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Month: December 2024

BusinessTalk with Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at Holyoke-based PeoplesBank

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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 223: December 9, 2024

George O’Brien interviews Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at Holyoke-based PeoplesBank

Corporate responsibility. There’s a lot that goes into that two-word phrase — everything from writing checks to nonprofits to volunteerism within the community to the companies on a venture’s vendor list. And all of this makes a statement, according to Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at Holyoke-based PeoplesBank, who talks about this broad subject with BusinessWest contributing writer George O’Brien on the next episode of BusinessTalk. Increasingly, Bannister says, how a business conducts itself, and with whom, is of growing importance to consumers, investors, and employees. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

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Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Announces 2025 Shining Stars Recipients

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2025 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen and inspire the community. This year’s honorees are AJ Crane, owner of A. Crane Construction, as Citizen of the Year; Ashley Batlle, owner of Beauty Batlles Lounge, as Volunteer of the Year; the Springfield Thunderbirds as Business of the Year; and Health New England as Nonprofit of the Year.

The Chicopee Chamber introduced Shining Stars in 1985 when Ernest Laflamme Jr. was recognized as the first Citizen of the Year. Since then, the Chamber has paid tribute to an extraordinary citizen, business (since 1989), volunteer (since 1993), and nonprofit (since 2014) at its annual Shining Stars event. Recipients are selected by a nominating committee chaired by Laflamme and including Carol Campbell of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Ted Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, Michael Siddall of Siddall & Siddall, P.C., and Jeffrey Sattler of Liberty Bank.

The 40th annual Shining Stars Gala takes place Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights at 1599 Memorial Dr. The chamber invites its membership and the public to celebrate this year’s Shining Stars and their impact in the community. Tickets cost $75 per person and are on sale now. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101.

Florence Bank Announces Name Change for Financial Group

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Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has changed the name of its financial-services division from Florence Savings Bank Financial Group to Florence Financial Group.

In addition to being shorter and less cumbersome, the new name and branding better reflect the bank’s position as a local wealth-management team that combines Florence Bank’s quality customer service with an innovative and comprehensive approach to managing and protecting assets.

“Florence Financial Group offers personalized investment services for people at every stage of life, and while our name has changed, our experienced team and the securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network have not,” Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity said.

Commonwealth Financial Network is an independent financial-advisory firm with a successful track record of performance and client support.

As part of the rebranding effort, a new website and logo have been created for the division, and team members’ email addresses have changed. No changes will be made to customers’ portfolios, account logins, or passwords.

New email addresses for team members in the financial division are: Nicole Domnarski, financial advisor, [email protected]; Amy Santarelli, financial advisor, [email protected]; and Adam Kittredge, operations manager, [email protected].

bankESB Hires Daniel O’Sullivan as Assistant Branch Manager in Holyoke

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Daily News

Daniel O’Sullivan

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently hired Daniel O’Sullivan as assistant branch manager of its 170 Sargeant St., Holyoke office.

O’Sullivan has four years of banking experience and seven years of financial-services experience. Prior to joining bankESB, he was the banking center assistant manager at Peoples Bank and, before that, a field insurance agent at Knights of Columbus Insurance. In his new role, he will assist in managing the Holyoke team to provide a customer-first experience while fostering relationships within the community.

O’Sullivan currently serves on the board of directors of Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care and as treasurer of the board of directors of Holyoke Media.

MassMutual Elects Investment Leader Amy Stepnowski to Board of Directors

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual announced it has elected Amy Stepnowski, chief investment officer of the Hartford and president of Hartford Investment Management Co. (HIMCO), to the company’s board of directors.

“With her broad industry experience and proven expertise in investment strategy, Ms. Stepnowski is a welcome addition to our board of directors,” said Roger Crandall, chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual. “She brings a wealth of unique perspectives and thought leadership as we maximize the value we deliver to policy owners through our long-term approach, which helps fuel our growth and ability to help even more people secure their future and protect the ones they love.”

An accomplished investment executive and industry veteran, Stepnowski has held various leadership roles at the Hartford over the past 16 years and has worked at HIMCO throughout her tenure. In her current role, which she assumed in 2020, she leads the development and execution of the Hartford’s investment strategy and management of its portfolio and has ensured the company’s investment assets are positioned to support its financial and strategic objectives amidst ever-changing economic conditions. She also oversees HIMCO’s efforts to provide tailored investment solutions to its third-party clients.

A passionate advocate for sustainability and talent development, she is a member of the Hartford’s sustainability committee and leads HIMCO’s sustainability committee.

“I’m very pleased to join the MassMutual board and contribute my strategic insights into the global investment landscape’s range of challenges and opportunities,” she said. “I also look forward to providing guidance and oversight to bolster the company’s success in achieving its priorities, including its commitment to delivering strong investment performance.”

Prior to joining the Hartford, Stepnowski spent 12 years at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., where she specialized in Latin American corporate and project finance. She holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and Spanish from Yale College and has completed executive education programming at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. She is active in the local Hartford, Conn. community through membership on the investment committees of Hartford HealthCare and Trinity College.

Scenes from the 2024 Women of Impact Event

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Event Galleries Special Coverage Women of Impact 2024

View the Photo Gallery from the December 5 Celebration at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel

[Show thumbnails]

Photos by Focus Ashely Photos

Video by Greg Cormier Media

BusinessWest has long recognized the contributions of women within the business community and created the Women of Impact awards in 2018 to further honor women who have the authority and power to move the needle in their business, are respected for accomplishments within their industries, give back to the community, and are sought out as respected advisors and mentors within their field of influence.

Go HERE to view the 2024 Women of Impact Digital Section

The eight stories below demonstrate that idea many times over. They detail not only what these women do for a living, but what they’ve done with their lives — specifically, how they’ve become innovators in their fields, leaders within the community, advocates for people in need, and, most importantly, inspirations to all those around them. The class of 2024 features:

Alison Berman

Council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts

Dianne Fuller Doherty

Co-founder of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts

JoAnne Finck

President of Friends of Cooley Dickinson

Kimberley Lee

Chief of Creative Strategy and Development at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center

Megan McDonough

Executive director of Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity

LaTonia Monroe Naylor

Chief business educator at Monroe Naylor Consulting, LLC and president and CEO of Parent Villages

Kristi Reale

Partner at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

Dr. Shirley Jackson Whitaker

Nephrologist, artist, and filmmaker

Presenting Sponsors

Partner Sponsor

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. Named Among 2024 Best Contractors to Work For

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. (DAS) was recently named one of the 2024 Best Contractors to Work for in Construction. The annual list, created by Concrete Contractor, Equipment Today, Asphalt Contractor, Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction, and Best Companies Group, includes only 29 companies nationwide this year.

Companies from across the country entered the two-step survey process to determine the Best Contractors to Work for in Construction. The first part (25%) consisted of evaluating each company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The second part (75%) consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience and overall satisfaction. The combined scores were used to determine and rank the top companies.

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. is honored to be recognized as one of the 2024 Best Contractors to Work for in Construction, a testament to its 127-year legacy of prioritizing employees and fostering a culture of engagement and satisfaction. Based in Northampton, DAS has built its reputation as an exceptional employer by investing in professional development, promoting open communication, and ensuring employee well-being through comprehensive benefits and work-life balance initiatives. The company celebrates its team’s achievements and strives to create an environment where individuals feel valued, heard, and empowered to grow.

Boston Globe Names M.L. Schmitt Inc. a Top Place to Work in 2024

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — M.L. Schmitt Inc. has been named one of the 2024 Top Places to Work in Massachusetts in the 17th annual employee-based survey from the Boston Globe.

Top Places to Work recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state voted on by the people who know them best — their employees. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay, benefits, and engagement. The employers are placed into one of four groups: small, with 50 to 99 employees; medium, with 100 to 249 workers; large, with 250 to 999 staff members; and largest, with a workforce of 1,000 or more employees. M.L. Schmitt Inc. was ranked 23rd in the small-companies category.

“The best employers pay attention to the many ways work changes — and the many ways it stays the same — and figure out how to keep people engaged and motivated through it all,” said Katie Johnston, the Globe’s Top Places to Work editor.

M.L. Schmitt Inc. is an electrical contractor located at 371 Taylor St. in Springfield and 198 Pleasant St. in Ashland. Since 1923, it has provided industrial, commercial, and residential construction, working in areas including renewable energy, hospitals, transportation, education, assisted-living facilities, data centers, fuel dispensaries, dormitories, residential complexes, and more.

Quonquont Farm Opens First Holiday Shop This Weekend

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Daily News

WHATELY — Quonquont Farm, long a seasonal pick-your-own orchard and event venue, is opening for a two-weekend holiday market on Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 9 North St., Whately. This first-ever store opening will feature handmade wreaths and greenery, dried floral arrangements, locally made gifts, pies, candies, fresh fruits, vegetables, and Quonquont’s own apple cider.

“We’ve been working feverishly to transform our seasonal farmstand into a festive holiday shop, and we can’t wait to share it with our community,” Quonquont Farm Director Jenelle Wilkens said.

A variety of gifts will be available, including artwork by Jo-Ann Denehy, a local Whately oil painter and birdhouse maker whose love of the land and New England landscape provides endless motivation for her work. The store will offer pies and treats from Sweet Lucy’s Bakery in Bernardston, cider donuts from North Hadley Sugar Shack, hot apple cider from Quonquont Farm, and the farm’s popular 2025 wildlife calendar. There are even beaver-made, human-finished, Quonquont walking sticks.

Glenmeadow Announces Board Leadership, Staff Promotions

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Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Glenmeadow Inc. recently elected new leadership and new members to its board of directors.

Michael Tremble, CEO of Valley Communications, will continue as chair. Kelly Koch, probate and family law attorney with Raipher, will continue as vice chair. Erin Koebler, executive director of the East Longmeadow Council on Aging, will continue as clerk. Rory O’Brien, vice president and chief operating officer at Schwerin Boyle Capital Management, was elected treasurer.

The board of directors also welcomed five new members: Justin Ayala, manager of the divisions of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care at Baystate Health; Donna Durocher, clinic director at ATI Physical Therapy; George Kelly, Glenmeadow resident; Siobhan Matty, assistant vice president and financial advisor at St. Germain Investment Management; and Amanda Sbriscia, vice president of Institutional Advancement at Holyoke Community College and executive director of the HCC Foundation.

Glenmeadow has also welcomed two new corporate ambassadors: Lynn Brown, senior vice president, chief of staff and Lending Operations at People’s Bank; and Suzanne Gile, director of Clinical Training and assistant professor of Graduate Psychology at Bay Path University.

In addition, several Glenmeadow staff have taken on new responsibilities. Zhane Stone was promoted to director of Sales and Marketing, Karlene Smith-Shaw was promoted to assistant director of Hospitality, and Rania Kfuri joined Glenmeadow as vice president of Philanthropy, Sales, and Marketing.

“Glenmeadow is elevating the senior living experience, and the excellence, advocacy, and commitment of our staff and volunteers will make that a reality,” said Kathy Martin, Glenmeadow’s president and CEO. “Glenmeadow is buzzing with energy and progress. It’s a great time to be here.”

Longmeadow Emerges as Dining Destination

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Ralph Santaniello, right, with executive chef and co-owner (and brother-in-law) Michael Presnal
Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

 

Ralph Santaniello, right, with executive chef and co-owner (and brother-in-law) Michael Presnal

Ralph Santaniello, right, with executive chef and co-owner (and brother-in-law) Michael Presnal at the recently opened Lola’s at the Longmeadow Shops.

Ralph Santaniello was gushing about the Longmeadow Shops as the location for a restaurant — specifically the one operated by his family, Posto, which features Italian cuisine.

“It’s just ideal,” he said, listing everything from location — it’s in Longmeadow, but just a stone’s throw from East Longmeadow, Enfield, Springfield, and other communities — to its many shops, which draw people for an extended stay that could include a meal; from the strong support for local businesses from the Longmeadow community to the growing number of restaurants in or near the shops, creating a dining destination of sorts.

“It’s becoming a little like West Hartford or Northampton years ago,” said Santaniello, noting that this combination of factors led his family to double down, if you will, and convert the former Umi’s Asian restaurant (and, before that, a Friendly’s) at the shops into Lola’s, described as a ‘coastal Mexican’ restaurant.

“Mexican is now the most popular food behind Italian food in this country,” Santaniello said. “And we’re taking a different look at Mexican food; for years, it was what Mexican-American food was; now, you’re getting more authentic Mexican food from different parts of Mexico.”

Lola’s adds this authentic Mexican eatery to a growing, diverse roster of restaurants in town that also includes Posto, Max Burger, and Delaney’s Market, all in the shops, as well as the Meeting House, featuring ‘creative New American’; Royal Spice, an Indian restaurant; and a Jersey Mike’s, all in the plaza across Williams Street from the Longmeadow Shops, and Fletcher’s barbeque restaurant on Longmeadow Street.

This steady progress toward becoming a dining destination is one of many storylines in this residential community of roughly 16,000 people.

Another is the relatively new ownership at the Longmeadow Shops. It was acquired roughly a year ago by Regency Properties, which saw a unique asset — what Jack deVilliers, managing director of the company’s Northeast region, called “the heart and soul of the community.”

“This has the DNA that we really like — it’s a community shopping center,” he said, noting that the shops, fully leased for as long as anyone can remember, is a gathering spot, not just for Longmeadow residents, but those in neighboring communities as well. “This property checks all the boxes — location, tenant mix, access, visibility, parking; it’s all there.”

On the municipal side, the town is making progress with plans to consolidate its two middle schools and construct a new facility at the site of one of them, Williams Middle School, Town Manager Lyn Simmons said. This is a $150 million project, according to the latest estimates, expected to open its doors in the fall of 2028 if all goes according to schedule.

Meanwhile, plans are moving forward for work at a major intersection, and for improvements at one of the municipal parks, projects that will now be coordinated by employees working at a new complex of town offices in the former Greenwood Park Elementary School.

“This has the DNA that we really like — it’s a community shopping center.”

That move leaves the former offices, in the Community House on Longmeadow Street, available for reuse, said Simmons, adding that the town will be commissioning a study to determine the best uses of not only the Community House, but Town Hall, located next door, and Old Town Hall, located about a half-mile down Longmeadow Street.

On the business side, all eyes are on the former First Church of Christ Scientist property on Williams Street, just east of the Longmeadow Shops. The property, unused for several years now, has been acquired by the Springfield-based Colvest Group. While no specific plans have been announced, Colvest has said the planned development, to be called Towne Shoppes of Longmeadow, will include retail (high-end shops) and one or more restaurants to complement the town’s growing mix.

Jack deVilliers

Jack deVilliers says the Longmeadow Shops checks all the boxes for him, from location and tenant mix to access, visibility, and parking.

deVilliers said the development, which has been several years in the making, will in many ways be an extension of the shops, one that will complement that complex and make it even more of a magnet for diners and shoppers.

“This will only strengthen the gravitational pull of that area,” he said, adding that Regency is already working with Colvest on upgrades to access where the properties join.

Meanwhile, three years after fire destroyed the Maple Shopping Center at the corner of Maple and Shaker roads near the Enfield line, the shell of a new plaza has been constructed, said Simmons, adding that its owners have not announced any tenants to date.

She noted that both commercial projects are important developments for the town, which has very few developable parcels — meaning few opportunities for business growth.

For this latest installment of its Community Profile series, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at Longmeadow and the many developing stories there.

 

Food for Thought

As he talked with BusinessWest at a table in Lola’s, Santaniello said there is a considerable amount of dining history at that site.

Indeed, for several decades, this was a flagship location for Friendly’s, the chain started by Longmeadow Shops developer S. Prestley Blake and his brother Curtis.

Later, it was Umi’s, which essentially “papered over and bricked over” the Friendly’s as it installed its own look.

“This certainly provides an opportunity for development, job creation, and new growth, which is not something we see very often, especially to the extent we can see from this parcel.”

“As we dug through, we saw different iterations of Friendly’s, including a fireplace,” said Santaniello, adding that his family essentially took the storefront down to the studs in creating Lola’s, which opened in March and is off to a solid start.

“We had a great launch, and we’ve settled in,” he noted. “Everyone rushes in to try a place at first — every night is like Saturday night when you first open up. That tapers off eventually, and then you build it back up, and that’s where we are now.”

This success has not come at the expense of Posto, or probably any of the other restaurants in town, he said, adding that the emergence of a “restaurant community,” as he put it, helps bring more people from across the region to the town.

Longmeadow at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1783
Population: 15,853
Area: 9.7 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $20.68
Commercial Tax Rate: $20.68
Median Household Income: $109,586
Median Family Income: $115,578
Type of Government: Open Town Meeting; Town Manager; Board of Selectmen
Largest Employers: Bay Path University; JGS Lifecare; Glenmeadow
* Latest information available

Meanwhile, for the family, which is selling the third restaurant it owns, the Federal in Agawam, Lola gives them two operations about 250 yards apart, which brings several advantages, as well as lots of steps for Santaniello, who will go back and forth between the two spots at least a few times each day.

He passes an eclectic mix of shops and eateries, one that is historically stable, a retail property where vacancies — and pending vacancies — are filled quickly.

Such is the case with one storefront, soon to be available as its owners retire, that will be filled by Warby Parker, the manufacturer and retailer of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other products.

“When you look at the lifestyle centers that Warby Parker has been going into … they saw this, loved the community-center aspect of this, and jumped on it,” said deVilliers, adding that the location is slated to open in the summer of 2025.

Meanwhile, Longmeadow’s stable of restaurants should have at least one addition with the development of the neighboring church property, said Simmons, adding that the project is an important development for the town, which has little in the way of developable land or property.

“We have very few parcels that can be redeveloped,” she noted, adding that a measure was passed at the Nov. 12 town meeting to update the town’s zoning map to reflect an article passed at an earlier town meeting to change the zoning of the property from residential to business. “This certainly provides an opportunity for development, job creation, and new growth, which is not something we see very often, especially to the extent we can see from this parcel.”

 

Developing Stories

As for the Maple Road plaza, known to most locals as the Armata’s Plaza, for the supermarket that was located there, the shell of a new facility has been constructed, as well as a new parking lot, said Simmons, adding that the owners have not provided information on potential new tenants, which will not include Armata’s.

As these commercial developments unfold, there are several municipal projects advancing as well, starting with the new middle school.

The town’s two middle schools, Williams and Glenbrook, are aging structures, opened in the ’60s, noted Simmons, adding that the trend in communities of this size is toward one middle school, which in this case would be built on the athletic fields adjacent to Williams, with the existing structure then demolished.

“Our population at each school is about 330 students, so when we consolidate, we’ll have 660 at one site, which is the standard model used in many districts across the state,” she explained, adding that the town will gain efficiencies, and certainly reduce costs, by operating and maintaining one school instead of two.

The project has received approval from the state and is the queue for funding, said Simmons, noting that a town-meeting vote will take place in the fall of 2025.

Meanwhile, the consolidation of the middle schools would give the town an opportunity for redevelopment of the Glenbrook site, said Corrin Meise-Munns, assistant town manager and director of Planning & Community Development, adding that talks about what to do with that property are still in the very early stages.

Other municipal projects include a state Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, the first one the town has received in 30 years, to be used for renovations of the playground at Bliss Park.

The project comes with a $1.6 million price tag, with the grant covering just over half that total. The work involves replacing the playground, benches, and picnic tables and making them all ADA-accessible. The work complements significant investments in the park’s pool, including upgrades to the pump room, said Simmons, adding that the next phase of that initiative is a liner.

The town has also received its first-ever MassWorks grant, $285,000 to design improvements to the intersection of Williams Street, Redfern Drive, and Frank Smith Road, site of the church adjacent to the Longmeadow Shops that is slated for redevelopment.

“It’s a heavily trafficked area, and there have been discussions for some time about the need for pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular improvements, and this will fund that design work,” Simmons said, adding that the town will look for additional grant monies to help pay for the recommended improvements.

Heed These 10 Essential Tips to Winterize Your Business

By Contributor
Insurance

Before the Storm

By Lisa Eugin

 

As winter approaches, business owners need to prepare for colder temperatures, possible snow, and other seasonal challenges that can disrupt operations. Taking time to winterize your business can prevent costly repairs, ensure employee safety, and help maintain smooth operations during harsh weather. Here are some essential tips to help protect your business this winter.

 

Inspect and Maintain Your Heating System

A properly functioning heating system is critical for keeping employees comfortable and protecting your building from extreme cold. Schedule a professional inspection to ensure your heating system is operating efficiently. Replace filters regularly and address any issues immediately to prevent breakdowns during the coldest months.

 

Lisa Eugin

Lisa Eugin

“Taking time to winterize your business can prevent costly repairs, ensure employee safety, and help maintain smooth operations during harsh weather.”

 

Check and Insulate Pipes

Frozen pipes can lead to severe damage and expensive repairs. Inspect pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements or exterior walls, and wrap them with insulation to prevent freezing. Keep the heat on during extremely cold days, even in rarely used areas, to further reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

 

Clear and Salt Walkways

Icy walkways can be hazardous to both employees and customers. Make a plan to keep walkways, steps, and parking areas clear of snow and ice. Apply salt or ice melt regularly, and consider contracting a snow-removal service for larger areas. This proactive approach reduces the risk of slips, falls, and potential liability claims.

