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Year: 2024

Echo Hill Orchards & Winery Continues to Grow, Evolve

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Echo Hill Orchards & Winery is a family business
Breweries & Wineries

True Entrepreneurial Spirit

Echo Hill Orchards & Winery is a family business

Echo Hill Orchards & Winery is a family business that includes younger-generation members (from left) Chris, Mia, and Ashley.

 

When Ashley Krupczak says Echo Hill Orchards and Winery is a family business … she means it.

Indeed, while there are other team members at this Monson institution, the driving forces — figuratively but also literally when it comes to the tractors — comprise two generations of this entrepreneurial family.

There’s Rich and Terry Krupczak, who purchased this orchard more than 25 years ago, and three of their children, Ashley, Chris, and Mia. There’s also, Greg, their oldest child, who passed away in 2022, but remains a huge presence in this multi-faceted operation.

“He was a big part of Echo Hill, and he’s what keeps us going together,” said Ashley, who handles most of the marketing and public relations and acts as official spokesperson, adding that he is remembered with one of the many signature drinks created by the team at Echo Hill.

It’s called Farmer Greg, and it’s a mix of raspberry moonshine and iced tea. It’s part of a growing roster of specialty drinks that also includes Beach Cowboy, made with Jamaican apple rum mixed with orange juice and pineapple juice, with a sugar cinnamon rim and a grenadine floater; Painkiller, made with Jamaican apple rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice, and shaved nutmeg on top; Hoochie Coochie, which features spicy Monson apple vodka, margarita mix, fresh jalapenos, a Tajin rim, and fresh lime; and the OG Mule, made with Monson apple vodka, Goslings ginger beer, and fresh lime.

The offerings are always changing, said Ashley, noting that the depth of this drink list provides just some evidence of how much this family business has evolved over the years — and continues to evolve.

“My brother handles all the farm work, but during the winter, we’re closed down, so I’ll help him trim the apple trees and get the orchards ready.”

Indeed, when the family acquired the orchards 26 years ago, it was a pick-your-own-apples operation, with peaches and pears added to the mix over the years. The ‘you-pick’ offerings have since expanded to now include pumpkins and sunflowers, and blueberries should be added to the portfolio over the next few years.

“People come in, buy their bag, walk out into the orchard, and pick their own,” she explained, adding that this remains a large and important part of the overall operation, especially in the fall months to come.

But the biggest change has come over the past decade or so, when the Krupczak family started making wines from their various fruits, she said, adding that it soon added vodkas, whiskeys, and moonshines to the mix.

These are acquired tastes — and acquired talents, she went on, noting that, like everything else, this is a family affair; Rich handles most of the wine making and distilling, while Ashley is in charge of coming up with the various drink options.

And with these new offerings, Echo Hill has added tastings and winery and distillery flights, whereby consumers can sample five selections, she said, adding that there is a now a full bar and winery where there are tastings, wine by the glass, alcoholic slushies, and those aforementioned signature drinks, which vary with the season and even the week.

For the last weekend in July, after which the winery shut down for a month so the staff could prepare for the busy pick-your-own season, several fall favorites were offered, including a cotton candy slushie, Blue Collared Boys (made with Monson bourbon whiskey, ginger ale, and a splash of apple cider and lime), and the Sugar Daddy, made with Echo Hill’s cider donut whisky, apple cider, and a sugar and cinnamon rim — as well as the a caramel apple sangria and pumpkin pie sangria.

As for wines, Echo Hill now has more than a dozen offerings, including the hugely popular Goblin Grog, a pumpkin chardonnay that goes very quickly in the fall, as well as a sour wine made with apples and blueberries and a blue sangria offered around Halloween called Spooky Sangria.

Meanwhile, Echo Hill books a full schedule of local food trucks — everything from Cousins Maine Lobster to Tony’s Happy Valley Pizza to Rooster’s Roaming Cantina — making the orchard a true destination throughout the year, like many area wineries and breweries.

With its Monson location, Ashley explained, Echo Hill draws visitors from not only Western Mass., but also Connecticut (with easy access off I-84) and, during the fall season, “from all over, really — New Hampshire, Vermont, Florida, you name it.”

As for the pick-your-own aspect of the business, it remains a huge part of the operation, she said, noting that the season officially begins Aug. 30 with apples (more than a dozen varieties) and sunflowers, with pears, peaches, and pumpkins added to the mix by the end of September, with the weather determining exactly when.

Last year was a difficult one, she went on, adding that heavy and persistent rains washed out the peaches and pears, as well as many of the pumpkins. This year — and she acknowledged that it’s still quite early in the game — the outlook is much brighter, in every respect.

As she noted, this is truly a family-owned and operated business, where everyone works together, but each member has a realm that is largely their own.

“My brother handles all the farm work, but during the winter, we’re closed down, so I’ll help him trim the apple trees and get the orchards ready,” said Ashley, noting that her younger sister, Mia, will soon be coming on full-time and will help both in the orchards and in the winery.

Meanwhile, they all work together to develop new offerings and keep the operation on the cutting edge, if you will, when it comes to bringing various audiences to the farm — and then bringing them back.

The Krupczaks have enjoyed great success doing just that over the past quarter-century, and they are on a trajectory for continued growth and ongoing evolution of its varied offerings.

In short, their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit is bearing fruit — in all kinds of ways.

—George O’Brien

MountainOne Named Among Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts

By
Daily News

NORTH ADAMS — MountainOne announced it has been named one of the Commonwealth’s top corporate charitable contributors by the Boston Business Journal. MountainOne will be honored with a Corporate Citizenship Award in September at the Seaport Hotel in Boston.

The 2024 Top Charitable Contributors in Massachusetts list honors companies that gave $100,000 or more to Massachusetts-based charities in 2023. Collectively, the 96 companies who qualified for the distinction gave more than $362 million in cash contributions.

MountainOne has a strong, long-standing history of supporting nonprofit organizations that directly and positively impact the communities it serves.

Among the organizations it contributed to in 2023, notable recipients include 1Berkshire, Berkshire Running Foundation, Community Health Programs, Friendship Home, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, Hillcrest Educational Centers, Lever Inc., MCLA, Manet Community Health, Quincy Public Schools, South Shore Health Foundation, and the Brien Center.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the top corporate charitable contributors in Massachusetts,” said Robert Fraser, president and CEO of MountainOne. “This acknowledgment reflects our longtime dedication to supporting and enriching our communities.

“I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank our employees, who personally contributed over 600 volunteer hours in our communities in 2023,” he added. “Each and every Mountaineer takes great pride in our efforts to make a positive impact, and together we will continue to prioritize community engagement as a core commitment at MountainOne.”

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts Elect New Board Members, Officers

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) elected nine new members, including one girl member, to its board of directors at its annual meeting on June 23. New board members and officers, elected to serve a two-year term, are:

• Elizabette Batista, superintendent of Public Works for the city of Chicopee and a Massachusetts-registered professional civil engineer;

• Jennifer Cluett, associate vice-president for Enrollment Management and dean of Admissions at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she is responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of new undergraduate students;

• Meagen Donoghue, executive director at the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority, where she works across public, private, and corporate sectors to improve conditions within the community;

• Jessi Kirley, founder of JKirley Collective and a leadership coach, culture strategist, Everything DiSC authorized partner and trained emotional intelligence and mental fitness coach;

• Cortney Lima, associate director of Admission and DEI coordinator at College of the Holy Cross, where she is responsible for initiatives and programming that support marginalized populations through the college admissions process;

• Kimberly McCullen, Workforce Development specialist at College of the Holy Cross, where she provides organizational development support to meet the college’s needs with a specific focus on DEI;

• Christopher Schwantner, chief engineer of Television for New England Public Media (WGBY-TV) in Springfield;

• Stefanie Silva, director of Programs and Events for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce; and

• Finn Albiston, a Girl Scout Senior who began Girl Scouts as a Daisy. They enjoy working with younger Girl Scouts and helping with younger troops assisting leaders with events in their community. Albiston is also a member of GSCWM’s girl advisory board and a member of their communities’ older girl council.

GSCWM board officers include Nicole Messier (president and board chair), program manager at Raytheon Technologies; Christine Cassidy (first vice president), senior vice president and chief Communications officer at Fallon Health; Roberta McCulloch-Dews (second vice president), vice president of Marketing at Greylock Federal Credit Union; Sheryl Zarozny (secretary), vice president and advisory client partner at Optum; and Ryan Matson (treasurer), insurance producer at Braley & Wellington Insurance Group.

“With such a wide array of perspectives and knowledge, our board is better equipped to support and empower young girls in our community, nurturing the strong female leaders of our future,” said Nicole Messier, GSCWM president and board chair. “It’s a privilege to be part of a board that values diversity and dedication. The unique insights and expertise of each member are key to our mission of advancing Girl Scouts and supporting the development of all the girls and families we serve.”

MassCEC Awards $4 Million to Climatetech Companies

By
Daily News

BOSTON — Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) announced $4.2 million in funding for 24 clean-energy and climatetech companies and researchers. The funding will support clean energy and climatetech innovators in 15 cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, including Amherst, Boston, Cambridge, Concord, Holyoke, Lowell, Milton, Quincy, Somerville, Spencer, Springfield, Tyngsboro, Woburn, Woods Hole, and Worcester.

The grants are awarded through MassCEC’s AmplifyMass, Catalyst, Diversity in Cleantech – Early Stage (DICES), InnovateMass, and IncubateMass programs. Catalyst, DICES, and InnovateMass programs are additionally supported by MassVentures.

“Massachusetts is the most innovative state in the country — the place where big challenges like climate change are solved with bold ideas and cutting-edge technologies,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Climatetech businesses are already producing groundbreaking solutions in Massachusetts, but it’s our goal to be the global leader in climate innovation. We’re going to do that by providing entrepreneurs and early-stage companies with the resources they need to stay, scale, and succeed here.”

One Catalyst/DICES awardee is based in Western Mass.: Western New England University (Professor Bart Lipkens) was awarded $75,000 to develop a new type of filter for making medicine that has less of an impact on the environment.

Two InnovateMass awardees are based in Western Mass: Clean Crop Technologies Inc. in Holyoke, awarded $350,000 to demonstrate its system that reduces food waste by removing pathogens from seeds; and florrent Inc. in Amherst, awarded $244,916 to test its bioderived carbon material to create effective backup power systems.

As a complement to the grants and support for technology developers, MassCEC also recently awarded $730,000 from its IncubateMass program to six Massachusetts-based incubators focused on supporting climatetech innovators, including one from Western Mass.: Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield).

Botanica Launches the Center Alternative Cooperative in Chicopee Center

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Botanica announced the launch of the Center Alternative Cooperative, an apothecary, local-goods, event, and education center focused on whole health and wellness.

The grand opening is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. at 264 Exchange St., Chicopee. This open-house celebration aims to bring the community together to support local businesses and the revival of Chicopee Center. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the mayor, a walk-and-shop experience at local businesses, vendor meet-and-greet sessions, and food trucks.

Red Fire Farm Battles Back from Devastating Blaze

By
Farm co-owner Ryan Voiland
Cover Story Features

A Bumper Crop of Perseverance

Farm co-owner Ryan Voiland

Farm co-owner Ryan Voiland

 

Ryan Voiland doesn’t mince words when he talks about farming and whether it makes good economic sense to be in this sector.

“If I was a smart businessperson, I’d be out of this business,” he said, referring to agriculture in general but especially community-supported agriculture, which isn’t seeing as much support as it once was. “Most other people you talk to would not put up with the type of financial risk and lack of financial rewards that seem to be opening.”

But he kept going, and in poignant fashion.

“It’s a labor of love. We do it because it’s something that’s really important for the world — having food that’s grown nearby, especially fruits and vegetables. We do it because we want to be part of that solution.”

“If I was a smart businessperson, I’d be out of this business.”

He was saying this a few weeks back, but he’s been talking this way for some time now — and certainly long before the historic barn that served as home to the farm store for the Red Fire Farm’s operation in Granby — there is also a farm in Montague — burned to the ground in February.

The fire, which destroyed much more than the barn and farm store itself (more on that later), was only the latest in a series of challenges that have hit this operation hard. Last summer’s torrential rains, other forms of extreme weather, and the decline in interest in CSA co-ops are also on the list.

The fire was an especially devastating setback, one that prompted some deep introspection and hard talk about actually getting out of this business. But Voiland and his wife, Sarah, decided to stay in because this is, as he said, a labor of love.

Nothing since the fire has been easy — nothing before the fire was easy, either, but there are now new layers of challenge — but the Voilands, with some support from the community, have persevered, and, well … made do, as they say.

The fire that broke out in the morning of Feb. 17

The fire that broke out in the morning of Feb. 17 destroyed much more than the Red Fire Farm store.

They have created what they call a temporary farm store comprised of an old farmstand from Montague (the one with which Voiland got his start more than 25 years ago), which was transported to Granby; a new, smaller shed donated by the Massachusetts Federation of Farmers Markets, with two more still to be constructed; and a large tent. And they are making progress with efforts to create something suitable for the fall and winter in a portion of the space under a large solar installation that sits in front of a structure, still under construction, that was designed for the washing and packing of produce and will eventually assume that use.

But the long-term plan calls for building a new, modern farm store just a few hundred yards down Carver Street at the site of a vacant, dilapidated home in a corner of one of the Red Farm fields.

“It’s a labor of love. We do it because it’s something that’s really important for the world — having food that’s grown nearby, especially fruits and vegetables. We do it because we want to be part of that solution.”

Efforts to make these plans reality are complicated by soaring construction costs and insurance settlements that don’t come close to the actual cost of replacing not only the structure that was lost but all that was in it, Voiland said.

So the hopes for reconstruction are contingent upon receiving grants from various sources, he went on, adding that applications have been filed, and the Voilands are now awaiting word.

In what appears to be the best-case scenario, work on a new facility could begin this fall, he said, noting that the farm is dependent on those grants to move ahead and will essentially have to wait for some form of assistance.

Plans to replace the barn

Plans to replace the barn (pictured) lost to fire in February has been complicated by rising construction costs and insurance issues.

For this issue, BusinessWest talked at length with Voiland about the fire, the ongoing efforts to recover, the plans for the future, and how this experience has only hardened the resolve of all those at the farm.

 

Sudden Destruction

Voiland was working at the Montague facility when he got that dreaded phone call mid-morning on Feb. 17.

A staffer in Granby, one of the few working during the slow time of the year, was telling him that the 100-year-old barn that had come to symbolize the property, and the Red Farm operation, was on fire.

It’s a 45-minute ride from Montague to Granby, and by the time Ryan and Sarah arrived, Carver Street, where the farm is located, was blocked off for a third of a mile in both directions.

“By the time we managed to walk to the property, the barn was 75% gone,” said Ryan, adding that there was little they could do but stand, watch fire crews from Granby and several nearby communities fight the blaze, and start to think about the complex process of carrying on and then rebuilding.

And both have been even more complex than they probably could have imagined.

Indeed, as mentioned earlier, the barn was home to much more than the farm store, and its loss impacted every aspect of the operation.

“Most of the building was devoted to retail sales and to our CSA distribution space, but there were also wings in that barn,” he explained. “We had a wing where we cured and stored garlic. We had several spots where we parked tractors, so now all our tractors are homeless. The basement of that barn was used for storing irrigation equipment; we had tools in there, supplies, and machinery, such as a drop spreader for spreading fertilizer and an orchard sprayer.”

Matters have been further complicated by insurance issues, he added.

Slicing through them, and simplifying them as well, Voiland said his carrier has essentially indicated that the property was insured for $300,000, a number he said doesn’t cover the replacement cost of the various forms of equipment and supplies — including hand-painted signs providing directions to those looking to pick their own produce — that were stored in the barn and its cellar, let alone the cost of rebuilding.

Indeed, he said estimates he’s received from several builders have put the cost of building a new, 6,000-square-foot barn and farm store at $1.5 million on the low end, and $3 million on the high end.

“The price of construction has gone up, even since we updated the insurance policy,” he said, noting that this was maybe five or six years ago. “And in that time, COVID happened, and we’ve had all those supply shortages, some of the many reasons why construction costs have gone through the roof.”

Which explains the reliance on grants to rebuild, he said, adding that a GoFundMe campaign started soon after the fire raised more than $200,000, some of which had to be used to immediately replace supplies and equipment so business could be conducted this season.

Red Fire staff members

Red Fire staff members pose in front of the historic barn around Halloween, during decidedly better days.

The rest went into savings, he said, adding that this money, and whatever can be garnered from insurance, will be used to match outside grants needed to fund new construction.

“We hope to be able to put all that together and get a budget for building something new that’s at least $1 million to a million and a half,” he said, adding that he hopes to avoid having to finance a portion of the project.

An application has been filed with the state’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant program, said Voiland, adding that Red Fire has previously received a grant from the program to help fund construction of its packing facility.

Red Fire is also applying to a federal Rural Energy for America program for a grant that would fund construction of a solar-array-topped carport on the site of the destroyed barn, a facility that would provide not only more solar power for various farm operations, but a space under which to park tractors and other equipment.

 

Lettuce Rebuild

The cellar hole is all that remains of the 6,000-square-foot barn, made of chestnut, and a replacement for a barn that stood on that same site and was destroyed by fire started by a lightning strike in 1922.

Voiland acknowledged that the operation’s name is a double entrende of sorts, a nod to both the 1922 fire and the red fire variety of lettuce he cultivates, one of myriad vegetables and fruits grown in Granby and Montague.

But history will not repeat itself here, he said, adding that, for several reasons, it makes more sense to rebuild down the road, in the corner of a 25-acre field, then it does on the original site.

Doing so would relieve congestion on that site, provide more parking, and separate the farm activity from the farm store, he explained, adding, again, that if all goes well, ground could be broken before the ground freezes.

Plans are being drawn up for a facility that won’t have any of the history or “majesty” of the destroyed structutre, he noted, but will be more practical in many ways, and more efficient.

“It was designed as a hay-storage barn and livestock barn,” he explained. “And we had made a lot of changes and improvements to that barn to make it more suitable as a farm store, but it still had limitations. And if we rebuild, obviously, we want to rebuild for what we do, not what they did 100 years ago.”

In the meantime, the Voilands, Ryan’s father, Paul, and the team of roughly 75 (during the peak summer months) at Red Fire have been carrying on. It’s not business as usual, by any means, but business — in this case, a wide-ranging farm operation — is getting done.

The weather has been, for the most part (and unlike some recent years), cooperative, with generous amounts of rain — “borderline excessive,” as Voiland put it. “It’s been hot, but not excessively so.”

But there have been challenges, such as piecing together the temporary farm store and maintaining it. For example, strong winds toppled the large tent recently, and it took some time to raise it again.

Then there’s the challenge of doing the day-to-day — and there’s obviously a lot of that — while also handling everything that goes into the process of rebuilding, from talks with the insurance company to conceptualizing a new facility to applying for grants.

Finding the requisite hours in the day hasn’t been easy, but Voiland and others have somehow managed.

Yet, there are other, ongoing challenges, including a general decline in support for CSAs over perhaps the past decade or said, he said.

“There’s still an interest in local and organic and CSAs, but, unfortunately, the supermarkets have figured out how to brand things locally in a way that is sort of detrimental to the CSA farms,” he explained. “People think they can just go to the big-box store and get something that’s local, which is not necessarily true. It’s been a harder marketplace, especially the past five to 10 years, putting natural disasters and unexpected barn burnings aside.”

As Voiland said at the top, if he was a smart businessperson, he would probably be out of this business. But overriding his business sense is his passion for agriculture and giving area residents the opportunity to buy local.

Val Francis Takes a Different Route to Leadership in Financial Services

By
Val Francis
Special Coverage Women in Businesss

Forging Her Own Path

Val Francis

Val Francis

 

For a long time, Valerie Francis said, she was rather shy about telling her backstory, especially the part about how she didn’t go to college.

When asked why, she said she was concerned about how elements of that story — the lack of a college education and 10 years spent working on the floor at a distribution center — might reflect negatively upon her and perhaps sow doubt about whether she was really qualified for some of the jobs that have appeared on her business card over the years, including her current one — vice president of Employee Benefits for HUB International New England.

Meanwhile, she was concerned that, with her lack of a college degree, she wouldn’t be a good mentor to young people.

“Everyone goes through a little bit of impostor syndrome or not wanting anyone to question your capabilities, especially in my field,” she explained. “I’m in insurance — this had been a male-dominated industry for a very long time, with women kind of breaking through; you don’t want your ability to be questioned. But I see the bigger picture now.”

Indeed, these days, she’s far less shy about sharing that story. She’s done so in many ways and with different audiences, especially women facing the myriad challenges she did growing up and as a young adult (more on that later).

As for how that story is received, Francis believes the confidence she’s always exuded, coupled with her proven aptitude, strong work history, and track record of strong customer service, should override any doubts. And they have.

“Everyone goes through a little bit of impostor syndrome or not wanting anyone to question your capabilities, especially in my field.”

So much so, she said, that when she was being considered for her current job, the latest of many roles she’s filled with various organizations, no one asked her about whether she went to college.

In fact, after she gave a presentation recently, a colleague remarked that she read the audience so well, she must have excelled in a psychology course while in college.

“I said, ‘you, know, Bill, I probably would have, but I never had the opportunity to go to college,’” she recalled, adding that this revelation blew his mind.

To be clear, Francis is a strong advocate of higher education and understands its importance to entering and then advancing within many sectors. But she also acknowledges that a college education is just one of many ingredients to career success, and if one possesses those other ingredients, as she does, then one can advance while also finding work that is fulfilling and promotes work/life balance.

“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career, especially as a female, a woman of color,” she explained, “in that people have recognized my skill set, my experience, and my capabilities without questioning my background and my education.”

As for that backstory … where to start? Maybe when she was 19, when, after the unexpected death of her mother, a nurse, she was on her own, working in the Springfield Public Library, living with a friend, getting by without a car, and … well, managing. Later, she would work for a decade as an order selector at a Hallmark Cards distribution facility in Enfield, Conn., before deciding she needed to make a change.

Fast-forwarding a little (we’ll go back and fill in the details later), she would take a long, winding road to her current station, starting at a call center, then advancing in the ranks in the broad insurance sector, working for Aetna, Health New England, the Insurance Center of New England (ICNE), and now HUB (which acquired ICNE), and taking titles raging from member service representative to sales executive to vice president.

“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career, especially as a female, a woman of color, in that people have recognized my skill set, my experience, and my capabilities without questioning my background and my education.”

Today, Francis manages a staff of nine, with another addition expected soon.

She said her work in employee benefits is important, and also rewarding on many levels, especially when it comes to making benefits, and especially healthcare, affordable for employers and employees alike.

“There are new strategies to truly help lower the cost; it’s all about education and comfort because change is not easy,” she said, adding that she works tirelessly with employers and employees alike at renewal time to find something that works.

