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Life Insurance, Stock Redemption, and Your Business

By Contributor
Law

A New Wrinkle from the Supreme Court

By Benjamin M. Coyle, Esq. and Isabelle Fergus

 

A recent Supreme Court case ruling may have you making some important changes to life-insurance policies owned by your company. In early June, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that proceeds from life-insurance policies used to buy out a deceased owner’s shares of a business are not offset by redemption obligations, which effectively results in the value of the company being increased.

In Connelly v. United States, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s ruling that the obligation of the company to redeem shares at fair market value does not offset the value of life-insurance proceeds and that life-insurance proceeds must be included in the company’s valuation. The decedent’s estate argued that this decision made by the court will make succession planning increasingly difficult for closely held corporations, and he is right.

Benjamin Coyle

Benjamin Coyle

“The question here is whether Crown’s contractual obligation to redeem Michael’s shares at fair market value offsets the value of life-insurance proceeds committed to funding the redemption. The answer is no.”

In summary, Thomas Connelly, as executor of the estate of Michael P. Connelly Sr., sued the U.S. for a refund of the estate taxes assessed against Michael Connelly’s estate. Michael and Thomas Connelly owned a building-supply corporation known as Crown C Supply (“Crown”). Michael owned a 77.18% stake in the company, while Thomas owned the rest. The brothers had a buy-sell agreement that required the company to be valued as of the date of death of a shareholder.

Crown purchased a $3.5 million life-insurance policy on each brother’s life. The life insurance was to be used by Crown to buy the deceased brother’s shares if the other brother did not want to buy the shares personally. Thomas determined that he did not want to buy Michael’s shares, and therefore Crown was obligated to do so. This is where the valuation of Crown comes into play.

Thomas argues that Crown was worth $3.86 million before the redemption, and Michael’s shares were worth $3 million. He also claims that Crown was worth $3.86 million after Michael’s shares were redeemed. In the court’s eyes, both of Thomas’s claims cannot be true.

In granting summary judgment to the IRS, the lower court reasoned that it found that the stock-purchase agreement did not affect the valuation and, furthermore, that a proper valuation of Crown must include the life-insurance proceeds that were used toward redemption because it is seen as significant asset of the company, making Crown not worth $3.86 million, but $6.86 million.

The question here is whether Crown’s contractual obligation to redeem Michael’s shares at fair market value offsets the value of life-insurance proceeds committed to funding the redemption. The answer is no. The Supreme Court affirms that Crown’s contractual obligation to redeem Michael’s shares did not diminish the value of those shares because redemption obligations are not seen as liabilities that reduce a corporation’s value for federal estate tax.

 

Impact of the Ruling

So, how does this recent decision affect companies that have existing stock-redemption agreements? It means that the business must review their existing agreements and the manner in which the company and shareholders are obligated pursuant to its terms.

It is essential to review these agreements with your advisors, including your accountant and attorney. There are various options that may be utilized, each of which have significant consequences, and should not be done without consultation with your advisors, as the decisions will have an impact on the business and estate planning.

When looking into life-insurance policies, you may want to consider a cross-purchase agreement where the shareholders will purchase life insurance on each other. In doing so, this ensures insurance proceeds will go right to purchasing the deceased shares without the estate’s tax values rising. Although this was the better option for Thomas and Michael’s situation, this type of agreement requires each shareholder to pay premiums for the insurance policy, creating a risk that one may not be able to pay it. While this type of arrangement may be beneficial in some respects, it may have negative consequences as well.

Another key step is to regularly get valuations to see potential tax impacts and to see current market values and tax regulations. Consulting tax and legal experts on this matter will help to ensure that your corporate agreements align with all current laws and regulations. Along with talking to legal experts, you should also expect to plan for future tax obligations, whether that means setting aside funds and/or developing financial strategies to cover potential tax liabilities that could potentially rise from share redemptions or corporate obligations.

By taking steps to review agreements and evaluate life-insurance policies by consulting with experts, business owners can manage their estates better and minimize tax liabilities, all while establishing effortless ownership transitions within their business.

 

Ben Coyle is a shareholder with Bacon Wilson who focuses much of his practice in the areas of municipal law and litigation, while also handling probate and business matters. Isabelle Fergus is an intern at Bacon Wilson who is attending the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding Keeps Aiming Higher

By
Adam Quenneville stands in his warehouse
Home Improvement

Shingle Minded

Adam Quenneville stands in his warehouse

Adam Quenneville stands in his warehouse, which will expand soon when he moves office functions into a new building.

 

Adam Quenneville will soon open a new building next door to his South Hadley headquarters and move all the office functions there.

One benefit will be an expansion of warehouse space in the current building that currently stores about $500,000 worth of materials — basically, everything but the shingles that get delivered directly to project sites.

“When you see a roof, all you see is the shingles,” the president of Adam Quennville Roofing and Siding told BusinessWest. “There’s a whole layered system underneath the shingles. You have the edging, flashing, nails — all the stuff that is unseen, underneath the roof. The shingles are just the top coating. If you buy all this stuff in small pieces and they deliver it, it costs 30% more.

“Early on, the whole job got delivered, and we paid extra for all the small stuff,” he added. “They were delivering shingles with all this stuff.”

By stocking all that in-house, he said, customers are the ones who see those savings. “We’re buying in bulk to save money, and we pass on the savings to the customer. It’s a nice feeling to know we’ve kept our prices down because of that.”

Plenty of customers are benefiting from that efficiency; Quenneville typically completes four to six roof jobs every day, plus a couple of roof shampoo jobs, across a territory that encompasses all six New England states, the Albany region, and occasionally beyond. Part of the reason why is the ability for customers to get a quote without a visit.

“Now with the software we have online, if someone lives three, four hours away, we don’t have to visit them to price them out. We can use satellite imagery and give them a price.”

“Now with the software we have online, if someone lives three, four hours away, we don’t have to visit them to price them out,” he said. “We can use satellite imagery and give them a price, versus sending a guy there, who wastes a whole day to go there, look at it, measure it, give them a price, and come back. You can save people money by not having to do that.”

Residential and multi-family homes are still Quenneville’s bread and butter, though he does have a commercial division, with one crew that tackles flat roofs for businesses. And the company has even taken housing jobs on military bases as far-flung as North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and New Mexico. “That’s helped add some volume to the business,” he said.

So the business has certainly evolved in some ways over its 27 years. Another will be evident this month, when Quenneville sets up at the Big E for the first time ever.

“It’s more than 250 hours with four people there, promotional items, advertising around it. It’s a major undertaking,” he said, explaining that he’ll raffle off a free roof, a free siding job, a free roof shampoo, and a free Roof Maxx treatment. “Obviously, there will be thousands of people who don’t win, and we’ll re-market them with discounts to see if they want to buy a service from us.”

 

Down and Dirty

Roof Maxx is a low-pressure treatment derived from soybean oil that penetrates aged asphalt shingles and restores the flexibility necessary to facilitate daily expansion and contraction, Quenneville explained, noting that he’s been offering that service for 15 years.

“We spray it, and within a half-hour, it reaches into the asphalt, which is dry. If you think of asphalt on a road, you know that, when it goes down, it’s nice and pliable. Over the years, the sun gets it, and it cracks. It’s the same thing with shingles.”

Meanwhile, he’s been offering roof shampoos, a cleaning that removes algae and dark streaks from the roof, for 13 years. He said dirty roofs detract from curb appeal, reduce the ability to reflect sunlight — leading to super-heating the attic — and, increasingly, are being targeted by insurance companies, which see stains as a risk that can impact a roof’s integrity, and are instructing homeowners have them cleaned.

Both shampoo treatments and Roof Maxx aim to extend a roof’s life, which brings up the question, isn’t that cutting the legs out from Quenneville’s main business of installing roofs?

“We’re doing the right thing for the customer,” he said. “If it only needs a cleaning or a treatment, they can get five or 10 more years out of it. And it often fits the customer’s budget. A lot of people that don’t do these treatments and services will tell the customer, ‘I’m not going to clean your roof; you’ve got to replace it.’ And oftentimes, many roofs don’t need to be replaced. They can get five or 10 more years out of them.

“You can make a decision based on what kind of situation you’re in,” he went on. “You might be in a situation where you need five or 10 more years. Sometimes we deal with older customers, and they hear about a 30- or 50-year roof, and they say, ‘listen, I’m 85 years old. I don’t care about 50 more years.’ And we tell them we can get them five or 10, and they love it.”

That’s one way doing the right thing, as Quenneville calls it, can also be a competitive advantage.

“If someone else is trying to get them for 20 grand, we’re 25% of that cost to treat it. So we do a lot of those. It’s just doing the right thing for the customer and giving them options.”

Whether it’s a roof installation or a treatment (or siding, gutters, windows, or doors), the wide reach of Quenneville’s crews — typically within a five-hour drive — offers plenty of business opportunity, and homeowners aren’t charged extra for those miles. The company also charges the same rate for all customers, whether the project is sited in a wealthy town near Boston or a rural community where home values are much lower.

“Your price per square foot is the same,” he told BusinessWest. “And if you live in your home and we put a roof on it, we can guarantee it for the rest of your life.”

 

Slow and Steady

Since striking out on his own at age 25 after working in his father’s business, Quenneville, a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty honoree in 2009, has seen business steadily grow over the years, and now employs about 75 people between sales, service, office, and crews.

And while roofing is decidedly hard work — one of the three most dangerous jobs in the world, along with coal mining and deep-sea fishing, he noted — he has never had trouble finding workers to grow the company further, even today, at a time when businesses in many sectors are struggling to find help.

“I don’t like extremes; I like the nice, slow, steady growth,” he said. “I always say, we’re better today than we’ve ever been — we’re operating the best we’ve ever operated — but tomorrow, we’re going to get even better. We have meetings every week to talk about our processes and what we can do to make them better.

“At the end of the day, it’s just delivering the best customer experience we can, so that it’s done safely and seamlessly, giving them options to pay for it, and having a service team that’s there to back it up. It’s pretty simple.”

New Study Reveals Loophole in Digital Wallet Security

By Contributor
Technology

Convenience Over Security

Digital wallets — like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal — are projected to be used by more than 5.3 billion people by 2026. While these wallets promote increased security over traditional payment methods, reliance on outdated authentication methods and prioritizing convenience over security leaves digital wallets vulnerable, according to new research led by computer engineers at UMass Amherst.

“What we have discovered is these digital wallets are not secure,” said Taqi Raza, assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an author on the paper. “The main reason is that they have unconditional trust between the cardholder, the wallet, and the bank.”

In the normal digital wallet ecosystem, users start by inputting their credit or debit card number, called the primary account number (PAN), into the digital wallet. The user’s identity is authenticated as the rightful cardholder with a piece of information, such as a ZIP code or the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Raja Hasnain Anwar

“If the banks are trying to move all of their payment platforms digitally, they need to put in more effort to make that secure. They cannot just rely on existing technology to take care of it.”

Then, whenever a purchase is made, the wallet hides the PAN and shares a ‘token’ with the vendor. The vendor attaches the token to the transaction. This information goes back through the bank’s payment network, converting the token back to the PAN. The bank then settles the payment with the vendor on behalf of the customer without ever revealing the PAN to the vendor.

Unfortunately, there are ways that bad actors can circumnavigate this system to make purchases with other people’s credit cards. The major U.S. banks and digital-wallet companies impacted by this are described in the paper. These companies were informed of the study findings prior to its publication and given ample time to make necessary security improvements. The researchers used their own cards to complete their tests, and no fraudulent activity was performed in these security tests.

First, there is the issue of the initial authentication. “Any malicious actor who knows the [physical] card number can pretend to be the cardholder. The digital wallet does not have sufficient mechanism to authenticate whether the card user is the cardholder or not,” Raza said, emphasizing that existing authentication methods can easily be bypassed.

Another issue is that, once a victim reports their card stolen, the banks only block transactions from a physical card, not ones made through a digital wallet. Banks assume that their authentication system has sufficient security to prevent attackers from adding someone else’s card to their wallet, which, as Raza points out, is not the case.

Taqi Raza

Taqi Raza

“We found the banks give more priority to convenience than security. Security is taken for granted because they believe that the user-device verification being used is sufficient for wallet security. It’s not.”

Once stolen card numbers are saved in a digital wallet, it is virtually impossible for the cardholder to deactivate them. “Even if the cardholder requests a card replacement, banks do not re-authenticate the cards stored in the wallet,” Raza said. “What they do is they simply change the virtual number mapping to the new physical card number.”

 

Case in Point

Here is a fictional example. The victim’s credit card number ends in 0123. An attacker adds 0123 to their digital wallet and starts making purchases. Again, digital wallets work by sending a virtual number to the vendor, so vendors receive the virtual number ABCD and take this number to the bank to get payment associated with account 0123.

The victim discovers the fraudulent payments and asks the bank to issue a new credit card. The bank sends a new card with the number 4567 and, on the back end, remaps the virtual number: ABCD no longer links to 0123; it now links to 4567. The wallet automatically starts showing the new card to its user without any verification for the new card to be updated in the wallet. Vendors then go to the bank with ABCD, which has now been linked to 4567, the new and active number, and the purchase goes through.

The researchers also tested this loophole on the digital wallet side of the equation and found similar vulnerabilities.

“We want [the digital wallet companies] to take some responsibility as well because they are at the forefront of how these transactions happen,” said Raja Hasnain Anwar, a doctoral candidate in electrical and computer engineering and lead study author. “We want them to have solid coordination. That’s the whole point of the paper: there’s not. There’s a lack of coordination.”

He added that many of these issues stem from new features offered by the banks. “For example, you could share your card within a family — one card could be added to multiple mobile phones. Or, if you have a Netflix subscription, the credit card company doesn’t want you to lose that subscription, so they will keep on charging your card, even though that card is locked. If the banks are trying to move all of their payment platforms digitally, they need to put in more effort to make that secure. They cannot just rely on existing technology to take care of it.”

As Raza noted, “it’s security versus convenience. And we found the banks give more priority to convenience than security. Security is taken for granted because they believe that the user-device verification being used is sufficient for wallet security. It’s not.”

While this specific loophole has been resolved, researchers still recommend following security best practices: turn on email notifications when a card is added or removed from the wallet, turn on transaction alerts for credit cards, regularly check credit card statements, and review devices linked to credit cards through the bank’s web portal or mobile app account settings.

This work was done by researchers at UMass Khwarizmi Lab, led by Raza.

UMass Dining Named Best Campus Food for Eighth Consecutive Year

By
Daily News

AMHERST — UMass Amherst has once again been recognized for its exceptional campus dining experience, earning the coveted top spot on the Princeton Review’s list of Best Campus Food for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year. The achievement underscores UMass Dining’s commitment to culinary excellence, sustainability, and experiential dining that features globally inspired, culturally driven menus.

The Princeton Review’s annual rankings are based on surveys of 168,000 students at 390 colleges and universities across the nation. UMass Dining’s consistent top ranking is a testament to its innovative approach to campus dining and commitment to delivering student-focused and locally sourced cuisine at its four dining commons, one large retail food hall, and more than 30 cafés across campus.

“We are thrilled and honored to be recognized once again by the Princeton Review,” said Ken Toong, assistant vice chancellor of UMass Auxiliary Enterprises, which includes UMass Dining. “This ranking is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire UMass Dining team, who are committed to delivering an outstanding dining experience for our students every day. We believe that good food is essential to the well-being of our community, and we will continue to push the boundaries of what campus dining can be.”

Andy Mangels, vice chancellor of Administration and Finance, added that “UMass Dining is a cornerstone of our campus culture, and this recognition speaks volumes about our commitment to excellence in all areas of student life. The dining program’s success enhances the overall experience at UMass Amherst, making our campus a place where students can thrive both academically and personally. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence.”

John Berryhill Named Director of Botanic Garden of Smith College

By
Daily News

John Berryhill

NORTHAMPTON — The Botanic Garden of Smith College recently welcomed John Berryhill as its new director. Berryhill has been serving as interim director since January as part of a career at the botanic garden that began more than 27 years ago. He brings to this role an in-depth understanding of the botanic garden, a steadfast dedication to its mission, and a strong commitment to the partnerships that are at the center of its work.

Berryhill has worked in many different roles during his tenure — as a garden steward tending to the outdoor collections, as an arborist caring for the historic arboretum, and most recently as landscape curator managing the outdoor team and launching several conservation initiatives. These projects and priorities have connected Smith students to the work of the botanic garden community at both a regional and national scale.

“This moment has allowed me to see the amazing transformation that our team of staff and students here have crafted together with a new sense of clarity and deep gratitude,” Berryhill said. “We should all be very proud that this beloved institution continues to be a celebration of both Smith’s cherished history as well as values and priorities that are at the heart of our mission today.”

In the summer of 2022, Berryhill earned a master’s degree from Smith, making him the first Smithie to serve as director of the botanic garden. His research focused on the mountain magnolia’s vulnerability to climate change, which led to the development of a conservation collection at Smith College. He has long been a proponent of social and environmental justice being central to the botanic garden’s work. This priority has led to outreach and collaborations with local Indigenous leadership and conservation organizations, which will help shape the future direction of the Botanic Garden of Smith College.

“I am constantly reminded in my conversations with both today’s students and alums that it is not simply the presence of the plants in our collections, but the work we choose to do with them that will define us,” Berryhill said.

Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Receives $50,000 from Point32Health Foundation

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received a $50,000 general operating grant from Point32Health Foundation to support its work of increasing access to local, affordable, nutritious food.

“The Food Bank provides nutritious food to an average of 114,000 people each month over the last 12 months, an 18% increase over the prior year,” said Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “Higher prices for food, housing, transportation, childcare, and other basic needs have forced more people, including working families, to seek food assistance, surpassing demand even during the pandemic. This grant from the Point32Health Foundation will help ensure the Food Bank can continue to distribute the equivalent of more than 1 million meals and other food every month to meet the growing demand for food.”

This grant is one of 31 new community investments totaling nearly $3 million from Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Point32Health and its family of companies, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan, and Care Partners of Connecticut. The grants support community-led solutions to advance healthier communities and equity in aging in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

“These organizations are increasing social connection, improving community approaches to mental health, and making healthy, culturally relevant food accessible, while creating communities that promote equitable aging,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Point32Health Foundation and vice president for Corporate Citizenship at Point32Health. “They are collaborative and committed to making communities work better for everyone.”

Glenmeadow Announces Honorary Age of Excellence Award Recipient

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Glenmeadow recently announced the selection of seven distinguished individuals to receive an inaugural Age of Excellence Award. This recognition shines a spotlight on individuals who are not only redefining aging, but also reshaping perceptions of what it means to grow older.

In addition to these individuals, the Glenmeadow team and event-planning committee also selected an Honorary Age of Excellence Award recipient. This inaugural acknowledgement is being presented to Patrick Sullivan, longtime executive director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreational Management for the city of Springfield.

Patrick announced his retirement earlier this year after a career spanning 37 years. Throughout his tenure, he worked with seven mayors, most recently serving as part of Mayor Domenic Sarno’s administration. He leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of the city, having spearheaded numerous projects and initiatives, including neighborhood parks, school buildings, fire stations, library buildings, athletic fields, and the city’s environmental and climate action and resiliency plans.

“Patrick’s career accomplishments are much too numerous to list fully,” said Kathy Martin, Glenmeadow president and CEO. “However, his selection for this recognition was made in part to acknowledge his dedication and passion for preserving Springfield’s heritage. This focus included, among many others, his involvement in saving iconic structures such as the Barney Carriage House, where the Age of Excellence Awards Celebration will be held next month.”

The seven Age of Excellence honorees are:

• Dedicated Leader – Beyond the Badge: Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, Palmer;

• Champion of Community Voices: Debbie Gardner, Springfield;

• Impactful Entrepreneur: Jeffrey Greim, Longmeadow;

• Dynamic Difference Maker: Ethel Griffin, Springfield;

• Game-Changing Mentor: James Lagodich, Springfield;

• Inspiring Changemaker: Maria Roy, Springfield; and

• Dedicated Community Connector: Karen Tetreault, Chicopee.

Click here to learn more about these honorees. Click here to buy tickets to the celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The Economy Is Slowing, but Remains Robust

By
Cover Story

By All Indications

Bob Nakosteen calls it a ‘calm slowdown.’

That phrase is synonymous with ‘soft landing,’ and that’s what he’s projecting for the last quarter and change in 2024 at a time when there are mounting questions about the economy, what’s happening — or not happening — and whether we might actually be hearing and using the dreaded ‘R’ word either later this year or early next.