 

Inspect the Roof and Clear Gutters

Snow accumulation can be heavy and cause roof damage. Before winter fully sets in, inspect your roof for any weaknesses, clear gutters to prevent ice dams, and trim any overhanging branches that could fall under snow weight. Clearing snow regularly can prevent excess buildup, but be sure to use a safe method to avoid damaging your roof.

 

Seal Doors and Windows

Energy loss through poorly sealed doors and windows can lead to higher heating costs. Add weather stripping and caulk any gaps to keep the warmth inside and drafts outside. This not only saves on energy bills, but also maintains a comfortable environment for your employees and customers.

 

Have a Backup Power Plan

Winter storms often bring power outages. Ensure your business can continue to operate by investing in a backup generator. For businesses that rely on refrigeration or heating for sensitive products, a power outage plan is especially critical.

 

Test Emergency Alarms and Sprinklers

Fire risks increase in the winter due to higher heating demands. Make sure your fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems are in good working order. Test these systems regularly, and keep a clear path to fire exits for safety compliance.

 

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Reviewing your insurance policies is an essential step in preparing for winter. Make sure you have coverage for potential winter hazards, including property damage from snow, ice, or freezing. Having the right coverage can protect your business from unexpected losses.

 

Create a Communication Plan

In the event of extreme weather or closures, ensure employees and customers are well-informed. Use email, social media, or text alerts to communicate closures, delays, or other essential information. This helps manage expectations and ensures everyone’s safety.

 

Stock Up on Winter Supplies

Be prepared with essentials like ice melt, shovels, safety cones, and emergency supplies. Having these items on hand allows you to respond quickly to winter challenges without delays. If possible, designate a storage area to keep winter supplies organized and accessible.

 

Conclusion

Winterizing your business takes a little time and preparation, but can make a huge difference in protecting your property, keeping operations running smoothly, and ensuring safety.

 

Lisa Eugin is manager of Marketing and Administration at Encharter Insurance in Amherst.

 

Fast-charging EV Station Billed as Economic Boost for Deerfield

By Contributor
The EV charging hub, located at 59 North Main St. in South Deerfield, is now open to the public.
Autos

Built for Speed

 

The EV charging hub, located at 59 North Main St. in South Deerfield, is now open to the public.

The EV charging hub, located at 59 North Main St. in South Deerfield, is now open to the public.

 

Rivermoor Energy, a provider of clean-energy development solutions for commercial and government customers, recently completed a new electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging hub in downtown South Deerfield, in partnership with the town of Deerfield and the Federal Highway Administration.

The opening of the charging hub was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 15. The project was funded by a $2.46 million federal Charging and Infrastructure (CFI) grant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). It is the first CFI grant project to be completed in the Eastern U.S. and is also compliant with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

The EV charging hub, located at 59 North Main St., is now open to the public. The charging stations are fully accessible to local EV drivers, by either mobile phone or credit card.

“This is a large step forward for clean energy in Massachusetts and demonstrates the Commonwealth’s leadership in the energy transition,” U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern said. “This project will also serve as a blueprint for others across the state and around the country, showing communities a way to implement innovative technologies and solutions that benefit the environment, the economy, and, most importantly, the people who live in and around these areas.”

The facility includes four new EV chargers — two dual-port Level 3 DC fast chargers and two dual-port Level 2 chargers, for a total of eight charging ports. Electric vehicles will be able to fully charge in 20 minutes or less.

The positive environmental impact goes beyond EVs. In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased flooding from nearby waterways, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate change, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens; planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs; and creating new green space in the center of Deerfield.

“This is a large step forward for clean energy in Massachusetts and demonstrates the Commonwealth’s leadership in the energy transition.”

“This project is not only an impactful one for the environment and the advancement of clean energy, but it’s also a boost for the economic backbone of our town,” said Christopher Dunne, Deerfield’s acting town administrator. “With the added accessibility, climate-change mitigation, and new pedestrian walkways leading to downtown businesses, Deerfield can continue to thrive and serve its local business owners and attract new customers to our business community. We thank the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Massachusetts Departments of Transportation and Energy Resources for their support and partnership in the planning and development of this project.”

 

Center of Activity

As electric-vehicle adoption grows across the country, the federal CFI program advances the development of convenient, reliable charging stations designed to make it easier for consumers to charge their cars quickly and easily. The town of Deerfield was selected for the CFI grant as a regional business center with easy access for other Western Mass. communities and travelers along Interstate 91.

Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White called Deerfield’s project “a key pillar of the nation’s EV charging network,” adding that “this project embodies the goals of the BIL by deploying American-made clean transportation infrastructure that shows our historic investment in combating climate change for future generations.”

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, noted that “multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities, while supporting local commerce.”

While the Level 3 chargers — the fastest in the industry — can charge electric vehicles in as quickly as 20 minutes, the Level 2 chargers allow for residents or visitors who will stay parked for a longer time to charge their vehicles as well. With transportation accounting for the largest portion of total greenhouse-gas emissions in the U.S., having Deerfield’s chargers accessible in a public place, near a major highway, is a positive for travelers, employees, and visitors to Deerfield’s businesses and restaurants, project advocates noted.

“Deerfield’s charging hub, less than a mile from I-91, will attract visitors to downtown South Deerfield’s vibrant restaurants and businesses.”

“Rivermoor Energy is proud to lead the development of the first CFI grant project completed in the Eastern U.S.,” said John Tourtelotte, founder and managing director of Rivermoor Energy. “This project delivers EV fast charging to the most rural county in Massachusetts. Deerfield’s charging hub, less than a mile from I-91, will attract visitors to downtown South Deerfield’s vibrant restaurants and businesses. Deerfield’s project also directly benefits the local and regional economy by advancing skilled trades, engineering services, and good-paying jobs right here in Western Massachusetts.”

 

Regional Partnership

Partners on the project included Universal Electric of West Springfield, Taylor Davis Landscape & Construction of Amherst, Berkshire Design Group of Northampton, and Weston & Sampson engineering of Reading. Eversource Energy upgraded on-site utility infrastructure to enable the industry’s fastest EV-charging technology to seamlessly operate with its electric distribution system.

“The Deerfield charging hub marks an important milestone in Massachusetts’ journey toward a clean-energy future. Through close collaboration with our partners and local stakeholders, Eversource has helped bring this groundbreaking project to life, providing critical infrastructure that supports EV adoption and strengthens the community’s commitment to sustainable energy,” said Roger Kranenburg, vice president, Energy Strategy and Policy at Eversource. “By upgrading utility infrastructure to support this state-of-the-art charging technology, we’re not only enabling fast, reliable EV charging, but also demonstrating the kind of partnership essential to advancing the clean-energy transition.”

The Deerfield project advances U.S. manufacturing and job creation by using American-made charging technology from Autel for ultra-fast EV charging, ChargePoint for Level 2 charging, and Eatonfor infrastructure equipment, with supply-chain logistics support from Rexel Energy Solutions.

Based in Boston, Rivermoor Energy delivers comprehensive energy strategy, planning, project development, and financing solutions to enable customers to meet their goals for EV charging, solar energy, energy storage, and energy resilience.

Discovery High Students Make Connections, Earn College Credit

By Contributor
Environment and Engineering

Getting a Leg Up

 

 

Students from Discovery Polytech Early College High School are taking a leap into higher education by earning credits from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC).

This innovative partnership offers students a head start on their college journey, giving them the opportunity to take college-level courses, gain valuable academic experience, and save on future tuition costs.

As part of the ‘wall-to-wall’ early college program, high-schoolers ride a bus to the STCC campus two days a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays –— to take STEM-focused classes together in cohorts. The only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC is one of six area colleges and universities that offer an opportunity for Discovery students to earn at least three to six college credits per semester.

Discovery is one of the schools operated by the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP), which has collaborated with STCC since 2020, when students at Springfield High School of Commerce started taking college courses to earn credit.

Discovery is one of several in the family of Commerce schools. These schools have distinct identities and leadership teams that serve their student and family communities, while still reflected as part of Commerce at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Springfield Empowerment Zone is a partnership between Springfield Public Schools, the state, and the Springfield Education Assoc.

Discovery students started coming to STCC in the fall of 2023. They are taking classes focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and are enrolled in the following pathways at STCC: business, cybersecurity, healthcare, optics and photonics, mechanical engineering technology, and technical arts.

Students in the cybersecurity pathway take courses in the newly opened Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity of Excellence at Union Station in Springfield, which features a cyber range, which is a virtual environment to practice real-world skills.

STCC President John Cook said the partnership with Discovery gives students a valuable opportunity to get exposure to a college environment and take classes in programs that cannot be found elsewhere in the region.

“The students are gaining a significant head start, and the experiences they have here will help prepare them for the next steps in their academic and professional lives,” he said. “We are thrilled to welcome Discovery students, and we are proud to work with the Springfield Empowerment Zone.”

SEZP collaborates with STCC staff, including Melanie Laurin, director of Early College Initiatives. The academic pathways align with the Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint, said Kelley Gangi, chief of School Innovation for SEZP.

“Melanie and I and others on the STCC team have been strategic on which pathways are optimal for high-wage, high-growth career areas,” Gangi said. “We’re so blessed to be one of the first on the ground at the STCC cyber range.”

 

View to the Future

The wall-to-wall early-college program means all students taking college classes are on a pathway to earn an associate degree or 60 credits toward their bachelor’s degree for free, said Declan O’Connor, principal of Discovery. They begin classes on the STCC campus or other college campuses starting in the spring of their freshman year.

“We’re a STEM high school,” O’Connor said. “Our kids pick us because they want to be in a STEM environment. They’re gamers, they’re coders, they’re interested in digital media and managing social media. No student would come to us that didn’t have an interest in a STEM field.”

Gangi said some Discovery students may obtain a degree from STCC, while others might take classes at STCC but obtain a degree from another partner institution, depending on their major.

For many students, this program provides an opportunity to explore a field of study that interests them and prepare for the academic rigors of college. It also fosters a sense of independence and responsibility as they navigate college courses, manage their time, and engage with STCC’s diverse student body and faculty.

“They are definitely learning how to be on a college campus,” O’Connor said. “Nobody is sitting in on their classes. They’re walking to their classes. They’re experiencing college life.”

Izabella Martinez, a senior, has earned about 42 college credits so far. “I take two classes at STCC, and my professors have been very helpful,” she said. “During the first few weeks, they always welcomed us into class. The professors are easy to email. They brought supplemental instructors into class to help us. We are getting the experience that other college students are getting.”

Martinez takes a Computer Basics course with STCC Professor Anthony Rondinelli. On one October day, he was teaching the high-school students Microsoft Excel, showing them how to manipulate data, use formulas, create graphs, and more.

“They have different needs as students who are not yet graduated, but they’re very pleasant, and they want to learn. They’re receptive to being taught,” Rondinelli said. “I really believe in the partnership. A lot of the students have voiced to me that they like the course and they’re learning a lot. That’s really important to me, and hopefully it’s something that will continue on for many years to come.”

 

Accepting the Challenge

For the Discovery students, there are challenges as well as rewards to studying on a college campus like STCC.

Michael Anderson said some days he would rather be with his friends than be in a class. But he understands that knuckling down on his schoolwork will ultimately lead to the reward of earning college credit. “It always trickles down to your mindset: you might not be a college student, but you have to act like one. You’ve got to think, ‘what would a college student do?’”

The partnership aligns with STCC’s mission to provide accessible, affordable education to students from all backgrounds and to support pathways to higher education for underrepresented communities. It also reflects the growing trend of early-college programs across Massachusetts, designed to increase college readiness and close the achievement gap for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Discovery students are already reaping the benefits of this program, with many feeling more confident and motivated to pursue their educational goals.

“It’s very exciting being on a college campus,” Martinez said. “We are used to being in the same building every day and seeing the same faces. When we are on the college campus, we can work with people in fields that we eventually want to get to. We’re also able to network with people in those fields.”

PeoplesBank Again Named Among Top Places to Work

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank is now a seven-time winner of the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work award.

Amy Roberts, executive vice president of Human Resources at PeoplesBank, suggests that the bank’s emphasis on ensuring all associates have the support they need to succeed is the key.

“HR is really the facilitator of the people side of business and trying to make sure that anyone in the organization feels like they have the support they need,” Roberts said. “That goes for both managers and associates. How incredible is it to work in a place where you know you have people who support you and are behind you?”

To that end, PeoplesBank is constantly in touch with its associates through surveys and regular town meetings that encompass the whole organization. The bank also introduced the CARE (Collaboration, Accessibility, Reliability, Empathy) initiative, which enabled it to establish the structures and standards necessary to be much more deliberate about the service it provides to its customers and associates.

“The best employers pay attention to the many ways work changes — and the many ways it stays the same — and figure out how to keep people engaged and motivated through it all,” said Katie Johnston, the Globe’s Top Places to Work editor.

Top Places to Work recognizes the most admired workplaces in the state as voted on by the people who know them best — their employees. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay, benefits, and engagement. Top Places to Work rankings are based on confidential survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention, from nearly 68,000 employees at 323 Massachusetts organizations.

“The rigorous Energage/Boston Globe survey was very valuable to us as an organization because it provides valuable feedback on our employee engagement and support efforts,” Roberts said.

PeoplesBank received several other ‘best’ awards in 2024, including Best Local Bank, Best Mortgage Lender, Top Corporate Charitable Contributor, and Best of West Hartford.

Mass Cultural Council Awards $9,000 Grant to Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum

By
Daily News

ADAMS — The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum has received a grant of $9,000 from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Operating Grants for Organizations program.

“Public support enables the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum to provide quality educational programming for students, immersive experiential learning for college students and adults, and free public programs for the entire community,” state Sen. Paul Mark said.

This grant signifies that the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum provides significant public value through its programs and services. Last year alone, the museum brought Susan B. Anthony’s inspiring story to more than 300 students. With a 59% increase in programming and museum attendance, the museum intends to continue to grow and expand its immersive and experiential learning capacity. In the coming year, the museum will welcome six college interns, hold numerous free public programs, and continue to draw tourists to the Berkshires with its events and guided house tours.

State Rep. John Barrett III noted that “these funds will help preserve Susan B. Anthony’s historic birthplace in Adams, Massachusetts and will allow for expanded guided tours, school outreach, and free public programs for people of all ages.”

For this fiscal year, the Mass Cultural Council has adopted a $34 million spending plan, allowing the agency to award at least 2,500 grants totaling approximately $38 million to the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector. This is funded primarily through public dollars, including the agency’s $26.7 million state budget appropriation and support from the National Endowment for the Arts. The agency also runs the Mass Cultural Facilities Fund in partnership with MassDevelopment.

Mass Cultural Council funds reach every community in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to advance the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector by celebrating traditions and talents, championing collective needs, and equitably investing public resources.

The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, located on 67 East Road in Adams, is open Thursdays through Mondays during the summer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the museum at (413) 743-7121 or visit www.susanbanthonybirthplace.com.

Holyoke Community College Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College (HCC), has added four new members to its board of directors, including two alumni.

They include Rob Cestola, a certified public accountant and tax and finance consultant who serves as board treasurer for Dakin Humane Society; Dan Desrochers, director of Communications at Amherst College and former Marketing director at Greenfield Community College; Deborah Rodriguez, an HCC graduate from the class of 2004, licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of FAROS Counseling Services; and Matt Manganelli, an HCC graduate from the class of 2009 and Retail Lending Sales manager at Westfield Bank who serves on the Western Mass. Mortgage Review Board for the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

“Attending Holyoke Community College and earning an accounting certificate was an important step in my return to higher education as an adult,” Manganelli said. “I went on to the University Without Walls program at the University of Massachusetts, graduating with a BA in accounting, and then Western New England University for my master’s.”

New board members attended their first meeting on Dec. 3.

“We are thrilled to welcome these community leaders to the HCC Foundation board of directors,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation. “The expertise and unique perspectives that Rob, Dan, Deborah, and Matt bring to the board will strengthen our ability to advance the foundation’s mission, which is ultimately to support the success of every HCC student. This is such a committed and passionate board. Their leadership and good governance are what enables the HCC Foundation to be a strategic partner to the college.”

The HCC Foundation has total assets of $25.5 million and an endowment of $18 million, the largest of all 15 community colleges in Massachusetts, due in large part to nearly 200 endowed scholarships and other funds established by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college. In 2024, the HCC Foundation provided more than $6 million to the college to support scholarships, academic programs, student support services, and facility improvements.

In 2023, the HCC Foundation board of directors was recognized by the Assoc. of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges with the John W. Nason Award, a national honor that recognizes exceptional leadership and initiative.

Western Mass. Families to Benefit from Freedom Credit Union Holiday Drive

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union is inviting the community to donate money at any of its branches to help make sure all families feel the warmth and magic of the season. Contributions will go to the Salvation Army of Massachusetts Toy for Joy campaign, serving families in need during the holidays and beyond.

“It’s deeply gratifying to be able to support such an important program,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “The Salvation Army does great work and is especially uplifting for families facing challenges during the holiday season.”

Every month, Freedom Credit Union collects donations for a different charity. Money collected through Dec. 20 will support the Salvation Army’s work on the front lines of need.

Throughout the year, the organization offers services to struggling families across Western Mass. During the holidays, families will receive Christmas gifts for children ages 16 and under. Social-services teams are also helping families put food on the table, pay rent and utility bills, and keep a roof over their heads.

Pittsfield’s Hot Plate Is Pushing Boundaries

By
Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila
Cover Story

Brewing with a Purpose

Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila

Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila

 

Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila spent a lot of time in their cold Brooklyn condo during the pandemic thinking about what they wanted to do for the next chapter in their lives — a “second act,” as they called it — and where they wanted to do it.

At the time, they both had corporate jobs, Real as a consumer insights and media research expert, and Dell’Aquila as a creative marketer and fiction writer. But starting in the early 2000s, when they were students at Penn State, both of them, and especially Real, developed a real passion for craft beer that led to home brewing — and thoughts of making beer their next career.

By the way, the condo was cold because the gas had been turned off due to a code violation, one that forced that home brewing to be conducted on a hot plate, a reality that would eventually inspire the name for the venture they would undertake in downtown Pittsfield.

It was there, after much introspection — and research, which revealed, among other things, that there were very few breweries in that area — they decided to embark on a mission to create not just a brewery, but one with a purpose.

A multi-faceted purpose.

“I began thinking, does the world really need another brewery? How are you going to differentiate yourself?” Real recalled. “I don’t want to brew beer just to brew beer. I want it to have purpose. I want it to be interesting. I want to push boundaries.”

In many respects, they’re doing all that, while also playing a lead role in the ongoing reimagining and revitalization of downtown Pittsfield, a central business district that was, as everyone knows, decimated by the loss of General Electric roughly 35 years ago now, and has been reborn as a center for the arts, culture, fine dining, and, now, a craft brewery that is, indeed, making an impact on many levels.

“I think we’re starting to leave behind that novelty act of … ‘it’s a Mexican-American woman making that beer,’ to the fact that Sarah’s just a brewer who makes good beer. We’ve gotten over that hump.”

Start with the fact that it’s one of the very few Latina-led breweries in the country. Fewer than 1% of American craft breweries are owned by women of color, a statistic that has led many visiting the School Street home of Hot Plate, a sporting-goods store a few decades ago, to conclude that Dell’Aquila is the genius behind such offerings as Rockin’ the Gold Tooth, Agent Cooper, Countess of Flanders, and the ever-popular Capable of Anything, a chamomile blonde ale that has become quite popular with women.

He is proud — and quick — to correct them.

“It’s been fun to be a gender-inverted team in that way and play with people’s expectations,” Dell’Aquila said. “People will come in with assumptions about who does what; very often I have to make the joke that Sarah does the hard work, and I’m just the pretty face, and that always gets a laugh.”

But as the Hot Plate story becomes more known, and as its beers rack up more accolades — its Italian Pilsner and Belgian Golden Strong ale were recently recognized, for example — fewer people need to be corrected, and the brewery has in many ways moved past the gender prejudices and the ethnicity stats.

Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila say there’s a story behind each one of their beers.

Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila say there’s a story behind each one of their beers.

“You can use some level of differentiation by who made it and what they look like, but if the beer’s not good, it’s not going to work,” Dell’Aquila said. “I think we’re starting to leave behind that novelty act of … ‘it’s a Mexican-American woman making that beer,’ to the fact that Sarah’s just a brewer who makes good beer. We’ve gotten over that hump.”

In the meantime, Hot Plate has made inroads with other aspects of its overall mission to push boundaries and make an impact. This includes work in the community, specifically support of neighbors and mission-aligned organizations, as well as intentionality and acting as good social and environmental stewards through responsible sourcing, usage, and disposal.

In the community, the brewery has partnered with an interfaith group on a fundraiser helping local families pay for heating oil — an initiative inspired in part by nights in that cold Brooklyn condo, which raised $13,000 that went to more than 200 households.

Hot Plate has also been involved with many of the initiatives to bring more people, and vibrancy, to downtown Pittsfield, including the taking of a lead role in the return of First Fridays, street festivals focused on the arts and dining.

Meanwhile, Hot Plate has put a special emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, said Real, noting that both its hops and malt are from Massachusetts producers, and such buying brings attention to the expensive, and not-so-eco-friendly, supply chain within the brewing industry.

Add it all up, and Hot Plate has earned a designation you don’t hear often in association with a brewery: change agent.