For this issue and its focus on women in business, we tell a somewhat different story, one of hard work, perseverance, raising the career bar ever higher, and then clearing that bar.

 

Hard Work Pays Dividends

Francis said she would walk six to 10 miles a day at that job at Hallmark, where she would push a large cart and load it with the items — cards and other products made by the company — sought by individual stores.

“It was lifting, pulling, walking a lot … I was in great shape, but it was killing me; it was beating my body up,” she recalled, adding that the repetitive nature of the work led to various ailments, including carpal tunnel syndrome.

What she wanted was a one-way ticket out of manufacturing and distribution and to “a corporate job where I could dress nice to go to work and have office hours so that, when my kids got out of school, I could go pick them up.”

Problem was, in the 10 years she was at Hallmark (1997 to 2007), most office duties were handled via computer, and she had few, if any, computer skills.

Val Francis says she’s no longer shy about telling her backstory.

Val Francis says she’s no longer shy about telling her backstory.

She discussed this problem with her friend Nicole Polite, who would later launch the recruiting and staffing firm ManeHire (now the MH Group), and confided to her that it would likely be hard for her to pivot at this point, and she would probably have to go back to school to make it happen.

“Nicole said, ‘I don’t know about that,’” Francis recalled, adding that she advised her to sharpen what computer skills she had by taking classes at the workforce agency known then as FutureWorks (now MassHire Springfield). And she did, while also pulling a résumé together and sharpening the focus on what she wanted to do next.

Within a few months, she had an interview at Aetna.

“Even then, I didn’t think I was going to get the job because it was a completely different role from what I was doing,” she recalled, adding that, with some coaching from Polite, she made sure those interviewing her understood that she was reliable and had great work habits, a strong attention to detail, and a keen focus on customer service.

“She said, ‘focus on the skills they need,’” said Francis, adding that she not only got the job, one at a call center, but, before she was even out of training, was named a growth and development coach for other call-center workers.

She would spend several years at Aetna, learning the insurance business, acquiring new skills, and laying the groundwork for what would become a career in that sector.

But first, she would take “three steps backward,” as she put it, for reasons that had much more do with family than her career.

“By that time, my kids were a little older, and they needed me home earlier,” she explained. “I had a daughter who was just shy of six feet tall in middle school, and she did not feel good about her height at all. I said to my husband, ‘we have got to get her into basketball.’ And he said, ‘but Val, you don’t get home until after 7 — you would need a different job and a different role closer to home.’”

She applied to Health New England in 2010, taking a job on the phones as a member service representative. But over the next seven years, she would assume eight different titles and progress through the ranks to senior member service representative to supervisor of member services and provider claims; from sales account representative (after she made the switch from member services to sales) to senior sales account representative to sales executive, gaining experience working not only with employer groups but also brokers.

She joined ICNE in 2017 as an account executive and eventually advanced to sales manager and then vice president of Employee Benefits, a role she maintained after the firm was acquired by HUB in 2019.

 

Making Policy

As mentioned earlier, Francis’ mother died when she was young. She recalls that her mother, who passed at 52, had several chronic conditions and was often reluctant to seek out the care she knew she needed.

Francis suspects this is because she was unsure of — and apprehensive about — how much that care would ultimately cost her.

“She was in the medical field, and she was knowledgeable about things going on with her body, but at the same time, she didn’t truly understand what her cost was,” she recalled. “I can remember when I was younger, her saying, ‘I don’t how much this is going to cost me.’”

And this is one of many reasons why Francis is so diligent — and compassionate — about her work, especially when it comes to health insurance.

“That’s what rings in the back of my mind with my clients,” she went on. “Once I’m done sitting with the key decision makers, that’s when my fun begins; that’s when I get in front of employees, and I make sure that they’re the smartest consumers of their health plan, their dental plan, vision, disability … you name it.

“And I go into great detail,” she went on, “because, when you’re fully educated and understand your plan, you’re going to get more out of it.”

Francis’s current work involves not only maintaining existing client relationships, but bringing in new clients as well, she said, adding that, overall, she makes sure clients understand and maximize benefits and that they work for employers and employers alike.

That’s especially true when it comes to health insurance, a large expense for both constituencies.

“The cost of health insurance is huge right now, and we want to make sure that it’s affordable in both ways — affordable as far as the rates are concerned for the employer and the employees, because they’re both sharing the cost.

“And from there, we have to make sure that the benefits are equitable,” she went on. “We have to make sure that people can afford to use their plan.”

She counts a number of nonprofits in her client portfolio and admits to having leaned on several of those organizations when she was younger and in need of help. So she finds it rewarding to be able to help them now.

“I relied on them, and now they rely on me,” she went on. “It’s incredibly rewarding, and humbling, for me to be able to help businesses in Western Mass. and outside of Western Mass., but especially our nonprofits because of what they do for our communities and because this is a vulnerable time for all our nonprofits. They have employees at all pay grades, and we have to make sure that each employee will find the benefits equitable and affordable for them to utilize.”

As mentioned earlier, Francis is no longer shy about sharing her backstory. In fact, she’s rather proud to tell it.

“It’s a true testament to who you are as a person and having people recognize your capabilities,” she said, adding that hers has been a long and different journey compared to others with similar titles on their business cards, but she’s looking forward to writing some new chapters.

Indeed, in keeping with her track record for moving ever higher, she’s intent on adding new lines to the CV. What they might be, she’s not sure, but she is sure that her résumé and the confidence gained at each stop will speak volumes about what she can do.

More, perhaps, than a college education could.

 

Senior Planning Guide 2024

By
Senior Planning Special Coverage Special Publications

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 and older — which was 35 million in 2000, just 12% of the population — will reach 73 million by 2030, or 21% of U.S. residents. That’s a lot of people. And a lot of planning. And a lot of living left to enjoy.

Achieving your goals — and your desires for your loved ones — requires careful thought, and that was the original thought behind the annual Senior Planning Guide presented by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News.

Go HERE to view the Digital Interactive 2024 Senior Planning Guide

In this year’s edition, we bring you local and national perspectives on everything from the key documents in senior planning — wills, healthcare proxies, living trusts, and more — to discussions on home care, assisted living, adult foster care, and other models; from paying for care to having the talk with your senior loved ones about the next stage of their life.

We present pieces dealing with tough topics like dementia risk and the signs of elder abuse, and also stories about eating well as we get older, easing the stress of caregiving, and the ways in which the senior-living industry has evolved and, in many ways, improved over the years.

In short, stories about the questions families are grappling with every day.

After all, the retirement years should be an enjoyable time, highlighted by special moments with family and friends, the freedom to engage in a range of activities, maybe even a chance to develop new interests and hobbies. But to make the most of that time, knowledge and planning are critically important. Hopefully, the 2024 Senior Planning Guide will be a helpful resource in that process.

 

Planning for Senior Living

During a Time of Change, Focus on the Many Positives

 

Two Powerful Tools

Understanding Health Savings Accounts and Medicare

 

Adult Foster Care

This Can Be a Compassionate Alternative for Senior Living

 

Making the Transition

Moving Seniors from Long-term Care to Community Living

 

Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse

A Crucial Guide to Protecting Vulnerable Loved Ones

 

An Important Question

Home-care Nurse or In-home Personal Caregiver?

 

Keeping Alzheimer’s at Bay

While There’s No Cure, Healthy Lifestyle Could Reduce Risk

 

Easing the Load

Five Ways to Help Reduce Caregiver Stress

 

Healthy Meal Planning

Eating Well Begins with a Dash of Preparation

 

Getting Your Affairs in Order

Follow This Checklist to Prepare for the Future

 

Senior Resources

These Organizations Can Help Families Navigate Decisions

 

Local Breweries Boost Their Brand with Activities, Events

By
Ray Berry, owner of White Lion Brewing Co.
Breweries & Wineries Special Coverage

Beyond the Beer

Ray Berry, owner of White Lion Brewing Co.

Ray Berry, owner of White Lion Brewing Co.

 

In the early days of White Lion Brewing Co., exposure was critical, Ray Berry said — and it still is.

“When the White Lion brand was created, the ultimate goal was to have a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Springfield. We thought that we would be able to accomplish that in a couple of years, but it took longer than that. And because we were contract brewing in another location, it was hard for consumers to identify us because there was no bricks and mortar,” he recalled.

“So it was important for us to engage the community by doing special events, pop-ups, beer gardens, collaborations, partnerships with other community organizations. And that allowed us to really start to have the brand resonate in the Greater Springfield area.”

Almost a decade ago, Berry started having conversations with the Springfield Business Improvement District about bringing the first beer garden to downtown Springfield.

“We rotated in two or three different locations every week for several summers. And that excitement, that engagement, that new option for professionals — and folks just coming to town after work on Wednesday — was incredible. The crowds grew week over week. It really took on a life of its own.”

“There are over 9,000 craft breweries in the United States. There are towns in Western Mass. that have three or four different breweries, and there are only so many consumers. So it’s important for a brand like White Lion to be very proactive and engage as much as it can to keep the consumer aware of what we’re offering.”

COVID put a damper on those events for a while, but after the pandemic, White Lion not only roared back with events, but continues to expand them in neighboring cities (more on that later).

“I guess the gist of it is, it’s important in this hyper-competitive environment,” Berry went on. “There are over 9,000 craft breweries in the United States. There are towns in Western Mass. that have three or four different breweries, and there are only so many consumers. So it’s important for a brand like White Lion to be very proactive and engage as much as it can to keep the consumer aware of what we’re offering. You have to make a strong marketing effort just because of all of the things that have changed since COVID.”

Barks & Brews is always a popular event at Fort Hill Brewery.

Barks & Brews is always a popular event at Fort Hill Brewery.

Progression Brewing Co. sells beer in hundreds of locations from the Berkshires to Cape Cod, but still relies on business at its downtown Northampton headquarters. Which is why the brewery runs a very busy calendar of events every week, from live music to trivia nights to … bonsai workshops.

“You can find our beer anywhere, but when it comes to getting people in this space, they need specific reasons to go,” said Chris McKenney, taproom manager. “It’s not just about giving a pint to them, but who they’re having a pint with and what they’re doing. It’s all about community engagement. I don’t think any brewery is turnkey anymore — just open the doors, and people will come and drink. I think you need to keep giving people reasons to come, in order to keep the taproom full.

“I can’t believe how busy trivia is week after week,” he went on. “And the live music is great. We’ve got so much talent here in the Valley, so many inquiries from bands who want to play. I don’t charge a cover at the door when we’re trying to get people in; I want people to come and enjoy the place. So maybe you’re losing a little up front, but maybe you get a repeat customer who says, ‘hey, this seems like a cool spot; I want to come back.’”

“It’s all about community engagement. I don’t think any brewery is turnkey anymore — just open the doors, and people will come and drink. I think you need to keep giving people reasons to come, in order to keep the taproom full.”

Eric Berzins, general manager and head brewer at Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton, called taproom events a critical part of the operation.

“It’s another way to interact and bond with the community,” he said. “Usually, beer drinking has a social dynamic, but adding events, adding music, just facilitates it a little bit more in this age where we’re constantly sort of individualized. So this is just a lubricant to socialization. I guess that’s the best I can describe it in an odd way.

“In terms of music, it’s very eclectic,” Berzins added. “We have big bands, small bands, we’ve got rock and roll, we’ve got folk, we’ve got vocals, we’ve got no vocals. We cover a fairly broad spectrum.”

Then there are annual events like a fundraising 5K and the popular Barks & Brews night, which is what is sounds like — a way for people and their dogs to mingle, eat, drink, and have a good time.

“That’s a very interesting day because everyone’s very rush-rush out on the street, but when everyone’s with their dog on the property, they seem to relax and bring it down a notch. It just doesn’t seem like people are as agitated,” he told BusinessWest, adding that the long-term impact of all this activity is positive for the business. “We’ve got a few people that are here almost every single day.”

 

Food, Folks, and Fun

This summer, White Lion has a beer-garden presence — featuring live music, food vendors, and, of course, beer — in three cities: at rotating spots in downtown Springfield, in Holyoke’s Armour Yard at the Cubit, and at the new Elm Street Plaza in Westfield.

“That beautiful plaza is right in the heart of downtown,” Berry said of the Westfield park, “so we’re lucky and very happy to be part of that. The last four weeks, the number of people out there has been incredible. I think there’s definite buy-in and appreciation for that new venue in Westfield.

Patrons await entry to the Back Porch Music Festival

Patrons await entry to the Back Porch Music Festival, which hosted a wide array of bands for three days in March at Progression Brewing Co.

“We try to cater to multiple palates,” he said of White Lion’s events in general. “There’s always food available and different variations of beverages. Then there’s music, so there’s the entertainment piece. People want to just come out and enjoy the music, or they may want to have a beverage and a bite to eat, but they want to be part of this ecosystem of energy. It’s incredible — you see little kids running around, young families, grandparents with their grandkids, and people riding through on skateboards and bikes and grabbing a bite to eat. It really does create a sense of community.”

Speaking of community, area breweries find many other ways to connect with locals. In addition to live music, Fort Hill regularly features food trucks, cruise nights, and events that benefit area organizations, from schools to the Pioneer Valley Ballet. It also supported the development of the Fort Hill mountain bike trail at Berkshire East in Charlemont — one that features 40-foot jumps — and Berzins, a mountain-biking enthusiast, is looking to convert some of his Easthampton property to a BMX track.

These efforts are carefully crafted to attract a broad age range, he noted, while generating on-site energy — and revenues — to complement a distribution business that places Fort Hill brews in liquor stores and taps across Western Mass.

“The cruise nights bring in a slightly older crowd because they’re the ones that can afford the 1962 muscle cars,” he said. “But it’s all about socializing. I try to establish an environment where people socialize and talk to their neighbor.”

Progression also runs activities that benefit local schools and nonprofits, McKenney said. “It’s a way to give back. It’s really easy to cut a check, but when you open the doors, you might be getting whole groups who have never been here before, and you might get a repeat customer or two.”

He’s also leaned heavily into renting out the space, either the whole taproom or semi-private events in a smaller space for up to 50 people. Progression has also hosted more than 200 wedding parties in the last three years — in fact, it had three scheduled the week McKenney spoke with BusinessWest — along with after-hours events held after 10 p.m., when most breweries are closed.

“Just like there’s so much musical talent around here, we’re also surrounded by incredible wedding venues left and right,” he said of a wedding-adjacent business that has surprised him in its robustness. “I don’t want to say I spent the first two years throwing stuff at the wall to see what would stick, but there I some truth to that.

“At the end of the day, most of us in the area are not running ourselves as a destination brewery model, but as a hub for the community.”

“At the end of the day, most of us in the area are not running ourselves as a destination brewery model, but as a hub for the community,” he added. “Any given night, there might be three to five meetups using our space. It could be a shared interest, young entrepreneurs, a group of tabletop gamers; a local running club is here every Thursday. I look around my space, and I see a birthday party or an after-hours office event. The important thing is that everyone is enjoying the space and enjoying a pint or two.”

 

Community Focus

Berry is proud of the community collaborations White Lion has done over the years, from a celebration of Eastern States Exposition’s 100th anniversary to partnerships with the Springfield Museums, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Springfield Thunderbirds, as well as some upcoming events with the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade committee and a new partnership with Ride to Remember, an initiative that supports local law-enforcement families.

“My background has always been the nonprofit, quasi-public space. So, when building White Lion, it was easy for me to take all those relationships and all that experience that I had built up to incorporate it into the fabric of White Lion,” he told BusinessWest. “It’s important for us to be part of those community conversations.”

Events will continue to be important in another, more sobering way, which has to do with the brewery’s location in Tower Square, and downtown Springfield more generally.

“I remember the pre-COVID days, the number of people in the towers. MassDevelopment has statistics that said there were upwards of 7,000 to 8,000 people downtown in these three or four towers. And we built our business model on those pre-COVID numbers. That was part of our business plan.”

After COVID, those numbers have fallen off dramatically as remote work has taken hold.

“Like any other business, you have to pivot,” Berry said. “So we’ve put a stronger emphasis on these different lanes of operation.”

Rebounding Inventory, Return of Incentives Boost Auto Sales Locally

By
Brian Houser, general manager of Balise Hyundai
Autos Special Coverage

Shifting into a Higher Gear

Brian Houser, general manager of Balise Hyundai

Brian Houser, general manager of Balise Hyundai, says factors ranging from inventory to incentives are trending in an optimistic direction.

 

It can be tough to find a parking spot at Marcotte Ford, but Sue Keller says that’s a good problem to have.

Over the past few years, “we got creative, like skipping every space, trying to look like we had more inventory,” she told BusinessWest. “But now, it’s great to see a full fleet out there. And I think it’s just brought up the morale for the whole team here, which is nice.

“When the truck pulls up now, the sales team are like little kids in the window — they want to see what’s rolling off, what’s coming in, and then they sit down and look at who’s put requests in,” added Keller, the dealership’s marketing director. “I feel like the sales team is more upbeat with more inventory. It’s a better vibe out there. They’re ready to sell, and they have it to sell now.”

Inventory, in fact, seems to be the biggest positive development in auto sales across the region, following a pandemic-related shortage that, as Keller noted, forced dealerships to get creative on half-empty lots.

“Inventory is back to being healthy,” said Mike Marcotte, president of the Holyoke-based store. “So when a customer comes in here, compared to six months ago, they have more options, more colors. And then, if they want to factory-order something, Ford has streamlined it, and it’s coming in faster, which is great. Before, the lead time was four to six months; now, it’s a lot faster with the production cycle.

“I feel like the sales team is more upbeat with more inventory. It’s a better vibe out there. They’re ready to sell, and they have it to sell now.”

“So customers can choose exactly what they want instead of settling on something,” he added. “And they can see it. Instead of looking online for a picture, they can see it in person, and drive away that day if they want.”

Brian Houser, general manager of Balise Hyundai in Springfield, has seen a similar inventory rebound.

Mike Marcotte says having plenty of inventory

Mike Marcotte says having plenty of inventory on the lot is important not just to give buyers options, but because they want to see and touch what they’ll be buying.

“Most brands have been able to fill their lots back so customers have more varieties and choices,” he said, adding that, while used-car access continues to fluctuate following a recent drought, new-car selection is strong. “Consumers have been coming out. They have an opportunity to test drive more makes and models. Before, they’d show up on a parking lot, and there wouldn’t be any inventory for them to even test drive. Now, they have more opportunity to see exactly what they’re looking for.”

Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group, agreed.

“Inventory levels have improved significantly,” she said. “Our used-vehicle inventory is robust, thanks to our trade-in programs and strategic sourcing, ensuring a wide range of options for our customers. Additionally, we have over 500 new vehicles across our five brands, providing an extensive selection for buyers.”

Business across the TommyCar dealerships has been strong in 2024, she added, with consistent demand for both new and pre-owned vehicles.

“We use live market pricing to always ensure we are priced competitively in the market, and these are some of the best incentives we have seen from the manufacturers,” she added, noting a range of incentives to attract buyers, including low-interest financing, lease specials, cash rebates, and loyalty programs, in addition to TommyCar-specific perks like 15% back on service spending (which can be used toward a future car purchase), gift certificates when customers hit certain points in their rewards account, and complimentary service loaners.

“We had a great start to July, and we’re actually looking for a bigger second half of the year than the first half of the year.”

With more inventory, Ford has enhanced its rebates as well, Marcotte noted, like 2.99% financing on a Ford F-150 that kicked off on July 15 and will continue through the summer.

“They’re trying to stay more consistent over a longer period. So it’s not 15 days — it will last the whole month or the whole summer. So we can plan inventory accordingly and reach out to customers that may be in the market or were in the market, and tell them this special is out right now.”

As a result, “we had a great start to July, and we’re actually looking for a bigger second half of the year than the first half of the year,” he added. “Especially as a big commercial truck dealer, with Super Duties and Transits, we’re also ramping up for that, for the end of the year.”

The luxury vehicle market is robust as well, according to Peter Wirth, who co-owns Mercedes-Benz of Springfield with his wife, Michelle Wirth.

“It’s a good environment for us. Inventory levels are back to pre-pandemic levels,” he said, adding that SUV sales are especially strong, citing the brand’s GLC and GLE models.

Michelle and Peter Wirth

Michelle and Peter Wirth say customers are often surprised that some luxury cars at Mercedes-Benz of Springfield aren’t far from the price points at other dealerships.

“We have always had a powertrain for any liking, whether you want a gas-powered vehicle, an all-electric vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid,” Michelle added. “People may not realize they can afford a Mercedes — they may not realize that, when they’re driving other cars, their price point is similar to ours.”

 

EV Landscape in Flux

One trend that seems to have slowed nationally is the realm of electric vehicles. Locally, however, dealers are still embracing their potential.

“We’ve actually been doing steady with it. Our whole team has learned it, so it’s not just one or two specialists; they’re all fluent with it,” Marcotte said, adding that his dealership has invested in high-speed charging stations as well, so customers can familiarize themselves with them. Meanwhile, state and federal incentives and rebates continue to be attractive, he added.

While some customers remain leery about charging infrastructure and how that affects range, he noted that hybrids continue to sell well, serving as a mileage-efficient middle ground between all-gas vehicles and electrics.

“We want people to feel comfortable. We don’t want them to make a purchase and not feel comfortable. Obviously, with all the different chargers in the area, once you start looking for them, you start seeing more and more. And then you can do the at-home charger.”

That said, EVs — Ford offers the Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning, and the E-Transit — represented 8% of Marcotte’s business in June. “And then we’ll have new products in 2026 and 2027. So that’s been going well. We’re glad we can offer all those ranges — EVs, gas, hybrid, and commercial diesels.”

Cosenzi said she’s seeing increased incentives for electric vehicles and hybrid models, reflecting the industry’s push towards sustainable mobility, and TommyCar has prepared for that shift by expanding its EV inventory and investing in charging stations. “These incentives make it an excellent time for customers to explore both traditional and alternative fuel vehicles.”

“We have charging stations on our campus. But until your condo complexes have them set up, your Starbucks, your Dunkin’ Donuts, places that people can spend 15 to 20 minutes charging their vehicle … until you start to see that, it’s going to be tough for the average consumer.”

Houser said “range anxiety” is still a factor, even though range on EVs has increased substantially and charging stations continue to spring up.

“And there are still plenty of incentives from the state and federal government that are incentivizing these customers to buy EVs,” he noted. “But the infrastructure is the most important thing. We have charging stations on our campus. But until your condo complexes have them set up, your Starbucks, your Dunkin’ Donuts, places that people can spend 15 to 20 minutes charging their vehicle … until you start to see that, it’s going to be tough for the average consumer.”

For now, he agrees with Marcotte that many consumers who desire the mileage of an electric vehicle are more comforable with hybrids.

“The benefit of the hybrid is you don’t have to worry about charging it; the battery itself does it,” Houser noted. “When you’re doing your braking, your regenerative braking system powers everything so there’s no range anxiety of what could go wrong if you can’t get it charged — you’re just putting gas in and relying on the mechanics of the vehicle.”