Nakosteen, the semi-retired professor of Economics at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst (he’s still teaching several courses a semester), said the country isn’t really close to being in a recession when it comes to the technical definition of the term — two consecutive quarters of negative GDP — but people like to toss out that word whenever things start to slow down. And in many ways, they have.

Indeed, the most recent jobs reports have not been as robust as in previous months; the housing market remains … not at a standstill, but in a real slump induced by higher interest rates; the stock market took a sharp nosedive at the start of August (but has recovered nicely); and, while inflation has trended downward, the cost of food, energy, and other items remains high enough to make it a top issue in the presidential election.

All this has led many economists (Nakosteen is one of them), politicians, and, yes, area business owners to speculate that the Fed has, indeed, waited too long to lower interest rates, and thus, in its efforts to tame inflation by cooling the economy, it has cooled it too much.

That ‘too much’ part is certainly a matter of opinion, said Nakosteen, who told BusinessWest that, while things have slowed somewhat since earlier this year, the economy remains robust by many yardsticks.

“This is not breaking news, but the economy has held up really well in spite of a lot of pressure, especially from a rapidly rising interest-rate environment. The consumer has really rolled with the punches.”

“The economic numbers don’t look bad at all,” he said. “The labor market has weakened a little bit, but it’s not weak; it’s just not as strong as it had been. And most of the other indicators are strong, including GNP. It’s about where it had been, and in some ways, it’s above trendline. The last report was about 2.3% annualized growth; when you put all the pieces together, that’s above trendline. It doesn’t sound all that strong, but 2.3% is not bad in the current environment.”

Matt Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, was in general agreement on those points, noting that, given the sharp rise in interest rates, consumers — and the economy in general — have performed better than might be expected.

Matt Sosik

Matt Sosik wonders about the impact of mounting pressure on consumers, as evidenced by rising credit-card balances and loan delinquencies.

“This is not breaking news, but the economy has held up really well in spite of a lot of pressure, especially from a rapidly rising interest-rate environment,” he said, adding quickly that huge federal deficits are essentially “subsidizing GDP,” as he put it, thanks to stimulus money that is still being spent. “The consumer has really rolled with the punches.”

That said, he wonders for how much longer this will be true, noting mounting pressure on consumers, as evidenced by rising credit-card balances and delinquencies in paying those balances, mortgages, and car loans (more on that later).

Overall, many business owners have been in somewhat of a holding pattern, said Ken Vincunas, president of Agawam-based Development Associates, noting this sentiment refers to decisions about investments in real estate — either building something new or simply buying something — but also business decisions in general.

Many are waiting to see what happens with interest rates, but some are also waiting for the November election, the outcome of which may impact what happens with those rates and the economy in general.

“Everyone is holding their breath and waiting to see what will happen in November,” Vincunas said. “That’s the big wild card right now.”

For this issue, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the economy as the three-quarter pole approaches, what might happen the rest of this year and beyond, and the factors that will likely determine which way the arrows will be pointing as we move into 2025.

 

On-the-money Analysis

Nakosteen said the market’s pronounced dip early last month — there was a drop of nearly 10% — was interpreted widely as commentary on a weakening economy.

He didn’t see it that way — “I just interpreted it as people sold stocks because people were selling stocks” — and the market’s rebound (it had recovered most all of what was lost by press time with this issue) would seem to validate that opinion.

Bob Nakosteen

Bob Nakosteen

“For at least seven or eight months, I’ve heard that the Fed should be lowering interest rates right now because higher interest rates are really going to drag down the economy. They haven’t. They may still, but they haven’t yet.”

He acknowledged that the economy has slowed somewhat, but, again, most indicators would show that it is still strong, especially when one considers the many factors impacting it, most notably interest rates.

Indeed, while he thinks the Fed should have lowered interest rates months ago — because it takes months for a rate drop to trickle down, if you will — he believes the Fed “got away with it,” as he put it.

“For at least seven or eight months, I’ve heard that the Fed should be lowering interest rates right now because higher interest rates are really going to drag down the economy,” Nakosteen said. “They haven’t. They may still, but they haven’t yet.”

Sosik didn’t use those words, but he was in general agreement that, despite some strong headwinds, the economy remains solid mostly because consumers, by and large, have continued to spend.

However, there are signs that spending is slowing and that consumers are now increasingly burdened by their previous spending.

“When you look at the number of people who are maxed out on their credit cards, for example, credit-card delinquency rates, student-loan delinquency rates … these are all examples of metrics that are not trending in the right direction,” he said. “And they imply that consumers are pretty stretched.

“Whether they’re at the end of their ropes as a group is not clear,” Sosik went on. “I’m not saying that a consumer-driven recession is around the corner, but there are a lot of factors indicating that the consumer is stretched out pretty far.”

Overall, though, that same consumer is still hanging in, he continued, adding that, historically, this is the case until there are cracks in the labor market, which have not appeared yet.

Ken Vincunas

Ken Vincunas says many business owners are hitting pause until they see what happens with interest rates — and the November election.

“If we see those, and you have unemployment rising with an already stretched-out consumer, then that would be a perfect storm,” he said, adding that he’s not predicting that such a storm will develop.

Vincunas is among those who believes the Fed hasn’t gotten away with it, and that higher interest rates are taking their toll on business overall, but especially in commercial real estate. He noted that higher rates are leaving those facing loan-rate renewals with potentially huge bumps in operating costs.

“The window for their renewals could be five years, and five years ago, people might have thought they were in good shape,” he explained. “But now, they have to face that eventuality, and everyone is holding their breath to see if Trump can get elected and if he can bring interest rates down.”

Meanwhile, these higher rates are prompting more to lease rather than buy and for those thinking about buying or perhaps building new to hit pause and see what happens — in November and with interest rates.

 

Points of Interest

One of the key indicators of a slowing economy is the housing market, which has slowed considerably in 2024 — from a sales-volume perspective because of interest rates, which are keeping many people in their current homes, and overall due to a persistent lack of inventory that has kept prices high and the homes that do come on the market moving quickly.

“People are not buying new homes, so that slows down the demand for new construction,” Nakosteen said. “And they’re not selling their homes, which diminishes supply, so it’s a really interesting phenomenon we’re seeing right now in housing.”

Peter Ruffin, current president of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley, acknowledged that this has been a slower year, sales-wise, than previous years, although he views steady (if not rising) values, especially in communities like Springfield, as an overall sign of strength within the market.

And also a reason why homeowners should maybe rethink that strategy of staying put until interest rates come down.

“When you look at the number of people who are maxed out on their credit cards, for example, credit-card delinquency rates, student-loan delinquency rates … these are all examples of metrics that are not trending in the right direction. And they imply that consumers are pretty stretched.”

“You can refinance your interest rate down the road, but you’re never going to get a second chance at price,” he said. “And prices are going to continue to go up.”

And while higher interest rates are keeping some in their homes when they might be trading up or down, and thus putting more homes on the market, he blames the overall lack of inventory on a lack of building, a problem he hopes can be addressed by the Affordable Homes Act recently signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey.

“We haven’t built enough houses in Massachusetts, period,” Ruffin told BusinessWest. “And it’s housing of all sorts, and that’s what we need to fix for the long term.”

Meanwhile, some homeowners, like business owners, are somewhat reluctant to move forward in an election year like this one, he said, not knowing who will be in the White House and what will happen next.

Which brings us back to the phrases ‘soft landing’ and ‘calm slowdown,’ and whether this is where the economy is headed.

They both indicate a slowing of the economy but not a dip into negative GDP territory, said Nakosteen, who said he dislikes making projections, but, when pressed, made one when it comes to the balance of 2024 and likely beyond.

“Maybe we see a 1% or 1.5% rise in GDP, and maybe unemployment rises a few more tenths,” he said, adding that at least one economist was projecting that, to fully tame inflation down to 2% or 3%, the Fed would have to take steps that would take unemployment rates into the 6% to 7% range.

Instead, it’s just over 4%, a rise, and a number, that Nakosteen said is “the very definition of a soft landing.”

The questions to be answered concern just how soft and whether it stays soft, said those we spoke with, noting that consumer spending will be the key factor, as it usually is.

“When you read anecdotes from corporate offices, especially consumer product companies, they say there’s a real weakening in consumer demand,” Nakosteen noted. “You don’t see it in the numbers — you don’t see it in retail sales or other measures of consumption — but there are a lot of companies that feel a weaking of demand for their products at the retail level.”

These include McDonald’s (which reported its first worldwide sales drop in four years in late July) and other fast-food providers, which have hinted strongly that the increases in prices they’ve instituted, forced by the higher costs of labor, food, and energy, have taken their toll. They’re responding with value meals and specials, but overall, the restaurant sector, one of the bellwethers of consumer sentiment and the economy on the whole, is seeing a decline in business.

Sosik acknowledged that this sector and other pockets of the economy may be experiencing some slowing, but, overall, what he senses is that consumers are still spending — if not on Quarter Pounders or Frosties, then on something else.

And as long as that continues, he and others said, the economy should continue to hang in, and the ‘R’ word can be avoided.

Managing Different Generations Can Be Challenging, but Rewarding

By
Allison Ebner
Business Management Special Coverage

Culture Clash

Allison Ebner

Allison Ebner says everyone — including the older cohort of workers — is benefiting from workplace changes being driven by Gen Z and younger Millennials.

 

‘Zoomers to Boomers.’

That’s how folks at the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) refer to the four main generations that populate today’s workforce: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials (sometimes referred to as Gen Y), and Gen Z.

“We are at a point where, nationally, almost 50% of our workforce is Millennials and Gen Zs. And there are pluses to having all those different perspectives,” said Allison Ebner, EANE president. “You have the thought processes of the Baby Boomers and the X-ers who have all the knowledge, and they are transferring that knowledge to the Ys and the Zs, but the Ys and the Zs are bringing in new, creative ways to do things and tackle projects.”

It’s a diversity of experiences and perspectives from which savvy companies can benefit by considering their varied needs and expectations, said Cindy Ryan, head of Human Resources for MassMutual, one of the region’s largest employers.

“While you can’t make sweeping assumptions about any generation, it is safe to say that there are different drivers and motivators for employees across different age groups,” she told BusinessWest. “In our eyes, the best way to address these differences is creating a workforce where we place trust in our people to do their work thoroughly and do that work in an environment that best suits them.”

For MassMutual, she said, that includes offering a diverse range of benefits that support mental, physical, and financial health; providing flexible working dress codes and arrangements; and delivering opportunities for networking and internal connection. “We’re always seeking to increase the breadth and flexibility of what we offer, ensuring our benefits meet employees’ diverse needs at each stage of life.”

Ebner agreed that generational differences certainly become evident around employee benefits.

“We moved away from that cafeteria model of benefits where we had a bunch of different things, and you could sign up for whatever was important to you, to more standard benefits packages,” she noted. “But now, we’re kind of back to asking, ‘what are you looking for?’

“When we’re building our employee value proposition,” she went on, “what’s going to retain my staff? What’s going to help me attract and retain the best talent? And one area where there are some distinct differences generationally is employee benefits, for sure.”

“You have the thought processes of the Baby Boomers and the X-ers who have all the knowledge, and they are transferring that knowledge to the Ys and the Zs, but the Ys and the Zs are bringing in new, creative ways to do things and tackle projects.”

For instance, she said, Millennials and Zoomers express more needs around both mental health and financial education.

“There’s a lot of mistrust from the younger generations in the stock market and what’s going on economically today,” Ebner said of the latter. “They’ve lived through 9% inflation, they know that going to the grocery store is costing them a ton of money, they know they can’t buy a house right now with mortgage rates so high. So giving them a financial holistic wellness picture is important, and what a lot of them are looking for.”

At the same time, older workers can also benefit from that kind of perk, she added, in the same way that younger workers have driven the shift toward remote work and hybrid schedules that everyone now enjoys.

“It’s interesting to see some generational trends, and they’re not the same for everybody,” said Irene Costello, director of Operations at the Markens Group, an association-management firm in Springfield. “It’s forced us to become more flexible in our policies: remote work, time-off policies, reducing dress-code expectations. Earlier this year, we changed our time-off policy at the beginning of the year to adjust to the growing requests. A lot of organizations are doing it as well; some organizations are getting super flexible.”

It’s easier for a company like Markens, a small business where most staffers are under age 40, to make those changes, Costello added, but for larger companies with a more prominent cohort of Boomers and X-ers, it can be difficult to change the culture, alter policies around work-life balance, and … well, be flexible at all. “From the employer’s side, it’s challenging.”

For this issue’s focus on business management, BusinessWest delves into the different work styles and expectations of the four main generations in the workplace, how they influence each other, and why their differences can be positive.

 

Change Agents

It should be noted that two other generations are in play as well: the pre-Boomer Traditionalists, the youngest of whom are entering their 80s, and some of whom still work; and Gen Alpha, the oldest of whom are in high school and starting to seek summer jobs and internships.

Cindy Ryan

Cindy Ryan

“While you can’t make sweeping assumptions about any generation, it is safe to say that there are different drivers and motivators for employees across different age groups.”

That’s quite a broad spectrum of employees working together, often with dramatically different expectations and work styles. While broad stereotypes hardly fit everyone, Traditionalists and Boomers are known for appreciating structure, stability, and clear expectations, while Gen X and Millennials are more apt than their older counterparts to prioritize work-life balance, collaboration, efficiency, and, as noted, benefits that speak to personal wellness.

“With older generations, there’s some aversion to change, some difficulty adapting to new technologies and new processes overall,” Costello said, adding quickly that there’s plenty of crossover in what different workers want. “We have a very young staff. I’m 29 years old. But even though I’m younger, I love to see people coming into the office five days a week, to be visible.”

What many employers are dealing with now, in a post-COVID era where companies in many sectors are struggling to recruit and retain talent, is the fact that the growing cohort of younger workers has some leverage to stand up for their own needs and desires, Ryan said.

“As such, we can start to draw different conclusions as to what different generations want from their employers,” she added. “Younger generations, for example, often feel more drawn to work for a company that is committed to bettering their communities.”

As a result, she explained, MassMutual offers a volunteer time-off policy that allows employees to take paid volunteer days to support local initiatives they are passionate about. “In the grand scheme, offering benefits and perks that meet the needs of different generations are now major points of emphasis for employers who are looking to attract and retain talent.”

That’s true of other benefits as well, Ryan said, noting that MassMutual offers benefits that support mental, physical, and financial health; provide flexible working arrangements; and deliver opportunities for networking and internal connection, all priorities for younger workers, not to mention a bereavement-leave policy where employees can define who their loved ones are.

Irene Costello

Irene Costello says open communication in the workplace can create a healthier environment for workers of all ages.

“Holistically,” she added, “it’s about supporting all employees’ well-being in ways that are meaningful to them.”

And, as noted earlier, many changes driven by the youngest workers wind up benefiting everyone.

“The X-ers and the Boomers have learned that, ‘hey, we’re getting this better life-work balance because these younger generations have demanded it. And employers can’t throw down the 60-hour work week demands anymore,’” Ebner said. “So it’s a gift that has been given to them by these younger generations.”

At the same time, she added, the pendulum may be starting to swing back in some sectors — layoffs at large technology companies have been in the news recently, for example — which may reduce some of that employee leverage and change the power dynamic.

One interesting — and, to some, concerning — generational trend, Costello noted, is the reluctance of Zoomers and younger Millennials to engage in chambers of commerce and other business associations.

“Boomers, Gen X, and maybe older millennials are of the mindset where it’s the right thing to do. Someone goes and buys a membership to be part of the chamber of commerce, part of an industry association, paying dues to the industry as a whole,” she explained.

“Now, with the younger generations, folks are looking for a tangible takeaway. Is it a résumé builder? Is there something of value at this conference, some credentialing? Instead of just going to build community, what am I getting from this networking?”

That’s an unprecedented shift, Costello added.

“It’s getting harder and harder to keep growing association memberships because of that. And it’s causing everyone in associations to reconsider their offerings: ‘what do you want? What can we do to change the offerings to keep you as a member, as a part of this community?’”

Though it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons, she suspects people feel life is more hectic and stressful post-COVID, and don’t necessarily want to commit time to a two-hour board meeting at the end of the day.

“The younger generation is prioritizing work-life balance, mental health, and their personal lives over what they’re giving to the community, what they’re putting into work,” she told BusinessWest. “They’re protecting and advocating for themselves and their own interests rather than looking at it from a community perspective.”

 

Let’s Talk

When it comes to managing multiple generations, Ebner said, EANE has been asked to develop some unique trainings, like etiquette training, and how to come back to the office and dress properly. “You know, the yoga pants usually aren’t allowed in the office; flip-flops are a big no-no.

“And we’re getting asked to go back to the basics for some organizations — how to have a conversation with someone when you’re sitting in a room with them. We’re all very bold on the phone, by email, via Zoom. But we’re not in a room with someone watching body language. We need to relearn some of these skills, like how to have a respectful conversation. Being polite is something we’re kind of retraining people on.”

Speaking of communication, teaching the different generations how to talk to one another is critical as well — and can strengthen workplace culture.

“Different generations will naturally bring different perspectives to the table, which is especially important when building a workforce that reflects the markets and communities that we serve,” Ryan said. “This is why we’re always working to create an environment where all feel seen, heard, valued, and respected.”

One innovative initiative is MassMutual’s reverse mentoring program, where members of its Young Professionals Business Resource Group mentor senior executives, she added. It’s a concept that’s been discussed at EANE as well.

“We have some employers that are doing reverse mentoring,” Ebner said. “They’re pairing a Z with a Boomer or an X-er, and they’re having them work together on projects. So, instead of the Boomer mentoring just one way to the newer employee, who’s just coming into the work world, it’s kind of a collaborative back and forth, where the Z is also teaching the Boomer a few tricks. It’s very positive.”

That doesn’t diminish the importance of the traditional mentorship model, of course.

“I have somebody on my team who’s been there for 30 years in association management,” Costello said. “I’m her manager, but she comes into the office and teaches me something every day. I turn to her in confidence. I say, ‘I trust you. Obviously, you’ve done this for 30 years. You have a different perspective.’

“You want everyone on the team to question everyone else — to question everything, in a good way,” she added. “Does this make sense? Is there a better way to do this? Why are we doing this? Why are we still doing this?”

The alternative is a non-communicative culture than can quickly turn toxic, where everyone is putting up walls, Costello noted.

“When no one wants to hear somebody else’s perspective, that’s emotionally draining; no one enjoys it, and no one stands to benefit from it on either side. We have a really strong focus on our culture and that full-circle communication, giving and receiving feedback, no matter who we are, no matter what position we’re in or what project we’re working on.”

Ebner agreed that communication is crucial in effective business management.

“You need to pay attention to the differences, but also don’t think we’re so different that there aren’t some similarities. When employers are struggling, I always say, focus on the things that we have in common. Focus on building that respectful workplace culture where you’ve got one-on-one conversations happening between employee and manager.”

And make sure younger workers have a voice, she added, because at most companies, they’ll be the majority of the team soon, if they aren’t already. “That’s your strategic secret weapon right there: building cross-generational work teams, so they can collaborate and bring the best of all the different thought processes together.”

In other words, bridging the generation gap brings benefits across the board — from the company’s office culture to its bottom line.

Prepare for the Rise of AI in the Workplace

By Contributor
Law Special Coverage

Attention, Employers

By Sabba Salebaigi-Tse, Esq.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how we live and work. To keep up with this technological revolution, both federal and state governments are introducing new rules to ensure AI is used responsibly in the workplace. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about recent federal, state, and local AI developments.

 

The White House’s Executive Order

In October 2023, President Biden issued a groundbreaking executive order on the “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.” This order pushed federal agencies to create guidelines ensuring AI is used responsibly, especially at work. The goal is to make sure AI helps improve workplaces without causing unfair treatment or discrimination.

Sabba Salebaigi-Tse

Sabba Salebaigi-Tse

“Ensure transparency by clearly communicating to employees and applicants about the use of AI in employment decisions and their rights related to AI.”

Department of Labor’s New Guidelines

Wage and Hour Division’s Bulletin: On April 29, the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division released a bulletin explaining the risks of using AI at work. This bulletin emphasizes the inherent risks associated with AI use and underscores that AI should not replace human oversight. According to the guidelines outlined in FAB, employers must ensure that responsible human oversight accompanies the deployment of AI technologies.