 

Lager Than Life

Returning to Brooklyn for a minute … it was there that Real and Dell’Aquila were witness to the transformation of that borough into a sought-after zip code and one of the hottest real-estate markets in the country.

And it was there they saw the broad impact that breweries, restaurants, and other hospitality- and culture-related ventures could have on the revitalization of neighborhoods.

“We had seen how an underutilized area could suddenly come back to life through interesting shops, stores, and retail places, but also bars, restaurants, and breweries as well,” said Dell’Aquila, adding that a desire to make such an impact — somewhere — was one of the things they talked about while cooking dinner, and brewing beer, on a hot plate.

They were inspired by what they saw in Brooklyn, but quickly ruled out the borough because of the high cost of setting up shop there. They explored the Catskills region of New York, but after several visits to the Berkshires, they settled on Pittsfield because of the population of that city and also the relative dearth of breweries. Thus, they became part of an entrepreneurial exodus of sorts to the Berkshires during and just after the pandemic, bringing their corporate jobs with them, but immediately setting about starting that aforementioned second act.

They were able to sell their condo as it was at market value — testimony to that hot housing market — and relocate in the summer of 2021. After a thorough search for a location, they settled on the School Street site, which lacks parking, but is otherwise well-situated, and opened their doors in early 2023.

“We wanted a model where we’re supporting our community, but also have a foot in a much larger sandbox. We can help show that you can build a mission-driven brewery that is trying to attack the problems of sustainability, conservation, and a lack of representation among marginalized communities.”

Since then, the venture has consistently added new beers to the portfolio, evolved and expanded offerings — including the addition of coffee, tea, and pastries to appeal to non-drinkers and draw traffic more hours of the day — and address all aspects of its broad mission.

Indeed, as noted earlier, they didn’t come to Pittsfield just to open a brewery, but to create a venture that would be impactful on many levels and in many ways.

“We wanted a model where we’re supporting our community, but also have a foot in a much larger sandbox,” Dell’Aquila said. “We can help show that you can build a mission-driven brewery that is trying to attack the problems of sustainability, conservation, and a lack of representation among marginalized communities, and really combat the notion that this is an either/or proposition — you can either be mission-driven or you can make a good product that is successful in the craft-beer world. To me, that’s a false dichotomy; you can do both.”

And they are, as evidenced by the growing list of accolades they’ve earned.

Indeed, Hot Plate has been recognized as everything from one of the “Best 19 New Breweries in 2023” by VinePair magazine, to one of the “Places to Check Out If You Have 36 Hours in Berkshire County” by the New York Times. Meanwhile, the brewery was selected as one of the Imbibe 75 by that publication in early 2023, a compilation that features “individuals, organizations, and businesses that are dedicated to creating a more positive, sustainable, inclusive, and equitable drinks world.”

It has also won a Silver Impact Award from MassEcon for making an investment in one of the Commonwealth’s gateway cities, and it’s been recognized by Berkshire Pride and the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its work in the community.

The Hot Plate location on School Street in downtown Pittsfield has become a gathering place for everything from concerts to trivia to meetings of the Silent Book Club.

The Hot Plate location on School Street in downtown Pittsfield has become a gathering place for everything from concerts to trivia to meetings of the Silent Book Club.

Meanwhile, the brewery has become a gathering spot in downtown Pittsfield and a big part of the revitalization efforts there. Hot Plate has brought a variety of different bands to the site — Dispatch played there before a performance at Tanglewood, for example — while also hosting food trucks, trivia and open-mic nights, tarot readings, and meetings of the Pittsfield chapter of the Silent Book Club, which gathers members in public at bars, cafés, bookstores, libraries, and online to read in quiet camaraderie.

All these honors and efforts to activate its space speak to that change-agent quality that Real and Dell’Aquila emphasized.

 

Draught Choice

That phrase certainly applies to what they call their Community Line, which features collaborations with a rotating list of mission-aligned nonprofit organizations and raises money for a variety of causes. Proceeds from these collaborative beers go directly to the charitable organizations with whom they are partnering.

“We know that one of the things that makes beer special is its ability to bring people together,” Real said. “With our Community Line, we really believe that we can show that craft beer can also be a force for good.”

Such is the case with the partnership with the interfaith community to help families in Pittsfield pay for heating oil.

“When we found out about this program, it really home because we lived without heat for a few winters,” said Dell’Aquila, adding that Hot Plate has a beer on tap called Kardia, a habanero chocolate stout; $1 for every pint sold, as well as proceeds from each four-pack sold, are donated to the program.

“This year, our goal is $20,000, which will meet the needs of the entire community,” he told BusinessWest, noting that, in Greek, Kardia translates into ‘heart and hearth.’ “It’s a recipe that’s based on Mexican hot chocolate, so it’s a nod to Sarah’s ancestry; it’s a fundraising beer, so you’re drinking for good, so to speak; and it’s helping households in the community directly. So it’s a way to bring all those multiple layers of impact full circle.”

“I’ve tried to partner with a lot of local people, or more craft maltsters, if you will, where I can go to the farm to get their grain and meet that farmer. It’s pricier, so there’s a balance between going to big grain as opposed to Valley Malt in Hadley, which is one of our providers.”

Hot Plate is also a force for good when it comes to sourcing of its ingredients, with a hard focus on buying local when possible, both to support local businesses and make their own supply chain more eco-friendly.

“I’ve tried to partner with a lot of local people, or more craft maltsters, if you will, where I can go to the farm to get their grain and meet that farmer,” Real said. “It’s pricier, so there’s a balance between going to big grain as opposed to Valley Malt in Hadley, which is one of our providers.

“You can’t have a fully local beer because Valley Malt, unfortunately, cannot sustain every brewery in Western Mass.,” she went on. “So there has to be a balance, and it’s important to understand how we partner with them, and what are the best recipes for partnering with them.”

“A lot of the sexy new hops are coming from New Zealand,” she went on. “And I just think about how fresh that is when they’re making that plane ride — that huge carbon footprint, just to go down the drain.”

Other initiatives in this broad realm include recipes that don’t require large amounts of hops, which cannot be reused, thus reducing waste, as well as ‘dry hopping,’ the use of dried, pelletized hops in New England IPAs and other offerings, further reducing waste.

Also, in addition to having local farmers pick up spent grain, which would otherwise go in the trash, Hot Plate has experimented with drying out spent grain, milling it down into flour, and making products such as dog treats.

Real and Dell’Aquila will use their own taproom, as well as social-media channels, to educate the public about the importance of conservation, buying local when possible, and the fact that it takes four square feet of grain to make one pint of beer.

That’s just one example of how they’re not just brewing, but brewing with a purpose, and a strong desire to be what few brewers can become: change agents.

Giving Guide 2024

By
Cover Story Giving Guide Special Coverage Special Publications

Regional Philanthropic Opportunities

Click on the image to view the PDF flipbook

The importance of giving to those in need — and to the organizations who help others secure their basic needs — doesn’t take a holiday, and there’s no season of the year when their work is not critical, especially at a time when an uncertain economy continues to pose challenges to so many individuals and nonprofits.

Still, there’s no doubt that people think about giving more around the year-end holidays, and that’s why BusinessWest and the Healthcare News publishes its annual Giving Guide around this time: to shine a spotlight on specific community needs and show you not only how to support them, but exactly what your money and time can accomplish.

These 25 profiles of area nonprofit organizations are just a sampling of the region’s thousands of nonprofits. These profiles are intended to educate readers about what these groups are doing to improve quality of life for the people living and working in the 413, but also to inspire them to provide the critical support (which comes in many different forms) that these organizations and so many others desperately need.

These profiles within the Giving Guide list not only giving opportunities — everything from online donations to corporate sponsorships — but also volunteer opportunities. And it is through volunteering, as much as with a cash donation, that individuals can help a nonprofit carry out its important mission within our community.

BusinessWest and HCN launched the Giving Guide to 2011 to harness this region’s incredibly strong track record of philanthropy and support of the organizations dedicated to helping those in need. This special section is designed to inform, but also to encourage individuals and organizations to find new and imaginative ways to give back. We are confident it will succeed with both of those assignments

Joseph Bednar, Editor
John Gormally, Publisher
Kate Campiti, Associate Publisher

View the 2024 Giving Guide PDF Flipbook HERE

 

Behavioral Health Network

A Better Life HomeCare

BFAIR

Glenmeadow

Community Health Center of Franklin County

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture

Home City Development

Jeffrey Speller Foundation

JGS Lifecare

Mental Health Association (MHA)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services

Mercy Medical Center

The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts

Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts

Square One

STCC Foundation

Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament

UCP of Western Massachusetts

United Way of Pioneer Valley

Way Finders

Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts

YMCA of Greater Springfield

The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center

YWCA of Western Massachusetts

Presented by:

To Unlock the Potential of AI, Nonprofits Must First Know the Risks

By Contributor
Timm Marini, president of Personal Lines Insurance at Hub International New England.
Insurance Special Coverage

Real Talk on Artificial Intelligence

By Timm Marini

Timm Marini, president of Personal Lines Insurance at Hub International New England.

Timm Marini, president of Personal Lines Insurance at Hub International New England.

Artificial intelligence can help give nonprofits a leg up with donors and benefactors, but better AI safeguards may be needed to defend against potential cyber threats and other technology-related risks. Here’s what your organization needs to know.

Nonprofits are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations and communication platforms, with their integration efforts actually outpacing their private-sector counterparts 58% to 47%.

AI enables nonprofits to enhance stakeholder engagement and can help them access solutions to social problems they are working to address. About 70% of nonprofits believe generative AI will help them achieve their organizations’ sustainable development goals by enhancing productivity, improving access to information, and increasing awareness to drive policy change.

But AI also presents risks that could threaten a nonprofit financially, reputationally, and operationally.

 

How Nonprofits Are Using AI

AI has surged since 2020 thanks to swift advances in technology to generate text, images, and videos. Nonprofits are tapping into generative AI and its large language model (LLM) subset to create text from big sets of data to enhance efficiency and expand their reach. Additionally, nonprofits can use AI to automate repetitive tasks, including certain administrative duties like scheduling meetings, data entry, or volunteer management, so they can instead focus their limited employee and volunteer resources on other important work.

“About 70% of nonprofits believe generative AI will help them achieve their organizations’ sustainable development goals by enhancing productivity, improving access to information, and increasing awareness to drive policy change. But AI also presents risks that could threaten a nonprofit financially, reputationally, and operationally.”

Savvy organizations are also leveraging predictive AI to analyze donor data and gain insights into potential future donors. These insights can guide generative AI to create personalized appeals through targeted communications such as letters, advertising, and other content. Some AI applications are even more ambitious by providing actionable information to people looking to get involved in a cause or mobilize resources.

 

The Risks in AI — and How to Combat Them

Despite AI’s benefits, risks abound, including errors in word choice, tone, or potential copyright infringement in AI-generated materials. It is critical that organizations have a process to fact-check AI-generated materials and develop usage rules and policies for employees or volunteers supported by awareness training. Organizations should also consider media liability insurance against AI content-related claims of personal injury, copyright/trademark infringement, and plagiarism.

Cybercrime is another concern. AI has enabled cyber criminals to improve the speed, scale, and automation of cyber attacks. The technology can turbo-charge schemes like phishing or ransomware and be used to mimic voices of real people ‘authorizing’ fraudulent activities, known as ‘deepfakes.’

AI systems can be targets as well. If a threat actor was able to compromise a language model and poison the information within it, the outputs generated by AI algorithms leveraging that model could be damaging.

“Savvy organizations are also leveraging predictive AI to analyze donor data and gain insights into potential future donors.”

Unfortunately, many nonprofits are resource-challenged and increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. About 68% of nonprofits have had at least one data breach in the last three years, 75% don’t actively monitor their networks, and more than 70% don’t run vulnerability assessments.

Every organization using or considering AI technology needs best practices and policies to protect against the potential risks. Here are some steps to consider:

• Document AI use policies. Organizations need to determine who can use public AI tools, and for what purpose. For instance, can business or personal email accounts be linked to the programs? How will access be managed — and by whom?

• Perform due diligence. Third-party AI tools that organizations or its vendors can buy, license, or access cause more than half of all AI failures, which includes providing inaccurate or copyrighted information. Organizations must thoroughly evaluate AI tools and the AI practices of any potential vendors to ensure they are guarding against threats. Rigorous contractual risk management — including hold-harmless, indemnification, and insurance provisions — is a must.

• Conduct awareness training. All staff should be trained in the use of AI tools and general cybersecurity protocols.

• Ensure risk management. An experienced broker is an invaluable resource to help organizations assess their cyber risk. Organizations should work with their broker to ensure they have the right insurance for AI-related exposures, such as cyber insurance and intellectual-property coverage.

Contact HUB International’s nonprofit insurance specialists to learn more about how to protect yourself against AI-related risks and take full advantage of the technology.

 

Timm Marini is president of Personal Lines Insurance at Hub International New England.

 

Auto Dealers Reflect on a Solid Year, Project More of the Same in 2025

By
Ben Sullivan, seen here with a Honda Prologue
Autos Special Coverage

Drive Time

Ben Sullivan, seen here with a Honda Prologue

Ben Sullivan, seen here with a Honda Prologue, says sales of all-electric vehicles, as well as hybrids and plug-in hybrids, have been rising as consumers become more familiar with them.

 

‘Almost normal.’

Those are the two words that Ben Sullivan, chief operating officer for Balise Motor Sales, used to describe 2024 when it comes to just about every aspect of the auto-sales industry.

After four years of relative turmoil generated by COVID and its aftereffects, things were back to normal — almost, said Sullivan. To get his point across, he referenced the southernmost end of the huge parking lot for Balise’s Chevy/GMC dealership on West Columbus Avenue in Springfield.

Even 18 months ago, it was so barren, several people asked Sullivan if Balise had sold the lot. Now, it is heavily populated with cars — especially the commercial vehicles that were visible several years ago but were simply not available due to supply-chain issues in the wake of COVID.

That’s the case in every one of the many dealerships Balise has in Western Mass., the Cape, and Rhode Island, said Sullivan, noting that, when it comes to inventory levels, things are almost back to what was seen pre-pandemic.

“Until this year, there were cars coming in and cars going out, but there was zero stock to walk in and say, ‘I want to take something home today,’” he told BusinessWest. “We’re not back to totally normal levels now, but it’s getting a lot closer to what people would say is normal.”

Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group, which boasts Nissan, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Volvo, and Genesis stores, agreed. In fact, she said that, in some cases, inventories even exceed pre-pandemic levels.

“Until this year, there were cars coming in and cars going out, but there was zero stock to walk in and say, ‘I want to take something home today. We’re not back to totally normal levels now, but it’s getting a lot closer to what people would say is normal.”

Which helps explain some of the aggressive incentives being offered by some of those brands, including 0% financing on a Nissan Rogue and a $79-a-month lease deal on a Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV. And they help explain why, on the Monday of Thanksgiving week, normally a traditionally slower time, the TommyCar dealerships were “swamped.”

“I think they’re trying to build demand for the increased production,” Cosenzi said of the manufacturers, adding that these incentives were one of the key contributors to a very solid year.

Sullivan agreed that 2024 was a good year saleswise — better than most in the industry, and he puts himself in that category, were projecting roughly a year ago.

At Balise, sales were up roughly 10% (most years, 3% to 5% is the average), a performance he attributes to lingering pent-up demand from the COVID years and availability of most models and most trims, including the lower-priced options on cars and SUVs that manufacturers pushed to the sidelines in favor of the higher-priced trims during COVID.

“This year was the first time that you started to get what people would consider to be real availability back,” he said.

Mike Filomeno, left, and Mike Marcotte

Mike Filomeno, left, and Mike Marcotte show off a Mustang Mach-E, one of the many EVs now sold by Ford.

Mike Marcotte, president of Marcotte Ford in Holyoke, said his dealership has also recorded a nearly 10% increase in overall revenue in 2024, which he attributed to those same factors, particularly availability — on both the consumer and commercial sides of the ledger — with December, traditionally a big month, especially on the commercial side, still to go.

“Ford has put some great incentives out there to end the year out,” he said, adding that these cover everything from pickups to EVs that come with free chargers. “It’s been a good year, and we’re expecting to end it in strong fashion.”

Cosenzi said final numbers are obviously not in yet, but she is projecting 8% growth for 2024, and something along those same lines for 2025.

While things are returning to normal on most fronts, on the electric vehicle and hybrid segment, there isn’t really a ‘normal,’ because this is an emerging market, one that is building some momentum, although there are now real question marks about the future of the EV consumer tax credit.

“You’re seeing a big increase in customer demand for hybrids and plug-in hybrids,” said Sullivan, adding that many see them as an alternative to — or a bridge to — EVs, which are enjoying gradual growth in sales amid more options and better incentives, for the moment, anyway. “People might be scared to get into an electric, but they’re saying, ‘what can I do?’

“This hybrid technology has been out there for some time, it’s performing very well quality- and reliability-wise, and people are a lot more comfortable getting into these vehicles,” he went on. “The percentage of sales of hybrids versus non-hybrids continues to grow.”

 

To a Higher Gear

To get his points across regarding availability, getting back to normal, and even the EV and hybrid markets, Sullivan referenced Balise’s Honda dealership on Riverdale Road in West Springfield.

“During COVID and the post-COVID era, it was not unusual for us to finish the month with maybe 16 vehicles for sale,” he told BusinessWest. “Now that they’re starting to build more Hondas, I think we’ll finish this month [November] — and we had a very good month — with 80 to 100 to choose from if someone wanted to walk in and take one today.

“You went through three years of expecting to have to put a deposit down on something that was inbound on a ship, a train, or a truck,” he went on. “And now, you’re getting to the point where there’s a good chance you can find what you’re looking for available — not the same levels as before COVID, but at a level where the customer probably wouldn’t notice the difference.”

Elaborating, Sullivan said normal stocking levels would be 30 to 45 days of inventory, or maybe 140 cars in the case of this Honda dealership. At present, as noted, there are maybe 100, and they cover all trim levels.

“You went through three years of expecting to have to put a deposit down on something that was inbound on a ship, a train, or a truc. And now, you’re getting to the point where there’s a good chance you can find what you’re looking for available.”

It’s pretty much the same across the spectrum, he said, adding that inventory levels vary with the dealership, but most are working their way back to ‘normal.’

Improved availability is one of the key reasons why 2024 was a better year than most were expecting, said those we spoke with, noting that there is still a large amount of pent-up demand — and, now, many options for meeting that demand.

Indeed, during COVID and its immediate aftermath, manufacturers, hit with massive supply-chain issues, focused mostly on higher-end vehicles, driving up the average cost of a new car to levels many consumers were not willing to pay, said Cosenzi, adding that lots are now close to full with models across all trim levels, which has certainly helped drive sales.

“It was very hard to find middle and lower trim levels during that time,” she explained. “Now that things are opening back up again, it’s a lot easier to find a selection of low, middle, and high-end options of the same model. Buyers have more options than they’ve had in years.”

Meanwhile, other contributing factors include comparatively low unemployment, relatively strong consumer confidence, and those incentives from the manufacturers, Cosenzi said. “We’ve seen the manufacturers get more and more aggressive. Right now, we have 0% for 60 months — Nissan has it on its Rogue, which is a prime model, Volkswagen has it … 0% is back. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Tucson has 1.9%; those are examples of how aggressive the incentives are.”

Marcotte agreed, noting that these incentives come in many forms, including the Ford Power Promise, whereby those buying or leasing an EV become eligible for a complimentary home charger and standard installation.

 

Picking up Speed

With improved availability and overall sales up 10%, the question then becomes, ‘what are people buying?’

Some of everything is the obvious answer, but especially SUVs and crossovers — in part because there are simply fewer cars to buy — as well as trucks, EVs, and hybrids, said those we spoke with.

And commercial vehicles as well, noted Sullivan, adding that year end is traditionally a busy time for such sales as contractors and others look to take advantage of Section 179 tax deductions. But until recently, they simply weren’t available.

“We’re finally at the point where we can take care of those customers, and that’s making them happy, and it makes us happy,” said Sullivan, noting that the southern end of the crowded parking lot at the Chevy/GMC store reflects this reality. “The past several years, in many cases, people just said, ‘we’ll wait until next year.’ It was a very difficult time getting commercial vehicles.”

Mike Filomeno, Sales manager at Marcotte Ford, agreed, noting that truck sales, on both the commercial and consumer sides, remain solid as inventories grow. He cited, as one example, Ford’s Maverick, a small pickup with prices starting at $27,000.

“It comes in a hybrid and all-wheel drive, so it’s pretty popular; that’s a great price point,” he said, adding that Ford’s lineup of larger trucks is also performing well.

And used-car sales are also solid, said Filomeno, noting that inventories have improved somewhat, prices have returned to something approaching normal, and, as a result of both factors, sales are up, contributing to the dealership’s growth this year.

As for SUVs, they continue to dominate the market, with most manufacturers cutting back to one or two car models. Ford, for example, has just one, the Mustang.

But Sullivan said those in the industry are starting to see some movement among the younger generations toward cars.

“It’s too early to see if it’s a trend or just data, but there is some indication that the young people, the Millennials, don’t want to be in SUVs like their parents were,” he noted. “And you’re starting to see a lot of young people migrate into the sedan market.”