Peter Wirth said EV adoption has been lower than anticipated, while hybrids remain very much in demand, and Mercedes-Benz of Springfield is stocking accordingly. But he agrees with others that, once people become more comfortable with charge-station availability, both locally and nationally, the future is still bright for all-electric cars and trucks.

“Nobody has a crystal ball,” Michelle added. “But it only stands to reason that, as the charging infrastructure grows in the area, so will the adoption.”

 

Drive Time

That said, business is normalizing, for both Mercedes as a whole and the Wirths’ Chicopee-based dealership.

“It’s been only seven years, so we’re still getting known in this market,” Peter said. “We’re still selling new cars, factory orders are back to pre-pandemic lead times, and, for customers, the deals are back. Leasing and financing deals are important for us so we can stay competitive.”

TommyCar continues to grow, Conzenzi said, even at a time when all sectors are struggling with talent retention. “We focus on creating a positive work environment, offering competitive compensation, and providing continuous training and development opportunities. Our culture emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and customer-centric service, which helps us attract and retain dedicated professionals.”

The main downside for consumers right now, Houser said, is felt by those who bought at a high point in the market and may be upside down on their loan compared to what their always-depreciating vehicle is worth.

“A lot of people avoid that by leasing a vehicle. Or, if you’ve got to hunker down and keep your vehicle, try to put more money into principal because so many consumers put no money down, rolling in all the taxes and registration fees, and then, at that point, you’re financing the full amount at a high retail price that didn’t have incentives or programs before.”

With the average monthly car payment in the U.S. around $700, Houser added, he’s seeing more consumers finance for a longer period — six or seven years instead of five. “But over the long haul, they have to hopefully realize how much money is going to the bank when you’re financing a car for a longer period of time.”

That’s why the return of rate and rebate incentives are so welcome, he noted, and why new cars are starting to look better than used ones, which rely on local bank financing at higher rates than new cars.

“And the rebates are back in play,” he added. “I’m sure you’ve heard the TV ads. When COVID was going on, you didn’t hear the radio, TV, or billboard ads for two, three, four, five thousand dollars off. Now that inventory is back, we have to get these vehicles into people’s driveways, and the manufacturers give us incentives in order to help us out with that.”

Senior Resources

By
Senior Planning

These regional and statewide nonprofits can help families make decisions and access resources related to elder-care planning.

 

AARP Massachusetts

1 Beacon St., #2301, Boston, MA 02108

(866) 448-3621; www.states.aarp.org/region/massachusetts

Administrator: Mike Festa

Services: AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social-welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million that advocates for the issues that matter to families, such as healthcare, employment and income security, and protection from financial abuse

 

The Conversation Project and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement

53 State St., 19th Floor,

Boston, MA 02109

(617) 301-4800;
www.theconversationproject.org

Administrator: Kate DeBartolo

Services: The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care; its team includes five seasoned law, journalism, and media professionals who are working pro bono alongside professional staff from the Instititute for Healthcare Improvement

 

Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc.

877 South St., Suite 4E,

Pittsfield, MA 01201

(413) 499-0524; www.esbci.org

Administrator: Christopher McLaughlin

Services: Identifies and addresses priority needs of Berkshire County seniors; services include information and referral, care management, respite care, homemaker and home health assistance, healthy-aging programs, and MassHealth nursing home pre-screening; agency also offers housing options, adult family care, group adult foster care, long-term-care ombudsman, and money management, and oversees the Senior Community Service Aide Employment Program

 

Estate Planning Council of Hampden County

www.estateplan-hc.org

Administrator: Susan McCoy

Services: Provides a forum for current, accurate, and authoritative information with regard to estate and financial planning; council members are life-insurance professionals, bankers, fiduciaries, lawyers, accountants, planned-giving professionals, and other financial-service providers engaged in the planning, settlement, and management of estates

 

Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.

66 Industry Ave., Suite 9,

Springfield, MA 01104

(413) 781-8800; www.gsssi.org

Administrator: Jill Keough

Services: Private, nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining quality of life for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities, through programs and services that foster independence, dignity, safety, and peace of mind; services include case management, home care, home-delivered meals, senior community dining, money management, congregate housing, and adult day care

 

Highland Valley Elder Services

320 Riverside Dr., Florence, MA 01062

(413) 586-2000;
www.highlandvalley.org

Administrator: Allan Ouimet

Services: Services include care management, information/referral services, family caregiver program, personal emergency-response service, protective services, home-health services, chore services, nursing-home ombudsman services, adult day programs, elder-care advice, bill-payer services, options counseling, respite services, representative payee services, local dining centers, personal-care and homemaker services, and home-delivered meals

 

LifePath

101 Munson St., Suite 201,
Greenfield, MA 01301

(413) 773-5555;
www.lifepathma.org

Administrator: Barbara Bodzin

Services: LifePath, formerly Franklin County Home Care Corp., an area agency on aging, is a private, nonprofit corporation that develops, provides, and coordinates a range of services to support the independent living of elders and people with disabilities with a goal of independence; it also supports caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren

 

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs

1 Ashburton Place, Unit 517,
Boston, MA 02108

(617) 727-7750;
www.mass.gov/elders

Administrator: Elizabeth Chen

Services: Connects seniors and families with a range of services, including senior centers, councils on aging, nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels, exercise, health coaching, and more; supports older adults who may be somewhat frail through programs in nursing homes, such as the ombudsman program, volunteers who visit residents, and quality-improvement initiatives in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities; caregiver programs offer support to people with mild Alzheimer’s disease or those caring for someone with more advanced Alzheimer’s

 

Massachusetts Senior Legal Helpline

99 Chauncy St., Unit 400,

Boston, MA 02111

(800) 342-5297; www.vlpnet.org

Administrator: Joanna Allison

Services: The Helpline is a project of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Boston that provides free legal information and referral services to Massachusetts residents age 60 and older; the Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon

 

MassOptions

(844) 422-6277;
www.massoptions.org

Administrator: Marylou Sudders

Services: A service of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassOptions connects elders, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers with agencies and organizations that can best meet their needs; staff can also assist with determining eligibility for and applying to MassHealth

 

VA Central and Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

421 North Main St., Leeds, MA 01053

(413) 584-4040;
www.centralwesternmass.va.gov

Administrator: Suzanne Krafft

Services: Provides primary, specialty, and mental-health care, including psychiatric, substance-abuse, and PTSD services, to a veteran population in Central and Western Massachusetts of more than 120,000 men and women

 

WestMass ElderCare Inc.

4 Valley Mill Road, Holyoke, MA 01040

(413) 538-9020;
www.wmeldercare.org

Administrator: Roseann Martoccia

Services: Provides an array of in-home and community services to support independent living; interdisciplinary team approach to person-centered care; information, referrals, and options counseling as well as volunteer opportunities available; primary service area includes Holyoke, Chicopee, Granby, South Hadley, Belchertown, Ludlow, and Ware, as well as other surrounding communities

 

Follow This Checklist to Prepare for the Future

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Getting Your Affairs in Order

By the National Institute on Aging

No one ever plans to be sick or disabled. Yet, planning for the future can make all the difference in an emergency and at the end of life. Being prepared and having important documents in a single place can give you peace of mind, help ensure your wishes are honored, and ease the burden on your loved ones. The following list provides common steps to consider when getting your affairs in order.

 

1. Plan for Your Estate and Finances

Depending on your situation, you may choose to prepare different types of legal documents to outline how your estate and finances will be handled in the future. Common documents include a will, durable power of attorney for finances, and a living trust.

• A will specifies how your estate — your property, money, and other assets — will be distributed and managed when you die. A will can also address care for children under age 18, adult dependents, and pets, as well as gifts and end-of-life arrangements, such as a funeral or memorial service and burial or cremation. If you do not have a will, your estate will be distributed according to the laws in your state.

• A durable power of attorney for finances names someone who will make financial decisions for you when you are unable to.

• A living trust names and instructs a person, called the trustee, to hold and distribute property and funds on your behalf when you are no longer able to manage your affairs.

“Having a healthcare proxy helps you plan for situations that cannot be foreseen, such as a serious auto accident or stroke.”

2. Plan for Your Future Healthcare

Many people choose to prepare advance directives, which are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and go into effect only if you cannot communicate your own wishes due to disease or severe injury. The most common advance directives include a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare.

• A living will tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment. You can say which common medical treatments or care you would want, which ones you would want to avoid, and under which conditions each of your choices applies.

• A durable power of attorney for healthcare names your healthcare proxy, a person who can make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to communicate these yourself. Your proxy — also known as a representative, surrogate, or agent — should be familiar with your values and wishes.

A proxy can be chosen in addition to or instead of a living will. Having a healthcare proxy helps you plan for situations that cannot be foreseen, such as a serious auto accident or stroke.

These documents are part of advance care planning, which involves preparing for future decisions about your medical care and discussing your wishes with your loved ones.

 

3. Put Important Papers and Copies of Legal Documents in One Place

You can set up a file, put everything in a desk or dresser drawer, or list the information and location of papers in a notebook. For added security, consider getting a fireproof, waterproof safe to store your documents. If your papers are in a bank safe deposit box, keep copies in a file at home.

 

4. Communicate Where to Find Your Important Papers

You don’t need to discuss your personal affairs, but someone you trust should know where to find your papers in case of an emergency. If you don’t have a relative or friend you trust, ask a lawyer to help.

 

5. Talk to Your Loved Ones and a Doctor About Advance Care Planning

A doctor can help you understand future health decisions you may face and plan the kinds of care or treatment you may want. Discussing advance care planning with your doctor is free through Medicare during your annual wellness visit. Private health insurance may also cover these discussions. Share your decisions with your loved ones to help avoid any surprises or misunderstandings about your wishes.

 

6. Give Permission for a Doctor or Lawyer to Talk with Your Caregiver

If you need help managing your care, you can give your caregiver permission in advance to talk with your doctors, your lawyer, your insurance provider, a credit card company, or your bank. You may need to sign and return a form. Giving permission for your doctor or lawyer to talk with your caregiver is different from naming a healthcare proxy, who can only make decisions if you are unable to communicate them yourself.

 

7. Review Your Plans Regularly

It’s important to review your plans at least once each year and when any major life event occurs, like a divorce, move, or major change in your health.

Eating Well Begins with a Dash of Preparation

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Healthy Meal Planning

By the National Institute on Aging

Eating healthfully and having an active lifestyle can support healthy aging. Older adults have unique nutrition needs, but simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern. Follow these tips to get the most out of foods and beverages while meeting your nutrient needs and reducing the risk of disease.

• Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group to help reduce the risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.

• To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals.

• Add sliced or chopped fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks. Look for pre-cut varieties if slicing and chopping are a challenge for you.

• Try foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as some cereals, or talk to your doctor about taking a B12 supplement.

• Reduce sodium intake by seasoning foods with herbs and citrus such as lemon juice.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help stay hydrated and aid in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Avoid sugary drinks.

“Older adults have unique nutrition needs, but simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern.”

USDA Food Patterns

Eating habits can change as we grow older. The USDA has developed a series of food patterns to help people understand different ways they can eat healthy. The food patterns include:

• The healthy U.S.-style eating pattern is based on the types of foods Americans typically consume. The main types of food in this eating pattern include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, seafood, poultry, and meat, as well as eggs, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

• The healthy Mediterranean-style eating pattern contains more fruits and seafood and less dairy than the healthy U.S.-style eating pattern.

• The healthy vegetarian eating pattern contains no meat, poultry, or seafood, but does contain fat-free or low-fat dairy. Compared with the healthy U.S.-style eating pattern, it contains more soy products, eggs, beans and peas, nuts and seeds, and whole grains.

Visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-dietary-patterns for more information on each eating pattern and recommended daily intake amounts for each food group.

 

Meal Planning

Answering the question ‘what should I eat?’ doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Use these tips to plan healthy and delicious meals.

• Plan in advance. Meal planning takes the guesswork out of eating and can help ensure you eat a variety of nutritious foods throughout the day.

• Find budget-friendly foods. Create a shopping list in advance to help stick to a budget.

• Consider preparation time. Some meals can be made in as little as five minutes. If you love cooking, or if you’re preparing a meal with or for friends or family, you may want to try something a little more challenging.

• Keep calories in mind. The number of calories people need each day varies by individual. Always discuss your weight and fitness goals with your healthcare provider before making big changes. Research calorie goals and healthy food swaps.

 

Finding Recipes

When planning meals, looking for recipes that sound delicious to you can be a good place to start. The USDA features the MyPlate Kitchen (www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen), a resource that helps you find healthy recipes that fit your nutrition needs and create a shopping list. The MyPlate Plan tool (www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan) will create a customized food plan for you based on your age, height, weight, and physical activity level.

Finally, when you create your shopping list, don’t forget nutritious basics such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain bread.

Five Ways to Help Reduce Caregiver Stress

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Easing the Load

By A Better Life Homecare

 

Caregiving is a noble and rewarding endeavor but can also be incredibly stressful. The emotional and physical demands of caring for a loved one can take a toll on even the most resilient individuals. At A Better Life Homecare LLC, we understand the unique challenges caregivers face, which is why we are committed to supporting them in every way possible.

One crucial aspect of caregiver support is access to affordable counseling services. Here are five counseling services that can help reduce caregiver stress without breaking the bank.

 

1. Online Therapy Platforms

Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace offer convenient and affordable access to licensed therapists. These platforms allow caregivers to schedule sessions at their convenience, from the comfort of their own homes. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for those with demanding caregiving schedules. Subscriptions to these services typically range from $60 to $90 per week, which is often more affordable than traditional in-person therapy.

 

2. Community Mental-health Centers

Community mental-health centers provide a range of services, including counseling, at reduced costs based on income. These centers often receive funding from state and local governments, allowing them to offer sliding scale fees to make mental-health services accessible to everyone. Caregivers can benefit from individual therapy, group therapy, and stress-management workshops provided by these centers. To find a community mental-health center near you, visit your state’s health department website or contact local social services.

 

3. Employee Assistance Programs

Many employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide free or low-cost counseling services to employees and their immediate family members. These programs typically include a limited number of counseling sessions with licensed therapists, as well as resources for managing stress and improving mental health. Caregivers who are employed should check with their human resources department to see if their employer offers an EAP and how to access these valuable services.

 

4. Nonprofit Organizations

Several nonprofit organizations are dedicated to supporting caregivers and their mental health. Organizations like the Family Caregiver Alliance and the National Alliance for Caregiving offer free or low-cost counseling services, support groups, and educational resources. These nonprofits understand the unique challenges caregivers face and provide specialized support to help them manage stress and maintain their well-being. Additionally, many of these organizations offer virtual support groups, making it easier for caregivers to connect with others who understand their experiences.

 

5. Local Support Groups

Local support groups can be an excellent resource for caregivers seeking emotional support and practical advice. These groups provide a space for caregivers to share their experiences, learn from others, and receive encouragement. Many local hospitals, community centers, and faith-based organizations offer free or low-cost support groups for caregivers. To find a support group near you, consider reaching out to local healthcare providers, social service agencies, or religious institutions.

 

Taking the First Step

Recognizing the need for support is the first step in reducing caregiver stress. By taking advantage of affordable counseling services, caregivers can gain valuable coping strategies, emotional support, and practical advice to help them navigate their caregiving journey. We encourage caregivers to prioritize their mental health and seek out the resources available to them. Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your loved one.

While There’s No Cure, Healthy Lifestyle Could Reduce Risk

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Keeping Alzheimer’s at Bay

By the ADEAR Center

As you age, you may have concerns about the increased risk of dementia. You may have questions, too. Are there steps I can take to prevent it? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?

There are currently no approaches that have been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, as with many other diseases, there may be steps you can take to help reduce your risk.

 

What Are Risk Factors?

A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some risk factors can be controlled, while others cannot. For example, a person is not able to control their age, which is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Another uncontrollable risk factor is a person’s genes. Genes are structures in our body’s cells that are passed down from a person’s birth parents. Changes in genes — even small changes — can cause diseases.

Race and gender are also factors that influence risk. Research shows that African-Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of dementia, and that risk factors may differ for women and men. Researchers are investigating what’s behind these differences.

However, people do have control over their behavior and lifestyle, which can influence their risk for certain diseases. For example, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Lowering blood pressure with lifestyle changes or medication can help reduce a person’s risk for heart disease and heart attack. This is not to say that people who lower their blood pressure definitely won’t have a heart attack, but it significantly lowers the chances.

For Alzheimer’s and related dementias, no behavior or lifestyle factors have risen to the level of researchers being able to say this will definitely prevent these diseases. But there are promising avenues.

 

What Do We Know About Reducing Dementia Risk?

The number of older Americans is rising, so the number of people with dementia is predicted to increase. However, some studies have shown that incidence rates of dementia — meaning new cases in a population over a certain period of time — have decreased in some locations, including in the U.S. Based on observational studies, factors such as healthy lifestyle behaviors and higher levels of education may be contributing to such a decline. But the cause and effect are uncertain, and such factors need to be tested in a clinical trial to prove whether they can prevent dementia.

“For Alzheimer’s and related dementias, no behavior or lifestyle factors have risen to the level of researchers being able to say this will definitely prevent these diseases. But there are promising avenues.”

A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s or age-related cognitive decline. The review found “encouraging but inconclusive” evidence for three types of behavioral changes (also called interventions): physical activity, blood-pressure control, and cognitive training.

The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether — and in what amounts or forms — they might prevent dementia.

 

What Can You Do?

Although there is no effective treatment or proven prevention for Alzheimer’s and related dementias, in general, leading a healthy lifestyle may help address risk factors that have been associated with these diseases.

• Control high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, has harmful effects on the heart, blood vessels, and brain, and increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. Treating high blood pressure with medication and healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising and quitting smoking, may help reduce the risk of dementia.

• Manage blood sugar. Higher-than-normal levels of blood sugar, or glucose, can lead to diabetes and may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Making healthy food choices, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, and checking glucose levels can help manage blood sugar.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Being active and choosing healthy foods can help maintain a healthy weight.

• Eat a healthy diet. Aim for a mix of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and seafood, unsaturated fats such as olive oil, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products, while limiting other fats and sugars.

• Keep physically active. Physical activity has many health benefits, such as helping to prevent being overweight and having obesity, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

• Stay mentally active. Lots of activities can help keep your mind active, including reading, playing board games, crafting, taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, working or volunteering, and socializing.

• Stay connected with family and friends. Connecting with people and engaging in social activities can prevent social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to higher risks for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Treat hearing problems. Hearing loss may affect cognition and dementia risk in older adults and can make it more difficult to interact with others. Protect your ears from loud sounds to help prevent hearing loss, and use hearing aids if needed.

• Take care of your mental and physical health. This includes getting your recommended health screenings, managing chronic health issues such as depression or high cholesterol, and regularly checking in with your healthcare provider.

• Sleep well. Sleeping well is important for both your mind and body. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Talk with your doctor if you are not getting enough sleep, are sleeping poorly, or think you may have a sleep disorder.

• Prevent head injury. Take steps to prevent falls and head injury, such as fall-proofing your home and wearing shoes with non-skid soles that fully support your feet. Consider participating in fall-prevention programs online or in your area. Also, wear seatbelts and helmets to help protect you from concussions and other brain injuries.

• Drink less alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to falls and worsen health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, and mood disorders. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that men should not have more than two drinks a day and women only one.

• Stop tobacco use. At any age, stopping smoking can improve your health and lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.

Researchers cannot say for certain whether making the above lifestyle changes will protect against dementia, but these changes are good for your health and are all part of making healthy choices as you age.

 

Watch Out for False Alzheimer’s Cures

Although you might see commercials or online advertisements for products promising to improve brain health and prevent dementia, be cautious about such products. There currently is no product that will effectively prevent or treat Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Check with your doctor before trying any new medication or supplement.

More research is needed to find ways to help prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Future research may determine that specific interventions are needed to prevent or delay the disease in some people, but others may need a combination of treatments based on their individual risk factors. Understanding risk factors and choices you can make now is important for both your present and future health.

 

The ADEAR (Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias Education & Referral) Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

Home-care Nurse or In-home Personal Caregiver?

By Contributor
Senior Planning

An Important Question

By Michele Anstett

 

More seniors are choosing to age in place at home instead of dwelling in an assisted-living or nursing facility. However, some may need additional help with their medical or personal care and managing everyday household tasks. Seniors and their family members then need to decide whether a home-care nurse or an in-home personal caregiver is required.

Michele Anstett

Michele Anstett

“Professional in-home caregivers help older adults maintain their independence, continue living at home, and age safely and comfortably.”

What Does a Home-care Nurse Do?

A home-care nurse is either a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who offers nursing-level medical care to individuals in their home. Home-care nurses provide treatments that may include:

• Wound care;

• Respiratory therapy;

• Tracheotomy care;

• Diabetes management;

• Ostomy care; and

• Injections and infusions.

Other medical providers — such as registered dietitians and physical, speech, and occupational therapists — may also offer specialized healthcare and rehabilitation services in the home.

 

How In-home Personal Caregivers Can Help

An in-home caregiver provides non-medical assistance for adults needing personal care and assistance with daily tasks. Professional in-home caregivers help older adults maintain their independence, continue living at home, and age safely and comfortably. Caregiver tasks may include:

• Bathing and dressing assistance;

• Assistance with mobility;

• Transfers;

• Companion care;

• Errands and shopping;

• Light housekeeping;

• Meal preparation;

• Medication reminders; and

• Incidental transportation.

 

Which Type of Care is Necessary?

The first step is determining whether your loved one’s needs are medical or non-medical. If your loved one needs non-medical personal assistance, a professional home-care provider, such as Visiting Angels, might be the right choice. Clients and/or their families can select the hours and tasks required — even if those requests are for companion care or respite care only. Visiting Angels offers many care arrangements, including:

• Up to 24/7 care;

• Overnight care or weekday, evening, weekend, and holiday care;

• Respite care for families;

• Temporary care;

• Long-term care; and

• Long-distance care.

 

Arrange a Home-care Consultation

Schedule a free home care consultation with Visiting Angels West Springfield to learn more about available services and how an in-home personal caregiver might be able to assist your loved one. Call (413) 733-6900 for more information.

 

Michele Anstett is director and owner of Visiting Angels West Springfield.

A Crucial Guide to Protecting Vulnerable Loved Ones

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse

By Lynn Wolf

Elder abuse is a silent epidemic that affects millions of older adults worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in six older adults experience some form of abuse in community settings, with the prevalence even higher in institutional settings such as nursing homes. Shockingly, a study by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that only one in 14 cases of elder abuse are reported to authorities, highlighting the pervasive underreporting of this issue.

 

Understanding Elder Abuse

Elder abuse encompasses various forms of harm inflicted upon older adults, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and neglectful mistreatment. It can occur in any setting, whether at home or in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, or even hospitals. Perpetrators of elder abuse can be family members, caregivers, acquaintances, or professionals entrusted with the elder’s care.

