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Year: 2023

SafeTiva Labs Aims to Make Cannabis a Safer Industry

By
Cannabis

Testing, Testing

Megan Dobro

Megan Dobro turned a passion for cannabis testing, and a clear market opportunity, into a successful lab.

When Megan Dobro earned a degree in molecular biology from Caltech, she wasn’t thinking about a career in cannabis, which wasn’t even legal in Massachusetts back then.

But life has a way of posing challenges — and opportunities. Often in quick succession.

“I was on the faculty at Hampshire College. And then, shortly after getting tenure, they announced major financial trouble, and everyone scrambled and tried to figure out what to do,” Dobro recalled. “By then, the cannabis market was legal in Massachusetts, but there were only two labs, and that was the real bottleneck of the industry. So I started consulting for labs and then got really passionate about cannabis testing.”

So much that she took what she calls “a big leap of faith” to start her own company, SafeTiva Labs, in Westfield. She founded the enterprise in 2020 and opened last fall — an indication that the licensing process for cannabis testing moves as slowly as it does for dispensaries and cultivators.

“I just had a vision. There were no labs in Western Mass.,” she said. “But there were tons of big grow facilities because building square footage out here is cheaper than in Boston. Everyone was growing cannabis here and then having to drive it across the state to get it tested every week. So Western Mass. needed something. All of that, combined with my eagerness for a new career adventure, led to this.”

Dobro raised funds, purchased a former manufacturing facility, and converted it into a laboratory with not only cutting-edge equipment, but the safety and security measures required by the Cannabis Control Commission.

That was the challenge; the opportunity was the fact that labs weren’t proliferating around the state like dispensaries were, and she believed she could stand out in a limited field — and do the job more efficiently than existing labs, especially considering the proliferation of cannabis sales.

“The labs were really jammed, and it was taking eight weeks for licensed cultivators to get their results back. And in that eight weeks, they can’t do anything with their products. They don’t know the process. They can’t start packaging it. So it was really halting the industry,” she explained. “So I built this with turnaround time in mind. Everything was built for efficiency, for automation and advanced technology.”

By the time Dobro opened SafeTiva, there were more labs in the region, but she still aims for quick response, whether her client is a large grower, a manufacturer, or even a home grower, consumer, or concerned parent looking to test a small sample.

“Everyone was growing cannabis here and then having to drive it across the state to get it tested every week. So Western Mass. needed something.”

“Turnaround times across the state have come down, but they’re still longer than they need to be,” she said. “So that’s our big badge of honor and our point of differentiation: our turnaround time is under two days. And we’re pretty consistent about that.”

 

Great Chemistry

Testing is a necessary facet of the cannabis trade, Dobro said. “Every 15 pounds of flower or every batch of manufactured product has to go through a third-party, licensed testing lab,” she said. “We test for pesticides, solvents, the potency of the products, that it’s labeled accurately, and for contamination, heavy metals, and other safety requirements. It’s a required step in the process.”

To show how this is done, she gave BusinessWest a tour of the SafeTiva facility, starting with a traditional chemistry lab where team members extract the specific components being tested for. “There’s a pesticide method; there’s a solvent method. We test terpenes, which affect the flavor and smells of the cannabis. So everything has its own prescribed method that our lab team will conduct here in the sample lab.”

Across the hall is a small room where samples are tested for heavy metals, like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. “Metals will survive almost anything. They’re really hard to break down,” she said. “So the goal is to get everything else out of the sample so all that’s left are the metals. We digest it at really high heat.”

Up front, samples come in through the window and have to be logged with the state’s tracking system to make sure product isn’t being diverted anywhere. “Security is very tight with this,” she said.

After the tour, Dobro sat down to talk about other challenges in the cannabis-testing realm.

“There isn’t standardization across the labs because the regulations are really vague, so every lab is doing it differently. So results are different,” she explained. “And that leads to lab shopping, where growers can send their products to the lab they choose based on the results they like. That leads to lots of complaints about things not being labeled accurately, things passing that shouldn’t have passed.

“So, for us, we always emphasize honesty and ethics in what we do, and we make sure we’re telling all of our clients, ‘these are all the ways we do our quality checks and this is how our staff are trained,’ and we’re checking all the time to make sure things are accurate,” she went on. “But the state isn’t checking on that. So there’s a range of accuracy among the labs.”

Amid those inconsistencies across the industry, Dobro wants to be known as not only an accurate and ethical lab, but a valued partner to other businesses.

“We pride ourselves on delivering a really great service and giving our clients valuable data that informs their practices,” she explained. “So we hope that our clients don’t view us just as a necessary hurdle they have to jump through to get their product to market, but that we’re a valuable part of the process that provides data for them.”

“We hope that our clients don’t view us just as a necessary hurdle they have to jump through to get their product to market, but that we’re a valuable part of the process that provides data for them.”

Steven Lynch, director of Sales and Marketing at SafeTiva, agreed. “One of our goals is to take a transactional element out of the testing process,” he said. “In the time I’ve been with the lab, I don’t want to say we’re looked at in an adversarial fashion, but I think we’re looked at as a positive resource, so they can learn how to do things better on their end from a cultivation standpoint.”

Meanwhile, testing labs feel the ongoing financial squeeze across the industry that has some dispensaries closing and others wondering if they’ll stay afloat as profits tumble (see story on page 18).

“We’re a required service, so what we do is very expensive. Between our equipment, our staff, and reagents, it’s really expensive to run a lab,” Dobro told BusinessWest. “But it’s very difficult for producers to pay for services like this when their margins are already so tight. But then, it’s necessary for consumer safety. And we don’t want to cut any corners on this end, because that’s when bad things happen.”

That said, while cannabis testing labs aren’t technically recognized as legal federally, they’re also not subject to the burdensome tax requirements of growers, manufacturers, and retailers.

“While we are plant touching, we’re not buying or selling cannabis,” she noted. “We’re in a gray area because we’re here for consumer safety. We’re a necessary part of the legal market. Without us, it’s the free for all that the black market was. So I think they want us to stay put; they don’t want to give us too much trouble.”

 

Confidence Boost

Dobro’s life is busy these days; she is also the owner of an event-rental and design company, the Borrowed Teacup, and is still an associate professor of Biology at Hampshire College.

But SafeTiva has occupied more of her time this past year, which has been an interesting one, to say the least, in a sector that is still rapidly evolving and, in some cases, may be starting to contract.

“I think this year is going to be very interesting. I’m hopeful that we’re going in the right direction, where the shakeout is going to benefit those who are really passionate about what they do, the local growers who make really great product and don’t cut corners. If that happens, then I think the products consumers see in dispensaries will be that much better. Those who had no business being in this industry in the first place will leave and not be here anymore.”

Despite the competition, she also senses a certain camaraderie and shared experience among Massachusetts’ cannabis pioneers. “All the time, we tour facilities and hear the passion these growers have for their product. That’s the excitement that I’m hoping sticks around for Massachusetts.”

The day of BusinessWest’s tour, Dobro was getting ready for a visit by members of the Cannabis Control Commission; she invited them for a tour because she believes in the importance of open dialogue between the commission and businesses of all kinds, including labs.

“We should all be on the same side,” she said. “We’re testing for public safety. So I’m hoping they’re listening to the labs, trying to standardize the labs, so consumers can ultimately have confidence in what’s on the label.”

Tighe & Bond Engineers Help Reopen Span in Great Barrington

By Contributor
The new modular, prefabricated truss bridge
Architecture Environment and Engineering

Thinking Outside the Bridge

By Daniel Holmes and Andrea Lacasse

The new modular, prefabricated truss bridge

The new modular, prefabricated truss bridge rests on the existing abutments and is secured to the reconstructed bridge seat.
Photo by Tighe & Bond

The Town of Great Barrington was faced with a substantial challenge: one of its main bridges, the Division Street bridge, connecting two state routes, had to be shut down due to deterioration and safety concerns. This created a significant detour for local traffic as well as upsetting an important truck route, causing congestion in the downtown area. The town acted quickly to find a solution that would not only be cost-effective and work within an expedited schedule, but would benefit the local communities and all who use the bridge.

The town engaged Tighe & Bond to review the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) inspection reports for all town-owned bridges crossing the Housatonic River. It soon became clear that the bridge on Division Street over the Housatonic River needed rehabilitation and potentially a complete structure replacement.

The original, 138-foot, single-span, through-truss bridge was constructed in 1950 and carried two 10-foot traffic lanes with no sidewalks or breakdown lanes. The bridge has always been a popular area for hiking, biking, walking, and fishing, as well as an important truck route connecting Route 7 to Route 41, keeping truck traffic out of downtown Great Barrington. In addition, Division Street is an important artery for local traffic and the agricultural community.

With the potential for the bridge to be closed entirely, Tighe & Bond got to work developing cost estimates for varying levels of rehabilitation and/or complete replacement of the bridge to provide the town with the most cost-effective design solutions for the bridge.

In 2019, a town meeting voted to appropriate funding to replace the bridge. Soon after, Tighe & Bond began data collection and preliminary engineering as well as a bridge-replacement alternatives analysis. However, while the replacement bridge was being designed, the due diligence of a MassDOT special member inspection and subsequent load rating report found that three structural elements were rated at zero capacity, and the bridge was closed immediately. This created a five-mile detour, causing additional congestion for Great Barrington’s downtown area.

With the bridge closed, the town requested Tighe & Bond refocus on emergency repairs to reopen the bridge as quickly as possible. Tighe & Bond and the town reached out to MassDOT to switch gears and begin the design of emergency repairs for the three zero-rated elements to reopen the bridge to local traffic as quickly and safely as possible.

“To avoid a prolonged closure of the Division Street bridge, Tighe & Bond proposed to the town a temporary superstructure replacement, which would allow the critical crossing to reopen until the permanent bridge replacement was installed.”

Through further examination of the inspection and load rating results, MassDOT indicated that the bridge deterioration had advanced to a point where rehabilitation would not be possible, and a complete replacement would be required. MassDOT then informed the town it would be able to get the bridge on the State Transportation Improvement Plan and the state would replace the bridge, but it would effectively delay the reopening of the new bridge for several years until the necessary funds could be allocated, design completed, and construction executed. The estimated reopening date was sometime in 2027.

To avoid a prolonged closure of the Division Street bridge, Tighe & Bond proposed to the town a temporary superstructure replacement, which would allow the critical crossing to reopen until the permanent bridge replacement was installed.

The town reallocated funds from the town-funded bridge replacement into an accelerated reopening of the bridge with a temporary superstructure replacement. Tighe & Bond evaluated the existing abutments for reuse to determine if they were sufficient to continue to support the same load. The team of engineers determined that the existing abutments could support the same load and could be reused for the project.

aerial view

This aerial view shows the old truss being removed by cranes.
Photo by Tighe & Bond

To accommodate the town’s request of eliminating the previous load restriction while reusing the existing abutments, Tighe & Bond engineers proposed a single-lane modular truss with a cantilevered pedestrian walkway. The single-lane traffic could be controlled with new traffic signals, effectively reopening traffic flow along this important corridor while the town awaited the permanent bridge replacement.

 

Logistical and Environmental Challenges

With consensus on the design approach, time was of the essence, and the design team put the agreed-upon plan into action immediately. While Tighe & Bond mobilized the design team, the town continued its public outreach effort, keeping the local community informed through Select Board meetings, social-media posts, and press releases. Tighe & Bond participated in several town meetings to provide answers to technical questions and support the town’s effort.

There were a few unique challenges the team had to work around in order to make this project a success. For one thing, the permits would need to consider the potential impacts the superstructure replacement would have on rare and endangered species. The permitting process included a proactive conversation with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to discuss the potential impacts construction methods could have on three identified endangered species — creeper mussels, brook snaketail dragonflies, and longnose suckers — as well as potential actions that could be taken to minimize impacts.

Tighe & Bond adapted the solution of keeping all construction work out of the limits of the Housatonic riverbank, removing potential impacts to the river habitat below. Although this approach created challenges during construction, it reduced the overall project schedule by one year.

Another design challenge included working around energized overhead power lines encroaching onto the job site. Tighe & Bond coordinated with National Grid to relocate the power lines to provide contractors with space to execute their demolition and erection plans while adhering to OSHA guidelines, providing at least 10 feet of clearance.

“They were able to quickly pivot design plans to meet the needs of our community in a way that allowed us to ensure safe traffic flow, save the town money, and not disrupt habitats around the Housatonic River.”

Once the design phase was complete, the demolition and construction of the replacement bridge required all hands on deck in order to reopen the bridge before the winter of 2022. Every member of the project team was integral to the success of this project. This included the town of Great Barrington, Tighe & Bond (engineer of record), and Rifenburg Contracting Corp. (contractor), along with subcontractors Seifert Associates (construction engineer), Atlantic Coast Dismantling (demolition), Acrow (truss manufacturer), and Lapinski Electric (traffic signal).

Innovative demolition techniques were put into action to avoid work within the riverbank and the energized power lines encroaching on the job site. Using cranes on either approach, Seifert worked with Atlantic Dismantling to split the truss into two pieces using thermal lancing rods, then lifting the two halves and swinging them to a temporary location outside the riverbank for disassembly before being trucked off-site. This method resulted in the removal of the bridge without impacting the endangered species’ habitats in any way.

With the existing bridge removed, it was time to install the new modular, prefabricated truss bridge. Reuse of the existing abutments not only reduced cost and time, but also kept to the team’s commitment to protect the local endangered-species habitat. The abutments were modified to receive the new truss.

The new modular bridge was then constructed on the east side of the project area and ‘launched’ toward the west abutment as it was counterweighted to allow the bridge to extend approximately halfway across the span. Once safely at rest, the crane positioned behind the west abutment connected to the end of the bridge and lifted it while an excavator on the east aided in the remaining launch by pushing the bridge the remainder of the span, where it finally rested on both abutments and was secured to the reconstructed bridge seat.

With substantial efforts by all parties, the construction project was completed on time and on budget with no change orders issued.

 

Future Opportunities

The collaborative partnership between the project team resulted in Division Street being open to traffic once again. In addition, the new modular, prefabricated truss bridge will remain a resource to Great Barrington going forward. Not only can the town use the new truss bridge for Division Street, once the bridge is permanently replaced by MassDOT, the town can either sell the truss bridge to help fund future projects or reuse the bridge for any future needs that may arise, saving time and money.

“Tighe & Bond and the entire team did a great job with this project. They were able to quickly pivot design plans to meet the needs of our community in a way that allowed us to ensure safe traffic flow, save the town money, and not disrupt habitats around the Housatonic River,” Great Barrington Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said. “We look forward to driving over the bridge every day.”

 

Daniel Holmes is a senior project manager, and Andrea Lacasse is a structural engineer, at Tighe & Bond. Contributing to this article are Emily White, proposal and content management specialist, and Regina Sibilia, marketing and communications specialist.

Chikmedia Marks 10 Years of Bringing the Attitude — and the Results

By
Women in Businesss

A Leap Well-taken

Meghan Rothschild

Meghan Rothschild says she wanted her firm to inspire and empower women business owners to find their voice.

 

As her boutique marketing firm celebrates 10 years in business this year, Meghan Rothschild can’t help but recall the doubts that crept in before she made the leap as an entrepreneur.

“I remember as if it were yesterday, the night I had decided to go full-time with the company, lying in bed next to my husband, just in sheer panic,” she recalled. “‘What if it fails? What if I fail?’ I just kept asking him over and over again. And he was like, ‘if you fail, we’ll figure it out, but you have to leap for the net to appear.’”

Even after creating Chikmedia, Rothschild wasn’t sure whether it would remain a side gig alongside her other pursuits. “I never wanted to be a business owner. I remember people asking me, ‘will you ever go full-time with that company you started?’ And I’d be like, ‘no way. I want nothing to do with being responsible for other people’s income, for being responsible for my own revenue. I don’t want the stress of that.’ So … I am amazed.”

To mark the occasion, on Aug. 9, Rothschild and her team celebrated the 10-year anniversary at a party at TAP Sports Bar at MGM Springfield alongside clients, friends, and supporters — a milestone for which she’s grateful.

“I’ve always been a very driven person. I started working when I was 14 years old. I got my own bank account. I paid for my own stuff throughout high school, not because my parents made me, but because I just wanted to be responsible for myself,” she explained. “I put myself through undergrad and graduate school and got my master’s so that I could become a professor because I’m passionate about teaching. So I know I have the drive — but the fact that I’ve been able to successfully run a business for 10 years is still something I’m a little bit in awe of.”

Rothschild had been in marketing for eight years — with stints as Marketing and Promotions manager at Six Flags, Development and Marketing manager at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and director of Marketing and Communications at Wilbraham and Monson Academy — when she teamed up in 2013 with Emily Gaylord, who brought a strong design skillset to the partnership they called Chikmedia.

“ I know I have the drive — but the fact that I’ve been able to successfully run a business for 10 years is still something I’m a little bit in awe of.”

Gaylord eventually left the company to pour more of her time and passion into the Center for EcoTechnology, where she works as director of Communications and Relationship Development. Meanwhile, Rothschild was balancing ownership of Chikmedia with a full-time gig at IMPACT Melanoma. A skin-cancer survivor who had built a national platform for skin-safety advocacy (more on that later), she was working for IMPACT as Marketing and Public Relations manager when she realized she had to make a choice. Today, she knows she made the right one.

At its inception, Chikmedia focused mostly on social media, graphic design, and public relations, but has expanded since. “We’re a full-service, boutique firm. So we do everything,” she said. “We do graphic design, social-media management, PR, expert positioning, media pitching, grand openings, press events. We also do influencer marketing, which is what makes us really unique.”

The firm is sponsored by certain brands in the Western Mass. area and helps produce content to endorse their product lines, she added. “So we’re pretty comprehensive, but we are a small firm.”

In doing so, Chikmedia has won awards from the Telly Awards, the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, and Cosmopolitan. Its mission has always been to help small, women-led businesses thrive through “badass marketing” (Rothschild’s term), public relations, branding, and more.

From left, Chikmedia’s Jax Nash, Liza Kelly, Meghan Rothschild, and Jill Monson

From left, Chikmedia’s Jax Nash, Liza Kelly, Meghan Rothschild, and Jill Monson at the firm’s anniversary party on Aug. 9 at MGM Springfield.

The firm has also helped hundreds of women-owned businesses across the country; provided an annual scholarship called Chiks of the Future for women of color pursuing marketing, PR, and communication degrees; and hosted dozens of networking events over the years to connect female entrepreneurs with one another.

And, clearly, Rothschild isn’t done.

 

Women Helping Women

While not all Chikmedia clients are female-run companies, the company’s focus on women was important to Rothschild from the outset.

“I wanted to help inspire and empower women business owners to find their voice, learn how to market themselves, learn how to be in front of the camera, and really advance their own business. So that has been a core mission of Chikmedia since its inception.”

As a boutique firm, she explained, clients don’t get one dedicated account manager. “You’re going to get the full team, and you’re going to get customized work. You’re not going to get cookie-cutter templates. Everything we do is very strategic and customized based on who the client is.”

“You might be really good at what you do, but if you’re not good at leading, managing, communicating, setting strategy, and finding vision for your company, the other stuff is going to fall apart.”

In an era when many young entrepreneurs feel they can do their own marketing, Rothschild says it’s more complicated than they may realize.

“Why do you think you can do your own marketing? Because you have an Instagram page? That doesn’t mean anything,” she said. “You need to understand marketing strategy, you need to understand how to craft messages that are going to resonate with your intended audience, you need to understand how to analyze your Google Analytics and your website hits.

“And all of this plays together,” she went on. “You have to really assess your audience, where they are, how to find them, how to communicate effectively to them. So I always say to people, ‘you can try, but I’ll see you in a year.’ And that’s inevitably what ends up happening.”

Part of the challenge is keeping up with the evolution of modern marketing, especially in the realm of social media. A professor of social-media marketing at Springfield College, she said she has to reinvent her syllabus on a regular basis.

“My course content changes every year because some of what I was teaching five years ago is not relevant,” she noted. “I would say social media and digital marketing are probably the biggest ways in which the field has changed.”

But Rothschild brings more than expertise; she brings an attitude that’s unapologetically edgy and even “sassy,” she said, but also one that’s protective of work-life balance.

“We’re really good about setting boundaries and making sure our clients know you can’t text me at 9 o’clock at night and start talking about business,” she explained. “And you can’t make me wait three weeks for content and then expect me to turn something around the next day if I’ve been asking you for stuff. I’ve had a lot of clients say to me, ‘I really appreciate the boundaries that you’ve set and the clear communication that you’ve set.’ And they really like our sassy, creative energy that we bring to the table.”

She said her fight with melanoma age 20 was a factor in her philosophy about balancing work and life, and it’s something she instills in her employees as well.

“When I graduated from college, I immediately didn’t want to work crazy, crazy hours and miss family activities and miss out on milestones of my nieces and nephews. So I really had to find that work-life balance kind of immediately,” she said.

“So that’s another thing that I brought to the table when I started Chikmedia: we’re going to try really hard to be done by noon on Fridays so that people can unplug for the weekend and get ample time to recover. Because, in my opinion, a two-day weekend just doesn’t cut it.”

That policy extends to week-long company shutdowns around July 4 and between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

“We’re not allowed to email one another. We’re not allowed to email clients. And clients have learned, we’re unavailable that week — because you have to unplug; you have to give yourself space to recover.”

 

More Than Skin Deep

Rothschild’s own recovery from skin cancer changed her life going forward in many ways. She spent more than a decade as a melanoma-awareness advocate and became a national spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation before working for IMPACT Melanoma.

“That really shaped a lot of my work and my ability to do PR effectively and be on camera,” she told BusinessWest. “I used to do tons of media interviews with Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire and Inside Edition — these huge, national outlets. So I had to learn really quickly how to be concise, how to get to the point, how to give good sound clips, which are now skills that I get to help my clients hone.”

She still works in skin awareness, including a partnership with TIZO, a national skincare brand with an SPF line. “We do something every year around Melanoma Awareness Month, which is in May. They actually just brought me to a beauty show in Dallas, Texas to give a lecture on my story and how to protect your skin.”

Rothschild is also working with the Melanoma Research Foundation, and one of Chikmedia’s clients is BrightGuard, a sunscreen-dispenser company that provides access to free sunscreen across the country. “So it’s been wonderful to be able to take that work that was so important to me and transition it into the work I do at Chikmedia.”

For aspiring entrepreneurs she meets at colleges, looking for advice in making the jump, Rothschild has some blunt advice.

“It’s not that I discourage them, but I look at them and say, ‘you need to understand that a lot of what is involved in running a business is stuff that you’re not going learn here. You need a few years of real-world work experience in order to be able to do it.’

“That’s the biggest thing that I try to express to my students: ‘I fully support your goals of wanting to be an entrepreneur, but you’re going to do it faster and better if you spend your first two or three years out of college in a full-time job setting, learning what it’s like to work with people, to manage people, to be a leader, learning what’s a P&L, what’s a budget, what’s a fiscal year?’

“You might be really good at what you do, but if you’re not good at leading, managing, communicating, setting strategy, and finding vision for your company, the other stuff is going to fall apart,” she went on. “I can’t tell you how many entrepreneurs I see who are so skilled at the craft and the service they provide. And then they decided to start their own company, and their team’s a mess, they have high turnover, and everybody is disgruntled because they don’t know how to effectively lead.”

Rothschild values her own education in that realm, which includes a master’s degree in corporate communication with a focus on leadership. But even that didn’t prepare her for the emotional weight of running a company and not only generating revenue for herself, but keeping women she cares about employed as well.

“I say to people all the time that you need to be ready to be strapped into a roller coaster full-time. Entrepreneurship is no joke; it is not for the faint of heart. There are extreme highs, and there are some low lows.”

“I say to people all the time that you need to be ready to be strapped into a roller coaster full-time. Entrepreneurship is no joke; it is not for the faint of heart. There are extreme highs, and there are some low lows.”

But the highs keep her going.

“I genuinely love marketing and PR. I don’t know what it is. I mean, there are days where I don’t, and I think to myself, ‘man, I should have gone with marine biology,’” Rothschild said with a laugh. “But I love content creation. I love my team. I love being out in the field … I really do enjoy it, and my team has made it so much fun.”

Tight Labor Conditions See Construction Workers Return to Work

By Contributor
Construction

Back on the Job

The construction industry added 19,000 jobs in July even as the sector’s unemployment rate increased, according to an analysis of new government data by Associated General Contractors of America. Officials with the association noted that tight labor conditions are bringing more previously employed construction workers back into the job market as firms continue to boost pay levels.

“The construction industry continues to add workers at a steady clip as demand for many types of construction remains strong,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Firms are boosting pay to cope with tight labor-market conditions, which is bringing more former workers back into the job market.”

