote and voiced two scripts for WAMC Northeast Public Radio; and was a two-time winner of the BOLD Media Festival’s written category for her prose poems.

Although she is not a New England native, Acevedo has grown fond of the Greater Springfield community.

“Whenever someone learns that I’m from California, they always ask me the same thing — ‘why would you come here?’” Acevedo said. “It makes me laugh because I understand how people would think I’m crazy for leaving the West Coast, but really, I’ve found my home here. ESE is such an important pillar of the community, and I couldn’t be more grateful or excited to be working as part of such a beloved organization.”

In her new role, Acevedo will be responsible for print publications and projects, content creation for all social-media platforms, and maintaining a positive and effective presence across the digital spectrum.

HCC Professor Receives Education Award from Latino Scholarship Fund

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) Anthropology professor Vanessa Martínez is the recipient of the 2022 Antonia Pantoja Award from the Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts.

The award, named after the noted Puerto Rican organizer and education activist, was presented on June 23 at the Latino Scholarship Fund’s 32nd annual meeting at the Log Cabin. The organization presents the award annually to an individual who has made a profound and significant contribution to education, demonstrating a dedication to the academic achievement of Latinx students.

Martínez is co-director of HCC’s Honors Program and co-founder of the Women of Color Health Equity Collective, a Springfield-based nonprofit. In addition, her HCC classes frequently engage with community groups and Holyoke schools through service-learning projects. She has been teaching at HCC since 2006.

“This is exciting for me and HCC, as HCC continues to be acknowledged in my work,” she said.

In January, she also received the 2022 Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award from Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education.

Martínez was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University, a master’s degree from Georgia State University, and a PhD from the University of Massachusetts. In 2011, she received the Latino Teaching Excellence Award from then-Gov. Deval Patrick, and was selected in 2015 as a Leadership Fellow by the American Anthropological Assoc.

Berkshire United Way Renews More Than $1 Million in Funding to 40 Programs

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire United Way (BUW) announced renewal funding of $1,029,500 for 40 programs across 24 community partner organizations, providing a much-needed additional year of support.

This funding will be for a one-year period, from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, and will continue to stabilize BUW’s three main community-impact areas: early childhood development, positive youth development, and economic prosperity. Visit www.berkshireunitedway.org/our-impact to learn more about the 40 programs.

“Through BUW’s relationships with currently funded partners, we understand how critical the timing of this funding is as the ripple effect of the pandemic still lingers. I am proud of our commitment to these organizations who have endured many challenges and continue to serve our community in innovative and creative ways,” said Laurie Gallagher, board member and chair of the community impact committee.

BUW’s investments in these programs support family well-being and address gaps in services in the community. Programs generate a whole-family, integrated approach focusing on educational advancement and economic mobility. This assistance helps to fund programs such as Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity’s Community Navigator Program, which is designed to assist marginalized residents with connections to resources that will enable them to remain economically resilient.

“The funds support staffing for the Community Navigator Program. We appreciate that Berkshire United Way values the impact of the Community Navigator model,” said Carolyn Valli, CEO of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

A new round of funding requests will be announced in early 2023. To donate to BUW’s fundraising campaign, visit www.berkshireunitedway.org/donate.

Arrha Credit Union Opens New Branch in Enfield

By
Daily News

ENFIELD, Conn. — Arrha Credit Union announced the opening of a new branch at 231 Hazard Ave. in Enfield, Conn.

“We are excited to be opening a branch in Enfield and support surrounding communities as well,” said Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO. “We are a community-focused credit union and know our hometown banking style is what Enfield and surrounding communities need. In April 2019, the membership approved the expansion of our field of membership to include those who live, work, or attend school in Hartford and Tolland counties in Connecticut and immediate family of such persons.

“Arrha Credit Union will bring hometown banking back,” he continued. “This location is perfect to make that happen. Rockville Bank, also known as the Savings Bank of Rockville, once held this location, and they had the same style of hometown, superior customer-service banking. We are excited to welcome these customers back and become members, part of the Arrha financial family. This means offering home-style banking to meet the personal and business needs for families, individuals, and businesses.”

Amanda Howie, the branch manager, is sought after for her advice on vehicle lending, low-interest credit cards, free checking with convenient app downloads, online banking, and virtual deposits, Ostrowski noted.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Arrha Credit Union family and serving the Enfield community and surrounding communities,” Howie said. “I look forward to greeting, welcoming, and helping everyone, while providing hometown service along with the latest financial solutions and apps.”