Lynn Wolf

Lynn Wolf

“If an older adult confides in you about abuse, listen with empathy and take their concerns seriously. Many victims of elder abuse suffer in silence due to fear or shame, and it’s essential to provide them with support and validation.”

Recognizing the Signs

Physical abuse may include:

• Unexplained injuries such as bruises, fractures, or burns;

• Signs of restraint such as rope marks on wrists;

• Refusal to seek medical treatment or delays in treatment for injuries; or

• Changes in behavior around specific individuals.

 

Emotional abuse may include:

• Withdrawal from usual activities or social interactions;

• Unexplained changes in behavior, such as depression or anxiety; or

• Verbal threats, insults, or humiliation.

 

Sexual abuse may include:

• Bruises or injuries around the genitals or breasts;

• Unexplained sexually transmitted infections; or

• Signs of distress or fear around certain individuals.

 

Financial abuse may include:

• Sudden changes in financial situation or loss of assets;

• Unexplained withdrawals or transfers of money; or

• Unauthorized use of credit cards or forging signatures.

 

Signs of neglect may include:

• Poor hygiene, including soiled clothing or lack of bathing;

• Untreated medical conditions or lack of medication; or

• Malnutrition or dehydration.

 

Taking Action

Stay vigilant. Keep an eye out for any signs of abuse or neglect, especially if your loved one is unable to communicate effectively due to cognitive decline or other health issues.

Listen and believe. If an older adult confides in you about abuse, listen with empathy and take their concerns seriously. Many victims of elder abuse suffer in silence due to fear or shame, and it’s essential to provide them with support and validation.

Report suspected abuse. If you suspect elder abuse, don’t hesitate to report it to the appropriate authorities. Contact adult protective services, local law enforcement, or a trusted elder-abuse hotline for assistance. In Hampden and Hampshire counties, Adult Protective Services is operated by Greater Springfield Senior Services. Contact them at www.gsssi.org/adult-protective-services or call (800) 922-2275.

Seek support. Reach out to organizations and support groups specializing in elder-abuse prevention and intervention. They can provide valuable resources, guidance, and emotional support for both victims and their families.

 

Prevention is Key

Educate yourself. Learn about the warning signs of elder abuse and the resources available in your community to address it effectively.

Establish open communication. Maintain open lines of communication with your loved ones and encourage them to speak up if they experience any form of mistreatment.

Conduct regular check-ins. Schedule regular visits or phone calls with your older relatives to check on their well-being and address any concerns they may have.

Create a supportive environment. Foster a supportive and respectful environment where older adults feel safe and valued, surrounded by caring individuals who prioritize their needs and rights.

 

Conclusion

Recognizing the signs of elder abuse is essential for protecting our older loved ones from harm and ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve. By staying vigilant, taking action, and promoting prevention efforts, we can work together to combat elder abuse and create a safer and more compassionate society for older adults everywhere.

Let’s stand together to advocate for the rights and dignity of our elders and ensure they live their lives free from abuse and exploitation.

 

Lynn Wolf is Marketing and Development manager at WestMass ElderCare Inc.

Moving Seniors from Long-term Care to Community Living

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Making the Transition

By Kristen Wampler

 

Transitioning seniors from long-term care facilities to community or residential housing is a significant change that requires careful planning. Early preparation is key to ensuring a smooth process.

Kristen Wampler

Kristen Wampler

Start by understanding the financial implications and coordinating the transport of belongings. It’s essential to recreate a familiar environment for the senior by bringing personal items from their previous living space, helping them feel more at home.

When exploring potential new homes, visit and evaluate various options. Consider not just the overall environment, but also the location, amenities, and available healthcare services. Transitioning from a nursing home may mean losing immediate access to healthcare professionals, so it’s crucial to ensure that medication management and access to doctors are well-coordinated. This requires time, as these services often take a while to establish.

Involving the senior in the entire process is vital. Their preferences and comfort are crucial for a successful transition. Moving can be emotionally challenging, especially for those who have been in long-term care for an extended period. Offer emotional support and reassurance throughout the process to minimize feelings of loss or anxiety.

Establishing new routines and systems in the new space is important, as routines provide stability and comfort. Nursing homes often offer a built-in social network for residents, and maintaining social connections is crucial. Research local community resources, such as senior centers, book clubs, crochet classes, or support groups, to provide social opportunities and combat loneliness and isolation. Monitor the senior’s adjustment and address any concerns promptly.

 

Financial concerns are legitimate, as living independently can be expensive, especially for those on a fixed income. Take the time to research eligibility for public assistance, local nutrition programs, behavioral-health outreach, money-management programs, and other resources. These can help promote opportunities for the senior to live with dignity and independence, achieving the highest possible quality of life.

When transitioning individuals, we typically discuss the following areas with the family, to the degree possible:

• Choosing the right housing. Ensure that the new residence meets the senior’s needs.

• Support system. Establisha network of family, friends, and caregivers.

• Healthcare location and in-home preparation. Coordinate medical services and prepare the home for any necessary accommodations.

• Emotional and social support. Provide resources for mental well-being and social engagement.

• Financial assistance and support. Explore financial-aid options to manage the cost of independent living.

• Family involvement. Keep family members engaged and informed throughout the process.

• Legal issues. Address any legal considerations, such as power of attorney and living wills.

For more information, visit bfair.org.

 

Kristen Wampler is vice president of Community Services at BFAIR in North Adams.

This Can Be a Compassionate Alternative for Senior Living

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Adult Foster Care

By Anna Randall

As our loved ones get older, ensuring their well-being becomes a top priority. Finding the right balance between independence and care can be challenging for many families. Traditional nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are often considered; however, these options may not always provide the personalized, home-like environment many desire.

This is where Greater Springfield Senior Service’s Adult Foster Care (AFC) comes into play, offering a compassionate and effective alternative for senior living. This program is designed to support individuals who cannot live alone independently due to physical, emotional, or cognitive impairments.

Unlike institutional settings, in AFC, individuals reside in private homes and receive round-the-clock care from dedicated caregivers. This arrangement creates a family-like environment, ensuring participants receive assistance while maintaining a sense of dignity and belonging.

 

Benefits of Adult Foster Care

• Personalized attention. One of the primary advantages of AFC is the personalized care and support participants and caregivers receive. Caregivers work with the case management and nursing team to develop a person-centered plan of care to meet daily living needs and achieve the client’s personal goals.

Caregivers receive support and education every month, ensuring the participant’s needs are addressed and they feel supported in their caregiving journey. After-hours support is available for the caregiver and participants. This tailored approach ensures participants get the support they need, making them feel cared for and providing a sense of dignity and safety.

• Enhanced quality of life. Living in a nurturing home environment can significantly enhance the quality of life for those needing this level of care. AFC participants benefit from the stability and comfort of a family setting, which can improve their mental and emotional well-being. The AFC team qualifies every home setting to ensure the participant resides in a safe, supportive setting.

Anna Randall

Anna Randall

Caregivers work with the case management and nursing team to develop a person-centered plan of care to meet daily living needs and achieve the client’s personal goals

• Monthly tax-free stipend and respite for family caregivers. Caring for an aging loved one can be rewarding and demanding. The program provides a monthly tax-free stipend and valuable respite for family caregivers, allowing them to take a break while knowing their loved one is in capable hands. This support can help prevent caregiver burnout and ensure family members maintain their health and well-being.

• Professional support. Caregivers in the AFC program receive ongoing training and support from healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and highly trained care managers. This ensures that they are well-equipped to handle the complex needs of their participants and can provide high-quality care. Professional oversight helps maintain high standards and addresses any issues promptly.

 

Who Can Benefit from Adult Foster Care?

The AFC program is ideal for those (age 16 or older) who require assistance with daily living activities due to chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairments such as dementia. To be eligible, individuals must meet specific medical and functional criteria and have a particular type of MassHealth insurance or belong to a Senior Care Options or One Care insurance plan. Private-pay options are also available.

AFC is particularly suitable for those who prefer a more personalized and home-like care setting over traditional institutional care. Family members are eligible to serve as caregivers, except for a spouse.

 

Conclusion

The Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc. Adult Foster Care program offers a unique and compassionate alternative to traditional long-term care options. By providing personalized care in a home-like setting, the program ensures that individuals receive the support they need while enjoying the comfort and stability of a family environment.

Whether you are seeking care for a loved one or considering becoming a caregiver, this program may be a valuable resource. To learn more about this program or others, call (413) 781-8800.

 

Anna Randall is Community Services director at Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.

Understanding Health Savings Accounts and Medicare

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Two Powerful Tools

By Erica Beaudry

 

Healthcare costs continue to rise, leaving many individuals worried about how to manage their medical expenses both now and in the future. Two powerful tools in this regard are health savings accounts (HSAs) and Medicare. Understanding how these tools interact can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare and financial well-being.

Erica Beaudry

Erica Beaudry

If you’re still working and have employer-sponsored health insurance after age 65, you can delay enrolling in Medicare without penalty. Your HSA contributions can continue, but once you do enroll in Medicare, coordination between your HSA and Medicare is important to avoid any issues.

 

What Are the Advantages?

HSAs are tax-advantaged savings accounts that can be used to cover qualified medical expenses. They offer a unique blend of benefits that make them an attractive option for individuals and families.

• Triple tax advantage. One of the standout features of HSAs is their triple tax advantage. Contributions are tax-deductible, meaning you can reduce your taxable income by the amount you contribute. Additionally, the money you contribute grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.

• Ownership and portability. Unlike flexible spending accounts, HSAs are not tied to an employer. This means you own the account and can take it with you even if you change jobs or retire.

• Long-term savings. HSAs can be used as a powerful tool for saving for medical expenses in retirement. If you don’t use all the funds in a given year, the money continues to grow and can be tapped into for future healthcare needs.

• Eligibility. To open and contribute to an HSA, you must be enrolled in a high deductible health plan, which generally offers lower premiums and higher deductibles compared to traditional health plans.

 

Making the Most of Both HSAs and Medicare

• Pre-Medicare HSA contributions. Consider maximizing your HSA contributions before you switch to Medicare. Once you’re on any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to your HSA, but you can still use the funds for qualified medical expenses.

• Medicare premiums and HSAs. You cannot use HSA funds to pay for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premiums. However, you can use HSA funds to pay for Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D premiums.

• Social Security and Medicare. If you are receiving Social Security benefits, Medicare Part A enrollment is mandatory. When you elect to collect Social Security benefits after age 65, there is a six-month look-back on your contributions, so planning to stop contributions ahead of time can help avoid tax penalties.

In conclusion, HSAs and Medicare are valuable tools for managing healthcare costs and securing your financial future. Understanding how they work individually and together can help you make informed decisions tailored to your unique circumstances. It’s wise to consult with financial advisors and healthcare insurance experts to create a comprehensive plan that ensures you’re prepared for your healthcare needs during your working years and into retirement.

 

Erica Beaudry is owner of EA Financial Solutions and a local, licensed, independent insurance agent with a focus on Medicare.

During a Time of Change, Focus on the Many Positives

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Planning for Senior Living

By The Arbors Assisted Living

 

Senior planning presents significant challenges as society ages. Evolving care needs; the quality of care; caregivers’ emotional, physical, and financial burdens; social isolation and loneliness; and healthcare accessibility are all present concerns families face when recognizing a need for change.

While change can be scary, it’s also an inevitable part of life and can lead to many positive outcomes, new opportunities, and fresh perspectives. In regard to senior planning, here are some positive changes you may find in addition to improving the quality of life and overall well-being of your loved one.

 

“There has been a shift toward person-centered care in senior living communities, focusing on individual preferences, needs, and goals. This approach emphasizes dignity, autonomy, and respect for seniors, allowing them to make choices about their daily routines, activities, and care.”

 

Person-centered Care

There has been a shift toward person-centered care in senior living communities, focusing on individual preferences, needs, and goals. This approach emphasizes dignity, autonomy, and respect for seniors, allowing them to make choices about their daily routines, activities, and care.

 

Increased Focus on Wellness

Many senior living communities now offer comprehensive wellness programs designed to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. These programs may include fitness classes, recreational activities, educational seminars, and mental-health support services.

 

Age-friendly Design

Senior living communities are incorporating age-friendly design principles to create environments that are accessible, comfortable, and supportive of older adults’ needs. This includes features such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, non-slip flooring, and well-lit common areas.

 

Community Engagement

There is a growing emphasis on fostering community engagement and social connections among residents in senior living settings. Communities offer social events, group outings, volunteer opportunities, and intergenerational programs to combat social isolation and loneliness.

 

Flexible Living Options

Senior living options have become more diverse and flexible to accommodate varying preferences and care needs. In addition to traditional assisted living and nursing home facilities, there are now more options for independent living, continuing-care retirement communities, and aging in place with home care support.

 

Culinary Excellence

Senior living communities are elevating their dining experiences by offering restaurant-style dining, diverse menus, and nutritious meal options tailored to seniors’ dietary preferences and health needs.

 

Emphasis on Lifelong Learning

Senior living communities are providing opportunities for lifelong learning and personal enrichment through educational classes, workshops, and cultural activities. These programs help seniors stay mentally stimulated, engaged, and connected to their interests and passions.

 

Family Involvement and Support

Senior living facilities are recognizing the importance of involving families in the care and decision-making process. They may offer family support services, communication channels, and family-engagement activities to foster collaboration and support among residents and their loved ones.

 

Advancements in Memory Care

For seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, there have been advancements in memory-care programs, and specialized services. These programs focus on providing personalized care, sensory stimulation, and meaningful activities to enhance quality of life and preserve cognitive function.

 

A Challenging Transition

Many families struggle with navigating this type of change with their loved ones. While we recognize the benefits and importance of senior planning, it’s important to understand that the seniors in our lives come from a different generation and may not fully grasp how much the industry has evolved. Initiating a conversation can be the most challenging aspect. However, when explaining the need for change to a senior, it’s crucial to approach the discussion with empathy, respect, and clarity. Here’s how you might do so:

• Acknowledge feelings. Start by acknowledging any concerns or fears the senior may have about the proposed change. Let them know that it’s normal to feel apprehensive about new things, but change can also bring positive opportunities and improvements.

• Highlight benefits. Explain the reasons behind the proposed change and the potential benefits it could bring. For example, if you’re discussing a move to a senior living community, you might highlight the social opportunities, amenities, and support services available that could enhance their quality of life.

• Address specific concerns. Listen attentively to the senior’s concerns and address them one by one. Offer reassurance and practical solutions to alleviate any worries they may have. For instance, if they’re concerned about losing independence, you could discuss how the new arrangement will still allow them to make decisions and maintain control over their life.

• Focus on needs and preferences. Emphasize how the proposed change aligns with the senior’s needs, preferences, and goals. Help them see how it could better meet their current and future needs, whether it’s improved safety, access to healthcare, or opportunities for socialization.

• Involve them in decision making. Involve the senior in the decision-making process and respect their autonomy. Encourage them to share their thoughts, preferences, and concerns, and consider their input when making plans for change. This can help them feel more empowered and in control of the situation.

• Provide support. Offer practical support and assistance throughout the transition process. This could include helping with logistics such as packing, moving, and settling into a new environment, as well as emotional support to help them adjust to the changes.

• Highlight past successes. Remind the senior of times when they successfully navigated change in the past. Reflecting on past experiences of resilience and adaptability can help boost their confidence and willingness to embrace new challenges.

• Offer time and patience. Give the senior time to process the information and adjust to the idea of change. Be patient and supportive, and avoid pressuring them to make decisions before they’re ready. Let them know that you’re there to support them every step of the way.

• Stay positive and encouraging. Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude throughout the conversation. Focus on the potential opportunities and improvements that the change could bring, and express confidence in the senior’s ability to adapt and thrive in the new situation.

• Follow up and check in. After the change has been implemented, continue to check in regularly with your loved one to see how they’re adjusting and address any ongoing concerns or challenges. Offer ongoing support and encouragement as needed to help them navigate the transition successfully.

 

Bottom Line

By approaching the conversation with empathy, understanding, and support, you can help your loved one feel more comfortable and confident about embracing change and navigating new opportunities in the senior years of their life.

We genuinely believe that embracing change during your loved one’s golden years can be positive. As a family member, you’ll find comfort in knowing they’re receiving excellent care and enjoying a fulfilling experience.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Marlowe Washington

Marlowe Washington

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Marlowe Washington as its first vice president of people, culture, and equity. In this executive-level position, Washington serves as a strategic partner to President George Timmons, the HCC cabinet, and all campus constituencies to advance culture, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Washington comes to HCC following his work as the inaugural senior diversity officer at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, N.Y., where he oversaw the continuation of the university’s efforts supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. He recently moved to Springfield, but maintains a residence in Rochester, where he is pastor of the Agape Fellowship United Methodist Church. He started his position at HCC on July 8. Washington is a New York City native who grew up in the Bronx. A first-generation college graduate, he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, a master of divinity degree in urban ministry and planning from the New York Theological Seminary in Manhattan, a doctorate of ministry in transformational leadership and cultural intelligence from Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, and a doctorate of education in executive leadership in higher education from St. John Fisher University. Washington will oversee HCC’s Human Resources department, Title IX (federal prohibition against sex and gender discrimination), the college’s Affirmative Action officer, and its interim executive director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

•••••

Nonprofits Barr Foundation and Springpoint have selected the second cohort of their Transformative Leaders of Massachusetts, a two-year fellowship aimed at supporting a diverse group of aspiring school leaders. Two Springfield educators, Kori Alston, principal of Veritas Prep High School, and Teron Brown, math teacher, instructional coach, and basketball coach at Springfield Prep Charter School, are among 15 fellows selected from a group of 112 applicants. These middle-school and high-school educators are committed to delivering rigorous, student-centered instructional practice. They share a desire to build their knowledge and ability to lead in service of reimagining secondary schooling for all young people, especially the most underserved. The cohort will begin their work in the summer of 2024. As fellows, these educators will participate in a two-year school-design and leadership program that will build their leadership capacity and instructional experience so they can become innovative leaders and change agents in their schools and communities.

•••••

Sarah Ouimette

Sarah Ouimette

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. (DAS) announced the arrival of Sarah Ouimette into its leadership group, marking a significant milestone in the construction company’s history. Ouimette takes on the role of chief financial officer, bringing a robust financial background and meticulous attention to detail to the DAS team. Her expertise promises to ensure the company’s financial health and strategic growth. Founded in 1897, DAS has been committed to delivering exceptional service, fostering community development, and promoting sustainable building practices. As the company steps into the future, Ouimette’s inclusion as an owner and leader promises to further solidify its position as a premier construction firm. Ouimette joins Mark Sullivan, Dennis Sullivan, Ryan Gagne, Cicely Hislop, and Andrew Fleming on the DAS leadership team.

•••••

Mikael Pyrtel, until recently the director of Economic Development for the town of Orange, has joined the Orange Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (OEDIC) as executive director. Pyrtel has a long history of successfully facilitating economic growth and development in key sectors of the economy at the local, regional, state, and federal levels and expects to transition the work he has been doing for the town seamlessly into his new organization. OEDIC operates under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 121C, which empowers local development organizations to implement projects that increase employment and develop disused or dilapidated properties. The citizens of Orange voted last year to expand OEDIC’s footprint beyond industrial areas to include those zoned for business. Recent budget woes in town led to the defunding of Pyrtel’s position but created an opportunity for OEDIC.

•••••

Tracy Sicbaldi

Tracy Sicbaldi

Berkshire Bank announced Tracy Sicbaldi has joined the bank as senior vice president, Government and Municipal Sales officer. In this role, she will be responsible for managing and expanding Berkshire’s government banking relationships in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. Sicbaldi has more than 30 years of experience in the financial-services industry with special expertise in cash management and government banking. Before joining Berkshire Bank, she was vice president, Commercial and Institutional Banking at PeoplesBank in Holyoke. Prior to that, she served in town treasurer roles in Monson and Hampden and held other positions in the financial-services industry. Sicbaldi is active in her community, serving on the board of directors for Dakin Humane Society, as board clerk for the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, and volunteering at WestMass ElderCare and Rays of Hope.

•••••

MP CPAs announced the promotions of three associates to the position of senior associate. Bryce Thompson started with the firm as an intern in January 2021 and transitioned to full-time in June 2022 upon his graduation from Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He provides tax and consulting services to a diverse group of clients including individuals, limited-liability companies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and trusts. He is currently the chairperson of the firm’s learning and development committee and also takes an active role in the recruitment of students from local colleges and universities. Kristina Bullock started with the firm as an intern in June 2021 and transitioned to full-time in January 2022 upon her graduation from Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. She supervises audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements of employee benefit plans, nonprofit organizations (including yellow-book and single audits), for-profit businesses, and charter schools. She is currently the co-chairperson of the firm’s learning and development committee. Brian Moss started with the firm as an intern in January 2022 and transitioned to full-time in January 2023 upon his graduation from Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He provides tax and consulting services to a diverse group of clients including individuals, limited-liability companies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and trusts. He is currently the co-chairperson of the firm’s sunshine committee and also takes an active role in the recruitment of students from local colleges and universities.

•••••

Noelle Crawford

Noelle Crawford

BFAIR announced the appointment of Noelle Crawford as the new director of Learning and Employee Development. She brings a wealth of experience in human resources and customer service to the organization, along with a strong educational background. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from MCLA and has built a diverse professional portfolio with roles including customer service representative for 403(b) plans, marketing specialist, and group benefits coordinator. She is well-versed in training, licensing, onboarding, leadership, HR coordination, and HRIS systems. In her new role, Crawford will spearhead the development of comprehensive training programs designed to support employee career growth, foster leadership skills, and align with BFAIR’s strategic objectives. Her proven expertise in operational efficiency, cross-functional leadership, and process-improvement solutions positions her as an ideal fit for this vital role.

•••••

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) announced the addition of seven new members to its board of directors: Corey Caron, managing director at Northwestern Mutual; Mychal Connolly Sr., founder and CEO of Stand Out Truck and Marketing and Cupcakes; Susan Fearn, vice president and Treasury Management officer for Liberty Bank; Ana Parrelli, vice president, Member and Employee Relations, LUSO Federal Credit Union; Nicole Polite, founder and CEO of the MH Group; Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez, assistant general counsel at Health New England; and Joseph Williams, vice president, Commercial Lending at bankESB. JAWM also announced these updates to its executive committee: board co-chair, Tracy Alves-Lear, practice manager at Baystate Financial; board co-chair, Terrell Joyner, financial advisor at Charter Oak Financial and founder of the Consulting Web; and treasurer, Susan Fearn, vice president and Treasury Management officer, Liberty Bank.