Construction employment in July totaled 7,971,000, seasonally adjusted, an addition of 19,000 compared to June. The sector has added 198,000 jobs, or 2.5%, during the past 12 months. Non-residential construction firms — non-residential building and specialty trade contractors along with heavy and civil-engineering construction firms — added 10,600 employees (3.1%) in July. Meanwhile, employment at residential building and specialty trade contractors grew by 7,800 (1.8%).

The unemployment rate among job seekers with construction experience rose from 3.5% in July 2022 to a still-low 3.9%. A separate government release reported there were 378,000 openings at construction firms on the last day of June, close to the record high for June set in 2022, indicating that demand for workers remains strong.

Average hourly earnings for production and non-supervisory employees in construction — covering most on-site craft workers as well as many office workers — jumped by 5.8% over the year to $34.24 per hour. Construction firms in July provided a wage ‘premium’ of just over 18% compared to the average hourly earnings for all private-sector production employees.

“The good news is that there remain private construction segments associated with rosier prospects, including manufacturing, data centers, and healthcare.”

Officials at Associated General Contractors of America noted that labor shortages in construction threaten to undermine new federal investments in infrastructure, semiconductor chip plants, and green-energy construction. They urged federal officials to boost funding for construction education and training programs, noting that the federal government currently spends five times as much encouraging students to go to college as it does on career and technical education programs.

“Unless federal officials begin to narrow the funding gap between college prep and career training, the construction industry will continue to struggle to find workers,” Sandherr said. “It is great that federal officials want to invest in construction projects; they also need to invest in construction workforce development.”

The report followed an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau noting that national non-residential construction spending increased 0.1% in June. Spending is up 18% over the past 12 months. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, non-residential spending totaled $1.07 trillion in June.

Spending increased on a monthly basis in 12 of the 16 non-residential subcategories. Private non-residential spending was virtually unchanged, while public non-residential construction spending rose 0.3% in June.

“Non-residential construction spending growth downshifted over the past two months,” ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said. “While stakeholders can expect ongoing spending growth in public non-residential construction segments as more Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act monies flow into the economy, private, developer-driven activity appears to be drying up in the context of higher costs of capital and tighter credit conditions.

“Among other things, these dynamics will translate into larger spreads in performance among contractors,” Basu added. “While those that focus on public work stand to remain busy for years to come, those who specialize in meeting the needs of developers of office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers are likely to struggle to support backlog going forward. The good news is that there remain private construction segments associated with rosier prospects, including manufacturing, data centers, and healthcare.”

Nominations Open for Springfield Regional Chamber’s Super 60

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nominations are now open for the Springfield Regional Chamber’s 2023 Super 60 event. This year, Super 60 is reimagined and expanded with newly configured categories, providing an opportunity to honor more deserving businesses and nonprofit organizations within the Greater Springfield region.

Super 60 seeks to recognize and celebrate businesses that have achieved remarkable success and made significant contributions to the region, as well as nonprofit organizations that have displayed selfless dedication to serving the community through exceptional programming and support.

Carol Campbell, president and CEO of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, reflected on the company’s 2022 Super 60 wins, noting that, “in the face of the worst pandemic and an unpredictable business cycle, our company not only survived but emerged stronger and better than ever before. Winning in two Super 60 categories was a truly special moment, celebrating our resilience and success during such a difficult time.

“Being recognized by your peers is the greatest honor, and certainly, as a marketing tool, it increased exposure,” Campbell added. “It has amplified our reputation and credibility in the industry, opening doors to new opportunities and partnerships. The recognition has undoubtedly played a crucial role in our continued success.”

The Super 60 2023 categories are:

• Revenue Award, recognizing companies for total revenue in the latest fiscal year;

• Growth Award, recognizing companies for revenue growth over a consecutive three-year period;

• Start-Up Award, recognizing companies that have been in business for five years or less and have achieved revenue growth over a full three-year period;

• Non-Profit Award, recognizing nonprofit organizations based on the percentage of their total spending dedicated to programs; and

• Give Back Award, recognizing companies that give back to the community, emphasizing the impact of their charitable work and employee engagement in their efforts.

“We are thrilled about this year’s Super 60 event,” said Diana Szynal, president of the Springfield Regional Chamber. “The expanded categories allow us to celebrate the incredible diversity and innovation within our business community. As we continue to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic, we believe it’s more important than ever to shine a spotlight on the achievements and resilience of our local businesses and nonprofits. I encourage everyone to submit their nominations as soon as possible.”

Interested businesses and nonprofits can submit their nominations until Friday, Sept. 8, and the Super 60 luncheon will take place on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the MassMutual Center.

The Super 60 luncheon attracts more than 500 business leaders each year. Super 60 sponsorships are now available. For information, call (413) 755-1309 or email Szynal at [email protected]. Click here for full eligibility guidelines and to submit a nomination.

Fifteen Bulkley Richardson Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced that 15 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. These lawyers were recognized in 24 unique areas of practice. They are:

• Peter Barry: construction law, healthcare law, and education law;
• Kathy Bernardo: real-estate law;
• Michael Burke: medical malpractice law (defendants) and personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Mark Cress: banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, and corporate law;
• Francis Dibble Jr.: bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, labor and employment litigation, and securities litigation;
• Daniel Finnegan: administrative/regulatory law, construction litigation, and construction law;
• Scott Foster: business organizations, including LLCs and partnerships;
• Mary Jo Kennedy: employment law (individuals) and employment law (management);
• Kevin Maynard: commercial litigation, banking and finance litigation, and construction litigation;
• David Parke: corporate law and mergers and acquisitions;
• Jeffrey Poindexter: commercial litigation and construction litigation;
• John Pucci: bet-the-company litigation, general-practice criminal defense, and white-collar criminal defense;
• Jeffrey Roberts: corporate law and trusts & estates;
• Michael Roundy: commercial litigation; and
• Ronald Weiss: corporate law, mergers and acquisitions law, and tax law.

Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise, and recognitions are based purely on the feedback received.

Monson Savings Bank Sponsors New England Latino Festival

By
Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently made a $1,000 donation to Springfield’s Hispanic-American Library in support of its newly established event, the New England Latino Festival.

The festival will take place at Riverfront Park in Springfield on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26. The first-time festival will celebrate New England’s vibrant Latino community through food, music, and more. The event will bring together individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and age groups, with an expected attendance of 12,000 visitors.

“On behalf of the Hispanic-American Library, I would like to extend a warm thank you to Monson Savings Bank for their generous donation,” said Juan Falcon, executive director of the Hispanic-American Library. “This donation will help to ensure the festival is an unforgettable experience. The festival will showcase Latino culture, and all proceeds will be used to help secure a larger space for the library so that we can better serve the community. We are grateful for our friends at Monson Savings.”

Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO, shared his excitement for the New England Latino Festival being in Springfield and how the event is a great opportunity to bring communities together.

“We are incredibly grateful for our relationships with organizations like the Hispanic-American Library that are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion among our communities,” Moriarty said. “The New England Latino Festival happening in Springfield is exciting and provides a chance for people to come together and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes this area great. We are thrilled to sponsor this event and are looking forward to the festival.”

HCC Announces Fall Cannabis Programs, Job Fair

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Cannabis Education Center at Holyoke Community College (HCC) will begin its fall schedule of industry training programs on Oct. 14-15 with Cannabis Core: Foundations of the Industry, a two-day, introductory cannabis course.

A second fall session of Cannabis Core is set for Dec. 2-3. All classes meet over Zoom on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fall calendar also includes a cannabis-industry job fair at HCC on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 4-7 p.m. in the PeoplesBank Conference Room on the third floor of the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave.

“The growing cannabis industry in Western Massachusetts has sparked a demand for innovative approaches to address the unique employment needs of this emerging sector,” said Cara Crabb-Burnham, co-founder and director of education at Elevate Northeast, one of HCC’s partners. “As the region experiences a surge in cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail enterprises, the necessity for specialized talent and a skilled workforce has become evident. Cannabis job fairs play a crucial role in bridging the gap between job seekers and employers within this industry and offer a platform for individuals to explore diverse career opportunities.”

The Cannabis Core program provides an overview of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts and is geared for people looking for general knowledge as they consider a cannabis career. The program is a foundational course and a prerequisite for career-track courses, such as culinary assistant, patient-service associate, cultivation assistant, and extraction technician.

The cost of the Cannabis Core training is $599; scholarships are available to those who qualify. To register, visit hcc.edu/cannabis-core or contact Jeffrey Hayden, HCC vice president of Business and Community Services, at [email protected] or (413) 552-2587.

MGM Springfield at Five Years

By
President and COO Chris Kelley Photo courtesy of MGM Springfield
Cover Story

President Says It’s Been a ‘Journey,’ but Casino Is in a Good Place

President and COO Chris KelleyPhoto courtesy of MGM Springfield

President and COO Chris Kelley
Photo courtesy of MGM Springfield

In most respects, Chris Kelley says, five years isn’t a long time when it comes to the life of a casino.

But as he quickly draws an analogy to an automobile, or an individual, for that matter, he notes that it’s not the years that count, necessarily … it’s the miles.

“And we’ve run a lot of mileage through the odometer,” Kelley, president and COO of MGM Springfield, told BusinessWest.

By that, he meant that the nearly $1 billion facility in the city’s South End has seen and experienced a lot since it opened to considerable fanfare in late August 2018, enough to make it seem as though it has been in operation much longer than five years.

At the top of that list, of course, is the global pandemic that closed the facility’s doors for four agonizing months and also forced a number of operating changes, some of which have actually paid dividends in some respects.

“We had significant changes on our gaming floor in ways that I never would have predicted could have been possible before COVID,” he said. “We have close to 1,000 fewer slot machines than we did when this property opened, yet we’re making significantly more; we have fewer table games, but we’re making significantly more; we have fewer poker tables, but we’re making significantly more.

“So what we have found is that, through COVID, guests really developed a preference for spacing and the way we arrange and offer our amenities,” he went on. “And the end result is a floor that is much less populated than it was before, but it is much more attractive to our guests. We see that with visitation, and obviously we see it on the gaming end as well.”

But there has been evolution beyond the pandemic, he noted, listing everything from huge changes to the competitive landscape, starting with the opening of Encore Boston Harbor and continuing with other additions in neighboring states, to the introduction of sports gambling in the Bay State, to a lingering workforce crisis that currently leaves the casino with 200 open positions, some of which place limitations on which facilities, especially restaurants, can operate, and when.

“We have close to 1,000 fewer slot machines than we did when this property opened, yet we’re making significantly more; we have fewer table games, but we’re making significantly more; we have fewer poker tables, but we’re making significantly more.”

Through all of this — and, again, it adds up to a lot of miles — MGM has emerged after five years in what Kelley described as a fairly good place, while there is still certainly room for improvement.

He notes that the past three quarters have been the best, from a gross gaming revenue (GGR) respect, since the casino opened. Meanwhile, sports betting has brought additional revenue and an intriguing new element to the operation, as well as a good deal of anticipation as a new NFL season begins in less than a month.

On the entertainment side of the equation, the casino continues to build on a solid track record of success, he said, with recent shows featuring Bruno Mars, Carlos Santana, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and a recently announced show presenting Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, and Pete Davidson, set for Sept. 8.

“The MGM Springfield comeback story is alive and well,” Kelley said, noting that this comeback, from the pandemic and everything else, is ongoing. “We have had a pretty extraordinary journey, starting with the parade down Main Street in August 2018; the introduction of a new competitor in Encore Boston Harbor; the closure from the pandemic, something that no one could have anticipated; the impacts from COVID following the closure; the introduction of sports betting; and where we sit now, with record results. At the same time, we’re seeing unprecedented levels of entertainment that we’re bringing into the city, levels that we haven’t seen in decades.

COVID have made MGM more responsive to the wants and needs of members and guests.

Chris Kelley says some of the lessons learned, and changes made, because of COVID have made MGM more responsive to the wants and needs of members and guests.

“We look back with a lot of gratitude and look forward with a lot of optimism,” he went on, adding that, while the current picture is fairly bright, there is ample reason to believe there will be continuous improvement, in part because of the many lessons learned over the past few years. “It has been a journey, and I’m very optimistic as we look ahead.”

 

Doubling Down

Kelley has nearly three decades of experience in the casino industry. Reflecting on those years, he said he’d never been home on New Year’s Eve before — a huge day in this business — and certainly never expected to be in 2021.

But after casinos were allowed to reopen in July 2020 after a COVID-forced shutdown, there were several restrictions placed on those facilities, most of them without precedent. And one of them of them is that they had to close at 9:30 p.m., even as the world was ushering in a new year.

“In a 24-hour business, I had never experienced a New Year’s Eve at home when the clock struck midnight, but that’s exactly what happened,” he told BusinessWest. “We had to reinvent ourselves.”

Reflections on New Year’s Eve at home, and not on the casino floor, is one of countless elements that contribute to Kelley’s comments about miles on the odometer when it comes to this facility’s first five years of operation. Looking back over those five years, and especially his three and half years at the helm, he said they have been a challenging time, but also a learning experience, with some lessons coming unexpectedly during the pandemic, which was, overall, an experience without precedent in the industry.

“The time period that was most impactful was what we went through during COVID,” he said. “We had our challenges even prior to the closure in March of 2020, but we had no expectation of a long closure when it happened. I don’t think anyone did; we thought this would be a short-term impact, and we wound up being closed for four months.”

During that time, the company decided it would, despite not seeing any revenue whatsoever, continue to make the payments to the city outlined in the host-community agreement inked prior to opening.

“That was the first really challenging decision that we had, and it was very difficult to make,” he recalled. “I’m proud of the fact that we made the right decision, which was to continue those payments without question.”

“We have learned, and we have grown, and we have improved, and we’ve done that to the enhancement of the guest experience.”

When the casino reopened in July, he went on, those at the casino knew it would not be business as usual, and as it made mandated adjustments, especially with regard to social distancing, some key lessons were learned.

Kelley refrained from using the phrase ‘silver linings,’ but said there were certainly some good things that came out of the pandemic and that reinvention process he mentioned earlier.

“Ultimately, that has been a great teacher for us; it has been a great benefit for us as operators,” he explained. “We have learned, and we have grown, and we have improved, and we’ve done that to the enhancement of the guest experience.

“One of the reasons why I think we’re seeing record results now is because we’re focused, first and foremost, on the experience of our guests from the minute that they walk through the door,” he went on. “And we’re using that that as a differentiator against a much larger competitive set; we’re competing against two of the largest properties on the planet in Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun and also against Encore Boston Harbor, with a metro population of 5 million versus the 150,000 we have in Springfield.”

Elaborating, and returning to his thoughts on the benefits of a less-crowded gaming floor, Kelley said the team at MGM Springfield is focused less on the volume of offerings and more on having the “right” products, such as the hugely popular Dragon Link and Lightning Link slots.

“We have a very dynamic floor — we’re bringing in new product all the time,” he said. “And we’ve adjusted the spacing on the banks, so when you sit down at a game now, you have a lot more room, you have a lot more visibility — lines of sight to other games — and people really enjoy that.

“Prior to COVID, a lot of the thought process had been, ‘let’s get as many games, as many tables, as you possibly can in any area of the floor,’” he went on. “What we’ve found is that this is not the most effective use of the space.”

These sentiments, he said, are reflected in GGR figures from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which show total slot and table GGR of $22.2 million in June, $23.35 million for May, $23.7 million for April, $24.1 million for March, and $23.3 million for the short month of February, continuing a solid run for the casino.

Q1 of 2023 was the best quarter the facility has had since it opened, Kelley said, adding quickly that Q4 in 2022 was the second-best quarter, and Q2 of this year was the best second quarter the casino has recorded. “We’re on a run of the three best quarters in our history,” he said, adding that COVID restrictions were in place through Q1 of 2022, meaning that, once those restrictions were lifted, the numbers started to dramatically improve and outperform even those months before Encore Boston Harbor opened.

 

Odds Are

Moving forward, Kelley believes this run can continue as the casino continues to apply the lessons learned during the pandemic, keep its floor dynamic, market itself aggressively, and create draws to bring guests to the South End facility.

“We do things here that we don’t do anywhere else in the company,” he explained. “Probably the best example is that there is not a Saturday night when we’re not giving a car away; you often see that done on a monthly basis or a quarterly basis — we do it on a weekly basis. So our marketing efforts have become very aggressive and very focused.”

Another element in the recent success formula that will continue is a hard focus on the overall guest experience, personalizing it as much as possible.

MGM’s music and comedy shows

MGM’s music and comedy shows have been a key contributor to vibrancy in Springfield’s downtown, and the casino’s promotions have generated buzz as well.
Staff Photo

“We recognize that we compete against properties that have more hotel rooms, more slot machines, and more restaurants, so the only way we win is by providing a better experience for our guests, a personalized experience that begins when they walk through the door. We have focused our training and our attention on guest service, getting to know our guests, and personalizing their experience when they’re here, and the combination of those three things has been very effective.”

Overall, Kelley said, it takes three to five years for a casino property to “come to life,” as he put it, and reach a certain level of stability. He believes MGM Springfield is at that point, although he quickly noted that the ramping-up process is not done yet.

“I think we’re through a lot of the initial learnings — we packed a lot of life into a short amount of time; we learned a lot, and we’ve changed a lot,” he noted. “That said, particularly in the post-COVID environment, I don’t think you ever stop ramping, and by that I mean that we’ve learned the impact and the importance of a dynamic operating model and bringing continuous improvement into the daily operation in a meaningful way.

“When I think of ramping, I think of making positive change tomorrow that positively impacts the guest experience,” he went on. “From that sense, I don’t think we’re done with by a long shot. This is a property that has not seen its best day, and it’s up to us to continue to change in positive ways to realize that.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge moving forward when it comes to continuous improvement is on the labor front, Kelley said, noting that those 200 openings he mentioned earlier are about three or four times what the number would be in what would be considered a normal labor market.

“And this does impact what we can offer and when we can offer it,” he told BusinessWest, noting that this is especially true with food and beverage operations, which are particularly vulnerable when positions go unfilled or when existing employees call in sick, leaving teams short-handed.

“Our restaurants are all open, but not every restaurant is open every day of the week,” he said, adding that this is not uncommon within the industry and a situation certainly exacerbated by the ongoing workforce issues.

As for sports gambling, he said there is not enough hard data to gauge its overall impact on operations and revenues, but anecdotally, he said it is certainly having an impact, especially when it comes to bringing new life to what had been a quiet corner of the casino floor, where a multi-million-dollar sports lounge has been created.

Kelley noted that, while the majority of sports wagers are made on mobile apps, the lounge has become a destination for Super Bowl Sunday, March Madness, the Kentucky Derby, and other prominent sporting events.

“That place just blows up when you have a big game,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to the first full NFL season since sports gaming was introduced, noting that pro football is hugely popular, not only from a fan perspective, but a gaming perspective as well.

Time will tell how that NFL season impacts the sports lounge … and whether the casino can continue what those who gamble would call a hot streak.

But Kelley is certainly optimistic. As he said, it’s been a journey, one in which many miles were put on the odometer. But the road ahead would seem to be clear, and with fewer hills to climb.

 

It’s Getting Harder to Succeed in This Sector — but That Was to Be Expected

By
Payton Shubrick
Cannabis Special Coverage The Cannabis Industry

What’s Next for Cannabis?

Payton Shubrick

Payton Shubrick says she understood she was entering an increasingly challenging market for cannabis sales when she opened her doors last year.

By the time Payton Shubrick opened the doors to 6 Brick’s Cannabis Dispensary in Springfield last fall, she was well aware of how challenging the business was becoming.

“The market is getting tougher across the board in Massachusetts,” she told BusinessWest. “Gone are the days when you could open a dispensary and just have people lined up. Gone are the days when cultivators could guarantee sales. We’re seeing that you must earn customers’ loyalty and have a competitively priced product and have decent quality to do well in the Massachusetts market.

“I’ve been able to see growth with my company, despite coming online in September of 2022, when prices had just fallen by over 30%,” she added. “So we essentially started with less-than-ideal conditions, but it’s not all doom and gloom.”

Because Springfield set out a long, rigorous process to open a dispensary, Shubruck had time to witness a total evolution of the Massachusetts cannabis market; when she first applied for a permit, the few dispensaries that were open saw an early ‘green rush’ of customers; though the industry’s onerous tax and regulatory burdens and tight profit margins never made it easy money, exactly, the early shops took advantage of a clearly favorable supply-and-demand picture.

“We essentially started with less-than-ideal conditions, but it’s not all doom and gloom.”

By the time Six Brick’s opened, the landscape was considerably more cluttered; prices, as Shubrick noted, were falling; and some shops were struggling.

Those struggles have turned into actual contraction. The first Western Mass. dispensary to close, back in December, was the Source, on Strong Avenue in Northampton, a city with nearly a dozen retail cannabis shops. But it was Trulieve’s departure from the market that will resonate more broadly; the national company closed its three retail locations in the Bay State at the end of June, and is also closing its 126,000-square-foot growing, processing, and testing facility on Canal Street in Holyoke — another city that invested heavily in the new cannabis trade.

“These difficult but necessary measures are part of ongoing efforts to bolster business resilience and our commitment to cash preservation,” said Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said. “We remain fully confident in our strategic position and the long-term prospects for the industry.”

At the same time, several proposed cannabis facilities in Western Mass., including one planned for the former Chez Josef banquet house in Agawam, have been scrapped due to an inability to secure financing amid dramatically changing market conditions.

“The market is correcting itself,” Shubrick said, reflecting a throughline seen in all states that legalize cannabis. “A lot of folks raked it in during the green rush. But only 24% of cannabis companies in the U.S. are profitable. So you actually have to view this as a business. You can try to increase volume and think that’s going to fix the problems, but the market has matured in a real way. And now, other states are coming online.”

 

High Stakes

Erik Williams, chief operating officer at Canna Provisions (see sidebar on page 20), explained that a typical dispensary needs to take in about $6 million in top-line revenue annually in order to break even. “A whole bunch of companies are not there. They’re sitting on big tax bills without the cash flow, and they’re going to close under the weight of taxes; we’re seeing that right now across the state.”

He also noted the 24% profitability figure, and said anyone coming into the market should be aware of it.

Steven Lynch

Steven Lynch says cannabis businesses doing things the right way and for the right reasons will survive any contraction in the sector.

“There’s a survivability factor we’ve written about from day one. We were the second adult-use-only store in Massachusetts to open [in Lee], and there’s definitely a sort of glory time which happens with every new market, where the demand outstrips the supply, and businesses are just opening their doors and slinging weed,” he said. “They saw pie in the sky, and they have not operated their business with real-time controls over every dollar they’re spending. It’s a tough thing.”

Simply put, too many cannabis businesses in Massachusetts based their business plans on supply-and-demand figures that no longer exist, he added. “There’s a lot more competition. The pie is always growing, but competition is far outstripping the growth of the pie, so you’re seeing price compression.”

Williams agreed with Shubrick that a dispensary must be run like a business from day one, with hard decisions around every dollar spent — or the enterprise will fail.

“If you’re at the point where you have to readjust everything, it’s almost too late,” he said. “Really tough business decisions need to be made across the board. We’re seeing how other companies are failing, and one of the first analyses is what it takes to be profitable as a standalone dispensary. A bunch of different people have run a bunch of different numbers, and when it comes down to it, the consensus is $6 million.”

So, how does one succeed in this environment? Shubrick has some ideas.

“At Six Bricks, we have a clear focus on who the customer is, and we’re focused on our competitive advantages, which are the cannabis experience over transaction, having knowledgeable staff, and being an option for conscious consumers who want their dollars spent close to home,” she explained, noting that the pandemic years taught people the value of spending their money with local businesses, and those lessons could carry over to cannabis. “There’s still a lot of work to be done with social equity for businesses, but consumers can support more a more equitable industry by what brands they support and where they spend their money.”

Erik Willaims

Erik Willaims

“There’s a lot more competition. The pie is always growing, but competition is far outstripping the growth of the pie, so you’re seeing price compression.”

Steven Lynch, director of Sales and Marketing at SaveTiva Labs, agreed about the appeal of strong, local brands.

“I see a lot of parity with when the big-box stores, the Home Depots and Lowe’s, first came to the market. It was great because they had these big stores you could go in, but ultimately, you’re not going to get the service that you’re going to get from your local hardware store,” he told BusinessWest. “So you saw a lot of stores go away initially, but then you saw a whole wave of small mom-and-pops come back into the market because they did things completely from a quality, service, and educational standpoint.

“I think that’s what’s going to happen in cannabis,” he went on. “The people who had no business doing this, or got into it for the wrong reasons, will fall by the wayside, and the people that that are doing it for the right reasons, the right way, are going to continue to flourish.”

 

Blazing a Trail

For Shubrick, ‘the right way’ is reflected in the 6 Brick’s tagline, “people, plant, and purpose.”