Adam Baldwin is the assistant vice president, regional branch and Business Development manager. With more than eight years of banking experience, he has been recognized throughout his career as a rising star with superior service awards. He is a Rotarian, on the board of the Enfield Food Bank, and actively involved in the community.

“I am excited to be part of the Arrha Credit Union family and serve the Enfield community and its members,” Baldwin said. “I look forward to providing caring service, offering rewarding membership benefits to existing and new members, and growing these relationships.”

Anthony (Tony) Franco is the vice president of Commercial Lending. With more than 25 years in the financial-services and commercial-lending industry, he has been helping area businesses achieve their goals and direct them to what commercial deposits and lending services work best for them.

“I am happy to be able to help local businesses achieve their goals and build a roadmap for their financial goals to set them up for success,” Franco said. “Small business is our specialty.”

Hazen Paper Rakes in Gold Leaf Award for 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame Yearbook

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Hazen Paper Co. was presented a Gold Leaf Award by the Foil and Specialty Effects Assoc. (FSEA) at Amplify: the Print, Finishing, and Embellishment Event, held recently by FSEA and the Assoc. for PRINT Technologies in Minneapolis. Hazen garnered recognition in the category “best use of overprinting foil” for the 2021 enshrinement yearbook produced for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Hazen used custom holography to replicate the brilliant LED lighting of the iconic Hall of Fame dome, employing edgeless Hazen-Lens technology to create a pulsating play of light in front of a brilliant radial burst of two-channel holography. Treatment of the Basketball Hall of Fame logo also utilized holography to emphasize the basketball’s pebbled texture against the smooth reflective sphere of the dome. The holography was registered to a tolerance of 1/16” for near-perfect alignment during printing.

Hazen originated the holography for the yearbook completely within its vertically integrated Holyoke facility. The custom holograms were created in Hazen’s holographic laser lab, then micro-embossed and transfer-metallized onto smooth,c12-point WestRock Crescendo C2S using Hazen’s environmentally friendly Envirofoil process. Envirofoil is manufactured with less than 1% of the aluminum of traditional foil laminate, reuses the film carrier multiple times, and is as recyclable as paper.

Agency GO of Hartford, Conn. designed the limited-edition yearbook cover, which was printed and individually numbered for authenticity on an HP Indigo digital press by Starburst Printing of Holliston.

Hazen also received a Silver Leaf Award from FSEA for “best use of foil/embossing in a calendar (industry)” on the holographic Hazen 2022 calendar “Here Comes the Sun.”

The Big E Is Calling for Crafters and Cooks

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Have you been sewing up a storm, creating other crafts, or discovering new, delicious recipes? The Creative Arts at the Big E is looking for entries in a variety of categories for this year’s fair.

Now is your chance for your art to be on display alongside hundreds of works from a diverse range of exhibitors, including youth and adults. Fairgoers walk through the New England Center to admire the displays of exhibitors’ crafts from numerous departments, including quilting, photography (including a new underwater photography division), knitting, jewelry/beading, dolls, holiday ornaments, jellies, honey, homemade granola, baked pie, decorated fake cake, scroll saw, and many more.

The deadline to enter for most departments is Monday, Aug. 15. Entries must be dropped off or mailed in prior to the fair. Exhibitors have the chance to receive awards and ribbons. Entries will be on display for the duration of the fair, which runs Sept. 16 to Oct. 2.

Click here for more information regarding rules, department-specific guidelines, entry limits, fees, entry deadlines, receiving dates, and how to enter. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call (413) 205-5015.

Nominations Sought for Healthcare Heroes Class of 2022

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.


It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. That theory has certainly been validated.


But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes whose stories we still need to tell, especially in these times, when the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many types of heroes to the forefront. And that’s where you come in.

Nominations for the class of 2022 are due July 30, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven categories:

• Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider;

• Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration;

• Emerging Leader;

• Community Health;

• Innovation in Health/Wellness;

• Collaboration in Health/Wellness; and

• Lifetime Achievement.