If that movement accelerates, then manufacturers may need to rethink their lineups and add more sedans, he went on. For now, the focus remains on SUVs. And larger numbers of these are coming in the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and EV varieties, said those we spoke with, adding that sales of those vehicles are up across the board.

EVs still comprise only around 6% of all sales, said Sullivan, adding that the numbers continue to gradually improve as the options increase and consumers become more familiar with them.

To that point, he said Balise recently brought each of the 23 EVs sold across its stable of dealerships to an event at the Palmer Motor Sports Park, where consumers could get acquainted with the various vehicles — and drive them on a racetrack. More than 100 consumers turned out, and most all of them came away impressed with what they saw and experienced.

“I did not speak to one of them who didn’t say, ‘now that I’ve driven one, I believe it’s the car for me,’” he recalled, adding that familiarity breeds comfort.

Marcotte agreed, noting that Ford’s lineup of EVs includes everything from the Mustang Mach-E to the F-150 Lightning pickup to an E-Transit cargo van, and that, increasingly, consumers are becoming more comfortable with such vehicles.

Cosenzi concurred, noting that the Hyundai store put more than 30 people in the IONIQ 5 this month, thanks to the $79-a-month, 13-month lease deal. She said the outlook for continued improvement is generally positive, but much depends on whether the incoming Trump administration makes good on plans to kill the $7,500 consumer tax credit for EV purchases as part of broader tax-reform legislation.

“There’s a lot of speculation about what might happen with those incentives,” she said, adding that, at more than $10,000 in many cases, they certainly help some consumers get over the hump and into an EV.

 

Hospitals Respond Proactively, Creatively to ‘Relentless’ Challenges

By
Baystate Health is undergoing some pain now, including the loss of many leadership positions, but plans to be on solid financial footing by the end of 2025.
Healthcare News Special Coverage

Beyond the Status Quo

Baystate Health is undergoing some pain now, including the loss of many leadership positions, but plans to be on solid financial footing by the end of 2025.

Baystate Health is undergoing some pain now, including the loss of many leadership positions, but plans to be on solid financial footing by the end of 2025.

 

Spiros Hatiras was looking for some wood to knock on.

The president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) had just told BusinessWest that his hospital had a solid year in 2024 and made progress with many of the challenges facing all providers, and he was generally optimistic about the immediate future.

“Knock on wood,” he added quickly, noting that he and others in this sector are always wary of the unforeseen — like a global pandemic, for example, or the extreme workforce challenges that came in its wake, or a cyber attack … or any changes to Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act, which requires pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in Medicaid to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to hospitals that serve many uninsured and low-income patients.

“That’s a program that’s a lifeline for hospitals, and it constantly gets attacked, usually by pharmaceutical companies who want to do away with it because they have to discount drugs at a very high rate,” said Hatiras, who, like and others we spoke with, is not expecting any real changes to the 340B program, but acknowledged they could happen. In the meantime, they stressed that, while the unforeseen is always concerning, the many challenges that are in plain sight are certainly daunting enough.

Indeed, ‘relentless’ was the word Dr. Robert Roose, president of Mercy Medical Center, used to describe these ongoing headwinds, which include everything from spiraling costs and inflation to persistently inadequate reimbursements from payers, especially those of the public variety; from continuing workforce challenges to access and capacity issues.

And then, there is the overriding issue driving all those listed above — caring for a population that is older and sicker than what has been seen historically.

Dr. Robert Roose

Dr. Robert Roose

“The challenges in healthcare over the past five years have shifted, but they have not let up. And they ultimately result in financial challenges that are stressing the ways in which we collectively provide access to care in our communities.”

“The challenges in healthcare over the past five years have shifted, but they have not let up,” Roose said. “And they ultimately result in financial challenges that are stressing the ways in which we collectively provide access to care in our communities.”

The many hardships facing hospitals large and small have been effectively encapsulated in recent headlines involving the Baystate Health system, which includes four hospitals.

The system went public recently to detail recent struggles — including $300 million in operating losses over the past few years — and its response.

That includes the sale of its lab (which helped stem the flow of red ink for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30), the pending sale of Health New England, and, most recently, the announced elimination of 130 administrative positions.

Those steps are part of what Baystate’s new president and CEO, Peter Banko, called a “transformation plan, one that calls for making hard decisions, relieving cost pressures, some cuts, but also investments in the years to come and greater financial stability.

“Next year at this time, we’ll be talking about being in a growth mode,” he added. “Not contracting, not selling things, but investing $1.2 billion over the next six years.”

There has been a good deal of red ink within the industry — 75% of Bay State hospitals will lose money in 2024, according to the Massachusetts Hospital Assoc. — but Hatiras said HMC has been able to stay in the black, in part through help from the Commonwealth, which has been very supportive of its hospitals, but also by managing carefully.

“We don’t have a lot to fall back on, so we’re careful,” he noted. “We also try to think outside the box and be smart about the risks we take.”

As they looked ahead to 2025 and beyond, those we spoke with made heavy use of that phrase ‘guarded optimism’ when it comes to improvement of the overall bottom line as well as issues such as the workforce. But they also spoke of the need for real change when it comes to how people are cared for.

Peter Banko

Peter Banko

“We need to develop more personalized care. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work; someone who’s 85 needs different care than someone’s who’s 65 or 55 or 25. I’ve been in this industry for 40 years; we’ve never personalized care or personalized care models to each person — it’s ‘here’s our model, and you’re going to fit into it.’”

“We need to develop more personalized care,” Banko said. “One-size-fits-all doesn’t work; someone who’s 85 needs different care than someone’s who’s 65 or 55 or 25. I’ve been in this industry for 40 years; we’ve never personalized care or personalized care models to each person — it’s ‘here’s our model, and you’re going to fit into it.’”

For this issue’s look at the healthcare outlook for 2025, we talked with these hospital leaders about what’s happening today, and what needs to happen for tomorrow.

 

Age-old Problems

Nov. 2 at 4 a.m.

That’s when Mercy Medical Center flipped the switch, if you will, and converted to the Epic EHR electronic health records system. The conversion comes at a price tag “in the eight figures,” over the next several years, and has been, in general, both all-consuming and quite necessary, Roose said.

“This has been a journey for us for several years that intensified over the past year — it’s a transformational moment,” he explained, adding that the system will greatly improve coordination of care. “It’s been incredible investment in terms of time — tens of thousands of hours — and money.”

Conversion to systems like Epic, taking place across the country, comprise just one of the many challenges — and huge expenses — facing all healthcare systems today.

And those challenges have been, as Roose said, relentless — both since the start of COVID and, on many fronts, since well before that.

One of the larger issues facing all providers today is simply caring for a population that is older — the oldest Baby Boomers are approaching 80, and there are a lot of them — and, for reasons both known and unknown, sicker.

“There’s been a spike in things, which everyone is still trying to explain,” Hatiras said. “We’ve seen a spike in cancers, a spike in heart conditions, spikes in cardiovascular and stroke … people are very, very sick, sicker than in years prior.

Spiros Hatiras

Spiros Hatiras

“There’s been a spike in things, which everyone is still trying to explain. We’ve seen a spike in cancers, a spike in heart conditions, spikes in cardiovascular and stroke … people are very, very sick, sicker than in years prior.”

“People are still trying to figure out why this is happening,” he said, not wanting to speculate himself but while also listing theories ranging from long COVID to vaccines to people putting off needed care during the pandemic.

“The bottom line is, we’re a lot busier,” he went on, adding that this phrase applies to many constituencies, including employees. Indeed, the hospital, which is self-insured, has seen claims for such conditions as cancers, cardiac disease, and stroke up 30% to 40%, spikes that are certainly not normal.

Banko noted that, in many respects, what hospitals are seeing relates to demographics — a large percentage of the population reaching its 60s and 70s at the same time more people are living well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond — and the resulting consequences. Meanwhile, in Western Mass., there is virtually no growth among younger people, leaving an older, sicker population to care for.

“We look at our growth over the next five to 10 years … there’s a little in the 25-to-44 age range, the 45-64 range is declining, the zero to 25 is declining. The most rapid increase in our population here in Western Mass. and the Northeast is the 65 and older, and the largest increase is 75 and over.

“What that means is more complex care and more chronic conditions; today, we’re at 70% Medicare, and that’s only to increase moving forward,” he went on, adding that these statistics explain why hospitals in this region are under more financial stress than those in growth areas such as the Southwest and Southeast.

“People are living longer, and when they live longer, there are chronic conditions,” Banko continued. “Decisions made in your 30s, 40s, and 50s show up in your 70s and 80s … you’re probably going to experience cancer, and you may experience heart disease or stroke, and you may need a hip replacement or spine surgery.”

 

Work in Progress

This surge in business presents a host of challenges, including crowded emergency departments, with backlogs of people getting into beds, and then backlogs when those people are ready for discharge because there is a lack of beds in nursing homes and other facilities.

“We have access issues,” Banko said. “It’s hard to access primary care and specialists, we don’t have physicians and workforce to care for the needs of the community, we don’t have enough beds … we don’t have enough capacity.”

These capacity issues are compounded by financial struggles, which make it more difficult to make needed investments in facilities and personnel, he went on, adding that a big part of Baystate’s transformation plan is to invest and expand so that more people can be treated in this market and fewer people will have to go to Boston or other markets for care.

Looking ahead, he said 2025 and the years to follow will be “tough but invigorating.”

And these challenges come amid workforce issues, amplified by those aforementioned demographics — Boomer doctors, nurses, and other professionals are retiring — and the unprecedented levels of stress generated by the pandemic, which prompted some to leave healthcare for other sectors or retire early.

Those we spoke with said there has been some easing on the workforce front, especially as hospitals offer incentives to nurses and other professionals, as well as more flexibility with hours and work/life balance. But the challenge persists.

One of the reasons why is capacity, said Hatiras, noting that incentive programs, which all area hospitals have now implemented, mostly result in professionals moving from one hospital or system to another, with no general improvement in numbers across the sector.

“I wish that, rather than us trying to attract staff that works somewhere else — when we hire someone, that leaves a hole somewhere else — we could find some way to grow the pie rather than share it differently,” he said. “But if you’re a small player like us, in order to survive, you have to have staff. Unfortunately, the game we have to play is to make this place as attractive as possible to attract people here, even if it’s from other institutions, which I’d rather not do, but, unfortunately, I have to.”

To attract these professionals, HMC and other providers are focusing on culture, while also creating more flexibility with schedules, something that is in demand, especially from younger generations of workers.

“We find more people who don’t want to work weekends, or they don’t want to work nights,” said Hatiras, adding that someone has to work those shifts, and the challenge is to incentivize people to want to.

Roose agreed, noting that, through some creative initiatives involving schedules, compensation, and overall culture, Mercy Medical Center has recorded a 33% reduction in turnover rates over the past nine months.

 

Bottom Line

As they looked ahead, those we spoke with again referenced the unforeseen, which is always a concern in this sector — again, because the ongoing issues are stern enough.

Hatiras said that, in addition to ongoing attacks by Big Pharma on Section 340B, there is some concern about planned cuts to the amount of support given to disproportionate-share hospitals, as contained in the Affordable Care Act.

Those cuts, included in the landmark legislation on the assumption that more people would have health insurance and that the need for additional support would be reduced, have not been implemented, he told BusinessWest, adding that the program expires Jan. 1, and there are questions about whether this lame-duck Congress will continue to kick that can down the road.

“If those cuts go into effect, it’s a lot of money — in Massachusetts, I think it’s $600 million, maybe $800 million,” he said, adding that hospitals like HMC will certainly be impacted.

Banko isn’t predicting any cuts to 340B or Medicaid’s Disproportionate Share Hospital program, adding that reductions to either would be devastating to the state’s hospitals and, therefore, unlikely.

As for the longer term, he noted that the demographics he cited earlier will continue to challenge hospitals and healthcare systems in this region, underscoring the need for real change in how care is provided.

“How we get paid versus how we provide care are two different things,” he said. “We’re going to have to figure out new care models with physicians, advanced practice providers, how we provide nursing, more virtual care, more outpatient care. Compared to other parts of the country, we don’t have a lot of ambulatory outpatient access points, so not a lot of imaging centers, surgery centers, or urgent care.

“So now, we’re stuck going to the big-box hospital,” Banko went on. “So we have to find ways to offload care to community settings, less costly settings, and starting to develop personalized care.”

Roose agreed. He called this an inflection point for the sector, one that requires a call to action and a transformation in how care is provided, with more intervention earlier that may prevent real problems later.

“Personally and professionally,” he said, “I see a real calling to try move upstream and intervene earlier — not only with individual improvements through lifestyle changes that can attend to the factors that can contribute to chronic disease, be that movement, appropriate nutrition, or good sleep, but also thinking more systemically about how we support the decisions and the resources within the community to lead people toward better health, better wellness.”

 

UMass Amherst Named Partner Institution in $15 Million NSF I-Corps Hub

By
Sundar Krishnamurty
Environment and Engineering Special Coverage

The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Sundar Krishnamurty

Sundar Krishnamurty says I-Corps speaks to the vision of building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.

 

The U.S. National Science Foundation has named UMass Amherst a partner in the NSF I-Corps Hub: New England Region. The university will receive more than $1.4 million from the partnership, which will be led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The hub will receive $15 million over five years to promote entrepreneurialism among STEM researchers, with I-Corps trained faculty, researchers, and students working to transform deep technology inventions into marketable products.

“We train our researchers to apply their findings to create value. We call it Innovation 101,” said Sundar Krishnamurty, faculty lead of the I-Corps program at UMass, Ronnie & Eugene M. Isenberg distinguished professor in Engineering, and department head of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. “The interdisciplinary program reaches into the whole STEM world. This speaks to the chancellor’s vision of building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.”

UMass has expertise in translating research from scientific and technology domains that are key focus areas for the I-Corps Hub: New England Region. These areas are bluetech (advanced technologies and innovations related to the marine and maritime domains), forestry/sustainability, and biotech/life sciences.

UMass has been an I-Corps site since 2018, but this new award marks the NSF’s shift from individual sites to what the NSF describes as “a more integrated model, I-Corps Hubs, comprising a lead and partner institutions, that form the operational backbone of the National Innovation Network.”

Now, in addition to running these trainings for the UMass community, the UMass I-Corps team will be recruiting from other universities within the UMass system, as well as Western Mass. institutions such as Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and Springfield Technical Community College. The outreach initiative aims to correct persistent gender, race, and geographic disparities in entrepreneurship.

“The goal of the I-Corps program is to deploy experiential education to help researchers reduce the time necessary to translate promising ideas from laboratory benches to widespread implementation that in turn impacts economic growth regionally and nationally.”

“Our prior I-Corps site was highly successful in providing essential tech translation training programs to UMass faculty and student teams,” said Sanjay Raman, principal investigator of the UMass Amherst New England Hub I-Corps effort, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and dean of the College of Engineering. “In total, over 60 regional teams were trained, 15 went on to the national level I-Corps program, and 12 new ventures were formed. We are thrilled to join MIT and our other New England partner universities to expand our impact throughout the region, in particular underserved, more rural regions.”

 

Examples of Impact

Successful I-Corps participants from UMass include Myrias Optics, an emerging developer of nanopatterned structures on glass called metaoptics; Latde, a company that designs inexpensive diagnostic tests to guide antibiotic treatment, starting with urinary-tract infections; and rStream, a startup creating AI-based systems to sort recycling.

Sanjay Raman

Sanjay Raman

“Innovation is a core value for our campus. The I-Corps Hub and the opportunity to participate as a partner directly aligns with existing campus efforts to create an environment that supports the research, development, and mechanisms leading to deep technology ventures,” said Mike Malone, vice chancellor for Research and Engagement.

Ina Ganguli, professor of Economics in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Isenberg School of Management, and director of the UMass Computational Social Science Institute, is the hub research lead. She brings her expertise in how to effectively involve individuals with diverse experiences and identities in university innovation and commercialization activities and how to create more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Laura Burnham will continue to serve as program director. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading the development, design, and delivery of early-stage science and technology programs in the U.S. and globally.

“The goal of the I-Corps program is to deploy experiential education to help researchers reduce the time necessary to translate promising ideas from laboratory benches to widespread implementation that in turn impacts economic growth regionally and nationally,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF’s assistant director for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. “Each regional NSF I-Corps Hub provides training essential in entrepreneurship and customer discovery, leading to new products, startups, and jobs. In effect, we are investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs for our nation.”

The NSF I-Corps Hub: New England Region is one of three new regional hubs, bringing the total number of higher-education institutions with an I-Corps site across the country to 128. Led by MIT, the hub also includes Brown University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, Tufts University, the University of Maine, and the University of New Hampshire.

 

Bean Restaurant Group Named Restaurant of the Year by Retailers Assoc. of Massachusetts

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Bean Restaurant Group was named the 2024 Restaurant of the Year by the Retailers Assoc. of Massachusetts (RAM), recognizing the company’s longstanding dedication to hospitality excellence, culinary creativity, and community engagement.

The award was officially presented at a luncheon on Nov. 20 at the Conference Center at Bentley University in Waltham. The event featured a video produced by Jon Almas of Aeropex Creative Media, highlighting the history, team, and dining experiences that have made Bean Restaurant Group a cornerstone of the community.

“This award is a humbling reminder that everything we’re doing is being received well within our communities,” said Nathan Yee, director of Hospitality at Bean Restaurant Group. “It’s an honor to be recognized for creating memorable dining experiences and fostering connections that go beyond the table.”

Founded in 1965 by Johnny Yee with the opening of the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee, Bean Restaurant Group has built a legacy of culinary excellence and community-focused dining. This dedication was exemplified at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the group stepped in to save the iconic White Hut in West Springfield, preserving the beloved local brand known for its burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes. The revitalization effort ensured White Hut’s legacy would continue and later included the addition of a second location in Holyoke. Recent additions also include Crush Wine Bar in West Hartford, Conn., a contemporary wine bar with a rotating small-plates menu.

Other standout restaurants include the historic Student Prince in Springfield, famous for its German-inspired menu, and its lively bar sibling, the Wurst Haus in Northampton. The portfolio also features Johnny’s Tavern in Amherst, Johnny’s Bar & Grille in South Hadley, IYA Sushi & Noodle Kitchen in Amherst and South Hadley, the Halfway House Lounge in South Hadley, and Union Kitchen in Connecticut.

The RAMAEs (Retailers Assoc. of Massachusetts Awards of Excellence) were established in 1998 to honor exceptional achievements in the retail and restaurant industries throughout the state. Over the years, the awards have celebrated businesses of all sizes, highlighting their contributions to their communities and the broader industry.

“This recognition is a tribute to our incredible team and loyal guests who have supported us over the years,” Yee said. “We are deeply grateful to RAM for this honor and look forward to continuing our mission of bringing people together through great food and hospitality.”

GCC to Host Annual Outdoor Industry Job Fair on Dec. 5

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — On Thursday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon, Greenfield Community College (GCC) will host its largest-ever outdoor jobs fair on campus with 19 vendors from throughout the region.

Since 1982, GCC’s Department of Adventure Education & Outdoor Leadership has hosted an annual outdoor-industry job fair. Employers from various regional outdoor companies, agencies, camps, guide services, and retailers will be on hand, looking to fill open part-time, seasonal, and full-time positions.

Companies include Zoar Outdoor, Adventure East, Cathleen Stone Outward Bound, Earthwork, Wilderness School, Outside Perspectives, Miraval Berkshires Resort, Mount Snow Adaptive Snowsports, Appalachian Mountain Club, LUK Inc., Farm & Wilderness Camp, Arlington School Department, Camp W, Crossroads, First Light, DEI Outdoors, Ramblewild, USArmy Recreation, and Adventure East.

The event will be held at GCC’s Commons Dining area. It is free and open to the public. In the unlikely case of snow delay, information will be posted on the GCC events page, www.gcc.mass.edu/events.

Springfield Pics to Join National Collegiate Development Conference in 2025-26

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) announced that the Springfield Pics will join the tuition-free National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) beginning in the 2025-26 season under General Manager and Head Coach Rob Bonneau. The Pics will be the 10th team joining the New England Division of the NCDC.

A founding member of the USPHL, the Pics play at Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield. In addition to the NCDC team, the Pics will field an Elite team in 2025-26.

“We have been a proud member of the USPHL since its inception and are proud to announce our elevation to the NCDC division,” said Patrick Tabb, Springfield Pics franchise owner. “This gives us the opportunity to once again compete for the Dineen Cup, named in honor of our founder, Gary Dineen. We are thrilled for this next chapter in our program and provisioning for more college hockey opportunities for players for many years to come.”

USPHL Deputy Commissioner Tony Zasowski added that “the Springfield Pics have been a cornerstone of the USPHL since its inception. As the NCDC continues to solidify its position as the key pathway to college hockey, we are thrilled to elevate the Pics to this next level.”

Elms College Awarded $1.27 Million Grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College has been awarded a $1.27 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to continue its program that started in 2019 to enhance healthcare education and outcomes in Haiti.

This grant will support the ongoing partnership between Elms College School of Nursing and the Episcopal University of Haiti (Faculté des Sciences Infirmières de Léogâne). This partnership invests in the professional development of nursing faculty in Haiti and directly addresses that country’s pressing healthcare challenges, including low life expectancy and high infant mortality rates.