•••••

The Springfield Thunderbirds announced multiple promotions and hires in the team’s hockey operations department. First, the club announced that Steve Passineau, formerly head equipment manager, has accepted a promotion to join the St. Louis Blues, the T-Birds’ NHL affiliate, as an assistant equipment manager. In addition, Abe Edson, formerly the Thunderbirds’ strength and conditioning coach, will join the NHL’s Minnesota Wild as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Casey Barile has been promoted to head equipment manager with the Thunderbirds after serving as an assistant for the last three seasons. A graduate of Kent State University and a native of St. Louis, Barile previously has experience in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Orlando Solar Bears as an assistant equipment manager during the 2020-21 season. The Thunderbirds will also welcome two new members to the Hockey Operations staff for the 2024-25 season. Phil Currier will join the organization as a strength and conditioning coach. A Haverhill, N.H. native, Currier most recently served as director of Hockey Performance at the University of Vermont last season. His prior experience also includes stints at the University of Maine and his alma mater, Plymouth State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport physiology and a master’s degree in applied exercise physiology and human performance. Lastly, Steven Smith will join the Thunderbirds as assistant equipment manager. The McAllen, Texas native most recently served as head equipment manager for the United States Hockey League’s Youngstown Phantoms from 2022 to 2024, where he was a member of the club’s Clark Cup championship in 2023. He has served in the same capacity for six organizations, including the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder and the North American Hockey League’s Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Amarillo Bulls, Jamestown Rebels, and New Jersey Titans.

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.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Pro Ace Group Inc., 25 Thompson St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Anthony Sarno Sr., same. Youth sports program.

GRANBY

RJM Painting Inc., 11 Smith Ave., Granby, MA 01033. Justin Vanasse, same. House painting.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Invivo Institute Research Foundation Inc., 89 Brush Hill Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Julia Prizing Unger, 101 Brookline Ave., Albany, NY 12203. Foundation established to collect and compile clinical data to conduct research and advance the field of stuttering treatments and communications disorders and publish research data and findings.

HOLYOKE

Claudio Anesthesia, P.C., 50 Holy Family Road, Unit 110, Holyoke, MA 01040. Raymund Claudio Jr., same. Nurse anesthetist.

LEE

Assis Home Improvement Inc., 28 Lana Ave., Lee, MA 01238. Julio Lopes De Assis, same. Remodeling, carpentry, and painting.

LUDLOW

Warriors of Christ Inc., 32 Noel St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Jeffrey Sheltra, same. Nonprofit organization organized to hold charitable events in the community and provide assistance to less fortunate individuals.

PITTSFIELD

Affordable Granite & Cabinetry Outlet Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. John Quiles, 36 Route 9, Fishkill, NY 12524. Sales of cabinets, countertops, and flooring.

Kafca Engineering and International Trading Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Basri Duman, same. Energy-system supplies and services.

Nimbusnest Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Tina Paul, same. Temp staffing agency.

RUSSELL

Massconn Minisplits Inc., 370 Pine Hill Road, Russell, MA 01071. ThomasSkrodzki Sr., 372 Pine Hill Road, Russell, MA 01071. Installation of mini-splits and heat-pump systems.

SPRINGFIELD

Delicias Caribenas Inc., 700 Berkshire Ave., Springfield, MA 75253. Luis Otero, 1883 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. To engage in a comfortable ambience with brothers and sisters in Christ and help those in need related to hunger.

Level-Up Tobacco & Convenience Inc., 784 Page Blvd., Springfield, MA 01104. Naji Rageh, same. Convenience store with tobacco sales.

People Aligning to Create Harmony NFP Inc., 227 Mill St., Springfield, MA 01118. Jorge Perez, same. Charitable organization established to engage in educational, charitable, and civic activities.

Sphinx Sparx Inc., 235 Chestnut St., Unit 15, Springfield, MA 01103. Kelyn Zelaya Rodriguez, same. Conducting business operations, entering contracts, acquiring assets, and engaging in commercial transactions.

WESTFIELD

Erwin Electrical Services Inc., 53 Westwood Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Michael Erwin, same. Electrical contracting and installation work, including but not limited to fire warning and security systems.

Union Mart Liquor Inc., 420 Union St., Suite D, Westfield, MA 01085. Nilkumar Patel, 788 Willard St., Apt. 504, Quincy, MA 02169. Package store.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Fresh Dish Halal Inc., 170 Morton St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Ibrahim Mohamed, same. Catering food business.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

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

AMHERST

Amherst Associates LLC
370 East Northampton Road
Gregory Konover

Chao Designs PLLC
128 Snell St.
Maria Chao

Common Share Food Co-op
57 Oak Knoll St.
Jennifer Goodheart

CTI Energy Services LLC
37 South Pleasant St.
Thomas Timmins

David Hillerby Photography
314 Amity St.
David Hillerby

DRFAM LLC
460 West St.
David Rice

Law Office of Tricia L. Montgomery
22 Lessey St., #320
Tricia Montgomery

Maureen Buchanan Jones
338 Pelham Road
Maureen Jones

Next Granola
16 Cranberry Lane
Susan Chinman

Redwood Enterprises
357 West Pomeroy Lane
Eric Spokas

Redwood Milling and Timber
357 West Pomeroy Lane
Eric Spokas

Riverbend A&E Farm
357 West Pomeroy Lane
Eric Spokas

Simply Ten
16 Cranberry Lane
Susan Chinman

Tanbrook Studios
83 Chestnut St.
Pamela Ledoux

Tricia’s Creations
22 Lessey St., #320
Tricia Montgomery

EASTHAMPTON

Big Beer Draught Co.
49 Westview Ter.
Brett Roy

Construction Trades English
116 Pleasant St., #420
Denis Wogan

ESL Cambridge
116 Pleasant St., #420
Denis Wogan

The Vintage Cellar East
122 Pleasant St.
Jasmine Montanaro

Western Mass Drones
186 Northampton St.
Janel Jorda

HADLEY

Advance Auto Parts
346 Russell St.
Advance Stores Co.

Bay Road Firewood
35 Lawrence Plain Road
Kenneth Koeher

Energy Unwinding
108 Russell St.
Kimberly Kyounghokoh

Ffitt Health
234 Russell St.
Efosa Guobadia

J2 Living Co. LLC
333 River Dr.
James Palmier, Jack Dumala

Mattress Firm
7 South Maple St.
Mattress Firm Inc.

Sunny Brook Farm
6 Mount Warner Road
Joseph Boisvert, Michelle Boisvert

Western Mass Hearing
104A Russell St.
Deborah Reed

PITTSFIELD

BAM Enterprise
82 Wendell Ave.
Beaty’s Affiliate Marketing LLC

Bei Tempi
195 Onota St.
Zukes Soups & Variety LLC

Berkshire Concrete Corp.
550 Cheshire Road
Petricca Industries Inc.

Cim’s Line Co.
454 Pecks Road
Joseph Cimini Jr.

Cuppa Love LLC
16 Kensington Ave.
Emily Silver

EL Cleaning Services
80 Plunkett St.
Emilly Tozzo Lein

King & Sons Enterprises
83 Lafayette St.
King & Sons Enterprises Inc.

Old Stagecoach
82 West Housatonic St.
Jeremy Smith, RyanAnne Naughton

Placita Latina Restaurant & Market
41 North St.
Vladimir Cruz Romero

Premier Mobile Logistics
82 Wendell Ave.
Ethan Castillo

Teva’s Little Family Childcare
87 Livingston Ave.
Teva O’Rourke Iacuessa

SOUTH HADLEY

Clean Cuts South Hadley
28 Maple St.
Joshua Breault

Philip Randazzo Media
76 Hadley Village Road, Apt. A
Philip Randazzo

Pink Door Photography
2 Lyman St.
Pink Door Photography

WESTFIELD

Community Church of Westfield
170 Elm St.
Advent Christian Church of Westfield

DVM Engineering
14 Meadowbrook Lane
Dmitriy Mayboroda

Grateful Bake House
28 Court St.
Jamie Michalski

JPS1
555 Russell Road, Unit A3
Jenna Shoup

JPS2
13 Allen Ave.
April Esposito

Park Square Dental, P.C.
60 Court St.
Sushma Reddy, Donthi Reddy

Phantum Fan
14 Sycamore St., #19
Caleb Konopko

Pint Sized Play
13 Phelps Ave.
Jennifer Balland

Pioneer Tree Co.
35 New Broadway
Roman Tikhonchuk

Problem Solvers Handycouple
21 Klondike Ave.
Larisa Snow, Yury Mishyn

Railroad Auto Recycling LLC
19 Railroad Ave.
Railroad Auto Recycling LLC

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Argonm, Andres
Argon (Deceased), Santa
40 Chapin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/17/2024

Girard, Francis G.
70 State Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/18/2024

MacDonald, Robin F.
a/k/a Aubin, Robin F.
210 River Road
South Deerfield, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2024

Martinelli, Cristalle Lee
PO Box 851
Bondsville, MA 01009
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/21/2024

Martinez-Marrero, Jonathan Omar
PO Box 6036
Holyoke, MA 01041
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/24/2024

McFee, Amber Dawn
266 Old North Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/17/2024

Nina, Ana Mercedes
10 Sanderson St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/19/2024

Nye, John Adam
566 Hapgood St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/24/2024

O’Toole-Roselli, Jeffrey John
118 Wait St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/20/2024

Phillips, Carl C
Marusarz-Phillips, Laurie J.
a/k/a Marusarz, Laurie J.
240 Lenox Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2024

Sanchez, Sureina
183 Michigan Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/18/2024

Silberstein, Stayce L.
PO Box 376
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/19/2024

Turner, Ada M.
107 Vadnais St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/17/2024

Zoito, Jeremy A.
27 Watson St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/18/2024

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

ASHFIELD

634 Bellus Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Michael J. Schunke
Seller: J. E. Branson
Date: 06/27/24

141 Buckland Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Loch Lurel LLC
Seller: Lakeside Park LLC
Date: 06/25/24

143-A Buckland Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Loch Lurel LLC
Seller: Burning Sesation LLC
Date: 06/25/24

143-B Buckland Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Loch Lurel LLC
Seller: Burning Sesation LLC
Date: 06/25/24

143-C Buckland Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Loch Lurel LLC
Seller: Burning Sesation LLC
Date: 06/25/24

28 Meadow Lane
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Sheila Graves
Seller: Matthew J. Glassman
Date: 07/03/24

86 South St.
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Gloria Pacosa
Seller: Stephen Ouimet
Date: 06/27/24

544 Spruce Corner Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jennifer Nascimento
Seller: Lynne A. Fifield
Date: 06/28/24

BUCKLAND

11 Creamery Ave.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $543,000
Buyer: Corey Bruffee
Seller: Pathlight Inc.
Date: 07/03/24

64 Water St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $506,000
Buyer: Charles E. Burns
Seller: Aimee Gelnaw
Date: 07/01/24

CONWAY

Cricket Hill Road, Lot 1
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Commonwealth Of Mass.
Seller: Lewis, Thomas H., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/24

Cricket Hill Road Lot 2
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Commonwealth Of Mass.
Seller: Lewis, Thomas H., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/24

576 Shelburne Falls Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Laurie Farkas
Seller: Deborah Wilkes Int.
Date: 06/26/24

DEERFIELD

35 Elm Circle
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $427,500
Buyer: Courtney Gagne
Seller: Kevin R. Kittilstved
Date: 06/21/24

5 Elm St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $509,000
Buyer: 5 Elm St LLC
Seller: Lawrence A. Golonka
Date: 07/02/24

337 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Daniel F. Graves
Seller: Suzanne Nowak
Date: 06/26/24

594 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Bement School Inc.
Seller: Arpc LLC
Date: 06/27/24

Mountain Road, Lot 2
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Jonatha L. Pepyne
Seller: Zajac, Henry, (Estate)
Date: 07/02/24

57 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Christine Grimaldi
Seller: Liam O’Brien
Date: 06/28/24

64 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Ann M. Konieczny
Seller: Judith A. Ress
Date: 06/21/24

62 Wapping Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: Talbott L. Simonds
Seller: Wapping Road Holdings LLC
Date: 07/02/24

GREENFIELD

46-48 Church St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Daniel B. Davis
Seller: Eds Enterprises LLC
Date: 06/24/24

175 Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Jennifer D. Ladner
Seller: Carol W. Conrad
Date: 06/25/24

58 Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Michael Audet
Seller: Jeffrey P. Klein
Date: 06/24/24

97 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: Jean Smith
Date: 06/21/24

270 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Jaduke Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: 270 Main Greenfield LLC
Date: 06/27/24

9 Orchard St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $495,500
Buyer: Patrick Glass
Seller: Kevin M. Sweeney
Date: 06/28/24

34 Overland Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $266,670
Buyer: Karen A. Bergstrom
Seller: Bergstrom, Ann D., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/24

3 Village Green
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mitchell Penfield
Seller: Jessica Bryant
Date: 06/28/24

68 West St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $247,400
Buyer: Chane Closser
Seller: Christopher R. Pastuszak
Date: 06/21/24

41-43 Woodleigh Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: LCS Realty LLC
Seller: Robert A. Depalma
Date: 06/25/24

HEATH

166 Number 9 Road
Heath, MA 01367
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Frederick A. Schnarr
Seller: Donald W. Johnson
Date: 06/28/24

LEVERETT

Long Hill Road, Lot 3
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Christine G. McDannald
Seller: Anibal Gonzalez-Rivera
Date: 06/21/24

LEYDEN

97 River Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Nancy Soderstrom
Seller: Nikolas J. Adamski
Date: 07/03/24

MONTAGUE

41 Coolidge Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Pasha Realty LLC
Seller: Jason M. Spencer
Date: 07/01/24

1 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ryan Maloney
Seller: Joel C. Tognarelli
Date: 07/02/24

52 J St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: John Anctil
Seller: Genevieve Schmidt
Date: 07/02/24

29 Main St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Gordon R. Morse
Seller: Harry S. Rockland-Miller
Date: 07/03/24

23 Old Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Carolyn Murray
Seller: Nancy A. Stafford
Date: 06/27/24

3 Taylor Heights
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $534,000
Buyer: Richard Cramm
Seller: Foote, Robert, (Estate)
Date: 07/02/24

NORTHFIELD

33 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Cynthia J. Graves
Seller: Kathryn M. Hartshorne
Date: 06/27/24

15 South Mountain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $345,100
Buyer: Matthew T. Belden
Seller: Gary M. Weber
Date: 06/28/24

ORANGE

42 Butterworth Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Ashley Thiboutot
Seller: John A. Gostan
Date: 06/26/24

75 Congress St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Scot Gordon
Seller: Bonita L. Bradshaw
Date: 07/05/24

48 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Triangle Works LLC
Seller: Orange Technology Center Inc.
Date: 06/26/24

19 Howe St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $246,030
Buyer: Christopher J. Malm
Seller: Amy Greene
Date: 06/28/24

25 Rogers Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Emanuele A. Trapella
Seller: Shirley Woffenden
Date: 06/21/24

SHELBURNE

183 South Shelburne Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $374,000
Buyer: Leslie Fowle
Seller: Underwood, Craig A., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/24

SHUTESBURY

244 Baker Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Phillip M. Hampton
Seller: Branden Eugenio
Date: 07/03/24

64 Pratt Corner Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Claire Dutton
Seller: Robert Moss
Date: 06/28/24

SUNDERLAND

19 Ledgewood Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Taylor B. Marcotte
Seller: Neal N. Slocombe
Date: 06/28/24

WHATELY

38 Mountain Road
Whately, MA 01066
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Jason Judge
Seller: Barbara K. Pomeroy
Date: 06/28/24

265 River Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Darcy J. Tozier
Seller: Darcy J. Tozier
Date: 06/26/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

58 Alhambra Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Stacey L. Belliveau
Seller: Lindsay Cournoyer
Date: 06/27/24

12 Castle Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Carol A. Slate
Seller: Grus, Theresa A., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

462-464 Corey St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Timothy Girich
Seller: Raymond J. Nardi
Date: 06/24/24

76 Fox Farm Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jacob Averill
Seller: Andrea L. Poirier
Date: 06/24/24

191 Franklin St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Angela C. Boulay
Seller: Bonnie Merrifield
Date: 06/27/24

75 Greenacre Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: James J. Gutowski
Seller: Richard Tonelli
Date: 06/25/24

83-85 Kanawha Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jack Chen
Seller: Marie-Elaina Graves
Date: 07/02/24

188 Line St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $212,760
Buyer: Equity Trust Co.
Seller: Peter A. Boadry
Date: 06/28/24

236 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Hafza F. Madeen
Seller: Yichao Xu
Date: 06/24/24

122 Nicole Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $671,000
Buyer: Mark C. Watson LT
Seller: Hillside Development Corp.
Date: 06/21/24

77 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: Jacob Rickmon
Seller: Colemac NT
Date: 07/02/24

67 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Stephen Hawes
Seller: David P. McGurn
Date: 06/25/24

115 South West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Ivan A. Guzman
Seller: Robert Lareau
Date: 07/02/24

916 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $1,550,000
Buyer: Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar
Seller: Kapetanios Realty LLC
Date: 06/25/24

1114 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Aster Realty LLC
Seller: Carl C. Zimmerman
Date: 07/01/24

29 Yale Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jcs Properties LLC
Seller: Paul F. Radtke
Date: 06/26/24

BLANDFORD

4 Beulah Land Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: David Barone
Seller: John C. Zalot
Date: 06/26/24

10 Kaolin Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Meghan Sullivan
Seller: Caitlin R. Talbot
Date: 06/28/24

BRIMFIELD

44 3rd St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $791,400
Buyer: Michael J. Placella
Seller: Elizabeth A. Hinckley
Date: 06/21/24

65 Dix Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Daniel Johnson
Seller: Raymond A. Rousseau
Date: 06/25/24

119 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Joseph B. Finnegan
Seller: Srv Properties LLC
Date: 06/21/24

146 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: James Esterbrook
Seller: John Robinson
Date: 06/26/24

CHICOPEE

139 Beauregard Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Keys Upgrade LLC
Seller: Adrienne Nietupski
Date: 06/21/24

78 Catherine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Sudan Curiel
Seller: Gerald R. Davignon
Date: 07/02/24

16 Chapman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Chapman LLC
Seller: Robert Couture
Date: 06/28/24

828 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $920,000
Buyer: CT River View LLC
Seller: Elliot N. Scher
Date: 06/26/24

50 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $549,900
Buyer: Jennifer A. Buck
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 07/01/24

149 Cyran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Michael D. Hinton
Seller: Debra A. Marcotte
Date: 06/28/24

47 Davenport St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $294,175
Buyer: Jennifer A. Krok
Seller: Kyle Robert
Date: 06/21/24

18 Devlin Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Kristiana Tadeo
Seller: Laurie Berry
Date: 07/02/24

626 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Abdullah Karam
Seller: Roger W. Raymond
Date: 06/21/24

98 Fair St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michelle Navarro
Seller: Scott Thomas
Date: 06/25/24

34 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Wendy Turgeon
Seller: Jennifer Summers
Date: 06/28/24

133 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Aaron Gallaspie
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 06/26/24

854 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Silent Enterprises LLC
Date: 06/25/24

854 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Silent Enterprises LLC
Seller: Denise L. Coleman
Date: 06/25/24

87 Greenpoint Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Laurie Berry
Seller: Skiba LT
Date: 07/02/24

33 Haynes Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $4,200,000
Buyer: GMS Realty LLP
Seller: C. & C. Mass Ventures LLC
Date: 07/01/24

177 Holyoke Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $406,500
Buyer: Amber M. Joly
Seller: Steven E. Humel
Date: 06/27/24

22 Hunt Seat Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Mindy Wojcik
Seller: Kathleen M. Boutin
Date: 06/26/24

81 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Katie Vient
Seller: Enrique M. Chavez
Date: 06/28/24

148 Joy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Revamp Realty LLC
Seller: Ted Popper
Date: 06/25/24

281 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Benjamin O. Cowden
Seller: Frederick J. Gagnon
Date: 06/21/24

55 Mary St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Alyssa C. Arnell
Seller: Furgal, Linda, (Estate)
Date: 06/27/24

65 Mathieu Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jose Padilla
Seller: Lydia M. Drouillard
Date: 06/21/24

233 Murphy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Luis Leon
Seller: Schreiber, Marion J., (Estate)
Date: 07/02/24

96 Nonotuck Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $737,000
Buyer: V. & B. Enterprise LLC
Seller: Geoffrey W. King
Date: 07/03/24

88 Paradise St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Meaghan Lancaster
Seller: Sara A. Windyka
Date: 07/03/24

125 Poplar St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Robert A. Noyes
Seller: Beliveau FT
Date: 07/03/24

34 Richelieu St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Michael Clemente
Seller: Philip J. Alarie
Date: 06/26/24

89 Rochester St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Crystal M. Pares
Seller: Miguel A. Aguirre-Rivera
Date: 07/02/24

10 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: David N. Plante
Seller: Slats RT
Date: 06/28/24

14 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: David N. Plante
Seller: Slats RT
Date: 06/28/24

145 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Sybel Gonzalez
Seller: Albert R. Mason
Date: 06/27/24

73 Summit Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Livingwater Capital LLC
Seller: Norman L. Breton
Date: 06/28/24

78 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Silene E. Mendes-Correia
Seller: Kenneth Damours
Date: 07/03/24

26 Walter St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Princess Nuah
Seller: Lois A. Brown
Date: 07/01/24

33 Walton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Alex S. Morneau
Seller: Denice Turcotte
Date: 07/02/24

17 Warwick Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Finn C. McCool
Seller: Michael P. McCool
Date: 06/24/24

33 Wildermere St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joseph Boudreau
Seller: Reardon, Jennifer L., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

11 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Jose Cid
Seller: A-O-K RT
Date: 07/02/24

115 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Kevin C. Langley
Seller: Anthony Hernandez
Date: 07/02/24

5 Corning St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Carley A. Ballard
Seller: Hadley B. Pellegrino
Date: 06/28/24

44 East Village Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Derek A. Johnson
Seller: James T. White
Date: 06/21/24

149 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Adam J. Christensen
Seller: Christina E. Rolfe
Date: 06/28/24

7 Fairway Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Sonia Riyaz
Seller: Vamshi Thandra
Date: 06/21/24

29 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Fitzgerald Home Solutions LLC
Seller: Zych, Jeanette E., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

Happy Acres Lane, Lot 2-5
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Morning Dow RT
Seller: Happy Acres LLC
Date: 06/26/24

46 Highlandview Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Daniel Foster
Seller: Thomas P. Ogoley
Date: 06/27/24

286 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Brownmeadow LLC
Seller: 286 Maple Street NT
Date: 06/24/24

45 Old Farm Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: David Blank
Seller: Christine M. Talbot
Date: 06/28/24

689 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Melissa K. Gogan
Seller: Martin P. Loiselle
Date: 07/02/24

353 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Analytical Sciences Marketing
Seller: Bryant Biccum
Date: 06/28/24

872 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Margaret M. Larocca
Seller: Robert R. Driscoll
Date: 06/25/24

HAMPDEN

151 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $731,500
Buyer: Cassandra Fitzpatrick
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 06/28/24