Nominations can be submitted by clicking here. For more information, call Melissa Hallock, Marketing and Events Director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

BusinessTalk with Nate Costa, president of the Springfield Thunderbirds

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

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

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 121: July 18, 2022

George Interviews Nate Costa, president of the Springfield Thunderbirds

Nate Costa

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Nate Costa, president of the Springfield Thunderbirds. The two discuss the team’s strong finish last season (an Eastern Conference championship), it’s lengthy playoff run, and how the team intends to build on all the momentum built during its surge to the top of the standings. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

 

Sponsored by:

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East-West Rail Advances with $275 Million in Infrastructure Funding

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Daily News

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate committed $275 million to design, engineering, and construction costs to expand east-west rail to Western Mass. in an amendment to a $10.4 billion infrastruture bond bill passed on Thursday.

“The train is leaving the station,” state Sen. Jo Comerford said on the Senate floor, the Republican reported. “Transportation solutions are an absolute necessity if cities and towns of Western Massachusetts are going to attract new residents and new economic growth.”

East-West rail would deliver passenger service between Pittsfield, Springfield, Palmer, Worcester and Boston, according to the infrastructure bond bill.

State Sen. Eric Lesser filed a successful bill amendment that boosted east-west rail funding from $250 million to $275 million within the infrastructure bond bill, the Republican noted.

“Billions are wasted in time and wear and tear on our roads and in damages to their vehicles as a result of the soul-crushing traffic that we’ve got here in Massachusetts,” Lesser said. “In Western Massachusetts, we have a great qualify of life, we have a lot of open space, we have a much more affordable cost of living. But we don’t have connectivity to that fast-growing, red-hot economy in the Boston area.”

Whittlesey Promotes Thomas Dowling to Partner

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Daily News

HARTFORD, Conn. — Whittlesey announced the promotion of Thomas Dowling, CPA to partner. He is the newest member to join the growing leadership team.

“We are pleased to have Tom become a partner of the firm. He has consistently provided outstanding service and guidance to our clients,” said Drew Andrews, CEO and managing partner. “His energy and professional excellence support our growth strategy and commitment to the region. We congratulate Tom on this milestone and look forward to many more years of his contributions.”

Dowling joined Whittlesey in 2017 and has more than 15 years of public accounting experience with a concentration in assurance, advisory, and tax services for nonprofit organizations and closely held businesses. He has expertise in advising clients on internal controls, fraud risk assessments, and strategic planning, and actively participates in the nonprofit and manufacturing niches. Outside of work, he is a committee member for the Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Swish Night.

Dowling earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and a master’s degree in taxation from Bentley University. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy Names Annie Kandel Head Girls Lacrosse Coach

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Daily News

WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham & Monson Academy has named former prep and collegiate standout and renowned coach Annie Kandel as head coach of its girls lacrosse team. Kandel will take the helm of the program at the start of the 2022-23 school year.

“We are so very excited for Coach Annie Kandel to join our team at WMA,” Head of School Brian Easler said. “Her broad experience as a lacrosse player and coach will infuse our girls varsity lax program with heightened energy, and her expertise in the sport of lacrosse and in coaching female student-athletes will be an investment in our commitment to young women. We have some really talented players who have been very well-coached already, and now Coach Kandel will help us bring the program to the next level.”

Kandel will also assume the role of director of Parent Programs for the Academy and will coordinate advancement and development efforts with parents, alumni parents, and grandparents. She brings an array of experience in admissions, athletics, and student life from within the boarding school world to WMA.

“I am thrilled to be joining WMA, a community characterized by a notable spirit and positive values,” Kandel said. “It is clearly a special place and one which has welcomed me with open arms. I am excited to have the opportunity to coach lacrosse in such a respected athletic program and look forward to working with students, parents, and colleagues this fall. Go Titans!”

Kandel joins WMA after successful coaching stints at Groton School, Stuart Country Day School, Tabor Academy, Cheshire Academy, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, and the University of Colorado. She has led her teams to multiple state and New England championships as well as an undefeated, untied season. She also coaches for the Baystate Bullets Lacrosse Club.

She is a product of independent schools, having been a standout athlete in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse at Governor’s Academy before excelling in both field hockey and lacrosse at Lehigh University. She earned league, regional, and All-American honors in lacrosse and was named the Lehigh University Outstanding Athlete her senior year. She was also honored as a member of the Patriot League All-Decade team and played for the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1992-93.