“People — how can we help show that cannabis can be a part of an individual’s wellness routine? Plant — how can we make this more of a cannabis experience than a transaction?” she explained. “And lastly, purpose — we want to be a viable option for those in the community that want diversity of price point and diversity of products. I can’t overemphasize the community aspect of it. You can try marketing to pull customers out of Connecticut, but it’s the local community that’s going to show up every day, whether they’re buying a pre-roll or a present for a friend.”

Though Springfield’s licensing process was slow and rigorous, she noted, it’s a plus for operators that there’s not a shop on every corner, as opposed to cities like Holyoke and Northampton that allowed many more licensees.

“We’re the third-largest city and have only four dispensaries; that does prevent what we’ve seen in Worcester and Northampton, which is a race to the bottom in terms of providing a product. Many customers are saying they want it as cheap as possible. The reality is, that hurts the entire supply chain and drives prices so low, it compromises quality.”

That ‘race to the bottom’ has occurred in other states where cannabis was legalized, but the assumption is that the market will eventually level out — and not everyone will survive.

“A lot of folks made the assumption that cannabis companies just open the doors, and people show up,” Shubrick said — and at the earliest-opening shops, like NETA in Northampton, they certainly did. “I never anticipated 100 people show up on day one. I knew it would be a slow climb. The first 15 companies to open their doors, some of them now have to make a comeback because the product wasn’t great or they didn’t have the right people.”

It’s not an unusual track in other business sectors, she added. “Car dealerships and restaurants rise and fall, and the same is happening in cannabis. A lot of naive operators thought they were untouchable because there was this pent-up demand and a thriving black market. But that’s not the case. Couple that with the realities of 280E, and this is not for the faint of heart.”

She was referring to Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which forbids businesses from deducting otherwise ordinary business expenses from gross income associated with the ‘trafficking’ of Schedule I or II substances, as defined by the Controlled Substances Act; cannabis is a Schedule I substance.

According to the National Cannabis Industry Assoc., “federal income taxes are based on a fairly simple formula: start with gross income, subtract business expenses to calculate taxable income, and then pay taxes on this amount. Owners of regular businesses often derive profits from these business deductions. Cannabis businesses, however, pay taxes on gross income. These businesses often pay tax rates that are 70% or higher.”

“Most companies spend a dollar to get $1.10, and you’re ten cents up,” Williams said. “Here in the cannabis business, because of the 280E tax situation, you need to make $3.50 for every dollar you’re spending just to break even. That changes the math in a really big way.”

It also changes the way cannabis companies do business, he added, returning to those earlier thoughts about closely tracking all spending. “Being tight with advertising dollars and watching ROI on every dollar you’re spending is super important.”

Canna’s model, as a vertically integrated company that cultivates product as well as selling it, helps stem those tides, he noted. “Doing cost analysis is a little different, but you also are putting things through your stores at much higher margins. If you’re controlling your supply, you have more control over your business. We’re seeing it happen right now.”

 

Rolling with the Changes

Shubrick said it was worth navigating a thorough licensing process to open a cannabis shop, alongside her family members, in her hometown. “If I wasn’t selected in Springfield, I wouldn’t have picked up and gone to another city or town.”

It’s an example of the thoughtfulness that must accompany entering a very challenging cannabis marketplace in Massachusetts, especially now.

“Companies come in, and they’re not profitable, and they can’t pay back the tax bills. So they have to close,” Williams said, echoing not only the stories of the Source and Trulieve, but other casualties to come. “But their consumers don’t go away; they go elsewhere. So the lesson from the contraction of the market has always been that the survivors are going to do better long-term.”

 

Weathering the Storm: a Resilient Path Forward

By Meg Sanders

 

We are at the precipice of a significant contraction in the cannabis market, not confined to Massachusetts alone, but reverberating across the U.S. and even globally. As business owners navigating this turbulent landscape, it is essential to recognize the imminent challenges — in particular the ones staring down cannabis across the Commonwealth — prepare to face them, and, more importantly, cultivate a hopeful vision for the future.

Let’s begin with third-party vendors, the cogs in the machine that keep your cannabis enterprise running smoothly. We must ask ourselves: how do these vendors weather the storm if they lose 30% of their business suddenly? If a small vendor employing just six people experiences a 20% revenue loss from a key account, what could that mean for the business?

These are not mere speculations. These scenarios are unfolding right now, causing ripples across the industry. It’s a risk-management issue that warrants our immediate attention.

Meg Sanders

Meg Sanders

“It’s critical to identify how exposed our vendors are to the same downturn we’re grappling with, especially if their clientele consists primarily of cannabis companies.”

As we sail through these choppy waters, we mustn’t lose sight of the bigger picture. We need to question the depth and financial security of our vendor base, especially since many struggling businesses might not be able to pay their bills. The aftershocks of such downturns typically hit marketing, advertising, and street teams the hardest. But what does that mean for us, the business owners who rely on these very vendors?

Imagine your vendor pool as a ship’s crew, each playing a vital role in keeping your business afloat. What happens if your vendor’s ship starts sinking? The ripple effect could capsize your own vessel, and that’s a scenario we must guard against.

Indeed, there’s a sense of camaraderie in this industry. We are all in the same boat. When one sinks, we all feel the tremor. It’s critical to identify how exposed our vendors are to the same downturn we’re grappling with, especially if their clientele consists primarily of cannabis companies. The domino effect could span from your point of sale to merchant services, banking, all the way down to your graphic designer.

We have to play the long game, keeping our eyes on the horizon and the changing tides. Let’s envision a situation where you’re sourcing packaging from a company whose revenue is all cannabis-related. What happens when it loses 20% of its business overnight? What does that mean for your buying abilities, purchasing decisions, their supply chain, and your overall purchasing power and profit and loss (P&L) statements?

To chart a path through this storm, we must adopt a three-dimensional approach to risk management, particularly for those selling cannabis products wholesale to local companies. The strain on accounts-receivable departments is a testament to the rising pressures within the industry. Payments aren’t arriving on time, and some aren’t arriving at all, affecting everyone from packaging and label companies to small cannabinoid providers and cultivators.

But amidst this storm, there’s hope. And here’s the silver lining: we can mitigate these risks with strategic planning and robust backup systems. By identifying alternative vendors, knowing their offerings and lead times, we can prepare for any disruptions in our sensitive systems. We need to ensure that we’re not left without a resource simply because we didn’t think far enough down the track.

This contraction isn’t just a challenge; it’s an invitation to innovate. To think differently. To challenge the status quo. Industries shift, technologies evolve, and we must keep pace. We need to think about all the ways a contraction impacts everyone: vendors, landlords, municipalities. The effects when a cannabis company exits a market or closes its doors are far-reaching.

Even as we’re witnessing companies in Massachusetts entering receivership, it’s not a time for despair. It’s a time for planning, for taking stock of where we stand and where we aim to go. Think about your ‘what-ifs,’ and devise your backup plans. Be ready to replace a critical item on your menu if it goes away. Be prepared to find an alternative source if your main provider hits financial turbulence.

This is not a doom-and-gloom narrative. It’s a story of resilience, of weathering the storm, and emerging stronger. It’s about recognizing opportunities amidst adversity, shoring up your P&L, and seizing the chance to negotiate better pricing with your vendors. Many might be willing to partner with you to push through these challenging times in that way, and the worst thing that happens is they say no. That’s just good business practice, no matter the state of the industry. Always make sure you’re checking where every dollar is going, from your expenses to getting quotes on best prices.

So, in these uncertain times, let’s remember one thing: hope is not lost. Even in the face of contraction and economic downturn, there’s an opportunity for those vigilant and ready to adapt. And as we navigate this storm together, we can create a more resilient, more robust industry ready for a brighter future.

We are, after all, in this together.

 

Meg Sanders is CEO of Canna Provisions in Holyoke and Lee.

New Recycling Facility Redefines ‘State of the Art’

By
Frank Antonacci, left, and Jonathan Murray
Architecture Environment and Engineering Special Coverage

What Goes Around…

 

Frank Antonacci, left, and Jonathan Murray

Frank Antonacci, left, and Jonathan Murray have been leading many different constituencies on tours of the MRF in Berlin, Conn.

Frank Antonacci says he’s lost track of how many tours he’s led of the All American Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Berlin, Conn., which handles material from across the Nutmeg State and Western Mass.

“Suffice it to say, it’s a big number,” said Antonacci, a principal with Murphy Road Recycling, an operator of several recycling facilities, which, in partnership with Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, suppliers of the system’s equipment, opened the state-of-the-art facility in early 2022.

Since then, in addition to overseeing this intriguing operation, which processes more than 50 tons of recyclable material an hour, Antonacci and Jonathan Murray, director of Operations for Murphy Road Recycling, have been leading individuals and groups through the massive facility to show them what goes on there and why this operation is among the most advanced of its kind in the country — and the world, for that matter.

And there have been many different constituencies donning the bright orange vests, hardhats, and audio systems needed to hear and be heard over the din of countless conveyer belts and sorting machinery. These include elected officials, business leaders, public-works crews, press members (including BusinessWest), and, perhaps most importantly, representatives of the companies that buy the recyclables — and many of them have made the trip to Berlin.

What they take in is a facility that was built with three primary goals in mind: to increase the quantity, quality, and purity of recyclables; to provide an innovative and safe working environment; and to have the flexibility to adapt to ever-evolving consumer habits (more on that later) and recycling market conditions.

And more than a year after it opened to considerable fanfare, this MRF is accomplishing all three, especially with regard to the purity of recyclables, said both Antonacci and Murray, noting that this is something that communities, states, and those buying the recovered products are demanding.

“Today’s curbside material isn’t what it was 10 or 15 years ago. Then, it was heavy on newspaper and relatively clean. Today, everyone reads news online and orders everything from the internet. Today’s stream is full of small cardboard boxes and shipping envelopes and requires that we, as recyclers, innovate and change our thinking around the sorting of recyclables.”

The fully integrated system, replete with artificial intelligence and high-tech scanners, is dedicated to the maximum recovery of all recyclable material, with several second-chance mechanisms in place to make sure valuable material doesn’t slip through the cracks, said Murray, adding that the design includes state-of-the-art equipment to target paper, cardboard, boxboard, glass, and five types of plastic.

Elaborating, he said the system first separates paper from aluminum and other metals and plastic and then digs deeper to identify and sort different types of plastic, such as the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used to make water and soda bottles, and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) used to make food and beverage containers, shampoo bottles, cleaning-product bottles, and similar products.

“The optical scanners are trained; they’re learning all the time to know what the makeup of a PET bottle is,” Murray explained. “If a scanner’s job is to pick PET bottles, it knows it by reading the makeup of the bottle. Everything else travels on to the next optical scanner, which may be looking for HDPE or milk jugs or laundry detergent bottles; it scans for those and shoots those out.

Murray Road Recycling’s MRF

Frank Antonacci says Murray Road Recycling’s MRF has “moved the industry forward a generation” with its design.
Staff Photo

“The scanners are actually looking for the makeup of what’s in that material,” he went on. “It shoots a blast of air to kick it out or leave it in, and they’re trained at the factory and adjusted, so if we’re seeing a higher level of PET in the mix than HDPE, we can make adjustments so it will recognize that quicker and make sure we’re getting it all out.”

For this issue, BusinessWest toured the massive facility in Berlin and talked with Antonacci and Murphy about this operation, the evolving recycling market, and how the Berlin MRF redefines what would be considered state-of-the-art in this industry.

 

Leaving Little to Waste

Murray calls it the “Amazon effect.”

That’s a term he and others in this industry use to describe the influence of that giant corporation on life in general — and especially the world, and business, of recycling.

“Today’s curbside material isn’t what it was 10 or 15 years ago,” he noted. “Then, it was heavy on newspaper and relatively clean. Today, everyone reads news online and orders everything from the internet. Today’s stream is full of small cardboard boxes and shipping envelopes and requires that we, as recyclers, innovate and change our thinking around the sorting of recyclables.”

And these sentiments effectively and concisely explain what the All American Material Recovery Facility is all about — innovation and changing how people think about recycling and waste-disposal diversion.

“We took a significant amount of risk and leveraged our expertise, as well as a very strong team, to develop what we have here.”

The facility, and the roughly $40 million invested in it, represent another entrepreneurial venture, and gambit, undertaken by the Antonacci family, which was recognized by BusinessWest as its Top Entrepreneurs in 2018 for their creation of an eclectic and highly successful stable of businesses, with ‘stable’ being one of the operative words.

Indeed, this large and impressive portfolio includes a horse farm, Lindy Farm in Somers, which has bred and trained a string of champion trotters; Sonny’s Place in Somers (named after the patriarch of the family, Frank’s grandfather, Guy ‘Sonny’ Antonacci), a huge and continually growing family-entertainment venue; GreatHorse, the high-end, horseracing-themed private golf club created on the site of the former Hampden Country Club; and Murphy Road Recycling.

All of these ventures represented considerable investments and risks, Antonacci said, adding that the MRF in Berlin is no different.

“You’ll see many of the same themes throughout this facility as you would at our other operations,” he explained. “We took a significant amount of risk and leveraged our expertise, as well as a very strong team, to develop what we have here.”

The company looked at a number of recycling facilities starting in 2018 and made the decision to buy the Berlin facility in 2020, at the height of COVID.

“It was a considerable risk and investment at that point,” he went on. “But we knew that there would be life after COVID, and we believed that the region really needed a reliable, scalable solution to handling the growing amount of single-stream material.”

the primary goals for the new MRF

One of the primary goals for the new MRF is to increase the quantity, quality, and purity of recyclables for sale to companies that will use them to make new products.

By single-stream, he noted that recyclables from businesses and consumers come with various materials mixed together, often with materials that shouldn’t be placed in recycling bins but are anyway — from batteries to electronic devices.

This venture represents the expansion and modernization of an existing recycling facility, Antonacci said, adding that everything about the facility is state-of-the-art, a phrase he used early and often in this conversation, because it’s certainly warranted.

“We integrated tried-and-true mechanical separation though screens with optical technology,” he noted as he talked about what is really the heart of this operation. “We have machines that are optically looking at the material to polish any contamination or any mixture of different grades of recycling, and that’s done through highly advanced camera systems with artificial intelligence.”

 

Reading Material

The facility handles recyclables from roughly 100 communities in Connecticut and Western Mass., Antonacci explained, noting that materials from many communities in the 413 are aggregated and then brought to Berlin for processing. Overall, it handles upwards of 1,000 tons of material per day, a huge jump from the 350 tons a day handled by the largest facilities in the area prior to the opening of the MRF in Berlin.

Beyond size and scope, this facility stands out for many other reasons.

Indeed, the operation employs a dozen optical scanners that can identify and separate materials based on their chemical composition, and utilizes robotics and AI to perform additional quality control.

“The quality of the material that we’re able to glean from the blue-bin mix is really remarkable,” Antonacci said. “Leveraging our expertise and that of Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, we’ve moved the industry forward a generation with the design of this plant, based not only on the scale, but on the quality of the materials coming out of here.”

As they were developing the Berlin facility, those at Murphy Road toured a number of recycling operations in this region and other parts of the country, Murray said, with an eye toward adopting best practices and technologies. But there are some things being done here that would be considered unique and groundbreaking, he went on.

This includes a dual-feed system set in parallel lines, Antonacci said, adding that this is a different approach to preparing materials for final processing. Other innovations include the picking stations, where employees handle quality control, which are enclosed in dust-controlled, climate-controlled boxes which place a premium on worker comfort and safety.

“We went through a painstaking effort of keeping people away from places that could harm them,” he told BusinessWest. “We invested heavily in automation to further increase the safety and productivity of the facility.”

Beyond these safety features, the facility was designed to effectively handle ongoing evolution in consumer habits and thus the recycling stream. As he talked about this and pointed to the streams of paper moving along conveyer belts, Murray noted that, despite declines in readership, a large amount of newsprint still winds up in recycling bins.

“We took a significant amount of risk and leveraged our expertise, as well as a very strong team, to develop what we have here.”

But these same bins are being increasingly dominated by both cardboard packaging — that aforementioned ‘Amazon effect’ — as well as myriad kinds of plastic, aluminum, and tin cans.

Overall, the bins are cleaner than they were years ago, he went on, adding that the overall quality of the end product — what is ultimately sold to companies to make new products — is a function of how effectively the different materials, especially the many types of plastics, are separated.

And this is where the All American MRF stands out from other facilities.

Elaborating, Antonacci said this facility’s sorting capabilities extend to polypropylene, used to make everything from yogurt containers to margarine tubs; from Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cups to the packaging for to-go food products.

“This is something that has historically been hard to separate,” he explained. “But we have both the optical technology to look for polypropylene number 5, which those containers are made out of, and there’s also a laser on our optical machine that enables us to see those black plastics — the to-go containers — which most facilities can’t.”

 

Bottom Line

There are ever-larger amounts of polypropylene #5 winding up recycling bins, and the ability to separate it from everything else is becoming increasingly important, said Antonacci, adding that this is just one of the reasons why he and Murray are giving so many tours these days.

People want to see what separates this facility from most others — with the emphasis on separates. It not only represents state-of-the-art in this industry, it defines it.

For a Decade, the MH Group Has Helped Put People to Work

By
Founder and CEO Nicole Polite
Special Coverage Women in Businesss

Applying Lessons

Founder and CEO Nicole Polite

Founder and CEO Nicole Polite

As the staffing and recruiting company she launched in 2013, the MH Group, celebrates 10 years in business, Nicole Polite explained that her path wasn’t always in the employment world. But she quickly found a passion for it.

After serving as an MP in the Army National Guard, she thought her natural progression would be into law enforcement, as a police officer or a correctional officer.

“My dad was working at Ludlow at the time, so I went to my dad and said, ‘can you give me a job?’ — like all kids do with their parents. And he did just that,” she recalled. “But after I received the job offer, I was having second thoughts. It was third shift; I didn’t want to do that. I was a new mom as well. And it just wasn’t the career path I thought I wanted to take.”

So she shifted gears and landed a job at MassMutual, which was a valuable experience — starting right at the interview process, when the woman who perused her résumé said something that has stuck with Polite to this day.

“She said, ‘you know what? You’re not qualified for the position we have open in my department. But I’ll tell you what I’ll do — I’ll get you the job interview.’ At 23, that was the first time someone told me I wasn’t qualified, but that was good to hear because she was correct. And it really stayed with me.”

It also spurred her to study and prepare rigorously for that interview, and she got the job. “And that led to a 10- or 11-year career. It completely changed my entire life.

“My takeaway from that was that someone sat at a table I was not privy to and put my name forward and granted me the opportunity to have a career that lasted all those years. So that was fuel to my fire, my passion in life. I want to go back and be able to do the same thing for other people.”

“That was fuel to my fire, my passion in life. I want to go back and be able to do the same thing for other people.”

While volunteering at a MassMutual Community Responsibility event at Western New England University, helping high-school students through a Junior Achievement employment-awareness program, Polite (then known as Nicole Griffin) was assigned the task of mentoring a young man and teaching him how to interview for jobs. After two days of career and interview prep work, she invited him back for a mock interview. And he showed up wearing jeans and a baseball cap.

“After the interview, I said, ‘you did a very good job, but you’re not really dressed appropriately for an interview, especially with a baseball cap on.’ And I’ll never forget his response. He said, ‘look, my parents never worked. I don’t even know what that looks like.’ And that was like a dagger to my heart because that was his reality. And I said, right then, ‘I’m going to help people in those situations and see how I can make an impact.’ And it grew, like a burning desire.”

While working at MassMutual as a financial underwriter — providing analysis, sales, and marketing for the company’s products — she became a certified interviewer and started a small nonprofit on the side, called the ABCs of Interviewing. There, she consulted with other nonprofits, companies, and individuals, helping them with interviewing skills.

From there, she made the leap into entrepreneurship, leaving MassMutual in 2013 to open Griffin Staffing Network.

The company would change names twice: the first to ManeHire about five years later. As she told BusinessWest at the time, she wanted a new name that evoked lion imagery. “I like the lion — it represents strength and courage and resilience, and those are some of the key components you need when you’re looking for employment.”

Nicole Polite (top) with Kassaundra Woodall, senior recruiting manager at the MH Group.

Nicole Polite (top) with Kassaundra Woodall, senior recruiting manager at the MH Group.

Today, she still likes the name, but explained why a change to the MH Group was in order. “It was fierce — empowering women. That was the goal of the name with me and my marketing partner when we came up with it. But it lost some of its brand and became a little confusing. People were confusing the name as ‘man hire,’ like a job-ready type of employment firm, and we are the complete opposite; about 70% of our jobs are direct-hire. So we dropped that and just go by the initials, which is the MH Group.”

 

Getting to the Next Level

The MH Group’s recruiting and staffing work focuses on the nonprofit sector, as well as healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing.

But it does so in a way that ensures that matches stick, and that goes back to Polite’s experience landing that job at MassMutual. For instance, the firm conducts workshops to teach people how to interview for a job.

In addition, “I teach my staff and train them that, when you have someone in front of you, you mentor on the spot. And that’s from entry-level to C-level positions. If you have the opportunity to tell someone about something that could be answered in a better way, or just give them some pointers on their résumé, things to highlight and things not to highlight, just mentor it on the spot.

“And then, in terms of employers, we do a lot of vetting up front. So you’re getting an applicant from the MH Group that has been highly vetted and has had some training as well.”

That’s especially important at a time when employers in most sectors are struggling to attract and retain sufficient talent — which gives job seekers more leverage than normal.

“I have clients that have really met the needs of the applicants and employees. They’ve changed their benefit structures, their PTO time, their flexibility, their hybrid schedules. I would say employers are really trying their best to meet the needs of the workforce.”

“It’s a very competitive market — and the workforce knows that it’s competitive. So they’re asking for things they’ve never asked for before. They’re pushing back in ways they’ve never pushed back before; they’re really going through benefits, medical benefits, with a fine comb to make sure it’s something that is valuable to them and their family structure.

“But I will say my clients are meeting their needs,” she added. “I have clients that have really met the needs of the applicants and employees. They’ve changed their benefit structures, their PTO time, their flexibility, their hybrid schedules. I would say employers are really trying their best to meet the needs of the workforce.”

As part of its 10-year anniversary, Polite is also launching the MH Cares Foundation, which uses the power of mentorship to help underserved populations achieve fulfilling careers.

“Most people in HR and CEOs can understand this: you post a job position, and you have hundreds of applications — and, out of those applications, maybe a few that qualify. And you wonder, ‘why is that? Why do so many people apply for positions that they may not be qualified for?’”

Playing off the saying ‘no child left behind,’ Polite sought to create a program where no job seeker is left behind. So the foundation matches job seekers with mentors, using a curriculum to help that job seeker get to the next level.

“It’s more than just applying for a job. We’re going to put you with a mentor who can actually mentor you through that process, whether it be helping you with your résumé or coaching you on interviewing,” she explained. “And then, the second component is giving you volunteer work within that industry or that field and having you work there so that you can gain some experience. The goal is to make sure that we are meeting job seekers where they’re at and bringing them to the next level.”

The foundation will host a kickoff event this fall, and in the meantime, volunteers who want to be mentors to job seekers can visit www.mhcaresfoundation.org and register to be a volunteer.

 

Deepening Roots

Polite notes that “a core philosophy for the MH Group is the need for both roots and wings.”

For her, those roots run deep in Springfield, as her great-great-granduncle was Primus Parsons Mason, a Black entrepreneur and real-estate investor who is most well-known as the namesake of the city’s Mason Square neighborhood.

Active in the community, she has served the Greater Springfield region on multiple nonprofit boards, such as the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, the United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Dora D. Robinson Women’s Leadership Council, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission council. She has also served as a business advisor at the Entrepreneurial & Women’s Business Center at the University of Hartford.

MH Group

Nicole Polite says the MH Group name more clearly conveys the firm’s purpose than its former name, ManeHire.

Because of her success to that point, she was selected to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2014 and then won the magazine’s Continued Excellence Award (now known as the Alumni Achievement Award) in 2017. And she was only getting started.

“This has been extremely gratifying — for one, to take such a huge risk of leaving a very good company with great benefits, great structure, great financial standing, and to launch out into my own business … and then just to still be here for 10 years, is very gratifying,” she said.

The MH Group provides staffing for companies from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., and Polite believes it has the potential for a national reach. But locally, she wants to continue outreach to the community, including partnering with local schools to teach job-readiness training.

“We can reach them at a younger age. Then, one day, I hope this will be a part of the curriculum … because job readiness and career readiness is something that’s taught, but not taught the level it should be.”

Polite told BusinessWest she attended its annual 40 Under Forty event this past June and felt emotional seeing many people her company had helped to find employment.