“Elms College is extremely grateful to the Kellogg Foundation for their continued support of our work in Haiti. Elms College and the Kellogg Foundation have a common objective to effect positive change in our community and the world,” Elms College President Harry Dumay said. “Thanks to the foundation’s support, our highly regarded School of Nursing is partnering with a sister institution in Haiti to educate Haitian nurse educators who are true pockets of hope for their communities.”

For more than four years, Elms College has collaborated with the university to provide advanced training to Haitian nursing faculty, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has been there since the beginning. Elms College received an initial grant of $750,000 in 2019 and a $1.2 million grant in 2022 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to work toward its goal of improving healthcare in Haiti.

Nurses are pivotal in Haiti’s healthcare system, where they, rather than doctors, deliver most medical care, and this partnership equips them with the latest healthcare knowledge. It aims to strengthen the skills of nursing educators, empowering them to better prepare their students to meet the critical healthcare needs of Haiti.

This past June, the program graduated its fourth cohort of nursing faculty, who will now be able to better educate their students and improve the quality of the care for patients. The nurse educators have consistently expressed their pride in being part of this program, a growing sense of professionalism, and their strong commitment to improving healthcare in Haiti.

“This is Elms College at its best,” said Joyce Hampton, vice president of Academic Affairs. “We are using our excellence and innovation in nursing to effect positive change globally in solidarity with our Haitian partners.”

The program is also supported by the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Haiti Nursing Continuing Program Endowment, established by the D’Amour Family.

Picture This

By
Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty, along with other bank representatives, recently presented a $2,250 donation to Shriners Children’s New England as part of the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative
Picture This

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

 

Supporting Children’s Care

Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty, along with other bank representatives, recently presented a $2,250 donation to Shriners Children’s New England as part of the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative, in which the public was given the opportunity to cast votes to support their favorite local charitable organizations. Shriners Children’s New England is a local clinic providing specialty orthopedic, neuromuscular, cleft lip and palate, and urologic care exclusively to children.

Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty, along with other bank representatives, recently presented a $2,250 donation to Shriners Children’s New England as part of the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative

Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty, along with other bank representatives, recently presented a $2,250 donation to Shriners Children’s New England as part of the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative

 

 

Honoring Veterans

Flash Car Wash recently held its annual Veterans Day promotion at all 19 locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The promotion included a free Diamond Wash at any Flash Car Wash location for all veterans and active service members on Veterans Day, while all proceeds from paid retail washes on Veterans Day were donated to Veterans Inc. That donation totaled $48,091 this year, an increase from last year’s $43,879.

Flash Car Wash recently held its annual Veterans Day promotion at all 19 locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Flash Car Wash recently held its annual Veterans Day promotion at all 19 locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

 

 

Real World Experience

AIC faculty and students joined the Springfield Thunderbirds for the team’s School Day event on Nov. 6, which welcomed more than 7,000 K-12 students from 68 area schools to enjoy a day of hockey. Led by Associate Professor Mei-Lin Yeh-Lane, students from AIC’s Event and Facility Management class provided hospitality and gained professional experience. The day included an exclusive tour of the MassMutual Center and the Thunderbirds’ office hosted by Todd McDonald, vice president of Sales and Strategy, and Laura Blanchard, senior account executive.

AIC faculty and students joined the Springfield Thunderbirds for the team’s School Day event on Nov. 6, which welcomed more than 7,000 K-12 students from 68 area schools to enjoy a day of hockey

AIC faculty and students joined the Springfield Thunderbirds for the team’s School Day event on Nov. 6, which welcomed more than 7,000 K-12 students from 68 area schools to enjoy a day of hockey

 

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets

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

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Michelle Graton, personal representative of the estate of Charles Grato v. Chelsea Green, DO
Allegation: Medical malpractice, wrongful death: $50,000
Filed: 10/23/24

Hoop City Ventures LLC v. Del Homes LLC et al
Allegation: Breach of contract, fraud, conversion: $38,353.37
Filed: 10/24/24

Lori Chartier v. NSA Property Holdings LLC and NSA Storage d/b/a Moove In Self Storage
Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury
Filed: 10/28/24

Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC v. O’Donnell Paving & Landscaping Inc.
Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered: $57,135.39
Filed: 10/30/24

Government Employee Insurance Co. a/s/o Joshua Rivera v. City of Springfield
Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing injury: $12,873.64
Filed: 11/1/24

Eugene Mitchell v. Gándara Mental Health Center Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract arising from data breach: $4,000,000
Filed: 11/1/24

Jon Gerhardson on behalf of himself and all other employees similarly situated v. Springfield Pie Inc.
Allegation: Violations of Massachusetts Wage Act: $100,000+
Filed: 11/5/24

Arena Funding Source LLC v. American Waste Removal LLC and Mark D. Anderson
Allegation: Breach of contract: $73,636.74
Filed: 11/5/24

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

AIC Announces ‘Pathway to Progress’ Business Plan

SPRINGFIELD — On Nov. 13, American International College (AIC) announced an expansive organizational business plan that will guide the college over the next several years. Dubbed “Pathway to Progress,” the comprehensive document presents a wide array of changes to the college’s operational model, including revising the academic portfolio, expanding degree options, launching new enrollment strategies, and streamlining athletic programming. Developed in alignment with the college’s 2022-27 strategic plan by members of senior leadership in tandem with a nationally recognized educational consulting partner, the plan includes the following initiatives:

• To support the ongoing growth of AIC’s academic portfolio, the college will expand faculty options by introducing multi-year contracts, including a new professor of Practice role, alongside the existing tenure-track pathway and adjunct/part-time faculty roles.

• Most full-time faculty will shift to a 5/5 teaching load to better meet academic demands, with course registration moving to the staff advisors.

• AIC will continue the expansion of its degree offerings, with a multi-year plan to continue launching new programs based on industry demand and market research. With this transition, some undergraduate and graduate programs will be discontinued. Faculty positions will not be affected. Following the previously announced launch of seven new online degree completion programs, the college plans to expand the number of program offerings beginning in the fall of 2025.

• To meet growing industry demand, AIC will begin offering three-year, 120-credit bachelor’s degree options for a variety of undergraduate programs to provide time and financial savings to students.

• Beginning in 2025, AIC will launch a comprehensive re-enrollment campaign to engage and recruit former students to return to AIC and complete their degrees.

• Following the close of the 2024-25 season, the men’s ice hockey program will return to NCAA Division II competition from Division I, positioning it alongside the majority of AIC’s varsity programs. This transition will provide a more equitable distribution of resources among all athletic programs and will allow ice hockey’s legacy to continue within the AIC Athletics portfolio. All scholarships for affected athletes will be honored following this transition.

• Effective May 2025, the college will discontinue its women’s tennis and wrestling programs to better meet industry demand and provide additional resources to its other varsity sports. All scholarships for affected athletes will be honored following this transition.

 

Design Professionals Inc. Relocates to South Windsor

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — Design Professionals Inc. (DPI) announced that the firm has moved to a larger (6,250 square feet) office location at 58 Connecticut Ave., Suite H, South Windsor, Conn. Design Professionals is a civil-engineering, land-surveying, land-planning, and landscape-architecture consulting practice serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It offers comprehensive site-design and land-surveying services. Serving private- and public-sector clients since its inception in 1986, DPI has participated in more than 5,000 projects in more than 225 New England communities. On an annual basis, it typically adds more than 125 engagements.

 

Greenfield Co-op Supports Children’s Advocacy Center

GREENFIELD — On Oct. 28, Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) presented a contribution to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County & North Quabbin (CAC) to support its new site in Orange. The new location will enable CAC to expand its vital services to the Orange and Athol communities. CAC’s mission is to prevent and end child abuse by providing education, safety, healing, and justice. The organization works to coordinate medical, legal, educational, and mental-health services to promote safety, justice, healing, and hope for child victims of abuse. Its new site in Orange is expected to open before the end of the year.

 

Big Y Named a Forbes Best-in-State Employer

SPRINGFIELD — For the sixth year in a row, Big Y has been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Employer for 2024. Honorees have been identified across all industries based upon an independent survey of employees who anonymously recommend their employers for this award. Employers such as Big Y neither have the knowledge of which employees are polled, nor do they have the ability to influence the results in any way. According to Forbes, employees are asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employees are also asked to give their opinions on a series of statements surrounding work-related topics such as working conditions, salary, potential for development, and company image regarding their current employer. Big Y’s award spans 25 different industries. Big Y puts a strong emphasis on employee experience and feedback focusing on flexibility, overall recognition, work/life balance, and fostering a culture of caring and inclusion. It engages in employee roundtables, focus groups, employee resource groups and frequent surveys to solicit feedback on improving the work environment.

 

PDS Engineering & Construction Building Self-storage Facility

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. — PDS Engineering & Construction Inc. recently broke ground on a three-story, 61,000-square-foot self-storage facility at 275 Benton Dr., East Longmeadow, which will feature more than 500 storage units. The project will include a storage steel structure, site work, concrete, two elevators, two stairwells, office space, a glass curtain wall, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, modern interior finishes, and more. The project will take approximately 10 months to complete, with a schedule completion date of June 2025. PDS Engineering & Construction Inc. has been a design-build general contractor for 59 years throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

 

Cooley Dickinson, GSB Unveil Hospital-based ATM

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital recently welcomed a new addition to its main lobby hallway: a Greenfield Savings Bank ATM. The newly installed Greenfield Savings Bank ATM is located down the hall from the gift shop. Now through March 2025, Greenfield Savings Bank will waive all withdrawal fees at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital location; other bank fees may apply. Greenfield Savings Bank is a supporter of Cooley Dickinson and has supported initiatives including the Emergency Department campaign, the Golf Fore Health tournament, and the campaign for the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

 

Common Capital Opens Business Resource Center

SPRINGFIELD — Starting or growing a small business in Western Mass. got a little easier with the recent opening of the Common Capital Business Resource Center in downtown Springfield. All the services at the Business Resource Center are free and available for any small business operating in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire counties. They include in-person or online business planning and financial-projection services; in-house business-training curriculum with interactive tools, templates, videos, and guides for entrepreneurs, startups, and existing businesses; and business-assistance services for all borrowers in accounting, financial reporting, marketing, human resources, and operations. Common Capital has been recognized as the number-one microlender in Massachusetts by the U.S. Small Business Administration for three years running. This track record means entrepreneurs using the Business Resource Center are more likely to be set up for success, starting with getting the capital they need to launch or strengthen their business.

 

Bulkley Richardson Supports Cancer Care with $10,000 Gift

SPRINGFIELD — With a goal of ensuring premium healthcare for individuals in the community, Bulkley Richardson made a $10,000 gift to Baystate Health Foundation for the purchase of three infusion chairs at the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care. These chairs replace aging equipment and provide comfortable and safe medical seating, supporting the experience and outcomes of patients coping with cancer. Quality infusion chairs are important, as oncology infusion patients must remain seated for extended periods of time while receiving medication or fluids through an IV and may require frequent treatments for the length of their illness. These new chairs will also help to mitigate the risks of extended sitting and make treatments more manageable, with an ergonomic design that supports good posture, reduces pressure points, and promotes blood flow while patients receive critical treatments. The Baystate Regional Cancer Program treats more than 2,800 new cancer patients in Western Mass. each year, constituting more than 65% of the cancer diagnoses in the region. Approximately 10,000 patients receive some form of care at the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care annually.

 

Rachel’s Table Food Drive at Big E Generates Donations

SPRINGFIELD — The Big E facilitated a food drive among its concessionaires this year, which generated more than 3,000 pounds in donations to Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts (RTWM), a Springfield-based food rescue service that distributes donated and specially purchased foods, without charge, to agencies that feed hungry families and individuals in the Western Mass. region. Rachel’s Table also provides training programs on food safety and information on efficient distribution, and has established a network of community support systems that work collaboratively to counter hunger and advocate, when appropriate, for food-insecure people. Now in its second year, this partnership is an extension of the Eastern States Exposition’s (ESE) commitment to improving lives in this region. ESE donates to RTWM outside of fair time, too, providing food from year-round events. Through its connection with ESE, Rachel’s Table was able to secure a relationship with Performance Food Group (PFG) within the last year. PFG is also a Springfield-based business, catering to many food-service and food-delivery needs, including stocking restaurants, national chains, vending, convenience, concessions, and more.

 

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Alexandre Pereira

Alexandre Pereira

Sara Cafaro

Sara Cafaro

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that two attorneys have officially joined the firm. Former law clerk Alexandre Pereira and former real-estate intern Sara Cafaro sat for the Massachusetts State Bar Exam in late July and have since been sworn in to the Massachusetts Bar as of Nov. 19. Pereira joined Bacon Wilson as a law clerk in June 2023, gaining experience across multiple legal disciplines and discovering a strong passion for elder law and estate planning. During his time at Bacon Wilson, he earned his juris doctor degree with a concentration in transactional law from Western New England University School of Law in May 2024. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, magna cum laude, from Western New England University, achieved in 2021. Before joining Bacon Wilson, Pereira served as a legal assistant at Marta Law Offices in Ludlow, where he developed valuable expertise in estate planning and real estate. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has been an active community member, volunteering at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. He is excited to continue serving his community as Bacon Wilson’s newest associate attorney in the Elder Law and Estate Planning department. Cafaro began her journey at Bacon Wilson as an intern in the summer of 2022, working in the Corporate and Commercial Real Estate department at the Springfield office. She later transitioned to the Westfield office in the winter of 2022, continuing her practicum internship through 2024. She earned her juris doctor degree from Western New England University School of Law in May 2024. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Western New England University, completed through the accelerated 3+3 program. This innovative program allowed her to begin her law-school coursework during her senior undergraduate year, enabling her to graduate cum laude with her bachelor’s degree a year early in May 2022. During her academic career, Cafaro was recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Edward F. McBride Award and the CALI Award for Excellence in Evidence Law. She is excited to advance her career as Bacon Wilson’s newest associate attorney in the Commercial and Residential Real Estate department.

•••••

Christopher Fager

Christopher Fager

Meghan Parnell

Meghan Parnell

Florence Bank has hired Christopher Fager to serve as vice president and commercial loan officer, and Meghan Parnell to serve as vice president, credit manager, both in the Commercial Lending department. With 15 years of experience at banks in the region, Fager is skilled at commercial loan origination and analysis, portfolio management, and customer service. Over his career, he has worked with companies across all industries and has extensive knowledge with those in construction, manufacturing, nonprofits, auto dealership, logistics, dental, veterinarian, and wholesale distribution. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UMass Dartmouth. Fager is active in the community, serving on the board of directors for the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club and Helix Human Services. He is a distribution committee member for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and is so well-known as a youth coach in West Springfield that many people call him Coach Fager. Parnell will lead her team in the analysis of existing and proposed commercial loans and commercial loan portfolio management and assist the senior management team with loan policy, budgeting, strategic planning, and external support systems. Skilled in commercial credit and lending, financial analysis, team leadership, process improvement, and digital strategy, Parnell has served as a chief lending officer, senior financial product manager, business lending manager, and commercial credit officer. She holds an associate degree in mathematics from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UMass Amherst. In the community, Parnell has served Family Outreach of Amherst, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School, and as treasurer of the Holyoke Community College Foundation. She was named to the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty class of 2014.

•••••

Russ Kelly

Russ Kelly

LUSO Federal Credit Union announced that Russ Kelly has joined the team as Business Development manager and senior loan originator. A native of Scotland with more than 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry in both the U.K. and U.S., he brings a wealth of expertise and a dedication to client-centered service. In addition to his role at LUSO, Kelly is actively engaged in the local community as treasurer of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. In this capacity, he ensures the profitability of programs and advocates for membership representation throughout the Springfield area. He is also a member and ambassador of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, where he encourages the patronage and membership of local businesses across Western Mass.

•••••

Noah Forrest

Noah Forrest

OMG Inc., a leading global supplier of specialty fasteners, products, and technology for commercial roofing and residential construction applications, recently named Noah Forrest senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). In his new role, Forrest will work with the company’s senior management team to develop financial plans, forecasts, and budgets that support the company’s long-term strategic goals. Other responsibilities include preparing and presenting financial statements and reports to the company and to Steel Partners, its owner; managing the company’s cash flow and capital investments; evaluating acquisition opportunities as they arise; ensuring adherence to financial regulations and standards; and driving a plan to advance the company’s technology road map. In addition, he will manage the company’s finance and information-technology teams and assist the president in performing his responsibilities. He reports to John Ashe, president and CEO. Forrest has more than 20 years of financial, accounting, and strategic leadership experience with Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) and Raytheon Technologies. Most recently, he served as CFO of SBD’s Smart Storage Solutions, which includes the Vidmar, LISTA, and CribMaster brands, where he drove significant profitability improvement while stimulating an increase in organic growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance with a minor in information technology from Bentley University, and an MBA from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

•••••

Amy Royal

Amy Royal

Amy Royal, CEO of the Royal Law Firm, is now an arbitrator with National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM), which offers access to a panel of arbitrators and mediators consisting of former judges and attorneys from many fields. NAM has been named a top provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the U.S. for more than 10 years. Along with being a NAM arbitrator, Royal is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.

•••••

Emily Meunier

Emily Meunier

Theodores’ Blues, Booze, and BBQ announced that longtime Head Chef Emily Meunier has joined the ownership team. This transition underscores the restaurant’s dedication to culinary excellence and its commitment to nurturing talent from within. Meunier has been a driving force in the kitchen since 2009. As co-owner, she will continue to spearhead the culinary team while introducing innovative menu offerings that reflect her deep love for barbecue and bold flavors.

•••••

Hinckley Allen recently welcomed Katie McDonough as a partner in the firm’s Corporate & Business Transactions and Trusts & Estates practice groups. McDonough brings a wealth of experience advising clients on transactions, corporate structure, business planning and risk management, and trusts and estates. She was previously a partner at Egan, Flanagan & Cohen in Springfield. McDonough counsels a range of clients, including nonprofits, educational institutions, medical and professional service firms, family-owned businesses, and individuals. She provides actionable guidance on transactions and advises on corporate governance, entity formation, employment-law issues, and other business-related legal issues, developing strategies for business growth and long-term success. Additionally, her practice involves drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, representing clients in complex civil litigation, resolving partnership disputes, and assisting with estate planning and probate processes. McDonough was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty in 2020 and has been recognized for her accomplishments by Best Lawyers Ones to Watch in Corporate Law since 2021. She is an active Hampden County Bar Assoc. (HCBA) member, having served on the board of directors and various committees, including the pro bono advisory committee and the HCBA legal clinic. She is active in the College of the Holy Cross Alumni Club of the Pioneer Valley. As a military wife, she maintains involvement in the local military veterans’ community; she is also a member of the St. Thomas More Society and serves on the board of the Western Massachusetts Catholic Foundation.

 

•••••

Emily Gest

Emily Gest

Former journalist and seasoned public-relations professional Emily Gest has been hired as associate vice chancellor for News and Media Relations at UMass Amherst. This is a newly created position that replaces that formerly held by Executive Director of Strategic Communications Ed Blaguszewski, who retired in June. Reporting to John Kennedy, vice chancellor for University Relations, Gest will oversee the university’s News and Media Relations office, which includes seven writers and editors, video production, and social media. Early in her career, Gest was a reporter for the New York Daily News, where she was a finalist, with other staff, for a Pulitzer Prize. She covered breaking news, including families of 9/11 victims, as well as health, entertainment, and general features. She has also worked for the Los Angeles Times and Mother Jones magazines. As a PR professional, Gest has extensive experience working in government, higher education, healthcare, and the law. Most recently, she served as senior director of Media Relations at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. For more than a decade, she worked at Rubenstein, a strategic-communications firm based in New York City, and she was also director of Communications for the Georgia State Department of Juvenile Justice and the DeKalb County solicitor-general.

 

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

AVA Acquisition Li Inc., 11 Bowles Road, Agawam, MA 01001. Alan Wosky, 210 Pleasant St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Manufacture belts and pulleys.

BRIMFIELD

S Cox Enterprises Inc., 17 Warren Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. Samantha Cox, same. Buy and sell cord wood, trucking, and invest real estate.

CHICOPEE

Everbloom Inc., 49 Lord Terrace North, Chicopee, MA 01020. Kimberly Rodrigo, same. Hair salon.

Yusa Inc., 57 Colonial Circle, Unit D, Chicopee, MA 01020. Yevgeniy Predein, same. Long-distance transportation.

EASTHAMPTON

Beyond Tools and Equipment Inc., 13 Terrace View, Easthampton, MA 01027. Sean Jeffords, same. Equipment leasing, maintenance, and repairs.

FLORENCE

Queer Joy Collaborative Inc., 123 Main St., #60014, Florence, MA 01062. Lorena Boswell, 33 Phillips St. #2, Greenfield, MA 01301. Charitable organization dedicated to promoting individual and collective queer joy primarily through the transformational and healing power of art, music, and mutual aid.

GREENFIELD

Tumble Education Inc., 137 Franklin St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Alyssa Hunt, 105 Stockwell Dr., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Nonprofit organization with programs and activities including but not limited to developing and supporting the development of children’s podcasts and other educational audio content for children.

HOLYOKE

CWC, Mk & Max Orient, Inc., 50 Holyoke St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Ching Wen Chen, 1583 Riverdale St., Apt. 48, West Springfield, MA 01089. Restaurant.