Given the various challenges associated with AI technologies, it is crucial for employers to navigate the complexities while adhering to laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and others, which stipulate that employers remain accountable for legal issues arising from the use of AI. Even if AI systems autonomously take adverse actions against employees, such actions could potentially constitute retaliation under FLSA and related statutes.

 

Guidance of Federal Contractors: On April 29, the DOL Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued guidelines aimed at federal contractors utilizing AI, which are valuable for all employers to consider.

These guidelines emphasize several critical practices for the ethical and effective deployment of AI tools in the workplace. Employers are advised to ensure that AI technologies are not only fair and job-related, but also regularly monitored for biases that could inadvertently impact decision-making processes. Additionally, keeping employees well-informed about the use and implications of AI systems fosters transparency and helps mitigate potential concerns or misunderstandings.

“As AI continues to evolve and integrate into the workplace, new and expanded laws will emerge to govern its use. Employers must proactively adapt to these changes to harness AI’s benefits while ensuring compliance with legal standards.”

These proactive measures not only enhance compliance with federal regulations, but also promote a more inclusive and equitable work environment where AI technologies are used responsibly to benefit both employers and employees alike.

AI Principles for Employers: On May 16, the DOL introduced a comprehensive set of principles aimed at guiding the development and implementation of AI technologies in the workplace. These principles underscore the importance of ethical considerations and employee welfare in AI deployment. They stress the need to keep workers informed about how AI is utilized, ensure transparency in AI decision-making processes, and safeguard worker data throughout the entire AI life cycle.

These guidelines aim to foster a fair and secure work environment where AI enhances operations while upholding privacy and ethical standards. Adhering to these principles helps employers build trust, mitigate risks, and integrate AI technologies responsibly for the benefit of all stakeholders.

 

State-level Developments

New York: Since July 5, 2023, New York city has a law regulating automated employment decision tools (AEDTs). Employers must conduct annual audits to check for bias, publish the results, and let applicants know when AEDTs are used. In addition, a new bill introduced this past February aims to regulate AEDTs across New York State. This bill requires annual bias analyses and public summaries of the findings.

New Jersey: In February, two bills were introduced in New Jersey to manage AI in hiring. One bill requires annual bias audits for AEDTs. The other regulates AI-enabled video interviews, demanding transparency and consent from applications.

Other States: California is working on regulations to prevent algorithmic discrimination and ensure AI tools are used transparently and responsibly. Starting Feb. 1, 2026, Colorado will require AI developers and users to protect against discrimination with high-risk AI systems. And both Illinois and Maryland have laws in place requiring employers to notify and get consent from applicants before using AI in hiring.

 

What Should Employers Do?

To navigate these new regulations and ensure compliance, employers should:

• Stay informed. Regularly review federal and state guidelines on AI use in the workplace.

• Conduct regular audits of AI tools to detect and mitigate bias or inequitable outcomes.

• Ensure transparency by clearly communicating to employees and applicants about the use of AI in employment decisions and their rights related to AI.

• Provide training to HR and management teams on the ethical and responsible use of AI tools.

• Consult with legal experts to say ahead of regulatory changes and implement best practices tailored to your organization.

 

Conclusion

As AI continues to evolve and integrate into the workplace, new and expanded laws will emerge to govern its use. Employers must proactively adapt to these changes to harness AI’s benefits while ensuring compliance with legal standards. If you have questions about any of these developments, it is prudent to consult with labor and employment counsel.

 

Sabba Salebaigi-Tse is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment-law matters at the Royal Law Firm LLP, a woman-owned, women-managed corporate law firm certified as a women’s business enterprise with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, the National Assoc. of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Sexton Roofing & Siding Thrives Under New, ‘Extreme’ Ownership

By
Owner Sasha Wilde
Home Improvement Special Coverage

On the House

Owner Sasha Wilde

Owner Sasha Wilde

 

After almost 40 years operating the small roofing company that bears his name, Everett Sexton was looking to retire.

At the same time, Sasha and Tim Wilde, who had spent about a decade as project managers in the corporate world, were looking for a new, entrepreneurial challenge.

They found it in roofing, acquiring Sexton Roofing & Siding from its founder a little over a year ago.

“We did large-scale pharmaceutical construction projects, and we decided, after 10-plus years in that career, that we wanted to break out and do something on our own,” Sasha, now president of the company, explained. “A couple of friends of ours bought a business in 2022, and that’s when we learned about buying businesses. So I started doing all the research, doing analysis, reading books, listening to podcasts, just doing everything I could to get educated on the subject of buying businesses.”

The Wildes were living in New Hampshire at the time and wanted to stay in New England, and relocated to Western Mass. to buy Sexton, which is headquartered in West Hatfield.

“People will come to us for siding, windows, or they want to do their roof and their siding, or their roof and their gutters. So we like being able to be that one-stop shop for them so that they don’t have to go and deal with multiple contractors to try to get a project done.”

“Everett Sexton founded it in 1985 and just kind of slowly built his business over the years,” Sasha noted. “The amount of work that he did was very impressive. He had a really great work ethic. It was just work he did, and then, about 10 years ago, he started using subcontractors, so he was able to run one or two jobs a day for the whole roofing season.”

It was a model that appealed to her and Tim, who are among just four full-time employees — Tim is the sales manager and roofing and siding specialist, while they also employ a general manager and business manager — and the field work is subcontracted.

“She really did a lot of homework, and then used that to evaluate 50 or 60 businesses of all types,” Tim said. “She had a very elaborate spreadsheet to evaluate how much they make, what their staff looks like, all this different criteria. And by looking at so many in so many different sectors, she could see this was a good one. You have to see a lot to know what’s good and bad. She put in the time.”

A year later, they’re growing their presence in the region, and while the anxiety of going into business for oneself never completely goes away, it’s also been tempered by a steady flow of roofing jobs, as well as siding, windows, and doors.

“We were kind of buried with learning how to run it last year,” Sasha told BusinessWest. “So we spent a lot of our offseason really thinking about that, and trying to refine our core values, our mission.”

That mission, posted on the wall of their office, is simple: “to change the way people think about the roofing industry, one roof at a time. We lead with integrity, treat everyone like family, and strive to make a positive impact on our community. By taking extreme ownership of our roles, we lift our team members up and pave the way for a better future.”

When asked what extreme ownership means, she responded, “it really just means that we don’t make excuses for anything. We see something, and we solve the problem. We don’t wait for things to become a problem. This is a small business; there’s only four of us. So there’s no one else to do the thing. If we see a thing that needs to be done, we have to do it.”

 

Getting Up to Speed

Under new ownership, Sexton expanded quickly, Sasha said.

“When we got the business, he just did roofs — asphalt shingle and flat. We quickly ended up expanding into siding, windows, and doors because the salesman we had at the time really wanted to sell those things. And we said, ‘OK, let’s try it.’

“For the most part, we spend most of our marketing budget on roofing. That’s what we like focusing on,” she added. “But people will come to us for siding, windows, or they want to do their roof and their siding, or their roof and their gutters. So we like being able to be that one-stop shop for them so that they don’t have to go and deal with multiple contractors to try to get a project done.”

Like under Everett Sexton’s ownership, the company’s bread and butter is asphalt shingle roofing for residential and commercial clients, and it also offers EPDM rubber membranes for flat roofs.

Tim and Sasha Wilde

Tim and Sasha Wilde

“We have a couple different flat-roof options that we offer,” she said. “There’s a mineral-roll roofing, which is also an asphalt product that you can use on low-slope and flat roofs. And we’ve expanded our roofing services; our crew installs corrugated metal, and we have a relationship with a metal roof company, so we can do standing seam as well.”

In many ways, Sasha is satisfied with how the first year has gone. “I say that thoughtfully because I’m not sure what expectations I had going into this. Last year was just pretty wild, with us executing as fast as we could and learning. This year, it’s been a lot more thought and a lot of processes being put in place,” she noted, from bringing in customer relationship management software in the spring to hiring a general manager with 15 years of experience in the field.

“I have pretty ambitious plans to grow the business,” she added. “But, most importantly, I don’t want to lose touch with our mission and our core values. We’re also always looking to hire — we’re bringing on a new salesperson in a few weeks who will specialize in siding and windows and really help build out our services in that way. So we have ambitious plans to grow, but we want to stay local and family-owned and community-focused.”

“Our life is so different now. I mean, it’s been quite drastically changed from the corporate world to being your own boss. The difference between talking to a high-level pharma client versus a homeowner is just so much different, and this is more enjoyable.”

In doing so, she also wants to continue to invest in employees as one key to the company’s collective success and continuous improvement, through efforts like training programs, access to educational resources, and support for career-advancement initiatives.

Meanwhile, Sexton Roofing & Siding continues to obtain new certifications, recently becoming an IKO roofing craftsmen premier contractor, a certified Velux skylight installer, and WeatherBond certified.

 

Steady Slope

Sasha said it’s gratifying to work with many different types of customers.

“We work with real people solving real problems. It’s rewarding to see the transformation from what they had to what they have now,” she said, adding that another motivating factor for stepping into the world of entrepreneurship was to set an example for their two sons.

“When we bought the business, we just wanted to show our boys that there are many paths to choose in life, and you don’t necessarily have to go the W-2 route. You can do entrepreneurship. We just wanted to show them there are many paths, and to take risks and not be afraid of failure, because you learn so much in failure.”

Tim credits Sasha for easing some of the initial anxiety.

“When we finally decided on this business, I think some of the fear was taken away because she had done so much homework and seen how much potential there was,” he said, adding that, like any entrepreneurial venture, “it felt … not safe, but at least it wasn’t terrifying.”

Sasha agreed. “With my background in operations, I can understand, if we make this amount of money, I can see where it’s coming from, where it’s going to, and we’ll have this amount of money at the end. Now, does it always go to plan? Not so much, but I at least have a guiding force to push us through this. So I would say it was a calculated risk. And rewarding, challenging, and stressful.”

She also gave Tim plenty of credit for getting the business off the ground — literally and figuratively.

“When we started, he was running all of our projects. He was actually out there stripping roofs with our crew. He was doing the hard work, meeting the homeowners, getting educated on exactly what goes into every single project that we have. And now that we’ve brought on a GM, we’ve been able to move Tim over into sales. And he really knows what he’s talking about now. He’s a very, very good speaker.”

Tim, for his part, has enjoyed the career change. “Our life is so different now. I mean, it’s been quite drastically changed from the corporate world to being your own boss. The difference between talking to a high-level pharma client versus a homeowner is just so much different, and this is more enjoyable.

“I like talking to people,” he added. “I like meeting people every single day, helping them solve their problems.”

 

Massachusetts Broadband Institute Continues to Narrow Digital Divide

By
Special Coverage Technology

Connecting Communities

 

It’s all about connecting communities, Comcast says — and public-private partnerships that continue to bear fruit in closing the digital divide.

Comcast recently submitted 91 applications in the second round of the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program, administered by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), a program that funds the deployment of high-speed broadband to unserved or underserved locations in Massachusetts.

“Comcast has a proven track record of connecting residents and businesses in the Commonwealth to reliable and fast internet service, and we look forward to partnering with MBI to further expand the Xfinity network to fully connect local communities,” said Carolyne Hannan, senior vice president of Comcast’s New England Region.

“We have completed five broadband expansion projects in partnership with the MBI, connecting more than 3,000 homes and businesses since 2018,” she added. “Endorsement by the MBI of the applications would build on the successful public-private partnership.”

Throughout Massachusetts, Comcast has invested almost $909 million over the last three years in private capital to build, maintain, and operate its Xfinity network. The company notes that this investment has enabled it to expand its network capabilities and stay ahead of consumer demand, as the need for fast, reliable, and secure internet continues to grow.

Meanwhile, public-private partnership models, like MBI’s grant program, are necessary to reach locations where the economics prevent private investment alone. The company has already received more than 140 letters of support from communities across the state for the applications.

Carolyne Hannan

Carolyne Hannan

“We have completed five broadband expansion projects in partnership with the MBI, connecting more than 3,000 homes and businesses since 2018.”

“Comcast wants to serve as many customers as is geographically and economically feasible,” the company told BusinessWest. “As we continue to evaluate these opportunities for network expansions, especially in rural areas where there can be significant infrastructure challenges, we partner with municipalities and groups like the Massachusetts Broadband Institute for grants that help change the economics to expand in the most cost-efficient manner.”

Through the first round of the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Program, Comcast was awarded grants to connect unserved and underserved residents in Monson, Palmer, and Ware, as well as communities in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Additionally, it has expanded its network in partnership with the MBI in Western Mass., connecting previously unserved homes and businesses.

It completed its first public-private partnership with the MBI in 2018, enabling the launch of gigabit services in nine Western Mass. towns, bringing Buckland, Conway, Chester, Hardwick, Huntington, Montague, Northfield, Pelham, and Shelburne to the MBI’s overall coverage goal of 96% or above. Since then, Comcast has completed four ‘last mile’ projects in Middlefield, Montgomery, Tolland, and Worthington.

 

Seeking Equity

Among the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s other initiatives is its Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, which provides municipalities with free strategic planning from pre-qualified consultants to help determine the main impediments to internet access and focus on solutions to bridge the existing digital divide, while tackling issues around affordability, digital-literacy training, device access, and other barriers.

“Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in addressing the digital divide, empowering municipalities statewide with vital resources to enhance accessibility and education,” Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said earlier this year in announcing that 16 more cities and towns joined the program.

“This program will enable more municipalities to empower their residents, providing not only internet access, but also with the necessary training, devices, and expertise to compete in the digital economy. As commerce, job opportunities, and essential resources shift online, ensuring robust connections is crucial for residents to excel now and in the future.”

Michael Baldino

Michael Baldino

“Alongside our planning partners, we are excited to provide these communities with the support to help connect with their residents, to ask the right questions, and to receive data-driven results that will enable them to get the right mix of support to their residents.”

Michael Baldino, director of the MBI, added that, “alongside our planning partners, we are excited to provide these communities with the support to help connect with their residents, to ask the right questions, and to receive data-driven results that will enable them to get the right mix of support to their residents.”

There are now 78 municipalities participating in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, a $145 million initiative launched last October. The latest round of 16 includes Springfield, as well as Hampden, Leverett, Otis, Shutesbury, and Westhampton.

The projects vary in scope. Springfield is building on the work done by its City Council’s digital equity subcommittee and interest from residents. The city acknowledges several barriers to digital equity, including equitable access to devices and skills, and intends on using surveys, public meetings, data collection, mailings, community events, tabling in public spaces, and interviews to uncover the reasons for these barriers. Working with consultants to build a digital-equity plan, Springfield aims to establish a coordinated, focused process.

Meanwhile, the town of Otis will spearheard several planning activities through its Municipal Light Plant to expand and improve digital equity. The municipality has previously installed a fiber-to-the-home network, but some seniors and students are unable to access it due to lack of training and equipment. In order to solve this, the town will conduct outreach to residents who are not typically involved in public meetings or do not respond to surveys.

And in Westhampton, the town’s 2022 master plan survey found that 92% of respondents noted the importance of reliable broadband for functioning city services (including emergency response) and to maintain the local economy. So Westhampton is prioritizing reliable access to high-speed internet by working with service providers and the MBI to learn more about existing network availability and reliability. The town will also focus on distributing devices, expanding literacy, and creating financial resources to help last-mile neighborhoods and remote locations.

In short, the MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program aims to accomplish two goals: to guide municipal decision making and investments that will increase access, adoption, and usage of the internet, and also to prepare municipalities to submit grant proposals to state or federal programs to support digital equity activities.

Into the Future

Meanwhile, private-sector efforts to connect communities continue. Comcast recently announced higher upload and download speeds are now available to all customers in Holyoke, Longmeadow, West Springfield, and Westfield. In addition, work is nearly complete to provide these faster speeds to all customers in Southwick and Springfield, with the vast majority of those customers already experiencing these faster speeds.

“Modern networks require constant investment and innovation to remain resilient, secure, and future-ready,” the company noted. “The need for fast, reliable, and secure Internet will continue to grow, and Comcast is ensuring customers can stream, surf, and share on a network and service they can rely on today and in the future.”

UMass Amherst Announces Creation of Retail, Event, Meeting Space

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Daily News

AMHERST — UMass Amherst announced the creation of UMass Downtown, a multi-purpose retail, event, and meeting space in downtown Amherst. Chancellor Javier Reyes announced the project Tuesday at the 57th annual Community Breakfast, hosted by UMass Amherst and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

UMass Downtown, scheduled to open in the 2024-25 academic year at 108 North Pleasant St., will provide a dynamic UMass experience in the heart of the Amherst’s central business district. Serving as a boutique retail location and campus information and welcome center during regular business hours, in the evenings it will be a regular site for small lectures, readings, and workshops. Additionally, the space will act as a welcome center for prospective students and their families and a hub of town-gown interaction with community members.

“When I arrived at UMass Amherst, I said I hoped to see more UMass in the community and more of the community at UMass,” Reyes said. “We’re putting words into action with UMass Downtown. It will be an important place for connection between the campus and community, introducing and inviting area residents to be a part of the campus experience. It is also evidence of our enduring commitment to community engagement.”

UMass Downtown will be managed by the Office of Community Relations and University Events, in partnership with UMass Auxiliary Services. Other campus partners include UMass Athletics, Student Affairs and Campus Life, the Dean of Students Office, Admissions, and the UMass Amherst Foundation.

UMass enlisted Kuhn Riddle Architects to help develop the vision that project leads Nancy Buffone, associate vice chancellor for University Relations, and Tony Maroulis, executive director of Community and Strategic Initiatives, put forward after consultation with campus leadership. The Kuhn Riddle team, led by Mallory Nurse, have achieved a design that aims to welcome visitors and community members while creating instantly recognizable, even Instagram-worthy moments to drive foot traffic to the space.

“One of our goals is to draw people to UMass Downtown through frequent events of 40 or fewer people,” Buffone said. “Our goal is to develop programming that will also positively impact our local restaurants and downtown businesses. Additionally, we look forward to future direct business-to-business partnerships and participating with programming by the Amherst Business Improvement District and Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.”

Deadline Is Sept. 2 to Nominate a Woman of Impact

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Time is running out for BusinessWest to accept nominations for the seventh annual Women of Impact awards. Nominations for the class of 2024 are due by Monday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.

In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program as a way to honor women in the region who are making an impact and creating positive change. Women of Impact was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can hail from the world of business, they can also emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of these — in short, we’re recognizing inspirational women on any level. Since its inception, the women honored through this program have been successful, inspiring, and most importantly, impactful.

Consider nominating someone for this prestigious award. Honorees will be announced in the Oct. 14 issue of BusinessWest. Nominations should be written with one underlying mission: to explain why the individual in question is, indeed, a woman of impact.

Visit businesswest.com/women-of-impact-nominations for additional information and a nomination form. The 2024 Women of Impact presenting sponsors are Country Bank and TommyCar Auto Group. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

Country Bank Announces Five Promotions

By
Daily News

WARE — Country Bank President and CEO Mary McGovern recently announced the promotion of five individuals within the organization: Dale Mazanec, Jason Mourao, Tori Graffam, Crystal Mansfield, and Ashlynn Fratoni.

Previously serving as vice president, Mazanec has been promoted to first vice president, Asset Mitigation. With a decade of service at Country Bank and 35 in the financial-services industry, his thoughtful approach and positive attitude make him a leader within the bank, significantly improving its asset-mitigation strategies and operations.

Mourao has been appointed assistant vice president of Retail Lending Operations. Since joining Country Bank in 2019, he has excelled in bringing a fresh perspective to the loan operations team. With 10 years of banking experience as an originator, he continues to enhance his skills while pursuing further education at the New England School for Financial Studies through the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc.

Graffam has been promoted to assistant vice president, BSA/Fraud. Joining Country Bank in 2020, she has demonstrated exceptional vigilance in safeguarding the bank and its customers. With more than 35 years in banking, she is respected for her deep knowledge and expertise in BSA/AML/OFAC regulations. She is a liaison, ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory requirements to protect the bank and its stakeholders.

Mansfield assumes the role of Customer Experience officer. In 23 years at Country Bank, she has excelled across various roles, including sales, customer service, retail management, marketing, and data analytics. Known for her commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach, she ensures that customer voices are heard and valued throughout the bank. Her dedication was recognized with the prestigious 2023 Presidents Platinum Award.

Fratoni has been promoted to Lead Audit officer. In her three and a half years as senior auditor, she has consistently leveraged her extensive audit experience to drive process improvements and efficiency gains across the organization, Her leadership in audit operations reinforces Country Bank’s commitment to operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

“Congratulations to Dale, Jason, Tori, Crystal, and Ashlynn. We are excited to announce their promotions, not just in recognition of their contributions to the bank’s success, but also because each individual’s history with the bank demonstrates the various career paths available in community banking,” said Miriam Siegel, first senior vice president, chief Culture and Development officer.