“That’s very gratifying to see them all really excel within their fields. We have people we placed in entry-level positions that are now in management, vice presidents, heads of corporate compliance. It’s amazing to look back and to see people’s growth.”

She’s also encouraged by the many employer clients who have remained partners since the day she opened her doors.

“That makes my heart extremely happy. They’ve grown into family,” she said. “It’s like a dream sometimes — like, pinch me, I’m dreaming. I didn’t think this dream of mine could grow to where it’s at today.”

JoinedForces Provides Assistance to Those Who Have Served

By
Oliver Layne
Construction Special Coverage

Bringing It Home

 

Oliver Layne

Oliver Layne stands in ‘his’ bathroom, with a walk-in shower, one of many projects undertaken by those involved in the JoinedForces program.

Oliver Layne has come to call it “my bathroom.” Others in his family simply call it “dad’s bathroom,” for reasons that will become clear.

This is the small half-bath in his home on Border Street in Springfield, the one that was renovated to include a walk-in shower, something that became a necessity for Layne, a U.S. Air Force veteran of both Gulf wars, after he was afflicted with a rare muscle disease whereby his immune system attacks his muscles. This disorder made lifting his leg to get into a bathtub difficult, if not impossible.

“My day starts off with my cane, by the middle of the day I’m in my walker, and by the evening I’m in my wheelchair — I just get more and more tired throughout the day; I’m very limited in what I can do,” said Layne, whose bathroom renovation was realized through the JoinedForces program administered by Revitalize Community Development Corp. (CDC) and funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and its Veterans Home Modification Program.

That well-thought-out name speaks volumes about this unique program and the many people who are involved in it.

For starters, the name helps convey that this is a program designed to assist veterans, many of whom are disabled and need help to stay in their homes or, in the case of Layne, live more comfortably in their home.

“Veterans are a big part of our focus,” said Colleen Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize CDC, noting that the nonprofit agency also serves low-income families with children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs through initiatives such as its #GreenNFit and Healthy Homes programs. “Many are looking to age in place in their homes, many have injuries from their service, and this has become a particular focus of ours.”

“Veterans are a big part of our focus. Many are looking to age in place in their homes, many have injuries from their service, and this has become a particular focus of ours.”

The JoinedForces name also hints at how these projects to assist veterans are acts of collaboration, often involving a number of parties, including those at Revitalize CDC, other agencies focused on veterans and their needs, contractors, and area businesses.

That was certainly the case with Layne’s project, and also a coordinated effort to assist Ron Schneider and his wife, Cara, during a recent Volunteer Day initiative.

Schneider, a Vietnam War veteran now battling cancer he attributes to his exposure to Agent Orange, made his living as a general contractor. But his declining health left him unable to undertake many of the projects around the home that would have been so simple years earlier.

Fast-forward (we’ll fill in some details later) to this past spring, when there were two major projects at the Schneider home — one undertaken by a contractor to replace windows that had ceased to open easily, if at all, and the other involving an army (not a term we use loosely) of volunteers from Revitalize CDC and Home Depot to tackle a number of projects, from repairing the patio and driveway to building a shed and undertaking some landscaping work. New doors, also part of the mix, were put on earlier this month.

“All of this has taken a lot of pressure off me because I can’t do things around the house — I’m not physically able to do some of the projects that they handled,” Ron said. “And they did it in a day’s time because they had almost 100 volunteers.”

Suzanne Larocque (left, with Ethel Griffin)

Suzanne Larocque (left, with Ethel Griffin) says projects range from roof repairs and replacements to installation of handicap ramps and bathroom renovations.

These comments from Layne and Schneider effectively convey the sentiments of those veterans and their families who have had work done on their homes. As for those doing the work, they say there are many types of rewards, but especially the pride and satisfaction that come from helping those who served their country.

“I love it — it’s not about the money,” said Frank Campiti, a general contractor who handles many projects for Revitalize CDC and its #GreenNFit, JoinedForces, and Healthy Homes programs. “I get a lot of satisfaction from helping these veterans. We do everything we can to make their lives better with whatever their repair is.”

Myles Callender, who served as construction manager for Revitalize CDC before starting his own construction company with his brothers, and still handles projects for the agency, agreed.

“Some of these projects may not look big in terms of their size and scope,” he said. “But they make a huge difference in the lives of these veterans. It’s very rewarding to help improve the lives of those who have served.”

“All of this has taken a lot of pressure off me because I can’t do things around the house — I’m not physically able to do some of the projects that they handled. And they did it in a day’s time because they had almost 100 volunteers.”

For this issue and its focus on construction, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the JoinedForces program and its efforts to help veterans and their families feel more at home — in all kinds of ways.

 

Building Hope

Layne told BusinessWest that his physical issues started several years after he returned from his service in the Gulf and started his professional career, working first at a college and then for AT&T. He suspects the disorder results from exposure to contamination at two bases where he served — Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan (now closed), and Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.

He started noticing that he was having trouble walking straight and that his hands didn’t work right.

“My body just didn’t work the same as it did before; I couldn’t run anymore, I couldn’t walk long distances,” he recalled, adding that it took doctors more than two and a half years to figure out what was wrong with him.

In 2017, he was officially diagnosed with a muscle disorder, and it was determined that there was no known cure. All medication was stopped, he said, adding that he is doing what he can to try to slow down or mitigate the condition’s progress, though diet and physical therapy, for example.

He has soldiered on, but increasingly has struggled with everyday tasks. He walls with a significant limp and can no longer navigate stairs — the Veterans Administration put a stair lift in his home — and has trouble getting in and out of the shower.

Ron and Cara Schneider (center, with their daughter, Bridget, between them)

Ron and Cara Schneider (center, with their daughter, Bridget, between them) celebrate the work done on their home in Ludlow by dozens of volunteers.

He became aware of Revitalize CDC and filled out an application for assistance late last fall. “That was on a Monday, and on Wednesday, I got a call; they were asking me what I needed done in my home and how they could help.”

Layne’s bathroom renovation is, in many ways, typical of the projects undertaken through the JoinedForces program, said Ethel Griffin, vice president of Community Engagement for Revitalize CDC.

She told BusinessWest the agency works with other veteran-related organizations on outreach to help make sure people know about JoinedForces and the agency’s other programs and encourage them to apply for assistance.

“Our work with veterans is important because they’ve served our country, and they deserve to have comfort in life,” she told BusinessWest. “A lot of our veterans are very old, and it’s amazing to see the conditions they are living in. We do spend a little more time and bit more money with the veterans — because they deserve it. This program gives us the feeling that we’re helping our country as well, even though we’re helping individuals; it’s our time to serve.”

Larocque agreed. “I don’t come from a military background at all, so meeting these veterans has been such a great experience. They’re so appreciative, and it’s been really rewarding to work with them.”

Since Loveless came on board in 2009, the agency has assisted between 200 and 300 veterans across the state, with the vast majority of them living in the 413, and veterans’ homes are included in all Revitalize CDC programs, including #GreenNFit.

Ron Schneider

Ron Schneider is grateful that JoinedForces has taken pressure off him because the volunteers completed projects he no longer can.

The projects vary in size and scope, said Suzanne Larocque, HUD project manager for Revitalize CDC, adding that they range from roof repairs and replacements to installation of handicap ramps and bathroom renovations like Layne’s.

Other projects have involved removal of asbestos from one home, installation of a drainage system and dehumidification system to relieve water issues in a basement, and many window-replacement initiatives. Meanwhile, the agency is undertaking more projects to replace heating systems with more modern — and green — systems.

Revitalize CDC hires licensed contractors to handle such work, obviously, Loveless said, adding that there is an emphasis on hiring minority- and women-owned firms. In some cases, the agency can get materials and labor donated, as it did for a veteran in Springfield who needed a new roof.

 

The Battle Is Joined

Ron Schneider, who served in the Army as an engineer building roads, tells a story somewhat similar to Layne’s, one of returning from service, launching a successful career, and then being beset with health problems that left him unable to do things around the house.

“I’m disabled, and I just can’t do much physically,” he said, noting that, in addition to his cancer fight, he has fought other health battles over the years.

As Ron’s condition deteriorated, and as needed work at his home on Prospect Gardens in Ludlow piled up — as noted earlier, many of the windows, originally installed in the 1940s, would no longer open or close easily, if at all — the Schneiders filled out an application for assistance through the JoinedForces program.

“Ron was a contractor for more than 40 years; these were all projects that he’s been hired to do over the course of his career that he can no longer do. For him, it was challenging; it was hard for him to be able to say ‘yes, I need help.”

That was prior to COVID, Ron said, adding that they received a call from Larocque early this year, and work commenced in phases this spring.

The first phase was replacement of the windows in April, work handled by a local contractor. Then, in May, Revitalize CDC joined forces (there’s that phrase again) with Home Depot, for a massive Volunteer Day effort at the home.

Cara Schneider put the improvements and what they mean to her husband and the rest of the family in their proper perspective.

“Ron was a contractor for more than 40 years; these were all projects that he’s been hired to do over the course of his career that he can no longer do. For him, it was challenging; it was hard for him to be able to say ‘yes, I need help,’ she said. “And then, to have these people come in and do it in a way that was respectful and that made our lives so much more functional and for him not to have to worry about these things while he’s going through treatment … it took all the stress off. And he’s able to open windows now.”

These sentiments hit at the true mission of the JoinedForces program, said Campiti, who has worked on dozens of projects over the past several years.

He said most are not large in scope, but can be rather involved. And in many cases, these are projects most contractors would pass on because of their degree of difficulty, the conditions in the home, or their small margin for real profit.

“I get involved with projects that other contractors look at, but they don’t even call them back,” Campiti said, adding that, in other cases, contractors will take on the work, but at a cost beyond what the veteran is willing or able to pay.

Such was the case with Layne, who said he looked into renovating his bathroom and installing a walk-in shower, but the cost was prohibitive. A friend, also a veteran, told him about Revitalize CDC, and he applied for assistance to undertake the bathroom renovation.

He was hesitant to install a walk-in shower in his main bathroom due to concerns about impact on the resale value of the home, but, after consultation with Campiti, was convinced that his half-bath, also home to his washer and dryer, could be renovated and outfitted with such a shower.

This was a fairly complicated project that involved moving the laundry equipment to the basement, constructing the shower, and redoing the floor, he went on, adding that it took several days to complete.

Overall, he’s working on two or three projects a month, most of them addressing the accessibility issues that many veterans face, whether it involves a bathtub, stairs, or a backyard deck.

“We do a lot of railings and grab bars in places that would be considered non-traditional,” he explained. “We put them in places beyond the bathroom, like with a person walking out to their patio; they can’t step down anymore.”

He stopped short of calling this work fun, but reiterated that it is gratifying on many levels.

 

On with the Fight

Returning to this concept of ‘his’ bathroom, Layne injected some needed background.

Indeed, he said he has four daughters, including twin 14-year-olds who still live at home.

“Bathroom time is extremely difficult to get,” he said with a laugh, adding that he obviously has to share his facility, which has actually become quite popular.

“They’ll say, ‘can I take a shower in your shower?’” he said of his children, adding that he used to ask why. “They say, ‘because it’s big; you can move around in there.’”

That’s because Campiti made it big enough to put in a chair, which is necessary, as Layne is prone to falling because his legs don’t move as they should.

It’s quite unfortunate that Layne, a veteran of two wars, needs this walk-in shower with all that room in it. But he — and his daughters, for that matter — are fortunate to have it.

And it was made possible by an agency with a name that truly says it all.

 

New England Farm Workers’ Council Transitioning Out of Real Estate

By
The Paramount Theater/Massasoit Hotel
Commercial Real Estate Special Coverage

Divesting the Portfolio

The Paramount Theater/Massasoit Hotel

The Paramount Theater/Massasoit Hotel complex is one of several properties in the New England Farm Workers’ Council portfolio now under agreement.

 

 

 

Dan Knapik says that, when he became executive director of the New England Farm Workers’ Council in the summer of 2021, he found a multi-faceted nonprofit agency at what amounts to a crossroads and in need of what he called a “kick start.”

That was especially true when it came to the agency’s broad commercial real-estate portfolio, assembled over the preceding decades with the goals of housing programs, spurring economic development, and creating revenue streams — goals that, in most cases, have not been realized.

“We needed to go aggressively to rent out what we could or sell it,” said Knapik, adding that, in most all cases, the latter option is being pursued. “We put a multi-pronged strategy together; we started renting what we could rent and sell what we couldn’t rent.”

Indeed, a few of the agency’s holdings were sold prior to his arrival, in the winter and spring of 2021, including 1600 Main St. in Springfield (the International Bier Garten), sold for $700,000; and 297-299-301 Main St. in Holyoke, sold for $150,000.

The selloff has continued into this year, with 276 Union Ave. in Bridgeport, Conn. (a rooming house) selling for $656,000 in January. Then, in May and June, the property at 21-23 Hampden St., home to the Shakago Martini and Piano Bar, sold to an Alabama-based real-estate company for $240,000; 2345 Main St. in Springfield sold for $85,000; 203-205 High St. in Holyoke sold for $134,900; 211-213 High St. went for $134,000; and 211-213 High St. sold for $49,900.

“We needed to go aggressively to rent out what we could or sell it. We put a multi-pronged strategy together; we started renting what we could rent and sell what we couldn’t rent.”

There are several other properties now under agreement, Knapik said, including the 1610 Main St./20 Fort St. complex, home to the Student Prince restaurant, and the Paramount Theater/Massasoit Hotel complex further north on Main Street, a historic property that has long been considered a key to revitalization of the downtown. And the agency is actively showing other properties, including 32-34 Hampden St. in Springfield and 217-225 High St. in Holyoke.

“I am determined to divest the portfolio,” Knapik said, adding that doing so gives the agency, an affiliate of Partners for Community, capital to pay down debt, while also freeing it from some heavy tax burdens — nearly $70,000 each quarter for the properties in Springfield alone — and debt service, an estimated $200,000 per quarter. And it will provide the agency the time and opportunity to focus on its mission.

Overall, this is not a particularly good time to be selling real estate, said Knapik, adding that higher interest rates — and they keep getting higher to due to actions by the Federal Reserve to cool the economy and tame inflation — have made this assignment more challenging.

The nonprofit’s board voted last fall to sell the remaining 13 properties in the portfolio, including 1666-1670 Main St. in Springfield.

“It’s been difficult — the Fed’s interest-rate environment has been less than favorable for us, and some of the buildings were not in great shape,” he told BusinessWest, noting that interest rates are more than five points higher than they were just a year or so ago.

But given these market conditions — and the state of the some of the properties — he is not unhappy with the results to date.

“I haven’t been horribly displeased,” he went on. “We’re obviously not selling class-A real estate, but we haven’t lost money on the sales, either.”

For this issue and its focus on commercial real estate, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the council’s active efforts to shift away from the commercial real-estate business, what this means for the agency, and what it might mean for area communities, especially Springfield and its downtown.

 

Setting Sale

When BusinessWest toured what is known colloquially as the ‘Fort building’ or ‘Fort complex’ not long after it was purchased by the Farm Workers’ Council in 2010, then-President and CEO Heriberto Flores (he still holds those titles at the agency) talked enthusiastically about bringing new life to the vast spaces in the multi-story complex that had been vacant for years, and, in many cases, decades, with some of the abandoned offices still featuring brightly colored shag carpeting.

The Fort complex

The Fort complex is one of several properties in the New England Farm Workers’ Council portfolio now under agreement.

Today, they are still vacant — the Student Prince and the Latino Economic Development Corp. (an affiliate of the council) occupy the ground floor, and they are the only tenants in the complex — and those quiet spaces speak volumes about why the Farm Workers’ Council is divesting itself of its real-estate portfolio, Knapik said, adding that, in many respects, the properties have been underperforming and losing money for several years.

Recapping the history and state of this portfolio, Knapik said the properties were acquired with good intentions and solid goals in mind, but most of the promise has not been realized.

“They weren’t really aggressive about seeking out new tenants, and there was a lot of deferred maintenance on the buildings,” he explained. “A lot of the buildings were bought years ago to put programming in, and one of the mistakes I think the council made was, when programming lost funding, for whatever reason, buildings should have been sold off, and they weren’t. They were held onto for a variety of reasons, and they then became big liabilities, and this is where a lot of the accumulated debt came from.”

“A lot of the buildings were bought years ago to put programming in, and one of the mistakes I think the council made was, when programming lost funding, for whatever reason, buildings should have been sold off, and they weren’t.”

This fact was certainly not lost on the nonprofit’s board, which voted last fall to sell the remaining 13 properties in the portfolio, he said, adding that many have been, and most of the rest are under agreement.

That list includes several properties in downtown Springfield, including 1666-1670 Main St., 1655 Main St. (the Board of Trade Block), 1628-1640 Main St., and 1618-1624 Main St.

As noted earlier, that includes the Fort complex, which is under agreement to a group led by Peter Pan Bus Chairman and CEO Peter Picknelly, one of group of local entrepreneurs who stepped in to rescue the Student Prince several years ago when closure seemed imminent.

It also includes the Paramount and adjoining Massasoit Hotel, a complex that has been envisioned as a multi-use property, with the theater being a host for events and the hotel being converted for housing.

“We have a purchase-and-sale with a development group that goes back pre-COVID,” Knapik explained. “We continue to work with that development group for a project; we continue to talk with them, and I’m hoping that, within the next 60 days, we can execute a final agreement.”

Shakago Martini & Piano Bar

The property at 21-23 Hampden St., home to the Shakago Martini & Piano Bar, is one of several already sold by the New England Farm Workers’ Council.
Staff Photo

He noted that the same rising interest rates that are making sales of these properties more challenging is driving up the cost of redevelopment of the Paramount/Massasoit Hotel complex.

Overall, the sale of the properties in the portfolio should provide the council with some needed capital, Knapik noted, adding quickly that there is substantial debt to pay down.

“There’s about $4 million in total equity after all the mortgages are paid, but there are some legacy debts, some operating debts that Farm Workers’ has accumulated over the years, and we’re hoping to clear that off,” he said, adding that many of the properties do not have mortgages.

 

Bottom Line

Meanwhile, by getting out of the commercial real-estate business, the council can concentrate its full energies on its programs, and there are many working in several different realms, from economic development to housing to youth and education.

And it can develop and execute the next strategic plan.

“This will allow the council to take a breath and figure out to position itself for what it wants to do in the future,” he said. “We’ve been in business for 52 years, responding to the needs of the community. When this gets done, we’ll propose some ideas to the board of directors and let them decide how they want to go forward.”

UMass Amherst Earns Seventh Straight Top Ranking for Best Campus Food

By
Daily News

AMHERST — For the seventh consecutive time, UMass Amherst has earned the top spot for Best Campus Food in annual rankings published by the Princeton Review.

The rankings are derived from student reports of their experiences at the schools in its annual “Best Colleges” guidebook. The 2024 rankings are based on feedback from 165,000 students at the schools in the guide.

UMass Dining, the largest collegiate dining program in the U.S., is committed to providing the campus community with locally sourced, healthy, sustainable, and globally inspired cuisine, and its leadership believes in helping to build community through food.

“I’m extremely proud of our dedicated, talented, and hardworking team, whose commitment to excellence has been instrumental in our continued success,” said Ken Toong, executive director of Auxiliary Enterprises, which includes UMass Dining. “We’re immensely grateful for our students, faculty, staff, and entire UMass administration for their support and invaluable feedback, which has contributed to shaping and enriching the quality-of-life experience. Without them, we would not have been able to achieve this remarkable feat. Their dedication and enthusiasm inspire us to continuously raise the bar and deliver exceptional dining experiences, one meal at a time.”

Toong also extended his gratitude to Chancellor Javier Reyes, Vice Chancellor Andrew Mangels, and former Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy for their leadership and continued support, which have been instrumental in UMass Amherst’s journey to culinary excellence.

“Congratulations to the entire UMass Dining team for this incredible achievement,” Mangels said. “This recognition is a testament to the great leadership, dedication, and focus on excellence all year long, which provides exceptional culinary experiences.”

Elms College Names Lukman Arsalan VP of Enrollment Management and Marketing

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College has named Lukman Arsalan its new vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing, effective Aug. 14. In this role, Arsalan will become a member of the president’s cabinet.

“I am thrilled that Lukman has accepted the position to be Elms College’s new vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing,” Elms College President Harry Dumay said. “His diverse expertise in enrollment, recruitment, financial aid, and marketing strategy are valuable assets that will help us attract highly talented students.”

Arsalan joined Elms College following his most recent appointment as the dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at King’s Academy in Madaba, Jordan. Prior to that, he served as dean of Admission at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and director of Global Enrollment and Student Success at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. He brings a wealth of experience in higher education to this leadership role at Elms and will lead the college’s strategic efforts to attract outstanding students from Massachusetts, New England, and beyond.

At King’s Academy, Arsalan achieved record-breaking application numbers and successfully launched a national campaign to attract talented students. During his tenure at Trinity College, he built a reputation for his dedication to providing a student-success ecosystem, while significantly increasing the college’s international applications, net revenue, and global brand recognition.

Arsalan is passionate about education and access. “While the challenges in higher education are daunting, they excite and energize me,” he said. “I am thrilled to be joining the dedicated Elms community and helping the college face these headwinds boldly, ensuring we meet our strategic enrollment goals.”

UMassFive Introduces New Rewards Program for Checking Accounts

By
Daily News

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced the latest enhancement to its checking accounts with the launch of cash back via uChoose rewards.

uChoose rewards adds yet another benefit to the Co-op Advantage Checking account that already includes better security with debit-card controls within the credit union’s online banking and mobile banking app, and the ability to earn a higher rewards dividend rate plus monthly ATM fee reimbursements each month when simple monthly qualifications are met (signing up for eDelivery of statements, having a direct deposit or ACH auto debit, and using the debit card for at least 12 purchases).

With the new uChoose cash-back rewards, points accumulate independently of qualification status, and there’s no maximum points cap imposed each month.

“When considering a new program for our debit cardholders, we really wanted something that would be rewarding to everyone, so there’s no categories or hoops to jump through once you’ve enrolled your UMassFive debit card into the uChoose rewards program,” said Craig Boivin, vice president of Marketing at UMassFive. “Our former debit-card rewards program was very focused on shopping at local businesses, and ultimately cash rewards was the best way to stay true to that value. We’re confident our members will continue to take their cash back earned and use it locally.”

When members enroll their UMassFive debit card in uChoose rewards, they earn 0.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases, with no per-purchase limit. Points accumulate monthly and can be redeemed for cash back at any time, with no minimum points threshold needed to redeem. To learn more, visit umassfive.coop/advantage.

North Adams Resident to Walk Across State to Raise Money for ROOTS Teen Center

By
Daily News

NORTH ADAMS — On Friday, Aug. 18, Andrew Fitch of North Adams will embark on his second annual Berkshires cross-state walk to raise money for the Roots Teen Center. Fitch will walk from the Massachusetts-Connecticut border in North Canaan, Conn. to the Massachusetts-Vermont border in Stamford, Vt. over the course of five days.

Last year, Fitch walked across the state from Williamstown to Provincetown and raised more than $5,000 for the National Network of Abortion Funds, which helps remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access. This year, he has chosen to support the ROOTS Teen Center, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe, fun, and educational space for teens of the Northern Berkshires to hang out and participate in community-based events, workshops, and classes. Fitch will walk approximately 75 miles and will donate $2 to ROOTS for every mile he walks.

“I wanted to do something positive to bring awareness to ROOTS and help the youth of my community,” he said. “Roots Teen Center provides a safe space and empowering programs for young people who need them. I’m asking people to join me in supporting this important cause.”

Fitch invites the community to learn more about ROOTS and consider supporting them as well. Community members can make donations or pledge an amount for each mile walked. All proceeds will go directly to the ROOTS Teen Center.

Click here to make a donation, volunteer, or learn more about the route and meetup locations. Follow along on social media at #WALK4ROOTS.

“We are excited to work with Andrew on this walk and fundraiser to support our organization,” said Ellen Janis, board fundraising chair at the ROOTS Teen Center. “We have been so grateful for Andrew’s work with ROOTS over the past few months. We believe strongly in the potential of the young people in our community, and we are so grateful to have a partner like Andrew who wants to help us invest in their social and emotional well-being. Donations will help us continue providing essential services and resources to all teens in Northern Berkshires.”

Picture This

By
Driving Hope
Picture This

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

 

Matching Grant

bankESB is supporting an effort by the Amherst Hurricanes Athletics Boosters to replace and reorient a condemned 23-year-old track and field with an eight-lane track and year-round playing fields. Parents, families, and community members will be able to purchase a seat or row in the new stands that will receive a named plaque, and bankESB will match donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000.

Driving Hope

Pictured: bankESB Assistant Vice President and Amherst Branch Officer Jessica West and Senior Vice President of Retail Banking Gary Turku (far right) with members of the board of the Amherst Hurricanes Athletic Boosters. Photo by Sophia Lynne Photography.