Young Professional Society to Host Third Thursday Events in July, August

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) will host dynamic events throughout the summer beginning with its July Third Thursday event in partnership with the Hampshire County Young Professionals (HCYP) at the Boathouse in South Hadley on July 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Next, on Aug. 18, the Third Thursday networking event will take place at Towne Taproom in Agawam, also from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

On July 21 at the Boathouse, both cocktails and appetizers will be available for attendees, along with beautiful views of the Connecticut River and meaningful networking opportunities with a diverse group of young professionals from across the Valley. July’s Third Thursday event is free for both YPS members and HCYP members, and $10 for non-members.

On Aug. 18 at Towne Taproom, attendees will enjoy fresh food, a trending local craft-beer selection, eclectic cocktails, live entertainment, and networking among peers. August’s Third Thursday event is free for YPS members and $10 for non-members.

Additional event details and registration information for both networking events can be found at www.springfieldyps.com/events.

MLK Family Services Names Aieshya Jackson President, Welcomes Karon Forde

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services has elected Aieshya Jackson as president, and the organization announced that Karon Forde has been appointed director of Youth Programs.

“We are so excited to have Aieshya leading our organization as her management and financial skills are critical for our continued growth,” said Patricia Bernard, vice president of Operations and Finances. “Bringing Karon to Springfield is also exciting and a real plus for the children we serve.”

Jackson is a business manager for the Springfield Library Department and has more than 15 years of financial-services experience. She is a graduate of Bay Path University, where she earned a master’s degree in healthcare management. She also attended the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.

Forde had served as the Community Center director for the Police Athletic League in Brooklyn, N.Y. She has more than seven years of experience working directly with youth as well as serving as an administrator of after-school programs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in values, ethics, and social action from Allegheny College.

MOSSO Names Maestro Kevin Rhodes Artistic Advisor

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MOSSO (the Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra) has named Maestro Kevin Rhodes, former music director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO), the ensemble’s artistic advisor. Rhodes’ contract was not renewed by the SSO in 2021, ending his tenure as music director at 20 years. He returned to Springfield last October to conduct the full MOSSO ensemble in its first Symphony Hall performance, and will return again on July 21 to celebrate the film music of John Williams in a program that also features violinist Yevgeny Kutik.

According to Beth Welty, MOSSO chair, “MOSSO is thrilled to formalize its ongoing artistic collaboration with Maestro Rhodes. He will assist MOSSO in building its repertoire for performances in Symphony Hall and in its chamber-music performances in communities throughout Western Massachusetts. When his schedule permits, he may conduct and perform with his MOSSO. Kevin’s vision put the Springfield Symphony Orchestra on the map for 20 years. Now he will help us make MOSSO an artistically innovative organization in the years ahead.”

Rhodes was recently appointed chief conductor of the Slovak National Opera and Ballet in Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, giving him an artistic leadership role in a European city noted for its cultural diversity. He will continue to serve as music director for the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra in Michigan and as principal conductor of Boston’s Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. He has been a presence in the major musical capitals of Europe for more than 25 years, with credits including the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin State Opera, La Scala of Milan, the Dutch National Ballet, the Verona Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet, and many others.

“I am very happy to be able to continue the relationship with my dear friends and colleagues, with whom I have such an incredible history onstage,” Rhodes said. “It is also a true joy that this position will afford me opportunities to reconnect with all of the wonderful audience members I’ve come to know over the years. The concert I led back in October of 2021 was an almost overwhelming experience for me, I must say. Certainly a big part of what made the experience so meaningful was that the musicians themselves had organized and made it happen. To accomplish such a feat without a staff or other support is truly Herculean … which coincidentally describes their work every time they go into that house. When they asked me to help them pursue their goals via this volunteer position, I replied with an immediate and enthusiastic ‘yes.’”

At the July 21 concert at 7:30 p.m. in Springfield Symphony Hall, Rhodes will direct MOSSO in performing excerpts from Williams’ scores to ET, Schindler’s List, Superman, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and more. Some popular classics, including Rossini’s “Overture to The Barber of Seville,” Massenet’s “Meditation from Thaïs,” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” will open the program.

Tickets for the concert, a MOSSO benefit, are priced at $60, $45, $25, and $10, and are on sale at springfieldsymphonymusicians.com. MOSSO sponsors include BusinessWest and the Healthcare News, the Republican/MassLive, WWLP-22News and the CW Springfield, the Sheraton Springfield at Monarch Place, New England Public Media, and the Bolduc Schuster Foundation.