“We are committed to helping each of them and every team member identify their career goals and work with them to reach those objectives because we know that they make a difference to the bank’s overall success,” she continued. “We’re pleased to be able to promote Dale, Jason, Tori, Crystal, and Ashlynn for their strong performance, hard work, and dedication to the bank.”

Excel Dryer Earns SEAL Sustainable Product Award for Two Products

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Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer Inc. recently received Sustainable Product Awards as part of the 2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards for its ThinAir Hand Dryer and the D|VERSE Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync Hand Dryer. Both products feature Electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA) Filtration. The SEAL Sustainable Product Award honors innovative and impactful products that are “purpose-built” for a sustainable future.

“Integration and impact are the watchwords of the 2024 SEAL Sustainability Awards,” said Matt Harney, founder of the SEAL Awards. “This year, we’ve seen an impressive synthesis of technology, design, and innovation combined to drive sustainable impact.”

Excel Dryer’s sleek, surface-mounted, ADA-compliant ThinAir Hand Dryer with eHEPA represents a design breakthrough in electric hand-dryer technology. Its ability to conserve space without sacrificing drying time allows users a quick, hygienic, and convenient experience while eliminating paper waste.

“As facility managers and architects have become increasingly aware of the ecological benefits, cost savings, hygienic protection, and ADA compliance built into the ThinAir Hand Dryer with eHEPA, many are insisting on this technology for their facilities,” said Paul Marquez, global head of Specifications & Sustainability at Excel Dryer. “With a growing number of organizations implementing ESG (environmental sustainability and governance) policies, ThinAir will be recognized for its ability to assist them in achieving those goals.”

The D|VERSE Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync Hand Dryer with eHEPA is a collaboration between high-end commercial product designer D|13 Group and Excel Dryer. Integrating the elements of proper hand washing and drying in a cohesive, 30-inch unit, D|VERSE introduces a new level of hygiene, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal to commercial restrooms.

Picture This

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Baystate Noble Hospital recently announced the addition of a new CT (computed tomography) imaging scanner, enhancing its commitment to providing advanced healthcare technologies for the greater Westfield community
Picture This

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

 

Serving the Community

 

AXiA Insurance Services, through its AXiA Charitable Fund, recently supported two local nonprofit organizations in the Pioneer Valley, with a combined donation total of $32,500. The recipients included Look Memorial Park, based in Florence, and Hope for Youth and Families Foundation, based in Springfield. Since its establishment in 2022, the AXiA Charitable Fund has supported 15 nonprofits in the communities it serves.

Pictured: from left, Marie Brazeau, Look Park Development director, AXiA CEO Michael Long, and Look Park Executive Director Justin Pelis.

Pictured: from left, Marie Brazeau, Look Park Development director, AXiA CEO Michael Long, and Look Park Executive Director Justin Pelis.

 

Pictured: Long and AXiA staff with Bob Bolduc and Hope for Youth and Families staff

Pictured: Long and AXiA staff with Bob Bolduc and Hope for Youth and Families staff

 

Advanced Technology

Baystate Noble Hospital recently announced the addition of a new CT (computed tomography) imaging scanner, enhancing its commitment to providing advanced healthcare technologies for the greater Westfield community. The new scanner is a GE Revolution Ascend CT, and the scanner is expected to be operational this month. The additional scanner is centralized on the first floor of Baystate Noble, adjacent to the current CT scanner and equal distance from the hospital’s main entrance and Emergency Department, creating a CT hub.

Baystate Noble Hospital recently announced the addition of a new CT (computed tomography) imaging scanner, enhancing its commitment to providing advanced healthcare technologies for the greater Westfield community

Baystate Noble Hospital recently announced the addition of a new CT (computed tomography) imaging scanner, enhancing its commitment to providing advanced healthcare technologies for the greater Westfield community

 

 

Honoring Excellence

On July 31, the Massachusetts Assisted Living Assoc. honored Andrea Bates, Sales and Marketing director at Ruth’s House Assisted Living, at its annual Excellence Awards Dinner with the 2024 Sales and Marketing Award. Each year’s honoree is a person who excels at promoting their assisted-living community; uses innovative, creative sales and marketing techniques; and grows relationships with residents, families, and key referral sources. In her 13 years at Ruth’s House, Bates has focused on personalized care, built strong relationships, created a supportive and welcoming environment, and enhanced the resident experience.

On July 31, the Massachusetts Assisted Living Assoc. honored Andrea Bates, Sales and Marketing director at Ruth’s House Assisted Living, at its annual Excellence Awards Dinner with the 2024 Sales and Marketing Award

On July 31, the Massachusetts Assisted Living Assoc. honored Andrea Bates, Sales and Marketing director at Ruth’s House Assisted Living, at its annual Excellence Awards Dinner with the 2024 Sales and Marketing Award

Agenda

By
Agenda

Women of Impact Nominations

Through Sept. 2: BusinessWest is now accepting nominations for the seventh annual Women of Impact awards. In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program as a way to honor women in the region who are making an impact and creating positive change. Women of Impact was chosen as the name for the program because, while nominees can hail from the world of business, they can also emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of these — in short, we’re recognizing inspirational women on any level. Since its inception, the women honored through this program have been successful, inspiring, and most importantly, impactful. Consider nominating someone for this prestigious award. Nominations for the class of 2024 are due by Monday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m., and the honorees will be announced in the Oct. 14 issue of BusinessWest. Nominations should be written with one underlying mission: to explain why the individual in question is, indeed, a woman of impact. Visit businesswest.com/women-of-impact-nominations for additional information and a nomination form. The 2024 Women of Impact presenting sponsors are Country Bank and TommyCar Auto Group. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

 

Super 60 Nominations

Through Sept. 13: The Springfield Regional Chamber announced that nominations are open through Sept. 13 for its annual Super 60 event. This year, Super 60 will continue to honor businesses and nonprofit organizations within Hampden and Hampshire counties that have demonstrated significant achievements and impactful contributions. Winners will be honored at the Super 60 2024 Awards Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 8 at the MassMutual Center. Super 60 seeks to recognize and celebrate businesses that have achieved unprecedented success throughout their tenure and made significant contributions to the region, as well as nonprofit organizations that have displayed selfless dedication to serving the community through exceptional programming and support. This year, the chamber will feature Tania Barber, CEO of Caring Health Center, as its keynote speaker. Barber, honored as the 2023 Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year at the chamber’s 2023 annual meeting, has advocated for eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity for the diverse, multi-ethnic communities in Western Mass. The Super 60 2024 categories are Revenue Award, recognizing companies for total revenue in the last fiscal year; Growth Award, recognizing companies for revenue growth over a consecutive three-year period; Start-Up Award, recognizing companies that have been in business for five years or less; Non-Profit Award, recognizing nonprofit organizations based on the percentage of their total spending dedicated to programs; and Give Back Award, recognizing companies that give back to the community, emphasizing the impact of their charitable work and employee engagement in their efforts. For full eligibility guidelines and to submit a nomination, visit springfieldregionalchamber.com/super60.

 

Willpower Foundation Annual Golf Tournament

Sept. 3: The Willpower Foundation announced its annual golf tournament, set to take place at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley. The tournament is open to all golf enthusiasts, with a registration fee of $125 per person. Participants will enjoy a round of golf, lunch, and opportunities to win prizes. Proceeds from the event will support the Willpower Foundation’s mission to provide financial support to children and families affected by disabilities. In addition to golfers, the Willpower Foundation is actively seeking sponsors to help offset the costs of the tournament. Sponsorship opportunities range from hole sponsorships to event sponsorships, each offering benefits and recognition. Sponsors will have the chance to showcase their commitment to the community and support a worthy cause. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willpowerfoundation.org or email Hayley Procon at [email protected].

 

Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley 30th Annual Golf Tournament

Sept. 7: Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley will host its 30th annual golf tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown. Whether a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun day out, everyone is welcome. For $120, participants will enjoy a round of golf, a box lunch, and the chance to win prizes. Proceeds will directly fund scholarships and grants that empower women and girls to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Zonta is working to end child marriage, domestic violence, and human trafficking, while also supporting climate justice, education equality, and women in decision-making positions. Sign up at zontaqv.org/golf or call Mary Knight at (413) 323-4806. The organization also welcomes sponsorships from local businesses.

 

Seminar on Terminating Employees

Sept. 11: Elaine Reall, an attorney with the Royal Law Firm, will lead an exploration of the good, the bad, and the ugly surrounding employee terminations. The seminar, which will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. at 33 Elliot St., Springfield, will explore effective strategies to lessen an organization’s exposure to time-consuming administrative agency complaints or legal actions. The first piece of advice: breathe deeply and mentally step away from a ‘personalized’ view of the situation. The cost of the seminar is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed, and checks made payable, to the Royal Law Firm, 33 Elliot St., Springfield, MA 01105. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions about the seminar.

 

Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Grand Opening

Sept. 12: Downtown Pittsfield Inc. (DPI) has officially relocated its office location to the heart of downtown Pittsfield at 431 North St., former home of Jan Perry Realty. DPI invites its members and the public to a grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Attendees can enjoy light refreshments and an opportunity to meet DPI staff and board members. The ribbon cutting will be immediately followed by an open house until 5 p.m. DPI is managing the Framework co-working space at 437 North St., offering rentals of semi-private offices, a classroom, and a boardroom to DPI members and the public. Those attending the open house are invited to tour these spaces. Semi-private offices are available for day or monthly rentals. A boardroom rental and multi-use classroom space rental with flexible configurations are available for day rentals with access to a lounge where renters can bring in catering from downtown restaurants.

 

Real-estate Sales Licensing Course

Sept. 16 to Oct. 17: The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class, sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. Tuition is $425 and includes the book and materials. The course curriculum includes property rights, ownership, condos, land use, contracts, deeds, financing, mortgages, real-estate brokerage, appraisal, fair housing, consumer protection, Massachusetts license law, and more. Classes meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at the association office, 221 Industry Ave., Springfield. For an application, visit www.rapv.com or contact Laura Herring at (413) 785-1328 or [email protected].

 

Amherst BID Block Party

Sept. 19: The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) announced its 11th annual block party will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on North Pleasant Street in downtown Amherst. This community event promises an evening of fun, entertainment, and celebration of all things Amherst. The annual block party draws thousands of residents and visitors. This year’s event will feature a lineup of live music and performances, showcasing local talent. Attendees can look forward to aerialists, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and a variety of street performers that will delight audiences of all ages.

 

Party for a Purpose

Sept. 19: With the goal of making sure Square One’s children have a new, state-of-the-art, outdoor learning and playspace, Friends on a Mission will host its annual Party for a Purpose to raise funds for the playground project at Square One’s Tommie Johnson Child & Family Center in Springfield. Now in its second year, Friends on a Mission started with a trio of friends — Bob Perry, Walter Tomala, and the late Jenn Schimmel — who set out to spend time together while giving back to the community. Their inaugural event held last fall raised more than $38,000 for Make-A-Wish of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. With early sponsorship support from PeoplesBank and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., this year’s Party for a Purpose, featuring cocktails, food, and festivities, will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Delaney House in Holyoke. Interested sponsors should contact Perry at (413) 530-3787. For tickets, visit www.startatsquareone.org.

 

Cruise for Critters

Sept. 21: The engines are revving for the much-anticipated Cruise for Critters at Westview Farms Creamery. Now in its 12th year, this car show, presented by Al Widlan, owner of Service Connection, is set to once again make a meaningful impact on the lives of pets in need at Second Chance Animal Services. Widlan has championed this event for over a decade, rallying car enthusiasts and compassionate hearts alike to come together for a worthy cause. This year’s Cruise for Critters promises an array of fall-themed activities for attendees of all ages. A vendor fair will offer unique items of all kinds, and the Halloween Barktacular kids’ games will be back, thanks to dedicated Second Chance volunteers. The festivities are set to kick off at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m., featuring food, ice cream, and an assortment of fall attractions that Westview Farms Creamery is known for, from pumpkin picking to navigating through a corn maze. The event will also include live music by the Barberic Band, a raffle, and more. The event is sponsored in part by Ted and Barbara Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools & Spas and by Joe Campisi, a longtime friend of Second Chance. Organizers extend an invitation to local businesses and vendors to support of pets in need. Information on sponsorship opportunities, item donations, and becoming a vendor can be found at secondchanceanimals.org/events/cruise. The event will welcome spectators free of charge. Car enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the show by contributing a $20 entry fee per vehicle, with every dollar earmarked for the betterment of pets’ lives. A rain date has been set for Saturday, Sept. 28.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Yvette Frisby

Yvette Frisby

The Urban League of Springfield’s board of directors announced the appointment of Yvette Frisby as the organization’s new president and CEO. The seasoned senior executive is the first woman to lead the organization in its 111-year history. Frisby has been a key figure in the Springfield Urban League for 40 years, having risen through the ranks to serve as senior vice president of Operations & Administrative Services over the past decade. Over the past year, she has served as interim president and CEO before being officially appointed to the role. In addition to her new position, she will also act as executive director of the historic Camp Atwater, the oldest African-American camp in the U.S. Since arriving at the Urban League in 1984, Frisby has held various positions, including office manager, executive assistant to the president’s office, Youth & Education director, Camp Atwater administrator, and Operations & Administration director. She stepped into a senior leadership role in 2003. Frisby holds a master’s degree in organizational management and leadership and a bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College. She serves as president of the Greater Springfield Chapter of the Links Inc. and is an adjunct professor at Bay Path University. Additionally, she is a member of the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education, a commissioner of the Springfield Cultural Council, and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Xi Xi Omega Chapter.

•••••

William Dávila

William Dávila

Michael Knapik

Michael Knapik

Anthony Moore Jr

Anthony Moore Jr

The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) board of trustees welcomed three new members appointed by Gov. Maura Healey. Joining the board are William Dávila, Michael Knapik, and Anthony Moore Jr. A former STCC student, Dávila is vice president of Diversion, Shelter and Housing for the Center for Human Development. He has decades of experience at nonprofit agencies as a practitioner, manager, and senior-level executive administrator. He has served on the boards of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, New England Public Media, and the Massachusetts Council on Gaming & Health, and was also recently appointed to the board of directors for Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services. Knapik is vice president of Government and Community Relations at Baystate Health. He will serve as board chair. He is well-known for his public service, including two terms as a state representative for the 4th Hampden District and 18 years as state senator for the 2nd Hampden-Hampshire District. Knapik was also director of the Office of the Governor for the Western Massachusetts Regional Office and executive director of Advancement, Alumni and University Relations for Westfield State University. Moore, director of Membership Programs for the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, is an STCC graduate. He previously worked for Dunbar Community Center in Springfield, the Urban League of Springfield, as well as the city of Springfield. He has also served as a MassDevelopment Transformative District innovation fellow.

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Kristen Canedy

Kristen Canedy

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotion of Kristen Canedy to branch manager of its Northfield branch. In this role, she will oversee all branch operations, including customer service and team management. Canedy joined Greenfield Co-op in 2020 as a teller and quickly advanced to the position of head teller. Her strong leadership skills, dedication to exceptional customer service, and in-depth knowledge of the community makes her an ideal fit for this role.

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CoStar Group Inc., a leading provider of commercial real-estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces, announced the CoStar Power Broker Quarterly Deals winners for the second quarter of 2024. William Low Jr. of L&P Commercial came out on top in the list of winners in the Hartford market. The CoStar Power Broker Quarterly Deals winners are determined by the top deals executed every quarter, based on price and square footage. Low has more than 35 years of experience in all areas of commercial real estate, 30 of those helping run a large, nationally affiliated brokerage firm. He founded L&P Commercial five years ago. In addition to the 31,821-square-foot office lease for this award, Low completed a 8,600-square-foot office lease in Westfield as well as the sale of several office and industrial properties in the Springfield area.

•••••

Julia Marko

Julia Marko

Berkshire Museum has appointed Julia Marko as chief Finance officer. She brings a wealth of experience, having most recently served as director of Finance and Operations at BART Charter Public School in Adams since July 2020. Prior to that, she was the business manager at the same institution from January 2017 to July 2020 and worked for several years in the Business Office of Pittsfield Public Schools. She joins the senior leadership team at Berkshire Museum during a pivotal time in its history as the museum prepares for a major renovation project later this year. Her extensive background in managing financial operations and strategic planning will be invaluable as the museum embarks on this transformative journey. Marko’s role will involve leading and managing the museum’s finance and operations functions, including financial accounting, internal controls, facility operations, guest services, the gift shop, HR, IT, and overall operations. Her commitment to the museum’s goals as an inclusive, accessible and diverse institution will be vital in fostering a successful and equitable organization.

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Laramie Coffey

Laramie Coffey

Laramie Coffey of Stillwater, Okla. has joined Eastern States Exposition’s (ESE) Agriculture department as the organization’s livestock program coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating all competitive livestock events during the Big E and year-round shows; developing and maintaining strong working relationships with breed representatives, regional and national associations, and other agricultural fairs; as well as supporting livestock show facilitation, initiatives, and educational programming. Coffey obtained a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences and natural resources from Oklahoma State University this past May. She graduated with a major in agricultural communications and minor in agribusiness. She has held livestock internship positions with several agricultural organizations, including Oklahoma Youth Expo, Cattlemen’s Congress, and the New Mexico State Fair. In addition to those experiences, she was a youth activities intern at the American Hereford Assoc., where she assisted the youth department in planning and executing summer activities for more than 800 junior members. Prior to joining the ESE’s full-time staff, Coffey initially came on board as livestock program assistant in a contractor role following her graduation. She most recently worked with the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation as a communications student worker, preparing correspondence mailings, designing social-media graphics tailored to the foundation, creating digital content, and assisting in creating and printing various marketing materials.

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Jason Ortiz

Jason Ortiz

Jason Ortiz recently joined the Royal Law Firm team. He is a business litigation attorney with several years of trial experience, having tried many cases to verdict. Ortiz specializes in commercial litigation, including matters involving construction disputes, eviction matters, insurance defense, and employment matters, as well as other civil disputes. He is a graduate of Utica College (now Utica University) and Western New England University School of Law.

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John and Sandy Maybury have been named co-chairs of Baystate Health’s 2024-25 Rays of Hope. Sandy, a breast-cancer survivor who was recently treated at the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, and her husband John, former president and now chairperson of Maybury Material Handling in East Longmeadow, have been longtime supporters of Baystate Health and the Rays of Hope. She first started walking 24 years ago to support her best friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the couple has continued their support and dedication through walking, sponsorship, and donating proceeds to Rays of Hope from their annual Maybury Material Handling Car Show. John also supports Baystate as a member of the Baystate Health Foundation board of trustees, which he chaired from 2012 to 2014, helping guide important fundraising initiatives at Baystate Health, including Rays of Hope. He also served on the Baystate Health board of trustees, for which he also held the position of chair from 2019 to 2021. The Mayburys were also honored by Baystate with the Baystate Health Foundation Impact Award at the President’s Evening of Gratitude in 2022. The Impact Award honors individuals who have made an impact on the philanthropic efforts to support Baystate Health.

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Sonia Dinnall

Sonia Dinnall

Sonia Dinnall, the new superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees by Gov. Maura Healey. Dinnall’s term will run until March 1, 2027. She was named superintendent of Springfield Public Schools in May and is the first woman to hold that position. She previously served as the principal of the Springfield High School of Commerce, executive director of College and Career Readiness for Hartford (Conn.) Public Schools, and supervisor of student support services for Springfield Public Schools. She started her career in education as an eighth-grade science teacher in Forest Park Middle School. Dinnall holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Lesley University, a master’s degree in psychology from Westfield State University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, and a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Westfield State.

•••••

The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke announced that its 72nd grand marshal is James Lavelle. The grand marshal is the highest local honor given to a person who has distinguished themselves as a loyal person to their career, their family, and their Irish ancestry. He is the general manager of Holyoke Gas and Electric (HG&E), which provides gas, electric, and telecommunications services to its customers. Through his leadership, HG&E has implemented innovative projects, such as the acquisition of the Holyoke dam and canal system and the development of solar and energy storage, which not only benefit customers and the environment, but have also been recognized through several achievements, including the 2021 and 2023 Utility Transformation Leaderboard by the Smart Electric Power Alliance. Lavelle is a graduate of Holyoke High School and UMass, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. He serves on the boards of several professional associations, including the Municipal Electric Assoc. of Massachusetts, the Northeast Public Power Assoc., PeoplesBank, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, as director of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co., and as director and president of the Holyoke Solar Cooperative and Massachusetts Clean Energy Cooperative. He also enjoys giving back to his community, having served as a trustee for Holyoke Community College, on the finance committee of St. Jerome Parish, on the board for the Greater Holyoke YMCA, and as coach for Holyoke Youth Football and Holyoke YMCA Basketball.