 

 

Driving Hope

Hyundai Hope donated $15,000 to Baystate Health Foundation (pictured). It also donated $10,000 to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and $5,000 to the Thrive Center of Holyoke Community College (HCC), two local food sources combating food insecurity in the Greater Holyoke area. All donations were made as part of the car-seat safety event held at Gary Rome Hyundai on July 30.

Baystate Health Foundation

Baystate Health Foundation

 

 

Pathway to College

Springfield K-9 Officer Tom Horne and his K-9 partner, Alcatraz, recently demonstrated obedience training on the campus of American International College (AIC). The presentation, designed to showcase a potential career path for those interested in a degree in criminal justice, was part of an on-campus experience for visiting students and teachers from Duggan Academy in Springfield. Starting this fall, the AIC Pathway to College Program will provide Duggan’s high-school students with credit-bearing college classes.

Pathway to College

Springfield K-9 Officer Tom Horne and his K-9 partner, Alcatraz, recently demonstrated obedience training on the campus of American International College

 

 

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Dr. Mark Keroack

Dr. Mark Keroack

Dr. Mark Keroack announced his plan to retire as Baystate Health CEO in July 2024 after 10 years of leadership of the region’s primary health system. The board of trustees will launch a national search for his successor. Keroack joined Baystate Health in 2011 as chief physician executive and president of Baystate Medical Practices and was appointed to the CEO role in 2014. He has had a long career in both medicine and health administration, serving in leadership roles at UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University Health System Consortium. A specialist in infectious diseases, Keroack was a leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering public-health information and partnering with public-health officials to address the crisis. The board has established a search committee and identified a search firm to help conduct a nationwide search for a new CEO. It is expected to take several months to a year to identify a candidate and finalize the next CEO. During this period, Keroack will continue in all aspects of the CEO role.

•••••

Kaz Borawski

Kaz Borawski

The North Brookfield Savings Bank board of directors announced that Kaz Borawski has been appointed president and CEO, effective immediately. Borawski has more than 26 years of experience in industries including retail banking, investment banking, wealth management, and technology and operations at organizations such as JPMorgan Chase and MassMutual Financial Group. He has spent the last 13 years in community banking with United Bank, Merchants Bank, and Holyoke Credit Union before joining North Brookfield Savings Bank in February 2022 as chief financial officer. She holds a certificate from the New England School for the Financial Studies at Babson College, an MBA with a major in finance from Manhattan College in New York City, and a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting from Baruch College, also in New York City.

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Katy Malouin

Katy Malouin

The Royal Law Firm recently welcomed attorney Katy Malouin to the team. She has more than 10 years of experience in commercial insurance defense work, primarily focused on contract analysis and legal research and writing. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Malouin worked as a human resources information systems assistant, verifying the accuracy of professional licensure and compliance with union contracts. While in law school, she worked as a law clerk and also participated in a small-business clinic, assisting local individuals with setting up their businesses. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and has previously been involved in advising in the areas of disabilities in the workplace and neurodiversity in the workplace. Malouin holds a dual bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and business administration from Elms College, a master’s degree in business administration from Western New England University, and both a juris doctorate and an master of law degree in elder law and estate planning from Western New England University School of Law.

•••••

Patrick Grego

Patrick Grego

Berkshire Agriculture Ventures (BAV), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local agriculture and resilient food systems in the Berkshire-Taconic region, announced the appointment of Patrick Grego as its full-time Communications and Development associate. Grego comes to BAV with a background in nonprofit communications. After moving from Brooklyn, N.Y. to Hudson, N.Y. in 2021, he served as a Communications coordinator at Time & Space Limited, a community arts center in Hudson, and later as Communications assistant at the Olana Partnership. Grego has a passion for storytelling. His writing has been published in several regional newspapers, including the Times Union and Chronogram’s River Newsroom. He recently won the New York Newspaper Publishers Assoc. award for distinguished feature writing.

•••••

Holyoke Community College (HCC) Culinary Arts Professor Warren Leigh has been named Educator of the Year by the Center for the Advancement of Food Service Education (CAFE), a national industry group. Leigh, a professional chef and restaurateur who has been teaching at HCC for 15 years, received his award June 21 at the 2023 CAFE Leadership Conference in Charleston, S.C. Leigh also received honorable mention for CAFE’s annual Community Outreach award. In receiving the Educator of the Year award, Leigh, co-chair of HCC’s Culinary Arts program, was recognized for his part in designing the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, the college’s state-of-the-art teaching facility on Race Street that opened in 2018; reimagining the culinary-arts curriculum; creating a line-cook training program in collaboration with HCC’s non-credit business and workforce division; and pushing forward on his concept for a mobile kitchen where students could learn food-truck operations while also teaching the community about nutrition and healthy eating. Leigh holds a bachelor’s degree in food service administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix. He trained extensively as a chef in Germany and Switzerland. He is the owner, operator, and executive chef for Hydrangea Catering & Consulting and has worked over the years in many capacities at restaurants in Connecticut and Western Mass.

•••••

Kyle Young

Kyle Young

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced that Kyle Young, AIA has been promoted to the position of senior architect. Young joined the firm in 2014 as an architectural associate upon graduating with his master of architecture degree from UMass Amherst. Now as a senior architect, he manages medium- to large-sized construction projects specializing in renovations and new construction for multi-family housing. He also serves as the firm’s AXP mentor/supervisor, supporting employees on their paths to architectural licensure.

•••••

Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Freedom Credit Union announced the promotion of Eric Garcia from assistant branch officer to branch officer at its main office in Springfield. He first joined the Freedom team in September 2020 as a member services representative and, due to his potential and initiative, was quickly promoted to the role of assistant branch officer in November 2021. With this latest promotion to branch officer, he will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the main branch. Throughout his tenure at Freedom, Garcia has been recognized for his outstanding contributions. He is a recipient of both the prestigious GEM Award and the President’s Award, highlighting his exceptional work ethic, commitment to excellence, genuine kindness, and positive impact on the organization.

•••••

James Montana

James Montana

Dietz & Co. Architects announced that James Montana, AIA has completed the Architectural Registration Examination and met all of the requirements for architectural licensure in the state of Connecticut, bringing the firm’s total number of registered architects to eight. Montana joined Dietz & Co. in January and is currently participating in the design and project management of a new senior-center facility for the town of Wilmington. He holds a master of architecture degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and has led design teams for multiple award-winning projects. Prior to working for Dietz, Montana worked for architectural firms in Massachusetts and Connecticut, where he developed a specialization in design for mixed-used commercial and residential projects. He also has experience in designing boutique corporate interiors and campus planning for higher education.

•••••

Former Downtown Northampton Assoc. Executive Director Amy Cahillane has begun her new role as Greenfield Community and Economic Development director. She replaces MJ Adams, who retired in April. Cahillane graduated from Smith College in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in government. She then earned her juris doctorate in 1999 at Suffolk University School of Law before achieving a master’s degree in political science at the University of Washington in 2005. She worked in a multitude of roles across the Northampton community. She was a board member from 2011 to 2013 and co-president from 2013 to 2016 of the Northampton Education Foundation. The volunteer board spearheaded fundraising efforts to procure private and corporate funds to support Northampton public schools. As a participant on the Northampton Center of Arts from 2014 to 2016, Cahillane and other board members worked to provide affordable and accessible venues for a wide range of arts experiences, including performances, exhibits, arts education, and more. The board also partnered with the Northampton Community Arts Trust to reinvent 33 Hawley St. into a multi-faceted art space. In 2016, Cahillane was hired as the first executive director for the Downtown Northampton Assoc. Through strong partnerships with the local business community, city government, and downtown stakeholders, she produced various events, championed beautification efforts, and advocated on behalf of Northampton’s downtown community. She also worked as the community liaison board member for the Northampton Jazz Festival from 2019 to 2023.

•••••

Amelia Holstrom

Amelia Holstrom

Attorney Amelia Holstrom of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., was named chair of the Wilbraham Personnel Advisory Board, which advises the town’s Select Board on matters pertaining to personnel policy. Holstrom, who joined the firm in 2012, is a partner at Skoler Abbott who practices in all areas of employment defense. She provides counsel to management on taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of legal liability that may be imposed as the result of illegal employment practices and defends employers who are faced with lawsuits and administrative charges filed by current and former employers. Holstrom, who was appointed to the Personnel Advisory Board by the Wilbraham Select Board, is an active participant in the Greater Springfield community. She is a member of the Wilbraham Commission on Disability, the boards of Clinical and Support Options Inc. and the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, the board development committee for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, and the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

•••••

Brittany Yvon

Brittany Yvon

Brittany Yvon, credit manager for OMG Inc., has been named as a Rising Star by HBS Dealer magazine in its annual Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply listing. She was selected from among a record-breaking number of nominations of up-and-coming and high-performing leaders who are making an impact in the hardware and building-supply industry. Since 2020, HBS Dealer and industry partners have promoted the role of women in the hardware and building-supply industry. Individuals are nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of judges based on their contributions and attributes that go above and beyond the call of duty. Professionals receiving the Rising Star designation have been identified as women with the potential to make a significant, positive difference both within their company and within the industry for years to come. Yvon has been with OMG for seven years and was promoted to credit manager in 2021, where she is responsible for overseeing OMG’s Accounts Receivable department, including researching customer credit reports, creating credit scoring models to predict risk, monitoring customer balances, and preparing end-of-month reports and reconciliations. She is a member of the National Assoc. of Credit Management, a certified international credit professional through the Finance, Credit, and International Business Assoc., and a credit business associate through the National Assoc. of Credit Management.

•••••

Dan Moriarty

Dan Moriarty

Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty was named Board Member of the Year at the East of the River Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) 2023 annual breakfast. Moriarty has been a member of the ERC5 board of directors for more than four years. In addition to the work he does with the ERC5, he is involved with several other community organizations. He is a strategic council member of Springfield nonprofit I Found Light Against All Odds- Lighthouse Home for Homeless Teen Girls, a board member of the Monson Home for the Aged, and a member of the Links to Libraries board of directors. He also is on the Baystate Health community benefits advisory council, a member of the Monson Free Library finance committee, and co-chair of the Monson Savings Pro-Am. He co-chairs the diversity, equity, and inclusion council of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. and he serves on the finance committee and as a confirmation teacher at St. Patrick’s Church in Monson. Additionally, he is a former volunteer grant scholarship reviewer for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and a past co-chair of the Brightside’s Golf Classic.

•••••

Shefali Desai

Shefali Desai

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Shefali Desai as the newest member of its board of trustees. With a career spanning more than 30 years in the financial-services industry, including 22 years at MassMutual, Desai brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new position on the AIC board. In her role as head of Worksite at MassMutual, she has been instrumental in driving the success of MassMutual’s Worksite business, offering voluntary benefit and executive group life solutions through employers to the mass market. Before assuming her current position at the company, Desai served as the leader of the Strategy and Analytics team for MassMutual Workplace Solutions. Additionally, she has served as the Emerging Market sales manager of the MassMutual Retirement Services Sales Division. A graduate of Babson College, Desai joined the Bucknell University Parents Board in 2022 and has been actively involved in a variety of initiatives, including new-student orientations, fostering diversity and inclusion efforts, and providing career-counseling support.

•••••

Curran and Keegan Financial recently welcomed two additions to its team, Amy Watts Bovaird and Megan Rooney. Watts Bovaird spent more than a decade fundraising for an academic institution, nonprofits, and a trade association, sparking her interest in personal finance. In 2020, she made a career transition and pursued her FINRA Securities Industry Essentials, Series 66, and Series 7 certifications, and spent more than a year advising at a major firm. At Curran and Keegan, she is a financial advisor and is pursuing the certified financial planner certification. Rooney joined the team as a client services associate. She is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she received her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in politics. It was during her studies that she became fascinated with personal finance and decided to venture into financial planning. She completed her FINRA Securities Industries Essentials certification as a primary step into the field, and is now pursuing the FINRA Series 7 certification.

Agenda

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Agenda

Women of Impact Nominations

Through Sept. 5: BusinessWest, the business journal of Western Massachusetts, is now accepting nominations for the sixth annual Women of Impact awards. In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program as a way to honor women in the region who are making an impact and creating positive change. Women of Impact was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can hail from the world of business, they can also emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of these — in short, we’re recognizing inspirational women on any level. Nominations for the class of 2023 are due by Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m., and the honorees will be announced in the Oct. 16 issue of BusinessWest. Nominations should be written with one basic underlying mission: to explain why the individual in question is, indeed, a woman of impact. Visit businesswest.com/women-of-impact-nominations for addional information and a nomination form. For more information, call Melissa Hallock, Marketing and Events director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

 

Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament

Sept. 26: The fifteenth annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. Tom Cosenzi, successful businessman and father of four, succumbed to brain cancer in 2009 at the early age of 52. His vision was that no other family would experience the pain that he and his family endured. It was his wish that his family and friends continue to raise money for neuro-oncology research so the burden of cancer can be eliminated for patients and their families. In his memory, the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament was formed. All money raised will go directly to benefit the work of Dr. Patrick Wen and his team of researchers in the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in search for a cure. The tournament has raised more than $1,458,135 in its 14-year history. Volkswagen of America has has signed on as the event’s 2023 presenting sponsor. Visit www.tomcosenzidrivingforthecure.com for registration, sponsorship opportunities, and more information. Questions may be directed to (413) 341-1917 or [email protected].

 

Jack Rome Memorial 5K

Oct. 7: Local canine celebrity Jack Rome, official greeter of Gary Rome Auto Group, who peacefully passed away last year, will now be memorialized with an annual 5K run/walk to benefit the Foundation for Thomas J. O’Connor (TJO) Animals. Sponsored by Gary Rome Hyundai and Western Mass News, the first annual Jack Rome Memorial 5K will take place at 10 a.m. at Forest Park in Springfield, and will be a family- and dog-friendly event. Visit runsignup.com/race/ma/springfield/jackromememorial5k to register. All funds raised will be donated directly to the Foundation for TJO Animals and will be used specifically for medical and veterinary care, emergency surgery, and rehabilitation services to help the animals find new, loving homes. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or for more information, contact Dara Davignon, executive assistant to Gary Rome, at [email protected] or (413) 420-8049.

 

Dragon Boat Festival

Oct. 14: A new date for the ninth annual Dragon Boat Festival has been set. The event will feature dragon-boat races, food trucks, and Asian-themed entertainment from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Riverfront Park, 121 West St., Springfield. The festival was originally scheduled for July 29 but postponed due to unsafe water conditions resulting from recent flooding. Admission to the festival is free for spectators. Twenty-four teams from throughout New England are registered to participate in this year’s dragon-boat races. Community teams include Behavioral Health Network, CRRC-MA, as well as the defending champions, Springfield Pharmacy First Responders. With the new date set, registration will be reopened at www.pvriverfront.org for additional teams to sign up to race on Oct. 14. The Springfield Dragon Boat Festival, which has been hosted by the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) since 2013, attracts hundreds of participants and spectators to the banks of the Connecticut River for a day of competition, festivity, and community support. The festival is an important fundraiser in support of breast-cancer survivors and community programming at the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club. Hundreds of paddlers from New England participate in the festival races. A team is comprised of up to 20 paddlers who race against other teams in 200-meter races on the Connecticut River. Each race lasts about one minute, and each team races at least three times on the day of the festival. Dragon boating originated in China 2,000 years ago and today is one of the world’s fastest-growing team water sports. The festival makes it easy for anyone to participate and spectate. Free parking is available nearby at 77 West St. or along Avocado Street and on property abutting and behind the new Starbucks store adjacent to the Riverfront Club. The festival can also be reached by the Connecticut Riverwalk Bikeway. More information can be found at www.pvriverfront.org or by calling (413) 736-1322.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook

PIP East Longmeadow Earns Franchise Top-10 Award

EAST LONGMEADOW — PIP East Longmeadow has been recognized as a top-10 franchise based on sales revenue for the nationwide PIP franchise network. The award was presented at the annual PIP Convention and Vendor Show held July 12-15 in Kansas City, Mo. Owned by Robert Pelzek, the business ranked sixth in the network based on 2022 sales. It also received industry recognition as a top-100 commercial printer in the U.S. by What They Think/Printing News, a prestigious honor in the printing industry. Along with the East Longmeadow location, this PIP business also has centers in Waltham and Hartford, Conn.

 

Bay Path Ranks Third in U.S. for Online Master’s in Cybersecurity

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has been ranked third in the nation for its online cybersecurity master’s degree program by Fortune magazine, up from last year’s position at number 11. 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 an NSA- approved bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity to undergraduate women. Bay Path was also recognized in 2023 as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Education (CAE).

 

bankESB Parent Company Wins National Top Workplaces Award

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankESB, announced it was named a 2023 Financial Services Industry Top Workplaces national award winner. This award is based solely on feedback from employees of participating workplaces, gathered through an anonymous, third-party survey administered by Energage LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee-engagement tools. Industry Top Workplaces awards celebrate organizations that have built a people-first workplace culture and mark them as an employer of choice within their sector. This is the second year in a row that bankESB’s parent company has been recognized nationally in the financial-services industry category. The company also was named a national Top Workplaces USA winner in 2022.

 

Beauty Batlles Lounge to Host Grand-opening Event

CHICOPEE — Beauty Batlles Lounge will host a grand-opening event for its new location at 46 Cabot St., Chicopee, on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. The business will offer a larger scale of wellness services, including cryotherapy, to its clientele, as well as new job opportunities within the community. This lounge will include new equipment allowing Beauty Batlles to offer cryo facial, cryo body sculpt, cryo skin, and cryo hair rejuvenation. Cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy, exposes the body to cold temperatures to heal and treat various medical ailments. Beauty Batlles uses cutting-edge technology and medical-grade products to customize treatment to clients’ specific needs, aiming to deliver self-confidence to individuals who have been struggling with various insecurities.

 

Braman Termite & Pest Elimination Wins Excellence Award

AGAWAM — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central New England announced the recipients of the 2023 Marketplace Excellence Awards, naming Braman Termite & Pest Elimination the winner of the Western Massachusetts Award for Marketplace Excellence, Mid-sized Business. Based in Agawam, Braman serves residential and commercial customers across Southern New England, with additional Massachusetts locations in Auburn, Hampden, Lee, and Waltham, as well as Bloomfield, Conn. The BBB award recognizes both high standards of behavior toward customers, employees, and suppliers and a history of ethical business practices and community involvement. Braman is a member of the National Pest Management Assoc. and has earned the association’s QualityPro and GreenPro designations. Its pest-control technicians are all licensed, certified, insured, and trained to observe all relevant federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to the services they provide.

 

Freedom Credit Union Raises $1,400 for Griffin’s Friends

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout the month of June, Freedom Credit Union collected cash donations at its branches throughout Western Mass. to benefit Griffin’s Friends, a volunteer-led group dedicated to providing relief and support to children with cancer and their families, raising a total of $1,400. Griffin’s Friends was founded in 1994 in Springfield and is named for Griffin Kelleher, who passed away from cancer when he was 14 months old. This group is his legacy, uniquely supporting children in treatment for cancer and their families by providing small acts of joy. Examples of the types of experiences offered by Griffin’s Friends include trips to stage performances and sporting events, in-hospital and outpatient entertainment, massage therapy, and activities such as art, computers, and games. To contribute, visit griffinsfriends.com. All funds donated go to the Griffin’s Friends Children’s Cancer Fund at Baystate Health Foundation Inc.

 

Yankee Mattress Makes, Donates Pet Beds for Dakin Humane Society

AGAWAM — Yankee Mattress Co., a local, employee-owned maker of handcrafted mattresses, has found an innovative way to support a local nonprofit organization while improving its own sustainability goals. “There is a comfort layer on the top of our mattresses, and when we get to the end of the roll, we always have excess material that’s not quite big enough for a mattress,” said Adam Miller, president of Yankee Mattress Co. “Our lead mattress maker, Aaron Bisson, had the idea to use the surplus to make pet beds, instead of disposing of it. Then Bill Lamirande, our vice president of Sales, suggested donating the beds to Dakin Humane Society as a way to support the great work they do in our community.” Lamirande coordinates with the Dakin team to customize the sizes needed, including small beds that fit inside the pet carriers the adopted animals go home in, and bigger beds for larger dogs. The number of beds Yankee Mattress creates is based on the amount of excess bedding material it generates. Located in Springfield, Dakin Humane Society provides shelter, medical care, spay and neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year.

 

State Awards $450,000 to LifePath for Community Enrichment Center

GREENFIELD — LifePath was awarded more than $450,000 by the Healey-Driscoll administration for the creation of a community enrichment center. The center will provide a space where older adults and people with disabilities can enjoy respite, activities, and socialization with people of all ages, while caregivers can take a break and receive information needed to help their loved one remain at home. The administration sought innovative models to identify promising practices to relieve caregivers of the stress acquired from the exceptional demands of caring for individuals with complex needs, to close service gaps, and to provide person-centered respite in home- and community-based settings. LifePath is partnering with the Care Collaborative (TCC), a local nonprofit serving elders and their caregivers for more than 20 years. Programming will start in late fall. The day program will be hosted by TCC at its Sunderland location. Through this grant, TCC will recruit and train paid caregivers who can gain experience at the center and then go into people’s homes to provide respite care. In-home training on the best way to care for their loved one can also be provided to family and informal caregivers. The center will be a place where caregivers can get information and resources specific to their unique caregiving needs, and where they can access help navigating healthcare and social systems. In addition, there will be self-care offerings like massage and yoga, as well as peer support.

 

GCC Foundation Donates $100,000 to Equip Students with Technology

GREENFIELD — Thanks to a generous donor community, the Greenfield Community College (GCC) Foundation is giving $100,000 to the college to ensure all students have access to critical technology to achieve their educational goals. The funds will be used to purchase laptops for GCC’s technology lending library, securing enough of the technology to provide one to any matriculated student who needs it. The laptops will be available for matriculated students when the fall semester starts in September. The technology lending library is operated through GCC’s library. The lending library also features other items students can borrow at no cost, like WiFi hotspots, digital cameras, voice recorders, and more.

Incorporations

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Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Friends of Wildwood Cemetery Inc., 70 Strong St., Amherst, MA 01002. Rebecca Nordstrom, 39 Dana St., Amherst, MA 01002. To restore, preserve, maintain, and enhance the historic assets, natural beauty, and ecology of Wildwood Cemetery (and any other properties owned by the Amherst Cemetery Assoc.) for the enjoyment of the general public, and to conduct other activities to increase public appreciation for them.

CHICOPEE

Synthisophy Inc., 222 James St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Andre Houle, same. Nonprofit organization established to integrate the wisdoms of history, based on fact and truth, into present culture.

Top Tier Exterior Experts Inc., 661 Montgomery St., Chicopee, MA 01020. David Diaz, 270 Tremont St., Springfield, MA 01104. Exterior remodeling.

FEEDING HILLS

Yurson Inc., 67 South West St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Vadym Vasylyshyn, same. Transportation services.

HATFIELD

Garage 2 Tavern Inc., 2-4 Prospect Court, Hatfield, MA 01038. Selina Fournier, same. Restaurant.

LONGMEADOW

First Crescent Inc., 788 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Ed Carroll, same. Consulting services.

NORTHAMPTON

Ann Marie Dobosz MFT Inc., 8 Trumbull Road, Unit 306, Northampton, MA 01060. Ann Marie Dobosz, 10 Vernon St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Therapist.

PITTSFIELD

B&A Collectibles Inc., 82 Wendell Av., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Eddie Brown, 741 Medina Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32086. Buying and evaluating antiques and collectibles.

Ferguson Construction Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Christopher Ferguson, same. Handyman and carpentry services.

International Betting Integrity Assoc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Jonathan Russell, 11 Rond Pont Shuman Brussels, CR 1040, Republic of Belarus. Integrity services to sports-wagering industry.

SPRINGFIELD

Bang Up Movement Inc., 112 Benton St., Springfield, MA 01109. Jalah Supreme Bolden, same. Nonprofit organization established to help low-income students figure out what gifts they are blessed with, strengthen their beliefs in their gifts, and encourage them never to give up in pursuit of those gifts.

NPLH Bay State Inc., 114 Price St., Springfield, MA 01104. Desiree Parker, same. Human services.

Y&D Property Services Corp., 140 Acrebrook Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Yasser Pineda, same. Janitorial services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Macc Distribution Corp., 330 Cold Spring Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Marcos Gomez, same. Wholesale caramel and chocolate candy.

WESTFIELD

Lavanderia Laundromat Inc., 1257 East Mountain Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Alexsander Bloom, same. Laundromat services.

WILLIAMSBURG

Biditcards Inc., 6 Nash Hill Place, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Jesse Camp, same. Online retail store.