Florence Bank Promotes Jean Monska to Branch Manager in Easthampton

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Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank announced recently that longtime employee Jean Monska has been promoted to lead the Easthampton branch as branch manager. She replaces Anita Sedlak, who retired on July 1.

Monska has worked for Florence Bank since 2002. Before the promotion to branch manager, she served as assistant branch manager in the Hadley location for 14 years. In March 2020, she was promoted to senior assistant branch manager before transferring to the Easthampton branch in the same role.

She holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University. She is also a graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies.

In 2005, Monska was named to the Florence Bank President’s Club. The honor recognizes superior performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank.

“We are thrilled that Jean will be taking over the reins of our Easthampton branch,” President and CEO Kevin Day said. “Jean has built great relationships with customers and community members in Easthampton, and we know she has the skill and experience to lead.”

Sedlak became assistant vice president and assistant branch manager in 1999. She was promoted to vice president branch manager in 2021 and is retiring after 22 years of service.

Monson Savings Bank Donates $2,250 to Shriners Hospitals for Children

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Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty recently presented a $2,250 donation to Stacey Perlmutter, director of Development for Shiners Hospitals for Children – Springfield, which provides specialty orthopedic, neuromuscular, cleft lip and palate, and urologic care exclusively to children.

The donation was made as a part of the 2022 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative, where the public was given the opportunity to cast their votes to support their favorite local charitable organizations.

“Monson Savings Bank is extremely proud to donate to the Springfield Shriners Hospital for Children. We know that our donation will support the patient care, medical research, and education that directly benefits children living in local communities,” Moriarty said. “It is essential to have a nearby hospital that parents and guardians can turn to when their child needs specialty care.

“Shriners helps to alleviate a great deal of stress that comes along with their child’s care by making treatment available in one location, and care provided to them regardless of their ability to pay,” Moriarty added. “We are blessed to have this hospital in our community, and Monson Savings Bank is very pleased to support the excellent care provided every day.”

Perlmutter added that “we are very grateful to Monson Savings for their continued support of the Springfield Shriners Hospital for Children. Monson Savings Bank’s loyal generosity over the years has contributed to our patients receiving the best quality care, which ultimately transforms their quality of life. The Springfield community is so fortunate to have a local bank committed to supporting our communities and our hospital.”

Business Resource Expo in Dalton Slated for Aug. 9

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Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Entrepreneurship for All Berkshire County is coordinating a half-day Business Resource Expo on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the Stationery Factory in Dalton.

A collaborative effort of EforAll, 1Berkshire, Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp., and the Berkshire Regional Planning Council, this event will feature booths from more than 25 organizations that support small business, panel discussions, and plenty of opportunities for networking.

Business owners and managers will be able to connect with organizations and programs that have resources to help them, whether with technical assistance, funding or grant programs, marketing, or other advice or support. The program will be valuable for existing businesses, would-be entrepreneurs, and solo service providers and consultants.

Participants will be able to access experts through a series of panel discussions led by regional experts, including “Which Organization Can Help Me with What?” moderated by Ben Lamb of 1Berkshire; “Fueling Your Business: Where’s the Money?” moderated by Raymond Lanza-Weil of Common Capital; and “How Can I Find More Customers…What Marketing Works?” moderated by Noah Cook-Dubin of Kanoa Consulting.

The event will be inside at the Stationery Factory on Flansburg Avenue in Dalton. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and the event will conclude by 1 p.m. A networking area will be open throughout the event for one-on-one conversations and meetings. Admission is free of charge, but pre-registration is required at bcbizexpo.com.

Berkshire Bank’s Foundation Contributes $205,000 to Springfield Nonprofits

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Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank presented a total of $205,000 in funding last month to Springfield non-profit organizations during Berkshire’s BEST Community Comeback Tour. The grants aim to help power the financial potential of the local communities the bank serves through organizations impacting the areas of gender equality, small-business technical assistance, housing, neighborhood stabilization, and education.

The grants included $75,000 to the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, $25,000 to Revitalize CDC, $5,000 to Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence, and $100,000 to Common Capital, a subsidiary of Way Finders.

“For more than 175 years, Berkshire Bank has made it a priority to be the leading socially responsible community bank,” CEO Nitin Mhatre said. “We believe empowering the success of those we serve drives our own success, and by unleashing the potential of community partners like the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, Common Capital, Revitalize CDC, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School, we can be a catalyst for positive change in our communities.”