•••••

Denise Clark

Denise Clark

Robyn Michaud

Robyn Michaud

bankESB recently promoted two employees to senior assistant branch manager. Denise Clark has nearly 13 years of banking experience. She joined bankESB in 2011 as a teller and was most recently assistant branch manager of its 85 Broad St., Westfield office. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Westfield State University and currently volunteers for Westfield on Weekends and the Kiwanis Club of Westfield. Robyn Michaud has six years of banking experience and joined bankESB in 2018 as a teller. She was previously assistant branch manager of its 605 Granby Road, South Hadley office. She earned a certificate in branch management from the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. Michaud currently volunteers for Westfield on Weekends and Veterans in the Park, and enjoys attending local chamber events.

•••••

Country Bank’s board of directors announced the appointment of Ted Noonan as vice chair of its board of directors. At its June meeting, the board recognized Noonan’s extensive experience and leadership qualities, which are expected to significantly contribute to the bank’s continued success. Noonan, elected to the board in 2018, is president of Noonan Energy, a 135-year-old energy company based in Springfield. With his proven track record, Noonan has demonstrated his ability to navigate complex challenges and drive growth. His appointment as vice chair reflects the bank’s commitment to fostering strong leadership and strategic decision making. In addition to his role as vice chair, Noonan also serves on the board of investment, where he brings his expertise in financial management and investment strategies. Furthermore, he holds the chair of the board risk committee, highlighting his dedication to ensuring the bank’s stability and security. He also serves on the boards of YMCA of Greater Springfield, the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Assoc., the National Energy and Fuels Institute, and the National Oil Heat Research Alliance.

•••••

Sara Vincent

Sara Vincent

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Sara Vincent as assistant vice president for Admissions and Financial Aid. She brings more than a decade of experience in higher education and a proven track record in fundraising, alumni engagement, legislative relations, and enrollment management. Before joining AIC, Vincent most recently served as regional director of Recruitment, Community Outreach, and Admissions at Connecticut State Community College. Before that, she was director of Strategic Enrollment Management at Manchester Community College in Connecticut. She earned her doctor of education degree in educational leadership with a focus on student affairs from Central Connecticut State University, where she also obtained a master’s degree in communication. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Connecticut.

•••••

Scott Foulis

Scott Foulis

American International College (AIC) named Scott Foulis interim Athletics director for the 2024-25 academic year. Foulis joined AIC in August 2022 as assistant athletic director for compliance. In this role, he ensured that the college’s athletic teams adhered to the rules of NCAA membership and met the requirements of the conferences to which AIC belongs, with a primary focus on the Northeast-10 Conference. He was also responsible for managing certifications for student-athletes and overseeing all other aspects of compliance. Additionally, he served as the sport oversight for several of AIC’s teams and worked on projects to support student-athletes academically. Before joining AIC, Foulis spent more than two decades coaching women’s basketball at the NCAA Division I and III levels. He served as an assistant coach with the women’s basketball team at Amherst College during the 2021-22 season, helping the team reach the 2022 NCAA Division III Final Four. Prior to Amherst, he was the associate head women’s basketball coach at Brandeis University from 2007 to 2021, where, in addition to his coaching duties, he taught classes in the Physical Education department. Foulis also held coaching positions at Springfield College, Bucknell University, UMass, and the University of Rhode Island. While at Springfield, he served as a graduate assistant in athletic administration and worked in the Athletics department at Western New England College. He holds an undergraduate degree in sport management from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in athletic administration from Springfield College.

•••••

Dean Sanpei

Dean Sanpei

Baystate Health announced that Dean Sanpei has joined the organization as senior vice president and chief strategy officer. With more than 20 years of experience, Sanpei is an experienced leader in healthcare strategy and business development, with strong legislative acumen as a former state representative in Utah. Most recently, he served as chief strategy officer at Centura Health, a network of 25 hospitals, 5,000 physicians, and ambulatory-care settings in Colorado, Kansas, and Utah. At Centura, he led enterprise strategic planning and implementation, service-line development, revenue growth, and the crafting and passage of state public policy that significantly expanded health-insurance coverage in the state. Prior to Centura, Sanpei spent almost two decades working in strategy for Intermountain Health, nationally renowned for integrated delivery-system development, value- and risk-based care, and clinical outcomes. While at Intermountain, he was also a Utah state representative, serving his constituents by leading the appropriations process, including transitioning the Medicaid program to accountable care and population health. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii and a master of public administration degree from Brigham Young University.

•••••

Robbie Captain

Robbie Captain

Governors America Corp. (GAC), a veteran-owned, Massachusetts-based, global manufacturer of innovative engine-control products, recently welcomed Robbie Captain as its new manager, National and International Sales and Distribution. With two decades of experience in the industrial engine marketspace, he will be responsible for managing the sales aspect of GAC’s distribution network both nationally and internationally. Captain joins GAC from Enovation Controls, where he spent the past five years in sales, with two years as a sales team manager. He brings extensive experience in engine and machine controls, monitoring systems, and harnessing, with expertise spanning from mechanical engines to the latest electronic stage-V diesel engines. He is a 2005 graduate of Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Okla. with a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology management.

•••••

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Laura Townes announced that a new financial advisor, Jennifer Ewers, has joined her office at 6 Market St. in Northampton. “I’m looking forward to working with Laura Townes and Joanne Saraiva and meeting investors in this area,” Ewers said. “I admire their commitment to doing what’s right for clients, and I believe working with them will make me a better financial advisor.”

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Peter Pan Takes Over Northeast Megabus Routes

SPRINGFIELD — Peter Pan Bus Lines and Megabus have announced a partnership that will result in Peter Pan taking over all the Megabus routes in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states. Peter Pan will now operate those routes 24/7, including service to Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; White Marsh, Md.; and Philadelphia, and connecting passengers to the 100 destinations the company already serves. In preparation, Peter Pan has reduced fares by close to 40%, hired 75 new drivers, and purchased 45 new buses. The entire fleet of Peter Pan’s modern buses includes better-designed seats, video, and Wi-Fi. The company has also relaunched its app, enabling passengers to easily book their trips in advance and featuring its PERKs program, through which users can earn free travel. The company also recently announced a partnership with Trailways and a strategic alliance with Amtrak. It actively forms relationships with ride services like Uber and Lyft to make all aspects of travel it controls or can influence more reliable and affordable.

 

New Straddle Coaster Coming to Six Flags in 2025

AGAWAM — Six Flags New England announced a new roller coaster for the 2025 season, called Quantum Accelerator. The park’s 12th coaster will be the first dual-launch straddle coaster in New England. Riders will mount a steampunk-themed hoverbike vehicle, straddling the seat and gripping handlebars as they lean forward. The ride will begin with a launch, propelling riders into a series of twists, turns, and ground-hugging curves. Midway through the ride, a second launch will accelerate the vehicle to 45 mph. Quantum Accelerator will feature more than 2,600 feet of track and 11 moments of airtime.

 

Cannabis Delivery Business Opens in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — Blossom Flower, a fully licensed cannabis delivery operation located at 1 Cabot St., Holyoke, is now open. The new, Latina-owned business is spearheaded by Damaris Aponte, who has deep roots in Holyoke. As she embarks on this journey, she will have family by her side as her son, Dashaun Goodman, has also come on board. Aponte grew up in Holyoke in the ’80s and ’90s and has established herself as a local leader, volunteering her time through outreach for literacy and financial education, organizing street cleanups, and supporting nonprofit organizations in Holyoke and surrounding communities. She is a graduate of the Commonwealth’s second social equity program and has tirelessly worked to bring Blossom Flower to fruition.

 

Spot On Storage Expands to North Adams

NORTH ADAMS — Spot On Storage is now open at 230 Hodges Cross Road in North Adams. This is the second location for Spot On Storage, with the first facility located in Catskill, N.Y. The project was developed by Vanguard-Fine, LLC. The facility totals 61,900 square feet and offers 462 rentable storage units, temperature-controlled and standard units in different sizes, as well as vehicle, RV, and boat storage. There is computerized gate access and a camera surveillance system as well as a professional manager on site. The property is located adjacent to Cumberland Farms at the intersection of Route 8 and Hodges Cross Road and near the Super Walmart. Spot On Storage is a partnership by Barry Feinman, Ben Feinman, Sam Feinman, and Kenneth Brownell of Vanguard-Fine, LLC of Albany, N.Y. The firm specializes in retail, warehouse, and self-storage development in addition to the brokerage division, which is licensed in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

 

GCC Awarded $200,000 for Clean-energy Training Programs

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College (GCC) has been awarded a $200,000 planning grant from the Department of Energy Industrial Training and Assessment Centers to develop new clean-energy training programs in industrial machine maintenance and mechatronics. This initiative, in collaboration with regional manufacturers, industry experts, and community partners, aims to address the growing demand for skilled workers in these fields. Three local manufacturing companies provided letters of support for the project, including BETE Performance Spray Engineering and Ames Electrical Consulting Inc., both located in Greenfield, and Worthington Assembly, located in South Deerfield. This grant is part of the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains initiative, designed to bolster American manufacturing competitiveness and promote economic growth and mobility.

 

Girl Scouts Receive $15,000 Grant from Davis Foundation

HOLYOKE — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced the continued investment by the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation through a $15,000 grant in support of It’s A Girls World, one of the community-based programs Girl Scouts offers. The afterschool program engages Hampden County girls in grades K-6 in STEM, financial literacy, and health and personal wellness topics. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities for girls to develop a strong sense of self, display positive values, seek challenges, learn from setbacks, form and maintain healthy relationships, and learn to identify and solve problems in their community. The support of contributors such as the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation — which supports a variety of nonprofit organizations seeking to improve the quality of lives for those living in Hampden County — makes this possible.

 

Monson Savings Supports Community Organizations

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty recently met with members of the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee to present it with a $2,000 donation on behalf of the bank. The donation was made to support the construction of a veterans memorial in front of the town’s Senior Center at 328 North Main St. This is the second contribution the bank has made to this effort over the past few years, bringing its total contributions to $12,000. The East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee was formed in 2017 with the mission of constructing a memorial in front of the East Longmeadow Senior Center. Monson Savings Bank also announced that it was a full season sponsor of the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts’s 2023 season, donating $1,000 to the local organization. The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, formed in 2015, is a baseball league for children ages 4-19 with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, giving children of all abilities the chance to play baseball, be a part of a team, and have fun.

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

AJ Capital Inc., 417 Springfield St., Agawam, MA 01030. Alex Vilkhovoy, same. Real-estate investment.

BELCHERTOWN

East Hampton Mission Taco Inc., 24 Nathaniel Way, Belchertown, MA 01007. Walter Pacheco, same. Restaurant.

CHICOPEE

Iglesia Voz De Restauracion Inc., 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Natanael Ayala, same. Christian Pentecostal church.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Hanley Anesthesia, P.C., 216 Canterbury Circle, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. David Hanley, same. Nurse anesthetist.

FEEDING HILLS

PXP Inc., 490 South West St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Paul Pavluk, same. Long-distance transportation services.

HOLYOKE

Blue Fox Brands – Massachusetts Inc., 1 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Konstantinos Marselis, same. Property leasing.

Team Western MA Police Cyclists Inc., 35 Bayberry Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040. Thomas Lamica, same. Raises awareness of law-enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Museum.

LEE

Just Go Within Inc., 165 Stockbridge Road, Lee, MA 01238. Paulo Caserta, same. Nonprofit organization providing educational free videos that empower individuals to understand their interaction styles so that they can become better leaders within their workplaces, families, and communities.

LUDLOW

Born Again Ministry Inc., 123 Hubbard St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Nivan Felisberto Pinto, same. Nonprofit organization whose purpose is to be an active fellowship of biblically based, local churches and believers united for the operation of an effective camp ministry.

NORTHAMPTON

Kapstone Clinics Inc., 2 Strong Ave., Northampton, MA 01060. Peter Corbett, 43 West Pelham Road, Shutesbury, MA 01072. Deals in real and personal property.

PITTSFIELD

CNBIO Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Mingzhu Wang, same. Biotech business.

Family Financial Solutions Group Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. David Cheatham, 1121 East Main St., #430, St. Charles, IL 60174. Insurance brokerage.

JEL Construction Inc., 31 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Jahir Lopez Celaya, same. Construction of residential homes.

Qumo Computing Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Kam Chana, same. Development of scientific software for industries including life sciences.

State of Being Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Joe Hakim, same. Nonprofit organized exclusively for educational and spiritual purposes, including spiritual and energetic wellness services, promoting holistic healing practices, and fostering community engagement and personal growth.

SOUTH HADLEY

Windfleet Inc., 1 Eagle Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. Sarib Nawaz, same. Dispatch service.

SPRINGFIELD

681 College Highway Inc., 63 Woodcrest Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Joginder Singh, same. Applying for license with CCC.

Columbus Italian American Organization Inc., 13-15 Winthrop St., Springfield, MA 01105. Salvatore Circosta, 24 Burlington St., Springfield, MA 01108. Nonprofit corporation established to promote the Columbus Italian American Organization as well as Italian and Catholic culture.

Robleros Seamless Gutters and Screen Inc., 15 Grant St., Apt. 1, Springfield, MA 01109. Hersali Alvarado Roblero, same. Residential and commercial gutter installation and cleaning of gutters.

WESTFIELD

Westfield Pride Inc., 105 Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085. Katheryn Bradford, 3 Grand St., Westfield, MA 01085. Purpose is to celebrate, support, and honor Westfield’s LGBTQIA community.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Valley Wellness P.C., 900 Riverdale St., Suite 205, West Springfield, MA 01089. Meaghan Quist, same. Psychiatric mental-health services.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

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

AMHERST

Amethyst Farm Equestrian
89 North East St.
Bernard Brennan

Amherst Healing Arts
409 Main St., #211
Elya Rowa

Amherst Meditation Services
417 West St., Suite 110
Oran Kaufman

Building Bridges at the Great Falls
16 High St., Apt. B
Elyssa Serrilli

Celia Riahi
135 Cottage St.
Celia Riahi

The Center for Cross-Cultural Study Inc.
433 West St., Suite 8
Michelle Duran Ruiz

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
213 College St.
CAMRAC LLC

Hampshire Hospitality Group
220 North Pleasant St.
Amherst Development Associates LLC

Lala Siqueira
230 West St.
Gladys Siqueira

Manu’s Indian Kitchen
121 North Pleasant St.
Kelson Ting, Manu Raju

Munch More
Kendrick Park, East Pleasant Street
Ahmed Hassanein

Resonance Hot Yoga & Massage
181A University Dr.
Michael Shick

Valley Nutrition Counseling
11 Trillium Way
Fatemeh Giahi

BELCHERTOWN

Lubas Plumbing
35 Nathaniel Way
Nathan Lubas

Morning Glory Bread
350 North Washington St.
Amanda Gorham

Personalized Service Insurance Agency
21 Maplecrest Dr.
Caroleanne Donoghue

Reflections Auto Restoration
274 Michael Sears Road
Duane Wilson, Krista Wilson

Wholehearted Home Staging
112 North St.
Kimberly Sizelove

HADLEY

Chili’s Bar and Grill
426 Russell St.
Pepper Dining Inc.

DESCO
200 Venture Way
Diagnostic Equipment Service Corp.

Elite Tae Kwon Do
367 Russell St.
Jung Lee

Firefly Drones
15 Bristol Lane
Thomas Valley

relaks.
108 Russell St.
Sam Winning

SME2
15 Aqua Vitae Road
SME Squared LLC

Thuraya Anastas Cable
245 Russell St.
Thuraya Anastas Cable

SOUTH HADLEY

Erin Havens Consulting
3 Lloyd St.
Erin Havens

Ingth Design
356 Granby Road
Donald Peltier

Philanobridge
7 Ingram St.
Bianca Walker

Rachel Thomas Psychiatry
130 College St., Suite 203
Rachel McArdle

Reed Construction
41 Kendrick St.
Thomas Reed

Saigon Chef
481 Newton St.
Saigon Chef

Twisted Sisters Mobile Bar
11 Berwyn St. Ext.
Twisted Sisters Mobile Bar

SOUTHWICK

On Demand Home Repair
342 North Loomis St.
Dennis Palmer

Peppermill Catering LLC
108 Congamond Road
Cathy Gendreau

Roses and Remedies LLC
535B College Highway
Jacquelynn Allen

Vining Hill Equestrian Center
529 College Highway
Nicholas Riccitelli

Violets Garden Family Daycare
11 Salem Road
Kelly Clendenin

WESTFIELD

Bright Believers
Cynthia Hughes
45 Barrister Circle

Byrne Culinary Solutions
Terry Byrne
94 Sackett Road

Dunkin’ Donuts – East Main Street
Southwick Road Donuts Inc.
625 East Main St.

Dunkin’ Donuts – Main Street
Vila Franca Donuts Inc.
93 Main St.

Dunkin’ Donuts – North Elm Street
Villa Franca Donuts Inc.
127 North Elm St.

Dunkin’ Donuts – North Elm Street
Westfield Donuts Inc.
439 North Elm St.

Dunkin’ Donuts – North Road
Southwick Road Donuts Inc
1056 North Road

Dunkin’ Donuts – Southwick Road
Southwick Road Donuts Inc.
21 Southwick Road

Electric Motor Service Sales
M2R Services LLC
15 Progress Ave.

Fashion Plus
Charish Carter, Althea Carter
83A Main St.

Greater Baystate Chess
Gaetano Bompastore
60 Broad St.

Hampden Armaments
Nicholas Morganelli IV
36 Union Ave.

Hangar Charity Golf Tournament
Angela Vazquez
29 School St.

Heaven Haven Services
Carrissa Cote
33 Klondike Ave.

Hues Nail Bar LLC
Phong Ly
246 Elm St.

JKOZ Enterprises
Jake Kosmider
117 Ridgrecrest Dr.

The Kingdom Co.
Tai’le Beckford-Oprecht
120 Franklin St.

Martins Basketball Inc.
Nathan Martins
33 Lindbergh Blvd.

Ruby Gems and Minerals
Mohammed Pihiletenne
126 Union St., #205

That Infinite Fire
Vincas Kozica
1029 North Road, #1051

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Armor Bearer Sports
100 Myron St.
Dominich LLC

Audi West Springfield
434 Memorial Ave.
Audi West Springfield

Carstar Fathers & Sons Collision
161 Bridge St.
Carstar Fathers & Sons Collision

Colmatt Associates
50 Wishing Well Way
Colmatt Associates

The Courtyards Apartments
1139 Westfield St.
The Courtyards Apartments

Fresh Mart
753 Union St., Units A-B
Fresh Mart

G&G Floors
203 Circuit Ave., Unit DES
G&G Floors

Harten Financial
1252 Elm St., Suite 7
Harten Financial

Mind Body & Skin
117 River St.
Mind Body & Skin

Misc Productions
1111 Westfield St., Apt. B6
Misc Productions

North East Specialty Group
148 Doty Circle, #148
North East Specialty Group

Rehab Resolutions
1111 Elm St.
Results in Wellness

U-Haul Co. of Western Massachusetts and Vermont
380 Union St., Suite 27
U-Haul Co. of Massachusetts and Ohio Inc.