Doing Business as Certificates

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DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of July 2023.

AMHERST

Doris Lessing Society
96 Farview Way
Josna Rege

Fox Guard Home Improvement
18 Echo Hill Road
Nicholas Rhodes

Hop Brook West
133 South East St.
Amir Mikhchi, Eiman Mikhchi

Julie Nolan Jewelry
40 Main St.
Julie Tomlinson-Nolan

Prosper & Bloom LLC
1136 Bay Road
Katharine Allan Zobel

Protonix
59 Country Corners Road
Trent Poole

Talon Furniture
320 College St.
Taylor Fitzsimmons

Technical Design Services
59 Country Corners Road
Trent Poole

DEERFIELD

Bamboo Asian Cuisine
265 Greenfield Road
Javier Marroquin

Element Pressure Washing LLC
5A Graves St.
Ryan Ghent

Jay Metcalf Music
8 Eastern Ave.
Jason Metcalf

EASTHAMPTON

Cameron DellaTorre Photography
21 Clinton St.
Cameron DellaTorre

Nonotuck Property Solutions
16 Melinda Lane
Stephen Tremblay

HADLEY

Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill
100 Westgate Center
Apple New England LLC

Exotic Clouds Smoke Shop
367 Russell St.
Exotic Clouds 5 Corp.

Hadley Picture Framing
44 Middle St.
Thomas Vachula

Interskate 91
367 Russell St.
Roller Skating Rinky Dink Inc.

Leon’s Auto Sales
64 East St.
Leon Szymborn

Liquors 44 Hadley
459 Russell St., #9
LFFDA

Long Radio
30 Russell St.
W.T. Mitus Co. Inc.

The Practice of Mark Gapen
104 Russell St., Suite 6
Mark Gapen

Sacred Winds Wellness & Education
245 Russell St.
Christian Correia-Covert

Sound Systems of Hadley
23 Newton Lane
Mike Wiater

Valley Optimal Health P.C.
8 River Dr.
Bruce Goderez

Vision Showcase Eye Care
207 Russell St., #15
DD&G Holdings

HOLYOKE

Atlas Chiropractic
1353 Dwight St.
James McCann

City Pizza
420 High St.
Sikhwindelpal Singh

Flor Farm Foodies
24 Jones Ferry Road
Maria Oliveras Gonzalez

Mask Makers Face Painting
22 Bassett Road
Emma Huse

Mitchell’s Public House
488-496 Pleasant St.
John Mitchell

Pirate Queen Inc.
80 Jarvis Ave.
Justine Kane Garaughty, Frank Garaughty

Rewarding Insurance Agency
284 Maple St.
Miguel Rivera

Sun Valley Little Explorers
8 Sun Valley Road
Heather VanderHeld

Top-Flight Nutrition
594 Dwight St.
Erika Matos

Zonar Company Apparel
103 High St.
Denise Rodriguez

LEE

Cuoco Black
109A Center St.
Cuoco Black

Econo Lodge
980 Pleasant St.
Monil Mooi

Elara Caring
625 Cape St., Unit 1
Scott Powers

Meadow Farm Equipment
1160 Pleasant St.
Robert Piccolo

Oasis Bar & Grill
615 Laurel St.
Lake House Inn Management LLC

Palmer Carpentry
30 Via Bondi
RT Palmer Sr.

LONGMEADOW

The Thirsty Dog
791 Williams St.
David Blais

PALMER

Caribbean Classic Ventures LLC
1430 Main St.
Charles Cobb

Country Memorials LLC
1303 Calkins Road
Judith Steng

Healing Body Solutions
1409 Main St.
Christine Wilson

Marshall Mechanical Service LLC
142 Peterson Road
Francis Marshall Jr.

Millennium Die Group
2202 Bridge St.
Richard Sweeting

Northeast Fire Investigation LLC
1012 Pleasant St.
Daniel Slowick

Wellful Weaving
3051 Palmer St.
Jennifer Harris

PITTSFIELD

Attaboy Home Improvement
91 West Union St.
Robert St. John

Axia Home Loans
82 Wendell Ave.
Axia Financial LLC

Berkshire Laser Co.
44 Parkside Ave.
Nicholas Winnard

CRT Ambulance
18 Oak St.
County Rainbow Taxi Inc.

Go Mini’s of the Berkshires
50 Downing Two
MCP Pittsfield Properties LLC

In a Pinch Trucking
168 Vin Hebert Blvd.
Sabrina Clark

Lulu’s Tiny Grocery
137 North St.
Somalupe LLC

RM Lawn Care
38 Day St.
Richard Mangiardi Jr.

Specialty Administration Services
82 Wendell Ave.
Buckeye Dealership Consulting LLC

Unified Reliance
82 Wendell Ave.
Axia Financial LLC

Unified Reliance Wholesale
82 Wendell Ave.
Axia Financial LLC

URW
82 Wendell Ave.
Axia Financial LLC

URWholesale
82 Wendell Ave.
Axia Financial LLC

Zbana Designs
66 Bellmore Dr.
Beverly McDermott

SOUTHWICK

Nails Salon
208 College Highway, Suite 9
Alvin Kieu

Run A Masonry
183 Granville Road
Robert Solek

Southwick Motors
483 College Highway
Fariaan Mufeed

WARE

Bella’s Lounge
197 West St., Unit 2
Eliza McLaughlin

The Keep
39 West Main St.
Roxanne Kiritsy, Patrick Kiritsy

Malek Home and Property LLC
36 Dunham Ave.
Jason Malek

Steve and Sons Auto Detailing Inc.
187 Gilbertville Road
Steven Mansfield

United China
164 West St.
Ting Ly

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Andrea Renee Creations
616 Main St., Third Floor
Andrea Renee Creations

Capital Enterprises
172 Harwich Road
Capital Enterprises

Crumbl Cookies
935 Riverdale St., Unit A106
Sugar Field LLC

Flash Car Wash
30 Wayside Ave.
Balise Riverdale LLC

Nippon Grill
935 Riverdale St., Unit F105-107
Riverdale Cuisine Inc.

Screaming Eagle Machine Corp.
170 Norman St.
Screaming Eagle Machine Corp.

Bankruptcies

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Bankruptcies

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

Albano, James J.
155 Marble St., Unit 29
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/20/2023

Ampolo, Maria L.
25 Highland Park Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/01/2023

Avery, Sheila M.
a/k/a Chateauneuf, Sheila M.
35 Washington Ave., Apt. 2
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/14/2023

Barlow, Michael
83 Mayflower Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/14/2023

Bowen, Elizabeth
a/k/a Ruiz, Elizabeth
9 Bureks Cross Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/03/2023

Canavan, Vincent M.
Corbett, Shannon M.
210 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/12/2023

Caron, Michael Albert
Caron, Linda Marie
30 Garford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/29/2023

Clayton, Vincent W.
371 Dale St., Apt. F
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/30/2023

Crocker, Douglas George
105 Bartlett Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/12/2023

Davignon, Robert D.
96 Admiral St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/12/2023

Deneault, Mahlon Ronald
108 Ward St., Apt. 1
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/20/2023

Ferreira, Michael
491 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/05/2023

Hall, Richard M.
118 Danforth Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/13/2023

Halperin, Amanda F.
Dalberg, Emily J.
Preacher, Jeremy
Singer, Devin
Haist, Alex
98 Sabin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/29/2023

Hardrick, Morgan J.
33 Blodgett St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/12/2023

Hillhouse, Erik
32 Partridge Lane
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/03/2023

Kiosses, Sharon A.
20 Baldwinville Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/14/2023

Lorusso, Rebecca Linnea
a/k/a Sevene, Rebecca Linnea
368 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2023

Martinez, Reynaldo
Martinez, Marilyn
11 Brenan St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/03/2023

Mayes, David Alan
128 Avery St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/28/2023

Nadeau, Denise L.
a/k/a Lanoie, Denise L.
53 Prospect St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/01/2023

Quillen, Raymond D.
Quillen, Christine M.
P.O. Box 441
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/12/2023

Rijos Ortiz, Gladys E.
93 Greylock Ter.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/07/2023

Santaniello, Robert Anthony
76 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/12/2023

Sepulveda, Cynthia
32 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/29/2023

Shea, Maura Anne
2082 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/12/2023

Sims, Craig
509 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129-1409
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/28/2023

Snide, Wayne David
71 Elmwood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/10/2023

Stefaniak, Cynthia Regina
a/k/a Stefaniak-Starzyk, Cynthia Regina
299 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/27/2023

Zing, Aaron C.
96 Hilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/14/2023

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

366 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Joe E. Otto
Seller: Gabriel P. Mousseau
Date: 07/17/23

54 River St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $286,300
Buyer: Tyler Duggan
Seller: Karen N. Delorme
Date: 07/14/23

BUCKLAND

9 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Carisa Okelly
Seller: Douglas M. Cole
Date: 07/19/23

43 Hog Hollow Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Brian C. Rose
Seller: Rachel E. Rose
Date: 07/10/23

Hog Hollow Road (off)
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Brian C. Rose
Seller: Rachel Rose
Date: 07/10/23

COLRAIN

91 East Catamount Hill Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Christy L. Cappadona
Seller: Steven J. Warnecke RET
Date: 07/10/23

CONWAY

1044 East Guinea Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Brennan
Seller: Kenneth J. Roberts
Date: 07/14/23

735 North Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Lauren Burke
Seller: Stephen L. Ratcliff
Date: 07/10/23

 

DEERFIELD

29 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $458,000
Buyer: Benegan 2 LLC
Seller: Kevin R. Warren
Date: 07/14/23

GILL

8 South Cross Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Evan G. Fox
Seller: Joe E. Otto
Date: 07/17/23

GREENFIELD

43 Congress St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Valencia LLC
Seller: Toby A. Holmes
Date: 07/19/23

278 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Eric R. Lupien
Seller: Stein, Judith B. (Estate)
Date: 07/21/23

182 Fairview St., West
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $178,283
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Brian T. Lafave
Date: 07/20/23

59 Garfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Jennifer J. Gieseking
Seller: Joshua A. Lashway
Date: 07/13/23

103 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Benegan 2 LLC
Seller: Deborah A. Scoble
Date: 07/20/23

99 Meridian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Marcel Laflamme
Seller: Tonya M. Freeman
Date: 07/18/23

30-R Walnut St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Edward L. Funk Int.
Seller: Ragus LLC
Date: 07/14/23

69 Wildwood Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Capricia M. Morin
Seller: Benjamin Otto
Date: 07/17/23

28 Wunsch Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $269,028
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Goralski
Seller: Austin E. Moreno
Date: 07/17/23

HAWLEY

103 East Hawley Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jonathan S. Fremerman
Seller: Christine A. McLaughlin
Date: 07/14/23

LEVERETT

487 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $531,000
Buyer: Jenna Moreno
Seller: Ronald L. Williams
Date: 07/18/23

MONTAGUE

8 Burnham St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $825,000
Buyer: Community Health Center
Seller: Baystate Franklin Medical
Date: 07/11/23

11 Coolidge Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Benjamin H. Gagnon
Seller: Jesse Sevoian
Date: 07/10/23

35 Davis St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Carrie Charboneau
Seller: Galvis, Constance A. (Estate)
Date: 07/20/23

7 James Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $301,790
Buyer: David A. Cobb
Seller: Slauenwhite, Diane M. (Estate)
Date: 07/21/23

106 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Christine Brenner
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 07/11/23

18 Letourneau Way
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Oleksandr Lyvytsky
Seller: AGT Homes LLC
Date: 07/17/23

617 Old Long Plain Road
Montague, MA 01054
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Jermey L. Thomas
Seller: Mark A. Wightman
Date: 07/14/23

2 South St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $499,900
Buyer: Harold R. Gillam
Seller: J2k Realty LLC
Date: 07/12/23

NORTHFIELD

664 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: J. A. Robertson-Dubois
Seller: Richard C. French
Date: 07/19/23

651 Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jon Parker
Seller: Andrew Tremblay
Date: 07/12/23

21 Old Bernardston Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: James Boulton
Seller: Robin Conley
Date: 07/21/23

837 Old Wendell Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Gregory Augustine
Seller: Frank D. Peterson
Date: 07/14/23

ORANGE

61 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $172,900
Buyer: Luis E. Marrero
Seller: Wesley Acosta
Date: 07/11/23

357 Tully Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: 357 Tully Road RT
Seller: Teague, Lawrence C. (Estate)
Date: 07/17/23

58 Winter St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Judith Bolduc
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 07/21/23

ROWE

Brittingham Hill Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Clayton C. Miller
Seller: Laurie Lee
Date: 07/10/23

Hazelton Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Clayton C. Miller
Seller: Laurie Lee
Date: 07/10/23

SHELBURNE

685 Mohawk Trail
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Andrew Mcgrath
Seller: Christopher M. Hoynoski
Date: 07/19/23

SUNDERLAND

35 North Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $640,035
Buyer: William R. Ardren
Seller: Deena Bobbitt
Date: 07/17/23

WARWICK

165 Old Winchester Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Derek J. Woodbury
Seller: Reginald C. Haughton
Date: 07/12/23

WENDELL

10 Posk Place Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Mateo T. Souza
Seller: Christopher S. Tero
Date: 07/13/23

WHATELY

34 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Robert Arsenault
Seller: Laura I. Francis
Date: 07/10/23

16-B River Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Nourse Farms Re Acquisition LLC
Seller: Mary A. Derestie
Date: 07/19/23

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

5 Brookside Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Jose M. Cabrera
Seller: Timothy I. Macaulay
Date: 07/11/23

106 Channell Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Tyler E. Houle
Seller: Brian J. Perreault
Date: 07/19/23

16 Corey St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Yasin Yilmaz
Seller: Nicholas M. Pandolfi
Date: 07/17/23

75 Forest Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Patrick Codjoe
Seller: Marc Perrone
Date: 07/14/23

27 Greenacre Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Houlihan
Seller: Jerry T. Dennis
Date: 07/21/23

37 Hampden Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Molly E. Perrone
Seller: Catherine E. Alberti
Date: 07/14/23

56 Horsham Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Anastasia Sajin
Seller: Averett W. Bass
Date: 07/14/23

1159 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Shahar Tal
Seller: Craig J. Spjute
Date: 07/14/23

31 South Brooke Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: 31 South Brke Funding TR
Seller: Adam Rovithis
Date: 07/11/23

359 Walnut St. Ext.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Asia Marie Realty LLC
Seller: Rob Realty LLC
Date: 07/17/23

BLANDFORD

4 Huntington Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Allison E. Craig
Seller: Dale M. Weaver
Date: 07/20/23

67 Main St.
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Albert G. Calef
Seller: James Landers
Date: 07/13/23

BRIMFIELD

19 2nd St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: GLJ RNL NT
Seller: Laura A. Hudock
Date: 07/21/23

CHESTER

104 North Chester Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Maurice J. Garofoli
Seller: David S. Muenzer
Date: 07/10/23

CHICOPEE

47 Alvord Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Myrtha Quinones
Seller: Mint Realty Group LLC
Date: 07/17/23

29 Beaumont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Kimberly Roy
Seller: Peter D. Roy
Date: 07/21/23

113 Beauchamp Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Brandon E. Rivera
Seller: Tamrah Stepien
Date: 07/14/23

82 Carriage Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $394,000
Buyer: Robert Desroches
Seller: Jean P. Denoncourt
Date: 07/13/23

49 Dickinson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Emily Berge
Seller: Michael R. Lehouillier
Date: 07/14/23

49 Dickinson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Emily Berge
Seller: Michael R. Lehouillier
Date: 07/14/23

10 Downey St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Miroslaw Fortuna
Seller: Stellato, Rita C. (Estate)
Date: 07/14/23

255 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Carla Hines
Seller: No Limit Assets LLC
Date: 07/21/23

536 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Amjad Real Estate LLC
Seller: Michael J. Harrington
Date: 07/20/23

259 Fletcher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Lynette C. Mailhott
Seller: Brandon J. Francis
Date: 07/20/23

277 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Tan-Tan Associates LLC
Seller: Alan N. Sharpe
Date: 07/21/23

57 Harwich St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $468,000
Buyer: Eloma Johnson
Seller: Son T. Vo
Date: 07/12/23

86 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $379,500
Buyer: Fausto J. Rosa
Seller: R. G. East Street LLC
Date: 07/13/23

68 Hearthstone Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jossie R. Gonzalez
Seller: Katherine Bosnjakovic
Date: 07/21/23

55 Hendrick St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Tomasa Henriquez
Seller: Christopher A. Cove
Date: 07/21/23

97 Homer Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Clinton E. Smith
Seller: Parkinson FT
Date: 07/10/23

68 Lariviere Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Qian Z. Li
Seller: Murat Polat
Date: 07/17/23

10 Lucretia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Raul Gomez
Seller: Patrick McNamara
Date: 07/13/23

42 Lukasik St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kathleen Lukasik
Seller: Patricia J. Fitzgerald
Date: 07/19/23

100 Manning St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Lajeunesse RET
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 07/21/23

1061 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $3,331,597
Buyer: Obsidian Ml 6 LLC
Seller: CFI Propco 2 LLC
Date: 07/19/23

40 Murphy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Michael S. Lapointe
Seller: Thomas J. Maciolek
Date: 07/14/23

68 Oakwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kyle Laplante
Seller: Mabell Gallagher
Date: 07/10/23

107 Old Farm Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Viktor Gerasimchuk
Seller: Kathleen M. Fredette
Date: 07/21/23

85 Ruskin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Clement J. Turcotte
Seller: Hannigan, Elizabeth E. (Estate)
Date: 07/11/23

1 Saint James Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $2,950,000
Buyer: Falco Family IRT
Seller: WG 2023 LLC
Date: 07/13/23

62 Sycamore Lane
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $552,000
Buyer: Elwira Tyra
Seller: Michael Mailhott
Date: 07/20/23

56 Thaddeus St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Charlotte Funk
Seller: Marszalek, Frances B. (Estate)
Date: 07/20/23

5 Zoar Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Kejb LLC
Seller: Alan N. Sharpe
Date: 07/21/23

EAST LONGMEADOW

26 Anthony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Daniel K. Naylor
Seller: Kathleen A. Reid
Date: 07/13/23

40 Baymor Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $364,400
Buyer: Laura C. Tondera
Seller: Springer Jr., John F. (Estate)
Date: 07/14/23

Bella Vista Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Joseph Kenney
Seller: Nicholas Kososki
Date: 07/17/23

119 Colony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $491,000
Buyer: Robert B. Mack
Seller: Robert M. Mack
Date: 07/18/23

11 Lenox Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Paul M. Gour
Seller: Mark A. Robbins
Date: 07/20/23

328 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Conner J. Harper
Seller: Denali Properties LLC
Date: 07/14/23

137 Mapleshade Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Amy Thrall
Seller: Amenadiel RT
Date: 07/21/23

182 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Brandon Lariviere
Seller: Len H. Dickson
Date: 07/19/23

321 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Jeanne I. Heaton
Seller: Aimee C. Bihler
Date: 07/14/23

1 Redin Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Catherine Germain
Seller: Mehdi Sebaradar
Date: 07/10/23

40 Redin Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sonia C. Baltazar
Seller: Edward C. Corl
Date: 07/21/23

44 Rural Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jamie Anskis
Seller: Alicia M. Turowsky
Date: 07/14/23

74 Sanford St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Jeremiah Begley
Seller: Silvana A. Ayala
Date: 07/14/23

168 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $3,250,000
Buyer: 168 Shaker LLC
Seller: Bowl New England Inc.
Date: 07/13/23

843 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Thomas Chapdelaine
Seller: Michelle A. Sherman
Date: 07/21/23

HAMPDEN

140 North Monson Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Christopher Horwitz
Seller: Richard F. Wiencek
Date: 07/12/23

Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Kenneth Nygren
Seller: Todd C. Pelletier
Date: 07/21/23

HOLYOKE

71 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Nellys M. Melendez-Marcano
Seller: Christina M. King
Date: 07/17/23

37 Clinton Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $705,000
Buyer: 37 Clinton Realty LLC
Seller: 37 Clinton Avenue LLC
Date: 07/11/23

64 Hillview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $382,250
Buyer: Megan S. Kennedy
Seller: Manasvini Singh
Date: 07/12/23

763 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Mental Health Assn. Inc.
Seller: Andrzej Grzyb
Date: 07/17/23

105-107 Nonotuck St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Zachary T. Jenkins
Seller: Brooke G. Schnabel
Date: 07/14/23

1716 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: James Agudelo
Seller: Beatrice Elfman
Date: 07/21/23

61 Norwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Hayley G. Nicholas
Seller: Nathan M. Hammond
Date: 07/11/23

352 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $332,518
Buyer: Alan J. Smith
Seller: Shannon L. Steele
Date: 07/20/23

129 Saint Jerome Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $234,900
Buyer: Alexandra M. Rechen
Seller: Pauline M. Carriere
Date: 07/13/23

48 Vernon St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Brenna E. Levitin
Seller: Lismel Luciano
Date: 07/13/23

252 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Xavier Grace
Seller: Winners O. LLC
Date: 07/20/23

69-71 West Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Luis A. Pichazaca-Alvarez
Seller: Robert E. Moniz
Date: 07/13/23

LONGMEADOW

85 Arlington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Molly McKnight
Seller: Bay Path University
Date: 07/10/23

174 Blueberry Hill Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: David A. Bull
Seller: Nancy S. McKay
Date: 07/21/23

169 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $527,500
Buyer: Peter Stutman
Seller: Jane L. Rothschild TR
Date: 07/20/23

163 Cedar Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Jie Chen
Seller: Dana M. Hartigan
Date: 07/18/23

215 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Krywucki
Seller: Clayton T. Shay
Date: 07/21/23

41 Cooley Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Parker
Seller: Albert E. Rosati
Date: 07/19/23

117 Crescent Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Hoa P. Nguyen
Seller: Stanislav Rukhman
Date: 07/17/23

41 Deepwoods Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $591,000
Buyer: Pratyusha Bollimunta
Seller: Aaron Terry
Date: 07/10/23

23 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Rinaldi Avenue LLC
Seller: Jane M. Bajek
Date: 07/18/23

89 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Daniel Hubbs
Seller: Robert J. Khoury
Date: 07/14/23

22 Meadowlark Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Justin Levsky
Seller: Jingzhou Zhao
Date: 07/21/23

403 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $776,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Winter
Seller: Anna E. Tsirka
Date: 07/18/23

88 Ridge Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $626,000
Buyer: David Thor
Seller: Peter Zimmer
Date: 07/14/23

LUDLOW

81 Balsam Hill Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $154,900
Buyer: Daniel Marinello
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 07/18/23

15 Bucknell St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $353,500
Buyer: Bruce Burns
Seller: Fred Balbino
Date: 07/11/23

Equinox Pass Lot 88
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Nguyen Lu FT
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 07/11/23

172 Holy Cross Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Stephanie Beauregard
Seller: Kathleen J. Broderick
Date: 07/14/23

162 Lawton St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Evan Dellolio
Seller: Robert J. Paquette
Date: 07/21/23

252 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Armando W. Olivares
Seller: Miguel A. Martinez
Date: 07/11/23

44 Pleasantview St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Emily Engel
Seller: Marc A. Tyburski
Date: 07/21/23

96 Prospect Gardens
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Justin C. Before
Seller: Randy P. Pascale
Date: 07/14/23

Turning Leaf Road, Lot 88
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Nguyen Lu Ft
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 07/11/23

38 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Sarah Mitchell
Seller: Sean A. Balba
Date: 07/21/23

95 Yale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Danielle Burstein
Seller: Vincent A. Serrazina
Date: 07/14/23

MONSON

14 Circle Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Dominic A. Pannozzo
Seller: Kristopher Longtin
Date: 07/21/23

PALMER

36 Grove St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $122,300
Buyer: Dimiero Investments LLC
Seller: Edward Thomas
Date: 07/11/23

3182-3184 High St.
Palmer, MA 01009
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Chenevert Properties LLC
Seller: Dreamwake Homes Inc.
Date: 07/12/23

1475 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $1,779,887
Buyer: FIP Master Funding Xviii
Seller: FPG Massachusetts LLC
Date: 07/21/23

37 North St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ritah Nalunga
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 07/17/23

1098 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Michael Arillotta
Seller: Daniel H. Roy
Date: 07/21/23

1038 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Drew Duquette
Seller: GJL RNL NT
Date: 07/10/23

3057 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: John P. Kukla
Seller: Tomaszewski, C. A. (Estate)
Date: 07/20/23

134 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Karl T. Hunter
Seller: Ann E. Lauridsen
Date: 07/14/23

124 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Evelyn Amaro
Seller: Roger Kender
Date: 07/10/23

1 State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Winfridah M. Makori
Seller: Steve Ozcelik
Date: 07/10/23

169 Thompson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Ashleigh Sturgis
Seller: Stoney RT
Date: 07/21/23

RUSSELL

33 River St.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Daniel J. Minelli
Seller: Hart River LLC
Date: 07/14/23

SOUTHWICK

6 Coyote Glen
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Jaren A. Lutenegger
Seller: James A. Doyle
Date: 07/14/23