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity to Host Double Dedication Event in Holyoke

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, July 18, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) will host a double in-person dedication ceremony (that will also air on Facebook Live) for two Holyoke homes and two families.

Since construction began in summer 2021, roughly 150 volunteers from local companies and school groups helped complete this project. They include the Holyoke Department of Community Development; the Holyoke Housing Authority; the Holyoke Community Preservation Act Committee; Sunbelt Rentals; PeoplesBank; OMG; Anna Maria College; Meyers Brothers Kalicka; Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley; Citizens Bank; and Restoration Worship Center.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity and partnerships created allowing us to provide more affordable housing in the city of Holyoke. We hope that this is the start of more to come,” said Aimee Giroux, GSHFH executive director.

Single mother Jennifer and her three teenage boys will move into a three-bedroom Greater Springfield Habitat home currently under construction. Since divorcing her abusive husband, Jennifer has strived for a safe and decent affordable home. In her current apartment, her two youngest sons share a bedroom and bed, and the neighborhood they live in is dangerous.

“I see so much better for my children, and I want to be able to provide them a forever home — a place where we will feel safe, stable, happy, and accomplished,” Jennifer said. “We want a place to create beautiful memories for many years to come.”

Ireydiza and her husband, Juan, will soon purchase the other three-bedroom GSHFH home in Holyoke. The couple has two young children. Just four years ago, the family was happy, healthy, and dreaming of buying their first home. Then tragedy struck. A workplace injury disabled Juan and Ireydiza left school to be the sole breadwinner. The family is eager to move forward and out of the apartment, which in the winter is cold in the living room and master bedroom.

“We’ve been trying to leave for a while. This neighborhood has a bad reputation,” Juan said. “We want something different for our kids. We want them to be able to have something where they come home and say, ‘this is our home.’”

GSHFH is a housing ministry dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through homeownership and home repair opportunities. This is accomplished by working in partnership with diverse people, from all walks of life, to build and repair simple, decent, affordable housing. GSHFH has helped more than 100 local families realize their dream of homeownership over the last 35 years.

Storrowton Village Presents Forge & Fizz Blacksmithing Event

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Listen, sip, and learn about the history of blacksmithing through an educational lecture by master blacksmith John Richard on Friday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at Storrowton Village Museum.

Every admission includes one drink ticket and a hand-forged bottle opener created by Storrowton’s own blacksmiths. Drink tickets may be redeemed for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages served at the Sam Adams Beer Garden or Storrowton Tavern by 9:30 p.m. on July 15. Attendees must be age 21 or older to redeem their drink ticket for an alcoholic beverage.

Tickets, available for purchase online at storrowtonvillage.com and in person on the day of the event, cost $20 per person. The event, to be held outside the Greenwich Barn, will incorporate three demonstrations that represent different points in the history of blacksmithing. These exhibitions will cover fundamental skills and techniques present in all levels of blacksmithing, whether creating simple hooks or more complicated projects. Attendees will witness first-hand the artistry of a hammer and anvil.

The lecture and demonstrations will run about 40 minutes, with time for questions after. As the event is outside, attendees are asked to dress accordingly for the weather. If mild precipitation occurs, the event will still take place; however, in the event of extreme weather, the event will be canceled and refunds issued.

The Storrowton Gift Shop, Samuel Adams Beer Garden, and Storrowton Tavern will be open before and after the event to eventgoers as well.

Bay Path University Ranked as a Top School for Online Master’s in Cybersecurity

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Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has been ranked as one of the top online cybersecurity master’s degree programs by Fortune magazine.

Fortune, which covers global business topics, ranked Bay Path 11th in the nation for its online master’s program in cybersecurity. Rankings were determined by a program’s selectivity score, which measures the undergraduate GPAs and years of work experience of its students, along with the program’s acceptance rate. In addition, Fortune evaluated retention and graduation rates, as well as the size of each graduating class.

“We’ve known for a long time that cybersecurity is an important and in-demand professional niche, and we have consistently developed our program to fill that niche,” said Matt Smith, director of Bay Path’s cybersecurity program. “There’s such a tremendous incentive for businesses and organizations to invest in their cybersecurity staff, resulting in high-paying jobs that offer ongoing opportunities for growth and advancement, especially for women, who are underrepresented in this segment of the workforce.”