Vereniz Cestarys the Curly Cop
33 Westfield St.
Vereniz Cestarys the Curly Cop

Volvo Cars West Springfield
989 Memorial Ave.
Volvo Cars West Springfield

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Axton, Michael
70 Greenwood Ter., Unit 6026C
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/23/2024

Ayala, Vanessa Marie
415 Porter Lake Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/26/2024

Barron, JoAnne
34 Doe Valley Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/19/2024

Bigelow, Mark E.
390 West Hawley Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/19/2024

Blaine, Frances J.
149 Melville St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/27/2024

Charvis, Sherry
136 Elmore Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/24/2024

Duong, Bao Ngoc
40 Waterman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-1729
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/28/2024

Earle, Peter K.
18 Kosior Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/22/2024

Erickson, Kasey Alexander
22 Abbott St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/26/2024

Garcia, Jules A.
2 Center St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/20/2024

Gazda, Cindi
21 Jennifer Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/30/2024

Goshen Cabins
Pratt, Deborah Anne
Pearson, Deborah A.
Elgers, Deborah A.
8A Berkshire Trail East
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/22/2024

Gray, Melissa
267 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/26/2024

Griswold, Tammy L.
1079 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/30/2024

Haas, Anthony John
831 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/25/2024

Hancock, Justin P.
48 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/26/2024

Hernandez-Muniz, Marco A.
292 Allen St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/17/2024

Hofmann, Fay Bertha
18 Little Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/30/2024

Innis, Gideon RA
47 Grand St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/25/2024

Katz, Rachel Elizabeth
12 Beech St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/26/2024

Kennedy, John A.
Kennedy, Hannah E.
85 Eastern Promenade
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/19/2024

LaPlante, Roberta J.
169 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/17/2024

Lashway, Christopher J.
16 Sandhill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/22/2024

Lavender, Jestine
114 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/19/2024

Lester, Donna M.
23 Joanne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/29/2024

Martinez, Lisette
a/k/a Maulucci, Lisette
390 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/30/2024

Novicki, Dennis M.
PO Box 58
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/24/2024

Phan, Vuong M.
102 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/17/2024

Raskevitz, Rebecca Lynne
P.O. Box 82
North Hatfield, MA 01066
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/26/2024

Roncarati, Henry William
309 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/29/2024

Reed, Judith A.
91 Colonial Village
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/17/2024

Scalona, Cherie A.
a/k/a Scalona-Dumoulin, Cherie A.
37 Clinton Ave., Apt. 5R
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/30/2024

Scott, Sr., Richard
1038 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/22/2024

Soares, Teresa A.
56 Barber St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/26/2024

Strout, Kristie L.
271 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/17/2024

Venne, Caroline
31 Randall St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Date: 07/25/2024

Walhovd, Laurie A.
Walhovd, Ronald H.
19 Crescent Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/22/2024

Winiewicz, Kathleen A.
26 Allen Crest Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/27/2024

Wright, Kaitlyn S.
100 Wilson Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/25/2024

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

43 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $396,475
Buyer: Grantwood Union LLC
Seller: Roger S. Buzzell Int.
Date: 08/01/24

BUCKLAND

69 Conway St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Holding Cell LLC
Seller: Buckland Town Select
Date: 07/25/24

COLRAIN

185 East Colrain Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Popick-Showe LT
Seller: Charleen R. Payne
Date: 08/02/24

5 Gilbert Dr.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Dale Schweppe
Seller: Edward S. Stamas INT
Date: 07/24/24

CONWAY

25 Main St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Luke Toritto
Seller: Melryn Property LLC
Date: 07/31/24

DEERFIELD

12 Braeburn Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Diane Grybko
Seller: Chester A. Mleczko
Date: 07/24/24

ERVING

41 Forest St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Nicole Milazzo
Seller: Jeanine M. Dibari
Date: 07/22/24

GILL

33 French King Hwy.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Ashlee N. Colwell
Seller: Joseph C. Yukl
Date: 07/30/24

GREENFIELD

788 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Jennifer S. Bryan
Seller: Harlan J. Smith RET
Date: 08/01/24

111 Burnham Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Sarah A. Madison
Seller: Adam R. Martin
Date: 08/01/24

227 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Rcf2 Acquisition TR
Seller: Jean M. Raymond
Date: 07/29/24

194 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $397,500
Buyer: Andrew R. Varnon
Seller: Elizabeth A. Pease
Date: 07/22/24

385 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: King Triton Properties LLC
Seller: Lorna E. Sevene
Date: 08/02/24

18 Homestead Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Dmitriy Komerzan
Seller: Holly Rowell
Date: 08/01/24

81-83 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Remillard
Seller: House Hack Helpers LLC
Date: 08/02/24

95 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $7,250,000
Buyer: 95 Laurel Realty LLC
Seller: 95 Laurel Propco LLC
Date: 07/26/24

108 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Elsa A. Cousins
Seller: Andrew R. Varnon
Date: 07/22/24

61 Madison Circle
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Harlan J. Smith RET
Seller: Anne R. George
Date: 08/01/24

115 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Stonewall Entities LLC
Seller: Sandri Realty Inc.
Date: 08/01/24

260 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Evens & Rose LLC
Seller: Van Brothers Co. LLC
Date: 08/01/24

HEATH

31 Flagg Hill Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Michelle Schuyler
Seller: Mary A. Arsenault
Date: 07/23/24

MONTAGUE

90 4th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Allen
Seller: Turners Falls RT
Date: 07/22/24

39 Grove St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $322,043
Buyer: Hayden B. Stebbins
Seller: USA Housing Urban Development
Date: 07/24/24

6 Spring St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Al Foss
Seller: Lillian S. Prunier
Date: 07/26/24

NORTHFIELD

291 Birnam Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Pierre Boudreault
Seller: Thomas Aquinas College
Date: 07/31/24

148 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $344,500
Buyer: Hunter A. Hillock
Seller: Kenneth N. Rogers
Date: 07/26/24

783 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $449,000
Buyer: David Warner
Seller: Stephen J. Aubin
Date: 08/01/24

14 Pentecost Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Peter F. Esche
Seller: Celine Chabot Hall RET
Date: 08/02/24

89 Wanamaker Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Richard P. Bingham
Seller: Lorraine S. Brennan
Date: 08/02/24

188 Warwick Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Jay Avery
Seller: Roger L. Augustine
Date: 07/31/24

ORANGE

25 Benham St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Katalex Properties LLC
Seller: Michael E. Gelinas
Date: 07/26/24

78 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $160,298
Buyer: 1900 Capital TII
Seller: Ellen L. Adams
Date: 07/31/24

233 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Andrew Marte
Seller: Rachael A. Riggs
Date: 07/26/24

68 Prospect St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Hadyn Patenaude
Seller: Jacob Johnson
Date: 07/24/24

SHUTESBURY

Schoolhouse Road, Lot 10
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Krista Larsen
Seller: A&N Carr Associates LLC
Date: 07/30/24

Schoolhouse Road, Lot 9
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Krista Larsen
Seller: A&N Carr Associates LLC
Date: 07/30/24

SUNDERLAND

9 Bureks Cross Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jared N. Woodard
Seller: Clifford V. Bowen
Date: 07/22/24

232 Russell St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Dylan T. Fil
Seller: Samantha C. Pelis
Date: 07/23/24

132 Russell St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Peter Laznicka
Seller: Frederick W. Strong
Date: 07/30/24

406 Russell St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Robert Madorsky
Seller: Jjk Investments LLC
Date: 07/24/24

WARWICK

29 Athol Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Katherine A. Curts
Seller: Stephen P. Johnson
Date: 07/31/24

142 Flower Hill Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: David W. Beach
Seller: Flower Hill TR
Date: 07/31/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

38 Damato Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Jacob R. Duffus
Seller: Hailley K. King
Date: 08/02/24

22 Janelle Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Peter Cellucci
Seller: Joseph A. Cirelli
Date: 07/22/24

29 Kathy Ter.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $370,500
Buyer: Alvin D. Ruiz-Alvarado
Seller: Erhan Turkyilmaz
Date: 07/26/24

91 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Gonca Y. Sarikcioglu
Seller: Gorete S. Goncalves
Date: 07/29/24

309 Rowley St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Coalie RT
Seller: Harry H. Protzenko
Date: 07/30/24

1341 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Coalie RT
Seller: Carla R. Cooper
Date: 07/31/24

43 Westview Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $765,000
Buyer: Dinesh Patel
Seller: Kirna Patel
Date: 07/24/24

BLANDFORD

115 Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $346,500
Buyer: Erika Balbier
Seller: Peter J. Curro
Date: 07/30/24

BRIMFIELD

33 Champeaux Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $599,900
Buyer: Enrico A. Giovanello
Seller: Christopher J. Comunale
Date: 08/02/24

47 Tower Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Chestnut Hill Homes LLC
Seller: Harris, Violette Jean, (Estate)
Date: 07/30/24

194 Wales Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Thomas Melvin
Seller: John Worrell
Date: 08/02/24

CHESTER

113 East River Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Rayman M. Koivisto
Seller: David W. Lafogg
Date: 07/31/24

29 William St.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Alexis Bradley
Seller: Kathryn P. Gesner
Date: 07/30/24

CHICOPEE

27 Ashgrove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Amy M. Pouliot
Seller: Ann M. Pouliot
Date: 07/22/24

181 Beauchamp Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Moore
Seller: Gholam R. Jafari
Date: 07/24/24

51 Blanchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $335,100
Buyer: Marta Prylowska
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 07/30/24

83 Bonner St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Maureen Bernard
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 07/30/24

 

127 Bostwick Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Kyle Laplante
Seller: McDonald FT
Date: 07/24/24

7 Bunker Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $617,200
Buyer: David Dower
Seller: James C. Leonard
Date: 07/29/24

80 Chestnut St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Jclx Properties LLC
Seller: Hann Realty Berkshire LLC
Date: 07/25/24

88 Chestnut St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Jclx Properties LLC
Seller: Hann Realty Berkshire LLC
Date: 07/25/24

243 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Monique M. Souza
Seller: Steve G. Aube
Date: 07/31/24

133 Cyran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Robert Pirog
Seller: Laura J. McCarthy
Date: 07/22/24

149 Dayton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $383,000
Buyer: Emily Ortiz
Seller: Francisco IRT
Date: 07/22/24

14 Dorothy Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $133,700
Buyer: Methuselah Realty TR
Seller: Marie J. Forgie
Date: 07/26/24

34 Dresser Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Linda C. Balakier
Seller: Cecilia T. Balaskier RET
Date: 07/24/24

297 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Dan Unacha
Seller: Valdemar M. Rafael
Date: 07/26/24

1287 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Tadeusz Wadas
Seller: Agnieszka Dziedzic
Date: 07/31/24

100 Lawndale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Noah S. Palmer
Seller: Benjamin Nyzio
Date: 07/31/24

52 Lukasik St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $395,900
Buyer: Laura J. McCarthy
Seller: Waycon Inc.
Date: 07/22/24

37 Palmer Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Dylan A. Gillen
Seller: Kokoszka, Barbara J., (Estate)
Date: 07/26/24

24 Piquette Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Ivelisse Martinez
Seller: Patricia L. Raymont IRT
Date: 07/26/24

27 Woodcrest Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Shannon Jasienowski
Seller: Craig A. Lebeau
Date: 07/26/24

68 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Richard Dejesus
Seller: Gilbert & Son Insulation
Date: 07/31/24

30 Stearns Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Miguel Gonzalez
Seller: Haruna Bature
Date: 08/02/24

90 Stewart St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Brenda Rivera
Seller: Masse FT
Date: 08/01/24

11 Sullivan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Equity Trust Co.
Seller: Yvonne M. Provost
Date: 08/02/24

47 Sullivan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: David C. Berthold
Seller: Kathleen Lacasse
Date: 08/01/24

79 Taylor St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Marie Valliere
Seller: Joan R. Parks FT
Date: 07/31/24

48 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Ramon A. Gutierrez
Seller: Stephen G. Young
Date: 07/30/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

280 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,500
Buyer: Meredith Kocot
Seller: Jason A. Dimitropolis
Date: 07/23/24

22 Elmcrest St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Ashley Amaral
Seller: Bitzer FT
Date: 07/24/24

14 Hanward Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: 14 Hanward Hill LLC
Seller: Timothy J. Broderick
Date: 08/02/24

21 Judy Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $464,900
Buyer: Trey M. Cushman
Seller: Cynthia J. Gagne
Date: 07/29/24

168 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jose Hiraldo
Seller: Joan C. Devine
Date: 07/29/24

69 Maplehurst Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Phuong Nguyen
Seller: Richard Jacobson
Date: 07/31/24

14 Mardon St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Michael E. Badger
Seller: Donna J. Carestia
Date: 07/31/24

23 Michel St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mary Houghton
Seller: Beverly A. Carroll TR
Date: 07/26/24

277 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Hassan Issa
Seller: Matthew Brice
Date: 08/01/24

44 Ridge Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $469,900
Buyer: Jason A. Dimitropolis
Seller: Gavazzi, Italo Americo, (Estate)
Date: 07/23/24

45 Sturbridge Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Karlsson FT
Seller: Elizabeth A. Rottenberg
Date: 08/01/24

GRANVILLE

41 Granby Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Aida Iannotti
Seller: Petersen FT
Date: 07/31/24

154 Silver St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Kent Chamberlain
Seller: Mark E. McPherson
Date: 08/01/24

HAMPDEN

103 Ames Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $589,900
Buyer: Michelle Raymond
Seller: Anthony C. Penna
Date: 07/29/24

73 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Lauren Soriano
Seller: Nan O. Roy
Date: 07/31/24

334 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Amberly Matt
Seller: John J. Ferriter
Date: 07/31/24

Scantic Road, Lot 2
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Antonio F. Basile
Seller: Kelly Nygren
Date: 08/01/24

87 South Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $460,735
Buyer: Clark B. Kadis
Seller: Thomas F. Ferriter
Date: 07/26/24

34 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Donald J. Collins
Seller: Lynn D. Shay LT
Date: 07/26/24

HOLLAND

44 Forest Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Jake P. Olszta
Seller: M. K. McGrory
Date: 07/26/24

49 Island Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jacek Zielinski
Seller: Michael Devoe
Date: 07/26/24

HOLYOKE

43 Amherst St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $563,800
Buyer: Elizabeth Synge
Seller: Kristen K. Iverson
Date: 07/30/24

Berkshire St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Mark Larose
Seller: Josue Arroyo
Date: 07/31/24

128 Cabot St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Jeannette Alvarez
Seller: Mark Larose
Date: 07/30/24

282 Cabot St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $6,500,000
Buyer: 282 Cabot Realty LLC
Seller: 282 Cabot Propco LLC
Date: 07/26/24

110-112 Chapin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Charise Gonzalez
Seller: Donald B. Hendrickson IRT
Date: 07/29/24

24 Fairfield Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Gallagher Capital Group LLC
Seller: Weiss Family LLC
Date: 08/01/24

99 Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Alberto Rodriguez
Seller: Emily Ortiz
Date: 07/22/24

45 Lindbergh Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $428,000
Buyer: Emilie S. Arnold
Seller: Conor Dowling
Date: 08/01/24

33 Mayer Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Vannak Kong
Seller: Esteban A. Morales
Date: 07/26/24

53 Mueller Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Catherine J. Francis
Seller: Edward P. Stone
Date: 07/26/24

81 North East St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Maide Escobar
Seller: Raleigh RT
Date: 07/24/24

51 View St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Corey F. Winiarski
Seller: Timothy A. Figueroa
Date: 08/02/24

20 Wayne Court
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $337,500
Buyer: Angelique Early
Seller: Agnes M. Briere
Date: 08/02/24

LONGMEADOW

358 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Kraver FT
Seller: Alfred A. Krol
Date: 08/01/24

243 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Dorrin Exford
Seller: Ernest P. Welker
Date: 07/25/24

72 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Matthew Dominici
Seller: Joan Ann Hellerman TR
Date: 07/25/24

101 Duxbury Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Shawn M. Kincaid
Seller: Victor A. Carra
Date: 07/26/24

37 Ferncroft St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Jensen
Seller: Joseph A. Lavertue
Date: 07/25/24

54 Glenbrook Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Robert M. Figger
Seller: Lori A. Eldridge
Date: 07/31/24

184 Greenacre Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Derrick L. Crowal
Seller: George C. Case
Date: 07/31/24

34 Hillcrest Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Trevor M. Young
Seller: Michael J. Mazur
Date: 07/29/24

1198 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $550,672
Buyer: Andrew J. Avery
Seller: Maura Hinners
Date: 07/23/24

360 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Darius V. Peyton
Seller: Robin R. Dhatt
Date: 07/30/24

194 Primrose Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Pascone
Seller: Christine M. Tazzini
Date: 07/22/24

127 Rugby Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $930,000
Buyer: Jonathan E. Miller
Seller: Daniel J. Skiest
Date: 07/29/24

6 South Park Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $506,500
Buyer: Jonathan Burger
Seller: Brian Kivel
Date: 07/26/24

44 Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Shuhua Bai
Seller: Crabapple Realty LLC
Date: 08/02/24

58 Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Barbara S. Carra
Seller: Smith, Marguerite S., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/24

LUDLOW

55 Amherst St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Sandra L. Fontaine
Seller: Aaron Goodwine
Date: 07/22/24

1471 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Samantha Hodgman
Seller: Lewis FT
Date: 07/22/24

109 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Jason Voyik
Seller: Sergio A. Dias
Date: 07/31/24

83 Church St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $468,000
Buyer: Brian Turnbull
Seller: Patricia A. Stagnaro
Date: 07/31/24

79 East Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Triska-Tushanna, A. Bature
Seller: Antonio J. Martins
Date: 08/02/24

171 Wedgewood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $521,000
Buyer: Diana V. Ross
Seller: Megan Campbell
Date: 07/25/24

162 Massachusetts Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Czajkowski, Christine, (Estate)
Date: 08/02/24

760 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $373,500
Buyer: Paige Sullivan
Seller: Kaitlyn Sosnowski
Date: 07/29/24

262 Munsing St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $409,000
Buyer: Zane Kagan
Seller: Victor M. Rodrigues
Date: 08/02/24

25 Paul Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Matthew Gates
Seller: S. Massoia Fairway TR
Date: 07/31/24

153 Piney Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: David Phaneuf
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 07/31/24

32 Spring Meadow Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $735,000
Buyer: Shahid Habib
Seller: Manuel & Gcoleho FT
Date: 08/01/24

104 Warwick Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Michael Begin
Seller: Nicole Barron
Date: 07/31/24

MONSON

4 Country Club Heights
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Michael J. Cavanaugh
Seller: David Parson
Date: 07/31/24

158 Lower Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $454,750
Buyer: Robert J. Gosselin
Seller: Anthony Patalano
Date: 07/31/24

17 Thompson St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Colin K. Morse
Seller: Euclide Desrochers
Date: 07/30/24

57 Wales Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Garrett S. Beyor
Seller: Deborah M. Beyor
Date: 08/01/24

40 Washington St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Sebastian L. Szot
Seller: Hodgdon, John W., (Estate)
Date: 07/26/24

42 Washington St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Sherrie L. Blain
Date: 07/24/24

219 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Milton Knudsen
Seller: Kevin P. Quirk
Date: 08/01/24

PALMER

17-19 Anderson St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Passy
Seller: Oliver FT
Date: 07/25/24

63 Cabot St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Stephen Fenoff
Seller: Robert J. Mastrodonato
Date: 07/24/24

2-4 Crest St.
Palmer, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Rebecca Gagen
Seller: Tassinari Construction Inc.
Date: 08/01/24

99 Longview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Edson A. Filho
Seller: Shaw Development Inc.
Date: 08/02/24

1519 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Panther Development Palmer LLC
Seller: Orion Pro Friend ML LLC
Date: 07/22/24

1019 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Deidre Wade
Seller: Timothy M. Chaffee
Date: 07/30/24

10-16 Stewart St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $295,900
Buyer: Stephen Houle
Seller: Joseph M. Garbiel
Date: 07/31/24

17 West Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: John C. Jebb
Seller: Peritz, David M., (Estate)
Date: 07/26/24

912 Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $206,250
Buyer: Daniel H. Roy
Seller: Bird FT
Date: 07/26/24

SPRINGFIELD

80-82 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Felicia D. Wells
Seller: Johnathan S. Delgado
Date: 07/23/24

160 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Kelvin Diaz
Seller: Sabato, Ann Erikson, (Estate)
Date: 07/22/24

1007 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jakira Valentin
Seller: Nick Zaporozhchenko
Date: 07/25/24

56-58 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Gwendolyn Hardrick
Seller: Edwin Lisboa
Date: 07/22/24

30 Beauchamp St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Triggs
Seller: BP LLC
Date: 07/25/24

21-23 Beauregard St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Paul Ireland
Seller: Brenda I. Maloni
Date: 07/26/24

34-36 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,952,720
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

125 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $4,478,332
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

127 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $4,478,332
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

135 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $4,478,332
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

356-364 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $3,805,480
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

557 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Raymond Sanchez
Seller: Rosa L. Rolon
Date: 07/26/24

18-20 Biltmore St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Joel A. Lora
Seller: Davis Friedman
Date: 08/01/24

334-360 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,320,762
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

58 Brentwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Martinez
Seller: Latara Green
Date: 07/22/24

89-91 Cambridge St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Brinier M. Zapata
Seller: Jose Hiraldo
Date: 07/26/24

13 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,317,861
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