8 Depot St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $246,250
Buyer: William E. Curran
Seller: John E. Gravell
Date: 07/21/23

56-R North Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $2,065,000
Buyer: USA
Seller: Indus Land Development of Mass. LLC
Date: 07/17/23

56 North Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $2,065,000
Buyer: USA
Seller: Indus Land Development of Mass. LLC
Date: 07/17/23

220 Sheep Pasture Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Joseph Rodriguez
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
Date: 07/13/23

SPRINGFIELD

46 Alderman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Giustina Zito
Seller: Pane Sivongxai
Date: 07/19/23

34 Atwater Place
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Josue Duperrier
Seller: Karen M. McHugh
Date: 07/21/23

333 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Phung L. Ngo
Seller: Chau M. Tran
Date: 07/14/23

252 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: LKN Realty Investments LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 07/11/23

98 Bellevue Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Charles J. Despres
Seller: Judith D. Kelly
Date: 07/20/23

514 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,494,780
Buyer: Obsidian Ml 6 LLC
Seller: Cumberland Farms Inc.
Date: 07/19/23

877 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Santaniello
Seller: Gary A. Daula
Date: 07/21/23

13 Bither St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Neisha Nixon
Seller: Alexandria Arizmendi
Date: 07/19/23

113 Canton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Delilah Santiago
Seller: Beverly R. Mulvaney
Date: 07/18/23

25 Carlisle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Timothy Hansen
Seller: Frank C. Salas
Date: 07/18/23

115 Carnavon Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Kevin M. Morrison
Seller: Sherrie Robinson
Date: 07/17/23

19 Continental St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $302,500
Buyer: Vuong Nguyen
Seller: Constance J. Mooney FT
Date: 07/12/23

272 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Heriberto Pupo-Ortiz
Seller: Brandon Blaine
Date: 07/17/23

48-50 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Peter Mengwasser
Seller: Bean, Charles I. (Estate)
Date: 07/13/23

112 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Godaire
Seller: Rososky FT
Date: 07/19/23

93 Fenwick St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Isaac Barnes
Seller: Augusto Figueroa
Date: 07/18/23

80-82 Fernwold St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jimmy C. Martinez
Seller: Fernwold RT
Date: 07/14/23

80 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $154,500
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Harris Jr., David (Estate)
Date: 07/20/23

102 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Ahmed Aljanabi
Seller: Cascade Funding Mortgage THB3
Date: 07/14/23

98 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Cawrue LLC
Seller: West Valley LLC
Date: 07/10/23

60 Georgetown St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Daisy K. Quiles
Seller: Heidi M. Cote
Date: 07/21/23

158 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jessica E. Hardy
Seller: Terrence B. Larace
Date: 07/12/23

154 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Edwin A. Rodriguez
Seller: Olga I. Valentin
Date: 07/11/23

52 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: David P. Whitehead
Seller: Teina C. Larose
Date: 07/20/23

65 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Corey M. Williams
Seller: Brandon Lariviere
Date: 07/12/23

376 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Prime Partners LLC
Seller: Yajaira T. Feliciano
Date: 07/19/23

53 Keith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Yodaliz Castillo
Seller: Dina Hutt
Date: 07/20/23

42 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Han Pham
Seller: Melanie M. Gordon
Date: 07/14/23

18-20 Lancashire Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: John M. Kwigwasa
Seller: Thoi T. Phan
Date: 07/10/23

8-10 Langdon St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Danie A. Sanchez
Seller: Birch Properties LLC
Date: 07/14/23

187 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Perfect Properties LLC
Seller: Linden Shopping Center Inc.
Date: 07/13/23

130 Manchester Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: MHI Properties LLC
Seller: Azusa RT
Date: 07/21/23

25 Manitoba St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Campagnari Construction LLC
Seller: Felix Decesare
Date: 07/10/23

43 Marchioness Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Vincent Manning
Seller: Brian Sheehan
Date: 07/14/23

17 Mark St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Jimenez
Seller: Sheyla Silva
Date: 07/19/23

219 Memorial Dr.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Vending Property LLC
Seller: S. Stone Declaration
Date: 07/21/23

21 Merwin St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Waldemar T. Diaz
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 07/11/23

16 Middlebrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Paul F. Strong
Seller: Connor, Susan (Estate)
Date: 07/12/23

169 Newton Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $356,000
Buyer: Veronica Flores
Seller: Patricia A. Donovan
Date: 07/18/23

121 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Angel E. Lopez-Mendez
Seller: Quaker Capital LLC
Date: 07/19/23

218 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Damion G. Reid
Seller: Jovany L. Perez
Date: 07/14/23

42 Parkwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Wendy Beecher
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 07/12/23

185 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $297,100
Buyer: Osvaldo Goncalves
Seller: Chad M. Roberts
Date: 07/13/23

61 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Mychal A. Connolly
Seller: Eric E. Johnson
Date: 07/12/23

37 Phoenix St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Coraly Veliz
Seller: Vincent M. Criscitelli
Date: 07/14/23

1617 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Omar Noureddine
Seller: V. I. Mascowski-Garcia
Date: 07/14/23

3 Providence St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jorge L. Garcia
Seller: Nelson Garcia
Date: 07/10/23

447 Riverside Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Adam Gomez
Seller: Melro Associates Inc
Date: 07/18/23

26 Saint James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: JJJ17 LLC
Seller: St. James Circle RT
Date: 07/13/23

156 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Brandon E. Whitice
Seller: Mary E. McNally
Date: 07/12/23

287 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Zoraida V. Matos
Seller: Rose Legacy LT
Date: 07/14/23

26 Saint James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: JJJ17 LLC
Seller: St. James Circle RT
Date: 07/13/23

135 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $339,500
Buyer: Wesley Swan
Seller: Donna M. Rodriguez
Date: 07/19/23

119 State St.
Springfield, MA 01013
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Latino Counseling Center Inc.
Seller: Rossmere LLC
Date: 07/14/23

42 Steuben St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Alex J. Diaz
Seller: Deanna M. Delnegro
Date: 07/10/23

Stockbridge St. (NS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Latino Counseling Center Inc.
Seller: Rossmere LLC
Date: 07/14/23

23 Tacoma St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Angelique Branch
Seller: Amy B. Thrall
Date: 07/21/23

494 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: David Porcello
Seller: Maria L. Papallo
Date: 07/11/23

45 Upton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kirsten R. Grimaldi
Seller: Allison E. Craig
Date: 07/20/23

33 Villa Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Abi A. Herrera
Seller: Ricky B. Horner
Date: 07/14/23

135 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $562,000
Buyer: Dania K. Scott
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 07/14/23

70 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Jose A. Echevarria
Seller: Brantley NT
Date: 07/12/23

108 Wilber St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Luis J. Cruz
Seller: Kiomarie Jones-Santiago
Date: 07/21/23

389 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Criselly C. Aponte
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 07/21/23

49 Wilmington St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Tallie Ford
Seller: Ernestina Parada
Date: 07/14/23

968-970 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Juan L. Santiago-Perez
Seller: Rodrick Barton
Date: 07/21/23

42-44 Wrentham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: James Moreau-Blondel
Seller: Michael R. Bleau
Date: 07/14/23

TOLLAND

1656 New Boston Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Seth A. Botvin
Seller: John R. Wills
Date: 07/17/23

WALES

125 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Charles E. Smith
Seller: Smith, James Joseph (Estate)
Date: 07/10/23

25 Shore Dr.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Lehman Ft
Seller: James Machnik
Date: 07/21/23

64 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: David Brittain
Seller: Joel Wall
Date: 07/10/23

 

 

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Amostown Road, Lot 5
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Battista
Seller: Holly A. Krota
Date: 07/14/23

103 Bonair Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Nathan Hammond
Seller: Dhan Rai
Date: 07/11/23

15 Browning Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Samuil Levchuk
Seller: Dina Bashinskaya
Date: 07/20/23

60 Chilson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $497,650
Buyer: Alhagie Camara
Seller: Mariana Ditoro
Date: 07/11/23

419 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Ontour Properties Inc.
Seller: Hoffman, Carl F. (Estate)
Date: 07/14/23

228 Forest Glen
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Liam Browne
Seller: Robert F. Colbert
Date: 07/13/23

33 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Muhammad Ashraf
Seller: Besnik Preniqi
Date: 07/21/23

77 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Cosgrove
Seller: Anne M. Depalma
Date: 07/11/23

46 Jensen Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Karen Gamelli
Seller: Diane Quaglini
Date: 07/21/23

286 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Larkspur LLC
Seller: Susan Blanchard
Date: 07/13/23

82 Laurence Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Meagan Golightly
Seller: Arline S. Ely
Date: 07/17/23

10 Lower Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Vincent Demaio
Seller: Dzemal Jusufbegovic
Date: 07/21/23

43 Lower Massachusetts Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Omer F. Akyuz
Seller: Bailey Housing LLC
Date: 07/10/23

76 Nelson Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Adam Herbert
Seller: Olga Liogky
Date: 07/21/23

20 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Daniel Soto-Lopez
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 07/11/23

326 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Seller: 326 Park Street LLC
Date: 07/11/23

27 Pine St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Kandra Nelson
Seller: Hasija Bajraktarevic
Date: 07/20/23

94 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Edras Medina
Seller: Rosa M. Saeteros
Date: 07/11/23

122 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Anas A. Almafrachi
Seller: Michael W. Matroni
Date: 07/13/23

125 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Thomas Piccin
Seller: Lindsay C. Folsom
Date: 07/20/23

280 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Bryan C. Stockhaus
Seller: Logan G. Rafferty
Date: 07/17/23

23 Webster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Jesus Santiago
Seller: Mangal Magar
Date: 07/13/23

WESTFIELD

54 Beverly Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Cecelia Howard
Seller: MHI Properties LLC
Date: 07/21/23

91 Beverly Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Heidi M. Cote
Seller: Robina Doherty-Dilworth
Date: 07/21/23

27 Brookline Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Raymond J. Salois
Seller: Korostynski, Glenn A. (Estate)
Date: 07/17/23

11 Castle Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Timothy P. Sicard
Seller: Valerie C. Wojcicsky
Date: 07/11/23

1 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Eric Breault
Seller: Lal Gurung
Date: 07/12/23

37 Deborah Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Donna Mendall
Seller: Obrien, Karen F. (Estate)
Date: 07/11/23

62 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Cote
Seller: Garrett L. Welker
Date: 07/20/23

130 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Danielle Barton
Seller: Fitzgerald Home Solutions LLC
Date: 07/11/23

72 Falley Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Steven Weinberg
Seller: Alice L. O’Connor
Date: 07/18/23

66 Flynn Meadow Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Michael A. Mundorf
Seller: Jason M. McDonald
Date: 07/21/23

8 Hillcrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Omar Khdeer
Seller: Petros I. Mirisis
Date: 07/10/23

114 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Martha S. Barus
Seller: Kenneth Lyon
Date: 07/14/23

27 Jeanne Marie Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Binda Preniqi
Seller: Luiza Tereshchuk
Date: 07/21/23

161 Loomis Ridge
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: James Pettigrew
Seller: Vantage Home Buyers LLC
Date: 07/17/23

282 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Scott Von Jouanne
Seller: Brandon Tessier
Date: 07/17/23

18 Morgan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Rachael L. Moyer
Seller: Garcia, Richard (Estate)
Date: 07/10/23

133 Mullen Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Cynthia Ciarcia
Seller: Claire Ashe
Date: 07/21/23

5 Pontoosic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Property Advantage Inc.
Seller: Larry J. Carroll
Date: 07/11/23

58 Ridge Trail Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $426,000
Buyer: Michael Slade
Seller: Siurek, Eugene (Estate)
Date: 07/12/23

70 Ridgeway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $216,500
Buyer: Kristin J. Ofeldt
Seller: Rudolph J. Ligenza
Date: 07/14/23

61 Rosedell Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Seth A. Wilkinson
Seller: Scott R. Gornall
Date: 07/19/23

172 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Andrey Korchevskiy
Seller: Theresa E. Puza
Date: 07/21/23

26 Skipper Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Alannah M. Walker
Seller: Vyatcheslav Tsukanov
Date: 07/19/23

176 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $381,000
Buyer: Jimmy Douangdara
Seller: Ivan Grusetchi
Date: 07/10/23

20 Walker Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Richard Marcoullier
Seller: Garen, William J. (Estate)
Date: 07/12/23

37 Wilson Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Ann D. Mangold
Seller: Wieslawa A. Seaha
Date: 07/21/23

WILBRAHAM

20 Bruuer Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Joseph Huerta
Seller: Sharon M. Putnam
Date: 07/13/23

15 Circle Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Alan S. Bishop
Seller: James E. Kneeskern
Date: 07/17/23

34 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Carmen I. Cabrera-Fuentes
Seller: Eva Ersing IRT
Date: 07/21/23

15 Highmoor Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: David Burgess
Seller: Ellen Bemben
Date: 07/17/23

742 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $439,900
Buyer: Michael W. Day
Seller: Gary Petzold LT
Date: 07/21/23

17 Rochford Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Susele D. Luzi
Seller: Steven B. Luzi
Date: 07/21/23

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

197 Amity St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $905,000
Buyer: Heejae Kim
Seller: Noah C. Elkin
Date: 07/14/23

985 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Seunghun Kang
Seller: East Pleasant St. Partners
Date: 07/10/23

18 Evening Star Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Adam Lewinter
Seller: Roxanne C. Schneider
Date: 07/21/23

21 Hop Brook Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $935,777
Buyer: Scott Cashen
Seller: Karen Sheingold
Date: 07/14/23

56 Kestrel Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $875,000
Buyer: Ravi K. Karkar
Seller: Michael D. Robbins
Date: 07/14/23

38 Kingman Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $810,000
Buyer: John Griffin
Seller: Deborah A. Dorfman
Date: 07/14/23

738 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Lawrence Hansen
Seller: Historic Renovations
Date: 07/20/23

23 Shumway St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $348,600
Buyer: Ngan Nguyen
Seller: Arlene T. Hijara
Date: 07/14/23

BELCHERTOWN

136 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Kathreen Collado
Seller: Douglas R. Meneke
Date: 07/21/23

505 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Moussa A. Siri
Seller: Peter J. Menino
Date: 07/19/23

100 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Kristin Fabre
Seller: Amaz Cleveland
Date: 07/20/23

110 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Todd R. Perry
Seller: Douglas N. Bachand
Date: 07/14/23

787 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mung T. Pham
Seller: Linda Rotti
Date: 07/14/23

46 Deer Run
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Andrew D. Tremblay
Seller: Geraldine A. Amprimo RET
Date: 07/12/23

800 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Javier Cruz
Seller: Jenilins Barbly
Date: 07/19/23

80 Goodell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $403,300
Buyer: Robert D. McKie
Seller: Alex Hawke
Date: 07/21/23

236 Gulf Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Downing
Seller: Christopher B. Page
Date: 07/17/23

10 Howe St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Gabriella Fox
Seller: Jonathan P. Rothstein
Date: 07/14/23

108 Jabish St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Ryan Gray
Seller: Todd R. Perry
Date: 07/13/23

10 Maple St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $1,639,896
Buyer: FIP Master Funding Xviii
Seller: Fpg Massachusetts LLC
Date: 07/21/23

6 Willow Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Brendalys Encarnacion
Seller: Sonny J. Cirincione
Date: 07/13/23

CHESTERFIELD

24 Farmhouse Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Susan I. Zuroff
Seller: Lina A. Kelley
Date: 07/21/23

CUMMINGTON

6 Mougin Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $116,100
Buyer: Matthew R. Guertin
Seller: Ronald E. Wolf
Date: 07/11/23

127 Mount Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $840,000
Buyer: Michael P. Quinto
Seller: George A. Fenton
Date: 07/21/23

EASTHAMPTON

420 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jeffery A. Clark
Seller: Frederick P. Andresen
Date: 07/10/23

116 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Robert E. Dragon
Seller: Amber Gruszka
Date: 07/17/23

17 Kenneth Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Laura V. Healy
Seller: Katherine R. Dellolio
Date: 07/20/23

314 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $569,000
Buyer: Christine Andrews
Seller: Maura L. McCarthy
Date: 07/11/23

213 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Drake
Seller: Serio Family Realty LLC
Date: 07/21/23

142 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Molly M. Ronan
Seller: Tara M. Calef
Date: 07/12/23

53 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $396,000
Buyer: Jennifer Robson
Seller: Jan C. Sullivan RET
Date: 07/12/23

GOSHEN

4 Highland Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $434,000
Buyer: Brian P. Heath
Seller: Alexander J. Kessler
Date: 07/12/23

GRANBY

326 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $599,900
Buyer: Melissa Harter
Seller: Charles H. Maheu
Date: 07/18/23

5 Greystone Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sheila L. Webster
Seller: Katy A. Eagles
Date: 07/17/23

19 High St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Samantha Ogrady
Seller: Kazimierczak, Teddy J. (Estate)
Date: 07/19/23

167 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $950,000
Buyer: Charles H. Maheu
Seller: Raymond J. Smith
Date: 07/18/23

141 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Devin Kwisnek
Seller: Westerholm, C. M. (Estate)
Date: 07/20/23

172 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: KHL Group LLC
Seller: Denis L. Lafleur
Date: 07/11/23

HADLEY

13 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Helen Wang
Seller: Gary A. Vaughan
Date: 07/10/23

HATFIELD

50 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: GSM Properties LLC
Seller: Vollinger 2019 RET
Date: 07/18/23

NORTHAMPTON

300 Bridge St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Si C. Zhu
Seller: Joseph D. Squires
Date: 07/20/23

96 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Emma L. Worth
Seller: Rufus & Joan Chaffee NT
Date: 07/12/23

60 Forbes Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $830,000
Buyer: Eli Lotan
Seller: Simon Daillie
Date: 07/21/23

34 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $888,889
Buyer: Jeffrey F. Dalzell
Seller: Dewey Court Property LLC
Date: 07/12/23

972 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Trinh Nguyen
Seller: Russell J. Tavolacci
Date: 07/14/23

71 Gilrain Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Christina N. Sheils
Seller: Mary K. Marple
Date: 07/14/23

18 Hancock St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $651,000
Buyer: Andrew Rotman
Seller: J. & Susan Szawlowski FT
Date: 07/14/23

26 Henry St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $476,000
Buyer: Nicole Walsh
Seller: Lawrence P. Lafountain
Date: 07/21/23

297 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Rebecca Emet
Seller: Richard H. Oliver
Date: 07/18/23

36 Pine St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $637,500
Buyer: Molly G. Keehn
Seller: William M. Girard
Date: 07/19/23

31 Rustlewood Ridge
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Joseph D. Rando
Seller: Zachary N. Helms
Date: 07/12/23

25 Wilson Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Rachel A. Belanger
Seller: Konheim Properties LLC
Date: 07/13/23

PLAINFIELD

90 North Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kenan P. Young
Seller: Wrobel, Christian (Estate)
Date: 07/14/23

SOUTH HADLEY

52 Camden St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Daniel Kersetter
Seller: Gabriel Silva
Date: 07/12/23

18 Harvard St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Mitchell J. Brand
Seller: Andrea Lopes
Date: 07/17/23

37 Lawn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kenneth Kosiba
Seller: Weise, David A. (Estate)
Date: 07/13/23

133 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Whitney D. Lyman
Seller: Kenna W. Symington
Date: 07/14/23

36 Mountain Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: John T. Fregeau
Seller: Thomas Fregeau
Date: 07/21/23

646 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $2,529,839
Buyer: FIP Master Funding XVI LL
Seller: FPG Massachusetts LLC
Date: 07/21/23

18 Pine Hill Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: Nicholas S. Paine
Seller: David A. Paine
Date: 07/17/23

8 Plainville Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Emma R. Mendoker
Seller: Theresa L. Van Belle
Date: 07/13/23

47 Wildwood Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Shirley Vernick
Seller: Fitzgerald, Kevin J. (Estate)
Date: 07/14/23

SOUTHAMPTON

22 Helen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $711,000
Buyer: Erin M. Cherewatti 2023 TR
Seller: Gary R. Campbell
Date: 07/20/23

235 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Town Of Southampton
Seller: Courtney, John F. (Estate)
Date: 07/14/23

WARE

254 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jeffrey S. Choiniere
Seller: Carol H. Koczur
Date: 07/14/23

18 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Ware Food Stop LLC
Seller: Speedway LLC
Date: 07/20/23

26 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Ware Food Stop LLC
Seller: Speedway LLC
Date: 07/20/23

WESTHAMPTON

77 Edwards Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $581,500
Buyer: Alison L. Thirkield
Seller: Cleveland, David M. (Estate)
Date: 07/20/23

WILLIAMSBURG

9 Bridge St.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: John Godden
Seller: Finch, Daryl E. (Estate)
Date: 07/19/23

81 South St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $302,850
Buyer: George See
Seller: Terry D. Dawson
Date: 07/13/23

 

 

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2023.

CHICOPEE

Rodney Cambigue
375 Broadway St.
$14,300 — Replace 13 double-hung windows

Society Faith Methodist
191 Montcalm St.
$30,361 — Replace 23 windows

SRF LLC
1345 Burnett Road
$2,500 — Replace detached garage roof

Richard Stefanik, Patricia Stefanik
269 Moore St.
$111,410 — Insulate all attics

Valley Opportunity Council Inc.
30 Center St.
$6,000 — Install fire-suppression system in commercial kitchen exhaust hood

EASTHAMPTON

Eastworks LLP
116 Pleasant St.
$38,811.46 — Create openings for three new windows, create double wall partition, install three doors and two awning windows

JD Powers Property Management LLC
26-28 Holyoke St.
$6,000 — Roofing

Loven Properties Inc.
O’Neill Street
$682,797 — Build two new buildings

Lawrence Pontbriant
44 Pleasant St.
$645,900 — Renovate existing building to add four apartments

Northeast Center for Youth & Families
201 East St.
$32,450 — Roofing

HADLEY

CBR Realty Corp.
191 Russell St.
N/A — Siding

Gulmohar Realty Corp.
237 Russell St.
N/A — Demolish hotel structure

Mill Valley Commons LLC
1 Mill Valley Road
N/A — Build-out for new gym/fitness center

Mill Valley Commons LLC
1 Mill Valley Road
N/A — Remove wood bar

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco LLC
367 Russell St.
N/A — Install modular rope course

LEE

JGC Properties LLC
208 Main St.
$7,500 — Roofing

Nonotuck Resource Assoc.
14 Park Place
$112,000 — Remove and replace rotted wood on front and side porches, remove and replace front steps and railings, install new concrete piers, rebuild existing hatchway

LENOX

Boston University
45 West St.
$9,450 — Replace 10 windows

Stanley Rosen
91 Walker St.
$6,500 — Roofing

NORTHAMPTON

19 Corticelli Street LLC
19 Corticelli St.
$7,500 — Roofing

109-117 Franklin Street LLC
111 Franklin St.
$125,000 — Structural repairs

Dan Berger, Joseph Curran
79 Masonic St.
$4,750 — Office renovation

Bowles Enterprises LLC
229 Elm St.
$17,000 — Bathroom renovation

Clinical & Support Options Inc.
29 North Main St.
$5,630 — Demolish garage

Colvest/Northampton LLC
325 King St., A-B
$303,500 — Interior renovation at Greenfield Savings Bank

Eversource Energy
Easthampton Road
$23,000 — Demolish garage

EZMJ LLC
17 Main St.
N/A — Roofing

Gal Realty Co. LLC
96 Main St.
$54,250 — Renovate second-floor office to three-bedroom apartment

Northampton Senior Center
Conz St.
$100,000 — Remove storefronts in six locations, reinstall windows

Pramukh Corp.
117 Conz St.
$2,650 — Illuminated pylon sign for Quality Inn & Suites

Pramukh Corp.
117 Conz St.
$2,650 — Illuminated roof sign for Quality Inn & Suites

Tim Seney Contracting Inc.
21 Reservoir Road
$5,000 — Structural modifications and repairs

Turomsha 2014 Revocable Trust
11 Williams St.
$13,000 — Install roof-mounted solar system

PITTSFIELD

Margaret Beauregard, James Beauregard
50 Pearl St.
$30,000 — Attach mural and legend to aluminum framework on north side of building

Michael Cantor
1231 West Housatonic St.
$27,500 — Roofing

Iron Horse Properties Inc.
80 Broad St.
$20,500 — Roofing

JMT Family Nominee Trust
16 Taconic St.
$5,000 — Build two small decks with egress for stairs

Patriot Suites Inc.
8 Dan Fox Dr.
$24,000 — Alterations to existing doors and windows to bring them into compliance

SPRINGFIELD

1441 Main Street LLC
1441 Main St.
$869,300 — Alter interior tenant office space on seventh floor for new fit-out

African Diaspora Mental Health Assoc.
605 State St.
$19,853 — Insulation and air sealing

Chestnut Park Preservation LP
10 Chestnut St.
$121,000 — Remodel interior space for new grocery store

City of Springfield
670 Union St.
$25,000 — Partial demolition of annex building at DeBerry Elementary School

Community Survival Center Inc.
240 Main St.
$3,500 — Insulation

Brian Dixon
90 Berkshire Ave.
$8,752 — Insulation and air sealing

Rehold Springfield LLC
1522 Boston Road
$1,000 — Alter existing commercial space into Spirit Halloween store

Revitalize Community Development Corp.
240 Cadwell Dr.
$69,236 — Install solar panels on roof

Route 20-21 Associates Inc.
1380 Boston Road
$165,200 — Remodel Marshalls store

Snapland 59 LLC
59 Taylor St.
$15,500 — Roofing

Adjusting Expectations for MGM

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

It’s been five years since MGM Springfield opened its doors amid considerable pomp, circumstance, and rides in a Rolls-Royce down Main Street.