In addition to its cybersecurity graduate program for men and women, Bay Path offers a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity to undergraduate women.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to grow by 33% over the next decade, more than four times faster than the average for all occupations. In 2020, the median annual salary for cybersecurity analysts in the U.S. was approximately $104,000.

Free Line-cook training at Holyoke Community College Starts July 18

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will be running a free, one-month, intensive line-cook training course beginning Monday, July 18.

The course runs Monday through Thursday through August 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke.

The program is designed for those already in the restaurant industry who want to upgrade their skills as well as unemployed or underemployed individuals interested in starting a new career.

The program is being taught both online and in person at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute. Participants will learn all the essential competencies they need to become successful line cooks: knife skills; how to prepare stocks, soups, sauces, desserts, poultry, fish, and meat; culinary math and measurements; moist/dry heat cooking methods; as well as workplace soft skills, such as building a résumé and searching for jobs.

Offered as part of HCC’s Business & Workforce Development division, the line-cook course is free to qualifying applicants.

Happier Valley Comedy Slates New Year’s Eve Party (Take 2!)

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Daily News

HADLEY — The pandemic may have canceled its planned New Year’s Eve celebration last year, but local comedians are having the last laugh. On Friday, Aug. 5, Happier Valley Comedy is throwing a New Year’s Eve Party (Take 2!) and annual fundraiser where people are invited to come ring in the improvised New Year.

Tickets include entry to the party, two tickets to the raffle, finger food, and something fizzy to toast. Attendees also get the opportunity to celebrate the region’s only improv comedy theater and training program surviving the pandemic despite being shuttered for 18 months.

The festivities take place at Happier Valley Comedy’s Next Door Lounge in Hadley, where partygoers can choose from a curated selection of mostly local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Ginger Love Cafe Food Truck will be on site, and raffle prizes include goodies from Bueno Y Sano, Animal Alliance Dog Training School, Ecstatic Rabbit Tarot, the Ekus Group, Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, and more.

This event does double duty as Happier Valley Comedy’s annual fundraiser. As a small arts nonprofit, it continues to be impacted by the pandemic with lower-than-normal show and class attendance.

“The last two and a half years have been extremely challenging for our little theater,” said Happier Valley Comedy founder and President Pam Victor. “But with the support of our community, we’re grateful to still be able to fulfill our mission to bring laughter, joy, and ease to Western Mass. and beyond.”

Tickets to the show and the raffle go on sale Friday, July 15 at www.happiervalley.com. Can’t come to the show? Donations can be made via the event webpage; 100% of the proceeds go towards Happier Valley Comedy’s annual fundraiser.

ServiceNet’s Gisenia Stewart to Join Baby Bonds Task Force

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — ServiceNet’s diversity coordinator, Gisenia Stewart, will join a group of experts, leaders, and community members to spearhead the Baby Bonds Task Force, a group charged by the state treasurer, Office of Economic Empowerment, and Economic Empowerment Trust Fund to provide recommendations for creating a Baby Bonds initiative in Massachusetts.

Baby Bonds is an initiative that provides government-supported trust funds for children. When account holders reach adulthood, they can access their fund and spend it on assets that can grow over time or generate wealth (e.g., higher education, buying a home, starting a business, etc.). Studies show that Baby Bonds can help close the racial wealth gap.

The Task Force’s diverse, cross-sector group includes people who have expertise and lived experience in racial wealth equity, community engagement, child welfare, and asset-growth initiatives. The Task Force will be chaired by former Massachusetts State Treasurer Shannon O’Brien.

“Baby Bonds has the potential to narrow the racial wealth gap and provide our youngest generation with a foundation for success in adulthood,” said State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. “Our task-force members have multiple and diverse experiences in developing impactful programs that make a difference for Massachusetts residents of all backgrounds.”

Stewart noted that, outside of her work as diversity coordinator for ServiceNet, she is also a doula, an active member in her community, and a mother. “The work of the task force integrates my different interests and experiences in exciting ways. I look forward to working with this incredible group to explore innovative strategies to potentially close the wealth gap between communities of color, distribute resources more equitably, and ensure collective community well-being.”

Several policy proposals on Baby Bonds have been introduced at the federal level, including Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s American Opportunity Accounts Act, which would establish federally funded savings accounts for all children in the U.S. Multiple cities and states are exploring or have launched these wealth-generating programs as well, including Washington, D.C. and Connecticut.