HOLLAND

10 Blodgett Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Luzannelis Pagan
Seller: Heather E. Johnson
Date: 06/24/24

3 Chaffee Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $182,398
Buyer: Rcaf Loan Acquisition LP
Seller: Francis Zaik
Date: 06/27/24

HOLYOKE

297 Apremont Hwy.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anchor Church Inc.
Seller: Maisha LLC
Date: 06/28/24

24 Bayberry Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Alfred Estabrook
Seller: Brittany Wajda
Date: 06/28/24

45 Berkshire St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Edwin Feliciano
Seller: Edgar J. Diaz
Date: 06/28/24

3-5 Canby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Sophal Khun
Seller: 45 Pine Street Assocs. Inc.
Date: 07/01/24

223 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Nationwide Community Revitalization
Seller: Morgan Stanley M. T. 2006-1
Date: 07/03/24

275 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Holyoke Health Center Inc.
Seller: 275 High St. Holyoke LLC
Date: 07/03/24

408 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Alyssa Y. Guevara
Seller: Alicia Rosario
Date: 06/25/24

412 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Alyssa Y. Guevara
Seller: Alicia Rosario
Date: 06/25/24

35-41 James St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Austin Choquette
Seller: Herbert FT
Date: 06/21/24

132 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $206,500
Buyer: Rafael Correa
Seller: Jorge Correa
Date: 07/02/24

48-50 Longwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: John C. Areche
Seller: Mary K. Day
Date: 07/01/24

60 Lower Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Mason Scott
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 06/27/24

174-180 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Elliot Properties LLC
Seller: Boston Home Invest LLC
Date: 06/25/24

13-15 Meadow St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Daniel B. Stone
Seller: Elissette M. Marquez
Date: 06/24/24

LONGMEADOW

107 Albemarle Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Tracy Christensen
Seller: Lawrence L. Goldberg
Date: 06/26/24

118 Chiswick St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Edwin Maldonado
Seller: Keith T. Sell
Date: 06/21/24

196 Coventry Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Al-Thoun TR
Seller: Susan E. Gaynor IRT
Date: 06/21/24

154 Deepwoods Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $497,500
Buyer: Douglas C. Ratner
Seller: Lisa M. Ross
Date: 06/21/24

203 Ellington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,002,500
Buyer: Anthony Vitiello
Seller: Jennifer M. Mathews
Date: 06/21/24

287 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Annita Jones
Seller: Grammatiki Anderson
Date: 07/02/24

64 Lincoln Park
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $429,500
Buyer: Reatrey Chen
Seller: Robin T. Mulcahy
Date: 06/27/24

41 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Kurtis R. Brown
Seller: CKJ Realty LLC
Date: 06/21/24

418 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Peter D. McFadden
Seller: Henrietta I. Idumwonyi
Date: 07/02/24

48 Maplewood St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Kyle Miller
Seller: Jillian D. Pugliese
Date: 06/26/24

140 Massachusetts Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Thompson Sunderaj
Seller: Luis Racks Installer Corp.
Date: 06/28/24

6 Meadow Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Benjamin Reardon
Seller: Christopher K. Curtis
Date: 06/27/24

168 Merriweather Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Stephen W. Hopkins
Seller: William T. McCarry
Date: 07/01/24

68 Pendleton Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $990,000
Buyer: Bin Wang
Seller: Diane M. Braden RET
Date: 06/28/24

249 Redfern Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $442,500
Buyer: Jordan Russell
Seller: 249 Redfern Drive LLC
Date: 06/28/24

LUDLOW

21 Amherst St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $288,900
Buyer: Kelly Closser
Seller: Property Advantage Inc.
Date: 06/28/24

Avelino Way, Lot 7
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Lee Realty Co. LLC
Seller: Pauldin LLC
Date: 06/27/24

Avelino Way, Lot 8
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Lee Realty Co LLC
Seller: Pauldin LLC
Date: 06/27/24

Balsam Hill Road, Lot 78
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Danill Gerasimchuk
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 06/24/24

19 Beachside Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Stacy L. Martin
Seller: Paul W. Perreault
Date: 06/28/24

53 Edison Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jonah P. Cummings
Seller: Joe S. Lopes
Date: 06/24/24

61 Edison Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: William C. Shephard
Seller: Walter E. Craven
Date: 07/03/24

21 Homestretch Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Gary E. Chenaille
Seller: Edward F. O’Neil
Date: 06/26/24

20 Jennifer Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Danielle M. Baker
Seller: Oscar Rosario
Date: 06/27/24

55 Karen Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Americo G. Dacruz
Seller: Sally D. Sepiol
Date: 06/28/24

32 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Curtis B. Perreault
Seller: Carlos M. Genovevo
Date: 06/27/24

51 Laroche St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Karen Coppolino
Seller: Michele Mirlocca
Date: 06/25/24

280 Munsing St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Landry
Seller: Louis P. Langlois
Date: 06/28/24

39 Pondview Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Amy Marshall
Seller: Nicole L. Gleason
Date: 06/28/24

15 Richmond Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Haleigh E. Knowlton
Seller: Ryan B. Churchill
Date: 06/25/24

115 Timberidge Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: James D. Heyrana
Seller: Frederick J. Roper
Date: 06/28/24

444 Ventura St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Joejoe Properties LLC
Seller: Susa, Thomas J.,(Estate)
Date: 06/24/24

127 Vienna Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ismael Hernandez
Seller: Nelson, Richard D., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

195 Woodland Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $431,000
Buyer: Olivia Martins
Seller: Kevin Dowling
Date: 06/21/24

MONSON

9 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Seller: Dustin B. Raney
Date: 06/24/24

172 Brimfield Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Leif Ronaldson
Seller: Christian J. Young
Date: 07/01/24

152 Lower Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jody Weidler
Seller: Jacques D. Bourgault
Date: 06/27/24

206 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Kimberly Segien
Seller: Michael G. Roberge
Date: 06/26/24

43 Upper Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Dylan Thomas
Seller: William L. Skinner
Date: 07/02/24

PALMER

83 Fairview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Jacob A. Shrewsbury
Seller: Amanda Szidat
Date: 06/28/24

40 Forest Lake Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Yevgeniy Tsvetov
Seller: Lisa A. Beaudry
Date: 06/28/24

47 Fuller Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Timothy Merchant
Seller: Varakas RT
Date: 06/28/24

4209-4215 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Chloe Laduke
Seller: Sergio Dacruz
Date: 06/21/24

2089 Oak St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Betsy Sanchez
Seller: Chenevert Properties LLC
Date: 06/24/24

2002 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Hunter Methot
Seller: Brenda L. Methot
Date: 07/02/24

61 Riverview Pkwy.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: JoeJoe Properties LLC
Seller: Jesse Heroux
Date: 06/28/24

26 Rockview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Benjamin F. Normandin
Seller: Kenneth H. Trabert
Date: 07/01/24

RUSSELL

33 Old New England Path
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $401,000
Buyer: Ryan L. Slayton
Seller: Steven M. Jones
Date: 06/26/24

SPRINGFIELD

110 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Katherine Lindeman
Seller: Robert E. Dancy
Date: 06/25/24

39 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $293,500
Buyer: Xiumei Ye
Seller: Mint Realty Group LLC
Date: 06/28/24

1962 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Michael J. McLaughlin
Seller: Northeast Asset Mgmt. LLC
Date: 07/01/24

331-335 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,030,000
Buyer: Mallary Village LLC
Seller: Ginkgo Holdings LLC
Date: 06/28/24

69-71 Ardmore St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Aguasvivas Realty LLC
Seller: 69-71 Ardmore Street LLC
Date: 06/21/24

23 Audubon St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Debra C. Brown
Seller: Stephen A. Chmielewski
Date: 07/03/24

42-46 Baldwin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Kaynu Mgmt. Group LLC
Seller: Karl P. Baxter
Date: 06/27/24

18 Bamforth Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Meka Projects LLC
Seller: Doe, Jill W. (Estate)
Date: 06/21/24

Barnum St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Better Builders Construction LLC
Seller: Corinne Pappelardo
Date: 07/03/24

1171 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sabrina Caceres
Seller: Bonnie Senecal
Date: 06/27/24

14-16 Beauregard St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Lisbeth Guerrero
Seller: Iveliz Ramos
Date: 06/27/24

121 Bellevue Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Lissette Morales
Seller: Roland Hope
Date: 06/28/24

661 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Seller: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Date: 07/01/24

29 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Round Two LLC
Seller: Melro Associates Inc.
Date: 06/27/24

87 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $352,500
Buyer: Robert E. Dancy
Seller: Douglas C. Kinney
Date: 06/25/24

1208 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Savanna Charow
Seller: SH Properties LLC
Date: 06/21/24

15-17 Bloomfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $231,750
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Kylin Sorl
Date: 06/28/24

1112 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Leonildo Ramos
Seller: Pinecrest Holdings LLC
Date: 07/01/24

1112 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $134,550
Buyer: Pinecrest Holdings LLC
Seller: 1090 Boston Road Inc.
Date: 07/01/24

82 Brittany Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Leonel A. Bunga
Seller: Maryanne B. Caughlin
Date: 06/28/24

314 Chapin Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jose R. Veras-Rodriguez
Seller: Kendy C. Concepcion
Date: 07/02/24

72 Chesterfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Edwin McCray
Seller: DS Group Investments LLC
Date: 06/24/24

400 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Melro Associates Inc.
Seller: Peter J. Griffin
Date: 07/01/24

61 Cornwall St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Marilyn Sanchez
Seller: 21 Shawmut Avenue LLC
Date: 07/01/24

68 Crestmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Janet S. Colon-Aviles
Seller: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Date: 07/02/24

95 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Yulissa E. Lebron
Seller: Anthoney M. Lomax
Date: 06/27/24

47 Dresden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Mtabele Mwandja
Seller: GNS Real Estate Investments LLC
Date: 06/28/24

109-111 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,400
Buyer: Julia M. Parache-Urena
Seller: Ellie Miller
Date: 06/26/24

170 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Chianta Mack
Seller: Roberto Flores
Date: 06/21/24

140 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Eckert
Seller: Roberto Rivera-Negron
Date: 07/03/24

84 Everett St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $253,800
Buyer: Everett RT
Seller: Rebecca Okyere
Date: 07/03/24

137 Feltham Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Pedro Rosado
Seller: Noel Y. Soto
Date: 06/21/24

86 Fernwold St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Kaynu Mgmt. Group LLC
Seller: Karl P. Baxter
Date: 06/27/24

86 Fernwood St.
Springfield, MA 01020
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Kaynu Mgmt. Group LLC
Seller: Karl P. Baxter
Date: 06/27/24

143 Fountain St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Sean Curran
Seller: Lisandra Melendez
Date: 06/27/24

11 Fowler St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: Mark A. Szalankiewicz
Date: 07/02/24

28-30 Glenham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Maher H. Abbood
Seller: Nathaly Pujols
Date: 06/21/24

20 Goldenrod St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Jennifer Hernandez
Seller: Phantom Holdings LLC
Date: 06/21/24

186-188 Goodwin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Dalia M. Wurszt
Seller: Joel Wall
Date: 06/21/24

81 Grand St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Kay Greaves
Seller: Catherine J. Guerri
Date: 06/28/24

70 Haskin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Victoria E. Shortt
Seller: Loren E. Boynton-Schimmel
Date: 06/28/24

7-9 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: John G. Joanides
Date: 06/28/24

58-60 Hollywood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Franiana M. Blanco Mendez
Seller: Hermite Dikilus
Date: 06/27/24

15 Jeffrey Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Frederick A. Hurst
Seller: Lisa D. McGrady
Date: 06/26/24

114 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Temeca L. Short
Seller: Cook & Assocs. Property Investment LLC
Date: 06/28/24

59-61 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Caravaleau Nazaire
Seller: Danielle Cruz
Date: 06/24/24

22 Leitch St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Amado V. Morales
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 06/28/24

17 Leland Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $271,372
Buyer: Cristian J. Garcia
Seller: Ashley N. Soto
Date: 07/03/24

88 Lloyd Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $210,618
Buyer: William T. Raleigh
Seller: Midfirst Bank
Date: 07/02/24

566-568 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: BH Property-Springfield LLC
Seller: Ronald W. Chechile
Date: 06/28/24

38 Manchester Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Glorialyz De Los Santos
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 06/27/24

105-107 Marlborough St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Almiro De Jesus
Seller: Mass. Housing Connect Inc.
Date: 06/26/24

39 Martha St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Samuel Farinloye
Seller: Nanamensah K. Ansah
Date: 06/28/24

15 Middlesex St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: JT Realty Associates Inc.
Seller: Devon Sutherland
Date: 07/03/24

227 Mill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: 227 Mill St. TR
Seller: 227 Mill Street LLC
Date: 06/28/24

272 Mill St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Richemene E. Placius
Seller: Mtabele Mwandjam
Date: 06/28/24

61 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Hassan Tlais
Seller: Julio C. Rodriguez
Date: 06/28/24

35 Montclair St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: John S. Tilley
Date: 07/03/24

114 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Edwin D. Gonzalez-Rosario
Seller: Global Homes Prop. LLC
Date: 06/25/24

71 Mountainview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Fabert Joseph
Seller: Judith P. James
Date: 06/21/24

6 North Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Judith E. Gagnon
Seller: Louise J. Roncallii
Date: 06/28/24

204 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $539,900
Buyer: Tamika Harvey
Seller: Jose R. Abreu
Date: 07/01/24

393 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: RM Blerman LLC
Seller: Robert S. Decoteau
Date: 06/21/24

97 Old Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jamie Hopkins
Seller: Brian W. Elliott
Date: 07/01/24

51-53 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Stephanie Hall-Thomas
Seller: Leslie M. Bennett
Date: 07/02/24

27 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Carlos Colondres
Seller: Brittany Tobey-Bowers
Date: 07/02/24

1205 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jackeline Rosario
Seller: Lamoureux, Elanor A, (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

1061 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Owen J. Smith
Seller: Gabriel Paredes
Date: 06/28/24

248 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Omyr J. Bernard-Vega
Seller: A&T Properties LLC
Date: 07/01/24

68 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Sadeeq Foster
Seller: Walkis Figueroa
Date: 06/28/24

170 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Danielle Cruz
Seller: Geraldine A. Brasin
Date: 06/24/24

338 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kayla Decaro
Seller: Zachary A. Van Dyk
Date: 06/21/24

110 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Kaynu Mgmt. Group LLC
Seller: Viet Tran
Date: 06/27/24

83 Pilgrim Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Maria P. Wagner
Seller: Douglas A. Laravee
Date: 06/28/24

1271 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Jose Bayron
Seller: Patrick Mastrobattista
Date: 06/28/24

62 Pomona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $293,500
Buyer: Xiumei Ye
Seller: Mint Realty Group LLC
Date: 06/28/24

83 Progress Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Dubrey Springfield LLC
Seller: Marie G. Dubrey
Date: 07/02/24

24-26 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Lazaire Delisca
Seller: Dolores Abreu
Date: 07/03/24

290 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Wilkins J. Franco Zorrilla
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 06/21/24

45 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tafadzwa Dapi
Seller: Kristine Rolley
Date: 06/28/24

160 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Jodi Smith-Perkins
Seller: Rosalyn A. Mazza-Shepard
Date: 06/28/24

204 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kimberly Perez
Seller: Crystal Pares
Date: 07/02/24

114 Saint James Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: AJ Capital Inc.
Seller: Abfc 2004-Opt5 TR
Date: 07/01/24

School St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $2,070,000
Buyer: Matthew Rasetta
Seller: New Man Ventures LLC
Date: 06/21/24

105-111 School St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $2,070,000
Buyer: Matthew Rasetta
Seller: New Man Ventures LLC
Date: 06/21/24

70 Sherman St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Manuel Cid
Seller: Felix De La Cruz
Date: 06/28/24

61 Southern Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Bonnie Senecal
Seller: John M. Stavro
Date: 06/27/24

35 Squire Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Troy Norrington
Seller: Debra Tougias
Date: 07/02/24

447-451 State St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Soun E. Chheou
Seller: 447 State Street LLC
Date: 07/02/24

65 Stuart St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $483,650
Buyer: Shirley Vazquez
Seller: East Coast Contracting LL
Date: 06/27/24

20 Taber St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Roland Hope
Seller: Justin P. McKennon
Date: 06/28/24

191 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Candida Santos
Seller: Angelica Rosario
Date: 06/28/24

75-77 Tulsa St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Albert & Mary Pennino TR
Seller: Briana Carlos
Date: 07/03/24

14 Tumbleweed Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Eberto T. Marroquin
Seller: Bruce L. White
Date: 06/28/24

41 Tyler St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Jaime Welch
Seller: Rmo Pra Inc.
Date: 06/21/24

213 Tyler St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Zarcone
Seller: Kenrick Williams
Date: 06/28/24

122 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Emmanuel Serrano
Seller: Graham & Lumpkin LLC
Date: 07/01/24

120 Welland Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $247,700
Buyer: Maria A. Arbour
Seller: Berthiaume, Frances, (Estate)
Date: 06/27/24

76 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Isaiah Polk
Seller: Troy Norrington
Date: 06/21/24

373 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Rusber Diaz
Seller: Miguel A. Algarin
Date: 07/03/24

415-417 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Oluwatimilehin Fagade
Seller: Mabel D. Guicho
Date: 06/25/24

139-141 Woodside Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: FH Vision Inc.
Seller: Phuong Q. Phan
Date: 07/01/24

SOUTHWICK

19 Charles Johnson Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Kenneth Potts
Seller: Doiron, Jean Y. (Estate)
Date: 06/25/24

17 Fernwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Robert Solitario
Seller: John Drude
Date: 06/21/24

6 Ham Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Eduard V. Chekhovskiy
Seller: Joseph Gilbert
Date: 07/03/24

234 Sheep Pasture Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Elisabeth Neufeld
Seller: Aga Brothers LLC
Date: 06/28/24

110 Summer Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Kyle D. Garrapy
Seller: Mhi Properties LLC
Date: 06/25/24

Tall Pines Trail, Lot 25
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 06/26/24

Tall Pines Trail, Lot 27
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 06/26/24

 

TOLLAND

56 Brook Lane
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: David Gufarotti
Seller: Tolland Property NT
Date: 06/28/24

7 Stones Throw Dr.
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Melissa K. Long
Seller: Bachta, Bruce F. (Estate)
Date: 06/21/24

231 Thicket Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $412,000
Buyer: Brian Zakrzwski
Seller: Peter Scrivener
Date: 06/21/24

WALES

7 Cordially Colony
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Konstanty Zaleski
Seller: Frank C. & D. G. Larosa LT
Date: 06/27/24

9 Heck Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Christine M. Fleming
Seller: Carla Havunen-Johnson
Date: 07/02/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

47 Apple Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Daniella Tirone
Seller: Disilva, Betty Ann, (Estate)
Date: 06/27/24

63 Ashley St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Flipping Best LLC
Seller: Naple Home Buyers TR
Date: 06/28/24

131 Beacon Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Kirit N. Patel
Seller: Stephen M. Leo
Date: 07/02/24

159 Connecticut Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Erik Mirrow
Seller: Noah L. Cahillane
Date: 06/28/24

70 Doty Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: 70 Doty Circle LLC
Seller: Sandra M. Santinello
Date: 07/01/24

15 East School St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Ruby Lending LLC
Seller: Blackrock SH Group LLC
Date: 06/21/24

348 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Abdullah Nassir
Seller: Anthony P. Williams
Date: 06/24/24

848 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: 848 Elm Street LLC
Seller: Elm Street LLP
Date: 07/03/24

355 Ely Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jillian Wroth
Seller: Ellen Kupiec
Date: 06/24/24

86 Forest Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Michael T. Moriarty
Seller: Demetrios N. Panteleakis
Date: 06/28/24

180 Harwich Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Diana Dalma
Seller: Daniel R. Madore
Date: 06/28/24

Hyde Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Peter K. Menard
Seller: Suzanne Ashe
Date: 06/25/24

262 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Miquilina Evans
Seller: Roberto Lopez
Date: 06/27/24

78 Lincoln St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: David Hanson
Seller: Talal Mhanna
Date: 06/21/24

117 Paucatuck Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Rivers
Seller: Ellis Sr., William R., (Estate)
Date: 07/01/24

WESTFIELD

39 Atwater St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $281,800
Buyer: Thomas J. Howard
Seller: Robert P. White
Date: 06/28/24

148 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $332,500
Buyer: Whitney Greaney
Seller: Christopher Grimm
Date: 07/03/24

15 Bates St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Steven A. Gazda
Date: 07/03/24

63 Country Club Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Melissa M. Bodman
Seller: Richard E. Doiron
Date: 06/28/24

64 Deer Path Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Thomas H. Palaschak
Seller: Nikolay N. Stepanchuk
Date: 06/24/24

Dox Road, Lot 2
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Vitaliy Nazarets
Seller: Pezzini, Alfred M, (Estate)
Date: 07/01/24

967 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $318,500
Buyer: Crystal Edmond
Seller: Edmund J. Grabowski
Date: 06/27/24

11 Howard St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Atash Novruzov
Seller: Salim Abdoo
Date: 07/02/24

11 Lewis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Matthew Olinski
Seller: Tahnee R. Hildack
Date: 06/28/24

131 Lindbergh Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Gagnon
Seller: Joshua A. Read
Date: 06/25/24

16 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Katherine Montovani
Seller: Flipping Best LLC
Date: 06/21/24

61 Medieros Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $62,000,000
Buyer: Nhnr Holding Co. 3 LLC
Seller: Agnl Grocery LLC
Date: 06/24/24

1 Park St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Marilyn Morales
Seller: Alec F. Leavitt
Date: 06/21/24

16 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Zeki Kandemir
Seller: Nres LLC
Date: 07/01/24

28 Saint Paul St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Denis Okhrimenko
Seller: Vladimir Merenkov
Date: 06/28/24

217 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Pratt
Seller: James E. Pratt
Date: 06/27/24

134 Western Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Z. & M. Investments LLC
Seller: Margaret M. Kennedy
Date: 07/02/24

WILBRAHAM

3157 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: John J. Wynn
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 06/25/24

45 Brooklawn Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $476,000
Buyer: Lyia K. Hamel
Seller: Barbara F. Goodyear
Date: 06/25/24

46 Brooklawn Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $476,000
Buyer: Lyia K. Hamel
Seller: Barbara F. Goodyear
Date: 06/25/24

19 Colonial Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Benjamin C. Lunt
Seller: John W. Lanzoni
Date: 06/21/24

8 Dalton St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Megan A. Burlingham
Seller: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Date: 06/26/24

19 Delmor Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Melody Murray
Seller: Staff A. Tiderman
Date: 06/24/24

7 Katie St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Hassane Elmontassir
Seller: Radkowski, Joanne E. (Estate)
Date: 06/25/24

18 Linwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Laurie Tillberry
Seller: Jessica A. Orcutt
Date: 07/01/24

3 Manor Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Douglas Kinney
Seller: Edmund A. Daviau
Date: 07/02/24

470 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $523,000
Buyer: Jason Cafarelli
Seller: Stanley R. Shaw
Date: 07/01/24