There are times when it seems like those five years have flown by. Most of the time, though, it seems like it’s been much more than five years; a global pandemic that reached this region only 18 months after the casino opened its doors and closed the facility for several agonizing weeks will do that.

In any case, five years is a good time to take stock and assess what the casino era has brought to Springfield and the surrounding region — and what it hasn’t — and to gauge what we can and should expect moving forward.

Starting just a few hours after it opened, when it was clear that opening-day crowds simply were not going to be what officials at MGM had hoped and expected they would be, the casino era has been about adjusting expectations. And they needed adjusting because they were unrealistic to begin with — when it comes to everything from visitation to gaming revenues (although they have been better of late); from employment numbers to the manner in which we thought MGM was going to provide a real boost to the tourism industry.

Why those expectations were so high is a matter of conjecture. In part, it’s because of what we were told. But another part is what we wanted to believe. In short, we thought MGM was going to be … here comes that phrase: a game changer.

Five years later, it’s clear that the nearly $1 billion development has not been a game changer and probably won’t be. But it has been, and will continue to be, we believe, a solid and important addition to the region’s business community and its tourism and hospitality sector.

MGM simply hasn’t brought a lot more people to Western Mass. — except to visit the casino for several hours, get back in the car, and then go back to where they came from. In that respect, there hasn’t been much of the trickle-down effect that most of us expected.

The notable exception, as we’ve seen this spring and summer, has been the music and comedy shows that have brought good crowds and become a real boon for restaurants and clubs in the downtown area.

Beyond this, the casino has not had much of an impact on downtown or the tourism industry and individual attractions such as the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nor has it had much, if any, impact on economic development in the area around the casino. Indeed, beyond a new CVS and a Wahlburger’s on Main Street, there hasn’t been any new development that can be tied to the casino.

That’s not to say the casino hasn’t contributed to progress in Springfield; it has pumped money into Union Station, for example, and been a key player in the long-awaited revitalization of the former Court Square Hotel as well.

Moving forward, we expect that MGM will continue to be what it has been: a key contributor to the local economy and an important part of the proverbial big picture. But not a real game changer.

 

After the Credit Downgrade

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Jeff Liguori

 

Is Washington, D.C. broken?

The global rating agency, Fitch, certainly believes so. On Aug. 1, the company downgraded the credit of the United States one notch, from AAA to AA+. It is only the second time in history that our nation’s credit has been downgraded, the first in August 2011 by S&P. In its explanation, Fitch stated that the downgrade “reflects the expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years, a high and growing general government debt burden, and the erosion of governance relative to AA- and AAA-rated peers over the last two decades that has manifested in repeated debt-limit standoffs and last-minute resolutions.”

The move came as a surprise despite the agency hinting in May that the inability of Congress to effectively deal with the debt ceiling could lead to a downgrade. Once legislation was passed to raise the U.S. government debt limit, Fitch Ratings said the United States’ AAA credit rating would remain on negative watch. President Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and others in the administration have criticized the move as bizarre and arbitrary, careful to point out that the timing made no sense given the bipartisan effort to avoid a default in June.

The reaction by financial markets was somewhat mild considering the nearly unprecedented — and alarming — nature of the downgrade by Fitch. Bond prices went lower as yields continued higher, and the S&P 500 sold off about 1.3% — overall, a negative response. But 2023 has been a healthy year for investors thus far, with stocks up nearly 20% prior to the Fitch downgrade and a bond market about flat on the year, a stark contrast to 2022, when both markets were down double digits, an historical anomaly. So, what is the impact of a AA+ versus AAA rating for our government’s debt?

When S&P downgraded the U.S. government debt rating in 2011, global stock markets plunged and bonds rallied, driving interest rates lower. Typically, a downgrade in credit equates to higher — not lower — interest rates. But the uncertainty surrounding that downgrade pushed investors into safe-haven assets, namely U.S. treasuries, which illustrates that the move by S&P had no real implications for buyers of U.S. debt. It was a slap on the wrist, a consequence of massive accommodative fiscal measures intended to shore up a weak economy as the nation emerged from the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression.

The rating agency was signaling that the U.S. had to get its fiscal house in order and Congress needed to come together to address the burgeoning debt. Like today, S&P had signaled to the Obama administration and U.S. Treasury that there was a risk of a downgrade about a month prior to the move. Stock markets lost roughly 10% of their value in the 30 days preceding the downgrade.

Fitch’s recent actions are consistent with its close competitor, S&P, in 2011. The U.S. debt, as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP), rose from 65% at the end of 2007 to 92% prior to the downgrade then. Before COVID locked down the economy, debt to GDP was just above 100%, ballooning to 135% by the middle of 2020. Currently, our debt is running at nearly 120% of GDP. And as interest rates rise, the situation worsens. (Growth in GDP can ameliorate this ratio, but the economy is not keeping pace with inflation presently.)

Similarities from the first downgrade to today are limited. Yes, the nation was emerging from crisis in 2011, the economy was flooded with stimulus spending, and Washington, D.C. was also unable to address our long-term fiscal issues. But the similarities end there.

Economically, global bond yields were falling prior to the downgrade in 2011, and central banks were still easing, dealing with the aftermath of the Great Recession. The unemployment rate was around 9%, high from a historical standpoint, but trending lower as the number of job openings were on the upswing. Debt to GDP was still under 100%, with most economists optimistic that further economic growth would remedy that dynamic. U.S. household debt had decreased about 8% and was also trending lower. The interest rate on a 30-year mortgage was about 4.5% and, again, trending lower.

Today, central bankers continue to fight persistent inflation, aggressively raising interest rates and tightening monetary conditions. The job picture remains sanguine, with the unemployment rate at 3.5%. Job openings, however, are now on the decline after sharply increasing from COVID lows. Household debt is on the rise, with total credit-card debt projected to hit $1 trillion for the first time ever. And housing affordability is at its worst level since the late 1980, according to the National Assoc. of Realtors, as the rate on a 30-year mortgage bumps up against 7%, an increase of 114% since the beginning of 2022.

There may be no economic adjustment to the rating downgrade by financial markets. Stocks have been incredibly resilient this year. The message by the Fitch agency is more about the United States having the willingness to pass legislation to deal with our debt burden, and less about the ability to pay our borrowers.

It is not an issue solely for the U.S.; after the Federal Reserve and U.S. government accounts, the largest holders of our debt are Japan, China, and the UK (in that order). The snowball effect of a default would be catastrophic. Almost every analyst and economist voicing an opinion on the downgrade, however, knows that an actual default is such a remote possibility for the largest economy in the world that it isn’t worth mentioning. And there’s no new information that brought on the downgrade.

It is a warning, nonetheless, and emblematic of our long-term political issues, which continue to hamper constructive fiscal progress.

 

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

Whittlesey Named a Top 200 Accounting Firm for 2023 by INSIDE Public Accounting

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Whittlesey was recognized again as a Top 200 Accounting Firm in the country by INSIDE Public Accounting for 2023.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Top 200 Accounting Firm. This award is a testament to our sustained growth and ability to bring exceptional value to our clients,” Managing Partner and CEO Drew Andrews said. “Our unique approach of combining outstanding client service at the regional level with the technical prowess of a national entity is the differentiator that drives our growth. We are deeply thankful for the chance to serve our clients, team members, and communities.”

INSIDE Public Accounting is an award‐recognized newsletter for the accounting profession. It ranks the country’s top 500 accounting firms. This year nearly 600 accounting firms participated in its annual nationwide survey.

Cesar Ruiz Launches Hispanic Latino Leaders Now Political Action Committee

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Cesar Ruiz, President and CEO of Golden Years Home Care and a one-time Springfield School Committee member, announced the launch of the Hispanic Latino Leaders Now Political Action Committee (HLLNPAC).

Ruiz formed the political action committee to advance public policy that reflects the values and addresses issues important to Hispanic and Latino voters in Massachusetts and also to advance Hispanic/Latino candidates for office throughout the Commonwealth.

The PAC was established with an initial $100,000 personal loan by Ruiz to the new entity, as allowed by the regulations for establishing a political action committee.

The mission of the new Hispanic Latino Leaders Now PAC is to “support our goals and ideals, including, but not limited to, a fair tax code, support of electronic ballot signature legislation, and equity and inclusion on statewide committees and appointments.” according to Ruiz.

“This new political action committee will also make political campaign contributions and provide support to persons of color running for local, regional, and statewide office who will represent the issues of importance and that matter most to Hispanic and Latino voters and populations,” he added.

According to the new website supporting the formation of HLLNPAC, while Hispanics and Latinos comprise 13% of the population in Massachusetts, they represent a very small proportion of the elected chambers of the state House and Senate. While these proportions have increased slightly on the local level, they still do not rise to the representative population of residents in Massachusetts that identify as Hispanic or Latino. A further mission of the political action committee is to advance qualified candidates to better represent the electorate and population as a whole.

In addition to founding HLLNPAC, Ruiz is serving on its inaugural board and as clerk of the new organization. Ruiz operates Golden Years Home Care, Golden Years Behavioral Health Group, and Golden Years Staffing, and is a member of the board of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council. He is also a corporator at Monson Savings Bank and, from 1980 to 1986, served as an at-large member of the Springfield School Committee.

Ruiz is joined on the PAC board by Andrew Melendez, director of the Latino Economic Development Corp. Headquartered in Springfield, that organization connects Latino business organizations to available capital-improvement grants and serves as an advocacy group in support of Latino economic development in the Commonwealth.

Melendez formerly served as the Western Mass. director for Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the largest business association in Massachusetts, with more than 700 members in the western region.

The board of the new PAC also includes two other individuals. Lidya Rivera-Early is part of the founding board and serves as director of Community Engagement at Springfield Technical Community College. Born in Connecticut, she spent part of her childhood in Puerto Rico before moving to Springfield.

Rounding out the board is Cristina Berrios, who serves as office manager at Golden Years Home Care Services. She handles the coordination of all central-office functions at the company, including training and staff development.

Baystate, Lifepoint Celebrate Opening of Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Baystate Health and Lifepoint Health celebrated the opening of Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital yesterday with a commemorative ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new, 122,000-square-foot, four-story facility has 150 private and semi-private rooms for inpatient behavioral healthcare for adults and adolescents. Located on Lower Westfield Road in Holyoke, the hospital is operated by Lifepoint Behavioral Health, a business unit of Lifepoint Health, and is now serving patients.

“By entering into this partnership with Lifepoint Health, we were able to build this state-of-the-art contemporary behavioral-health hospital, a healing space, which will increase our inpatient behavioral-health capacity in the region by 50%,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health. “Until now, about 30% of behavioral-health patients needing care would have to go outside the region. Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital will allow us to provide top-quality care for more patients right here in Western Massachusetts.”

Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital is the result of a joint venture partnership between Baystate Health and Lifepoint Health, announced early in 2022. It is the 23rd behavioral-health hospital operated by Lifepoint Behavioral Health and the first behavioral-health hospital built and operated by the company as part of a joint-venture relationship.

“At Lifepoint, we take pride in being a trusted partner to the communities we serve,” said David Dill, chairman and CEO of Lifepoint Health. “As a diversified healthcare-delivery network with capabilities that span the continuum of care, we have a clear and exciting vision to further expand access to behavioral-health services in communities across the country. This is an exciting day for our team, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish alongside Baystate Health as we advance our mission of making communities healthier in Western Massachusetts.”

The hospital will ultimately employ more than 200 caregivers and support staff. In the coming months, Baystate Health’s behavioral-health units at Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Noble Hospital, as well as the children/adolescent psychiatric treatment unit at Baystate Medical Center, will be transitioning their services to Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital. Lifepoint Behavioral Health will manage the day-to-day operations.

“We have worked diligently over many months to prepare the hospital for patients, and I could not be prouder of the team of caregivers we’ve built and all that they’ve done to ensure an environment for safe and high-quality care,” said Roy Sasenaraine, CEO of Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital. “In opening our doors, we are significantly expanding access to vitally needed behavioral healthcare services to patients across Western Massachusetts, and I know that Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital will enhance our region in innumerable ways.”

AIC Receives Grant to Support Mental-health Initiative for Springfield Youth

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Division of Occupational Therapy (OT) Services at American International College (AIC) announced its receipt of a $15,000 grant from the Hope for Youth and Families Foundation, established by Bob Bolduc, former CEO of Pride Stores.

This grant will facilitate collaboration among the division, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services of Springfield (MLKFS), and the MLK Charter School of Excellence in Springfield to implement the evidence-based mental-health promotion initiative “Every Moment Counts.” The objective of this program is to empower participating youths, including 60 students in the MLK after-school program and 340 students at the MLK Charter School, through engaging activities tailored to promote mental health, enhance self-esteem, and foster resilience.

This partnership is the result of a proposal developed by Professor and Post-professional OTD Faculty Lead Dr. Allison Sullivan, who also serves on the board of directors at MLKFS. AIC’s faculty leadership in this initiative offers valuable field-work opportunities for emerging practitioners enrolled in AIC’s Occupational Therapy program. Sullivan and her AIC colleague, Dr. Christine Helfrich, will provide comprehensive training to AIC OT students and staff members at both MLKFS and the MLK Charter School of Excellence on the principles of the “Every Moment Counts” program to enhance mental well-being in children. The first training session begins in late August.

Bolduc expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “We are very happy to support this joint program between AIC and MLK center because they are both solid organizations who are working together to assist youth and families in our fine city.”

Sullivan extended her gratitude to Bolduc for the generous contribution that has given life to this initiative.

“As an MLK board member, it has been my great desire to leverage my education and expertise to further the center’s mission to achieve Dr. King’s dream,” she said. “Moreover, as an educator, I find tremendous satisfaction in offering our students an opportunity to apply their mental-health skills and knowledge in implementing cutting-edge social-emotional learning activities with local youth. This collaboration with community organizations underscores the distinct value of occupational therapy. As a parent of two children who attended Springfield Public Schools, this endeavor holds personal significance.”

Sullivan is optimistic about the project’s objectives, which include fostering positive mental health among the participating children, as well as creating new opportunities for community staff and college students. Through innovative programs, this project aims to dismantle barriers that disproportionately impact the health and well-being of young members of the Springfield community.

Antoine Harrison Appointed Vice President of Information Technology at GCC

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College’s Information Technology team has new leadership with the addition of Antoine Harrison as vice president of Information Technology. Harrison brings more than 25 years of experience in information technology to the campus, including more than 14 years leading IT efforts within education.

Harrison joins GCC at a critical time. Numerous large projects are either underway or will soon be at the college to improve student and employee experience, including implementation of GCC’s first-ever CRM, upgrading the college’s enterprise systems, strengthenGreenfield Community Collegeing GCC’s cyber network security, and instituting an identity-management system.

“A love for learning, a passion for innovation, and a commitment to integrity are the foundation for why I chose Greenfield Community College. GCC displays the qualities of an institution I have been looking for,” Harrison said. “I learned from some of the most innovative people in the industry that higher education should be founded upon a continuous pursuit of knowledge, innovative thinking that exceeds conventional boundaries, and a desire to be the best at being better.”

Harrison came most recently from Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he served as the institution’s deputy chief information officer. While there, he led critical technology areas and provided key guidance to senior leadership on enterprise applications, data-analytics infrastructure, integrations, business intelligence, web development, and project management.

Previously, Harrison has also contributed to infrastructure and technology projects in a variety of disciplines, including higher education, K-12 education, government, and private industry.

Harrison has also been recognized nationally for his innovative work, including being featured in industry magazine Toggle as one of the country’s top innovative CIOs.

“We are so grateful to have Antoine join our GCC team,” President Michelle Schutt said. “With his experience and creativity, we are confident that Antoine will continue to bring GCC into the digital future.”

Monson Savings Bank Promotes Dorian Guidi to Portfolio Manager

By
Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) recently announced the promotion of Dorian Guidi to portfolio manager. He will continue to be based out of the Monson Savings Bank Loan & Operations Center, located at 75 Post Office Park in Wilbraham.

“We are happy to announce Dorian’s well-deserved promotion,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “His hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence has earned him this new position. It has been great to watch his career growth over the past five years he has been a part of our team. I’m confident that he will continue to make valuable contributions to Monson Savings Bank and continue to help our customers achieve success.”

Guidi is a graduate of Western New England University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting. Additionally, he completed the School of Commercial Lending facilitated by the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. in October 2020, and the Leadership Institute facilitated by the Springfield Regional Chamber in June 2022. He is currently attending the New England School for Financial Studies and is on track to graduate in 2024.

With more than eight years of banking experience, five of which have been at Monson Savings, Guidi has the background and banking knowledge to serve the bank’s commercial borrowers. Prior to working with MSB, Guidi spent 3 years at TD Bank as a teller and customer service representative.

Guidi was first introduced to Monson Savings Bank when his college advisor informed him of an internship opportunity in the community bank’s commercial loan department. Monson Savings Bank has a long history of hosting high-school and college interns, giving them the opportunity to experience hands-on knowledge of the banking industry. After completing his summer internship, he was impressed by the positive culture and teamwork at the bank, saying, “I knew MSB is where I was meant to be.”

In his new role as portfolio manager, Guidi will be responsible for assisting the bank’s commercial-loan officers with managing established commercial banking relationships and facilitating the underwriting, closing, and booking of new commercial-loan requests. Additionally, he will work to support the commercial loan department with audits and regulatory exams.

“I am excited to continue to be a part of the growth happening at Monson Savings Bank. I look forward to further developing relationships with my colleagues, our customers, and the communities we serve,” Guidi said. “I feel blessed to work for a community financial institution that prioritizes employee development and leads by example as a true partner in the communities where we not only work in, but also live in.”

Keiter Partners with Greater Northampton Chamber on Gift-card Promotion

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — For the third consecutive year, Florence-based Keiter Corp. is partnering with the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce for the Keiter card promotion, which allows consumers to purchase a $25 Northampton Gift Card and receive $50 in actual spending power.

Keiter has donated $25,000 to the project, and an additional $5,000 gift from the chamber’s Community Revitalization Fund has been added to Keiter’s contribution to further stimulate the local economy. Keiter previously donated $10,000 in 2021 and doubled its investment to $20,000 in 2022. The 2023 promotion will inject $60,000 into the local economy.

The 2023 gift card promotion, “Building Our Community Together,” runs while supplies last. The $25 Keiter cards are sold exclusively at the Northampton Chamber, located at 99 Pleasant St., Northampton, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and consumers must mention that they want a Keiter gift card. The promotion applies only to $25 Northampton Gift Card purchases. (A $50 gift card would not be valued at $100, for instance.) There is a limit of one card per customer, per transaction. Click here to learn more.

Nominations Now Open for 2023 Women of Impact Awards

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest, the business journal of Western Massachusetts, is now accepting nominations for the sixth annual Women of Impact awards.

In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program as a way to honor women in the region who are making an impact and creating positive change.

Women of Impact was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can hail from the world of business, they can also emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of these — in short, we’re recognizing inspirational women on any level.

Nominations for the class of 2023 are due by Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m., and the honorees will be announced in the Oct. 16 issue of BusinessWest.

Nominations should be written with one basic underlying mission: to explain why the individual in question is, indeed, a woman of impact. Visit businesswest.com/women-of-impact-nominations for addional information and a nomination form.

For more information, call Melissa Hallock, Marketing and Events director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

BusinessTalk with Dr. Andrew Lam, retinal surgeon with New England Retina Consultants

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest 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 175: August 14, 2023

Joe Interviews Dr. Andrew Lam, retinal surgeon with New England Retina Consultants

Dr. Andrew Lam has forged an intriguing dual career. The first is in medicine, as a retinal surgeon with New England Retina Consultants, an attending surgeon at Baystate Medical Center, and an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at UMass Medical School. But he’s also turned his lifelong passion for history into four acclaimed books: two in the realm of historical fiction, and two nonfiction works about the often-surprising lives behind modern medical advances. On the next installment of BusinessTalk, Dr. Lam talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about his latest work, The Masters of Medicine, and how he goes about bringing history to life on the page — when he’s not helping patients salvage and improve their sight, that is. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke Names Mary Lynch Grand Marshal of 2024 Parade

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke announced that its 71st grand marshal is Mary Lynch, a Holyoke native and 34-year member of the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke. The grand marshal of the annual parade is the committee’s highest local honor given to a person who has distinguished themselves as a loyal person to their career, family, and Irish ancestry.

Lynch is a graduate of Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke Community College, and Westfield State College, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She retired in 2017 as a long-time professor of Early Childhood Education at Holyoke Community College. She also served on several boards, including the Greater Holyoke YMCA and the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. She was honored in 2010 with the Oldershaw Award from the Greater Holyoke YMCA, which is its highest honor given to an individual who has made significant volunteer contributions to the Greater Holyoke community.

“Auntie Mary,” as she’s known to many on the committee, has held many important roles, including chair of the JFK and Memorial Mass, Grand Marshal’s Reception, Coronation Ball, and Awards Dinner. She has also served on the program book and tartan committees, parade coordination, and the board of directors. She was honored with the Rohan Award in 1996 and was a member of the Grand Colleen Court in 1970.

Lynch and her twin brother, Ray Feyre, also have the distinction of being the only set of twins to serve as Grand Marshal of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade. Ray led the parade in 2015.

“Mary Lynch is most deserving of this esteemed honor,” said Hayley Dunn, parade president. “Not only has she served on nearly every subcommittee, but she has held several leadership roles and is instrumental in the overall success of the parade. Her calm and friendly demeanor has welcomed many new members, and all look to her guidance each parade weekend. Mary’s love of heritage, family, education, and community makes her the perfect choice for grand marshal.”

Lynch will be honored at the Grand Marshal’s Reception on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. For more details or to purchase tickets to the reception, email Jane Chevalier at [email protected] or Barb Rogers at [email protected].

The 71st Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2024 and the 47th St. Patrick’s Road Race will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024. For more information, visit www.holyokestpatricksparade.com.

Berkshire Money Management Welcomes Airen Wadsworth, Thanks Marlon Binns

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Daily News

GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a full-service financial-advising firm with offices in Dalton and Great Barrington, announced the expansion of its Great Barrington team with the addition of Airen Wadsworth as front office coordinator.

In that role, he is the first person to welcome guests to the new Great Barrington office at 72 Stockbridge Road. His goal is to help every client and visitor feel comfortable, at home, and part of the BMM culture. He will also support the firm with scheduling, data entry, and other vital tasks. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from MCLA in 2018.

“Our decision to invest in a dedicated front office coordinator in our Great Barrington office underscores our commitment to ensuring exceptional service and efficiency in all aspects of our business,” said Natalie Wheeler, Berkshire Money Management’s chief operating officer. “Airen’s proven ability to manage complex tasks and create a welcoming atmosphere aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering top-notch service to our clients.”

Berkshire Money Management also bid farewell to its summer intern, Marlon Binns. A graduate of Pittsfield High School, Binns returns this month to the University of California, where he is studying business administration with the aim of pursuing a career in wealth management, investment banking, or financial consulting. He joined the BMM team earlier this summer to learn through firsthand experience what it’s like to work in the wealth-management industry and what aspects he might enjoy most.

During his time with BMM, Binns assisted the team with a variety of tasks, attended meetings, and shadowed colleagues to learn the fundamentals of team operations and client services.

“Hosting interns is a great opportunity to not only support the development of upcoming financial advisors but also to ensure the relevance of BMM in the years to come. Adding fresh eyes helps to identify new technologies and ideas to connect with younger and more diverse clients,” Chief Operating Officer Natalie Wheeler said. “Marlon challenged us to improve every time he asked, ‘why do you do it this way?’ or ‘what does that mean?’ If he didn’t know the answer, our clients may not know either. We are grateful for his time with us and wish him the best as he returns to his studies.”