HUNTINGTON

J&M Communications Inc., 11 Pleasant St., Huntington, MA 01050. Monica Keeney, same. Cellular sales.

LENOX

Sheehan Keator Foundation Inc., 35 Schermerhorn Park, Lenox, MA 01240. David Keator, same. Charitable foundation whose purpose is to enhance the local community.

ORANGE

Local Market Facts Inc., 57 Mayo Road, Orange, MA 01364. Ingo Winzer, same. Analysis and presentation of local data.

PITTSFIELD

Cyberlife Systems Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Eric Johnson, same. Information technology services and technology consulting services.

Global Youth Employment Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Max Fossouo, 12 Ridgewood Road, South Easton, MA 02375. Nonprofit organization established to make young adults ages 18-25 employable, thereby bridging the gap between these individuals and opportunities in companies, particularly focusing on operations in Africa.

Natopoly Real Estate Group Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Natalia Black Pinheiro, same. Purchase and sell commercial and residential real estate.

Stemuli Studios Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Taylor Shead, same. Generative gaming platform that redefines continuous learning through immersive experiences and personalized pathways.

SOUTH DEERFIELD

Reliable Plumbing and Drain Services Inc., 117 Sandgully Road North, South Deerfield, MA 01373. Ramon Rivera, same. Plumbing and drain-cleaning services.

SPRINGFIELD

A Haven for Hope Inc., 56 Alsace St., Springfield, MA 01108. Ricardo Edwards, same. Not-for-profit group home for mentally disabled adults, assisting in activities of daily living.

Dumpster Solutions Inc., 1277 Liberty St., Springfield, MA 01104. Zhendong Jiang, same. Waste collection and recycling services.

SLT Transport Inc., 747 Saint James Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Silvester Lugo Torres, same. Transportation and trucking business activities.

Wakeup Investments Inc., 477 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01109. Kyreem Tabar Kynard, same. Investments.

WESTFIELD

F&M Hideway Inc., 199 Servistar Industrial Way, Westfield, MA 01085. Frank DeMarinis, same. Food and beverage sales and service.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Alabanza Latina Worship Center Inc., 1111 Westfield St., Apt. B2, West Springfield, MA 01089. Elia Figueroa, same. Biblical Christian church with a school of the Bible department and missionary literature, educational, and all other departments it may deem useful to propagate and practice the gospel and for its service to the community.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of November 2024.

AMHERST

Advance Psychotherapy Practice, P.C.
48 North Pleasant St.
Michael Chunyk

Alma Care Services
10 Gatehouse Road, Suite 214
Zacharie Agnero

Juan Carlos Rivadeneira Argudo
177 North Pleasant St., Apt. 5
Juan Rivadeneira Argudo

Massage w/ Talya
16 Salem Place
Talya Solomon

Read Romance Clothing and Gifts
677 Station Road
Grover Wehman-Brown, Merliner Wehman-Brown

Strategic Foundations LLC
677 Station Road
Grover Wehman-Brown, Merliner Wehman-Brown

Tender Guy Apparel
677 Station Road
Grover Wehman-Brown, Merliner Wehman-Brown

HADLEY

Anytime Fitness
458 Russell St.
Pals Fitness LLC

Cinemark #321
367 Russell St.
Cinemark USA Inc.

Hartsbrook School
193 Bay Road
PV Waldorf School Inc.

Maple Farms Inc.
10 South Maple St.
Ahmet Gunasti, Nebi Gunasti

HOLYOKE

Claire’s #3401
50 Holyoke St.
Claire’s Boutique Inc.

First Choice Academy
187A High St.
Marc Beaulie

Hoey Interior Designs
146 Morgan St.
Elizabeth Hoey

MD Beauty Salon
74 Cabot St.
Maria Ferrer

Morally Corrupt
98 Lower Westfield Road
Khalif Glenn

Owens Electric
24 Claremont Ave.
Louie Owens Sr.

Sye Daycare
93 Hitchcock St.
Seline Solis Suero, Elery Vasquez

Tony’s Grocery Store
801 High St.
Felix Almonte

Trusted Trading
316 Homestead Ave.
Sam Schroeter

Underground Fashion
364 High St.
Luis Diaz

SOUTH HADLEY

New Frontiers Design
132 Mosier St.
Christopher Dearborn

WESTFIELD

Circle Tackle
14 Clifton St.
Nathan Dudek

Elm Art and Antiques
30 Elm St.
John Hanley

Honey Hair & Beauty Weddings
345 Little River Road
Amber Wood

LBI Truck & Bus Repair
14 Delmont Ave.
David Lecrenski, Dana Lecrenski

The Picklr
415 East Main St., A1
Westfield Pickler LLC, Dennis Sosa

Sentry Auto Body
295 Elm St.
Robert Olko

United Transmissions
247 Elm St.
Christopher Provencher

Westfield Community Education
4 School St.
Domus Inc.

Westfield Investment Services
141 Elm St.
Westfield Bank

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Acevedo, Elsie Maria
16 Stuart St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/28/2024

Balben, William George
37 Bacon St., Apt. 2
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/31/2024

Bocwinski, Myron
78 Lee St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/17/2024

Burchard, Gary A.
Burchard, Claudine M.
128 Oak Hill Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/22/2024

Cimini, Marsha A.
17 Lincoln St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/29/2024

Colon-Ramos, Krishelle Emmalee
22 Thornfell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/28/2024

Couture, Eric R.
128 Fisherdick Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/30/2024

Cruz, Tiana L.
124 Stearns Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/29/2024

Cutler, Martin Andrew
Cutler, Mona Lisa
98 Bigelow Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/31/2024

Dennis, Shailee Anne
244 Redlands
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/18/2024

Enman, Helen Marie
P.O. Box 4
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/17/2024

Felletter, Christopher W.
Felletter, Sheila L.
63 Rzasa Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/31/2024

Garcia, Ashlie Marie
15 Cottage St., Apt 219
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/23/2024

Goyette, Debora Ann
16 Baystate Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/28/2024

High Purity Extractions, LLC
PO Box 1300
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/23/2024

Lacamera, Johanna A.
a/k/a Holmes, Johanna A.
93 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/25/2024

LaGue, Karen A.
71 State St., Apt. 225
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/24/2024

Nunez, Rafael F.
43 Spring St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/22/2024

Passera, Marc S.
158 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/23/2024

Pena, Diana J.
45 River St., Apt. 3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/21/2024

Picardi, Patricia Ann
25 Helen Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/21/2024

Plant, Jeffrey Dale
311 Turkey Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/23/2024

Przechocki, Keith E.
26 Nipmuck St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/21/2024

Raschilla, Michael J.
Raschilla, Susan C.
3 Townview Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/21/2024

Rekart, Amy L.
31 Sutton Place, Apt. 2
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/24/2024

Rivera, Matthew
12 Standish St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/17/2024

Santiago-Rivera, Nestor E.
a/k/a Santiago, Nestor E.
46 Thames St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/17/2024

Szaban, Scott David
18 Louise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/23/2024

Toti, Mark T.
166 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/23/2024

Wilson, Mary Jean
269 Stoney Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/29/2024

 

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

298 Northfield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Dianne Novotny
Seller: Maynard C. Bartlett
Date: 10/29/24

184 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Patricia T. Robb
Seller: Molly Texeira
Date: 10/30/24

BUCKLAND

31 Charlemont Road
Buckland, MA 01339
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dean Lima
Seller: Scalise, Joseph Paul, (Estate)
Date: 11/01/24

CHARLEMONT

7 Bassett Road
Charlemont, MA 01346
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Douglas S. Mason
Seller: James A. Booth
Date: 10/24/24

133 Warfield Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $5,250,000
Buyer: Hinata Retreat Realty LLC
Seller: 133 Warfield Realty LLC
Date: 10/29/24

COLRAIN

268 East Colrain Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: John T. Ollari
Seller: Michael J. Beausoleil
Date: 10/30/24

DEERFIELD

61 Eastern Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Camille C. Jones
Seller: Kelli M. Eriksen
Date: 11/01/24

30 King Philip Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $459,000
Buyer: Mina Tandun
Seller: Dennis Purdy
Date: 10/31/24

24 Meadow Wood Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: Daniel Walter
Seller: Julia G. Hartnell
Date: 11/01/24

795 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Anthony Grippo
Seller: Nathan J. Gilbert
Date: 10/31/24

ERVING

11 Pratt St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Cuff
Seller: Paula J. Ryan
Date: 10/24/24

GILL

19 Hill Dr.
Gill, MA 01376
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Todd Goguen
Seller: Egan IRT
Date: 11/06/24

Pisgah Mountain Road
Gill, MA 01376
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Lyme Quabbin LLC
Seller: WD Cowls Inc.
Date: 10/31/24

GREENFIELD

31 Champney Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Christopher Scherm
Seller: Huiping Chen
Date: 11/06/24

122 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jules Purnell
Seller: Norma A. Giliker
Date: 10/28/24

15 Chestnut Hill
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Wilson
Seller: Roberts Int.
Date: 10/28/24

371 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Peter R. Krejmas
Seller: John G. Caloon
Date: 10/31/24

54 Haywood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Queen Of The Night LLC
Seller: Judith E. Fritz
Date: 11/01/24

130 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Mark Zaccheo
Seller: 130 Highland Avenue RT
Date: 10/29/24

324 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $808,000
Buyer: First Generation Investors Group
Seller: SMR Greenfield TR
Date: 11/01/24

76 School St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: First Generation Investors Group
Seller: 80 School St. LLC
Date: 11/05/24

103 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $288,500
Buyer: Jennifer Kellogg
Seller: Michele D. Browning
Date: 10/30/24

LEVERETT

9 Drummer Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $820,916
Buyer: Craig Griffith
Seller: Diane P. Flaherty
Date: 11/06/24

82 Juggler Meadow Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Aida Markiw
Seller: Poret, Mary Jo K., (Estate)
Date: 10/30/24

MONTAGUE

108 3rd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Della Ripa Real Estate LLC
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 10/30/24

26 Gunn Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Goldsmith Rentals LLC
Seller: Katja Hahn Derrico RET
Date: 10/31/24

70 High St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Bree Wisniewski
Seller: Lighthouse West TLLC
Date: 11/06/24

19 Hillside Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $233,500
Buyer: Sarah M. Harris
Seller: Kathleen A. Zimmerman
Date: 11/08/24

184 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Andrew E. Wolkoff
Seller: Paula Murphy
Date: 10/31/24

14 North St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Alison D. Tracy
Seller: Linda A. McComb
Date: 10/24/24

NORTHFIELD

65-A Commonwealth Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $408,000
Buyer: Michelle Guy
Seller: Michael P. Obrien
Date: 10/24/24

ORANGE

34 Boyden Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: J. K. Connaughton
Seller: Leanne M. Clark
Date: 10/29/24

146 Butterworth Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Brian T. Claffey
Seller: Joshua A. Pincus
Date: 10/31/24

10 Eddy St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Aaron R. Desreuisseau
Seller: Gary B. Willard
Date: 11/04/24

30 Stone Valley Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $171,600
Buyer: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Seller: Brian J. Aldrich
Date: 11/04/24

SHELBURNE

90 Main St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Daniel Post
Seller: Joan B. Greenfield
Date: 11/08/24

SHUTESBURY

29 Ladyslipper Lane
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Carl E. Lounder
Seller: Standwich Mortgage
Date: 11/08/24

184-186 Wendell Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Edmund T. Hodgen
Seller: Francis E. Farrington
Date: 11/06/24

564 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01002
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Orrell, Donald W., (Estate)
Date: 10/29/24

SUNDERLAND

227 Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $368,000
Buyer: Gia K. Nguyen
Seller: Kimberly A. Scott
Date: 10/31/24

WARWICK

299 Flower Hill Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Durfee
Seller: Gerard V. Levasseur
Date: 10/29/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

7 Beech Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $331,500
Buyer: Frank V. Scala
Seller: John M. Choiniere
Date: 10/28/24

135 Brien St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Kenneth R. Turner
Seller: Atr Realty LLC
Date: 10/30/24

811 Castle Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Rebecca J. Rivenburgh
Seller: Anthony M. Kashmanian
Date: 10/25/24

30 Depalma St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ruby Rose Property Investments LLC
Seller: Barbara Lantz
Date: 11/08/24

11 Joseph St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Callum B. Hastings
Seller: JP Joseph RT
Date: 11/08/24

1270 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kenneth Florence
Seller: Magagnoli, Francis P., (Estate)
Date: 10/31/24

182 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Tyler Devoe
Seller: Bridget Donovan
Date: 11/05/24

26 Morningside Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Anthony Leitao
Seller: David L. Sirois
Date: 11/01/24

23 Norris St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Queilyn M. Velazquez
Seller: Ernest R. Serra
Date: 11/04/24

79 Norris St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $331,500
Buyer: Patrick Sullivan
Seller: Pamela Jendrysik
Date: 10/24/24

912 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Bethany H. McElligott
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 10/25/24

43 Perry Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Steven S. Powers
Seller: Philip H. Kimball
Date: 10/31/24

13 Pierce St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Culhane
Seller: Laura N. Stevens
Date: 10/25/24

28 Pleasant Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Kenneth Pannone
Seller: Christina L. Gezotis
Date: 10/25/24

14 Prospect St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Christopher Klocker
Seller: Gina Tranghese
Date: 10/25/24

208 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Yildiz Ucar
Seller: Ashley B. Magin
Date: 11/01/24

155 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $447,500
Buyer: Vladimir Shevchuk
Seller: Aleksandr Karpolyuk
Date: 11/01/24

139 Thalia Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Maxwell O’Connell
Seller: Diane Kasperzak
Date: 10/30/24

27 Woodside Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Meghan Goshea
Seller: Vincent Guardione
Date: 11/08/24

BRIMFIELD

145 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Michael Partlow
Seller: Springfield Boys & Girls Club
Date: 10/24/24

47 Tower Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Paul D. Bourque
Seller: Chestnut Hill Homes LLC
Date: 11/01/24

CHICOPEE

107 7th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Marybeth Lajoie
Seller: Timothy D. Roberts
Date: 10/30/24

46 Armanella St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Flipping Best LLC
Seller: Sherry A. Howell
Date: 11/05/24

48 Baltic Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Ashley Bonilla
Seller: Jenisa F. Fast
Date: 11/04/24

139 Beauregard Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Olga M. Ayala
Seller: Keys Upgrade LLC
Date: 11/01/24

112 Beesley Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Peter T. Denoncourt
Seller: Rivest, David A., (Estate)
Date: 11/05/24

97 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Pablo F. Hernandez
Seller: Carl Robinson
Date: 11/05/24

472 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Pablo R. Sousa
Seller: Deborah Farrar
Date: 11/07/24

220 Casey Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Ryan D. Penna
Seller: Madeleine J. Riel
Date: 11/08/24

85 Charles St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: M. & G. Renovations LLC
Seller: Richton & Wynne LLC
Date: 11/06/24

Chicopee River Bus Park
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $2,100,000
Buyer: Robbins Road Property LLC
Seller: Westmass Area Development Corp.
Date: 10/30/24

238 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Shavena Martin
Seller: Richard P. Kida
Date: 11/01/24

436 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Murabia Landlords LLC
Seller: Wilusz RT
Date: 10/29/24

1 Daviau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $393,900
Buyer: Jean Israel
Seller: Donnalee M. Fields
Date: 11/07/24

39 Fanjoy Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Stanislaw Borek
Seller: Joseph A. Golen
Date: 11/05/24

28 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $331,000
Buyer: Shannon O’Neil
Seller: Christian Thompson
Date: 10/31/24

104 Gill St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Elvin J. Oliveras
Seller: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Date: 10/29/24

587 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Julie Gardner
Seller: Carlos E. Aviles-Gonzalez
Date: 10/28/24

755 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Edwan Alzuhairi
Seller: Charles E. Samson
Date: 11/07/24

166 Hendrick St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Curshelle Floyd
Seller: Guillermo De Los Santos
Date: 10/29/24

43 Hilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Danielle Cannatelli
Seller: Mauer, Winifred E., (Estate)
Date: 10/24/24

16 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Samet Ozturk
Seller: Nikolay N. Sevostyanov
Date: 10/25/24

608 James St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Nicholas Garcia
Seller: Sophia C. Finn
Date: 10/31/24

30 Joy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Caitlin M. Devine
Seller: Arthur J. Bonsant
Date: 11/08/24

99 Lachine St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Onyx Investments LLC
Seller: Sara L. Takacs
Date: 11/06/24

133 Madison St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Raymond Turbides
Seller: Scott W. Litz
Date: 10/29/24

123 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Maria B. Pichazaca-Alvarez
Seller: Posiadlosc LLC
Date: 11/01/24

254 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Romney Biddulph
Seller: Joanne T. Houghtalin
Date: 11/08/24

61 Montello Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Patrick W. Marchinkowski
Seller: Yocasta Lara
Date: 11/01/24

26 Munger Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Claudia E. Amedzro
Seller: Victor R. Narvaez
Date: 10/25/24

474 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Legacy Edger
Seller: Asher, Robert R., (Estate)
Date: 11/05/24

755 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01075
Amount: $1,133,000
Buyer: Snacky Ventures LLC
Seller: 755 New Ludlow Road LLC
Date: 11/06/24

136 Olko Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: William W. Prendergast
Seller: Edward G. Masse
Date: 10/25/24

92 Rivers Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $382,500
Buyer: Carlos A. Chacon
Seller: Tri-City Management Inc.
Date: 11/04/24

Robbins Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Koi 2 Koi Associates LLC
Seller: Westmass Area Development Corp.
Date: 10/30/24

Stockbridge St., Lot 15
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Wieslaw Bielech
Seller: Waycon Inc.
Date: 10/30/24

28 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: You & Me Investment LLC
Seller: Matthew J. Bieda
Date: 10/30/24

8 Washington St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Steven Hayes
Seller: Aramis C. Lozada
Date: 11/01/24

37 White St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Condino
Seller: Daniel M. Laduke
Date: 11/08/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

5 Amalfi Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Jennifer N. Rossi
Seller: Paul Heath
Date: 11/05/24

100 Bent Tree Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Elizabeth O’Neil TR
Seller: David Casali
Date: 10/30/24

8 Clover Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $820,800
Buyer: Double R. Enterprises LLC
Seller: D. R. Chestnut LLC
Date: 11/08/24

Farmer Circle, Lot 14
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Ace Asphalt Maintenance
Seller: Happy Acres LLC
Date: 11/07/24

16 Hamlet St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Andrew Huta
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 11/04/24

74 Harwich Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Rosa Montefusco
Seller: Frank Colaccino
Date: 11/08/24

81 Millbrook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $386,900
Buyer: James B. Craig
Seller: Albert R. Verdile
Date: 10/30/24

85 Orchard Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Keough
Seller: Michael R. Murray
Date: 10/24/24

299 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Kyle Sullivan
Seller: James A. Fiorentino
Date: 11/07/24

322 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Marc A. Frisino
Seller: Dominic J. Nardi
Date: 11/06/24

217 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $517,500
Buyer: Richard P. Baca
Seller: Jennifer N. Rossi
Date: 11/05/24

18 South Meadow Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Alexandra P. Nataloni
Seller: Wise RT
Date: 10/30/24

45 Windsor Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $661,000
Buyer: Yuefeng Luo
Seller: David Bashein
Date: 10/30/24

HAMPDEN

310 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Mel K. Kwatowski
Seller: Albert F. Jones
Date: 10/29/24

521-525 Main St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Edlin M. Diaz-Martinez
Seller: Norman Charest
Date: 10/31/24

11 Old Coach Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Christopher Kennedy
Seller: Annabel Gubelman
Date: 11/05/24

47 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Aura Lux LLC
Seller: Newrez LLC
Date: 10/29/24

47 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $236,678
Buyer: Newrez LLC
Seller: Timothy Cairney
Date: 10/29/24

HOLLAND

23 Collette Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Hillary Dahl
Seller: Michael J. Swanson
Date: 10/29/24

8 Hamilton Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Seth Cornell
Seller: Jason Monteiro
Date: 10/25/24

208 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Christopher D. Kennedy
Seller: Kennedy, Susan M., (Estate)
Date: 10/24/24

35 North Wales Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Chandle D. Scanlon
Seller: Mark A. Germain
Date: 11/06/24

HOLYOKE

365 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $3,196,000
Buyer: Rutland Apartments LLC
Seller: Windsor Realty LLC
Date: 10/25/24

92 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: David T. Santana
Seller: Carrel Properties Mass. LLC
Date: 10/25/24

173-177 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $3,196,000
Buyer: Rutland Apartments LLC
Seller: Windsor Realty LLC
Date: 10/25/24

145-149 Essex St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $2,040,000
Buyer: Essex Apartments LLC
Seller: Windsor Realty LLC
Date: 10/28/24

38 George St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Charette
Seller: Jeffrey J. Judge
Date: 11/08/24

544 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Hernandez
Seller: Edward W. Minkley RET
Date: 11/01/24

12-14 Harrison Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Wilny A. Ojeda-Santos
Seller: Irene Deperry
Date: 11/07/24

148-154 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $625,546
Buyer: Aad LLC
Seller: Aad LLC
Date: 10/29/24

355 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Nicole B. Plummer
Seller: Konsewicz, Robert H., (Estate)
Date: 10/30/24

12 Liberty St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Cheryl A. Relihan
Seller: Elisabeth L. Lagace
Date: 10/30/24

295 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Jamie M. Pagana
Seller: Rosemary A. Barrett
Date: 11/04/24