244 Centre St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $1,317,861
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

250 Centre St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $1,317,861
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens Lp
Date: 07/22/24

180 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Kaila Rodriguez
Date: 07/25/24

18 Chester St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $221,042
Buyer: Angel Robles
Seller: Maxibelle Pedraza
Date: 08/01/24

582-586 Chicopee St.
Springfield, MA 01013
Amount: $494,971
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

283 Christopher Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $466,000
Buyer: Pierre Larose
Seller: Floyd V. Collins
Date: 07/22/24

92-94 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: 92-94 Clifton Avenue LLC
Seller: Treydon Jenkins
Date: 07/24/24

190-192 College St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jose D. Valerio
Seller: Heather M. Allen
Date: 07/23/24

37 David St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Falah A. Sabih
Seller: Go America LLC
Date: 07/31/24

94 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $354,000
Buyer: Loren C. Green
Seller: Jack A. Goldberg
Date: 07/24/24

147 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Kellie Carlucci
Seller: Angel L. Bermudez
Date: 07/25/24

192-194 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: Edward Binet
Seller: Ramona N. Arias
Date: 07/23/24

93 East Park St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,092,224
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

63 Edgewood St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kanita Ferguson
Seller: Joy D. Allen
Date: 07/26/24

85-87 Elliot St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

81 Fairhaven Dr.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Pavel Samatailo
Seller: Jose M. Alves
Date: 08/02/24

59 Ferncliff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Techia Francis
Seller: Sylvia M. Jordan
Date: 07/30/24

156 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Mikayla H. Hannus
Seller: Carlos G. Rosario
Date: 07/23/24

10-30 Fort St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Fort St Realty Assoc LLC
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 08/02/24

31-33 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,952,720
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

132 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Francheska R. Ortiz
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 07/26/24

42 Hall St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Kedean K. Hines
Seller: Gustavo Flores
Date: 07/29/24

33 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Fort St. Realty Assocs. LLC
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 08/01/24

35 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Fort St. Realty Assocs. LLC
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 08/02/24

189 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Lachelle Tayor-Boyd
Seller: MJ Ledyard NT
Date: 07/29/24

264 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Tilo T. Gurung
Seller: Gopal Thapa
Date: 07/29/24

412 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Carlson
Seller: Alexandra Charette
Date: 08/01/24

20-24 Kelly Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Kenneth A. Marshall
Seller: Nilsa Laboy
Date: 08/02/24

33 Kenwood Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Nathan Albright
Seller: Jeannette Alvarez-Rivera
Date: 07/30/24

69-71 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $367,000
Buyer: Juliette M. Pineyro
Seller: Christopher J. O’Connor
Date: 07/30/24

51 Leete St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Harioste P. Jean
Seller: D&M Realty & Investors LLC
Date: 07/23/24

150-152 Leyfred Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Yesli Escalandte
Seller: Julio Marcano
Date: 08/01/24

41 Lloyd Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Targen Quamie
Seller: Clarence W. Smith
Date: 07/31/24

228 Locust St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $2,089,611
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

161 Longhill St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Veronique M. Conus
Seller: Sandra A. Collins
Date: 07/26/24

33-37 Longhill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,515,367
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

1610-1626 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Fort St. Realty Assocs. LLC
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 08/02/24

86-88 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01001
Amount: $2,828,104
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

190 Mary Coburn Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $331,000
Buyer: Ryan Dolph
Seller: Michael P. Sullivan
Date: 07/25/24

107 Massreco St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $171,461
Buyer: Select Portfolio Servicing
Seller: Robert A. Cyr
Date: 07/26/24

109 Melville St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Hassan Saleh
Seller: Donna Janerico
Date: 08/01/24

20 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: J&R Homes Corp.
Seller: Cascade Funding Mtg. HB11
Date: 08/02/24

15 Mountainview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Feliciano Bonilla
Seller: Joseph D. Wells
Date: 07/26/24

160 Oklahoma St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Marjorie Lindor
Seller: Robert J. Lefebvre
Date: 07/23/24

17 Old Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Hazel Robinson
Seller: Luke A. Perry
Date: 08/01/24

5 Olney Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Salim Abdoo
Seller: Mfra T2014-2
Date: 08/01/24

27 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kokoleka RT
Seller: Parent, Alan Richard, (Estate)
Date: 07/29/24

118 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Charles R. Goddard
Date: 07/23/24

2 Opal St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Samantha E. Hiemer
Seller: David A. Hinman
Date: 07/26/24

66 Oregon St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Hollis C. Graham
Seller: Peter P. Fenton
Date: 07/23/24

381 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Brendalee Gonzalez
Seller: Katherine A. Lopez
Date: 08/02/24

59 Osborne Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Jose O. Ogando-Tejeda
Seller: Thomas Lisowski
Date: 07/31/24

64-68 Osgood St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $2,564,764
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

27 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Ortins Capital Partners Group LP
Seller: Carlos Colondres
Date: 07/24/24

1150 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Natasha Dehoyos
Seller: Posiadlosc LLC
Date: 07/31/24

29 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Carla Simon-Henriquez
Seller: Ashraf M. Galal
Date: 08/01/24

45 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

52 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

58-62 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

69 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

72 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

82-86 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

94 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

79 Perkins St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $276,321
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Sarah S. Gordon-Woodard
Date: 07/31/24

197 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Richton & Wynne LLC
Seller: Lafond Sr., Robert, (Estate)
Date: 07/26/24

91 Pilgrim Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Jammie Glenn
Seller: Loren C. Green
Date: 07/24/24

1259 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Susan C. Jimenez
Seller: Solkeren Figuereo
Date: 07/22/24

36 Queen St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Leyinska N. Morales-Rosa
Seller: Brvsa Associates LLC
Date: 07/22/24

90 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Liliana C. Hanson
Seller: Damaris Ramos
Date: 07/26/24

349 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Andrew Strniste
Seller: Carimar Pizarro-Abreu
Date: 07/31/24

378 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Sandra Collins
Seller: Brittni R. Upchurch
Date: 07/26/24

100 Rowland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Manuel D. Santiago
Seller: Amanda L. Brown
Date: 07/31/24

40 Ruby Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Barose Projects LLC
Seller: Diana J. Connelly
Date: 07/30/24

15-21 Salem St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

33 Salem St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

34 Salem St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

70 South Tallyho Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Mariceli Mota
Seller: Julius D. Lewis
Date: 07/29/24

79-81 Silver St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Rivera
Seller: Felix Fuentes
Date: 07/30/24

103-107 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

104 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

112-116 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

113-135 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

127 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/2

131-135 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

97 Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $20,432,267
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

659 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $3,750,182
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

663 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $3,750,182
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

133-141 State St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: T. & K. Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: Willow State LLC
Date: 07/29/24

106 Suffolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $234,500
Buyer: Richard E. Santiago
Seller: Delia Arroyo
Date: 07/25/24

752 Summer St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $976,500
Buyer: North Adams Realty LLC
Seller: Bankruptcy Of Sumner Ave. LLC
Date: 08/02/24

760 Summer St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $976,500
Buyer: North Adams Realty LLC
Seller: Bankruptcy Of Sumner Ave. LLC
Date: 08/02/24

120 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Marc-Anthony Carter
Seller: Christina Valle
Date: 07/29/24

Terrence St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $3,750,182
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

64 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Linc Suppliers Corp
Seller: Ellen S. Boynton
Date: 08/01/24

91 Tioga St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Nathan Belisle
Seller: Kyle Edcudero
Date: 07/31/24

199-211 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $2,828,104
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

15 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $223,125
Buyer: Feliciano Bonilla
Seller: Cwabs Inc.
Date: 08/02/24

141 West Canton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Elenita I. Ramos
Seller: Spagnolo FT
Date: 08/02/24

90 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $443,734
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

427-429 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $976,500
Buyer: North Adams Realty LLC
Seller: Bankruptcy Of Sumner Ave. LLC
Date: 08/02/24

431 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $976,500
Buyer: North Adams Realty LLC
Seller: Bankruptcy Of Sumner Ave. LLC
Date: 08/02/24

1350 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kevin Morris
Seller: Kelnate Realty LLC
Date: 08/01/24

1660 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Vanessa James
Seller: Rhl Properties LLC
Date: 07/26/24

4 Wolfe St.
Springfield, MA 01020
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jasmin Gonzalez
Seller: Panther Development LLC
Date: 08/02/24

183 Woodside Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $2,089,611
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

85-91 Woodside Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $4,478,332
Buyer: Papyrus Equities LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens LP
Date: 07/22/24

1342 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $346,900
Buyer: Liza M. Guerrero
Seller: Opm Investments LLC
Date: 07/23/24

49 Worthy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Miguel Maria
Seller: Miguel A. Flores
Date: 07/29/24

SOUTHWICK

9 Evergreen St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Irina Zhovkliy
Seller: Jean C. Shaw
Date: 08/01/24

19 Foster Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Aleksandr Dadayev
Seller: Anatoliy Ovdiychuk
Date: 07/25/24

10 Granaudo Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Scott Yvon
Seller: Hoover, Gary, (Estate)
Date: 07/29/24

45 North Lake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $421,000
Buyer: Jovanny Santa
Seller: Dolores A. Catallozzi
Date: 07/24/24

75 Will Palmer Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Fedos Bateyko
Seller: Thomas J. Batchelor
Date: 07/31/24

WALES

69 Monson Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Hlre Development LLC
Seller: Frappier Jr., Robert G., (Estate)
Date: 07/26/24

87 Monson Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Connor P. Sergel
Seller: Justin Panico
Date: 07/24/24

68 Reed Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Justin A. Panico
Seller: Diane L. Monette
Date: 07/24/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

62 Beauview Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $322,500
Buyer: Benjamin Onthank
Seller: Michael W. Sokol
Date: 07/22/24

38 Calvin Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Alyssa M. Leonard
Seller: Joseph S. Calabrese
Date: 07/26/24

40 Connecticut Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Rose Flores
Date: 07/29/24

27 Day St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Vladimir Chacho
Seller: M. A. Perrea Declaration TR
Date: 07/26/24

182 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Peter S. Champagne
Date: 07/29/24

17 Oak St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Kulwinder Kaur
Seller: Elizabeth A. Harlow-Harris
Date: 07/24/24

105 Overlook Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Jorge L. Santiago
Seller: Jeannette L. Corey RET
Date: 07/24/24

263 Prospect Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Daniel Dykas
Seller: Mark D. Mission
Date: 07/25/24

80 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Katrina M. Perkins
Seller: Caring For Others Health
Date: 08/02/24

62 Warren St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Andrew Stepchuk
Seller: Nitza O. Borges
Date: 07/31/24

WESTFIELD

4 Angelica Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Carl D. McKenzie
Seller: Derek Egerton
Date: 07/31/24

54 Broadway
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Steven H. Sansouci
Seller: Linda L. Lajoie
Date: 07/22/24

65 Broadway
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Polly A. Carlin
Seller: David R. Armitage
Date: 07/26/24

17 Colony Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Minyi Zhang
Seller: Edward J. Osowski
Date: 07/30/24

9 Columbia St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $758,083
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
Date: 08/01/24

10 Conner Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Tgc Investments LLC
Seller: Oleg A. Katykhin
Date: 07/23/24

15 Day Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Brendan W. McMahon
Seller: Hem K. Ghorshain
Date: 07/30/24

1198 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Kyle F. Nardi
Seller: Jacqueline Deane
Date: 08/02/24

44 Governor Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Tok Chang
Seller: Rcf 2 Acquisition TR
Date: 07/31/24

23 Hancock St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Linda A. Jaskulski
Date: 07/22/24

224 Loomis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Hai-Dang Tran
Seller: Estelle C. Janisieski
Date: 07/30/24

535 Loomis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Tim Shea
Seller: Diane M. Batchelder RET
Date: 08/02/24

79 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jose R. Roman
Seller: Scott W. Yvon
Date: 07/29/24

101 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Affenito
Seller: Richard A. Mitchell
Date: 07/22/24

28 Morgan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Morgan Ave LLC
Seller: Mikhail S. Sychev
Date: 07/31/24

21 Riverside Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Haley Mathieu
Seller: Heidi L. Lamothe
Date: 07/31/24

205 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Rafael A. Pimentel
Seller: Jose R. Roman
Date: 07/29/24

18 Sabrina Brooke Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Michael P. Benoit
Seller: Stephanie M. Harris
Date: 07/29/24

97 Sandy Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Foley Capital LLC
Seller: Labonte Jr., Robert J., (Estate)
Date: 07/22/24

35 Washington St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $341,500
Buyer: Michael P. Durkee
Seller: Sandra Foster
Date: 07/26/24

14 Scenic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $487,000
Buyer: John R. Cabral
Seller: Jason R. Danenza
Date: 07/29/24

24 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $758,083
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
Date: 08/01/24

50 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Gennadiy Lisitsin
Seller: Zachary Soucy
Date: 08/02/24

6 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $758,083
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
Date: 08/01/24

WILBRAHAM

5 Becker St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $476,000
Buyer: Steven Carignan
Seller: Paul E. Bloomfield
Date: 07/31/24

19 Carla Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Johanna Guberow
Seller: Michael J. Tarantino
Date: 07/31/24

5 Circle Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Pinaki Pal
Seller: Johanna Guberow
Date: 07/31/24

19 Ely Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Isabel A. Dagner
Seller: Zorzi Family LLC
Date: 07/29/24

24 Linwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Sean Griffith
Seller: Matthew J. Villamaino
Date: 07/30/24

22 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Melissa Sorensen
Seller: Jamie Kohn
Date: 08/02/24

9 Old Coach Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Eric Young
Seller: Aileen Donnet
Date: 07/25/24

659 Ridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $1,175,000
Buyer: Dean T. Sanpei
Seller: Gary A. Lamarche
Date: 07/26/24

12 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Sandra C. Ricketts
Seller: Erik J. Boucher
Date: 07/26/24

651 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Bp LLC
Seller: Mary P. Douthwright
Date: 08/01/24

768 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Stephen Moniz
Seller: Goodrich Irt
Date: 08/02/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

232 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $649,000
Buyer: Purple Gables TR
Seller: Browns College Properties LLC
Date: 07/25/24

670 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Lewis
Seller: Michael E. Willamson
Date: 07/31/24

351 Henry St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Dmitry Kireev
Seller: Anantjit Singh
Date: 08/01/24

351 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,262,000
Buyer: Bluhen LLC
Seller: Hilda Grnbaum RET
Date: 08/02/24

487 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Mehul Patel
Seller: Historic Renovation
Date: 07/31/24

164 North East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: Winifred Connerton
Seller: Susan Kaplan
Date: 07/30/24

1488 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $827,500
Buyer: Barbara J. Smith
Seller: Mara Niefer
Date: 08/01/24

4 Stagecoach Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Kaitlyn M. Jaffe
Seller: Zoe C. Abram
Date: 07/31/24

481-485 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: 481 West Street LLC
Seller: Charles & Yu-Mei Wang LT
Date: 07/24/24

BELCHERTOWN

304 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $526,000
Buyer: Jamie A. Kohn
Seller: Joseph Black
Date: 08/02/24

732 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Catya E. Belfer
Seller: Anna K. Duval
Date: 07/26/24

978 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: 978 Federal LLC
Seller: Karls Site Work Inc.
Date: 07/26/24

7 Knights St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Cesar J. Alvarez
Seller: David Hornstein
Date: 08/01/24

19 Lake Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Cheryl Sendek
Seller: Joan O’Donnell
Date: 07/22/24

23 Metacomet St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Catherine H. Burt
Seller: Joyce N. Wyanski
Date: 07/30/24

507 North Liberty St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Melinda A. Gonzales
Seller: David R. Muir
Date: 07/26/24

146 Sargent St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Samatha Mangano
Seller: M. & G. Land Development LLC
Date: 08/02/24

CHESTERFIELD

386 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Todd A. Sussman
Seller: Steven Dwight
Date: 08/02/24

EASTHAMPTON

14 Chapman Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Pablo A. Garcia
Seller: Vrmtg Asset TR
Date: 08/01/24

48 Cherry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Patrick M. Mullins
Seller: David J. Gaestel
Date: 07/26/24

14 Laurel Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Anna C. Clarke
Seller: Anthony C. Colao
Date: 07/25/24

10 Monska Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Donald L. Normandeau
Seller: Nicholas W. Pickunka
Date: 07/24/24

179 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: 179 Northampton LLC
Seller: Mapam -1 LLC
Date: 07/31/24

6 Oakdale Place
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Hopkins Investments LLC
Seller: R. T. & Corinne A. Lucia Irt
Date: 07/25/24

103 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Morgan L. Mortimer
Seller: Singleton 2007 RET
Date: 08/02/24

Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Nicole W. Thompson
Seller: New England Remodeling
Date: 07/22/24

17 Spring St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $567,000
Buyer: Michaela Tally
Seller: Anna C. Clarke
Date: 07/25/24

3 Vadnais St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Douglas N. Martini
Seller: Lydia I. Bussiere
Date: 07/31/24

GRANBY

367 East St.
Granby, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Granby 367 East State St.
Seller: Bruco Sr., Richard A., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/24

35 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Peter Volpe
Seller: Donald Normandeau
Date: 07/23/24

44 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $119,717
Buyer: El Padre Plumbing & Heating
Seller: Megliola Realty LLC
Date: 07/26/24

114 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: David K. Toplon
Seller: Granby House RET
Date: 07/31/24

HADLEY

2 Adare Place
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $884,500
Buyer: Chris E. Healy
Seller: Marek Inc.
Date: 08/01/24

2 Aloha Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Allison Tudryn
Seller: Deepu A. Thomas
Date: 07/24/24

115 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: John P. Loftus
Seller: Peter R. Heronemus
Date: 08/01/24

167 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $474,000
Buyer: 167 Rocky Hill Road LLC
Seller: Denese F. Hebert
Date: 07/31/24

2 Woodlawn Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Ana D. Veiga
Seller: Shumway Properties LLC
Date: 07/31/24

HATFIELD

8 Cronin Hill Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Frederick W. Strong
Seller: Gary D. Tryon
Date: 07/30/24

Straits Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Derek Waslick
Seller: Paul J. Cernak
Date: 07/29/24

HUNTINGTON

46 Harlow Clark Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jonathan Wittig
Seller: Luke Leszczynski
Date: 08/01/24

 

NORTHAMPTON

31 Birch Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: John D. Pinkham
Seller: Rose M. Korowski
Date: 07/31/24

38 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Sandra E. Brim
Seller: Dorrin G. Exford
Date: 07/25/24

10 Matthew Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $435,500
Buyer: Mark S. Orndoff
Seller: Tashi Dolma
Date: 07/23/24

180 Nonotuck St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Brian Caning
Seller: Lamontagne, Rene T., (Estate)
Date: 07/26/24

39 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $718,867
Buyer: Jason Dickerson
Seller: 21st Century Green Home Inc.
Date: 07/25/24

46 Upland Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: Lillian Sundell-Thomas
Seller: Christian S. Tait
Date: 07/22/24

SOUTH HADLEY

107 Alvord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Aaron Moskowitz
Seller: Dawn M. Kessell
Date: 08/02/24

12 Lakeview Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Andrea Barbosa
Seller: Wyatt B. Couture RET
Date: 07/26/24

17 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: William T. Cobb
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 08/02/24

37 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $644,000
Buyer: Monica Roberts
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 07/26/24

45 River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Michael Burnham
Seller: Anthony Buijnarowski
Date: 07/26/24

SOUTHAMPTON

Gil Farm Road, Lot 7
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Vitalii Stepanchuk
Seller: David A. Hardy Contractor
Date: 07/22/24

Pomeroy St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Nicole W. Thompson
Seller: New England Remodeling
Date: 07/22/24

7 Strong St.
Southampton, MA 01027
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Christine S. Rachmaciej
Seller: Kelly R. Coon
Date: 07/26/24

WARE

33 Berkshire Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Abby N. Bridges
Seller: Amy J. Miarecki
Date: 07/26/24

144 Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: 144 Main RT
Seller: Bruco Sr., Richard A., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/24

146 Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: 144 Main RT
Seller: Bruco Sr., Richard A., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/24

187 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Benjamin P. Lawrence
Seller: Anderson RT
Date: 07/31/24

15 School St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $170,625
Buyer: Abimael Claudio
Seller: Fremont Home Loan TR
Date: 07/22/24

54 West Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Comtois Centre Ware LLC
Seller: Ricky Chu
Date: 07/26/24

WILLIAMSBURG

19 Cole Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Blaylock
Seller: John C. Locke
Date: 07/31/24

132 Nash Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $712,500
Buyer: Reina K. Lansigan
Seller: Liana Griffin
Date: 07/24/24

WORTHINGTON

29 Fairman Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Rheal Labrie
Seller: Matthew R. Labrie
Date: 07/31/24

The Value of Communication

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

Let’s talk generations.