14 Pine Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Joshua Santos
Seller: Valro Homes LLC
Date: 06/28/24

5 Sunrise Glen, Lot 5
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $449,650
Buyer: Craig A. Savoie
Seller: 2301 Boston Road LLC
Date: 06/28/24

27 West Colonial Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Xiongyun Zhou
Seller: Daniel E. Shea
Date: 06/21/24

12 Woodsley Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Phillip B. Chesky
Seller: Scott, Roy Linn, (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

850 Belchertown Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Harkness Road LLC
Seller: Steve A. Ozcelik
Date: 06/25/24

88 Blue Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Lia Barssord
Seller: Robert C. Stebbins
Date: 06/26/24

63 Curtis Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Sadaf B. Rathod
Seller: Kristine E. Larson
Date: 07/01/24

40 Deepwoods Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $551,900
Buyer: William C. Beale
Seller: Jacqueline K. Tuthill RET
Date: 07/01/24

77 Eames Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $583,000
Buyer: Hao Wang
Seller: Leidner, Bernhard, (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

130 Fearing St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: James S. Ambler
Seller: Yankhua Fan
Date: 07/01/24

7 Foxglove Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $755,000
Buyer: Marc A. Robert
Seller: Tamara Agarwal
Date: 06/27/24

15 Jeffrey Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: YG Jeffey Lane LLC
Seller: Wendy Stayman
Date: 06/21/24

100 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Jay Ansons View LLC
Seller: RET Mason I. Lowance Jr.
Date: 07/02/24

1184 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: 1184 North Pleasant LLC
Seller: Black Walnut LLC
Date: 07/02/24

47 Pokeberry Ridge
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $972,500
Buyer: William R. Tuthill LT
Seller: David P. Markland
Date: 06/28/24

9 Red Fox Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $649,000
Buyer: Barbara T. Kana
Seller: Edith Peter RET
Date: 06/27/24

29 Strong St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: 29 Strong Street LLC
Seller: Amherst Ballet Theatre Co.
Date: 07/02/24

28 Woodlot Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: John Bragg
Seller: Thomas L. Leatherman
Date: 07/01/24

35 Woodlot Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $810,000
Buyer: Chad Laclair
Seller: Angela P. Riva
Date: 07/02/24

CHESTERFIELD

Lake Shore Dr.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Dan Berger
Seller: Nancy L. Parmentier
Date: 06/24/24

Sugar Hill Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Dan Berger
Seller: Nancy L. Parmentier
Date: 06/24/24

BELCHERTOWN

233 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $464,000
Buyer: Colin A. Coleman
Seller: Raffi Milller
Date: 07/01/24

4 Daniel Square Ext.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Lyhieng A. Mao
Seller: Timothy Merchant
Date: 06/28/24

31 Goodell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Tyler J. Midura
Seller: Alan T. Stockwell
Date: 07/02/24

141 Granby Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $830,000
Buyer: Aaron Kay
Seller: Keith A. Laflame
Date: 06/28/24

121-123 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Vantage Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Mark C. Hatten
Date: 07/01/24

37 Hickory Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Brian Chamberlain
Seller: Jeffrey A. Rakers
Date: 06/28/24

425 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Amelia Good
Seller: Arpc LLC
Date: 07/02/24

CHESTERFIELD

238 Bryant St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Pamela A. Williams
Seller: Peter G. Smith
Date: 06/28/24

47 East St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $504,000
Buyer: Peter G. Smith
Seller: Gregory S. Smith
Date: 06/28/24

121 Ireland St.
Chesterfield, MA 01084
Amount: $686,000
Buyer: Steven M. Jones
Seller: Donovan, Gaylor R, (Estate)
Date: 06/26/24

502 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $357,503
Buyer: Deborah A. Moreau
Seller: Ladd, Kevin A., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

EASTHAMPTON

5 Droy Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Matthew Pelott
Seller: Maria A. Arbour
Date: 06/27/24

6-8 Emerald Place
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Alicia Rock
Seller: Cassandra L. McDermott
Date: 06/26/24

8 Kimberly Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Donna Brooks
Seller: Robert R. Ackley
Date: 06/27/24

336 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Easthampton Mahadev LLC
Seller: Thomas M. Woolley
Date: 07/03/24

1260 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tamara N. Sieracki
Seller: Joseph P. Sieracki
Date: 06/26/24

98-100 Pleasant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: William L. Bundy
Seller: Donna M. Babyak
Date: 06/27/24

16 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $466,300
Buyer: Hikari Mamata
Seller: Brendan D. Taylor
Date: 06/28/24

16 Steplar Xing
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Allison E. Dunn
Seller: Loudville Condo LLC
Date: 07/02/24

131 Strong St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $411,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Dietrick
Seller: Marcia Katz
Date: 06/21/24

45-47 Union St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Mintbath LLC
Seller: W. B. Mitchell TR
Date: 06/28/24

10 Westview Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Laura Gregory
Seller: Robert A. Goldberg
Date: 06/28/24

33 Westview Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $459,000
Buyer: Laura A. Mufson
Seller: Scott A. Callahan
Date: 06/25/24

GOSHEN

Hammond Acres Lot 271/2
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael A. Woolf
Seller: Lynne M. K. Gottlieb RET
Date: 07/02/24

Hammond Acres, Lot 28
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael A. Woolf
Seller: Lynne M. K. Gottlieb RET
Date: 07/02/24

Hammond Acres, Lot 353
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael A. Woolf
Seller: Lynne M. K. Gottlieb RET
Date: 07/02/24

Hammond Acres Lot 354
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael A. Woolf
Seller: Lynne M. K. Gottlieb RET
Date: 07/02/24

GRANBY

173 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Abbas Younes
Seller: Cascade Funding Mtg. TR Hb9
Date: 06/26/24

39 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $497,000
Buyer: Scott M. Dufour
Seller: Leo E. Fugler
Date: 06/21/24

126 South St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Robert D. Hopley
Seller: Ruth I. Mercer
Date: 06/28/24

HADLEY

6 Nikkis Way
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Chanaka J. Arachchi
Seller: Daniel W. Mitte
Date: 07/01/24

300 Venture Way
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $7,153,644
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion
Seller: Ncs Pearson Inc.
Date: 06/26/24

27 West St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $451,900
Buyer: Christopher Dietz
Seller: Byron FT II
Date: 07/02/24

HATFIELD

38 Mountain Road
Hatfield, MA 01066
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Jason Judge
Seller: Barbara K. Pomeroy
Date: 06/28/24

95 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $44,000,000
Buyer: Nhnr Holding Co. LLC
Seller: Agnl Grocery LLC
Date: 06/24/24

9 Raymond Ave.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Alvis Gonzalez
Seller: Kensington Marsh
Date: 06/27/24

144 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $437,500
Buyer: Nikolas J. Adamski
Seller: James W. Thayer
Date: 07/03/24

HUNTINGTON

3 East Main St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Crane Holdings LLC
Seller: B. and L. Bridge Store LLC
Date: 07/01/24

MIDDLEFIELD

104 West Hill Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: David A. Ingemi
Seller: Andrew J. Charig Gift TR
Date: 06/28/24

NORTHAMPTON

Grove Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Rhea S. Seo
Seller: Beaver Brook NT
Date: 06/28/24

285 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Zachary T. Welch
Seller: Czarnecki FT
Date: 06/27/24

51 Loudville Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $889,000
Buyer: Victoria Downey
Seller: Gerald W. Beltran
Date: 06/27/24

48 Lyman Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: William Fogel
Seller: Richard Wagner
Date: 06/21/24

79 Old Wilson Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Lindsey K. Wilby
Seller: Bonnie E. Hoffman
Date: 06/24/24

43 Orchard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Cristobal P. Martin RET
Seller: Elena H. Sharoff
Date: 06/24/24

159 Pine St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: River Valley Rest Home LLC
Seller: Reliance Holdings Corp.
Date: 06/21/24

46 Ridgewood Ter.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $705,000
Buyer: Darya Mattes
Seller: Phyllis Cove 2021 RET
Date: 06/24/24

48 Sterling Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Andrea M. Freeman
Seller: Kendra A. Dahlquist
Date: 06/24/24

56 Summer St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $739,729
Buyer: Deborah Barer
Seller: Henry E. Chen
Date: 06/28/24

56 Warner St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $503,500
Buyer: Eli Dwight
Seller: Bruce Cuddy
Date: 06/26/24

1024 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Nextgen Real Estate LLC
Seller: Sanborn, Christine E., (Estate)
Date: 06/28/24

15 Winter St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Ester Schulman
Seller: Catherine M. Cocco
Date: 07/02/24

PELHAM

59 Arnold Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $546,340
Buyer: Chelsea E. Grybko
Seller: Chelsea E. Grybko
Date: 06/26/24

PLAINFIELD

234 South Central St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Matthew Ingellis
Seller: James E. Bernhard
Date: 07/05/24

SOUTH HADLEY

69 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $210,479
Buyer: Cascade Funding Mtg. TR Hb8
Seller: Linda J. Leflowers
Date: 07/01/24

33 Dale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Oliver J. Mercier
Seller: Rousseau, Dyanne M. H. (Estate)
Date: 06/24/24

190 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $375,500
Buyer: Jason M. Walker
Seller: Kathleen R. Cowan
Date: 06/25/24

287 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nicholas B. Chavez
Seller: Brittany N. Ariyaratana
Date: 06/24/24

115 Lincoln Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Linsey M. Lord
Seller: Christine Murphy
Date: 07/01/24

150 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Timothy T. O’Donnell Irt
Seller: ML Saleh Holdings Inc.
Date: 07/03/24

28 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Quinn P. O’Donnell
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 06/28/24

33 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $634,400
Buyer: William B. Sawyer
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 06/25/24

161 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Jason P. Donovan
Seller: Ronald E. Zissell
Date: 06/21/24

2 Parkview Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $394,076
Buyer: Kh Hargrave-Amodio
Seller: Olivier Doisneau
Date: 07/01/24

163 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Steven J. Egstad
Seller: Allan T. Tracy
Date: 07/02/24

3 Warner St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Erin Moore FT
Seller: Diane D. Hooven
Date: 06/28/24

88 Willimansett St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Patrick Donnelly
Seller: Richard P. Brown
Date: 06/28/24

SOUTHAMPTON

34 Coleman Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Donna M. Babyak
Seller: David Kent
Date: 07/03/24

13 Cold Spring Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $735,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Hankins
Seller: Adell Donaghue
Date: 06/24/24

290 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Town Of Southampton
Seller: Norton Garfinkle
Date: 06/26/24

294 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Town Of Southampton
Seller: Norton Garfinkle
Date: 06/26/24

7 Freyer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Bds Investments LLC
Seller: Brittany E. Wright
Date: 06/28/24

75 Lead Mine Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Flanders Buyers LLC
Seller: New England Remodeling Genera
Date: 06/24/24

WARE

45 Aspen St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Benzviner Real Estate Inc.
Seller: Dionisio Cepeda
Date: 07/03/24

110 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Przybyla
Seller: Suzanne M. Whitcomb
Date: 06/27/24

River Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: North End Farm LLC
Seller: Swift River NT
Date: 07/02/24

21 School St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Stephanie Jones
Seller: Benjamin Perry
Date: 06/28/24

Sczygiel Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: North End Farm LLC
Seller: Swift River NT
Date: 07/02/24

WESTHAMPTON

Lyman Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Norton Garfinkle
Date: 06/26/24

Lyman St.
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Town Of Southampton
Seller: Norton Garfinkle
Date: 06/26/24

83 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Birtiany Browning
Seller: Stanley J. Puc
Date: 07/01/24

WORTHINGTON

31 Old Post Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jessica Drawe
Seller: Kathy M. Caron
Date: 07/03/24

Picture This

By
Be Love Day
Picture This

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

 

Be Love Day

The city of Springfield officially proclaimed Friday, July 12, 2024 “Be Love Day,” aligning with the national Be Love campaign led by the King Center in Atlanta. The Be Love campaign in the 413 features regionwide public engagement in a social-justice collaborative art project.

Be Love Day

Pictured: participating in the campaign launch at MLK Jr. Family Services are, from left, state Sen. Adam Gomez, Jean Canosa Albano of Springfield City Library, state Rep. Bud Williams, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Shannon Rudder of MLK Jr. Family Services, and Karen Finn from the Springfield Public Partnership.

 

Drink Up

MountainOne recently hosted Mo’s Watering Hole at Berkshire Health Systems’ 4th of July 5K. The annual race occurs right before the Independence Day parade on North Street in Pittsfield, and MountainOne team members handed out water to more than 1,200 runners.

Drink Up

Pictured: Mountaineer volunteers, including Donna Bishop, Julie Nichols, Jennifer Smith, Ethan Coe, Thomas Nowlan, Sharon Coe, Jennifer Jones, Samantha Rue, Julie Rider, Amanda Sobon, John Mead, Ellen Huth, Jonathan Denmark, and their families, await the runners.

 

Food for Thought

Current estimates indicate there are more than 27,000 food-insecure children in the Western Mass. region. “Voices in Food Equity: Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders” focused on this issue with a panel discussion on June 12 at Springfield College. Panelists included Joesiah Gonzalez from Home City Development, Jose Lopez-Figureroa from Springfield Technical Community College, Abby Getman Skillicorn from Massachusetts Farm to School, Catalina Lopez Ospina from Project Bread, and Shannon Rudder from Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services.

Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

Pictured: Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, welcomes guests and panelists.

 

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

MountainOne Announces Second-quarter Community Grants

NORTH ADAMS — MountainOne announced the completion of its community-dividend funding for the second quarter of 2024, distributing more than $150,000 to support various not-for-profit organizations in the Berkshires and South Shore communities. MountainOne’s $25,000 sponsorship of the North Adams SteepleCats, a New England Collegiate Baseball League team, helps bring baseball to Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams, enriching the greater Berkshire community. MountainOne has been a prominent sponsor of the Steeplecats since their inception in 2002. It was the inaugural pavilion sponsor of the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) at its inception in 2020, and continues its commitment of support to the BIC in 2024. In the recent grants, MountainOne committed $10,000 to the BIC in Pittsfield, supporting programming that focuses on vital areas such as STEM education, entrepreneurship, career preparation, and leadership, driving economic growth, and community empowerment. The Brien Center in Pittsfield, dedicated to providing comprehensive behavioral-health services for more than a century, received $10,000 to support its Youth Substance Use Prevention and Intervention program, which delivers essential services to local schools and ensures the well-being of young people in the community. In celebration of 50 years of service, MountainOne awarded $5,000 to Old Colony Elder Services in Brockton to support its behavioral-health and wellness programs, aiding the aging community on the South Shore. It also contributed $5,000 to BFAIR, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The funds will support the nonprofit’s ongoing efforts to provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injury. It also donated $5,000 to sponsor Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth’s Hearts and Hammers Gala. The gala is the nonprofit’s top fundraising event of the year, raising money to assist in its mission to combat poverty and homelessness through home construction and repair. MountainOne’s community dividend grant program also supports numerous community events, including the Summer Concert Series hosted by Friends of the Scituate Library, farmers’ markets in North Adams and Williamstown, Pittsfield and Williamstown 4th of July parades, and the North Adams Downtown Celebration on Aug. 14. It also supported pride events in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Quincy, underscoring its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Summer contributions also include sponsorship of numerous golf tournaments benefiting organizations such as BCARC in Pittsfield, the Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation in Pittsfield, the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield, Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Plymouth Public Library, and UCP of Western Massachusetts in Pittsfield. In addition, MountainOne has supported local baseball and softball teams, as well as charitable walk/run events, including the South Shore Food Bank’s Fresh Bite 5K and Citrus Stroll in Rockland and NAMIWalk Berkshire County in Pittsfield.

 

MLKFS Receives $100,000 from MassMutual Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS) announced the continued investment by, and partnership with, the MassMutual Foundation through a recent grant of $100,000 to support its emergency food pantry. The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services food pantry provides healthy food options to nearly 250 individuals and families each week. The pantry also serves as a community resource, offering access to medical support through various local health, wellness, and nutrition partners. “The MassMutual Foundation’s investment in MLK Family Services will ensure the continuity of essential services, particularly by supporting personnel and enhancing the resource capacity needed to operate the emergency food pantry,” said Shannon Rudder, CEO of MLKFS. “Funding from this initiative will help to ensure these services remain viable and open to any Western Massachusetts resident.” The MassMutual Foundation partners with local community members and organizations to help build financial resilience leading to future opportunities for all.

 

Wheeler & Taylor Insurance Brings Two Agencies into Fold

GREAT BARRINGTON — Mirick Insurance Agency of Shelburne Falls and Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency of Greenfield each recently entered a partnership with Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, a large insurance agency based in Great Barrington. The two long-established insurance agencies joined Wheeler & Taylor to broaden their insurance offerings locally, regionally, and nationally. Both firms retain their name, staff, location, and management. Located at 277 Federal St., Greenfield, Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency has been serving Franklin County since 1925. Founded in 1980, Mirick Insurance Agency is located at 28 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls. Founded in 1871, Wheeler & Taylor Inc. is one of America’s oldest continuously operated financial companies. Operating full-service insurance and real-estate brokerage operations from its headquarters in Great Barrington, it has a network of offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, and Nevada.

 

 

The Sugar Chalet Opens Its Doors in Wilbraham

WILBRAHAM — The Sugar Chalet, Wilbraham’s newest bakery and cafe, held its grand opening on July 20 at One Crane Park Dr. Owner and head chef Allison Henry offers an assortment of fine pastries and desserts. Her specialties include chocolate-chip cookies and housemade bagels. She also will offer breakfast sandwiches and other items, like focaccia pizza and salads. The Sugar Chalet has espresso drinks and milkshakes crafted with house-made frozen custard. Henry will also offer cooking classes, including demonstrations for children and adults for cake decorating, cooking, and baking, and has a small room for private events. She does custom orders for specialty items on request. A classically trained chef, she graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York in the spring of 2022 and is a 2021 graduate of the culinary program at Tantasqua High School in Sturbridge.

 

Herrell’s Ice Cream to Open New Location in Mill District

AMHERST — The Mill District and Herrell’s Ice Cream announced that Herrell’s Ice Cream will be opening soon in the Mill District’s North Square in North Amherst, first as a pop-up and later as a permanent location. The Mill District’s 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 will join Provisions, Carefree Cakery, the Mill District General Store, the Closet, the Mill District Local Art Gallery, Soulful Pet Studios, Futura Coffee; 3 Amigo’s Restaurant; the Lift Salon; Big Basket International Market; Amherst House of Pizza, and Cowls Building Supply, to name a few enterprises already making a mark on North Amherst’s busy shopping and dining offerings.

 

Five Star Building Corp. Donates $20,000 to WorkHub on Union

EASTHAMPTON — The Chamber of Greater Easthampton announced a contribution of $20,000 from Five Star Building Corp. toward its ambitious co-workspace project, WorkHub on Union. The donation will support the development of a vibrant and collaborative co-working space, providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs and businesses in the Greater Easthampton region. WorkHub on Union — located at 33 Union St., Easthampton, and slated to open toward the end of the summer — aims to create an innovative and inspiring environment where entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small-business owners can converge and thrive. Through this partnership with Five Star Builders Corp., the Chamber of Greater Easthampton will be able to enhance the support and services offered to local professionals, fostering growth and stimulating economic development in the community. In addition to offering a dynamic and flexible workspace, the WorkHub on Union will provide access to mentorship programs, networking events, educational programming, and other support services designed to accelerate the growth of startups and small businesses. Through this collaboration, the Chamber of Greater Easthampton and Five Star Building Corp. aim to empower entrepreneurs, foster innovation, and establish the Greater Easthampton region as a hub for business excellence.

 

O’Dell Women’s Center Grants $250,000 to Programs That Benefit Low-income Women

SPRINGFIELD — The O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation announced that it will grant $250,000 to nonprofits serving low-income Springfield women. Springfield’s first-ever women’s center will award grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to amplify the efforts of local nonprofit organizations that advance educational and career opportunities for low-income women. Nonprofit organizations that address obstacles facing low-income women, such as food insecurity and childcare access, will also be eligible for grant awards. The application is available at odellwomenscenter.com/grants and must be received by Sept. 13. Applications will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact, and grant award winners will be announced on Nov. 15. The O’Dell Women’s Center is a philanthropic initiative founded in 2023 with a mission to help low-income women achieve financial stability through improved access to educational and career opportunities. Located in the heart of Springfield, the center is a 10,000-square-foot facility that offers low- or no-cost ‘residencies’ and community collaboration spaces to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the lives of low-income women. The first nonprofit residency has been granted to Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, an organization that empowers women to establish careers and advance within their careers through skill development, professional attire, mentorship, and other programming.

 

CET Launches Carbon Conscious Business Accreditation

SPRINGFIELD — CET (formerly the Center for EcoTechnology) announced the launch of its Carbon Conscious Business accreditation, an initiative designed to recognize and celebrate businesses committed to reducing their carbon footprint through energy conservation, transitioning off fossil fuels, reducing waste, and other solutions. With commercial and residential buildings contributing 30% of U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions, decarbonizing this sector is essential to meeting CET’s climate goals. Decarbonizing offers numerous benefits: it mitigates climate change, potentially lowers operating costs and improves building comfort, and enhances reputation and brand value. Additionally, it ensures regulatory compliance, attracts purpose-driven employees, and improves public health and well-being by enhancing air and water quality. To begin the journey toward being accredited as a Carbon Conscious Business, businesses will meet with CET energy and waste experts to identify existing and new decarbonization opportunities tailored to the business. CET will then develop a customized action plan that outlines relevant measures to reduce carbon emissions. Once all measures have been completed, the business will be awarded a one-, two-, or three-star Carbon Conscious Business accreditation based on the extent of implementation. Regardless of the progress, CET will celebrate the participating company’s achievements with marketing opportunities, window decals, and table tents to showcase its commitment to sustainability. Learn more at cetonline.org/carbon-conscious-business-accreditation.

 

HNE Creates $250,000 Grant Fund to Honor Dr. Mark Keroack

SPRINGFIELD — To honor Dr. Mark Keroack’s 10 years on the board of directors of Health New England, the health plan is creating a $250,000 grant-making fund to help community organizations improve health equity. Keroack, president and CEO emeritus of Baystate Health, retired at the end of June. As chair of the board of Health New England, a not-for-profit health plan owned by Baystate Health, he helped form a deeper, more collaborative relationship between the entities. The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant program will provide local nonprofit organizations with a one-time grant of up to $50,000 to advance health equity in healthcare over a one-year period. Programs are required to promote health equity and include community collaboration resulting in improved health outcomes. Programs must target communities in Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire counties and focus on one or more of these populations: children and youth, communities of color, individuals experiencing poverty or with low incomes, or older adults. Nonprofit organizations can learn more or apply for the grant by Aug. 28 at healthnewengland.org/community/grantprogram.