60 Longfellow Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: James J. Kelley
Seller: Mark A. Beauregard
Date: 10/31/24

15 Longwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Vivian Lopez
Date: 10/25/24

40 Lower Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Cassandra L. Cutler
Seller: Erica F. Kulas
Date: 11/08/24

109 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: 109 Lyman St. LLC
Seller: Enamel Properties LLC
Date: 10/24/24

228-236 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Sprout Nest LLC
Seller: Shree Ramkrishna LLC
Date: 11/01/24

358-362 Maple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Leida Cartagena
Seller: Benjamin Cartagena
Date: 11/08/24

1823 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Erasmo D. David
Seller: Edward J. Stapleton
Date: 10/31/24

74 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kelia R. Melendez
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 10/25/24

98 Pinehurst Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Mombourquette
Seller: Ella Sussman
Date: 10/24/24

24 Scott Hollow Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Mulveyhill
Seller: Dominick M. Ciuffreda
Date: 10/29/24

153 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Claribel Andujar
Seller: Bevan Brunelle
Date: 10/25/24

47 Taylor St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Santiago F. Jaraba-Chacon
Seller: Nicolette L. Estrella
Date: 10/24/24

212 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $2,040,000
Buyer: Essex Apartments LLC
Seller: Windsor Realty LLC
Date: 10/28/24

222 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Phantom Holdings LLC
Seller: Property Advantage Inc.
Date: 10/30/24

19 Western View Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: Michael E. Willers
Seller: Francis M. Ahern
Date: 10/25/24

4 Whiting Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Halifax Capital LLC
Seller: Marisol Rivera
Date: 11/06/24

LONGMEADOW

130 Arlington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Anthony Kashmanian
Seller: William J. Clayton
Date: 10/25/24

67 Blueberry Hill Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Billie J. Borden
Seller: Tim J. Wright
Date: 10/25/24

11 Brooks Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Neda Dulaimy
Seller: Kelly, Daniel M., (Estate)
Date: 10/25/24

89 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $632,000
Buyer: Nicholas Wentworth
Seller: Donald L. Barsalou
Date: 10/25/24

112 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Jared A. Kaminski
Seller: Anthony G. Dallessandro
Date: 10/31/24

150 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ckj Realty LLC
Seller: Lapierre, Lynn A., (Estate)
Date: 11/07/24

57 Clairmont St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Christian Thompson
Seller: James Erinna
Date: 10/31/24

196 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $699,000
Buyer: Jonathan Baston
Seller: Dsouza & Fernandes RT
Date: 11/07/24

125 Emerson Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Brendan A. Cordeiro
Seller: John D. Ouellette
Date: 10/29/24

197 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $795,000
Buyer: Deirdre Rocklein
Seller: Timothy G. McKenna
Date: 11/04/24

149 Lincoln Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $387,500
Buyer: Cheryl Dellecese
Seller: Radixon LLC
Date: 10/25/24

157 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Tara C. Dunne
Seller: Bruce Hochberg RET
Date: 10/30/24

900 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $518,000
Buyer: Peter B. Hogan
Seller: Donald R. Frigon
Date: 11/07/24

591 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $723,000
Buyer: Helen E. Santaniello
Seller: Khadiga Ahmed
Date: 10/31/24

55 Riverview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Alexandro Laftsidis
Seller: Maloney, Eileen M., (Estate)
Date: 10/24/24

45 Viscount Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $507,000
Buyer: William B. Sandore
Seller: Thomas Gartman
Date: 10/31/24

LUDLOW

173 Cedar St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nathan D. Almeida
Seller: Mare-Lene Properties NT
Date: 10/25/24

1541 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Breeana J. Boutwell
Seller: Vrajeshkumar Patel
Date: 10/25/24

Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Tami L. Keirsey
Seller: Joaquim E. Dos Santos
Date: 10/30/24

361 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Tami L. Keirsey
Seller: Joaquim E. Dos Santos
Date: 10/30/24

75 James St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Zackary R. Auclair
Seller: Lori A. Goulet
Date: 11/06/24

53 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Cong Ni
Seller: Thomas Saloio
Date: 11/04/24

19 Laurel Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $393,000
Buyer: Robert R. Histen
Seller: Elaine H. Golden TR
Date: 11/01/24

21 McLean Pkwy.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Katherine M. Prior
Seller: Danielle M. Hayes
Date: 10/25/24

4 Prokop Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Michael L. Roberts
Seller: Cletus Kus
Date: 11/08/24

89 Vienna Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Jeannine Barry
Seller: Jacquelyn M. Siddle
Date: 11/07/24

361 West Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $251,100
Buyer: Dinesh Patel
Seller: Ludlow Housing Authority
Date: 10/31/24

303 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Benjamin P. Desimone
Seller: Jarred R. Belisle
Date: 10/29/24

675 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Tyler L. Alves
Seller: Avet RT
Date: 10/25/24

MONSON

108 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: James A. Farley
Seller: Kevin P. Quirk
Date: 10/25/24

47 Country Club Heights
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Emilee Auclair
Seller: Ralston FT
Date: 10/25/24

269 Hovey Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: 269 Hovey Road LLC
Seller: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Date: 10/31/24

85 Maxwell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Kyle Oliveira
Seller: Alice M. Mazzaferro
Date: 10/31/24

57 Stafford Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: David Morin
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 10/25/24

13 Stewart Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Calvin J. Eckerle
Seller: Donald J. Rhodes
Date: 10/31/24

243 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Robert Smigiel
Seller: Mark Wegryn
Date: 11/06/24

PALMER

33 Arnold St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Karin Cowles
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 11/07/24

2099 Calkins Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jesse Bejarano
Seller: John J. Mercier
Date: 10/31/24

158 Chudy St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: John Mercier
Seller: Gino P. Castoldi
Date: 11/01/24

1021 Church St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jaycob Savicki
Seller: Thomas L. Brown
Date: 11/04/24

2 Desimone Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Wayne Bynoe
Seller: Elaine R. Leborgne
Date: 10/28/24

4192 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: William V. Martinez
Seller: Brianna Stanley
Date: 10/31/24

3149-3151 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ashley Wilson
Seller: Roger A. Parker
Date: 10/30/24

61 Mount Dumplin Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: David F. Acosta
Seller: Jeanie M. Cauley
Date: 10/30/24

3021 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01009
Amount: $184,500
Buyer: Resilient Investments LLC
Seller: William P. Carter
Date: 10/30/24

4011 School St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Angela Boss
Seller: Dawn J. Kwasnik
Date: 10/29/24

3006 Thorndike St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Joshua K. Gaulin
Seller: Leonard J. Brennan
Date: 10/25/24

14 West Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Carlos E. Aviles
Seller: Adrian Syrowik
Date: 10/28/24

RUSSELL

20 Park St.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Michael J. Blasco
Seller: Jesse McComas
Date: 10/29/24

27 Park Circle
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Karl H. Jackson
Seller: Nathan J. Leveille
Date: 11/08/24

100 Timberidge Dr.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Cris Maldonado
Seller: Daniel F. Jonah
Date: 10/25/24

SPRINGFIELD

74 Adams St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: K. M. Duarte-Carrascoza
Seller: Raffaele Russo
Date: 11/04/24

92 Agnes St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Shane L. Dit-Milette
Seller: Katherine P. Keough
Date: 11/06/24

265 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Juan J. Antigua
Seller: Raymond Hervieux
Date: 10/30/24

76 Athol St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Rema Thompson-Brown
Seller: Appleton Grove LLC
Date: 10/31/24

124 Audubon St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Jacob N. Torres
Seller: Richard F. Newman
Date: 10/24/24

20-24 Baldwin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Myhozotys Balbuena
Seller: Blaise Ngandjui
Date: 10/31/24

44 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Alice Baiyee
Seller: Kijuana Middlebrooks
Date: 10/31/24

64 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Real Estate Investments Northeast LLC
Seller: City Enterprise Inc.
Date: 11/05/24

54 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Edward J. Cyr
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 11/01/24

20 Bircham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Amber M. Metts
Seller: Jeffrey M. O’Connor
Date: 10/25/24

45-47 Bloomfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Nishant Mathur
Seller: Sheena H. Watkins
Date: 10/30/24

86 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Stephanie Hayden
Seller: James Ezell
Date: 11/08/24

254-262 Bridge St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Hammond Bus Center LLC
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop Springfield
Date: 10/31/24

153 Bristol St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Almonte Real Estate Inc.
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 10/25/24

33 Brooks St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Sandy Preval
Seller: Palpum Raw LLC
Date: 10/28/24

25-27 Calhoun St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Heriberto Cruz
Seller: Dealexcell LLC
Date: 11/06/24

56-58 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $347,000
Buyer: Christopher T. Cruz
Seller: Jvcdnd LLC
Date: 11/08/24

107 Carr St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Mark Barcomb
Seller: Marion V. Lesperance
Date: 10/30/24

Chicopee River Bus Park
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $2,100,000
Buyer: Robbins Road Property LLC
Seller: Westmass Area Development Corp.
Date: 10/30/24

110 Clarendon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Cleotha Robertson
Seller: Edmond P. Lonergan
Date: 10/31/24

12 Conklin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Lumturi RT
Seller: Del Valle Sr., Juan, (Estate)
Date: 11/05/24

18 Coomes St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Green Piranhas LLC
Seller: Rbt Enterprise LLC
Date: 10/25/24

24 Coomes St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Green Piranhas LLC
Seller: Rbt Enterprise LLC
Date: 10/25/24

14 Crane St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Aimable Niyonshuti
Seller: Gladysh Capital LLC
Date: 11/08/24

92 Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $647,000
Buyer: Jonathan D. Speck
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 11/08/24

97 David St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Sareen Properties LLC
Seller: Bear Stearns Asset Backed
Date: 10/31/24

29 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jose M. Lopez
Seller: Sandra A. Rowley
Date: 10/31/24

Decatur St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Javeline Parra
Seller: Mary T. Popko
Date: 10/31/24

11-13 Dineen St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Yanhua Cao
Seller: Garvey FT
Date: 10/25/24

1614 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Felicha Erazo
Seller: Copenger LLC
Date: 10/29/24

89 East St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Seller: Lucretia A. Wright
Date: 11/01/24

95 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Martinez
Seller: Yesenia Valentin
Date: 10/29/24

18 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Umulhaire Mayaki
Seller: Adela Colon
Date: 11/06/24

82 Fieldston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Wanda V. Lopez
Seller: Joseph Omalley
Date: 10/31/24

86 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Sybel Gonzalez
Seller: Marta Rivera
Date: 11/05/24

11 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Gary Zheng
Seller: Miguel A. Aviles
Date: 11/08/24

17 Forest St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Gary Bestman
Seller: Jose G. Ayala
Date: 10/31/24

143 Fountain St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Betzaida Collazo
Seller: Sean Curran
Date: 11/08/24

7 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Kayla Mejia
Seller: Peter J. Sawyer
Date: 10/30/24

40 Goldenrod St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyer TR
Seller: Victoria J. Miller RET
Date: 10/25/24

33 Gridiron St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Sachdev Real Estate Development Inc.
Seller: New England Farm Workers
Date: 10/30/24

173-177 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Ortins Capital Partners Group LLC
Seller: Property Advantage Inc.
Date: 10/29/24

64 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Colin McDiarmid
Seller: Paul Hebert
Date: 10/25/24

58-60 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: New Life LLC
Seller: Katharine Hickson
Date: 10/29/24

3 Intervale Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Cheri Burton
Seller: Jamison O. Atkins
Date: 10/31/24

82 Judson St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Anthony Santiago
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 11/08/24

110 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jesus D. Santos-Diaz
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 10/31/24

101 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Steven Davis
Seller: Mikey Diaz
Date: 11/01/24

73 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jean Pantoja
Seller: Jason Bolanos
Date: 11/04/24

83 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Sinclair Allen
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 10/28/24

21 Lang St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Steven Reyes
Seller: Extremely Clean 2 LLC
Date: 11/04/24

43 Lang St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Samuel C. Cloutier
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 10/29/24

4 Langdon St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Cristal J. Bermudez
Seller: Atab LLC
Date: 10/31/24

15 Lawton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Yaritza M. Martinez-Rosado
Seller: Hassan Saleh
Date: 10/31/24

710 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Hutton Springfield Mass. St. LLC
Seller: Tinkham Glen Realty LLC
Date: 11/07/24

25 Lorenzo St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Sony Joseph
Seller: Crenshaw, Joy Dolores, (Estate)
Date: 11/01/24

1676-1708 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Sachdev Real Estate Development Inc.
Seller: New England Farm Workers
Date: 10/30/24

2705 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,900,000
Buyer: 2705 Main Realty LLC
Seller: 2705 Main Street LLC
Date: 10/31/24

22-24 Mansfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Abeba S. Attles
Seller: Uprawls Realty LLC
Date: 10/29/24

63 Margerie St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Wanina Justiniano
Seller: Post Investment LLC
Date: 11/05/24

17 Mark St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Nyasia Garcia
Seller: Miguel A. Jimenez
Date: 11/01/24

96 Mayfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Karol M. Lopez
Seller: Residential Credit Opportunities
Date: 11/06/24

18-20 Medford St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Wilmer A. Berduo
Seller: Daniel Defoe
Date: 11/08/24

70-72 Middlesex St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Yanelva H. Nepomuseno
Seller: Pfgc LLC
Date: 11/08/24

281 Newton Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Ryan MacFarland
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 11/08/24

95-97 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Oscar Naula
Seller: Aga Brothers LLC
Date: 10/31/24

217-219 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $461,336
Buyer: Sadrack Casimir
Seller: Sulla M. Silva
Date: 11/05/24

27 Ormond St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $148,200
Buyer: Posiadlosc LLC
Seller: Steven E. Zeimbekakis
Date: 10/31/24

1375 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Garcia Bennett
Seller: Genevieve Construction Development Group
Date: 11/01/24

191 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Nola Property Management LLC
Seller: Henshaw, Judith Ann, (Estate)
Date: 11/01/24

1070 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Daniel P. Ranson
Seller: Anthony Sanabria
Date: 11/01/24

75 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Megan J. Johnson
Seller: Keefe, John C., (Estate)
Date: 11/01/24

65 Puritan Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $294,900
Buyer: Luis M. Alviles
Seller: Jorge Santiago
Date: 11/06/24

129-135 Putnam Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Haping Chen
Seller: Fernando J. Dossantos
Date: 10/31/24

5 Putting Green Circle
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Sheila Holland
Seller: 5 Putting Green Circle IRT
Date: 10/30/24

19 Redden St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: David A. Goncalves
Seller: Matthew J. Lewis
Date: 11/07/24

20 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Dindo S. Delloson
Seller: Roberto Pabon
Date: 11/01/24

1853 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Isabella Far
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 11/05/24

47 Rush St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Gianna Rodriguez
Seller: Michael Gatanio
Date: 11/01/24

103 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Scott Davis
Seller: Equity Trust Co.
Date: 11/08/24

131 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Adela Colon
Seller: Edwan Alzuhairi
Date: 11/06/24

1313 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Mehrdad Khabir
Seller: Peter B. Hogan
Date: 11/07/24

65 South Tallyho Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Franklyn Filpo
Seller: Ronald C. Swider
Date: 10/31/24

60 Skyridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $239,239
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Donald L. Guiel
Date: 10/24/24

685 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,410,000
Buyer: Lima & Co. LLC
Seller: Nolava LLC
Date: 10/28/24

45-47 Sylvan St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Angel Torres
Seller: Osbert A. Stewart
Date: 11/05/24

135 Tamarack Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Daniel S. Pennington
Seller: Jazzil L. Melendez
Date: 11/04/24

14 Thornfell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Yesenia Almonte
Seller: Ashley J. Parent
Date: 10/29/24

107 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Rbt Enterprise LLC
Seller: Yolimar Torres
Date: 11/08/24

44 Thyme Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Serra
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 10/31/24

408 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Kendra R. Couceiro
Seller: Dreampath Homebuyers LLC
Date: 10/31/24

600 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Chenevert Properties LLC
Seller: Irt Good TR
Date: 11/04/24

87 Villa Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Fernando Rosa
Date: 11/07/24

40 Warriner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,395,000
Buyer: Marlyam Real Estate LLC
Seller: 40 Warriner Avenue LLC
Date: 11/06/24

144 Washington St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Thu T. Pham
Seller: Van Thai
Date: 10/25/24

107-109 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Laurence Davis
Seller: 107-109 Wellington St. RT
Date: 10/28/24

125-127 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Lillian Colman
Seller: Alan W. Bardsley
Date: 10/31/24

79 Westbanks Court
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $332,500
Buyer: Matthew D. Cieboter
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 11/04/24

189 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Phillip Myrie
Seller: Fresnel Anglade
Date: 11/01/24

34-36 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Cesarina P. Meran
Seller: Sh Properties LLC
Date: 10/24/24

545-547 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Rodney Rodriguez
Seller: Anil Soto
Date: 11/08/24

1440 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Brian J. Kelly
Seller: Christina M. Rosado
Date: 11/06/24

35-37 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Leon H. Jenkins
Seller: Muhammad Abbasi
Date: 11/08/24

SOUTHWICK

11 2nd St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $278,500
Buyer: Russell C. Wakelin
Seller: Samsell Children TR
Date: 11/01/24

58 George Loomis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Sandra S. Ciarci
Seller: Allyson Barbeito
Date: 11/04/24

WALES

128 Mount Hitchcock Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Andrew Ross
Seller: Rodney S. Smith
Date: 10/30/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1066 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $441,000
Buyer: Paul A. Santos
Seller: Ann M. Fortin
Date: 10/31/24

138 Ashley St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Ariana Becker
Seller: Christopher J. Kennedy
Date: 11/05/24

160 Baldwin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: West Side Property LLC
Seller: Dawn E. Nooney
Date: 11/01/24

131 Belknap Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Carly E. Pashko
Seller: Tatyana Sevostyanov
Date: 10/25/24

123 Bretton Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Robert Link
Seller: Merritt, Donna, (Estate)
Date: 10/24/24

20 Gregory Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Seller: Allen T. Wright
Date: 11/05/24

42 Gregory Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: West Co. Investments LLC
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 10/30/24

18 Lotus Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Kristin Orsucci
Seller: Ginman, Ronald E., (Estate)
Date: 11/08/24

40 Merrick St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Ilova Zhalovska
Seller: Valentina Gavel
Date: 10/31/24

22 Primrose St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Seller: Frances M. Circosta
Date: 11/04/24

203 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Jayme E. Morin
Seller: Wolcott Properties LLC
Date: 11/06/24

197 Woodbrook Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Valentina Gavel
Seller: Anthony J. Valentino
Date: 10/31/24

WESTFIELD

69 Broad St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Noraima Nunez-Morales
Seller: Eric L. Primack
Date: 11/01/24

39 Cardinal Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Abriele A. Guaren
Seller: Javad Darouian
Date: 10/24/24

14 Casimir St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Karly M. Grimaldi
Seller: Sb&j LLC
Date: 10/25/24

11 Clinton Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Hunter Leveille
Seller: Fitzgerald Home Solutions LLC
Date: 10/31/24

16 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Vincent J. Johnston
Seller: Done Right Homes LLC
Date: 10/30/24

23 Deveno Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Brian W. Kulas
Seller: Kenneth G. Diegel
Date: 11/08/24

22 Governor Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Kaitlin Esposito
Seller: Lindberg, Phyllis S., (Estate)
Date: 10/25/24

55 Loomis Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Stephanie Bitzas
Seller: Anthony V. Ascolillo
Date: 10/24/24

227 Old County Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Ruben Sanca
Seller: Kyle Callender
Date: 10/24/24

76 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Erik Fickett
Seller: Hannah S. Powers
Date: 10/25/24

138 Ridgecrest Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $549,900
Buyer: Bridget Donovan
Seller: Americo C. Dilorenzo
Date: 11/05/24

690 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $2,300,000
Buyer: Riverdale Equities LLC
Seller: Briarwood Five LLC
Date: 10/25/24

21 Sabrina Brooke Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Dominick M. Ciuffreda
Seller: George H. Jacques
Date: 10/29/24

1309 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: 194 Holdings LLC
Seller: Donald W. Christiansen
Date: 10/25/24

251 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Matthew Murphy
Seller: Dugan, Michael J., (Estate)
Date: 11/08/24

80 Steiger Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Michael P. Mailhott
Seller: Patrick M. Crowley
Date: 10/25/24

1 Webster Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Taylor L. Saimeri
Seller: Scott A. Degray
Date: 11/08/24

134 Western Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Christian Roche
Seller: Z. & M. Investments LLC
Date: 11/04/24

14 Woronoco Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: AK Remodeling Inc.
Seller: Jasmine R. Montanaro
Date: 11/01/24

WILBRAHAM

5 Briar Cliff Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $1,180,000
Buyer: Feifei Li
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 11/07/24

21 Decorie Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Eric Cunha
Seller: Nancy J. Drury
Date: 10/31/24

19 Dudley St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Unlimited Construction Services Inc.
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 11/04/24

11 Echo Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: Steven Otto
Seller: Miguel Goncalves
Date: 11/05/24

645 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $1,075,000
Buyer: Alex Bloom
Seller: Evergreen Design Build Inc.
Date: 11/04/24

41 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: James R. Slaney
Seller: Benjamin Pieciak
Date: 10/29/24

88 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Mullen & Associates LLC
Seller: Jessica C. La Riviere
Date: 10/25/24

25 Pineywood Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Mco Construction LLC
Seller: Pamela L. Krusiewicz
Date: 10/31/24