About how Zoomers are too focused on work-life balance, dressing down, and taking mental-health days to get anything done in the office.

About how Boomers can’t adapt to a workplace culture that’s more flexible, collaborative, and tech-driven than they’re comfortable with.

How Gen X — oh, wait, no one cares about Gen X.

Now, let’s take the first line of this article and add a comma.

Let’s talk, generations.

That’s better.

For all the (sometimes negative) stereotypes about how four (and often five) generations coexist in the work world, there’s really more that connects us than divides us, as savvy employers and HR managers have learned.

What was striking, when we delved into the topic in the story on page 17, was the emphasis on what communication and openness to new ideas can do for a workplace culture, turning generational differences that might otherwise cause conflict into something positive.

You’ll read about a 29-year-old leader who regularly seeks out the advice and perspective of an older employee whom she manages. And, conversely, how employers have instituted something called reverse mentoring, whereby younger employees share their ideas with older employees, including older executives.

That may be the biggest generational shift of them all, away from a hierarchical, siloed model of management that, if it didn’t actively discourage such exchanges and questioning, at least didn’t encourage it.

But as Millennials and Zoomers continue to comprise a greater and greater share of the workforce, employers, even those from the Boomer and Traditionalist generations, are learning … well, the value of learning from each other, no matter the ages or positions of the people having the conversation.

The consensus seems to be that many benefits and perks favored by the younger cohort, from work-life balance and hybrid schedules to more wellness-focused benefits, are here to stay, benefiting all generations in the workplace, but it’s equally true that they have plenty to gain from the perspectives of business leaders who have been succeeding and adapting for decades.

It all begins with open conversation and trust.

“You want everyone on the team to question everyone else — to question everything, in a good way,” the 29-year-old Operations director told us. “Does this make sense? Is there a better way to do this? Why are we doing this? Why are we still doing this?”

So let’s talk about it.

Thriving in the Third Age

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Kathy Martin

Retirement is changing. We are living longer. We are more active. We can continue working — if we want to — well into our retirement years. We can go on adventures, start new hobbies, volunteer, or continue our education. Getting your AARP card is no longer a dreaded milestone, but access to great discounts. Birthdays are celebrations of possibility and opportunity, not a sign that you are over the hill.

One only needs to compare advertising campaigns from the 1980s to today to see that the retirement experience has been entirely reframed by the choices and behaviors of those in retirement now and those expected to retire in the next three to 10 years — the Baby Boomers. Medicare subscribers increase by 10,000 every day, and that number is expected to double by the end of the decade.

You’ve heard that 40 is the new 50? Well, the truth is that 80 is the new 60. In the landmark Age Wave study, the definition of ‘old’ has been pushed back 20 years. In this study, 83% of adults reported they want to be useful in retirement (compared to the 17% that want to be youthful). In that same study, 66% said retirement is a ‘new chapter’ in life, and 97% said it’s important to ‘stay curious’ and be willing to ‘learn new things’ throughout life.

This data reflects what has been called the Third Age — age 60 and up — when the focus is on personal development and reinvention through a lens of growth and purpose. According to Dr. Ken Dychtwald, goals that once seemed cliché and almost mythical — fun, contentment, and happiness — peak during the Third Age.

We arrive in the Third Age during a time of unprecedented medical innovation that leads to longer lifespan, an understanding of the human body and mind that gives us tools to optimize physical and mental health, and a societal openness to self-reflection, centeredness, and peace as worthwhile individual endeavors. The pressure to produce has been replaced with the freedom to choose.

When we started to explore the idea of honoring individuals in their Third Age, it quickly became clear that so many in the 60+ community are embracing this time in their lives. Glenmeadow’s inaugural Age of Excellence Awards were born out of the desire to recognize and celebrate those who serve as models for us all staying open-minded and seeking fresh experiences.

Isn’t that what we are working toward? The opportunity in retirement to embrace self-determination and spend time on things we enjoy — whether that means hiking the Appalachian Trail, traveling the world, starting that business we’d always dreamed of, reading books, or serving the community — the Third Age is a time to put yourself first in a way perhaps you never have before.

In the best of circumstances, though, retirement isn’t just about doing. It’s about being. It’s not about retiring. It’s about contributing. In “The Summer Day,” poet Mary Oliver asked, “what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Perhaps now it is relevant to ask, “what is you plan to do with your Third Age?”

 

Kathy Martin is president and CEO of Glenmeadow, which recently announced seven winners of its inaugural Age of Excellence Awards: Lawrence Akers, Debbie Gardner, Jeffrey Greim, Ethel Griffin, James Lagodich, Maria Roy, and Karen Tetreault. Learn more about them at glenmeadow.org/age-of-excellence-awards.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Welcomes Debbie Esposito

By
Daily News

Debbie Esposito

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced the addition of Debbie Esposito to its team as senior vice president, Business Banking officer. In this role, she will be instrumental in driving the bank’s growth and development within the Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden county markets.

With more than two decades of experience in the financial industry, Esposito brings a wealth of expertise in business, commercial, and cash-management solutions. Prior to joining GCB, she served as vice president of Cash Management Sales for PeoplesBank and vice president, senior Treasury Management relationship manager for Citizens Bank.

In her new position, Esposito will be responsible for promoting financial solutions in partnership with Commercial Lending, Government Banking, and Retail. She will also play a key role in implementing marketing strategies to enhance brand awareness and strengthen the bank’s presence in the community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Debbie to the Greenfield Cooperative Bank team,” said Tony Worden, president and CEO of GCB. “Her extensive experience and deep understanding of the local business landscape will be a tremendous asset as we continue to provide our customers with innovative financial solutions.”

Esposito holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, and marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and a nonprofit certification with a financial focus from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She is committed to community involvement and actively volunteers for various organizations across Western Mass.

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin Recognized as a Best Law Firm for 2025 by Best Lawyers

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, with offices in Springfield and Northampton, was recognized by Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in Springfield for 2025. The firm was singled out in the fields of banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), corporate law, elder law, trusts and estates, litigation ­– trusts and estates, and tax law.

In addition, eight attorneys at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin were selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Best Lawyers in America for outstanding contributions to their fields:

• Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman was included for her expertise the fields of elder law and trusts and estates.

• Attorney Mark Esposito was selected by his peers in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in the fields of commercial litigation and litigation – labor and employment.

• Attorney Michele Feinstein was selected by her peers as a Lawyer of the Year for trusts and estates in Springfield. She was also chosen for inclusion on the Best Lawyers in America list for her outstanding contributions to the fields of elder law, litigation ­– trusts and estates, and trusts and estates.

• Attorney Gary Fentin, one of the firm’s founders, was selected for his work in the fields of banking and financial law and commercial transactions/uniform commercial code (UCC) law.

• Attorney Timothy Mulhern, managing partner, was included for his work in the fields of corporate law and tax law.

• Founding attorney Steven Schwartz was selected for his expertise in the fields of business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), closely held companies, and corporate law.

• Attorney James Sheils was included for his contributions in the field of commercial transactions/uniform commercial code (UCC) law.

• Attorney Steven Weiss was selected for inclusion for his work in the fields of bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law.

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication company in the legal profession. The lists of outstanding lawyers are compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Lawyers are not permitted to pay any fee to participate in or be recognized by Best Lawyers.

Thirteen Bulkley Richardson Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced that 13 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. These lawyers were recognized in 22 unique areas of practice. They are:

• Peter Barry: construction law, education law and healthcare law;

• Kathleen Bernardo: real-estate law;

• Michael Burke: medical-malpractice law (defendants) and personal-injury litigation (defendants);

• Mark Cress: banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, and corporate law;

• Francis Dibble Jr.: bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense, labor and employment litigation, and securities litigation;

• Daniel Finnegan: administrative/regulatory law;

• Scott Foster: business organizations, including LLCs and partnerships;

• Mary Jo Kennedy: employment law (individuals), employment law (management), and labor and employment litigation;

• David Parke: corporate law and mergers and acquisitions law;

• John Pucci: bet-the-company litigation, general-practice criminal defense, and white-collar criminal defense;

• Jeffrey Roberts: corporate law and trusts and estates;

• Michael Roundy: commercial litigation; and

• Ronald Weiss: corporate law, mergers and acquisitions law, and tax law.

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

Llumin Inc. Receives $69,800 Workforce Training Grant

By
Daily News

BOSTON — State Sen. Adam Gomez recently joined Secretary Lauren Jones of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to announce a $69,800 grant being awarded to Springfield-based Llumin Inc. as part of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Workforce Training Fund. The grant being awarded will go toward training 16 workers at the software company, with eight additional jobs expected by 2026.

“I am proud to see this funding come to the Springfield area, empowering our valued companies and business owners to continue to invest in this area and our state with the knowledge that their efforts will be recognized and bolstered through state incentives,” said Gomez, a small-business owner himself before running for public office. “We must continue to identify industries that provide high-paying, sustainable jobs and ensure that they have the resources to continue to grow and hire competent workers, and programs like this make that possible.”

Funded by Massachusetts employers via contributions made to unemployment insurance, the Workforce Training Fund helps companies improve productivity and competitiveness by providing resources to invest in the Massachusetts workforce.

Salon Vincènte to Host Back-to-school Event Today

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Salon Vincènte will host a back-to-school event today, Aug. 26, starting at 10 a.m. The event will take place at 55 Springfield St., Chicopee, and promises a fun and festive afternoon for the community.

In celebration of the new school year, Salon Vincènte is offering an array of free services and giveaways, including free haircuts and styling, a free sneaker raffle, free refreshments and snacks, and free backpacks and school supplies. Each child will receive a backpack filled with essential school supplies to help them gear up for the year ahead.

This event is made possible through an $800 grant from the Chicopee Cultural Council, administered by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. All members of the Chicopee community are invited to participate, but are encouraged to come early, as supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fifth Annual Lenox Jazz Stroll to Take Place Sept. 6-7

By
Daily News

LENOX  — Mill Town Foundation, in partnership with Berkshires Jazz and the Lenox Chamber of Commerce, announced the fifth annual Lenox Jazz Stroll. The event will take place in Lenox on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7. The Jazz Stroll welcomes attendees of all ages and features performances by acclaimed national artists along with local favorites.

The festivities commence with a ticketed concert on Friday evening at Tanglewood’s Linde Center for Music and Learning. The evening will feature Ted Rosenthal’s All-Star Sextet performing a “Bernstein & Bop” concert with jazz takes on famous Leonard Bernstein compositions. Berkshire vocalist Wanda Houston will perform an opening set with her Resonance Trio. Tickets for Friday’s performance can be purchased at www.bso.org/events/bernstein-bop.

On Saturday, the celebration continues throughout the downtown cultural district, including three concerts at Lilac Park on Main Street from 3 to7 p.m. and various pop-up performances throughout the day. These Saturday performances are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a picnic and lawn chairs to enjoy the afternoon. Additional Saturday-evening performances at local restaurants will be announced via social media.

In case of inclement weather, Saturday’s performances will be relocated to Duffin Theatre at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, 197 West St., Lenox.

Nonotuck Resource Associates to Dedicate Lee Office to Kitty Kelly-Curtin

By
Daily News

LEE — Nonotuck Resource Associates Inc. announced the dedication of its Lee office in memory of Kathleen “Kitty” Kelly-Curtin. The historical building, located at 14 Park Place, will be publicly dedicated during Founders Day Weekend in Lee, on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.

The Lee Historical Commission unanimously approved the dedication last spring. Previously, the house was named for Edward Bosworth, a local businessman who made it his home in 1872.

“The Lee Historical Commission is pleased that the Bosworth House, rebuilt in 1901 after having burned down, is being dedicated to the wonderful works of Kitty Kelly-Curtin, from one of the Lee community’s long-standing families,” commission member Susan Stone said. “Preservation and meaningful reuse are part of our mission.”

Nonotuck Resource Associates was devastated by the sudden passing of Kelly-Curtin in July. She served as the driving force behind the creation of its Adult Family Care program, spent 26 years as a Shared Living caregiver, and worked for Nonotuck for 17 years, most recently as executive vice president of Operations. She left behind two sons, her life partner, and a large network of family and friends.

Kelly-Curtin grew up in a large family in Lee and graduated from Springfield Technical Community College, Berkshire Community College, Maria College, and UMass Amherst. She was a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree and held a Massachusetts educator’s license to teach practical nursing.

Her life changed significantly when she began what became a 26-year shared-living journey with Danny MacDonald in 1992. Over a few years’ time, the two grew very close and decided they wanted to live together in a unique model called Shared Living through Nonotuck. In 1996, MacDonald moved into Kelly-Curtin’s home with her young family. The ensuing years were filled with love, joy, amusement, and an outgrowth of special relationships that bonded MacDonald and his community, family, friends, and supporters of all ages. Together, they lived an active and exciting life.

“Kitty’s dedication and passion for helping others were unparalleled,” Nonotuck President and CEO George Fleischner said. “This passion not only shaped the foundation of our Adult Family Care program, but also enriched the lives of everyone she touched. By dedicating our Lee office in her memory, we honor her legacy and ensure that her spirit of love, compassion, and community continues to inspire us all. Kitty’s impact will be felt for generations to come, and it is an honor and a privilege to celebrate her life and contributions in this meaningful way.”

Founded in 1972, Nonotuck offers Shared Living, Adult Family Care, and individualized day services for people with disabilities. Providing support and services at locations throughout Massachusetts, it is the largest shared-living organization in the state.

The Spot Dispensary to Host Grand Opening on Aug. 24

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The old Riverside Paper Co. building at 1 Cabot St., Holyoke, has been reimagined as a cannabis campus. At the heart of it is the Spot, Riverside Agriculture’s brand-new dispensary. But that’s just the beginning — this space is buzzing with small cannabis businesses, with more on the way.

The campus features two minority-owned businesses participating in the state’s Social Equity Program. It’s also home to the Evergreen Industries cultivation facility, Blue Fox Brands manufacturing, and the Mass Cannabis Growers Coop, a license type that unites several small, local growers. Future plans include a social-consumption lounge and event space intended to make the Spot a go-to hangout for all things cannabis.

The grand opening takes place Saturday, Aug. 24 with a press conference at 10 a.m., ribbon cutting and doors open at 10:30 a.m., and a tour of the facilities at 11 a.m. Limited parking is available in the front and back lot.

West Springfield to Host 250th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 24

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — In celebration of the 250th anniversary of its incorporation, the town of West Springfield will host a parade on Saturday, Aug. 24, stepping off from St. Thomas School at 11 a.m.

Residents are welcome to line the parade route that is approximately 1.3 miles long, starting from St. Thomas School and continuing along Kings Highway, North Boulevard, Westfield Street, Van Deene Avenue, and ending at Central Street.

Approved parade participants will gather at St. Thomas starting at  9 a.m., and the parade will step off at 11 a.m. It will have a planned stop at the intersection of North Boulevard and Westfield Street before proceeding down the hill to Westfield Street The parade will end with live music by Noah Lis at 3 p.m.

The parade map can be viewed at townofwestspringfield.org/250. The town anticipates that traffic may increase in the area and advises the public to plan travel accordingly.

Herrell’s Ice Cream to Open Pop-up Location in North Amherst on Aug. 26

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Daily News

AMHERST — The Mill District and Herrell’s Ice Cream announced that Herrell’s Ice Cream will be opening soon in the Mill District in North Square in North Amherst on Monday, Aug. 26 at noon. Herrell’s hours will be noon to 9 p.m. daily.

The Mill District in North Square is located just a crosswalk away from Amherst’s busy Mill River Recreation Area, a short walk from Cherry Hill Golf Course, and near the recently renovated North Amherst Library. Herrell’s joins Provisions, Carefree Cakery, the General Store, the Closet, the Mill District Art Gallery, Soulful Pet Studios, and 3 Amigos restaurant, to name a few that are already making a mark on North Amherst’s busy shopping and dining offerings.

“This popup location will remain until our new full location is built. The popup will serve cones and cups, sundaes, and soda drinks. Since the space is so small, other menu items will not appear until the full store is built out,” owner Judy Herrell said. “However, we will have a similar count of flavors as we have in Northampton. We expect it to be a delicious place to eat ice cream and frozen desserts of all kinds. Plus, a cool place to work and shop for all — puns intended.”

Judges Announced for Third Annual Paragus Firehouse Cook Off at Polar Park

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Daily News

WORCESTER — On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Polar Park will host the third annual Paragus Firehouse Cook Off. Last year, the event drew more than 300 people to Polar Park and raised $20,000 for the Worcester Firefighters 6K charity. This year, the event will also raise funds for DetecTogether, a nonprofit that promotes early cancer detection in young adults, first responders, and workplace employees.

For the Paragus Firehouse Cook Off, firehouses from around the city create dishes to be judged by a panel of local business leaders. This year’s judges will be Niche Hospitality President Michael Covino, Worcester Red Sox Coordinator of Public and Community Relations Katie Siegle, Worcester Wares founder Jessica Walsh, and Fontaine Bros. CEO Dave Fontaine. In addition to the Judge’s Prize, there is a People’s Choice Prize based on a vote taken among event attendees. The event will be hosted by Mike Hsu and Radio Worcester’s Hank Stolz.

Presenting sponsor Paragus I.T. is one of the fastest-growing I.T. companies in the region. Since expanding into Worcester from its base in Western Mass., it has quickly become an active part of the local business community. Paragus also recently celebrated its shift to 100% employee ownership.

“The Cook Off event has become one of the big highlights of the year for us,” Paragus CEO Delcie Bean said. “It’s always an amazing time, and we get to meet so many great people. This year, with the addition of DetecTogether, we’re doubly excited to raise money for these worthy causes.”

Harpoon Brewery will hold a free beer tasting for attendees. There will also be pies donated by Table Talk and seltzer donated by Polar Beverages.

Several sponsors from the previous two years will be returning, but Paragus is actively recruiting new businesses to come aboard as the event broadens its scope. There are multiple tiers of sponsorship available.

The event begins at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for the general public and $25 for firefighters and their families, with children under 10 admitted free. A ticket entitles entrants to a Harpoon beer tasting, a Table Talk pie, Polar seltzer, and samples of all the dishes. After covering expenses, all funds raised will be donated to the Worcester Firefighters 6K charity and DetecTogether. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at firehousecookoff.com.

Governors America Corp. Welcomes Robbie Captain

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Daily News

Robbie Captain

AGAWAM — Governors America Corp. (GAC), a veteran-owned, Massachusetts-based, global manufacturer of innovative engine-control products, recently welcomed Robbie Captain as its new manager, National and International Sales and Distribution. With two decades of experience in the industrial engine marketspace, he will be responsible for managing the sales aspect of GAC’s distribution network both nationally and internationally.

“Robbie is an outstanding addition to our team,” said Sean Collins, president and CEO. “He has over 20 years of relevant industrial experience in the engine-control industry, including application sales, product management, application engineering, and business management. His broad knowledge and perspective will help deliver the technical solutions our clients require.”

Captain joins GAC from Enovation Controls, where he spent the past five years in sales, with two years as a sales team manager. He brings extensive experience in engine and machine controls, monitoring systems, and harnessing, with expertise spanning from mechanical engines to the latest electronic stage-V diesel engines. He is a 2005 graduate of Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Okla. with a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology management.

Kayla Sheridan of TommyCar Auto Group Recognized at Contest

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Kayla Sheridan, Marketing director at TommyCar Auto Group, was honored as a finalist and presented at the Reynolds and Reynolds Automotive Amplifier Contest on Aug. 20 in Leesburg, Va. This event, known for highlighting the most innovative minds and ideas in the automotive industry, provided a platform for leaders to share insights and advancements that are shaping the future of the field.

Sheridan’s presentation showcased her dedication to driving innovation and excellence in automotive retail, particularly at TommyCar Auto Group. Although not selected as one of the overall winners, her work was highly regarded by industry experts.

“It was a privilege to be a finalist and present alongside such talented individuals in the automotive industry,” said Sheridan, who was also honored this year as one of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty. “This experience has only strengthened my commitment to innovation and inspired me to continue contributing to the advancement of our industry.”

Carla Cosenzi, owner of TommyCar Auto Group, expressed her pride, saying, “we are incredibly proud of Kayla’s achievements and her commitment to excellence. Her recognition as a finalist is a testament to her hard work.”