 

AIC’s Criminal Justice Program Receives Quinn Bill Approval

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced that its master of science in criminal justice program has been approved under the Guidelines for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Academic Programs by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE). This approval qualifies the fully online degree for the Police Career Incentive Pay Program, also known as the Quinn Bill. The Massachusetts Legislature enacted the Quinn Bill to encourage police officers to earn degrees in law enforcement and criminal justice by providing educational incentives for full-time officers in participating cities and towns through salary increases. This approval means that AIC’s master of science in criminal justice program meets or exceeds all quality standards established by the guidelines, making its graduates eligible for incentive pay increases. By participating in the Quinn Bill, students who are full-time police officers in Massachusetts can receive significant salary increases upon graduation, providing a tangible return on their educational investment. This incentive not only encourages professional development, but also enhances the quality of law-enforcement services by ensuring officers are well-educated in the latest theories and practices in criminal justice.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2024.

CHICOPEE

City of Chicopee
449 Front St.
$283,550 — Construct shade canopy structure over existing patio at rear of library building

Elms College
291 Springfield St.
$150,000 — Replace existing HVAC units and curbs

Main Street Property Management LLC
340 McKinstry Ave.
$92,000 — Install new overhead door and three exterior window openings, install new office partitions and doors, associated electrical and HVAC work

Membros LLC
451 Memorial Dr.
$5,300 — Remove non-load-bearing wall and part of storefront to open up existing garage door, close back in to separate waiting area from garage, fix drop ceiling grid, new carpet, new entry door, fix old garage doors

EASTHAMPTON

Kuber Krupa LLC
334 Main St.
$58,000 — Install wet and dry sprinkler system

HADLEY

W/S Hadley Properties II LLC
335 Russell St., Suite 10
N/A — Roofing

NORTHAMPTON

32 Masonic Street LLC
32 Masonic St., Unit A
$2,500 — Illuminated projecting sign for the Parlor Room

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$4,330,685 — Construct one-story wood-frame educational building at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

Conz Street Realty Inc.
99 Industrial Dr.
$1,972 — Non-illuminated ground sign for Hampshire County Retirement System

Easthampton Mahadev LLC
137 Damon Road
$15,000 — Roofing

Gleason Brothers Inc.
7 Pearl St.
$37,000 — Roofing

King Barrett LLC
301 King St.
$13,000 — Interior demolition

Northampton Montessori Society
51 Bates St.
$36,500 — Remove ramp and install new ramp

ServiceNet Inc.
58 Cherry St.
$40,000 — Rebuild front and side porches

Smith College
4 Tyler Court
$523,902 — Renovation to Rooms 210-211 in Bass Hall

PITTSFIELD

Agree Stores LLC
555 Hubbard Ave.
$12,423 — Modify fire sprinkler system

BrixMor Berkshire Crossing LLC
555 Hubbard Ave.
$200,455 — Roofing

City of Pittsfield
9 Somerset Ave.
$91,900 — Replace windows

Clock Tower Associates Inc.
75 South Church St.
$151,518 — Install rooftop PV solar modules and related electrical equipment

Clock Tower Partners LLC
75 South Church St.
$31,400 — Create two new art studios in Building 5 and Building 12

CW Acquisitions LLC
1685 West Housatonic St.
$105,300 — Construct new ADA-compliant bathrooms

FP Lend Fund I LLC
644 North St.
$23,605 — Roofing

Holiday Inn & Suites
1 West St.
$1,000 — Remove one exterior door at second-floor level from enclosed pool

Howie Realty LLC
1350 East St.
$90,500 — Remove existing handicap ramp and replace with new ramp and stairs; add deck with ramp and stairs

ServiceNet Inc.
320 Onota St.
$10,000 — Emergency repair of deck support structure

SPRINGFIELD

11 Fisk Ave Storage LLC
11 East Fisk Ave.
$120,071.82 — Erect self-storage building (Building #1)

11 Fisk Ave Storage LLC
11 East Fisk Ave.
$174,033.15 — Erect self-storage building (Building #2)

11 Fisk Ave Storage LLC
11 East Fisk Ave.
$169,889.50 — Erect self-storage building (Building #3)

11 Fisk Ave Storage LLC
11 East Fisk Ave.
$165,745.86 — Erect self-storage building (Building #4)

11 Fisk Ave Storage LLC
11 East Fisk Ave.
$113,259.67 — Erect self-storage building (Building #5)

Chestnut Acquisitions LLC
151 Chestnut St.
$200,000 — Alter commercial tenant space for Wingstop fit-out

City of Springfield
60 Alton St.
$221,000 — Erect pavilion at STEM Middle Academy

City of Springfield
120 Ashland Ave.
$40,914 — Erect pavilion in Alfred M. Glickman Elementary School playground area

City of Springfield
45 Sumner Ave.
$60,879 — Erect shade pavilion in Sumner Avenue Elementary School playground area

City of Springfield
299 Sumner Ave.
$200,000 — Repair roof and chimney at Barney Carriage House

City of Springfield
433 Walnut St.
$25,000 — Erect pavilion in Elias Brookings Middle School playground area

Euclide Desrochers
524 Allen St.
$27,999 — Roofing

Fathima LLC
273 Hancock St.
$132,400 — Alter interior of existing Dunkin’ Donuts tenant area

F.L. Roberts and Co. Inc.
275 Albany St.
$289,797 — Install solar panels to roof

Glaze Realty LLC
125 Frank B Murray St.
$15,000 — Interior demolition for tenant build-out

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
665 Cottage St.
$129,284 — Remove overhead door and replace with two overhead doors, and infill center

Primera Iglesia Cristiana Misionera
25 Terrence St.
$19,000 — Roofing

Springfield Day Nursery Corp.
186 William St.
$5,636,796 — Erect child-development center for Square One

Agenda

By
Agenda

Art Exhibit Submissions

Through Aug. 31: The Taber Art Gallery at Holyoke Community College (HCC), in partnership with the college’s Thrive Student Resource Center, is seeking submissions from area artists for an exhibit titled “THRIVE: Beyond Surviving.” The exhibit will run from Oct. 31 to Dec. 20. Artists are encouraged to enter work that considers the systemic, communal, and/or individual obstacles and barriers to survival; what surviving means; how we as humans can continue to dream, push, and hope for more than the minimum; and the struggle of exhaustion versus the ability to rest. Submissions are due by Aug. 31.

 

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. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

 

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.

 

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.

Sharing Stories of Resilience

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

At the top of this issue’s cover story, Ryan Voiland says something striking.

“If I was a smart businessperson, I’d be out of this business.”

Striking, because the casual reader might ask, “then why are you still in it?”

It’s a question he quickly answers as he tells the story of Red Fire Farm in Granby, the fire that ravaged its historic barn in February, and the efforts he and his wife, Sarah, are making to keep the farm running and build a new structure.

The answer is simple and poignant. He does it because he loves it, and because it’s important.

Elaborating, this “labor of love,” as he calls it, is driven by a belief that locally grown food is critical to this region at a time when support for the Community Supported Agriculture model is on the decline.

The story is also a lesson in pivoting — a word everyone got tired of during the pandemic years, but a word that truly does apply to the experiences of so many businesses in myriad sectors, at any time in history.

Take this issue of BusinessWest alone. In the page 15 story, Val Francis goes in-depth on her winding journey to HUB International New England, where she’s vice president of Employee Benefits — a role she achieved without a college education, following a long series of career stops where she kept learning, kept adapting, and kept seizing opportunities. It’s a story well worth reading for anyone who goes to work every day wondering if there’s something better on the horizon — and how they might get there.

In the page 46 story, Ray Berry, owner of White Lion Brewing Co., talks about his original business plan, which included setting up shop in downtown Springfield based on a volume of workers in the office towers that has dramatically shrunk since — and how forging connections through community events has become even more critical.

Even on page 52, where several area auto dealers express optimism about the current state of business, they also talk about a couple years when manufacturing and supply issues emptied their lots of much of their usual inventory.

The point is, almost every story in BusinessWest — you’ll be hard-pressed to find exceptions — touches on challenges and often-sudden economic or personal changes that caused a business owner (or many of them) to doubt themselves, lose a little confidence in that original business plan, even contemplate giving up on their goals or dreams altogether.

There are no direct paths to business success. Everyone struggles. Maybe not with a fire, but with something, and usually something unexpected.

And that’s what makes writing these stories so gratifying — because that struggle is so often followed by perseverance, a few well-timed pivots, and eventual recovery and growth. That’s business. That’s life. And we’ve been relating that idea at BusinessWest for 40 years, in every issue.

The Voilands have a long way to go, and some nagging insurance woes to grapple with as well. But grapple they will on their road to rebuilding at Red Fire Farm.

Why? Because it’s important. And it’s a labor of love.

Clowning Around in Franklin County

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Jessye Deane

 

A couple weeks ago, I brought my family to the circus. Thanks to our members at North Star in Sunderland, for the first time ever, Circus Smirkus, an award-winning, world-renowned traveling youth circus, made its debut in Franklin County. Those of us who were lucky enough to land underneath the big top are already counting down the days until the troupe returns next summer. 

The performers, ages 11-18, flipped and flew and blew the minds of clown-nosed, popcorn-eating audience members of all ages, my kids especially. Gill’s own 12-year-old Oscar Gradick represented Franklin County well with his unbelievable juggling and made me irrationally proud of him and the rest of the very young, very talented troupe. And while I watched these kids soar and spiral above the crowd, I couldn’t help but think that I really need to start stretching more.

But after that, I was struck by the parallels that can be drawn between performing in the circus and running a business. Let me explain.

As we know, on any given day, managing a business or nonprofit can be a circus in its own right; we’re all performing a constant balancing act, juggling work deadlines and family demands and trying desperately not to let any of the balls drop.

Both the circus and business require an obscene level of flexibility and artistry, forcing everyone involved with the organizations to continually bend and contort themselves in order to meet the unusually high expectations of spectators.

Effective risk management is the foundation of good business and the big top, with business owners and circus-ers both barreling through the ring of fire and walking the ever-present, fine tightrope line between success and fall-on-your-face failure. 

While the argument can be made that clowns can pop up in all industries, ultimately, it’s the showmanship, discipline, and the unspoken, figure-it-out factor that separates successful ringmasters from the rest — and maybe a little bit of magic, too.

All this to say that, as Franklin County business and nonprofit professionals, we don’t often have the luxury of the ‘not my circus, not my monkeys’ mentality, and I hope, if you are feeling the weight of all those standing on your shoulders, that you take this reminder from the circus and remember how talented and truly spectacular you are.

After all, the show must go on!

Let’s all stretch more, too.

 

Jessye Deane is executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

 

Two Berkshire County Agencies Partner with Wheeler & Taylor Insurance

By
Daily News

GREAT BARRINGTON — Deep Associates Insurance Agency of North Adams and Thompson & Linscott Insurance Agency of Adams each recently entered a partnership with Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, the oldest independent insurance agency in Berkshire County.

The two long-established insurance agencies joined Wheeler & Taylor of Great Barrington to broaden their insurance offerings locally, regionally, and nationally. Both firms retain their name, staff, location, and management.

“With this new arrangement, we can provide additional insurance products, offer specialized expertise, and represent more insurance companies,” Deep Associates Agency Manager Carrie Kondel said.

The move is a win for all parties, Wheeler & Taylor President J. Scott Rote said.

“By partnering with Wheeler & Taylor, both agencies can do even more for their personal and business customers,” he noted. “Local decision making combined with national resources creates a unique opportunity for agencies like them to preserve their heritage and commitment to the local community while at the same time significantly expanding their access to a broadened marketplace of insurance carriers, knowledge to insure nationwide, and commercial expertise allowing for expanded product offerings.”

Deep Associates is located at 34 Ashland St., North Adams. Thompson & Linscott Insurance Agency is at 32 Park St., Adams.

Mirick Insurance Agency of Shelburne Falls and Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency of Greenfield also each recently entered a partnership with Wheeler & Taylor.

Monson Savings Bank Supports Spirit of Springfield with Donations Totaling $10,500

By
Daily News

From left: Michael Rouette and Dan Moriarty of Monson Savings Bank, Judy Matt of Spirit of Springfield, and Kylie LaPlante of Monson Savings Bank.

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced that it will be a Golden Circle Sponsor of this year’s Spirit of Springfield City of Bright Nights Ball. The bank recently presented a $7,000 donation to the Spirit of Springfield.

Additionally, the bank donated $3,500 to Spirit of Springfield in support of the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, which took place in May. As a major sponsor of that event, Monson Savings Bank team members were on site at their booth on Main Street the day of the breakfast providing free giveaways and activities.

The City of Bright Nights Ball, a formal, black-tie gala event, is the largest annual fundraiser the Spirit of Springfield organizes. Like last year, the gala will be held at MGM Springfield, where community members will enjoy dinner, dancing, auctions, and a 50/50 raffle. In attendance will be business, community, military, public-safety, and political leaders.

“We are honored to help support the Bright Nights Ball again this year. The ball is an excellent, long-standing tradition in Springfield, helping the Spirit of Springfield raise funds to invest back into the community,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Many of our team members grew up in and still live in Springfield and its surrounding communities, so the Spirit of Springfield’s mission is close to our hearts.”

Monson Savings Bank has strong ties in the Greater Springfield area, helping local businesses, customers, and many nonprofits to thrive, said Michael Rouette, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Monson Savings Bank is proud to be a part of the Springfield community. It is organizations like the Spirit of Springfield that unite us as a community and as friends.”

Added Judy Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield, “on behalf of the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield community, thank you so much to Monson Savings Bank for their continued support over the years. It is because of our annual donors and consistent supporters that our organization can do what we do for the Springfield community.”

Greenfield Awarded $925,000 in CDBG Funding

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — The city of Greenfield is receiving $925,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The funds will be utilized to support a medley of community-based initiatives.

CDBG is a federal program that provides funding to states and localities for economic and community development. The funding is geared toward building viable local communities, particularly for people of low or moderate income.

Greenfield is a mini-entitlement community under the Massachusetts CDBG program. The city must apply for and receive approval from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for each project it wishes to fund. Community planning for Greenfield’s FY 2024 CDBG funds included two public hearings and a request-for-proposals process for the social-services projects. The city submitted its FY24 proposal to the state on March 25.

The funds will be allocated to the following projects:

• $250,000 for housing rehabilitation, executed through a partnership with Community Action Pioneer Valley to rehabilitate four housing units and set aside for emergency repairs;

• $201,751 for water-main replacement design and engineering, to support bid-ready designs and plans for replacing water mains in the downtown central commercial zoning district. The bid/design stage is calculated at 15% of construction costs. Water-main replacements will take place over the next five years;

• $112,500 for microenterprise assistance, executed through a partnership with Franklin County Community Development Corp., a collaboration that includes workshops for small-business owners and potential owners and investment capital for qualified microenterprises; and

• $185,000 for several social-service programs, including: $50,000 for Community Legal Aid’s Homelessness Prevention Project, $44,200 for Wildflower Alliance’s Homelessness Prevention Greenfield expansion, $40,800 for the Stone Soup Café Community Free Store, $35,000 for the Center for Human Development’s Greenfield Elder Wellness Program, and $15,000 for the Center for New Americans Fostering Immigrant Self-sufficiency Program.

“This CDBG funding round will leave a lasting impact on Greenfield,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher said. “I am grateful to CDBG coordinator Anna Oltman and the Community and Economic Development Department for overseeing this process. I am proud that the funds effectively address a variety of important issues in our community.”

Added Community Development Administrator Anna Oltman, “thank you to the Massachusetts EOHLC for funding this program. Greenfield’s social-services agencies really stepped up with some amazing projects this round, and we’re so grateful to them for the work they’re doing, especially in the areas of homelessness prevention and elder services.”

Cruise for Critters Returning to Westview Farms Creamery to Support Pets in Need

By
Daily News

MONSON — The engines are revving, and the countdown has begun for the much-anticipated Cruise for Critters on Saturday, Sept. 21 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.

Lindsay Doray, chief Development officer at Second Chance, extends her gratitude to Widlan and Westview Farms Creamery for their commitment to the welfare of pets. This has been a challenging year for Second Chance, and funds raised through this event directly contribute to vital programs that make a difference for pets in the community.

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. Live music by the Barberic Band will provide a perfect soundtrack to the day, which will also include 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.

Neal Celebrates Funding for Flyover at West Springfield Rail Crossing

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Rail & Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger, West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt, Agawam Mayor Christopher Johnson, and state and local officials to announce funding for the construction of a flyover across the Front Street rail crossing and a new roadway configuration that will connect Bridge and Second streets in West Springfield.

A point of intersection between the towns of Agawam and West Springfield, the Front Street rail crossing serves as just one of three connecting roads between the two municipalities, with nearly 8,000 vehicles traveling through the rail crossing every day. As a route that connects two prominent commercial areas in both towns, including Main and North streets in Agawam and Route 20 in West Springfield, freight operations along this crossing have continuously disrupted the ability of residents to travel between the two towns.

This disruption has also impeded the ability of emergency vehicles that rely on this route to provide critical care to local residents, forcing them to seek alternative routes when the crossing is blocked by a parked train and delaying their response time.

A partnership between MassDOT, CSX Transportation, and the municipalities of West Springfield and Agawam, this $20+ million project will be funded with support from the federal government, including funding from the Railway-Highway Crossings (Section 130) Program. This program was supplemented by $245 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for FY22 through FY26. This project will also receive funding from state and local sources, along with a $2 million funding commitment from CSX.

“This crossing has posed a number of challenges to the communities of Agawam and West Springfield for several years,” Neal said. “After advocating with MassDOT and state and local officials, we have delivered a project that will provide the long-term solution residents have advocated for while advancing the Commonwealth’s larger goal of making west-east rail a reality.”

This project proposes to eliminate two highway-rail grade crossings by converting to a railroad under grade separation through the construction of an overpass along a new roadway alignment.

This project is located just over one mile west of the West Springfield CSX Transportation Intermodal Terminal along the Boston & Albany railroad corridor. The proximity to the Intermodal Terminal results in inefficiencies to railyard operations and can lead to both crossings being blocked for extended periods of time, sometimes multiple times a day, impacting vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists as trains arriving at the facility are switched and sorted.

“After many years of conversation about accessibility over the tracks, I am looking forward to the opportunity to provide our communities with an innovative option,” Reichelt said.

Added Johnson, “it is exciting to hear that, with the assistance of Congressman Neal, progress has been made on the critical transportation problem caused by the closure of Front Street during times when trains are parked on the tracks. This closure of a key route between Agawam and West Springfield presents a significant challenge to public safety, especially in mutual-aid scenarios involving police, fire, and emergency medical services. It also affects local residents and businesses due to the unpredictable nature of the times and dates when trains cause the road closure. This is especially true during the Big E when the other routes between Agawam and West Springfield are extremely congested with fairgoers.”

Stella Chan Selected as Greenfield Finance Director

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Daily News

GREENFIELD — Interim Finance Director Stella Chan will now serve full-time as the finance director for the city of Greenfield.

Chan holds an MBA from the Simmons Graduate School of Management and has worked in corporate and nonprofit sectors. Over the past 20 years, as principal of SMC Consulting Group, she provided fiscal management advice and accounting support to area nonprofit organizations, including United Way of Berkshire County, Holyoke Visting Nurse Assoc. & Hospice Life Care, VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. and United Way of Hampshire County.

“Serving as Greenfield’s new Finance director is an extraordinary opportunity,” Chan said. “I am focused on effectively serving the needs of the city’s departments while ensuring we operate as a fiscally sound and financially sustainable municipality. Achieving this will require cooperation and collaboration at all levels, and I am thrilled that I am joining a team of experienced and dedicated staff who are deeply committed to the well-being of our Greenfield community.”

Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher added that “filling the Finance director position was an immediate priority of mine following the city’s vacancy, and we organized countless interviews over the past few months to find the best candidate. Since joining the city on an interim basis in June, Stella has exemplified terrific leadership and a keen eye for fiscal practices. Her boundless energy and innovative thinking will make her a great steward of our finance department.”

Elm Electrical Hosts Summer Program for Aspiring Electricians

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Elm Electrical announced its summer program designed for students interested in exploring the electrical field. Dubbed Elm Futures, this initiative invites prospective co-op students to participate in a free, four-day training seminar aimed at honing their skills and showcasing their talents.

From Monday through Wednesday, participants will receive comprehensive instruction and hands-on training at Elm University’s state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms and labs. The seminar culminates on Thursday with Challenge Day, where students will apply their newfound knowledge in a project-board challenge. Elm project managers will be on hand to evaluate their work, offer feedback, and get to know the students.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight our training facility and introduce young minds to the electrical field,” said Paul Asselin, an Elm instructor. “We’re excited to see if students follow our strict safety protocols, ask questions, collaborate well with others, and exhibit a positive attitude. This program gives us a snapshot of their potential as future co-op students.”

Asselin emphasized the value of the program for students from traditional high schools who might not have considered a trade career. “Often, these students think it’s too late to enter a trade. We ensure they know that pursuing a career in the electrical field is still very much an option.”

The third session of the program started July 29 and runs through Thursday, Aug. 1, with the final session scheduled a couple of weeks later. “We’ve had two great sessions so far, and I’m looking forward to getting to know a new group of students this week,” Asselin added.

Elm University serves as Elm Electrical’s in-house training facility year-round. Employees aiming to become licensed electricians can enroll in a four-year apprentice program, working their regular jobs Monday through Thursday and attending school at Elm U every other Friday at no cost. This eliminates the need for night school and prepares students to sit for their electrician licensing exam after four years.

“Integrating our Futures program with Elm U allows us to develop our future workforce from the ground up,” Asselin said, noting that, in a couple of weeks, Elm Electrical will celebrate the signing of three of last year’s co-op students to full-time employment. “The fact that we can confidently offer full-time positions to last year’s co-op students speaks volumes about the success of this program.”

Davis Foundation Donates $10,000 to ServiceNet’s Arts & Technology Day Program

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — ServiceNet received a $10,000 grant from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation to support the expansion of SkillBuilders Makerspace+, an innovative, community-based day program for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

SkillBuilders Makerspace+ is an environment where people can explore their interests, learn new skills, and be involved in collaborative activities that enrich their lives. Through hands-on learning in modern art and technology studios, members engage their creative passions — including pottery, 3D printing, painting and drawing, virtual reality, coding, and more — while sharpening their creative thinking and building confidence.

Since its launch last October, SkillBuilders has gained strong member interest and community support. The space currently includes two art studios, a Lego and model building room, a tech and gaming area, and a meditation/inspiration space with a maker’s lounge that serves as the community hub.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation for their support,” said Shawn Robinson, vice president of Vocational Services at ServiceNet. “Our aim is to empower individuals with disabilities through creative expression and skill building, and this grant enables us to expand our impact, foster inclusivity, and offer programming to the broader community.”