4 Pond Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ronald Rauscher
Seller: Bruce W. Cooley RET
Date: 10/28/24

6 Porter Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Jared M. Falconer
Seller: Gregory Falcone
Date: 10/30/24

6 Stonegate Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Cornelius W. Phillips
Seller: David N. Ostrom
Date: 10/29/24

299 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kaben RT
Seller: J. L. Ross
Date: 10/31/24

4 Sunnyside Ter.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Danielle M. Vear
Seller: Thanh T. Lam
Date: 11/07/24

30 Victoria Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $830,000
Buyer: Christine Waible
Seller: Jeffrey W. Henderson
Date: 10/25/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

4 Dwight Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $392,500
Buyer: Alfred Nutile
Seller: Richard Iacovelli RET
Date: 11/08/24

145 Eames Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $356,500
Buyer: Ushokoledi RT
Seller: Rudy Toledo
Date: 11/01/24

5 Evergreen Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Daniel Smith
Seller: Levin, Donna J., (Estate)
Date: 11/06/24

Flat Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,039,500
Buyer: Lyme Quabbin LLC
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc.
Date: 10/31/24

65 High St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: 65 High St. Rentals LLC
Seller: Muhammad S. Sheikh
Date: 10/24/24

Kingman Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: 949 Jssvsl LLC
Seller: Michael V. Grybko
Date: 10/30/24

318 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Tanya Campbell
Seller: Priscilla A. White
Date: 11/06/24

Overlook Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,039,500
Buyer: Lyme Quabbin LLC
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc.
Date: 10/31/24

949 Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: 949 Jssvsl LLC
Seller: Michael V. Grybko
Date: 10/30/24

BELCHERTOWN

91 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Eric Rucki
Seller: Alain Corriveau
Date: 10/30/24

163 Chauncey Walker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $549,999
Buyer: Oscar Saravia
Seller: Sarah A. Madison
Date: 11/08/24

12 Clark St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Stephanie Capsuto
Seller: Patricia J. Lamica
Date: 11/07/24

1082 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: 1210 Federal Street LLC
Seller: McCulloch Enterprises Inc.
Date: 10/30/24

110 Kennedy Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Patricia J. Lamica
Seller: Michael A. Flynn
Date: 11/07/24

401 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Principle Property Management LLC
Seller: Falcon Valley Cold LLC
Date: 10/31/24

11 Robin Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Mickalina Reid
Seller: Kathryn L. Powers
Date: 11/06/24

550 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Scott Stephenson
Seller: Jeffrey V. Nardi
Date: 10/28/24

CHESTERFIELD

43 Munson Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Charlotte M. Dugan
Seller: Mary E. Frye
Date: 10/31/24

CUMMINGTON

6 Clark Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Allison Bernhard
Seller: Arnold Simmel
Date: 10/29/24

375 Stage Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: William E. Dane
Seller: Ronald E. Wolf
Date: 10/31/24

EASTHAMPTON

106 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Thomas Kirschner
Seller: Joan Kirschner
Date: 10/25/24

123 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Peter Tur
Seller: Grazyna Rowinska
Date: 10/24/24

18 Lyman St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Margaret Kennedy
Seller: Bond, Richard A., (Estate)
Date: 11/08/24

Granby

29 Morgan St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Bieda
Seller: You & Me Investment LLC
Date: 10/30/24

111 New Ludlow Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Boone Gibson
Seller: Megan E. Swain
Date: 10/31/24

21 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Benjamin Trafford
Seller: Stephen Brunetti
Date: 10/24/24

17 Westview Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jaime Manz
Seller: Sigmond A. Wernik LT
Date: 10/29/24

HADLEY

2 Bargate Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Cynthia J. Bush
Seller: Michael J. Klesch
Date: 10/30/24

145 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Thomas Quinlan
Seller: Palmquist, Florence E., (Estate)
Date: 11/01/24

18 Cold Spring Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Mark P. Bombardier
Seller: Cindy Shy
Date: 11/08/24

2 Hibbard Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Holly Turbill
Seller: Rhodes, Beverly, (Estate)
Date: 10/30/24

58 Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Faruk Akkus
Seller: James D. Dickinson
Date: 11/08/24

8 Moody Bridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $578,000
Buyer: Hong T. Ly
Seller: Adam S. Woodrow
Date: 10/29/24

111 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Thomas Quinlan
Seller: Palmquist, Florence E., (Estate)
Date: 11/01/24

HATFIELD

Cronin Hill Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Cindy Shy
Seller: Stephen J. Herbert
Date: 10/31/24

Depot Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Cindy Shy
Seller: Stephen J. Herbert
Date: 10/31/24

MIDDLEFIELD

172 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Nichole L. Ryan
Seller: Catya Belfer
Date: 10/29/24

NORTHAMPTON

1 Beech St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $359,150
Buyer: Calista Bulman
Seller: Marla O. Bulman
Date: 10/30/24

101 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Kate Hamilton
Seller: Lisa Laprade
Date: 10/30/24

104 Conz St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Prdnvk LLC
Seller: Young K. Lee
Date: 11/01/24

25 Day Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $646,000
Buyer: Jonathan Liebman
Seller: Paul L. Holt
Date: 11/04/24

27 Fairfield Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $742,000
Buyer: Sara Schlotterbeck
Seller: Freeman Stein
Date: 10/28/24

40 Forest Glen Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: David G. Rivest
Seller: Annika S. Amstutz
Date: 10/30/24

15 Glendale Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $880,000
Buyer: 98 Pine Street LLC
Seller: Stuart Warner
Date: 11/01/24

41 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $369,000
Buyer: Christopher V. Karney
Seller: Walter J. & R. M. Skiba IRT
Date: 11/05/24

297 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Colleen E. Wile
Seller: Real Na Mara LLC
Date: 11/04/24

Lyman Road, Lot 2
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: 88 Lyman Road LLC
Seller: Kenneth D. Arnold
Date: 11/04/24

83 Maynard Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,310,000
Buyer: David E. Kates
Seller: Mark G. Sullivan
Date: 11/08/24

52 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Robert E. Gougeon
Seller: Dawn F. Fay
Date: 10/28/24

39 North St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $998,500
Buyer: Kipa Realty Inc.
Seller: Barbara J. Metcalfe
Date: 10/30/24

58 Norwood Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $546,000
Buyer: Shaine A. Meulmester
Seller: Gordon L. Pullan
Date: 10/30/24

92 Olander Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: John W. Nields
Seller: Bauer & Dym FT
Date: 11/08/24

329 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,015,000
Buyer: Edward Gamber
Seller: Janice D. Neiman RET
Date: 11/01/24

40 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Joshua M. Baum
Seller: Diemand, Thomas E., (Estate)
Date: 11/06/24

40 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $437,500
Buyer: Dane Boryta
Seller: Richard C. Weis
Date: 11/04/24

125 Straw Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Bartlett M. Doty
Seller: DF Properties LLC
Date: 11/08/24

46 Winthrop St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Julian Kronick
Seller: Pool, Judith B., (Estate)
Date: 10/31/24

SOUTH HADLEY

120 Camden St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Malek
Seller: Barbara A. Knightly IRT
Date: 10/25/24

11 Canal St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Flipping Best LLC
Seller: Patrick G. Carter
Date: 10/29/24

15 Central Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $388,000
Buyer: Min Li
Seller: Rebecca J. Rivenburgh
Date: 10/24/24

23 Dale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Raymond H. Faginski
Seller: Dalton, Olga, (Estate)
Date: 11/04/24

590 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Noah J. Gendron
Seller: Brian R. Demers
Date: 11/06/24

10 Graves St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: Kenneth R. Dion
Date: 11/01/24

9 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Bova
Seller: Lanney, Cynthia R., (Estate)
Date: 10/25/24

11 Industrial Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: BLS Properties LLC
Seller: Gary Obrien
Date: 11/05/24

16 Laurie Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: David Linnehan
Seller: Kathleen R. Aldrich
Date: 10/25/24

755 New Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $1,133,000
Buyer: Snacky Ventures LLC
Seller: 755 New Ludlow Road LLC
Date: 11/06/24

344 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $253,950
Buyer: Ollie Schwartz
Seller: Lindsey M. Lord
Date: 10/30/24

356 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Stay In Motion LLC
Seller: 356 Newton St LLC
Date: 11/06/24

31 Park St.
South Hadley, MA 01013
Amount: $423,000
Buyer: Richard Juang
Seller: Scott Walsh
Date: 11/08/24

41 Park Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Elisabeth Lagace
Seller: Devon Santos
Date: 10/30/24

13 The Knolls
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Christine Jennings
Seller: Mary Couture
Date: 10/28/24

11 Upper River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Hannah Montgomery
Seller: Rzasa, James A., (Estate)
Date: 10/30/24

11 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Vincent P. Calvanese
Seller: Thy M. Nguyen
Date: 10/31/24

88 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Monique A. Roy
Seller: Quillian, William H., (Estate)
Date: 10/25/24

36 Woodlawn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Leonard Laizer
Seller: Michael S. Wojnarwoski
Date: 10/31/24

SOUTHAMPTON

5 Bissonnette Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $770,000
Buyer: Jonathan Neumann
Seller: Lisa A. Gawle
Date: 11/07/24

64 Cold Spring Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $218,800
Buyer: Robert M. Lamica
Seller: Edward J. Kosakowski
Date: 11/04/24

22 Coleman Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $899,000
Buyer: David E. Alton
Seller: R. R Boyle Lifetime Qtip TR
Date: 10/30/24

14 Crooked Ledge Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jacob Bacis
Seller: Underwood FT
Date: 11/08/24

48 Pleasant St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $798,500
Buyer: Danielle L. Teitelbaum
Seller: Mary T. Rivest
Date: 10/30/24

WARE

36 Cherry St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jeffrey R. Hall
Seller: Stephen R. Van Wormer
Date: 10/25/24

1 Oakridge Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Im M. Goudreau
Seller: Young, Paul D., (Estate)
Date: 11/07/24

60 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $235,750
Buyer: Juan Bermudez
Seller: Christina I. Hazzard
Date: 10/24/24

99 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Daniel Feinblatt
Seller: Michelle A. Auclair
Date: 10/28/24

64 Pleasant St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Marcus A. Johnson
Seller: Berkshire Property Buyers LLC
Date: 10/24/24

84 West Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Sydney Ocran
Seller: Ciezadlo, Tadeusz J., (Estate)
Date: 10/29/24

WESTHAMPTON

115 Kings Hwy.
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $469,000
Buyer: Ashley Sullivan
Seller: Savage, Leon R., (Estate)
Date: 10/28/24

32 Pine Island Lake
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: DMC Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: Lot 32 Pine Is Lake RT
Date: 10/30/24

WILLIAMSBURG

Hyde Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Beth L. Bellavance-Grace
Seller: Gerardo R. Araya
Date: 11/06/24

96 Mountain St.
Williamsburg, MA 01062
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Carol K. Longley FT
Date: 10/29/24

63 Nash Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Megan McWherter
Seller: Alison F. Downing
Date: 11/06/24

14 Williams St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $235,125
Buyer: Sperrymuellner LLC
Seller: M. G. Pannill
Date: 10/29/24

WORTHINGTON

44 Buffington Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Brandon W. Lanpher
Seller: Brenda C. Shanley RET
Date: 11/01/24

44 Goss Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Michael Moloff
Seller: Squadrille FT
Date: 10/28/24

350 Harvey Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Full Gospel Church
Seller: Carolyn Jacobson
Date: 10/25/24

138 Ridge Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: 95 Dalton Ave. NT
Seller: TCI Holdings LLC
Date: 11/04/24

67 South Worthington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Alexander Dufault
Seller: Christopher Ryan
Date: 10/30/24

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of November 2024.

CHICOPEE

525 Grattan Street LLC
525 Grattan St.
$1,500 — Add concrete ramp and railings for handicap access

Hampden Charter School of Science
20 Johnson Road
$10,000 — Repair handicap ramps and railings at exit door landing

MJTD LLC
48 West St.
$10,000 — Demolish exterior brick, rebuild back wall, and tie it in with existing brick

OSJ of Chicopee LLC
1441 Memorial Dr.
$339,991 — Roofing

Town of South Hadley
2 James St., Building 1
$9,100 — Roofing

Town of South Hadley
2 James St., Building 1
$9,100 — Roofing

EASTHAMPTON

Cheryl Campbell
93 Union St.
$3,694 — Replace three windows

HADLEY

Bar Hadley LLC
315 Russell St.
N/A — Construction trailer

W/S Hadley Properties LLC
5 South Maple St.
N/A — Install non-illuminated directional sign

W/S Hadley Properties II LLC
355 Russell St., Suite 20
N/A — Interior tenant fit-out

LEE

Christos Grigoropoulos, Athena Grigoropoulos
30 Housatonic St.
$5,536 — Install fire-alarm system

Under Armour
320 Premium Outlet Dr.
$400,000 — Remodel existing Under Armour store, including interior walls, partition walls, wall fixtures, ceiling, light fixtures, partial mechanical, and electrical

LENOX

Spigalina LLC
80 Main St.
$7,000 — Insulate basement walls and rim joist

NORTHAMPTON

27-29 COA LLC
29 Clark Ave.
$9,652 — Roofing

27-29 COA LLC
29 Clark Ave.
$4,500 — Construct new landing

Alloy LLC
5 Fulton Ave.
$1,866,683 — Foundation for retail building with car-charging stations

The Brush Works LLC
221 Pine St.
$100,000 — Roofing

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$4,330,685 — Install sprinkler system at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

The College Church Inc.
48 Pomeroy Terrace
$7,500 — Remove three existing windows, repair siding, insulation and waterproofing

The College Church Inc.
58 Pomeroy Terrace
$7,000 — Replace front porch posts and railings, increase height of railings

King Barrett LLC
301 King St.
$10,000 — Remove exterior ramp and sidewalk, masonry walls, storefront glass, and framing

Lathrop Community Inc.
680 Bridge Road
$69,990 — Roofing on Units 69-73

ServiceNet Inc.
58 Cherry St.
$12,650 — Foundation repairs

Smith College
30 Belmont Ave.
$22,000 — Demolish and rebuild egress deck and stairs

Taylor Northampton RE II Holdings LLC
19 Edwards Square
$10,000 — Replace siding and two windows

PITTSFIELD

City of Pittsfield
832 Tamarack Road
$222,300 — Install fire-protection sprinklers in new hanger

Guidewire Inc.
387 Columbus Ave. Ext.
$19,900 — Roofing

Seven Eighty Six Holdings LLC
100 Wendell Ave.
$40,000 — Convert third-floor office spaces into apartments

Townsquare Media Pittsfield LLC
211 Jason St.
$25,000 — Install windows

SPRINGFIELD

7 Star Dickinson Realty LLC
707 Dickinson St.
$35,000 — Move front counter five feet back and renovate bathroom at Citgo gas station

276 Bridge LLC
280 Bridge St.
$240,000 — Alter interior office space for new business tenant on second floor

Springfield Hobby Club Housing Inc.
307 Chestnut St.
$86,995 — Roofing

Tree House Properties LLC
4 Maple St.
$10,000 — Interior demolition for future build-out

Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.
110 Island Pond Road
$24,000 — Install prefabricated pergola to patio area

Challenging Times for Economic Pillars

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

‘Eds and meds.’

You hear that phrase repeatedly in reference to the local economy. It refers to education and healthcare, two of the largest sources of jobs in Western Mass.

And by education, we mean a broad spectrum, but especially higher education; this region is blessed with more than two dozen colleges and universities in communities ranging from Springfield to Amherst; Chicopee to Westfield.

On the ‘meds’ side, there are, likewise, a wide range of players, but the sector is dominated by its many fine hospitals, including all those within Baystate Health system as well as Mercy Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and Berkshire Medical Center.

Both of these sectors remain strong, and they continue to be pillars of the local economy. But they are both being severely challenged, as evidenced by recent headlines and news items in BusinessWest.

Recently, Baystate Health, faced with $300 million in operating losses over the past few years, announced the first step in what it is calling a ‘transformation,’ the difficult decision to reduce 134 leadership positions across the Baystate system. That’s less than 1% of the workforce, but a significant workforce reduction nonetheless.

And it symbolizes the many challenges facing all hospitals today as they continue to recover from COVID-related setbacks that include higher costs, inadequate reimbursements, stern workforce challenges, and the ongoing need to invest in new technology and equipment.

Baystate has been in the headlines, but all area hospitals are struggling, and they are all making adjustments and hard decisions.

It is the same with many education institutions, a reality punctuated by a new organizational business plan announced at American International College (AIC). Dubbed ‘Pathway to Progress,’ it details an expansion of degree options, but also a comprehensive re-enrollment program to engage and recruit former students to return to AIC and complete their degrees, as well as cuts within the athletic program, including the return of the men’s hockey program to Division II and the discontinuation of two women’s programs.

“In an era of unprecedented disruption across the higher-education industry, it is more important than ever that we do all we can to ensure AIC can adapt and evolve to best serve our students — those we serve today, and in the future,” interim President Nicolle Cestero said of the new business plan.

Her comments, and that plan, help drive home the fact that this disruption — marked by demographic changes, the nationwide conversation about the value of a college education, free community college, and other issues — is not an AIC problem. It’s a problem for the entire sector. Indeed, noted institutions such as Brandeis University in Waltham, Lesley University in Cambridge, and countless others have embarked on their own cost-cutting programs and revisions to their business plans.

Most colleges and universities in this region remain on very solid ground and, like the region’s hospitals, remain sources of pride — and good-paying jobs.

But these recent headlines reflect the fact that these are, indeed, very challenging times, during which we hope these institutions can and will make the hard decisions and the needed adjustments to remain vital cogs in the region’s economy for decades to come.

Is Tide Turning on Remote Work?

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

It was an announcement that reverberated through workplaces across the country — and in cities large and small as well.

In September, Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy informed tens of thousands of workers that they will be back in the office five days a week come January.

In the ongoing discussion about remote work and the future of work, this is a huge development. Indeed, it is seen by many as an important milestone in this debate, a moment in time when the pendulum started shifting back to the way things were before everyone packed up to go home in March 2020.

But while Amazon’s move will be closely watched and undoubtedly emulated by other employers, we’re not sure if businesses large and small will ever be able to get the toothpaste back in the tube and get everyone back in the office. Remote work has in many ways become a perk, a recruiting tool, a way to keep employees, especially the younger generations, content.

So much so, in fact, that employees that follow Amazon’s lead may be putting themselves at risk when it comes to attracting and retaining talent.

Getting back to Amazon’s statement decision, this is the one that office-building owners, mayors, and economic-development leaders had been waiting for. Those in the real-estate sector have been saying for years now that companies large and small would eventually decide that the improved collaboration and communication, as well as the learning opportunities that come when everyone is together as opposed to on Zoom, would outweigh any benefits that might come from remote work and hybrid schedules. Amazon’s move gives some credence to those arguments and the hope that the struggling office market will improve.

Meanwhile, municipal leaders who had been decrying the loss of foot traffic during the week due to remote work saw the Amazon decision as progress in their mostly unsuccessful efforts to get people back in downtown office buildings.

And Amazon’s decision comes amid mounting evidence of a changing mood when it comes to remote work. A recent survey by the consulting firm KPMG revealed that 79% of U.S. chief executives plan to resume largely in-office work within the next three years, up from 62% a year ago.

That statistic comes amid growing sentiment that the balance of power is shifting in the workplace from employees — who had firm control during the prolonged workforce crisis that gripped every sector of the economy — to employers, many of whom have been eager to bring employees back to the office.

Despite this shift, and Amazon’s landmark decision, we believe that it will remain challenging for employers to bring their workers back five days a week. Remote work has become a fixture, if you will, at many local businesses, from banks to law firms to health-insurance companies.

If there is a shift, it will likely be toward more days in the office — from two to three or even four. This will help build foot traffic in cities while also keeping businesses from shrinking their overall office footprints.

Overall, the tide is probably turning, but until it turns more — and companies bringing people back to the office are not left at a competitive disadvantage — we see many businesses maintaining the status quo.

Winter Farmers Market Launches at Holyoke YMCA

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Farmers Market announced the launch of its Winter Farmers Market at the Holyoke YMCA, providing the community with fresh, local produce and goods throughout the winter season. The market will kick off Wednesday, Dec. 4 and will be open every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 171 Pine St., Holyoke.

This new market location aims to enhance access to healthy food options for the community, particularly for those in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The YMCA offers a welcoming environment for shoppers of all ages, encouraging community engagement and supporting local farmers and vendors.

“For more than 138 years, Greater Holyoke YMCA has remained the epicenter of health and wellness for all in our community,” CEO Conor Bevan said. “As the host site for the Holyoke Farmers Market, we are excited to increase access to affordable, healthy, and nutritious foods while also offering additional wraparound health and wellness services.”

Shoppers can expect a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade goods, and artisanal products from local vendors. The market will also feature special events and educational activities focused on nutrition and healthy living. Residents are encouraged to visit the market each Wednesday and support local farmers and artisans while enjoying a community gathering space.

“We’re excited to bring the Farmers Market to the YMCA this winter,” said Alexis Diaz, Farmers Market manager. “This location will provide fresh produce and create a welcoming space for everyone to connect and support our local economy.”

For more information about the Winter Farmers Market at the Senior Center, email Alexis Diaz at [email protected]. Those interested in becoming a vendor can visit holyokechamber.com/elmercado to submit an application.